List of Famous people who died in 1983

John Ayers Merritt was a head football coach at Jackson State University and Tennessee State University. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

Sidney Skolsky was an American writer best known as a Hollywood gossip columnist. He ranked with Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons as the premier Hollywood gossip columnists of the first three decades of the sound picture era. A radio personality in addition to having his own syndicated newspaper column, Skolsky also was a screenwriter and movie producer who occasionally acted in the radio and in the movies. Skolsky claimed to be the person who gave the nickname "Oscar" to the Academy Award and was credited for the introduction of the use of the word beefcake.

Renato De Riva was an Italian speed skater who was active internationally between 1958 and 1968. He competed at the 1960, 1964, and 1968 Winter Olympics with the best result of 14th place in the 10,000 m in 1960 and in the 5000 m in 1964.

Nino Marchetti was an Italian film actor. He appeared in 66 films between 1934 and 1973.

Maxwell Shane was an American movie and television director, screenwriter, and producer.

Nanu Moeljono was an Indonesian actor and comedian. He was known as a member of Warkop before deciding to resign.

Mario Pio Gaspari was an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church who worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See.

Ralph Waldo Wright was a Disney animator and story/storyboard writer who provided the gloomy, sullen voice of Eeyore from the popular Winnie the Pooh franchise.