Connecticut's recent celebrity gossip and sightings, March 2023

Celebrity news in March was highlighted by a number of announcements and appearances.

Television host and actor Conan O'Brien got redemption at Sally's Apizza in New Haven, while Amanda Bynes had to back out of an appearance at '90s Con in Hartford due to personal illness, plus much more.

Here are some of the famous people who visited or made the news in and around Connecticut in March:

Conan O'Brien stops by Sally's Apizza

New Haven

Connan O'Brien with Sally's Apizza manager Rylan.

Sally's Apizza / Contributed

Television host and actor Conan O'Brien stopped by Sally's Apizza in New Haven. On March 27, the pizzeria posted several photos including a selfie with O'Brien and caricatures drawn on Sally's pizza boxes on social media.

Jim O'Heir visits Jealous Monk

Mystic

US actor Jim O'Heir arrives for the PaleyFest presentation of NBC's "Parks and Recreation" 10th Anniversary Reunion at the Dolby theatre on March 21, 2019 in Hollywood. (Photo by Chris Delmas / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images

"Parks and Recreation" actor Jim O'Heir was seen having lunch at a Mystic restaurant on March 24. O'Heir posted a selfie on social media in front of the Jealous Monk. The post was captioned, "I'm filming in a beautiful little town called Mystic in CT. Today's a day to explore and I think I've spotted my obvious lunch choice."

Bill Murray spotted at UConn game

New York

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 23: Actor Bill Murray is seen in attendance during the game between the Connecticut Huskies and the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 23, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Actor Bill Murray was seen at the UConn Huskies men's basketball game against Iona University at the MVP Arena in Albany. Murray's son, Luke Murray, is an assistant basketball coach for the team. Bill Murray was also spotted in Las Vegas when the Huskies defeated the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.

Trevor Noah visits the Palace Theatre

Stamford

South African comedian Trevor Noah arrives for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 3, 2022. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

The Palace Theatre in Stamford welcomed Emmy Award-winning comedian and New York Times best-selling author Trevor Noah at its 11th Annual Gala and Fundraiser on March 8. Noah recently left "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central after seven years.

Bethenny Frankel at Elm Street Diner

Stamford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 23: Bethenny Frankel poses at the opening night of the new Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical "Bad Cinderella" on Broadway at The Imperial Theatre on March 23, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage)

Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/WireImage

Former "Real Housewives of New York City" star and Greenwich resident Bethenny Frankel had dinner with her daughter at Elm Street Diner in Stamford on March 7. The Skinnygirl entrepreneur raved about the diner on TikTok.

Red Hot Chili Peppers and John Mayer to headline Sound on Sound

Bridgeport

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 21: Chad Smith, Anthony Kiedis, Flea and John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers perform at Mt Smart Stadium on January 21, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Dave Simpson/WireImage

The Red Hot Chili Peppers and John Mayer will lead the 2023 Sound On Sound lineup at Bridgeport's Seaside Park on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Mayer was announced as a headliner for the festival in January. Red Hot Chili Peppers and others were announced March 7. Alanis Morissette, Hozier, Trey Anastasio Band, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Dispatch, Lord Huron and Mt. Joy are among the other big names announced. 

Amanda Bynes '90s Con appearance canceled

Hartford

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - JUNE 05: Actress Amanda Bynes arrives at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards at Universal Studios' Gibson Amphitheatre on June 5, 2011 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

The anticipated appearance of Amanda Bynes at '90s Con was canceled. The production company confirmed on its Instagram story that the Nickelodeon star did not attend '90s Con due to illness. 

Kenan Thompson surprises fans at '90s Con

Hartford

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON -- Episode 1817 -- Pictured: (l-r) Actor Kenan Thompson and actor Kel Mitchell during an interview on Friday, March 17, 2023 -- (Photo by: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)

NBC/Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Image

Keenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell announced "Good Burger 2" on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" ahead of '90s Con. Then, Thompson surprised fans with an unscheduled appearance at '90s Con on March 18. Thompson joined the "All That" panel and took pictures with fans.

Comedian Bill Burr announces June show

Bridgeport

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Bill Burr attends the LA Premiere of HBO's George Carlin's American Dream at Avalon Hollywood & Bardot on May 11, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO)

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO

On March 28, comedian Bill Burr announced the addition of a Bridgeport show to his upcoming arena tour. The "Immoral Compass" star will be at the Total Mortgage Arena on June 23. 

Dolly Parton reading program expands

New Britain

AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 18: Dolly Parton performs on stage at ACL Live during Blockchain Creative Labs’ Dollyverse event at SXSW during the 2022 SXSW Conference and Festivals on March 18, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SXSW)

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SXSW

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which mails books to families with children under the age of 5, will next head to New Britain. The expansion is, in part, thanks to Rep. Jahana Hayes, who secured $150,000 for the project. The program has been adopted statewide by a number of states including Tennessee, Maine, Alabama and California. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library has also expanded to Canada, Australia, the U.K. and Ireland. 

Heidi Voight returns to on-air slot for NBC Connecticut

Hartford

Heidi Voight and Ted Koppy from NBC Connecticut will be hosting the Milford Trick or Trot 5K.

Pamela McLoughlin / Hearst Connecticut Media

NBC Connecticut Today news anchor Heidi Voight returned to her on-air slot March 21 following a three-week hiatus due to a personal loss. She anchored the morning news alongside meteorologist Bob Maxon and many fans commented they were happy to have her back. Voight's co-anchor, Ted Koppy, has also been gone from NBC Connecticut Today for several weeks. 

Talking Heads reunite backstage at concert

New Haven

David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Jerry Harrison and Chris Frantz of Talking Heads, inductees (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)

Jim Spellman/WireImage

The Talking Heads, responsible for hits like "Psycho Killer" and "Once in a Lifetime," reunited backstage on March 11 at the "Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew: Remain in Light" concert at College Street Music Hall. Harrison posted a picture on social media captioning, "Delighted to welcome Chris and Tina to our show in New Haven last Saturday night."

The band broke up in the early 90s after lead singer David Byrne left the group. 

Disney's 'Chang Can Dunk' movie premiere

Stamford

Connecticut residents' who were involved in Disney's 'Chang Can Dunk' attended a private screening of the film at Stamford's Avon Theater.

Abby Weiss/Hearst CT

In the fall of 2021, Connecticut high school band members served as extras in a Disney's "Chang Can Dunk." On March 2, they traded their uniforms for suits and dresses to see the movie on the big screen at the Avon Theatre Film Center in Stamford. The movie was released on Disney+ March 10. It follows an Asian American teen in a marching band who makes a bet with the school's basketball star that he can dunk a basketball by homecoming.

More than 200 people attended the pre-screening, which Disney hosted to recognize the extras and crew members from Connecticut.

Fashion designer and celebrity stylist Withley Verdiner at Tony's at the J House

Greenwich

Fashion designer and celebrity stylist Withley Verdiner, center, at "Women Empower Hour" at Tony's at the J House in Greenwich.

Contributed photo / G Marvin Music

Tony's at the J House held "Women Empower Hour," a fashion show in celebration of International Women's Day, on March 14. The show was hosted by fashion designer and celebrity stylist Withley Verdiner of Saks Fifth Avenue, featuring a fashion show by designer Alonso Maximo.