Famous people and celebrities who died in May 1981

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 1981. This month marked the loss of influential and beloved figures whose contributions spanned various fields and touched many lives. Explore our detailed list to remember and celebrate their enduring legacies and the remarkable impact they had on the world

May 3 Nargis
Legendary Indian film actress known for her iconic roles in Bollywood cinema, particularly in the classic film 'Mother India'.
May 4 C. Loganathan
Sri lankan banker (b. 1913).
May 5 Bobby Sands
Irish republican activist and political prisoner who became a symbol of the Irish republican movement during the Troubles, dying after a...
May 7 Du Yuming
May 8 Uri Zvi Greenberg
Israeli poet and writer, known for his nationalist and Zionist themes.
May 9 Nelson Algren
Nelson Algren was a prominent American novelist known for his gritty, realistic portrayals of marginalized urban life in mid-20th century...
May 11 Bob Marley
Bob Marley was a legendary Jamaican reggae musician, songwriter, and singer. As the frontman of The Wailers and later as a solo artist, Marley played a crucial role in bringing reggae music and Rastafarian culture to international prominence. Known for his powerful lyrics that addressed social justice, love, and peace, Marley is regarded as an enduring global icon of music … [bio]
May 11 Odd Hassel
Norwegian chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1897).
May 12 David Wechsler
May 12 Francis Hughes
May 18 William Saroyan
William Saroyan was an acclaimed Armenian-American novelist, playwright, and short story writer. He is best known for his works celebrating the resilience and humanity of ordinary people, and he earned both a Pulitzer Prize and an Academy Award during his prolific career. [bio]
May 18 Arthur O'Connell
May 20 Noboru Nakamura
May 21 Patsy O'Hara
Irish Republican Army volunteer who died during the 1981 Irish hunger strikes, a pivotal moment in Northern Ireland's conflict.
May 21 Raymond McCreesh
May 23 George Jessel
George Jessel was an American actor, singer, songwriter, and film producer, noted for his long career in entertainment and his status as a vaudeville legend. He became widely known as the 'Toastmaster General of the United States' for hosting numerous high-profile events. [bio]
May 23 Gene Green
American baseball player (b. 1933).
May 23 Laura Allende Gossens
May 24 Herbert Müller
Swiss professional race car driver who competed in Formula One and tragically died during a racing event in 1981.
May 25 Ruby Payne-Scott
Ruby Payne-Scott was a pioneering Australian radio astronomer who made significant contributions to the field during World War II.
May 25 Fredric Warburg
British author and publisher (born 1898).
May 27 János Pilinszky
May 28 Stefan Wyszyński
Stefan Wyszyński was a prominent Polish cardinal who played a crucial role in the Catholic Church during the communist era in Poland,...
May 28 Mary Lou Williams
Renowned African American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger who significantly influenced jazz music across multiple eras from swing to...
May 30 Ziaur Rahman
Prominent Bangladeshi military officer and political leader who served as the seventh president of Bangladesh, assassinated in 1981.