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Famous people and celebrities who died in May 2004

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 2004. 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

  • Anthony Ainley
    May 3 Anthony Ainley

    British actor best known for playing the Master in the long-running science fiction series Doctor Who during the 1980s.

  • David Reimer
    May 4 David Reimer

    Canadian subject of a controversial medical case involving gender reassignment, whose story became a significant ethical and psychological...

  • Coxsone Dodd
    May 5 Coxsone Dodd
  • Nando Martellini
    May 5 Nando Martellini
  • Barney Kessel
    May 6 Barney Kessel

    Renowned jazz guitarist and composer who was a prominent figure in West Coast jazz during the 1950s and 1960s.

  • Philip Kapleau
    May 6 Philip Kapleau

    Prominent Zen Buddhist teacher who founded the Rochester Zen Center and was instrumental in introducing Zen Buddhism to Western audiences...

  • Waldemar Milewicz
    May 7 Waldemar Milewicz

    Polish reporter (born 1956).

  • Alan King
    May 9 Alan King

    Alan King was a renowned American comedian and actor, famous for his satirical observations of everyday life and his appearances in film, television, and on stage. He became one of the most respected figures in comedy during the 20th century. [bio]

  • Brenda Fassie
    May 9 Brenda Fassie

    Iconic South African pop singer who revolutionized African music, known for her powerful voice and controversial personal life.

  • Akhmad Kadyrov
    May 9 Akhmad Kadyrov

    Controversial Chechen political leader who served as the first President of the Chechen Republic, assassinated in 2004.

  • Anna Lee
    May 14 Anna Lee

    Renowned British actress known for her versatile roles in film and television, with a career spanning several decades.

  • Gloria Anzaldúa
    May 15 Gloria Anzaldúa
  • Tony Randall
    May 17 Tony Randall
  • Elvin Jones
    May 18 Elvin Jones

    Legendary jazz drummer who was a pivotal figure in the development of modern jazz, best known for his revolutionary work with John...

  • Serge Turgeon
    May 18 Serge Turgeon

    Canadian actor and union leader who made significant contributions to the entertainment industry before his death in 2004.

  • Richard Biggs
    May 22 Richard Biggs

    American actor (d. 2004).

  • Maxime Rodinson
    May 23 Maxime Rodinson
  • Henry Ries
    May 24 Henry Ries

    German-american photographer (b. 1917).

  • Milton Shulman
    May 24 Milton Shulman

    Canadian critic and author (born 1913).

  • Roger Williams Straus
    May 25 Roger Williams Straus

    Prominent American book publisher who co-founded the prestigious Farrar, Straus and Giroux publishing company.

  • Umberto Agnelli
    May 27 Umberto Agnelli
  • Archibald Cox
    May 29 Archibald Cox

    Prominent American lawyer and legal scholar who played a crucial role in the Watergate investigation, serving as special prosecutor and...

  • Samuel Dash
    May 29 Samuel Dash

    American academic and politician (b. 1925).

  • Robert Quine
    May 31 Robert Quine

    Influential punk guitarist who co-founded 'Richard Hell & the Voidoids', making significant contributions to the punk rock scene of the late...

  • Etienne Roda-Gil
    May 31 Etienne Roda-Gil

    Etienne Roda-Gil was a renowned French screenwriter and songwriter who made significant contributions to French cultural arts during the...

  • Aiyathurai Nadesan
    May 31 Aiyathurai Nadesan

    Sri lankan journalist (b. 1954).