Famous people and celebrities who died in May 2010

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 2010. 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 1 Helen Wagner

  Helen Wagner was an iconic American actress best known for her long-running role in the soap opera 'As the World Turns', where she played...

• May 2 Lynn Redgrave

  Lynn Redgrave was an acclaimed English actress and playwright, widely recognized for her extensive work in film, television, and theatre. She received numerous accolades over her career, including nominations for Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, Emmy Awards, and Tony Awards. Noted for her versatility and wit, Redgrave became a beloved figure in British and American entertainment. [bio]

• May 5 Umaru Musa Yar'Adua

  Nigerian politician who served as the 13th President of Nigeria from 2007 until his death in 2010, known for his political reforms and...

• May 5 Giulietta Simionato

  Renowned Italian mezzo-soprano who was a leading opera performer of her generation, celebrated for her exceptional vocal range and dramatic...

• May 6 Robin Roberts (newscaster)

  Robin Roberts is a prominent American television journalist and broadcaster, best known as a long-time co-anchor of ABC's Good Morning...

• May 6 Robin Roberts

  Legendary Philadelphia Phillies pitcher who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, known for his exceptional performance in the 1950s...

• May 7 Wally Hickel

  Wally Hickel was a prominent American politician who served as the Governor of Alaska twice and also as the United States Secretary of the...

• May 9 Lena Horne

  Lena Horne was an acclaimed American singer, actress, dancer, and civil rights activist. She rose to prominence as a nightclub performer before securing roles in Hollywood movies during the 1940s, becoming one of the first African American actresses to sign a long-term contract with a major studio. [bio]

• May 10 Frank Frazetta

  Legendary fantasy and science fiction artist renowned for his iconic illustrations and paintings that revolutionized genre artwork,...

• May 14 Goh Keng Swee

  Prominent Singaporean statesman who played a crucial role in Singapore's early political development as the 2nd deputy prime minister.

• May 15 Bekim Fehmiu

  Bekim Fehmiu was a Yugoslavian actor of Albanian origin, internationally renowned as one of the first Eastern European actors to achieve major success in Western cinema. Fehmiu was noted for his roles in European and Hollywood films during the 1960s and 1970s, including the acclaimed 'I Even Met Happy Gypsies' and 'The Adventurers.' [bio]

• May 15 Besian Idrizaj

  Austrian footballer (born 1987).

• May 16 Ronnie James Dio

  American heavy metal vocalist (born 1942).

• May 16 Hank Jones

  Renowned American jazz pianist and bandleader who significantly contributed to the bebop and hard bop jazz movements during the mid-20th...

• May 22 Martin Gardner

  Martin Gardner was a renowned recreational mathematician, science writer, and creator of mathematical puzzles who significantly influenced...

• May 23 José Lima

  Dominican-American baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball, known for his energetic personality and performances with multiple...

• May 23 Simon Monjack

  English director, producer, and screenwriter (b. 1970).

• May 24 Paul Gray

  Bassist for the heavy metal band Slipknot, who tragically passed away in 2010.

• May 24 Raymond V. Haysbert

  American businessman and activist (b. 1920).

• May 24 Ray Alan

  English ventriloquist, actor, and screenwriter (b. 1930).

• May 25 Gabriel Vargas

  Mexican painter and illustrator (b. 1915).

• May 26 Art Linkletter

  Art Linkletter was a Canadian-born American radio and television personality, best known for his long-running radio and TV shows including 'House Party' and 'People Are Funny.' He became a household name in the United States for his witty interviews, especially with children. [bio]

• May 26 Jean Constantin

  Jean Constantin was a renowned Romanian comedian and actor, celebrated for his roles in film, television, and theater, particularly known for his comedic performances in Romanian cinema. [bio]

• May 26 Matt Hughes

  Renowned UFC champion and mixed martial artist who dominated the welterweight division during his career, tragically died in a road...

• May 28 Gary Coleman

  Gary Coleman was an American actor best known for his role as Arnold Jackson in the sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes', where his catchphrase 'What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?' became iconic. Coleman was recognized for his small stature resulting from a congenital kidney disease, which contributed to his youthful appearance. [bio]

• May 29 Dennis Hopper

  Dennis Hopper was an influential American actor, filmmaker, photographer, and artist, known for his intense performances and for directing and starring in the countercultural classic 'Easy Rider'. He had a dynamic and eclectic career in Hollywood, marked by both critical acclaim and periodic controversy. [bio]

• May 31 Louise Bourgeois

  Louise Bourgeois was a pioneering French-American artist renowned for her influential sculptural works that explored themes of memory,...

• May 31 Merata Mita

  Pioneering Māori filmmaker who was instrumental in developing Indigenous cinema in New Zealand and internationally.

• May 31 William A. Fraker

  American director, producer, and cinematographer (b. 1923).