Famous people and celebrities who died in May 2011

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 2011. 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 Henry Cooper

  Legendary British heavyweight boxer known for his famous bout with Muhammad Ali and his significant contributions to boxing.

• May 1 Ted Lowe

  Legendary English snooker commentator who became known as the 'Voice of Snooker' and significantly contributed to the sport's popularity in...

• May 2 Osama bin Laden

  Osama bin Laden was a Saudi Arabian-born militant and the founder of al-Qaeda, the extremist organization responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, most notably the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. Bin Laden became the most wanted terrorist in the world after masterminding several deadly operations against Western and allied targets. [bio]

• May 3 Jackie Cooper

  Jackie Cooper was an American actor, television director, producer, and executive who began his career as a child actor and remained active in the entertainment industry for over six decades. He became the youngest performer to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his work in 'Skippy' (1931). Cooper also played significant roles in … [bio]

• May 3 Sergo Kotrikadze

  Georgian footballer and manager (b. 1936).

• May 5 Dana Wynter

  Dana Wynter was a German-born British actress best known for her role as Becky Driscoll in the classic science fiction film 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' (1956). She appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, and was recognized for her elegance and versatility on screen. [bio]

• May 5 Claude Choules

  Claude Choules was a British Royal Navy sailor who served in World War I and was one of the last surviving veterans of that conflict.

• May 7 Seve Ballesteros

  Seve Ballesteros was a legendary Spanish professional golfer renowned for his creativity, charisma, and significant impact on international golf. Known for his imaginative shot-making and passionate style, Ballesteros played a crucial role in revitalizing European golf and was instrumental in popularizing the Ryder Cup. He won five major championships, including two Masters Tournaments, and is regarded as one of the … [bio]

• May 7 Willard S. Boyle

  Prize laureate for the invention of an imaging semiconductor circuit - the CCD sensor.

• May 7 Gunter Sachs

  German-born Swiss photographer, author, and industrialist known for his playboy lifestyle.

• May 8 Lionel Rose

  Groundbreaking Australian boxer who became the first Indigenous Australian to win a world boxing title, breaking significant racial barriers...

• May 11 Robert Traylor

  Professional basketball player who played in the NBA, tragically passing away in 2011 at a relatively young age.

• May 13 Derek Boogaard

  Derek Boogaard was a prominent Canadian-American ice hockey enforcer known for his intimidating physical presence and fighting skills in the...

• May 17 Edward Hardwicke

  Edward Hardwicke was an English actor renowned for his portrayal of Dr. John Watson alongside Jeremy Brett in the acclaimed Granada Television adaptations of Sherlock Holmes stories. He had a distinguished stage and screen career, appearing in numerous British TV series and films over several decades. [bio]

• May 17 Harmon Killebrew

  Legendary Major League Baseball player who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

• May 19 Garret FitzGerald

  Prominent Irish politician who served as the 7th Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland from 1981 to 1987.

• May 20 Randy Savage

  Professional wrestler known as 'Macho Man', WWE Hall of Fame inductee famous for his charismatic personality and iconic wrestling style.

• May 27 Jeff Conaway

  Jeff Conaway was an American actor best known for his roles as Kenickie in the film 'Grease' and as Bobby Wheeler in the television series 'Taxi.' He also appeared in the sci-fi series 'Babylon 5.' His work made him a well-known figure in film and television during the late 20th century. [bio]

• May 27 Gil Scott-Heron

  Influential African American poet, musician, and author known for his powerful spoken word performances and socially conscious music that...

• May 27 Margo Dydek

  Pioneering Polish professional basketball player and coach who was known for her exceptional height and significant contributions to women's...

• May 29 Bill Clements

  Distinguished American politician and military professional who served as the 15th United States Deputy Secretary of Defense and was a...

• May 29 Ferenc Mádl

  Hungarian politician and academic who served as the 2nd President of Hungary from 2000 to 2005, known for his scholarly background and...

• May 29 Sergei Bagapsh

  Abkhazian politician who served as the 2nd president of Abkhazia, a partially recognized state, until his death in 2011.

• May 30 Rosalyn Yalow

  Rosalyn Yalow was a pioneering medical physicist who won the Nobel Prize in 1977 for developing radioimmunoassay, a groundbreaking technique...

• May 30 Rosalyn Sussman Yalow

  American physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1921).

• May 30 Marek Siemek

  Polish philosopher and historian (b. 1942).

• May 31 Pauline Betz

  Renowned American tennis player who won the Wimbledon Women's Singles Championship in 1946, marking a significant achievement in her...