Famous people and celebrities who died on May 13

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on May 13. On this day, we honor the lives and legacies of notable figures from various fields who left an indelible mark on the world. Explore our list to learn about their remarkable contributions and celebrate their enduring impact.

• 1930 Fridtjof Nansen

  Norwegian scientist, explorer, and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1861).

• 1938 Charles Édouard Guillaume

  Swiss-french physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1861).

• 1941 Ōnishiki Uichirō

  The 26th yokozuna, a japanese sumo wrestler (d. 1941).

• 1957 Michael Fekete

  Hungarian-israeli mathematician and academic (b. 1886).

• 1961 Gary Cooper

  Gary Cooper was an American film actor known for his understated acting style and strong, silent screen presence. He appeared in more than 100 films, starring in classic westerns, dramas, and war movies. Cooper won two Academy Awards for Best Actor and became an icon of American cinema during Hollywood’s Golden Age. [bio]

• 1962 Franz Kline

  Prominent American abstract expressionist painter known for his powerful black and white gestural paintings that were influential in the...

• 1972 Dan Blocker

  Dan Blocker was an American actor best known for his role as Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright on the long-running NBC Western television series 'Bonanza.' [bio]

• 1975 Marguerite Perey

  Pioneering French physicist who became the first woman elected to the French Academy of Sciences in 1962.

• 1975 Bob Wills

  Legendary American western swing musician, bandleader, and pioneer of country music who significantly influenced the development of the...

• 1977 Mickey Spillane

  Prolific crime novelist famous for creating Mike Hammer, a tough-guy private detective series.

• 1982 Renzo Rossellini

  Renzo Rossellini was an accomplished Italian composer and musician from a renowned artistic family, best known as the brother of famous film...

• 1985 Leatrice Joy

  Leatrice Joy was an American actress known for her work during the silent film era. She gained prominence through her collaborations with director Cecil B. DeMille and became one of the most popular leading ladies of the 1920s. [bio]

• 1985 Richard Ellmann

  Renowned American literary critic and biographer, best known for his seminal works on Oscar Wilde and James Joyce.

• 1988 Chet Baker

  Legendary jazz musician known for his innovative trumpet playing and distinctive vocal style, who was a key figure in the West Coast jazz...

• 1997 Laurie Lee

  British poet and novelist best known for his autobiographical work 'Cider with Rosie', which vividly depicts rural life in the Cotswolds...

• 1999 Gene Sarazen

  Legendary professional golfer who won multiple major championships, including the Masters in 1935 and US Open in 1922 and 1932.

• 2000 Jumbo Tsuruta

  Legendary Japanese professional wrestler known for his significant contributions to puroresu (Japanese professional wrestling) and his...

• 2002 Valeriy Lobanovskyi

  Valeriy Lobanovskyi was a legendary Ukrainian footballer and manager who significantly influenced modern football tactics and coaching...

• 2005 Eddie Barclay

  Influential French music producer who founded Barclay Records and worked with legendary artists like Charles Aznavour, Dalida, and Jacques...

• 2006 Jaroslav Pelikan

  Renowned American religious scholar and historian who specialized in the history of Christianity and made significant contributions to...

• 2009 Achille Compagnoni

  Achille Compagnoni was a distinguished Italian alpine ski racer who won gold medals at the 1948 Winter Olympics, representing Italy with...

• 2011 Derek Boogaard

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

• 2013 Chuck Muncie

  Chuck Muncie was a prominent American football player who had a notable career in the NFL, particularly with the San Diego Chargers during...

• 2014 Malik Bendjelloul

  Malik Bendjelloul was an acclaimed Swedish documentary filmmaker who won an Academy Award for 'Searching for Sugar Man', a powerful film...

• 2018 Margot Kidder

  Margot Kidder was a Canadian-American actress best known for her role as Lois Lane in the 'Superman' film series alongside Christopher Reeve. Her career spanned several decades, during which she worked in film, television, and stage productions. [bio]

• 2019 Doris Day

  Doris Day was an American actress, singer, and animal welfare activist, celebrated for her work in film, music, and television, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s. [bio]

• 2019 Unita Blackwell

  Prominent African American civil rights activist who became the first Black woman elected as mayor in Mississippi, fighting for voting...

• 2022 Ben Roy Mottelson

  Prize laureate for the discovery of the connection between collective motion and particle motion in atomic nuclei and the development of the...