Famous people and celebrities who died on May 17

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on May 17. 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.

• 1966 Randy Turpin

  British middleweight boxer who famously defeated Sugar Ray Robinson in 1951, becoming a significant figure in boxing history and challenging...

• 1985 Abe Burrows

  Abe Burrows was a celebrated American playwright, director, and writer best known for his iconic Broadway musical 'Guys and Dolls', which...

• 1987 Gunnar Myrdal

  Nobel prize winner in economics and sociology from sweden (d. 1987).

• 1989 Robert Webber

  Robert Webber was an American actor known for his roles in film, television, and theater, often playing suave, tough, or authoritative characters. [bio]

• 1992 Lawrence Welk

  Lawrence Welk was a renowned American accordion player and bandleader famous for his long-running television show on ABC from 1955 to 1982.

• 1996 Willis Conover

  Legendary jazz broadcaster who hosted 'Music USA' on Voice of America, significantly influencing global jazz appreciation during the Cold...

• 2001 Frank G Slaughter

  Frank G. Slaughter was a prolific American physician who became a renowned novelist, writing numerous medical and historical fiction books...

• 2001 Jacques-Louis Lions
• 2002 Dave Berg

  American cartoonist known for his work in Mad Magazine, creating satirical illustrations that captured mid-20th century American culture.

• 2004 Tony Randall
• 2005 Frank Gorshin

  Frank Gorshin was an American actor, impressionist, and comedian best known for his Emmy-nominated role as the Riddler on the 1960s TV series 'Batman'. He was also highly regarded for his nightclub performances and voice work. [bio]

• 2006 Eric Forth

  British Conservative Party politician who served as a Member of Parliament, known for his significant contributions to UK political...

• 2007 Lloyd Alexander

  Renowned American fantasy author best known for The Chronicles of Prydain series, a beloved children's fantasy cycle that significantly...

• 2009 Mario Benedetti

  Mario Benedetti was a prominent Uruguayan poet, novelist, and essayist who significantly influenced Latin American literature.

• 2009 Prakash Mehra
• 2011 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]

• 2011 Harmon Killebrew

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

• 2012 Donna Summer

  Donna Summer was a renowned singer known as the 'Queen of Disco.

• 2012 Warda Al-Jazairia
• 2014 Gerald Edelman

  Renowned American neuroscientist and immunologist who won the Nobel Prize in 1972 for groundbreaking research on the structure of antibodies...

• 2019 Herman Wouk

  Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist renowned for his epic World War II literature, including 'The Caine Mutiny' and 'The Winds of War', which...

• 2020 Shad Gaspard

  Professional wrestler and actor who was tragically killed while heroically saving his son from drowning, remembered for his WWE career and...

• 2023 Billy Graham
• 2023 James Hartle