Famous people and celebrities who died on May 18

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on May 18. 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.

• 1867 Clarkson Stanfield

  Known for his geological surveys and contributions to stratigraphy.

• 1909 Isaac Albéniz

  Spanish composer and pianist, known for his virtuosic piano works that helped establish the Spanish nationalist style of classical music.

• 1922 Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran

  Prize laureate in recognition of his work on the role played by protozoa in causing diseases.

• 1963 Ernie Davis

  Legendary African American football player who was the first Black player to win the Heisman Trophy, tragically dying young from leukemia.

• 1975 Leroy Anderson

  Renowned American composer famous for light classical and novelty orchestral works, including popular pieces like 'Blue Tango' and 'Sleigh...

• 1980 David A. Johnston

  David A. Johnston was a renowned American volcanologist who tragically died during the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption while studying the...

• 1980 Ian Curtis

  Iconic post-punk musician and lead singer of Joy Division, whose tragic life and profound musical influence significantly impacted...

• 1981 William Saroyan

  William Saroyan was an acclaimed Armenian-American novelist, playwright, and short story writer. He is best known for his works celebrating the resilience and humanity of ordinary people, and he earned both a Pulitzer Prize and an Academy Award during his prolific career. [bio]

• 1987 Wilbur J Cohen

  Wilbur J. Cohen was a pioneering American social scientist who played a crucial role in developing the US Social Security system and...

• 1988 Daws Butler

  Legendary American voice actor famous for iconic cartoon characters like Yogi Bear and Huckleberry Hound, who significantly influenced...

• 1990 Jill Ireland

  Jill Ireland was an English actress and singer best known for her extensive film and television work in the 1950s through the 1980s, as well as for her marriage to actor Charles Bronson. She was recognized both for her talent on screen and for her personal battle with breast cancer, which she chronicled in books and public appearances. [bio]

• 1991 Edwina Booth

  Edwina Booth was an American actress best known for her role as the leading lady in the 1931 adventure film 'Trader Horn.' She gained notoriety for her performance and for suffering severe illness during filming in Africa, which effectively ended her film career. [bio]

• 1993 Heinrich Albertz

  Heinrich Albertz was a prominent German theologian and politician who served as the Mayor of Berlin during a significant period of post-war...

• 1995 Alexander Godunov

  Alexander Godunov was a renowned Russian-American ballet dancer and film actor, famous for his work with the Bolshoi Ballet and his roles in Hollywood films after defecting from the Soviet Union. [bio]

• 1995 Elisha Cook

  Elisha Cook Jr. was an American character actor best known for his roles in classic film noirs and crime dramas. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he was recognized for his portrayals of nervous, frightened, or cowardly characters, particularly in films of the 1940s and 1950s. [bio]

• 1995 Elizabeth Montgomery

  Iconic television actress best known for her starring role in 'Bewitched', a groundbreaking sitcom that aired from 1964 to 1972.

• 1999 Augustus Pablo

  Influential Jamaican reggae musician, known for his innovative keyboard playing and production in the roots reggae genre.

• 2001 Irene Hunt

  American author best known for her novel 'Up a Road Slowly', which won the prestigious Newbery Medal for children's literature in 1967.

• 2004 Elvin Jones

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

• 2004 Serge Turgeon

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

• 2007 Pierre-Gilles de Gennes

  French physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1932).

• 2009 Wayne Allwine

  Wayne Allwine was an iconic American voice actor best known for being the official voice of Mickey Mouse from 1977 to 2009.

• 2012 Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

  Renowned German baritone who was a leading classical music interpreter of the 20th century, famous for his exceptional lieder performances...

• 2012 Peter Jones

  Prominent British entrepreneur famous for his appearances on the popular business reality show Dragons' Den, where he invests in and mentors...

• 2014 Dobrica Ćosić

  Prominent Serbian writer and politician who played a significant role in the breakup of Yugoslavia and served as the first president of the...

• 2017 Chris Cornell

  Chris Cornell was an influential American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as the lead vocalist for the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave. Renowned for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and dynamic stage presence, Cornell played a major role in the development and popularization of the grunge movement in the early 1990s. [bio]

• 2017 Roger Ailes

  Influential media executive who transformed Fox News into a powerful conservative media platform, later resigned amid sexual harassment...

• 2017 Jacque Fresco

  Jacque Fresco was a visionary social engineer and futurist who developed the concept of a resource-based economy and founded The Venus...

• 2021 Charles Grodin

  Charles Grodin was an American actor, comedian, author, and television talk show host, known for his deadpan delivery and roles in both films and television. He gained fame with performances in movies like 'The Heartbreak Kid,' 'Midnight Run,' and the 'Beethoven' series. [bio]