Famous people and celebrities who died on May 22

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on May 22. 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.

• 1873 Alessandro Manzoni

  Italian novelist and poet i promessi sposi, a novel by i promessi sposi (1827), had a tremendous patriotic appeal for italians during the...

• 1885 Victor Hugo

  Victor Hugo was a renowned French poet, novelist, and dramatist of the Romantic movement. He is widely considered one of the greatest and best-known French writers, most celebrated for works such as 'Les Misérables' and 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame'. Hugo's literary output includes poetry, fiction, and critical essays, and his political involvement led him to influence cultural and social issues … [bio]

• 1948 Claude McKay

  Jamaican-American writer known for his poetry and novels exploring the black experience.

• 1967 Langston Hughes

  Langston Hughes was a pioneering African American poet, novelist, and playwright who played a crucial role in the Harlem Renaissance.

• 1972 Margaret Rutherford

  Margaret Rutherford was an English actress known for her distinctive performances in comedy roles and period dramas. She gained international fame for her portrayal of Miss Marple in film adaptations of Agatha Christie's novels and received an Academy Award for her role in 'The V.I.P.s' (1963). [bio]

• 1972 Cecil Day-Lewis

  Cecil Day-Lewis was a prominent British poet and later Poet Laureate, known for his modernist poetry and significant contributions to...

• 1975 Lefty Grove

  Legendary Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox, considered one of the greatest...

• 1977 Hampton Hawes

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• 1983 Albert Claude

  Belgian biologist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1899).

• 1984 Karl-August Fagerholm

  Prominent Finnish politician who served as Prime Minister and Speaker of the Parliament during the mid-20th century, playing a significant...

• 1984 John Marley

  American actor known for his roles in films like 'Cat Ballou' and 'The Godfather', who passed away in 1984 after heart surgery.

• 1985 Wolfgang Reitherman

  Renowned Disney animator, director, and producer who significantly contributed to classic animated films during the mid-20th century.

• 1988 Giorgio Almirante

  Prominent Italian neo-fascist politician who served as leader of the Italian Social Movement (MSI) and was a significant parliamentary...

• 1990 Rocky Graziano

  Rocky Graziano was an American professional boxer and world middleweight champion, best known for his aggressive fighting style and resilience in the ring. He became a cultural icon in the mid-20th century and later transitioned to television and acting. [bio]

• 1997 Alfred Hershey

  Renowned American geneticist who, along with Martha Chase, conducted the groundbreaking Hershey-Chase experiment that conclusively...

• 1998 John Derek

  John Derek was an American actor, director, and photographer, known for his roles in films during the 1940s and 1950s and later for directing movies starring his wives, particularly Bo Derek. [bio]

• 2005 Thurl Ravenscroft

  Legendary voice actor known for iconic roles like Tony the Tiger and the voice of the Grinch song in 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'.

• 2006 Lee Jong-wook

  Lee Jong-wook was a prominent South Korean physician and international health diplomat who served as Director-General of the World Health...

• 2010 Martin Gardner

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

• 2013 Sigurd Ottovich Schmidt

  Prominent Russian historian and ethnographer who made significant contributions to historical research and regional studies in the Soviet...

• 2015 Marques Haynes

  Legendary basketball player known for his extraordinary dribbling skills and long career with the Harlem Globetrotters, considered one of...

• 2017 Nicky Hayden

  Nicky Hayden was an accomplished American motorcycle racer who won the MotoGP World Championship in 2006.

• 2018 Philip Roth

  Philip Roth was an acclaimed American novelist considered one of the most significant literary voices of the 20th century, known for his...

• 2019 Judith Kerr

  Renowned German-born British children's book author and illustrator, best known for her beloved book 'The Tiger Who Came to Tea' and the...

• 2020 Mory Kanté

  Mory Kanté was a renowned Guinean musician who revolutionized African music globally, best known for his international hit 'Yé Ké Yé Ké'...

• 2020 Jerry Sloan

  Legendary NBA coach who spent most of his career with the Utah Jazz, known for his disciplined coaching style and long-standing commitment...

• 2022 Dervla Murphy

  Renowned Irish travel writer and cyclist who embarked on extraordinary solo bicycle journeys across challenging terrains worldwide,...