Famous people and celebrities who died in May 1961

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 1961. 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 3 Maurice [Jean Jacques] Merleau-Ponty

  French philosopher dies at the age of 53

• May 4 Anita Stewart

  American actress and producer (d. 1961).

• May 6 Lucian Blaga

  Romanian philosopher and poet known for his existentialist works.

• May 8 James Fairfax

  Actor (gale storm show), passes away at 63

• May 13 Gary Cooper

  Legendary Hollywood actor of the Golden Age, Gary Cooper was a prominent leading man known for his iconic roles in Western and war films. He won an Academy Award for his performance in 'Sergeant York' and was nominated for several other prestigious acting awards. Cooper was one of the most recognizable and respected actors of his era.

• May 16 George A. Malcolm

  American lawyer and jurist (b. 1881)

• May 17 French of Cauwelaert

  Flemish minister/mayor of antwerp, dies at 81

• May 17 Henri Gagnon

  Composer dies at 74

• May 19 Joe Howard singer (Gay Nineties Revue)

  At the age of 94, dies.

• May 20 Josef ''Pips'' Priller

  German flying ace (born 1915).

• May 22 Joan Davis

  Actress joan (i married joan) dies at 53 from a heart attack

• May 29 Uuno Kalervo Klami

  Composer dies at the age of 60

• May 30 Rafael Trujillo

  Dominican soldier and politician, 36th president of the dominican republic (b. 1891)

• May 30 Rafael Leonidas Trujillo

  Dominican republic dictator (born in 1891)

• May 30 Rafael L Trujillo Molina

  At age 69, dictator of dominican republic (1930-1961).

• May 31 Walter Little

  Canadian politician (born 1877)