Famous people and celebrities who died in May 1986

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 1986. 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 2 Henri Toivonen

  Legendary Finnish rally driver who tragically died during the 1986 Tour de Corse, remembered as one of the most talented drivers of his era.

• May 2 Sergio Cresto

  American rally driver (born 1956).

• May 3 Robert Alda

  Robert Alda was an American actor known for his roles in film and television, including the TV series Supertrain. He was the father of actor Alan Alda and had a notable career in entertainment.

• May 5 Jon William Haussermann Jr

  Composer dies at 76

• May 7 Gaston Deferre

  French politician dies at 75

• May 9 Tenzing Norgay

  Legendary Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer who, along with Sir Edmund Hillary, was the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953. His historic achievement symbolized human endurance and international cooperation in mountaineering.

• May 9 Herschel Bernardi

  Herschel Bernardi was a prominent American actor known for his versatile roles in television and film, including voice acting and stage performances.

• May 9 Dirk de Vroome [Red Giant] Limbourg

  Activist, who dies at the age of 60.

• May 11 Fritz Pollard

  First African American head coach in the NFL and a standout player in the early days of professional football.

• May 12 Elisabeth Bergner

  German actress (b. 1897)

• May 12 Alicia Moreau de Justo

  Argentine politician, physician, pacifist, and human rights activist (born in 1885).

• May 15 Theodore H. White

  Renowned journalist and historian famous for his groundbreaking 'The Making of the President' book series, which provided deep insights into American presidential elections.

• May 15 Elio de Angelis

  Renowned Italian Formula One racing driver known for his skill and tragic early death during a testing accident in 1986.

• May 18 John Bubbles Sublett

  Tap dancer black and bubbles, dies at the age of 84.

• May 22 Martin Gabel

  Actor (thief marnie), dies aged 63

• May 23 Sterling Hayden

  Renowned Hollywood actor famous for his roles in film noir and westerns, particularly memorable in 'Dr. Strangelove' and 'The Godfather'. He was known for his rugged screen presence and versatile character acting across multiple genres.

• May 24 Yakima Canutt

  Actor/director (diary of a young comic), dead at 91

• May 24 Stephen D Thorne

  At 33 years old, lieutenant commander us navy/astronaut dies in an airplane crash.

• May 25 Chester Bowles

  American senator/ambassador dies at 85 (born in 1901).

• May 27 Giorgos Tzifos

  Greek actor and cinematographer (b. 1918)

• May 27 Gaston Duribreux

  Flemish writer, sour dove, dies at 82

• May 28 Lurene Tuttle

  Actress (father of bride, julia) dies at 79

• May 28 Edip Cansever

  Turkish poet and author (b. 1928)

• May 30 Hank Mobley

  Renowned hard bop jazz saxophonist and composer who significantly influenced the jazz scene in the 1950s and 1960s. He recorded with many jazz legends like Miles Davis and Art Blakey.

• May 30 Perry Ellis

  Influential American fashion designer who revolutionized 1980s fashion with his innovative 'slouch' style. He transformed menswear with layered, oversized designs and had a significant impact on the fashion industry before his early death.

• May 31 Leo James Rainwater

  Nobel Prize laureate for the discovery of the connection between collective motion and particle motion in atomic nuclei and the development of the theory of the structure of the atomic nucleus based on this connection