Famous people and celebrities who died in May 1988

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 1988. 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 1 Paolo Stoppa
Renowned Italian actor who excelled in both stage and film performances. He was a prominent figure in Italian cinema during the mid-20th century and passed away from leukemia in 1988.
May 1 Carroll Righter
Carroll Righter was a prominent American astrologer who became famous in Hollywood, providing astrological guidance to celebrities and writing syndicated newspaper columns. He was known for his monthly sun-sign parties that attracted theatrical personalities and maintained a significant media presence in the mid-20th century.
May 3 Lev Pontryagin
A renowned Russian mathematician who made groundbreaking contributions to topology, differential equations, and optimal control theory. He was a prominent academic and member of the Soviet Academy of Sciences.
May 4 Lillian Estelle Fisher
American historian of spanish america (b. 1891)
May 5 Tamara Pos
Suriname/dutch activist, dies.
May 7 Harris Glenn Divine
Natural causes of death at 42
May 8 Robert A. Heinlein
American science fiction writer and screenwriter (b. 1907)
May 11 Kim Philby
Infamous British double agent who worked for Soviet intelligence during the Cold War. He was a high-ranking member of British MI6 who secretly passed classified information to the Soviet Union for decades. His betrayal was one of the most significant espionage scandals of the 20th century.
May 11 H A R (Kim) Philby
British double agent, dies (born 1912).
May 13 Chet Baker
Legendary jazz musician known for his innovative trumpet playing and distinctive vocal style, who was a key figure in the West Coast jazz movement of the 1950s.
May 14 Willem Drees
He was the prime minister of the netherlands from 1948 to 1958. member of the social democratic worker's party. later state secretary. he received several awards including an honorary doctorate, a medal of freedom, and the order of the netherla.
May 15 Andrew Duggan
Actor (jigsaw firehouse), is diagnosed with cancer at the age of 64
May 16 Louise Wood
Director of girl scouts of usa (1961-1972), dies aged 78.
May 16 Kay Baxter
At 42 years old, the best bodybuilder in the world (1983-1985) is killed in a car accident.
May 16 George Pyrounakis
Theologian and priest of the greek orthodox church (born 1910).
May 16 Carrie Baxter
Best bodybuilder (1983-1985), killed in a car accident at 42
May 18 Daws Butler
Legendary American voice actor famous for iconic cartoon characters like Yogi Bear and Huckleberry Hound, who significantly influenced animation voice work in the mid-20th century.
May 19 Virginia Farmer
Actresss (cyrano de bergerac), dies at 90
May 21 Sammy Davis Sr.
American actor and dancer (b. 1900)
May 21 Dino Conte Grandi
Italian delegates to league of nations die at the age of 92.
May 22 Giorgio Almirante
Prominent Italian neo-fascist politician who served as leader of the Italian Social Movement (MSI) and was a significant parliamentary figure for decades. He was a controversial political personality known for his far-right ideology and long parliamentary career.
May 23 David Schoenbrun
Head of cbs broadcast bureau (washington, paris) dies at the age of 73.
May 23 Aya Kito
Japanese diarist (born 1962)
May 27 Ernst Ruska
PHY - German physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1906)
May 28 Sy Oliver
Renowned jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who significantly contributed to the swing era of American music, working with notable big bands like Tommy Dorsey's orchestra.
May 29 Salem bin Laden
Saudi arabian businessman (b. 1946)
May 30 Ella Raines
Prominent Hollywood actress of the 1940s, known for film noir and western movies, with notable roles in 'Uncle Harry' and 'Impact'.
May 30 Robert O'Reilly
Australian singer (born 1940)