Famous people and celebrities who died in May 1998

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 1998. 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 Eldridge Cleaver

  Prominent Black Panther Party leader and influential civil rights activist who wrote the groundbreaking book 'Soul on Ice', challenging racial injustice in America during the 1960s.

• May 2 Maidie Norman

  Maidie Norman was a prominent African American actress known for her significant roles in classic Hollywood films, particularly in psychological thrillers and dramas of the 1960s.

• May 2 Gene Raymond

  American actor and singer who was active in film, television, and theater during the 1930s and 1940s. He was married to actress Jeanette MacDonald and had a notable career in Hollywood.

• May 2 hide

  Japanese singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (b. 1964)

• May 2 Hideto ''hide'' Matsumoto

  Japanese musician (born 1964)

• May 7 Allan McLeod Cormack

  MED - South-african-american physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 1998)

• May 8 Charles Rebozo

  American banker and businessman (b. 1912)

• May 8 Bebe Rebozo

  American banker and watergate figure (born in 1912).

• May 9 Alice Faye

  Prominent Hollywood actress and singer of the 1930s and 1940s, known for her roles in musical films and her distinctive singing voice.

• May 9 Talat Mahmood

  Indian singer and actor (b. 1924)

• May 10 Clara Rockmore

  Clara Rockmore was a pioneering virtuoso of the theremin, an early electronic musical instrument, and is considered one of the most important performers in the instrument's history. She elevated the theremin from a novelty to a serious concert instrument through her exceptional technique and musicality. Her performances and recordings significantly influenced electronic music development in the 20th century.

• May 11 Oreste Kirkop

  Maltese actor and tenor who made notable contributions to performing arts in Malta during the mid-20th century.

• May 14 Frank Sinatra

  Frank Sinatra was an iconic American singer, actor, and cultural phenomenon who defined mid-20th century entertainment. Known as 'Ol' Blue Eyes' and 'The Voice', he was a leading figure in popular music, film, and the Rat Pack. His influence on music and popular culture remains significant decades after his career peak.

• May 14 Marjory Stoneman Douglas

  American journalist and environmentalist (b. 1890)

• May 15 Naim Talu

  Turkish economist, banker, politician, 15th prime minister of turkey (b. 1919)

• May 15 Earl ''the Goat'' Manigault

  American basketball player (born 1944).

• May 18 Obaidullah Aleem

  Indian-pakistani poet and author (b. 1939)

• May 19 Sōsuke Uno

  Japanese soldier and politician, 75th prime minister of japan (b. 1922)

• May 21 Robert Gist

  American actor and director (b. 1917)

• May 22 John Derek

  American actor and director who rose to prominence after his 1944 film debut and was named the 'most popular find of 1949'. He starred in notable films like 'All the King's Men' and 'Rogues of Sherwood Forest'.

• May 23 Telford Taylor

  Telford Taylor was a prominent American lawyer who served as a key military prosecutor during the Nuremberg trials, playing a crucial role in bringing Nazi war criminals to justice after World War II.

• May 27 Minoo Masani

  Prominent Indian lawyer, politician, and socialist leader who played a significant role in India's post-independence political landscape. He was a founding member of the Swatantra Party and a vocal critic of socialist policies.

• May 28 Phil Hartman

  Legendary comedian and actor known for his versatile character work on Saturday Night Live and NewsRadio. He was tragically murdered by his wife in 1998, cutting short a brilliant comedy career.

• May 29 Barry Goldwater

  Barry Goldwater was a prominent American conservative politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Arizona and was the Republican Party's presidential nominee in 1964. He was a key figure in the modern conservative movement and an influential voice in American politics during the mid-20th century.