Famous people and celebrities who died in May 2002

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 2002. 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 Ebrahim Al-Arrayedh
Indian poet and author (b. 1908)
May 2 W. T. Tutte
English-canadian mathematician and academic (b. 1917)
May 3 Barbara Castle
Prominent British Labour Party politician who served in the House of Commons from 1945 to 1979, known for her progressive policies and strong leadership. She was a pioneering female politician who significantly influenced social and labor reforms during her career.
May 3 Yevgeny Svetlanov
Renowned Russian conductor, pianist, and composer who significantly contributed to classical music interpretation and performance.
May 5 Hugo Banzer
Bolivian military dictator and politician who served as president from 1971 to 1978 and again democratically from 1997 to 2001. He played a significant role in Bolivian political history.
May 5 Paul Wilbur Klipsch
Renowned American audio engineer and inventor who founded Klipsch Audio Technologies, revolutionizing speaker design and high-fidelity sound reproduction in the mid-20th century.
May 5 George Sidney
A prominent American film director and producer known for directing numerous Hollywood musicals and films during the mid-20th century. He worked extensively with MGM studios and directed classic movies.
May 6 Otis Blackwell
Legendary rock and roll songwriter who wrote numerous hit songs for Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and other iconic musicians of the 1950s and 1960s.
May 6 Pim Fortuyn
Pim Fortuyn was a controversial Dutch sociologist, academic, and politician who was assassinated in 2002, known for his provocative political views and challenging the political establishment.
May 10 Yves Robert
Prominent French filmmaker, actor, director, producer, and screenwriter who made significant contributions to French cinema during the mid-20th century.
May 10 Kaifi Azmi
Indian poet and songwriter (born 1919).
May 11 Bill Peet
Bill Peet was a renowned Disney animator and children's book author who worked on classic animated films like Cinderella and 101 Dalmatians.
May 12 Joseph Bonanno
Prominent Italian-American mafia boss who was a key figure in the Bonanno crime family and played a significant role in organized crime during the mid-20th century in the United States.
May 13 Valeriy Lobanovskyi
Valeriy Lobanovskyi was a legendary Ukrainian footballer and manager who significantly influenced modern football tactics and coaching strategies. He was particularly renowned for his innovative approach to team management and tactical play.
May 13 Clinton Davis
American artist (born 1918).
May 16 Alec Campbell
The last surviving anzac (born in 1899).
May 16 Big Dick Dudley
American professional wrestler (born 1968).
May 17 Dave Berg
American cartoonist known for his work in Mad Magazine, creating satirical illustrations that captured mid-20th century American culture.
May 19 John Gorton
Australian politician who served as the 19th Prime Minister of Australia from 1968 to 1971.
May 19 Walter Lord
Prominent American historian and author best known for his detailed accounts of historical events like the Titanic disaster.
May 20 Stephen Gould
Renowned American paleontologist and evolutionary biologist from Harvard University, famous for his groundbreaking work on evolutionary theory and science writing. He authored influential books like 'The Mismeasure of Man' and developed the theory of punctuated equilibrium.
May 21 Niki de Saint Phalle
Renowned French-American artist known for her large-scale sculptural works, feminist art, and innovative artistic techniques combining painting, sculpture, and performance art.
May 23 Sam Snead
Sam Snead was a legendary American professional golfer who dominated the sport in the mid-20th century, winning multiple major championships and being inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame in 1953.
May 23 Big Bill Neidjie
Australian activist and last speaker of the gaagudju language (b. )
May 25 Pat Coombs
Pat Coombs was a beloved English comedic actress known for her roles in British comedy films and television series during the mid-20th century.
May 28 Mildred Benson
American journalist and author best known for writing many of the early Nancy Drew mystery novels under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene.
May 31 Subhash Gupte
Renowned Indian cricketer who played during the mid-20th century, known for his significant contributions to cricket.