Famous people and celebrities who died in May 2004

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 2004. 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 Anthony Ainley

  British actor best known for playing the Master in the long-running science fiction series Doctor Who during the 1980s.

• May 4 David Reimer

  Canadian subject of a controversial medical case involving gender reassignment, whose story became a significant ethical and psychological study.

• May 5 Ritsuko Okazaki

  Japanese singer-songwriter (born 1959)

• May 6 Barney Kessel

  Renowned jazz guitarist and composer who was a prominent figure in West Coast jazz during the 1950s and 1960s. He was highly respected by his peers and played with many legendary musicians like Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown.

• May 6 Philip Kapleau

  Prominent Zen Buddhist teacher who founded the Rochester Zen Center and was instrumental in introducing Zen Buddhism to Western audiences through his influential writings and teachings.

• May 7 Waldemar Milewicz

  Polish reporter (born 1956).

• May 9 Alan King

  Alan King was a renowned American comedian, actor, and producer known for his sharp social commentary and stand-up comedy. He appeared in numerous films and television shows, becoming a prominent figure in entertainment during the mid-20th century.

• May 9 Brenda Fassie

  Iconic South African pop singer who revolutionized African music, known for her powerful voice and controversial personal life. She was a significant cultural figure in post-apartheid South Africa.

• May 9 Akhmad Kadyrov

  Controversial Chechen political leader who served as the first President of the Chechen Republic, assassinated in 2004.

• May 11 Mick Doyle

  Irish rugby union footballer and coach (born in 1941).

• May 14 Anna Lee

  Renowned British actress known for her versatile roles in film and television, with a career spanning several decades.

• May 17 J?rgen Nash

  Danish artist (born 1920).

• May 18 Elvin Jones

  Legendary jazz drummer who was a pivotal figure in the development of modern jazz, best known for his revolutionary work with John Coltrane's classic quartet and his influential solo career.

• May 18 Serge Turgeon

  Canadian actor and union leader who made significant contributions to the entertainment industry before his death in 2004.

• May 22 Richard Biggs

  American actor (d. 2004)

• May 24 Milton Shulman

  Canadian critic and author (born 1913).

• May 24 Henry Ries

  German-american photographer (b. 1917)

• May 25 Roger Williams Straus

  Prominent American book publisher who co-founded the prestigious Farrar, Straus and Giroux publishing company.

• May 26 Nikolai Stepanovich Chernykh

  Russian astronomer (born 1931).

• May 29 Archibald Cox

  Prominent American lawyer and legal scholar who played a crucial role in the Watergate investigation, serving as special prosecutor and challenging President Nixon's executive privilege.

• May 29 Samuel Dash

  American academic and politician (b. 1925)

• May 31 Etienne Roda-Gil

  Etienne Roda-Gil was a renowned French screenwriter and songwriter who made significant contributions to French cultural arts during the late 20th century.

• May 31 Robert Quine

  Influential punk guitarist who co-founded 'Richard Hell & the Voidoids', making significant contributions to the punk rock scene of the late 20th century.

• May 31 Aiyathurai Nadesan

  Sri lankan journalist (b. 1954)