Famous people and celebrities who died in July 2005
This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in July 2005. 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
- July 1 Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross was a Grammy Award-winning R&B singer known for his exceptional vocal talent and romantic ballads. He was a prominent figure in soul music during the 1980s and 1990s, creating numerous hit songs and influencing many contemporary artists.
- July 1 Renaldo Benson
Legendary American singer-songwriter, member of the iconic Motown group The Four Tops, who significantly influenced soul and R&B music.
- July 2 Ernest Lehman
Acclaimed Hollywood screenwriter and producer, known for classic films like 'North by Northwest' and 'West Side Story'.
- July 2 Norm Prescott
American actor, composer, and producer, co-founded filmation studios (b. 1927)
- July 3 Gaylord Nelson
Gaylord Nelson was an American politician and environmental activist who founded Earth Day in 1970, significantly raising global awareness about environmental conservation.
- July 3 Alberto Lattuada
Renowned Italian film director and screenwriter who was a key figure in the neo-realist cinema movement, known for his diverse filmography ranging from serious dramas to more controversial works.
- July 4 Cliff Goupille
Canadian ice hockey player (b. 1915)
- July 5 James Stockdale
Renowned American naval aviator and Medal of Honor recipient who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam and later became a respected military leader and philosopher.
- July 6 Evan Hunter
Evan Hunter was a prolific American novelist best known for writing 'The Blackboard Jungle' and for his crime fiction under the pseudonym Ed McBain. He was a significant literary figure who made substantial contributions to crime and mainstream fiction.
- July 6 Ed McBain
Ed McBain (pseudonym of Evan Hunter) was a renowned American crime fiction writer who significantly influenced the police procedural genre. He wrote the famous 87th Precinct series and was a prolific novelist and screenwriter.
- July 6 Claude Simon
Nobel Prize-winning French novelist who was a key figure in the Nouveau Roman literary movement. His innovative writing style explored complex themes, particularly focusing on the psychological impacts of war.
- July 8 Maurice Baquet
Versatile French artist known for his talents as an actor, cellist, and mountaineer. He was a multifaceted personality who made contributions in performing arts and outdoor exploration.
- July 11 Gretchen Franklin
English actress and dancer (b. 1911)
- July 12 John King
Baron king of wartnaby, english businessman (b. 1917)
- July 14 Cicely Saunders
Pioneer of the modern hospice movement, Cicely Saunders revolutionized end-of-life care by emphasizing compassionate and holistic approaches to terminal patients. She founded St. Christopher's Hospice in London and is considered the founder of the hospice care philosophy.
- July 16 Camillo Felgen
Renowned Luxembourgian singer-songwriter, radio host, and entertainer who made significant contributions to Luxembourg's cultural scene.
- July 16 Pietro Consagra
Pietro Consagra was a renowned Italian sculptor known for his innovative abstract sculptures and significant contributions to modern art.
- July 17 Edward Heath
British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister from 1970 to 1974, known for leading the United Kingdom into the European Economic Community. He was a significant figure in post-war British politics and played a crucial role in European integration.
- July 18 Amy Gillett
Australian cyclist and rower (b. 1976)
- July 19 Edward Bunker
Edward Bunker was a notable American crime novelist, screenwriter, and ex-convict who transformed his criminal past into a successful literary and film career, best known for his novel 'No Beast So Fierce' and his role in the film 'Reservoir Dogs'.
- July 20 James Doohan
Famous Canadian-American actor best known for playing Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott in the original Star Trek series. He was also a World War II veteran who served in the Royal Canadian Artillery.
- July 20 Kayo Hatta
American director and cinematographer (b. 1958)
- July 21 Long John Baldry
Influential English-Canadian blues singer, songwriter, and voice actor who was a key figure in the British blues scene.
- July 23 Ted Greene
American jazz guitarist and teacher (born 1946).
- July 24 Richard Doll
Pioneering British epidemiologist who conducted groundbreaking research proving the causal relationship between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. His landmark studies in the 1950s fundamentally transformed public health understanding and policy regarding tobacco use.
- July 25 Albert Mangelsdorff
Renowned German jazz trombonist and influential musician who was a key member of the United Jazz + Rock Ensemble, significantly contributing to the European jazz scene in the mid-20th century.
- July 30 John Garang
Prominent Sudanese political leader who played a crucial role in the independence of South Sudan and served as its first vice president before his untimely death in a helicopter crash.
- July 31 Wim Duisenberg
Prominent Dutch politician and economist who served as Minister of Finance and first President of the European Central Bank.