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.