Famous people and celebrities who died in May 2006

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 2006. 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 2 Louis Rukeyser

  Renowned financial journalist and host of 'Wall Street Week', Louis Rukeyser was a prominent media figure who made complex financial topics accessible to mainstream audiences. He was known for his witty commentary and influential financial reporting from the 1970s through the early 2000s.

• May 3 Karel Appel

  Karel Appel was a prominent Dutch post-war artist known for his vibrant, expressive abstract paintings and sculptures. He was a key member of the CoBrA art movement, which revolutionized European modern art in the mid-20th century. His bold, colorful works challenged traditional artistic conventions and influenced generations of artists.

• May 3 Earl Woods

  Father of golf legend Tiger Woods, a former U.S. Army colonel, baseball player, and author who significantly influenced his son's early athletic career.

• May 5 Naushad Ali

  Legendary Indian music composer who significantly influenced Bollywood film music, known for his innovative compositions and classical approach to film soundtracks.

• May 6 Grant McLennan

  Influential Australian indie rock musician and co-founder of the critically acclaimed band The Go-Betweens, known for their significant contribution to alternative music.

• May 6 Lorne Saxberg

  Canadian television journalist (born 1958)

• May 7 Richard Carleton

  Australian news reporter (born 1943).

• May 7 Joan C. Edwards

  American singer and philanthropist (b. 1918)

• May 11 Floyd Patterson

  Floyd Patterson was a legendary American boxer who won Olympic gold in 1952 and became a two-time heavyweight world champion. He was known for his speed and technique, and was one of the most significant boxers of the mid-20th century.

• May 13 Jaroslav Pelikan

  Renowned American religious scholar and historian who specialized in the history of Christianity and made significant contributions to theological studies.

• May 14 Robert Bruce Merrifield

  Nobel Prize laureate for his development of methodology for chemical synthesis on a solid matrix

• May 14 Stanley Kunitz

  Stanley Kunitz was a distinguished American poet who won the Pulitzer Prize for his exceptional poetry. He was a significant figure in 20th-century American literature.

• May 14 Lew Anderson

  American actor and saxophonist (b. 1922)

• May 14 Eva Norvind

  Mexican actress, director, and producer (b. 1944)

• May 17 Eric Forth

  British Conservative Party politician who served as a Member of Parliament, known for his significant contributions to UK political landscape.

• May 21 Katherine Dunham

  Pioneering African American dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, and social activist who revolutionized modern dance and significantly influenced African diaspora dance techniques.

• May 21 Billy Walker

  Legendary American country music guitarist and singer with nearly 60 years of charted success, known as 'The Tall Texan' and a long-standing Grand Ole Opry member.

• May 22 Lee Jong-wook

  Lee Jong-wook was a prominent South Korean physician and international health diplomat who served as Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) from 2003 until his unexpected death in 2006.

• May 23 Kazimierz Górski

  Renowned Polish football player and manager who significantly influenced Polish football during the mid-20th century, particularly known for coaching the national team.

• May 23 Lloyd Bentsen

  Prominent American politician who served as a senator and was Michael Dukakis's vice-presidential running mate in 1988. He was known for his pragmatic leadership and significant role in Senate finance committee.

• May 26 Kevin O'Flanagan

  Kevin O'Flanagan was a remarkable multi-talented athlete who excelled in both football and rugby, and later became a respected physician. He represented Ireland in multiple sports and was known for his exceptional versatility and professional achievements.

• May 26 Édouard Michelin

  Édouard Michelin was a prominent French industrialist who served as managing partner and co-chief executive of the Michelin Group from 1999 to 2006, continuing his family's legendary tire manufacturing legacy.

• May 27 Paul Gleason

  American actor known for memorable roles in films like 'The Breakfast Club' and 'Die Hard', who had a significant career in Hollywood during the 1980s and 1990s.

• May 30 David Lloyd

  Prominent English cricketer, journalist, and respected sports broadcaster known for his insightful commentary and analysis.

• May 30 Shohei Imamura

  Influential Japanese film director, producer, and screenwriter known for his significant contributions to Japanese cinema. He was a key figure in the Japanese New Wave movement and won numerous international awards for his distinctive storytelling.

• May 31 Raymond Davis Jr

  Renowned American physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics for groundbreaking neutrino detection experiments. His innovative work revolutionized our understanding of solar physics and particle interactions.

• May 31 Miguel Ortiz Berrocal

  Renowned Spanish sculptor and educator known for his innovative sculptural techniques and artistic contributions.