Famous people and celebrities who died in May 2009

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 2009. 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 Jack Kemp
Jack Kemp was an influential American politician and professional football player who played quarterback in the AFL, later becoming a prominent Republican congressman and vice-presidential nominee.
May 2 Marilyn French
Influential American feminist author and academic best known for her groundbreaking work on women's studies and gender issues. Her writings significantly contributed to feminist discourse in the late 20th century.
May 2 Kiyoshiro Imawano
Japanese singer-songwriter, producer, and actor (b. 1951)
May 4 Dom DeLuise
Dom DeLuise was a beloved American comedian and actor known for his hilarious performances in comedy films, frequently collaborating with directors Mel Brooks and Burt Reynolds.
May 6 Kevin Grubb
American nascar driver (born 1978).
May 8 Dom DiMaggio
American baseball player and soldier who was part of the famous DiMaggio baseball family.
May 9 Chuck Daly
Legendary NBA basketball coach who led the Detroit Pistons to two consecutive championships and coached the famous 'Dream Team' to Olympic gold in 1992. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994.
May 12 Antonio Vega
Antonio Vega was a prominent Spanish singer-songwriter and guitarist, best known as the lead singer of the influential rock band Nacha Pop. He was a key figure in the Spanish rock music scene during the 1980s and early 1990s.
May 13 Achille Compagnoni
Achille Compagnoni was a distinguished Italian alpine ski racer who won gold medals at the 1948 Winter Olympics, representing Italy with exceptional skill and national pride.
May 15 Wayman Tisdale
Professional basketball player who became a renowned smooth jazz bassist after his sports career, known for his musical talent and successful transition.
May 15 Bud Tingwell
Australian actor, director, and producer (b. 1923)
May 17 Mario Benedetti
Mario Benedetti was a prominent Uruguayan poet, novelist, and essayist who significantly influenced Latin American literature. His works often explored themes of love, social justice, and political resistance during challenging periods of South American history. Benedetti is considered one of the most important writers of the 20th century in the Spanish-speaking world.
May 18 Wayne Allwine
Wayne Allwine was an iconic American voice actor best known for being the official voice of Mickey Mouse from 1977 to 2009. He was a key Disney animator and voice artist who continued the legacy of Mickey Mouse's voice after Jimmy MacDonald.
May 18 Dolla
American rapper (b. 1987)
May 19 Robert F. Furchgott
MED - American biochemist and pharmacologist, nobel prize laureate (d. 2009)
May 20 Lucy Gordon
British actress and model who tragically died young, known for her roles in films like 'Spider-Man 3' and 'Serendipity'.
May 20 Arthur Erickson
Prominent Canadian architect known for innovative modernist designs, including Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto.
May 20 Pierre Gamarra
Prominent French author, poet, and literary critic who made significant contributions to 20th-century French literature.
May 23 Roh Moo-hyun
Prominent South Korean politician who served as the 9th President of South Korea from 2003 to 2008. Known for his progressive policies and tragic suicide in 2009, he was a significant figure in Korean political history.
May 25 Haakon Lie
Influential Norwegian politician who served as the Labour Party's secretary from 1945 to 1969, playing a crucial role in post-war Norwegian political development.
May 27 Clive W.J. Granger
Nobel Prize laureate for methods of analyzing economic time series with common trends (cointegration)
May 27 Abram Hoffer
Pioneering Canadian psychiatrist who significantly contributed to orthomolecular medicine and alternative mental health treatments. He was a leading advocate for nutritional approaches to treating mental illness.
May 27 Paul Sharratt
American television producer born in britain (born 1933).
May 29 Karine Ruby
Pioneering French snowboarder who won Olympic gold in Nagano 1998 and silver in Salt Lake City 2002, significantly contributing to the sport's international recognition.
May 30 Ephraim Katzir
Fourth president of Israel, renowned biophysicist and prominent political figure who significantly contributed to Israeli science and governance.
May 31 George Tiller
Controversial late-term abortion provider in Wichita, Kansas, who was assassinated by an anti-abortion activist in 2009. He was a prominent and polarizing figure in the abortion rights debate.
May 31 Millvina Dean
Millvina Dean was the youngest passenger aboard the RMS Titanic and the last surviving passenger of the tragic 1912 shipwreck. She was only two months old during the sinking and became a notable historical figure due to her unique connection to the disaster.