Famous people and celebrities who died in May 2010

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 2010. 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 1 Helen Wagner
Helen Wagner was an iconic American actress best known for her long-running role in the soap opera 'As the World Turns', where she played Nancy Hughes McClosky for over five decades.
May 2 Lynn Redgrave
Lynn Redgrave was a renowned British-American actress from a famous theatrical family, known for her breakthrough role in 'Georgie Girl' and her versatile performances in film and stage.
May 5 Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
Nigerian politician who served as the 13th President of Nigeria from 2007 until his death in 2010, known for his political reforms and leadership.
May 5 Giulietta Simionato
Renowned Italian mezzo-soprano who was a leading opera performer of her generation, celebrated for her exceptional vocal range and dramatic interpretations in major European opera houses.
May 6 Robin Roberts (newscaster)
Robin Roberts is a prominent American television journalist and broadcaster, best known as a long-time co-anchor of ABC's Good Morning America. She has been recognized for her journalistic excellence and her personal battle with health challenges, including breast cancer and a bone marrow transplant.
May 6 Robin Roberts
Legendary Philadelphia Phillies pitcher who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, known for his exceptional performance in the 1950s and his significant contributions to baseball.
May 7 Wally Hickel
Wally Hickel was a prominent American politician who served as the Governor of Alaska twice and also as the United States Secretary of the Interior under President Nixon.
May 9 Lena Horne
Pioneering African American actress and singer who broke racial barriers in Hollywood, known for her extraordinary talent, classic beauty, and civil rights activism. She was one of the first Black performers to challenge segregation in the entertainment industry.
May 9 Otakar Motejl
Czech lawyer and politician (b. 1932)
May 10 Frank Frazetta
Legendary fantasy and science fiction artist renowned for his iconic illustrations and paintings that revolutionized genre artwork, particularly in book covers and movie posters.
May 11 Doris Eaton Travis
American dancer and vaudevillian (b. 1904)
May 14 Goh Keng Swee
Prominent Singaporean statesman who played a crucial role in Singapore's early political development as the 2nd deputy prime minister.
May 15 Bekim Fehmiu
Bekim Fehmiu was a prominent Yugoslav actor who gained international recognition and was a pioneering figure in Balkan cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his versatile acting skills and entrepreneurial spirit, establishing several successful businesses beyond his film career.
May 16 Ronnie James Dio
American heavy metal vocalist (born 1942)
May 16 Hank Jones
Renowned American jazz pianist and bandleader who significantly contributed to the bebop and hard bop jazz movements during the mid-20th century.
May 22 Martin Gardner
Martin Gardner was a renowned recreational mathematician, science writer, and creator of mathematical puzzles who significantly influenced popular mathematics and scientific thinking through his extensive writings and columns.
May 23 José Lima
Dominican-American baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball, known for his energetic personality and performances with multiple teams.
May 24 Paul Gray
Bassist for the heavy metal band Slipknot, who tragically passed away in 2010.
May 24 Raymond V. Haysbert
American businessman and activist (b. 1920)
May 24 Ray Alan
English ventriloquist, actor, and screenwriter (b. 1930)
May 24 Anneliese Rothenberger
German soprano and actress (b. 1926)
May 25 Michael H. Jordan
American businessman (b. 1936)
May 26 Art Linkletter
Art Linkletter was a legendary Canadian-American radio and television host known for his popular shows 'People Are Funny', 'House Party', and 'Life with Linkletter'. Over 16 years of broadcasting, he interviewed over 30,000 people and became famous for his improvisational and comedic style.
May 26 Jean Constantin
Influential French singer-songwriter who composed over 300 songs and was a significant figure in mid-20th century French music, with his works performed by legendary artists like Edith Piaf.
May 26 Matt Hughes
Renowned UFC champion and mixed martial artist who dominated the welterweight division during his career, tragically died in a road accident.
May 28 Gary Coleman
Gary Coleman was a famous American child actor who rose to stardom in the 1980s through his iconic role in the sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes'. Despite his small stature due to a medical condition, he became a pop culture icon and memorable television personality.
May 29 Dennis Hopper
Iconic American actor and filmmaker known for his rebellious roles and counterculture persona. He was a key figure in New Hollywood cinema, starring in landmark films like 'Easy Rider' and 'Apocalypse Now'. His career spanned decades, marked by intense performances and personal struggles with addiction.
May 31 Louise Bourgeois
Louise Bourgeois was a pioneering French-American artist renowned for her influential sculptural works that explored themes of memory, sexuality, and the human body. She was a key figure in modern and contemporary art, creating powerful, emotionally charged sculptures across multiple mediums. Her artistic career spanned over seven decades, during which she significantly impacted the development of contemporary sculpture.
May 31 Merata Mita
Pioneering Māori filmmaker who was instrumental in developing Indigenous cinema in New Zealand and internationally.