Famous people and celebrities who died in May 2017

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 2017. 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 3 Daliah Lavi

  Prominent Israeli singer, model, and actress who successfully transitioned from film stardom in the 1960s to a notable music career. She was known for her versatility and international appeal.

• May 5 Adolph Kiefer

  Adolph Kiefer was an Olympic gold medalist swimmer who revolutionized backstroke technique and later developed innovative swimming equipment and training methods. He was a world record holder and played a significant role in advancing competitive swimming in the United States during the mid-20th century.

• May 5 Binyamin Elon

  Israeli orthodox rabbi and politician (b. 1954)

• May 5 Ely Ould Mohamed Vall

  Mauritanian politician (b. 1953)

• May 9 Robert Miles

  Renowned Italian electronic music composer and DJ, famous for his international hit 'Children' and significant contributions to the trance music genre.

• May 11 Yale Lary

  Yale Lary was a legendary NFL safety and punter who played for the Detroit Lions, known for his exceptional defensive skills and being named All-NFL four consecutive times. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, highlighting his significant impact on professional football during the 1950s and early 1960s.

• May 12 Mauno Koivisto

  Prominent Finnish politician who served as the ninth President of Finland from 1982 to 1994, playing a crucial role during the late Cold War period.

• May 14 Powers Boothe

  Acclaimed American actor known for roles in films like 'Tombstone' and TV series such as 'Deadwood', with a career spanning several decades.

• May 18 Chris Cornell

  Legendary rock musician, lead singer of Soundgarden and Audioslave, known for his powerful vocal range and significant contribution to the grunge and alternative rock movement.

• May 18 Roger Ailes

  Influential media executive who transformed Fox News into a powerful conservative media platform, later resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.

• May 18 Jacque Fresco

  Jacque Fresco was a visionary social engineer and futurist who developed the concept of a resource-based economy and founded The Venus Project, advocating for sustainable technological solutions to global challenges.

• May 19 Stanislav Petrov

  Lt. colonel in soviet air defence forces (b. 1939)

• May 19 Nawshirwan Mustafa

  General coordinator of the movement for change (gorran) (b. 1944)

• May 22 Nicky Hayden

  Nicky Hayden was an accomplished American motorcycle racer who won the MotoGP World Championship in 2006. Known as the 'Kentucky Kid', he was a beloved figure in motorcycle racing before his tragic death in 2017.

• May 23 Roger Moore

  Roger Moore was a renowned British actor best known for playing James Bond in seven films and starring in the popular TV series 'The Saint'. He was a charismatic and iconic actor who defined the Bond character during the 1970s and early 1980s.

• May 23 Cortez Kennedy

  NFL Hall of Fame defensive tackle who spent his entire 11-year career with the Seattle Seahawks, widely considered one of the greatest players in franchise history.

• May 26 Zbigniew Brzezinski

  Polish-born american politician (b. 1928)

• May 27 Gregg Allman

  American musician known for his work in the Allman Brothers Band.

• May 28 Frank Deford

  Legendary American sports journalist, author, and commentator who significantly influenced sports writing through his work at Sports Illustrated and NPR. He was known for his eloquent and insightful storytelling about sports and athletes.

• May 29 Konstantinos Mitsotakis

  Prominent Greek politician who served as Prime Minister of Greece from 1990 to 1993, leading the New Democracy party during a critical period of political transition.

• May 29 Manuel Noriega

  Manuel Noriega was a controversial Panamanian military dictator who ruled Panama from 1983 to 1989, later overthrown by a US military intervention and imprisoned for drug trafficking and human rights violations.

• May 29 Mordechai Tzipori

  Israeli lieutenant general and minister (b. 1924)