Famous people and celebrities who died on May 18

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on May 18. On this day, we honor the lives and legacies of notable figures from various fields who left an indelible mark on the world. Explore our list to learn about their remarkable contributions and celebrate their enduring impact.

• 1867 Clarkson Stanfield

  Known for his geological surveys and contributions to stratigraphy.

• 1909 Isaac Albéniz

  Spanish composer and pianist, known for his virtuosic piano works that helped establish the Spanish nationalist style of classical music.

• 1922 Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran

  MED - French physician and parasitologist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1845)

• 1963 Ernie Davis

  Legendary African American football player who was the first Black player to win the Heisman Trophy, tragically dying young from leukemia. His remarkable story was immortalized in the film 'The Express'.

• 1975 Leroy Anderson

  Renowned American composer famous for light classical and novelty orchestral works, including popular pieces like 'Blue Tango' and 'Sleigh Ride'.

• 1980 David A. Johnston

  David A. Johnston was a renowned American volcanologist who tragically died during the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption while studying the volcano. He is remembered for his critical scientific work and his famous last radio transmission warning about the impending eruption.

• 1980 Ian Curtis

  Iconic post-punk musician and lead singer of Joy Division, whose tragic life and profound musical influence significantly impacted alternative rock history.

• 1981 William Saroyan

  William Saroyan was a prominent Armenian-American writer known for his poignant short stories and plays that captured the immigrant experience. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940 for 'The Time of Your Life', which he famously declined. His works like 'The Human Comedy' remain significant contributions to 20th-century American literature.

• 1987 Wilbur J Cohen

  Wilbur J. Cohen was a pioneering American social scientist who played a crucial role in developing the US Social Security system and expanding the nation's welfare programs.

• 1988 Daws Butler

  Legendary American voice actor famous for iconic cartoon characters like Yogi Bear and Huckleberry Hound, who significantly influenced animation voice work in the mid-20th century.

• 1990 Jill Ireland

  British actress and former professional ballerina known for action films with her husband Charles Bronson. She starred in notable movies like 'The Mechanic' and 'Love and Bullets' during the 1970s and 1980s.

• 1991 Edwina Booth

  American memoirist and biographer. she was born to edwin booth, the foremost american shakespearean actor of the 19th century, and mary devlin booth, edwin's first wife, and actress. she married ignatius grossman, a banker, on may 16, 1885. they had two children. after her father's death in 1895, she published "edwin booth": recollections of his daughter, edwina booth grossmann and …

• 1993 Heinrich Albertz

  Heinrich Albertz was a prominent German theologian and politician who served as the Mayor of Berlin during a significant period of post-war German history.

• 1995 Alexander Godunov

  Renowned Russian-American ballet dancer and actor who dramatically defected to the United States in 1979, becoming a notable performer in both dance and film.

• 1995 Elisha Cook

  Elisha Cook Jr. was a prominent character actor known for his roles in classic film noir and Western movies, particularly memorable in 'The Maltese Falcon' and 'Shane'.

• 1995 Elizabeth Montgomery

  Iconic television actress best known for her starring role in 'Bewitched', a groundbreaking sitcom that aired from 1964 to 1972. She received nine Emmy nominations during her career.

• 1999 Augustus Pablo

  Influential Jamaican reggae musician, known for his innovative keyboard playing and production in the roots reggae genre.

• 2001 Irene Hunt

  American author best known for her novel 'Up a Road Slowly', which won the prestigious Newbery Medal for children's literature in 1967.

• 2004 Elvin Jones

  Legendary jazz drummer who was a pivotal figure in the development of modern jazz, best known for his revolutionary work with John Coltrane's classic quartet and his influential solo career.

• 2004 Serge Turgeon

  Canadian actor and union leader who made significant contributions to the entertainment industry before his death in 2004.

• 2007 Pierre-Gilles de Gennes

  PHY - French physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1932)

• 2009 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.

• 2012 Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

  Renowned German baritone who was a leading classical music interpreter of the 20th century, famous for his exceptional lieder performances and profound musical interpretations.

• 2012 Peter Jones

  Prominent British entrepreneur famous for his appearances on the popular business reality show Dragons' Den, where he invests in and mentors startup businesses.

• 2014 Dobrica Ćosić

  Prominent Serbian writer and politician who played a significant role in the breakup of Yugoslavia and served as the first president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 1992 to 1993.

• 2017 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.

• 2017 Roger Ailes

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

• 2017 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.

• 2021 Charles Grodin

  Renowned American actor, comedian, and talk show host known for his deadpan humor and memorable roles in films like 'Midnight Run' and 'Beethoven'.