Famous people and celebrities who died on May 8

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on May 8. 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.

• 1967 Barbara Payton

  Barbara Payton was a Hollywood actress known for her tumultuous personal life and film career during the 1950s. She appeared in several notable films like 'Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye' and was famous for her high-profile relationships in the entertainment industry.

• 1967 LaVerne Andrews

  Member of the legendary Andrews Sisters, a close harmony singing group that sold over 75 million records. Known for iconic hits like 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy', they were pioneers in swing and early rhythm and blues music.

• 1975 Avery Brundage

  Avery Brundage was an American sports administrator who served as the fifth president of the International Olympic Committee from 1952 to 1972.

• 1975 Bram Fischer

  Prominent South African lawyer who played a crucial role in the anti-apartheid movement, defending Nelson Mandela and other political activists during the struggle against racial segregation.

• 1976 Ulrike Meinhof

  Ulrike Meinhof was a prominent German journalist and radical left-wing activist who co-founded the Red Army Faction (RAF), a militant revolutionary group that engaged in terrorist activities during the 1970s.

• 1979 Talcott Parsons

  Influential American sociologist who developed structural functionalism theory and significantly impacted social science research in the mid-20th century. He was a professor at Harvard University and authored numerous groundbreaking works in sociology.

• 1982 Gilles Villeneuve

  Legendary Formula One racing driver from Quebec, Canada, known for his exceptional skill and tragic death during a qualifying session at the Belgian Grand Prix in 1982.

• 1983 John Fante

  Influential American novelist and screenwriter known for his semi-autobiographical works exploring working-class Italian-American experiences in Los Angeles, particularly in his novel 'Ask the Dust'.

• 1987 Doris Stokes

  Controversial British medium and author famous for her spiritual communication claims and bestselling book 'Voices in My Ear'.

• 1990 Luigi Nono

  Renowned Italian avant-garde composer and music educator known for his experimental and politically engaged musical works. He was a significant figure in the post-war European contemporary classical music scene.

• 1991 Rudolf Serkin

  Renowned classical pianist and influential music educator who was a key figure at the Marlboro School of Music in Vermont, known for his exceptional interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms.

• 1991 Jean Langlais

  Renowned French blind organist and composer who was an influential musician in 20th-century classical music. He studied under notable composers Marcel Dupré and Paul Dukas and served as organist at the Saint-Clotilde church in Paris.

• 1992 Richard Derr

  Actor in "when worlds collide", dies from cancer at 74

• 1994 George Peppard

  Iconic American actor known for his memorable roles in films like 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and TV series 'A-Team', where he played Colonel John 'Hannibal' Smith. He was a prominent Hollywood actor during the 1960s and 1970s.

• 1995 Teresa Teng

  Legendary Taiwanese singer who was immensely popular across Asia, known for her beautiful voice and emotional ballads.

• 1996 Luis Miguel

  Legendary Mexican singer known as 'El Sol de México', who has sold over 100 million records worldwide and mastered multiple musical genres.

• 1996 Celedonio Romero

  Renowned Spanish classical guitarist who co-founded the famous Romeros Guitar Quartet, significantly contributing to classical guitar performance and popularity worldwide.

• 1996 Garth Williams

  Renowned American illustrator famous for his iconic illustrations in children's books like 'Charlotte's Web', 'Little House on the Prairie', and 'Stuart Little'.

• 1996 Luis Miguel Dominguín

  Luis Miguel Dominguín was a famous Spanish bullfighter who was a prominent figure in the mid-20th century bullfighting scene, known for his skill and charisma in the bullring.

• 1999 Dirk Bogarde

  Dirk Bogarde was a renowned British actor who transformed from a popular matinee idol to a critically acclaimed art-house cinema performer. He worked with prestigious European directors and appeared in over 60 films during his distinguished 31-year career. His artistic choices and nuanced performances made him a significant figure in mid-20th century cinema.

• 2000 Pita Amor

  Renowned Mexican poet and author known for her significant contributions to 20th-century Latin American literature. She was a prominent figure in the Mexican literary scene, recognized for her distinctive poetic voice and style.

• 2000 Dédé Fortin

  Influential Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist, member of the band Les Colocs, who tragically passed away in 2000.

• 2005 Jean Carrière

  French author who was active in the mid-20th century, known for his literary contributions.

• 2008 Eddy Arnold

  Legendary country music singer who significantly influenced the genre, known for his smooth vocal style and crossover appeal.

• 2012 Maurice Sendak

  Maurice Sendak was a renowned American children's book author and illustrator, most famous for his groundbreaking work 'Where the Wild Things Are', which revolutionized children's literature with its imaginative storytelling and distinctive artistic style.

• 2013 Jeanne Cooper

  Jeanne Cooper was an American actress renowned for her long-running role as Katherine Chancellor on the soap opera 'The Young and the Restless'.

• 2013 Bryan Forbes

  Bryan Forbes was a prominent English film director, actor, producer, and screenwriter who significantly contributed to British cinema during the mid-20th century.

• 2014 Roger L. Easton

  Roger L. Easton was a pioneering American scientist who played a crucial role in developing the Global Positioning System (GPS), revolutionizing navigation and geolocation technologies worldwide.

• 2015 Zeki Alasya

  Prominent Turkish actor and film director known for his significant contributions to Turkish cinema during the mid-20th century. He was a versatile performer who worked extensively in theater, film, and television.

• 2022 Dennis Waterman

  Renowned English actor and singer famous for TV series like 'Minder' and 'The Sweeney', known for his distinctive cockney charm and musical talents.