Famous people and celebrities who died on May 11

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on May 11. 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.

• 1916 Max Reger

  Johannes brahms was a german organist, composer and conductor. he was prolific and composed music for organ, chamber music, and orchestral and choral works. his many creations include "fantasy," "bapcklin suite," and "fugue in c minor," as well as "improvisation," and "fugue on bach".

• 1953 Jean Adair

  Dies at 80

• 1963 Herbert Spencer Gasser

  Nobel Prize laureate for their discoveries relating to the highly differentiated functions of single nerve fibres

• 1965 Roger Vailland

  French novelist and writer known for his existentialist works and exploration of human desire and social dynamics. He was a prominent figure in mid-20th century French literature and a member of the Communist Party.

• 1970 Johnny Hodges

  Renowned alto saxophonist and key member of Duke Ellington's orchestra, Hodges was a legendary jazz musician known for his distinctive, smooth playing style and significant contributions to the development of jazz music.

• 1973 Lex Barker

  American actor famous for portraying Tarzan in multiple films and starring in German Western adaptations of Karl May's novels. He was a prominent Hollywood actor during the 1940s and 1950s.

• 1979 Lester Flatt

  Influential bluegrass musician and guitarist, co-founder of the Foggy Mountain Boys and Nashville Grass. He was a significant figure in the development of traditional American country and bluegrass music.

• 1981 Bob Marley

  Legendary Jamaican reggae musician who revolutionized global music through his iconic band The Wailers and solo career. He was a pivotal figure in spreading reggae music worldwide and using music as a platform for social and political messages. His album 'Exodus' is considered one of the most important albums of the 20th century.

• 1981 Odd Hassel

  CHE - Norwegian chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1897)

• 1983 Zenna Henderson

  Pioneering American science fiction writer who broke gender barriers by publishing under her own name. She is renowned for her influential works 'The People' and 'The Pilgrimage', which explored unique themes in speculative fiction.

• 1985 Jorja Curtright

  Actor, whistle stop, dies from a heart attack

• 1985 Chester Gould

  Chester Gould was an influential American cartoonist best known for creating the iconic comic strip Dick Tracy, which revolutionized crime comics with its hard-boiled detective style and memorable villains.

• 1988 Kim Philby

  Infamous British double agent who worked for Soviet intelligence during the Cold War. He was a high-ranking member of British MI6 who secretly passed classified information to the Soviet Union for decades. His betrayal was one of the most significant espionage scandals of the 20th century.

• 1996 Nnamdi Azikiwe

  Prominent Nigerian nationalist leader who served as the country's first president and governor-general, playing a crucial role in Nigeria's independence movement and early post-colonial governance.

• 1998 Oreste Kirkop

  Maltese actor and tenor who made notable contributions to performing arts in Malta during the mid-20th century.

• 2001 Douglas Adams

  Douglas Adams was a renowned British author who revolutionized science fiction comedy with his iconic 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' series, blending absurdist humor with profound philosophical insights about life, the universe, and everything.

• 2002 Bill Peet

  Bill Peet was a renowned Disney animator and children's book author who worked on classic animated films like Cinderella and 101 Dalmatians.

• 2003 Noel Redding

  Bass guitarist who was a member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, playing a crucial role in the band's iconic sound during the late 1960s.

• 2005 Michalis Genitsaris

  Prominent Greek rebetiko singer and composer who significantly contributed to traditional Greek music during the mid-20th century.

• 2006 Floyd Patterson

  Floyd Patterson was a legendary American boxer who won Olympic gold in 1952 and became a two-time heavyweight world champion. He was known for his speed and technique, and was one of the most significant boxers of the mid-20th century.

• 2007 Malietoa Tanumafili II

  Malietoa Tanumafili II was the head of state of Samoa, serving as the O le Ao o le Malo (traditional chief and head of state) from 1962 to 2007. He was a significant figure in Samoan political history, bridging traditional leadership with modern statehood.

• 2007 Bernard Gordon

  Bernard Gordon was an American screenwriter and producer who was blacklisted during the McCarthy era. He worked in Hollywood and made significant contributions to film despite political challenges.

• 2008 John Rutsey

  Original drummer of the legendary Canadian rock band Rush, who played a crucial role in the band's early years.

• 2011 Robert Traylor

  Professional basketball player who played in the NBA, tragically passing away in 2011 at a relatively young age.

• 2015 Jef Geeraerts

  Flemish writer and former Belgian Congo colonial administrator who transitioned to writing after returning to Belgium following the Congo's independence. He studied Germanic languages at Brussels University and became a notable author.

• 2017 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.

• 2019 Peggy Lipton

  Iconic American actress known for her roles in groundbreaking TV series 'Mod Squad' and 'Twin Peaks', representing the counterculture and hippie aesthetic of the late 1960s and early 1990s.

• 2020 Jerry Stiller

  Renowned American comedian and actor best known for his roles in 'Seinfeld' as Frank Costanza and as Arthur Spooner in 'The King of Queens'. He was also the father of actor Ben Stiller.

• 2021 Norman Lloyd

  Renowned American actor, director, and producer with a remarkable career spanning over nine decades in film and television, best known for his roles in 'St. Elsewhere' and Hitchcock's films.