Famous people and celebrities who died on May 13

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on May 13. 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.

• 1930 Fridtjof Nansen

  PEA - Norwegian scientist, explorer, and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1861)

• 1938 Charles Édouard Guillaume

  PHY - Swiss-french physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1861)

• 1961 Gary Cooper

  Legendary Hollywood actor of the Golden Age, Gary Cooper was a prominent leading man known for his iconic roles in Western and war films. He won an Academy Award for his performance in 'Sergeant York' and was nominated for several other prestigious acting awards. Cooper was one of the most recognizable and respected actors of his era.

• 1962 Franz Kline

  Prominent American abstract expressionist painter known for his powerful black and white gestural paintings that were influential in the post-World War II art movement.

• 1962 Henry Trendley Dean

  American dentist (b. 1893)

• 1972 Dan Blocker

  Famous American actor best known for playing Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright in the iconic Western television series Bonanza, which ran from 1959 to 1973.

• 1974 Arthur J. Burks

  American colonel and author (b. 1898)

• 1975 Marguerite Perey

  Pioneering French physicist who became the first woman elected to the French Academy of Sciences in 1962. She was a student of Marie Curie and made significant contributions to radioactivity research.

• 1975 Bob Wills

  Legendary American western swing musician, bandleader, and pioneer of country music who significantly influenced the development of the genre in the early to mid-20th century.

• 1977 Mickey Spillane

  Prolific crime novelist famous for creating Mike Hammer, a tough-guy private detective series. He was also known for Miller Lite beer commercials.

• 1982 Renzo Rossellini

  Renzo Rossellini was an accomplished Italian composer and musician from a renowned artistic family, best known as the brother of famous film director Roberto Rossellini.

• 1985 Leatrice Joy

  Silent screen star, dies in riverdale (bronx) new york city, new york at age 91.

• 1985 Richard Ellmann

  Renowned American literary critic and biographer, best known for his seminal works on Oscar Wilde and James Joyce. He was a distinguished professor who significantly contributed to literary scholarship.

• 1988 Chet Baker

  Legendary jazz musician known for his innovative trumpet playing and distinctive vocal style, who was a key figure in the West Coast jazz movement of the 1950s.

• 1997 Laurie Lee

  British poet and novelist best known for his autobiographical work 'Cider with Rosie', which vividly depicts rural life in the Cotswolds during the early 20th century.

• 1999 Gene Sarazen

  Legendary professional golfer who won multiple major championships, including the Masters in 1935 and US Open in 1922 and 1932. He was a significant figure in early professional golf.

• 1999 Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz

  Saudi arabian scholar and academic (b. 1910)

• 2000 Jumbo Tsuruta

  Legendary Japanese professional wrestler known for his significant contributions to puroresu (Japanese professional wrestling) and his influential career in the 1970s and 1980s.

• 2002 Valeriy Lobanovskyi

  Valeriy Lobanovskyi was a legendary Ukrainian footballer and manager who significantly influenced modern football tactics and coaching strategies. He was particularly renowned for his innovative approach to team management and tactical play.

• 2005 Eddie Barclay

  Influential French music producer who founded Barclay Records and worked with legendary artists like Charles Aznavour, Dalida, and Jacques Brel, significantly shaping the French music industry in the 20th century.

• 2006 Jaroslav Pelikan

  Renowned American religious scholar and historian who specialized in the history of Christianity and made significant contributions to theological studies.

• 2009 Achille Compagnoni

  Achille Compagnoni was a distinguished Italian alpine ski racer who won gold medals at the 1948 Winter Olympics, representing Italy with exceptional skill and national pride.

• 2011 Derek Boogaard

  Derek Boogaard was a prominent Canadian-American ice hockey enforcer known for his intimidating physical presence and fighting skills in the NHL, particularly with the Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers.

• 2013 Chuck Muncie

  Chuck Muncie was a prominent American football player who had a notable career in the NFL, particularly with the San Diego Chargers during the 1970s and 1980s.

• 2014 Malik Bendjelloul

  Malik Bendjelloul was an acclaimed Swedish documentary filmmaker who won an Academy Award for 'Searching for Sugar Man', a powerful film about Rodriguez, a forgotten musician who found unexpected fame.

• 2018 Margot Kidder

  Margot Kidder was a renowned Canadian-American actress famous for her portrayal of Lois Lane in the Superman film series starring Christopher Reeve. She was a significant figure in Hollywood during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

• 2019 Doris Day

  Iconic American actress and singer who was a major Hollywood star during the 1950s and 1960s, known for her wholesome image and successful romantic comedies. She was one of the biggest box office draws of her era and later became an animal welfare activist.

• 2019 Unita Blackwell

  Prominent African American civil rights activist who became the first Black woman elected as mayor in Mississippi, fighting for voting rights and social justice during the Civil Rights Movement.

• 2022 Ben Roy Mottelson

  Nobel Prize laureate for the discovery of the connection between collective motion and particle motion in atomic nuclei and the development of the theory of the structure of the atomic nucleus based on this connection