15 Famous People Who Died In May 2025

15. Vlastimil Hort

Vlastimil Hort, a legendary Czech grandmaster who once came heartbreakingly close to a world championship shot, died on May 12 at his home in Germany. He was 81 and had battled complications from diabetes for decades, but remained a respected figure in international chess circles. | © ChessBase

14. Richard L. Garwin

Richard L. Garwin, a brilliant physicist who helped design America’s first hydrogen bomb, died at 97 in his Scarsdale home. Beyond his Cold War legacy, he shaped science policy for decades and helped pave the way for innovations like touchscreens and satellite tech. | © AP

13. Paul Durcan

Paul Durcan, the Irish poet known for his surreal, sharp, and deeply human verse, died at 80. Across more than 20 collections, he challenged convention with wit and wildness, becoming one of Ireland’s most unforgettable literary voices. | © Irish BookAwards

12. Leslie Epstein

Leslie Epstein, longtime director of the Boston University Creative Writing Program, died on May 18 at 86 following a stroke after heart surgery. A beloved teacher and accomplished writer, he spent decades shaping voices and stories that continue to resonate. | © WBUR

11. Uche Ojeh

Uche Ojeh, husband of TODAY co-host Sheinelle Jones, died at 45 after a courageous battle with glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. His passing was shared by Savannah Guthrie on air, in a moment that deeply touched the TODAY family and its viewers. | © sheinelle_o / Instagram

10. Jane Bright

Jane Bright, known to Survivor fans for her resilience and grit, died at 71 in her North Carolina home on May 15. Her daughter confirmed the news in a heartfelt post, noting that the cause of death was not disclosed. | © CBS

9. Jill Sobule

Jill Sobule, the singer-songwriter behind the 1995 hit I Kissed a Girl, died at 66 in a tragic house fire in Minnesota. Known for her wit, warmth, and fearless lyrics, she was days away from performing songs from her musical when her life was cut short. | © Jill Sobule

8. Robert Benton

Robert Benton, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind Kramer vs. Kramer and co-writer of Bonnie and Clyde, died at 92 in his Manhattan home. A master of emotional storytelling, he helped reshape American cinema across two decades with quiet power and lasting impact. | © MGM

7. Joe Don Baker

Joe Don Baker, best known for playing no-nonsense Sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall, died on May 7 at the age of 89. A Texas native with real grit, he brought Southern steel to the big screen and became an unlikely star almost overnight. | © MGM

6. Jirí Bartoska

Jirí Bartoska, a Czech actor and longtime president of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, died in Prague at 78 after a battle with lung cancer. A towering figure in Czech culture, he helped shape both the stage and the screen before becoming the face of one of Europe’s great film festivals. | © reflexcz

5. Kathleen Hughes

Kathleen Hughes, best known for her role in the 1953 sci-fi film It Came From Outer Space, died on Monday at the age of 96. A familiar face in classic Hollywood, she got her start with Fox in the late ’40s and appeared in dozens of films throughout the era. | © Universal Studios

4. Leslie Dilley

Leslie Dilley, the Oscar-winning art director behind classics like Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark, died on May 20 at 84 from complications related to Alzheimer’s. Known for his boundless creativity and British charm, he brought movie worlds to life. | © Caroline Corker

3. Michael Roemer

Michael Roemer, the filmmaker behind Nothing but a Man, died at 97 at his home in Vermont. A former child refugee from Nazi Germany, he spent his life telling quiet, powerful stories that saw people as they truly are. | © Michael Roemer

2. Co Hoedeman

Co Hoedeman, the Oscar-winning Canadian animator behind The Sand Castle, died in Montreal at 84. Known for his inventive stop-motion films and deep care for children’s stories, he left behind a legacy that still moves hearts. | © NFB

1. George Wendt

George Wendt, best known as the bar regular Norm from Cheers, died peacefully in his sleep at home in Los Angeles on a Tuesday in May. He was 76, and his family confirmed the cause was natural. | © Paramount Television