- May 1 Ivo Rudolph Jarosy, German-British film scholar and exhibitor, dies at 74
- May 3 Jack Weston [Weinstein], American actor (Dirty Dancing, The Four Seasons, Rad), dies of lymphoma at 71
- May 7 Howard Smith, British diplomat and Director General of MI5, dies at 76
- May 17 Willis Conover, American broadcaster (Voice of America), dies at 75
- May 19 Giovanni "John" Beradino, American MLB infielder (St. Louis Browns, Cleveland Indians) and actor (General Hospital), dies from pancreatic cancer at 79
- May 19 Margaret Rawlings, British actress (Roman Holiday), dies at 89
- May 20 Eric Davidson, comedy scriptwriter, dies at 65
- May 20 Jon Pertwee, English actor and entertainer (third Doctor in Doctor Who, Worzel Gummidge), dies from a heart attack at 76
- May 21 Alfred "Lash" LaRue, American actor (Lash of the West, Wyatt Earp), dies of emphysema at 78
- May 23 "Cap'n Jack" McCarthy, American television broadcaster (NYC's St. Patrick Day Parade, 1949-89; kiddie show host (Popeye)), dies of cancer at 81
- May 23 Dorothy Hyson, American actress (Ghoul, Spare a Copper, Sing as We Go), dies at 81
- May 23 Patrick Cargill, British actor (Help!, No Wreath for the General, Hammerhead), dies of a brain tumor at 77
- May 24 John Abbott, British actor (The Jungle Book, Gigi, Smogasboard), dies from cancer at 90
- May 29 Jeremy Sinden, English actor (Chariots of Fire, Ascendancy, Harem), dies at 45
- May 31 Colin Morris, British playwright and documentary filmmaker, dies at 80
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