- May 3 Lance Blanks, American basketball guard (Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves), executive (GM Phoenix Suns 2010-13), and broadcaster (ESPN, Longhorn Network), takes his own life at 56
- May 9 Jackie Zeman, American actress (General Hospital - "Bobbie Spencer"), dies of cancer at 70
- May 10 Rolf Harris, Australian-British comedian, actor, painter, singer-songwriter ("Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport"), and convicted sex offender, dies at 93 [1]
- May 11 Barry Newman, American film and television actor (Vanishing Point; Amy; Petrocelli), dies of throat cancer at 92
- May 11 Kenneth Anger [Anglemeyer], American Underground Filmmaker (Magick Lantern Cycle), dies at 96
- May 17 "Superstar" Billy Graham [Eldridge Coleman], American pro wrestler (WWWF Heavyweight Champion 1977-78), dies of kidney, heart, and lung problems at 79
Jim Brown (1936-2023)
May 18 American College-Pro Football HOF running back (Syracuse University; Cleveland Browns - NFL Rookie of the Year 1957; NFL MVP 1957, 58, 65; 8 x First-team All-Pro; 9 x Pro Bowl), actor (The Dirty Dozen; ...tick...tick...tick...), and civil rights activist, dies at 87 [1]
- May 21 Ed Ames [Edmund Dantes Urick], American popular singer (Ames Brothers - "My Cup Runneth Over"), and actor (Daniel Boone - "Mingo"), dies at 95 [1]
- May 21 Ray Stevenson, Northern Irish actor (King Arthur, Rome), dies at 58
- May 24 Bill Lee, American session double-bassist, and film score composer (Do The Right Thing; She's Gotta Have It), dies at 94
- May 24 George Maharis, American actor (Route 66 - "Buz"; The Happening; The Most Deadly Game), dies at 94 [1]
- May 30 John Beasley, American actor (Everwood; Rudy), dies at 79
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