DIED THIS WEEK
MAY 11 DOUGLAS ADAMS
English author born in 1952. After working writing comedy for TV and radio he became famous for his radio series The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, which spawned a best selling series of novels. He died in 2001 from a heart attack.
MAY 12 ALEKSEY TUPOLEV
Russian aircraft designer born in 1925. He designed the world’s first supersonic passenger jet the Tu-44 and also helped design the Soviet space shuttle Buran. He died in 2001 after a long illness.
MAY 13 GARY COOPER
American actor born Frank Cooper in 1901. He was best known for his understated acting style in films such as A Farewell To Arms, Meet John Doe, High Noon and The Fountainhead. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1960 and died in 1961.
MAY 14 GIL LANGLEY
Australian cricketer, footballer and politician born in 1919. He played Aussie rules for the clubs Sturt and Essendon and made his Test cricket debut in 1951. He also served in South Australia’s parliament from 1962 to 1982 and died in 2001.
MAY 15 FRED WILLARD
American comedian and actor born in 1933. He went from stage comedy to film and TV, with memorable roles in films such as A Mighty Wind and Best in Show. His final role was in Netflix series Space Force. He died in 2020.
MAY 16 BOB HAWKE
Australian politician born in 1929. He worked in the ACTU rising to become president in 1969. Elected to federal parliament in 1980 he later became Labor leader and Prime Minister from 1983 until 1991. He died in 2019.
MAY 17 SANDRO BOTICELLI
Italian artist born in 1445 in Florence. He studied under the great master Fra Filippo Lippi before producing masterpieces such as The Birth of Venus and Primavera, his many portraits and his artworks for the Sistine Chapel. He died in 1510