- May 1 Jerry Weiss, American rocker (Blood, Sweat & Tears), born in NYC, New York
- May 1 John Woo, Hong Kong director
- May 4 Richard L. Brodsky, American lawyer and NY State Assemblyman (D) (1983-2010), born in Brooklyn, New York
- May 6 Jim Ramstad, (Rep-R-Minnesota)
- May 7 Brian Turner, English celebrity chef, born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England
- May 8 André Boulerice, Quebec politician
- May 11 Robert Jarvik, American scientist and researcher (developed the Jarvik-7 artificial heart), born in Midland, Michigan
- May 12 L. Neil Smith, American sci-fi author
- May 16 Jessi B Wilson, Mississippi, murderer (FBI Most Wanted List)
- May 17 F. Paul Wilson, American novelist
- May 18 Frank Hsieh, former Premier of Taiwan
- May 19 Claude Lelièvre, Belgian commissioner for children's rights
- May 23 H. Paul Shuch, American SETI scientist
- May 24 Jeremy Treglown, English scholar/editor (TLS)
- May 25 Janet E[llen] Morris, American sci-fi author (Golden Sword, Tempus)
- May 25 Tommy Cecil, Irish ferryman, born Rathlin Island, County Antrim (d. 1997)
- May 25 David A. Hargrave, RPG designer
- May 26 Neshka Robeva, Bulgarian Rhythmic gymnas and coach.
- May 28 Satchidanandan, Indian poet
- May 29 Fernando Buesa, Basque politician (d. 2000)
- May 30 Candy Lightner, American political activist/founder (MADD), born in Pasadena, California
- May 31 Ted Baehr, American media critic