Zac Efron

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1987

Birthplace: San Luis Obispo, California, United States

An actor who rose to prominence in the late 2000s, Zac Efron is a teen heartthrob and a fan favorite who has acted in many romantic films. He is equally popular for his roles in comedy films and has won several awards. Also a singer, he has contributed to the soundtracks of numerous films.

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1960

Birthplace: Sint-Agatha-Berchem, Belgium

Belgian actor,Jean-Claude Van Damme is best known for a string of martial arts films. He started his career as a karate fighter and competed in a number full-contact and semi-contact matches. Later he took up acting and became a star with the 1988 Hollywood film, Bloodsport. Cyborg, Lionheart, Double Impact and Universal Soldier are some of his notable films.

Chuck Berry

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1926

Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Died: 2017

Chuck Berry was an American singer-songwriter. Referred to as the Father of Rock and Roll, Berry is credited with pioneering rock and roll music. He is also credited with influencing the attitude with which the rock music lifestyle is usually associated. Also revered for his guitaring skills, Berry is often included in lists like the Greatest Artists of All Time.

Lindsey Vonn

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1984

Birthplace: Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States

Lindsey Vonn became the first American woman Olympic gold-medalist in downhill skiing, with her win at the 2010 Winter Olympics. She is one of five women with a World Cup race win in all alpine skiing categories. The 2010 Laureus Sportswoman of the Year is also the second-highest-ranked skier ever.

Dawn Wells

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1938

Birthplace: Reno, Nevada, United States

Died: 2020

Actress Dawn Wells is best remembered for her role as Mary Ann Summers in the CBS sitcom Gilligan's Island. She studied theater arts and design at the University of Washington and made her TV debut soon after. Venturing into films as well, she went on to build a successful acting career. Besides acting, she was involved in many charitable endeavors.

George C. Scott

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1927

Birthplace: Wise, Virginia, United States

Died: 1999

George C. Scott won the Academy Award for the film Patton but also became the first actor to reject the award, as he believed no two actors or performances could be compared. Fans also loved him for his roles in A Christmas Carol, Dr. Strangelove, and Anatomy of a Murder.

Peter Boyle

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1935

Birthplace: Norristown, Pennsylvania, United States

Died: 2006

Peter Boyle was an American actor, best known for playing Frank Barone in the popular TV series Everybody Loves Raymond. Boyle's death, which was caused by multiple myeloma and heart disease, had a great impact on many of his colleagues. His widow, Loraine, founded the Peter Boyle Memorial Fund, which is the most successful fundraiser for the International Myeloma Foundation.

Pierre Trudeau

Listed In: Leaders

Birth Year: 1919

Birthplace: Montreal, Canada

Died: 2000

Pierre Trudeau was a Canadian politician who served as the 15th prime minister of the country. His personality generated excitement within Canada's mass media, which gave rise to the term Trudeaumania. The effects of Trudeau's contribution to Canadian nationalism can still be felt in Canada. 

Erin Moran

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1960

Birthplace: Burbank, California, United States

Died: 2017

Height: 5'3" (160 cm)

Pam Dawber

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1951

Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States

Pam Dawber is an American actress known for playing important roles in popular TV series, such as Mork & Mindy and My Sister Sam. Apart from being an actress, Dawber serves as a national spokeswoman for a non-profit organization called Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, which is one of the largest and oldest youth mentoring organizations in the country.

Tyler Posey

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1991

Birthplace: Santa Monica, California, United States

American actor and musician, Tyler Posey played an important role in the success of the MTV series Teen Wolf where he played Scott McCall from 2011 to 2017. Also a guitarist, Posey has contributed to bands, such as Disappearing Jamie, PVMNTS, and Five North. Posey has been open about his sexuality and serves as an inspiration to the LGBTQ+ community.

Martina Navratilova

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1956

Birthplace: Prague, Czechia

Martina Navratilova is the world’s only tennis player to be no. 1 for more than 200 weeks in both singles and doubles. She is one of three women with a "Grand Slam Boxed Set.” She is openly lesbian and had earlier fled her country, Czechoslovakia, due to political issues.

Ne-Yo

Listed In: Singers

Birth Year: 1979

Birthplace: Camden, Arkansas, United States

Grammy-winning R&B/pop singer-songwriter Ne-Yo soared to fame with his debut album, In My Own Words, which included the Billboard 200-topping track So Sick. He is also known for his tracks Let Me Love You, Closer, and Miss Independent. He has been a judge on the show World of Dance.

Mike Ditka

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1939

Birthplace: Carnegie, Pennsylvania, United States

Mike Ditka, nicknamed “Iron Mike,” was a star footballer for the Chicago Bears, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Dallas Cowboys. He has coached the Cowboys and has also trained the Bears to win the Super Bowl XX. He has also worked as a sports broadcaster for ESPN and NBC.  

Joe Morton

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1947

Birthplace: Harlem, New York, United States

Height: 5'9" (175 cm)

Chuck Lorre

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1952

Birthplace: Bethpage, New York, United States

Chuck Lorre is an American actor, composer, and television director. Referred to as the King of Sitcoms throughout the 2010s, Lorre is credited with creating popular sitcoms, such as The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Dharma & Greg, The Kominsky Method, and Young Sheldon.

Thomas Hearns

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1958

Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Thomas Hearns is an American retired boxer who became the first boxer in the history of boxing to win world titles in five different weight classes. Nicknamed the Hitman, Thomas Hearns was named Fighter of the Year in 1980 by The Ring magazine. He was also named Fighter of the Year in 1984 by the Boxing Writers Association of America. 

Inger Stevens

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1934

Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden

Died: 1970

Inger Stevens was a Swedish-American actress whose promising career was cut short when she committed suicide at age 35. Stevens is remembered for her performance in TV series like The Farmer's Daughter, for which she received the Golden Globe for Best TV Star – Female in 1963. Her performance in the series also earned her an Emmy nomination in 1964.

Wynton Marsalis

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1961

Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Freida Pinto

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1984

Birthplace: Mumbai, India

Freida Pinto is best known for her award-winning portrayal of Latika in Slumdog Millionaire. She previously hosted a travel show named Full Circle. Pinto also amazed audiences with her performances in films such as Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Immortals, Love Sonia, and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle.

Alejandro Balde

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 2003

Birthplace: Barcelona, Spain

Height: 5'9" (175 cm)

Toby Regbo

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1991

Birthplace: Hammersmith, London, England

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

Laura Nyro

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1947

Birthplace: The Bronx, New York, USA

Died: 1997

Howard Shore

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1946

Birthplace: Toronto

Best known to international audiences for his scores of the hit trilogies The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, Canadian composer Howard Shore had begun playing music at age 8 and was part of bands by age 13. He has 3 Academy Awards and 4 Grammy Awards in his kitty.

Terance Mann

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1996

Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States

Height: 6'6" (198 cm)

Bobby Troup

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1918

Birthplace: Harrisburg

Died: 1999

Miriam Hopkins

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1902

Birthplace: Savannah, Georgia, United States

Died: 1972

Miriam Hopkins was an American actress widely regarded as a pioneer of TV drama. She became the first performer to earn an Academy Award nomination for a performance in a color film; she was nominated under the Best Actress category for her portrayal of the title role in the 1935 historical drama film, Becky Sharp.

Zhou Xun

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1974

Birthplace: Quzhou, Zhejiang, China

Chinese actor Zhou Xun made headlines in late 2020 when she split up with her actor husband Archie Kao after a 6-year marriage, following divorce rumors. The Cloud Atlas star is one of China’s Four Dan Actresses and has received major accolades such as the Golden Rooster Award.

Yoenis Céspedes

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1985

Birthplace: Campechuela, Granma, Cuba

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

Klaus Kinski

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1926

Birthplace: Sopot, Poland

Died: 1991

Though German actor Klaus Kinski had gained fame with his stellar performances in the films of Werner Herzog, he had also been in the news for his eccentricity and volatile nature. He was once admitted to psychiatric facility for attempting to kill his sponsor, and his own daughter accused him of abuse.

Rachel Nichols

Listed In: Media Personalities

Birth Year: 1973

Birthplace: Potomac, Maryland, United States

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

Esperanza Spalding

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1984

Birthplace: Portland

Height: 5'6" (168 cm)

Henri Bergson

Listed In: Intellectuals & Academics

Birth Year: 1859

Birthplace: Paris, France

Died: 1941

French philosopher, Henri Bergson, is remembered for his contribution to the tradition of continental philosophy. His works were considered extremely influential,  especially during the first half of the 20th century. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature (1927) and  Grand-Croix de la Legion d'honneur (1930). He was a simple man who led a humble life despite his great achievements.

Prince Eugene of Savoy

Listed In: Leaders

Birth Year: 1663

Birthplace: Paris, France

Died: 1736

Prince Eugene of Savoy was a field marshal who served in the army of the Austrian Habsburg dynasty and of the Holy Roman Empire. One of the most influential military commanders of his generation, Prince Eugene served three Holy Roman emperors in a career spanning 60 years. Consequently, he played important roles in many battles, including the Battle of Turin.

Melina Mercouri

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1920

Birthplace: Athens, Greece

Died: 1994

Maria Amalia Mercouri was a Greek actress, singer, politician, activist, and socialist. Mercouri had a profound acting career and is remembered for her portrayal of Ilya in the film Never on Sunday, which earned her a Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award. As a politician, Mercouri served as the Minister of Culture and Sports, the first female to do so.

Bristol Palin

Listed In: Miscellaneous

Birth Year: 1990

Birthplace: Wasilla, Alaska, United States

Bristol Palin, the eldest daughter of Todd and Sarah Palin, is best known for her stint on the reality show Dancing with the Stars and her performance in the series The Secret Life of the American Teenager. She is also a real-estate agent and has written a memoir. 

Rhod Gilbert

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1968

Birthplace: Carmarthen, Wales

Perrier Best Newcomer Award-nominated comedian Rhod Gilbert is also a writer and producer, known for his shows such as Rhod Gilbert vs. Kilimanjaro and Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience. Named to the list of the Top 50 Comedians by The Times, he is also an avid badminton player.

Lotte Lenya

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1898

Birthplace: Vienna, Austria

Died: 1981

Canaletto

Listed In: Artists & Painters

Birth Year: 1697

Birthplace: Venice, Italy

Died: 1768

Canaletto was an Italian painter who achieved popularity in England as his works were largely appreciated by King George III. Regarded as one of the most prominent representatives of the 18th-century Venetian school, Canaletto was also renowned for his skills as a printmaker.

Forrest Gregg

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1933

Birthplace: Birthright, Texas, United States

Died: 2019

Height: 6'4" (193 cm)

Vincent Spano

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1962

Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States

Height: 6'2" (188 cm)

Heinrich Schütz

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1585

Birthplace: Bad Köstritz, Germany

Died: 1672

German composer and organist Heinrich Schütz was one of the first to bring the Italian style of music to Germany. While he had initially studied law, he later began his musical career in Venice. He is remembered for his works such as Symphoniae sacrae and the first German opera, Dafne.

Victor Sen Yung

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1915

Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States

Died: 1980

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

Huell Howser

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1945

Birthplace: Gallatin

Died: 2013

Height: 6'4" (193 cm)

Violeta Chamorro

Listed In: Leaders

Birth Year: 1929

Birthplace: Rivas, Nicaragua

The only woman to ever serve as the president of Nicaragua, Violeta Chamorro, was born to an affluent cattle rancher and was mostly educated in the U.S. She was married to La Prensa heir Pedro Joaquim Chamorro Cardenal and later took over the operations of the paper.

Willie Horton

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1942

Birthplace: Arno, Virginia, USA

Height: 5'11" (180 cm)

Margo Rey

Listed In: Singers

Birth Year: 1966

Birthplace: Acapulco

Mexican singer Margo Rey was born to a Flamenco dancer mother. She ventured into music at 11 and never looked back, tasting success with her rare blend of jazz and pop, which she calls “Organica.” She is a breast cancer survivor and is married to comedian Ron White.

Talitha Getty

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1940

Birthplace: Mojokerto, Indonesia

Died: 1971

A Bohemian style icon of the late 1960s, Dutch actor-model Talitha Getty was also the wife of oil magnate John Paul Getty Jr., who was one of the richest men of his time. She spent her childhood in a WWII Japanese prison camp and later studied acting at RADA in London.

Ntozake Shange

Listed In: Writers

Birth Year: 1948

Birthplace: Trenton, New Jersey, United States

Died: 2018

Charles R. Swindoll

Listed In: Miscellaneous

Birth Year: 1934

Birthplace: El Campo

Charles R. Swindoll is an evangelical Christian author, pastor, educator, and radio preacher. He is credited with founding Insight for Living which airs a radio program on over 2,000 stations in 15 languages. Over the years Swindoll has received several awards like RHA’s Clergyman of the Year award. He is currently serving as a senior pastor at Stonebriar Community Church.