Taraji P. Henson

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1970

Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States

Taraji P. Henson is an American actress who became the first black woman to receive the Critics' Choice Television Award under the Best Actress in a Drama Series category for her portrayal of Cookie Lyon in the TV series Empire. Taraji P. Henson was named in Time magazine's list of 100 most influential people in the world in 2016. 

Ludacris

Listed In: Singers

Birth Year: 1977

Birthplace: Champaign, Illinois, United States

Three-time Grammy-winning rapper Ludacris soared to fame with his second album, Back for the First Time. Fans also loved him as Tej Parker in The Fast and the Furious franchise. He owns a label, a line of headphones, and a restaurant. His Ludacris Foundation is associated with many youth initiatives. 

Harry Connick Jr.

Listed In: Singers

Birth Year: 1967

Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Grammy-winning singer-actor Harry Connick Jr. was born to a lawyer mother and an attorney father, who also owned a record store. He mastered the piano as a child and formed his first jazz band at 10. He later soared to fame with the multi-platinum soundtrack of When Harry Met Sally...

Tyler Lee Hoechlin

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1987

Birthplace: Corona, California, United States

Tyler Hoechlin is best known for his Young Artist Award-winning role of Michael Sullivan Jr. in Road to Perdition and his Teen Choice Award-winning portrayal of Derek Hale in Teen Wolf. He has also appeared as Clark Kent/Superman in DC series such as The Flash and Arrow.

Virginia Madsen

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1961

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Virginia Madsen is an American actress. Over the years, Madsen has contributed to the success of several films and TV series, such as Fire with Fire, Modern Girls, Moonlighting, and American Dreams. She is also credited with establishing Title IX Productions, a film production company which she started in 2008.

Ferdinand Marcos

Listed In: Leaders

Birth Year: 1917

Birthplace: Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Philippine Islands

Died: 1989

Ferdinand Marcos served as the tenth president of the Philippines. Marcos' rule was marked by brutality, extravagance, and corruption, making him the most controversial leader of his generation. Deemed a kleptocrat, Marcos' dictatorship caused an economic collapse during which the country suffered greatly. He was removed from power in 1986 after a series of protests called the People Power Revolution.

O. Henry

Listed In: Writers

Birth Year: 1862

Birthplace: Greensboro, North Carolina

Died: 1910

William Sydney Porter, better known by his pseudonym, O. Henry, is remembered as one of the world’s greatest short story writers. One of his most notable works is The Gift of the Magi. His signature style included plot twists in the end. He was once jailed for embezzlement. 

Kygo

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1991

Birthplace: Singapore

Norwegian DJ and record producer Kygo gained worldwide acclaim for his remix of the Ed Sheeran track I See Fire. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, he became the first house music producer who performed at an Olympics closing ceremony. He is also the fastest to gain a billion Spotify streams.

Franz Beckenbauer

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1945

Birthplace: Munich, Germany

Died: 2024

German former footballer Franz Beckenbauer spent most of his career with Bayern Munich, winning championships such as the European Cup. He won the World Cup for West Germany twice, first as a player in 1974 and then as a manager in 1990. He was also a Sky Germany analyst.

Kristy McNichol

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1962

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Kristy McNichol is a retired American comedian, singer, and actress. After being born into a middle-class family, McNichol started acting at a young age and went on to become one of the most popular teen stars of her generation. After her retirement, Kristy McNichol devoted her time to charity work and taught acting in Los Angeles.

Brian De Palma

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1940

Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States

Height: 5'11" (180 cm)

Bear Bryant

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1913

Birthplace: Cleveland County, Arkansas, United States

Died: 1983

Bear Bryant was an American football player who represented the Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama. Bryant is remembered for his illustrious career as a coach. He served as the head coach of the Crimson Tide for 25 years, during which he helped his team win six national championships. He is regarded as the greatest college football coach ever.

Amy Madigan

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1950

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Amy Madigan is best known for her Academy Award-nominated role of Sunny Mackenzie-Sobel in Twice in a Lifetime and her Golden Globe-winning role of Sarah Weddington in the TV film Roe vs. Wade. She has also appeared in Broadway and off-Broadway stage productions, such as A Streetcar Named Desire.

Tom Landry

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1924

Birthplace: Mission, Texas, United States

Died: 2000

American football player and two-time Superbowl-winning coach Tom Landry had successful stints with the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. He was also the longest-tenured NFL coach, working with the Dallas Cowboys for 29 seasons. He pioneered the 4–3 defense and the flex defense. 

Moby

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1965

Birthplace: Harlem, New York, United States

Height: 5'7" (170 cm)

Maria Bartiromo

Listed In: Media Personalities

Birth Year: 1967

Birthplace: New York City, United States

Maria Bartiromo, who has worked with CNN, CNBC, Fox, is best known as the host of On the Money with Maria Bartiromo and Closing Bell. She is the first journalist to report live from the NY Stock Exchange and has earned two Emmys and an Excellence in Broadcast Journalism Award.

Ed Reed

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1978

Birthplace: Saint Rose, Louisiana, United States

Lola Falana

Listed In: Singers

Birth Year: 1942

Birthplace: Camden, New Jersey, United States

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

Roxann Dawson

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1958

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

Shaun Livingston

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1985

Birthplace: Peoria, Illinois, United States

Height: 6'7" (201 cm)

Elizabeth Henstridge

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1987

Birthplace: Sheffield, England

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

Earl Holliman

Listed In: Singers

Birth Year: 1928

Birthplace: Delhi, Louisiana, USA

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

Tommy Shaw

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1953

Birthplace: Montgomery, Alabama, USA

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

Dan Quinn

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1970

Birthplace: Morristown, New Jersey

E. G. Daily

Listed In: Singers

Birth Year: 1961

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Height: 5'1" (155 cm)

Herbert Lom

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1917

Birthplace: Prague, Czechia

Died: 2012

Herbert Lom was a Czech actor best remembered for his versatility as he portrayed suave villains during his younger days and then moved on to playing professional men as he aged. He also proved his comedy skills in The Pink Panther franchise. Lom worked well into his 80s before retiring in 2002. He died 10 years later in his sleep.

Jacoby Ellsbury

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1983

Birthplace: Madras, Oregon

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

Julia Nickson-Soul

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1958

Birthplace: Singapore

Singaporean–American actress Julia Nickson rose to prominence starring in the 1985 blockbuster-hit Sylvester Stallone film Rambo: First Blood Part II. Other notable works of Nickson includes starring in the films Ethan Mao and Half-Life; and as Princess Aouda opposite Pierce Brosnan and Eric Idle in the three-part TV-miniseries Around the World in 80 Days that garnered three Emmy nominations. 

Theodor W. Adorno

Listed In: Intellectuals & Academics

Birth Year: 1903

Birthplace: Frankfurt, Germany

Died: 1969

One of the most prominent intellectuals of the 20th century, Theodor Adorno was a pioneer of the Frankfurt School of Critical Theory and despised the culture industry. Born to a singer mother, the German sociologist grew up amid music and could even play Beethoven on the piano by 12.

John Hawkes

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1959

Birthplace: Alexandria, Minnesota, United States

Height: 5'9" (175 cm)

Arvo Pärt

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1935

Birthplace: Paide, Estonia

Iskra Lawrence

Listed In: Fashion

Birth Year: 1990

Birthplace: Kidderminster, England

Height: 5'8" (173 cm)

Cameron Richardson

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1979

Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

Height: 5'8" (173 cm)

Laura Wright

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1970

Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States

Height: 5'6" (168 cm)

Mungo Park

Listed In: Miscellaneous

Birth Year: 1771

Birthplace: Selkirkshire, Scotland

Died: 1806

Mike Moustakas

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1988

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

D. H. Lawrence

Listed In: Writers

Birth Year: 1885

Birthplace: Eastwood, England, United Kingdom

Died: 1930

English writer, D. H. Lawrence, was known for exploring sensitive issues, such as sexuality, emotional health,  and instinct. In his works, he often reflected upon the dehumanizing effects of modernity and industrialization. The sexual nature of his writings earned him many enemies. Even though he died at the relatively young age of 44, he left behind a rich literary legacy.

Craig Cash

Listed In: Writers

Birth Year: 1960

Birthplace: Manchester

Mickey Hart

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1943

Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York

Victor Wooten

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1964

Birthplace: Mountain Home, Idaho, United States

James McBride

Listed In: Writers

Birth Year: 1957

Birthplace: New York City, New York, US

Height: 6'4" (193 cm)

Barry Sheene

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1950

Birthplace: London, England

Died: 2003

William Mulholland

Listed In: Engineers

Birth Year: 1855

Birthplace: Belfast, Ireland

Died: 1935

William Mulholland was initially hailed as a hero for building the first aqueduct system of Los Angeles, as the first chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. He later resigned taking responsibility for the collapse of the St. Francis Dam, which had caused countless deaths.

Carl Zeiss

Listed In: Scientists

Birth Year: 1816

Birthplace: Weimar

Died: 1888

Jonny Buckland

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1977

Birthplace: London Borough of Islington

SoMo

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1987

Birthplace: Austin, Texas

Height: 5'11" (180 cm)

Bashar al-Assad

Listed In: Leaders

Birth Year: 1965

Birthplace: Damascus

Bashar al-Assad is the current president of Syria and has been serving in this position since 17 July 2000. Over the years, he has also had a major impact on Syria as the commander-in-chief of the country's Armed Forces. In 2011, his decision to impose military sieges on protesters participating in the Arab Spring resulted in the ongoing Syrian Civil War.

Eduardo Perez

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1969

Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Height: 6'4" (193 cm)

Betsy Drake

Listed In: Writers

Birth Year: 1923

Birthplace: Paris, France

Died: 2015

Height: 5'7" (170 cm)

Leo Kottke

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1945

Birthplace: Athens, Georgia, U.S.