Famous People From Brooklyn
- Anne Hathaway, born in Brooklyn, New York, is a notable figure in the world of cinema. Her diverse acting career began with her breakout role as Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries. This film was an immense success and catapulted her into instant fame. However, it's not just her early work that made waves; she has consistently demonstrated versatility by taking on challenging roles across various genres from romantic comedies to dramatic portrayals. Hathaway's talents are not limited to light-hearted fare alone. She earned critical acclaim for her compelling performance in the drama Rachel Getting Married, which led to an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The pinnacle of her career came when she played Fantine in the movie adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel Les Misérables. Her heart-wrenching portrayal won several awards including an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress - demonstrating both range and depth that few actors can match. Beyond acting, Hathaway has also been recognized for using her platform to promote positive change. She is known as a staunch advocate for gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. Additionally, she served as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador where she championed paid parental leave worldwide. Anne Hathaway embodies the spirit of perseverance with unwavering commitment towards excellence and compassion off-screen - making her more than just another Hollywood star.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- 1The Devil Wears Prada1,012 Votes
- 2The Princess Diaries938 Votes
- 3The Dark Knight Rises724 Votes
- Joan Rivers, born Joan Alexandra Molinsky in 1933, was an iconic American comedian, actress, writer, producer, and television host. She was renowned for her acerbic wit, flamboyant style, and her trailblazing endeavors in the entertainment industry. Her career spanned over five decades, during which she established herself as a formidable force in a field predominantly dominated by men. Rivers began her career in the late 1950s, performing stand-up routines in comedy clubs around Greenwich Village. Her big break came in 1965 when she appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. This appearance catapulted her into the national spotlight, setting the stage for a remarkable career that encompassed television, film, theater, and literature. Rivers was also recognized for her stint as the first female late-night television host on Fox's The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers. Throughout her career, Rivers faced numerous personal and professional challenges, but she remained unflinchingly resilient. She was known for her sharp-tongued humor, often self-deprecating and controversial, which endeared her to some and alienated others. Despite the polarizing nature of her comedic style, Rivers's impact on the entertainment industry is undeniable. She received a Grammy Award nomination for her comedy album, won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host, and posthumously received a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album. Joan Rivers passed away in 2014, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential comedians in American history.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Adam Sandler, hailed as one of the most successful comedic actors of his time, was born on September 9, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York. He is of Russian-Jewish descent and was raised in Manchester, New Hampshire. Sandler's career began in the world of comedy with his spontaneous performances at a Boston comedy club while attending New York University. Upon graduation, he took his comedic talent to the next level, moving to Los Angeles where he became a regular on MTV's game show Remote Control. Sandler's big break came when he was cast as a performer for NBC's Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 1990. His unique blend of comedy, which often included humorous original songs, made him a favorite among SNL audiences. After five years on SNL, Sandler transitioned into film, starring in numerous box-office hits including Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, and The Waterboy. His ability to deliver laughs while portraying lovable, flawed characters solidified his status as a star in Hollywood. Despite his success in comedy, Sandler has also shown versatility in his acting skills with acclaimed dramatic performances. His roles in films like Punch-Drunk Love and Uncut Gems garnered critical acclaim, showcasing a depth and range beyond his comedic roots. Sandler's commitment to his craft, combined with his ability to connect with audiences, has established him as a significant figure in the entertainment industry. His enduring appeal, even decades after his SNL debut, is a testament to his talent and adaptability.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- 1Katherine Murphy778 Votes
- 2Roxanne Chase-Feder623 Votes
- 3Donna Newman757 Votes
- Eddie Murphy, an iconic figure in the world of entertainment, first made waves in the comedy scene during the late 20th century. Born Edward Regan Murphy on April 3, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York, he faced a challenging childhood marked by his parents' divorce when he was just three years old and the death of his father five years later. However, these hardships only fueled his passion for performance. As a teenager, Murphy honed his skills at the Roosevelt Youth Center, where he dazzled audiences with his comedic impressions. It wasn't long before his talent was recognized, and at the age of 19, he joined the cast of the renowned television show Saturday Night Live. Murphy's tenure on Saturday Night Live from 1980 to 1984 catapulted him into the public eye, and his memorable characterizations of personalities like Gumby and Buckwheat became cultural touchstones. His success on the show paved the way for a transition to the big screen. In 1982, he debuted in the film 48 Hrs, proving that his comedic talent was not confined to the small screen. Subsequent roles in hits like Trading Places (1983), Beverly Hills Cop (1984), and Coming to America (1988) solidified Murphy's status as a box office sensation. Beyond his acting career, Murphy also demonstrated his versatility in the entertainment industry through music and voice acting. He released several musical albums, with his biggest hit, "Party All the Time," reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985. His distinctive voice brought to life beloved characters in animated films, most notably Donkey in the Shrek series. Throughout his career, Eddie Murphy has received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for his performance in Dreamgirls (2006). His enduring influence on comedy and film underlines his status as an entertainment titan.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Jerry Seinfeld, born on April 29, 1954, in Brooklyn, New York, is a comedian, actor, producer, and author renowned for his observational humor. He grew up in Massapequa, New York, and attended State University of New York at Oswego before transferring to Queens College, where he graduated with a degree in communications and theater. Seinfeld's career took off after a successful appearance on Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show in 1981. His unique style of stand-up, focusing on the minutiae of daily life, quickly gained popularity. However, it was the creation of the sitcom Seinfeld, co-created with Larry David and aired from 1989 to 1998, that catapulted him to an unparalleled level of fame. The show, often described as "a show about nothing," deconstructed everyday situations with a mix of absurdity and realism that resonated with audiences worldwide. The sitcom won several Emmy and Golden Globe Awards during its nine-season run and is frequently cited as one of the greatest television shows of all time. In addition to his work on Seinfeld, Jerry has continued to make significant contributions to the entertainment industry. He has written several books, including Seinlanguage and Halloween, both of which were bestsellers. In 2007, he co-wrote and starred in the animated film Bee Movie. More recently, he created and hosts the web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, where he interviews other comedians while driving classic cars to get coffee. Known for his wit and sharp observational comedy, Jerry Seinfeld remains an influential figure in the world of entertainment.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Rita Hayworth, born as Margarita Carmen Cansino on October 17, 1918, was an American actress and dancer who achieved fame during the 1940s as one of the era's top stars. Born into a family of dancers, Hayworth's early exposure to the performing arts paved the way for her future success. Her father, Eduardo Cansino, was a renowned Spanish classical dancer, and under his tutelage, Hayworth honed her dancing skills, which later became a distinguishing feature of her film career. Hayworth's cinematic journey began in the 1930s with minor roles in several films. However, it was her role in the film Only Angels Have Wings in 1939 that marked her rise to prominence. She went on to star in a string of successful films including You'll Never Get Rich, Gilda, and The Lady from Shanghai, showcasing her acting prowess and magnetic screen presence. Her portrayal of the title character in Gilda (1946) became particularly iconic, turning Hayworth into a cultural icon and one of Hollywood's most desired leading ladies. Beyond her captivating performances, Hayworth's personal life also made headlines. She was married five times, most notably to director Orson Welles and Prince Aly Khan. Despite her professional successes, her personal life was fraught with difficulties, including struggles with alcoholism and Alzheimer's disease. Rita Hayworth passed away on May 14, 1987, but her legacy continues to inspire generations of performers. Her contribution to the film industry earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 1999, the American Film Institute named her one of the greatest female stars of Classic Hollywood cinema.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- 1Gilda164 Votes
- 2You Were Never Lovelier89 Votes
- 3Cover Girl100 Votes
- Mickey Rooney, a titan of Hollywood's Golden Age, was born as Joseph Yule Jr. on September 23, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York. His career, spanning an impressive nine decades, is rooted in his early entrance into show business as a child actor in his parent's vaudeville act. This early exposure to performance paved the way for his illustrious tenure in film, television, Broadway, radio, and even the recording studio. His talent was not confined to acting alone, he also flaunted his skills as a comedian, producer and radio personality. Rooney catapulted into fame with his breakout role as Andy Hardy in the film series The Hardy Family, which became emblematic of American family life. Yet it is perhaps his frequent pairing with actress Judy Garland in multiple musicals that solidified his place in Hollywood history. His exceptional performances earned him numerous accolities including an Honorary Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and an Emmy Award. Additionally, Rooney served his country during World War II, putting his career on hold to join the entertainment branch of the United States Army. Throughout his lifetime, Rooney demonstrated an undying passion for the performing arts. He never ceased to entertain and inspire. His resilience, adaptability, and enduring talent made him one of the most recognized figures in the entertainment industry. Even after his passing on April 6, 2014, Mickey Rooney's legacy continues to shine brightly, a testament to his immense contributions to the world of cinema and beyond.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Born as Kimberly Denise Jones on July 11, 1974, in Brooklyn, New York, "Lil' Kim" is an iconic name in the world of hip-hop. Her rise to fame began with her association with The Notorious B.I.G. and his group Junior M.A.F.I.A., through which she made her mark as a female rapper in the largely male-dominated industry. Her debut album, Hard Core, released in 1996, was hailed as a game-changer for its explicit content and bold presentation of female sexuality. Lil' Kim's career has been laden with numerous accolades and controversies alike. She won a Grammy Award for her collaboration with Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya, and Missy Elliott on the hit song "Lady Marmalade" featured in the movie Moulin Rouge. Lil' Kim's influence extends beyond music. Known for her flamboyant and provocative fashion sense, she pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable for women in the public eye. Her style has been emulated by many artists, testifying to her impact on pop culture. Through her career highs and lows, Lil' Kim remains a symbol of empowerment and resilience, continually inspiring generations of artists to push boundaries and redefine norms.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Larry David is an American writer, comedian, actor, director, and television producer. Born on July 2, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York, David was raised in a Jewish family which has significantly influenced his work. His journey to fame was not immediate, but rather a testament to his persistent dedication to his craft. David's early career was marked by several roles as a stand-up comedian and writer for popular shows including 'Saturday Night Live'. However, it was his co-creation of the sitcom 'Seinfeld' with Jerry Seinfeld in the late 1980s that truly catapulted him into the limelight. Serving as the show's head writer and executive producer, David's unique brand of humor, often drawn from everyday life scenarios, became a hallmark of 'Seinfeld', contributing greatly to its immense success and enduring popularity. In addition to 'Seinfeld', David's other notable work includes the creation of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', a critically acclaimed HBO series where he stars as a fictionalized version of himself. The show, known for its improv-based format, has further solidified David's standing as a leading figure in comedy. Throughout his career, David has been honored with multiple awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards for 'Seinfeld'. His distinctive comedic style, characterized by a masterful blend of sarcasm, observational humor, and often uncomfortable social situations, continues to leave an indelible mark on the landscape of American television comedy.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Larry King, born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in 1933, was a significant figure in the world of American television and radio broadcasting. He began his career as a local journalist and radio interviewer in Florida during the 1950s, before rising to national prominence in the late '70s with his eponymous radio program, The Larry King Show. Known for his unique interviewing style - non-confrontational and open-ended - King quickly became a household name, setting the bar high for future talk show hosts. King's fame reached new heights in 1985 when he became the host of Larry King Live on CNN, a position he held for over two decades. The show was groundbreaking for its call-in format, allowing viewers from around the globe to interact directly with King and his guests. His extensive list of interviewees included a veritable who's who of contemporary figures; from politicians and athletes to movie stars and musicians, no subject seemed off-limits for King. Throughout his illustrious career, King received numerous accolades including two Peabody Awards and an Emmy. He was also inducted into both the National Radio Hall of Fame and the Broadcasters' Hall of Fame, testament to his significant contribution to the broadcasting industry. Despite facing several personal and health challenges, King remained passionate about his work until his death in 2021. His legacy continues to inspire aspiring broadcasters and journalists, reminding them of the power of genuine curiosity and conversation.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Nia Long, a name that has become synonymous with talent and tenacity in Hollywood, was born on October 30, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York. She is an accomplished actress, recognized for her compelling performances in both television and film, and has garnered praise for her exceptional range and depth of character portrayal. Her mother, Talita Long, a printmaker and teacher, and her father, Doughtry Long, a high school teacher and poet, were instrumental in nurturing her love for the arts from an early age. Long's acting journey began at the tender age of six when she landed a role in Disney's Broadway production, The Bells Ring. However, it was her breakout role in the seminal television drama, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, playing Will Smith's girlfriend, Lisa Wilkes, that catapulted her into the limelight. Long's film career also flourished with notable roles in critically acclaimed movies such as Boyz n the Hood, Love Jones, The Best Man and its sequel, The Best Man Holiday, demonstrating her ability to master diverse genres from drama to romance and comedy. What sets Nia Long apart is not only her acting prowess but her dedication to causes close to her heart. She is a passionate advocate for women's rights, and uses her platform to promote equality and justice. Long's contribution to cinema has been honored with numerous awards, including the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Jennifer Esposito's journey in the entertainment industry is a testament to her relentless dedication and talent. Born on April 11, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York, she launched her acting career with an appearance in the television series Law & Order in 1996. Over the years, she has demonstrated her acting prowess in a variety of genres, ranging from drama to comedy, making her mark both on the small screen and the big screen. Esposito's breakthrough role came in 1999 when she starred as Ria in the critically acclaimed film Crash, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Her performance garnered widespread attention, further cementing her status as a versatile actress. She continued to showcase her range by portraying detective Jackie Curatola in the hit television series Blue Bloods from 2010 to 2012. Known for her intense performances, Esposito also impressed audiences with her role as Calista Raines in the TV series Mistresses. However, Esposito's journey was not confined to acting alone. She revealed her diagnosis with celiac disease in 2011 and has since become a prominent advocate for the condition, even launching a gluten-free bakery, Jennifer's Way, and writing a book detailing her experiences. This aspect of her life underscores her resilience and determination, proving that Esposito is not only a gifted actress but also a passionate advocate and entrepreneur.
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
- Tony Danza is a multi-talented personality in the realms of acting, dancing, and teaching. Born Antonio Salvatore Iadanza on April 21, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York, Danza grew up in a blue-collar family. A stellar athlete in his youth, he initially embarked on a professional boxing career under the moniker "Dangerous" Tony Danza. Danza's life took an unexpected turn when he was discovered at a boxing gym by a television producer, which led to his first acting role as Tony Banta in the classic sitcom Taxi (1978-1983). This marked the beginning of a successful acting career that spanned over four decades, with notable performances in shows such as Who's the Boss? (1984-1992), and The Tony Danza Show (2004-2006). Despite his fame, Danza remained grounded, often citing his humble beginnings as the driving force behind his work ethic. Beyond the glamour of Hollywood, Danza harbored a passion for education. This led him to take a hiatus from acting to teach English at Northeast High School in Philadelphia, an experience that was documented in the reality show Teach: Tony Danza (2010). His dedication to teaching and his advocacy for education reform underscore his multifaceted persona. Whether it's throwing punches in the ring, delivering punchlines on set, or educating young minds in the classroom, Tony Danza continues to inspire with his diverse talents and steadfast dedication to his craft.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Lena Horne, born in Brooklyn, New York in 1917, was a trailblazer who broke barriers for African-American performers in Hollywood and beyond. Her diverse career spanned over 70 years and covered a range of mediums, from film, music, television, to the Broadway stage. Born into a middle-class family with links to the civil rights movement, Horne's upbringing played a critical role in shaping her career and activism. Horne's career took off when she joined the famous Cotton Club as a dancer at the age of 16. It wasn't long before her undeniable talent caught the attention of Hollywood. In 1942, she signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, a significant achievement as she became one of the first African-American women to secure a long-term deal with a major Hollywood studio. Her roles, however, were often limited due to restrictive racial codes, but Horne never faltered, using her platform to challenge racial prejudices. Notably, Horne refused to take on roles that stereotyped African Americans, setting a precedent for future black actors. Beyond her groundbreaking work in entertainment, Horne was also a dedicated civil rights activist. She used her influence to advocate for equality, performing at rallies and using her status to draw attention to the movement. This commitment to activism led to a brief blacklisting during the Red Scare, yet Horne remained undeterred. Her legacy lies not only in her artistry but also in her resilience and dedication to challenging racial injustice. Lena Horne passed away in 2010, but her impact on the entertainment industry and her contribution to the civil rights movement continue to resonate.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York, Bedford-Stuyvesant
- Scott Baio, a distinguished figure in the entertainment industry, carved out an exceptional career with his striking talent in acting and directing. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 22, 1960, Baio's interest in performing arts sparked at a young age. Baio's dedication led him to rise through the ranks, eventually becoming one of the prominent figures on American television. His journey in the world of acting commenced with commercials before he landed his breakthrough role in the sitcom Happy Days, catapulting him to stardom. Baio's impressive portrayal of Charles "Chachi" Arcola in Happy Days earned him wide acclaim, leading to his own spin-off series, Joanie Loves Chachi. His success was not confined to these roles alone. Baio went on to showcase his versatility by portraying various characters in TV shows like Charles in Charge, Diagnosis Murder, and Arrested Development. Baio's charm and charismatic screen presence made him a household name, and he remains an enduring figure in the entertainment industry. Beyond acting, Baio expanded his creative horizons into directing, most notably for the television series Charles in Charge and The Wayans Bros. His directorial pursuits further strengthened his foothold in the industry, proving his multi-dimensional skills. While Baio's accomplishments in the entertainment field are remarkable, his philanthropic efforts also deserve recognition. He established the Bailey Baio Angel Foundation, dedicated to raising awareness and providing financial aid to families affected by metabolic disorders.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Dom DeLuise, a multi-talented icon of the entertainment industry, made his mark with an illustrious career spanning over five decades. Born on August 1st, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, DeLuise's comedic charm and versatile acting skills quickly propelled him into the limelight. His parents, John and Vincenza DeLuise, were Italian immigrants who instilled in him a love for storytelling and performance, elements that would later underpin his professional achievements. DeLuise delved into acting with appearances in children's theatre at a young age and later honed his craft at Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts. Following his graduation, he debuted on stage with the Cleveland Play House before landing television roles. In the late 1950s, he captured national attention as the mischievous Dominick the Great on The Garry Moore Show. Subsequently, he emerged as a significant figure in Hollywood, starring in timeless classics alongside renowned actors like Burt Reynolds and Gene Wilder. Some of his most notable works include The Cannonball Run, Blazing Saddles, and The End. Besides acting, DeLuise was known for his culinary prowess and authored several cookbooks that showcased his Italian heritage. He also lent his distinctive voice to numerous animated films including An American Tail, All Dogs Go To Heaven, and The Secret of NIMH. Despite battling health issues towards the latter part of his life, DeLuise continued to entertain audiences until his passing on May 4, 2009.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Harvey Keitel, a name that resonates with film enthusiasts of various generations, is an accomplished actor whose career spans over five decades. Born on May 13, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York, he was raised in an environment that cultivated his early interest in the performing arts. A stint in the U.S. Marine Corps solidified his resilience and discipline, traits that would later be mirrored in many of his on-screen characters. Keitel's acting journey kicked off at the prestigious Actors Studio, where he studied under legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg. His breakthrough came in 1967 when he was cast in Martin Scorsese's student film, Who's That Knocking at My Door. This marked the beginning of a long-standing collaboration between Keitel and Scorsese, leading to memorable roles in films like Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, and The Last Temptation of Christ. Over the years, Keitel has showcased his versatility by taking on a wide array of roles across all genres. His portrayal of Mr. White in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs and Winston Wolfe in Pulp Fiction are among the most celebrated performances of his career. Keitel's dedication to his craft has been recognized with numerous award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for his role in Bugsy. Despite the fame and recognition, Keitel remains a steadfastly private individual.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Buddy Hackett, born Leonard Hacker on August 31, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, was a renowned American comedian and actor. He was of Jewish descent and was raised amid the economic hardships of the great depression. Despite the challenging circumstances, Hackett's vivacious personality and quick wit shone through from an early age, endearing him to all who knew him. As a teenager, he discovered his gift for making people laugh, which eventually led him to pursue a career in comedy. Hackett served in World War II but found his true calling in nightclubs and theaters after returning from the war. His unique brand of humor, characterized by a thick Brooklyn accent and an unmistakable delivery style, soon made him a favorite on the stand-up comedy circuit. In the 1950s, Hackett transitioned to television and film, becoming a familiar face on the small screen with appearances on shows such as The Tonight Show and The Jackie Gleason Show. His most notable roles in films include Scuttle in Disney's The Little Mermaid and Marcellus Washburn in The Music Man. While known primarily for his comedic talent, Hackett was also a staunch advocate for charitable causes, using his fame to raise funds for various organizations. He continued to perform well into the later stages of his life, showing an enduring dedication to his craft. Hackett passed away in June 2003, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire comedians around the world.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- One of reality TV's most influential women, the smart and acid-tongued Judge Judith Sheindlin kicked off a television programming revolution in the mid-1990's, thanks to the success of her self-titled courtroom reality show, "Judge Judy" (syndicated, 1996- ). The first courtroom show to air on American television since "The People's Court" (syndicated, 1981-1993), "Judge Judy" was credited with resurrecting the genre and opening the doors for countless imitators. In addition to spawning such copycats as "Judge Joe Brown" (syndicated, 1997- ) "Divorce Court" (syndicated, 1999- ), "Judge Hatchett" (syndicated, 2000- ) and the home-spun "Texas Justice" (syndicated, 2001-05), "Judge Judy" also paved the way for the return of the newly reincarnated "The People's Court" in 1997 and proved that Judge Judith Sheindlin was not only a tough cookie, but a trailblazer for television justice.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Steve Guttenberg, born on August 24, 1958, in Brooklyn, New York, is a renowned American actor, author, and producer known for his charismatic screen presence and versatility. Coming from humble beginnings, his passion for acting took root at a young age, leading him to study theatre at the Juilliard School in New York City. His career launched in the late 1970s with small roles on television and film, but it was in the 1980s that he truly made his mark, showcasing his comedic talents in blockbuster franchises like Police Academy and Three Men and a Baby. His portrayal of lovable characters in these films etched his name in the hearts of audiences worldwide and solidified his status as a Hollywood mainstay. Guttenberg's ability to infuse humor into various roles and his knack for connecting with audiences set him apart in the entertainment industry. Over the years, he starred in numerous films and TV shows across diverse genres. His acting prowess wasn't limited to comedy; he demonstrated remarkable versatility with dramatic roles in films like The Boys from Brazil and Miracle on Ice\. Beyond acting, Guttenberg also ventured into writing, adding author to his list of accomplishments with the release of his autobiography, The Guttenberg Bible, in 2012. His body of work, spanning over four decades, has not only entertained millions globally but has also earned him accolades and recognition in the industry. Despite his fame, Guttenberg remains grounded, dedicating significant time to philanthropy. From working with organizations dedicated to improving children's welfare to raising awareness about homeless pets.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- 1Cocoon59 Votes
- 2Three Men and a Baby55 Votes
- 3Police Academy60 Votes
- A notorious and high-powered media mogul, David Geffen rose from a working-class Brooklyn upbringing to become one of the most influential and successful entertainment magnates in history. An adroit businessman, Geffen founded both Asylum Records and Geffen Records, and went on to be one of the co-founders of the film studio DreamWorks, SKG. As a record producer, he helped establish performers as diverse as Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the Eagles, and Guns N' Roses. Named one of Forbes magazine's richest Americans many times over, Geffen's net worth in 2006 was estimated at $4.4 billion. Also a well-known philanthropist, he provided funding and support to medical research, AIDS organizations, the Democratic National party, and the arts; after endowing UCLA's Medical Center with $200 million, the center was renamed The David Geffen School of Medicine. As famous in the tabloids as he was in the business world, Geffen's personal life made headlines many times over. He was linked romantically to both Cher and actress Marlo Thomas before publicly acknowledging that he was gay in 1992, and dealt with a four-year bout of cancer which later proved to be a misdiagnosis. With his overwhelming ambition and financial prowess, Geffen truly became the king of an entertainment empire.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- David Blaine White (born April 4, 1973) is an American illusionist, endurance artist and extreme performer. He is best known for his high-profile feats of endurance, and has set and broken several world records. Blaine innovated the way magic is shown on television by focusing on spectator reactions. His idea was to turn the camera around on the people watching instead of the performer, to make the audience watch the audience. The New York Times noted that "he's taken a craft that's been around for hundreds of years and done something unique and fresh with it." According to the New York Daily News, "Blaine can lay claim to his own brand of wizardry. The magic he offers operates on an uncommonly personal level." Penn Jillette called Blaine's first television special, Street Magic, "the biggest breakthrough (in television magic) done in our lifetime" for changing the perspective of television viewers toward those seeing the trick live.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- John Turturro was born on February 28, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised by Italian immigrant parents, he developed an early interest in theater and pursued his passion at the State University of New York at New Paltz, and later at the Yale School of Drama, where he honed his acting skills. He embarked on his professional acting career during the early 1980s, showcasing his talent in both stage productions as well as television shows. Turturro's breakthrough came when he caught the attention of the celebrated Coen Brothers, leading to his role in their film Miller's Crossing in 1990. His portrayal of Bernie Bernbaum, a bookmaker, earned him critical acclaim. But it was his unforgettable performance as Barton Fink, a tormented playwright, that truly catapulted him into stardom in the movie industry. The film won the Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival and Turturro clinched the Best Actor award, firmly establishing him as a force to reckon with in Hollywood. Beyond acting, Turturro also demonstrated a profound knack for directing. His directorial debut came in 1992 with Mac, a semi-autobiographical film about a family of Italian-American builders, which won the coveted Camera d'Or at Cannes. Whether it's his captivating performances in films like Quiz Show, The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, or his contributions behind the camera, Turturro's contribution to cinema is undeniable.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Carmelo Anthony, often referred to as "Melo", established himself as one of the most prominent figures in American professional basketball. Born on May 29, 1984, in Brooklyn, New York, Anthony's potential was evident from a young age when he led his high school team in Baltimore, Maryland, to a national championship. His exceptional talents were further honed during his time at Syracuse University, where he guided the Orange to their first NCAA championship in 2003 and won the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. Anthony's stellar college career paved the way for him to be the third overall pick of the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 NBA Draft. In Denver, Anthony was instrumental in turning the team into a playoff mainstay, leading them to the playoffs in each of his seven seasons with the team. However, it was his move to the New York Knicks in 2010 that skyrocketed his fame. As a Knick, Anthony continued to demonstrate his scoring prowess, becoming one of the franchise's top players and earning several trips to the NBA All-Star Game. However, Anthony's legacy expands beyond his NBA tenure. A key figure in the USA Basketball Men's National Team, Anthony holds the distinction of being the first male basketball player to represent the United States in four Olympics (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016). His Olympic career is decorated with three gold medals and one bronze, making him one of the most decorated male Olympians in basketball.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Barbara Stanwyck, born Ruby Catherine Stevens on July 16, 1907, in Brooklyn, New York, rose from humble beginnings to become one of Hollywood's most respected and enduring stars. Orphaned at the tender age of four, Stanwyck was primarily raised by her older sister, Mildred. Her rough-and-tumble upbringing, characterized by poverty and a tumultuous family life, likely shaped her gritty, no-nonsense screen persona. She started her career as a chorus girl and Broadway actress before making the leap to the silver screen. Stanwyck's film debut came in 1927 with Broadway Nights, but it was her role in Stella Dallas (1937) that solidified her standing in Hollywood. Her portrayal of a working-class mother willing to sacrifice everything for her daughter's social advancement earned her an Academy Award nomination. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Stanwyck showcased her versatility across genres, starring in memorable films such as Meet John Doe, Double Indemnity, and Christmas in Connecticut. Known for her tireless work ethic and professionalism, Stanwyck appeared in over eighty films during her career, earning four Academy Award nominations and an honorary Oscar in 1982. Despite her success in film, Stanwyck made a seamless transition to television in the late 1950s, further demonstrating her adaptability as a performer. She starred in several successful series, including The Barbara Stanwyck Show, which won her an Emmy Award in 1961, and The Big Valley, where she played the matriarch of a frontier family. Stanwyck continued to act well into her seventies, finally retiring in the 1980s. She passed away in 1990, leaving behind a legacy of finely crafted performances that continue to resonate with audiences today.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Howard Zinn (August 24, 1922 – January 27, 2010) was an American historian, playwright, and socialist thinker. He was chair of the history and social sciences department at Spelman College, and a political science professor at Boston University. Zinn wrote over twenty books, including his best-selling and influential A People's History of the United States. In 2007, he published a version of it for younger readers, A Young People's History of the United States.Zinn described himself as "something of an anarchist, something of a socialist. Maybe a democratic socialist." He wrote extensively about the Civil Rights Movement and anti-war movement, and labor history of the United States. His memoir, You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train (Beacon Press, 2002), was also the title of a 2004 documentary about Zinn's life and work. Zinn died of a heart attack in 2010, at age 87.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Aaron Copland (; November 14, 1900 – December 2, 1990) was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later a conductor of his own and other American music. Copland was referred to by his peers and critics as "the Dean of American Composers". The open, slowly changing harmonies in much of his music are typical of what many people consider to be the sound of American music, evoking the vast American landscape and pioneer spirit. He is best known for the works he wrote in the 1930s and 1940s in a deliberately accessible style often referred to as "populist" and which the composer labeled his "vernacular" style. Works in this vein include the ballets Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid and Rodeo, his Fanfare for the Common Man and Third Symphony. In addition to his ballets and orchestral works, he produced music in many other genres, including chamber music, vocal works, opera and film scores. After some initial studies with composer Rubin Goldmark, Copland traveled to Paris, where he first studied with Isidor Philipp and Paul Vidal, then with noted pedagogue Nadia Boulanger. He studied three years with Boulanger, whose eclectic approach to music inspired his own broad taste. Determined upon his return to the U.S. to make his way as a full-time composer, Copland gave lecture-recitals, wrote works on commission and did some teaching and writing. He found composing orchestral music in the modernist style he had adapted abroad a financially contradictory approach, particularly in light of the Great Depression. He shifted in the mid-1930s to a more accessible musical style which mirrored the German idea of Gebrauchsmusik ("music for use"), music that could serve utilitarian and artistic purposes. During the Depression years, he traveled extensively to Europe, Africa, and Mexico, formed an important friendship with Mexican composer Carlos Chávez and began composing his signature works. During the late 1940s, Copland became aware that Stravinsky and other fellow composers had begun to study Arnold Schoenberg's use of twelve-tone (serial) techniques. After he had been exposed to the works of French composer Pierre Boulez, he incorporated serial techniques into his Piano Quartet (1950), Piano Fantasy (1957), Connotations for orchestra (1961) and Inscape for orchestra (1967). Unlike Schoenberg, Copland used his tone rows in much the same fashion as his tonal material—as sources for melodies and harmonies, rather than as complete statements in their own right, except for crucial events from a structural point of view. From the 1960s onward, Copland's activities turned more from composing to conducting. He became a frequent guest conductor of orchestras in the U.S. and the UK and made a series of recordings of his music, primarily for Columbia Records.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Annabella Sciorra, a talented actress of Italian descent, is renowned for her dynamic range and captivating performances. Born on March 29, 1960, in Brooklyn, New York, Sciorra's roots are deeply entrenched in the arts, with her journey beginning at the tender age of thirteen when she started to take acting lessons. The dedication to her craft led her to attain formal training at the esteemed American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, putting her on a trajectory that would make her a recognizable face in Hollywood. Throughout her career, Sciorra has showcased versatility across mediums, starting from her breakthrough role in the 1991 film Jungle Fever, directed by the acclaimed Spike Lee. This was followed by a standout performance in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, which cemented her position in Hollywood. Her aptitude for portraying complex characters did not go unnoticed, leading to a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her performance in the illustrious HBO series The Sopranos. Despite facing personal challenges and controversies, Sciorra's resilience and commitment to her craft have been unwavering. She has continued to contribute to both film and television, including roles in the popular Netflix series, Daredevil and Luke Cage. An advocate for mental health and women's rights, Sciorra's life off-screen has been as impactful as her career on-screen, further emphasizing her significance in the industry. A stalwart of the performing arts, Annabella Sciorra's story serves as a testament to perseverance, talent, and the power of storytelling.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- A performer of stage, screen and radio, Jimmy Durante possessed a unique gravelly voice, a raucous manner and a persona which later in life radiated a love of the old showbiz traditions of vaudeville and slapstick. He began his career playing honky-tonk piano in New York saloons, working his way into a vaudeville act with partners Lou Clayton and Eddie Jackson. The three opened the Club Durant in 1919, a speakeasy which rocketed them to fame. The trio spent the 1920s entertaining from their club as well as on the vaudeville circuit, including a long run at the Palace Theater. They also appeared in Ziegfeld's "Show Girl" (1929) and Cole Porter's "The New Yorkers" (1930). Durante--with his brash, lovable mien and cries of "hotcha-cha!"--branched out alone in such Broadway shows as "Strike Me Pink" (1933), Billy Rose's "Jumbo" (1935) with a score by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart and book by Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht, and another Cole Porter musical, "Red, Hot and Blue." He also made numerous radio appearances in the 1930s and 1940s. Durante's film career started with "Roadhouse Nights" (1930). He was successfully teamed with Marion Davies in "Blondie of the Follies" (1932). Durante appeared in a total of 21 films in the 1930s, of which the most notable were "The Phantom President" (1932), with George M. Cohan, the all-star "Hollywood Party" (1934), in which he served as host, and "Palooka" (1934), which introduced his theme song, "Inka-Dinka-Doo." He made another 15 films, mostly as an avuncular character actor and sidekick. Among his best were the Frank Sinatra musical "It Happened in Brooklyn" (1947), the Esther Williams splasher "On an Island with You" (1948), "Billy Rose's Jumbo" (1962) and his swan song, literally "kicking the bucket" in the all-star "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1963). He guested on numerous TV shows through the early 1950s, finally earning his own popular series from 1954-57 (first on NBC, then CBS). He continued popping up on variety specials through the early 1970s, and narrated the frequently re-run Christmas special "Frosty the Snowman" (CBS, 1969). A kind and much-loved man on-stage and off, Durante's rasped exclamations "Everybody wants ta get into th' act!," "Stop da music!" and "Surrounded by assassins!" have entered the American consciousness.
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
- Joseph Vincent Paterno (; December 21, 1926 – January 22, 2012), sometimes referred to as JoePa, was an American college football player, athletic director, and coach. He was the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions from 1966 to 2011. With 409 victories, Paterno is the most victorious coach in NCAA FBS history. He recorded his 409th victory on October 29, 2011; his career ended with his dismissal from the team on November 9, 2011, as a result of the Penn State child sex abuse scandal. He died 74 days later, of complications from lung cancer.Paterno was born in Brooklyn, New York. He attended Brown University, where he played football both ways as the quarterback and a cornerback. He had originally planned on going to law school, but he was instead hired in 1950 as an assistant football coach at Penn State. He was persuaded to do this by his college coach Rip Engle, who had taken over as Penn State's head coach. In 1966, Paterno was named as Engle's successor. He soon coached the team to two undefeated regular seasons in 1968 and 1969. The team won two national championships—in 1982 and 1986. Paterno coached five undefeated teams that won major bowl games, and in 2007 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach. During his career, he led the Nittany Lions to 37 bowl appearances with 24 wins while turning down offers to coach National Football League (NFL) teams that included the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots. After the child sex abuse scandal involving his former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky broke in full in November 2011, Paterno announced that he would retire at the end of the season. However, on November 9, the Penn State Board of Trustees rejected his decision and immediately terminated his contract via a telephone call. An investigation conducted by former FBI director Louis Freeh concluded in July 2012 that Paterno concealed information relating to Sandusky's sexual abuse of young boys. The investigation also uncovered information that Paterno may have persuaded university officials to refrain from reporting Sandusky to authorities in 2001. A critique of the Freeh report composed by the law firm King & Spalding, which was commissioned by the Paterno family and included expert opinion from former U.S. attorney general and Pennsylvania governor Dick Thornburgh, among others, disputed the findings of the Freeh report concerning Paterno's involvement in the alleged cover-up and accused Freeh of making unsupported conclusions. Freeh called the critique a "self-serving report" that "does not change the facts."On July 23, 2012, the NCAA vacated all of Penn State's wins from 1998 through 2011 as part of its punishment for the child sex abuse scandal. The association eliminated 111 of the games Paterno had won, which dropped him from first to 12th on the list of winningest NCAA football coaches. In January 2013, State senator Jake Corman and state treasurer Rob McCord launched a lawsuit against the NCAA to overturn the sanctions on Penn State on the basis that Freeh had been actively collaborating with the NCAA and that due process had not been followed. As part of the settlement, the NCAA reversed its decision on January 16, 2015, and restored the 111 wins to Paterno's record.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- A witty and gifted golden age veteran who amassed a daunting list of credits across three mediums, actress Celeste Holm initially planned to become a ballerina before developing a love of acting that blossomed when she made her mark on Broadway in "Oklahoma!" (1943-48) and "Bloomer Girl" (1944-46). Proficient at acting, singing and dancing, Holm was a natural for the movies and signed with 20th Century Fox in 1946, making her film debut in "Three Little Girls in Blue" (1946) before winning an Oscar for her supporting role in "Gentleman's Agreement" (1947). From there, she did especially fine work in "Come to the Stable" (1949) and "All About Eve" (1950), but Holm returned to the stage with "Affairs of State" (1950-52) and as a replacement lead performer in the Broadway juggernauts "The King and I" (1951-54), while appearing sporadically on screen in films like "The Tender Trap" (1955) and "High Society" (1956). Holm also worked frequently on television as a guest star and recurring performer on a handful of series that often only lasted a season, though she received acclaim for her work on "Insight" (Syndicated, 1960-1983) and "Backstairs at the White House" (NBC, 1979). Even after decades of distinguished work in a commendable variety of roles, which included one of her last appearances on the series "Promised Land" (CBS, 1996-99), Holm always displayed energy and conviction at an age when most performers happily settle into retirement and kept performing right into the next century.
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
- Bespectacled vaudevillian who made his feature debut in the early 1940s and established himself as an engaging comic character player in films such as "You're in the Army Now" (1942), "Cover Girl" (1944) and "It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World" (1963). Best known as the wily "Sergeant Bilko" in the popular 1950s TV series, "The Phil Silvers Show."
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
- Hollywood's original "It" Girl and the first true sex symbol of the silver screen, silent-era actress Clara Bow enjoyed unprecedented stardom. Emerging from the tenements of Brooklyn in the early 1920s, Bow was signed by independent movie producer B. P. Schulberg and placed in projects like "Black Oxen" (1923) and "Wine" (1924), films that established the free-spirited actress as Hollywood's "perfect flapper." Efforts like "The Plastic Age" (1925), "Mantrap" (1926), "Wings" (1927) and the career-defining "It" (1927) transformed Bow not only into the biggest movie star of her age, but a bona fide screen legend as well. Unlike many of her fellow silent film stars, the advent of the "talkie" failed to knock Bow off her throne as the reigning movie queen, and sound pictures like "The Wild Party" (1929) and "True to the Navy" (1930) continued to attract audiences in droves. After struggling with the pressures of stardom for some time, Bow chose to leave film forever in 1933. Though nearly forgotten, Bow's legacy was kept alive through film restoration efforts and her influence clearly evident in the style choices of many top contemporary female entertainers decades after her departure from the screen.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Philip Francis Rizzuto (September 25, 1917 – August 13, 2007), nicknamed "The Scooter", was an American Major League Baseball shortstop. He spent his entire 13-year baseball career with the New York Yankees (1941–1956), and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994. A popular figure on a team dynasty that captured 10 AL titles and seven World Championships in his 13 seasons, Rizzuto holds numerous World Series records for shortstops. His best statistical season was 1950, when he was named the American League's Most Valuable Player. Despite this offensive peak, Rizzuto was a classic "small ball" player, noted for his strong defense in the infield. The slick-fielding Rizzuto is also regarded as one of the best bunters in baseball history. When he retired, his 1,217 career double plays ranked second in major league history, trailing only Luke Appling's total of 1,424, and his .968 career fielding average trailed only Lou Boudreau's mark of .973 among AL shortstops. After his playing career, Rizzuto enjoyed a 40-year career as a radio and television sports announcer for the Yankees. His idiosyncratic style and unpredictable digressions charmed listeners, while his lively play-by-play brought a distinct energy to his broadcasts. He was well known for his trademark expression "holy cow!"
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Burly, likable actor Vic Tayback was born in Brooklyn but his family moved to Burbank, California, when he was a teenager. There, Tayback would spend the rest of his life and career as an actor. For almost the first 20 years of his career Tayback managed to land only one-off appearances on TV shows like "Mission: Impossible" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." and a few roles in feature films. In 1974 Martin Scorsese cast him as restaurant owner Mel Sharples in "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore." The hit movie led to a similarly popular TV show of the same name, starring Linda Lavin as hard-working waitress Alice, while Tayback reprised his role as Sharples. The series ran for 200 episodes from 1976 through 1985, and became what Tayback is most remembered for in his career. After the show ended he had a number of roles on television and in films, mostly notably in a famous Aqua Velva commercial with baseball star Pete Rose. Tayback died of a sudden heart attack in 1990.
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
- Nas, born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, is an internationally acclaimed rapper and songwriter hailing from Brooklyn, New York. Born on September 14th, 1973 to musician Olu Dara and Fannie Ann Jones, his interest in music was sparked at a young age. Nas dropped out of school after the eighth grade and began selling drugs on the streets of New York City before deciding to pursue a career in music. His debut album Illmatic, released in 1994 when he was just twenty years old, has since been hailed as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. Over his career spanning more than two decades, Nas has released over a dozen studio albums and numerous singles. He's known for his profound lyrics that often touch upon themes such as poverty, violence in inner cities, politics, and African American culture. Known for his unique storytelling ability coupled with raw street poetry style rap verses, Nas quickly established himself as a powerful voice within the hip-hop community. Despite facing many ups and downs throughout his career including conflicts with other artists like Jay-Z and legal battles over child support payments, Nas's impact on hip hop remains undeniable. Beyond music, he ventured into film production through Mass Appeal Records which produces movies about urban life & culture while also co-founding Sweet Chick; a chain specializing in chicken & waffles.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- 1Illmatic640 Votes
- 2It Was Written504 Votes
- 3Stillmatic459 Votes
- Though not an original member of the iconic comedy trio, Jerome "Curly" Howard was by far the most popular of The Three Stooges and represented what was inarguably the group's golden era. The youngest of the five Howard brothers, Curly joined his sibling Moe and Larry Fine as one of vaudeville comedian Ted Healy's Stooges after replacing another brother, Shemp, in 1932. After Healy moved on to a solo career, Larry, Moe and Curly signed with Columbia Pictures as the Three Stooges and began cranking out such side-splitting classics as "Hoi Polloi" (1935), "Disorder in the Court" (1936) and "A Plumbing We Will Go" (1940). Appearing in nearly 100 two-reel shorts with Larry and Moe, Curly was adored as the hyperkinetic man-child of the group, filled with false bravado and blessed with an unbreakable skull. Whether bellowing out his signature, "Woo-woo-woo!" or spinning around on the floor like a broken top, Curly's antics proved the high point of nearly every Stooge short, right up until his final appearance in "Half-Wits Holiday" (1947). Declining health, brought on by rich foods, alcohol and the strains of success, dulled Curly's comedic brilliance in the mid-1940s, prior to a debilitating stroke that forced him into retirement. Although Shemp returned to stand in for his younger brother on the Stooge roster, in the hearts and funny bones of diehard fans, there would never be a replacement for the most beloved of Stooge - Curly Howard.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Born on January 31, 1937, in New York City, Suzanne Pleshette was a prominent American actress renowned for her husky voice and dark beauty. Her parents, Eugene Pleshette, a manager of network radio at ABC, and Geraldine Kaplan, an artist, played a crucial role in shaping young Suzanne's career. She began studying acting at the prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre under the guidance of Sanford Meisner, one of the most respected acting coaches in America. Her acting career launched with stage performances in Broadway productions like Compulsion and The Cold Wind and the Warm. However, Pleshette's big break came in 1958 when she appeared in the Alfred Hitchcock film, The Birds, which garnered her instant fame and recognition. Despite having roles in over 40 films, she is best remembered for her role as Emily Hartley on the popular television series, The Bob Newhart Show, where her comedic timing and chemistry with co-star Bob Newhart were highly praised. Throughout her journey in the entertainment industry, Suzanne Pleshette received several accolades that include four Golden Globe nominations and two Emmy nominations. She later expanded her professional horizon and made a successful transition to voice acting, lending her distinctive voice to animated characters in Disney's The Lion King II: Simba's Pride and Spirited Away. Despite facing personal hardships that included battling lung cancer, Pleshette continued to work until shortly before her passing on January 19, 2008, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire aspiring actresses.
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
- 1The Birds27 Votes
- 2Rome Adventure31 Votes
- 3Support Your Local Gunfighter24 Votes
- Tough, virile lead with prematurely steel grey, wavy hair and a muscular physique who starred in action films of the late 1940s and 50s, often as American Indians (three times as Cochise), gangsters, cavalrymen and "natives." Not a docile star, Chandler rebelled against Universal's mediocre action projects and was suspended several times. Chandler's career was cut short by his premature death--due to blood poisoning after routine spinal surgery for a slipped disc--at age 42.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Marion Davies was an American actress, producer, screenwriter, and philanthropist who went from being one of the most popular film stars of the silent era to a disgraced emblem of the talentless opportunist, both of which could be attributed to her nearly 40-year romantic relationship with media tycoon William Randolph Hearst. Born Marion Cecilia Elizabeth Brooklyn Douras on January 3, 1897 in Brooklyn, NY, Davies was the youngest of five children born to Rose Reilly, a homemaker, and Bernard J. Douras, a prominent lawyer and judge. Davies had three older sisters, Ethel, Rose, and Reine (an older brother, Charles, drowned in 1906, at the age of 15). The family lived in the Prospect Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, and the sisters, chasing dreams of stardom, changed their last name to Davies when they were teenagers, after spotting the name on a real estate agent's sign near their home. Davies found work as a chorus girl in Broadway revues and an artists' model, before being cast in the legendary Ziegfeld Follies in 1916. The following year, Davies made her feature film debut in "Runaway Romay" (1917). She not only starred in the film, but she also wrote the screenplay and enlisted her brother-in-law, George W. Lederer, to direct. However, 1917 would prove to be a monumental year in Davies' life for an entirely different reason: it was that year in which she met and fell in love with William Randolph Hearst, the infamous media tycoon. Hearst, who was 34 years Davies senior, not to mention a married man, was absolutely smitten with the young actress, and soon took her under his professional wing. Starting with her next film, "Cecilia of the Pink Roses" (1918), all of Davies' work until her retirement would be distributed by Hearst's own Cosmopolitan Pictures, and promoted by Hearst's media machine. As Hearst's wife, Millicent, refused to grant him a divorce, he and Davies lived together as man and mistress, hosting lavish parties at their palatial California estates, San Simeon (today known as Hearst Castle) and Ocean House. At first, Davies benefited from Hearst's patronage: her films "When Knighthood Was in Flower" (1922) and "Little Old New York" (1923) were the top box office hits of their respective years, and the star was crowned "Queen of the Screen" at the 1924 Hollywood convention of theater owners. However, 1924 would prove to be a disastrous turning point for Davies and Hearst. On November 16, 1924, during a lavish party on board Hearst's luxury yacht, the Oneida, producer Thomas Ince fell ill, and died three days later. The cause of death was heart failure, but rumors abounded for years that Hearst had shot Ince in a bout of jealousy, mistaking him for Charlie Chaplin, who was rumored to be having an affair with Davies. Suddenly, Davies' association with Hearst was something of a reliability. On top of the negative press from the Ince scandal, it was becoming apparent that Hearst was over-promoting the actress, and the public was growing sick of seeing her plastered all across his newsreels. Hearst was also as controlling as he was jealous: though Davies was a prodigious comedic talent, Hearst often demanded that she take on more dramatic roles, especially in prestigious costume dramas, though these parts obviously did not suit her. As the silent age gave way to the rise of talkies, Davies was nervous, as she had suffered from a mild stutter since childhood. However, she continued to work well into the next decade; her first talkie was "Marianne" (1929), and other films included "Not So Dumb" (1930), "Polly of the Circus" (1932), co-starring Clark Gable, "Going Hollywood" (1933) alongside Bing Crosby, and "Operator 13" (1934), with Gary Cooper. Things did not stay rosy for long, however: Hearst was having serious money problems by the late 1930s, and the couple was forced to sell their Welsh castle, St. Donat's, along with many of Davies' personal possessions, including jewelry and stocks and bonds, to save him from bankruptcy. Then, following falling outs with MGM and Warner Bros., Cosmopolitan Pictures folded. Davies made her final film appearance in "Ever Since Eve" (1937). Since Hearst was vehemently against her taking any part that wasn't a starring role, and because her proclivity for madcap onscreen antics was fading as she reached the age of forty, Davies retired from acting, and devoted her time to taking care of Hearst. Once social butterflies, the couple became isolated and aloof, and Davies developed a severe drinking problem. In 1941, Orson Welles released "Citizen Kane" (1941). Loosely based on Hearst's life, the film featured a character named Susan Alexander, protagonist Charles Foster Kane's mistress, who, after becoming his second wife, embarks on a career as an opera singer, aided heavily by the promotion of Kane's media empire, despite the fact that she's a terrible singer. For decades, despite Welles' adamant denials, it was widely reported that Susan Alexander was based on Davies, and the assumption only further cast a shadow over her once well-respected career, earning her an unfair reputation as a talentless opportunist. It would take another five or six decades before her work, especially her silent comedies, were rediscovered and reappraised as classics. Dismayed, she and Hearst spent most of the 1940s in seclusion in Northern California, as Hearst's health declined, and Davies' drinking got worse. On August 14, 1951, Hearst died from a stroke at the age of 88. He left Davies with 170,000 shares of Hearst Corporation stock, plus 30,000 more established in a trust fund he had set up a year before he passed away. Still, Hearst's family shunned Davies after his death, and she eventually relinquished her controlling interest in the company. Less than a year after Hearst's death, on October 31, 1951, Davies shocked the world by eloping to Las Vegas with Horace G. Brown, a former actor and sea captain. It was a notoriously fraught pairing: Brown later admitted that he treated Davies poorly, and Davies filed for divorce from Brown twice, but neither was finalized. They would remain married for the rest of Davies life. In her final decade, Davies dedicated her life to philanthropy, establishing the Marion Davies Foundation, which searched for cures for childhood diseases, and donated $1.9 million to establish a children's clinic at UCLA, which beared her name until 1998. She was also very active as a fundraiser for John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign. Not Long after Kennedy won the Democratic nomination, however, Davies was diagnosed with stomach cancer. She died on September 22, 1961, in her home in Hollywood. Marion Davies was 64 years old.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1928, Maurice Sendak's childhood was filled with struggle. There was the Great Depression, WWII (during which a number of Sendak's relatives were killed in concentration camps), and a long string of illnesses, which conspired to keep him bedridden much of the time. It was during these stretches that the young Sendak began to see drawing as an escape. While still in high school, he worked part-time, drawing backgrounds for Underground Comics' "Mutt & Jeff" comic strip. In 1948, Sendak took a job building window displays for F.A.O. Schwartz, which in turn led to an introduction to the children's book editor for Harper & Row, who helped him land jobs illustrating books like A Hole is to Dig and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Farm. In 1956, Sendak published Kenny's Window, the first book he both wrote and illustrated. Sendak earned the Caldecott Award for his 1963 book Where the Wild Things Are. The book broke the mold of children's books, featuring a misbehaving protagonist, rather than the well-mannered heroes who had dominated the genre. The book became a standard in nearly every household, turning Sendak into a sensation. While he continued to write and illustrate his own books, like Higglety Pigglety Pop! Or There Must be More to Life and In the Night Kitchen, he still illustrated the works of other authors, including Isaac Bashevis Singer, the Brothers Grimm, and Leo Tolstoy. In 1981, Sendak paired with the Houston Opera to design a production of "The Magic Flute." It would be the first of many theater designs, including "The Nutcracker" for Pacific Northwest Ballet, in Seattle. Sendak was awarded the National Medal of the Arts in 1996. In 2003, he notably collaborated with playwright Tony Kushner on an adaptation of the opera "Brundibár," which was first performed by children in the Theresienstadt concentration camp. His books were named best-illustrated book of the year by the New York Times twenty two times. Sendak passed away in 2012.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Best known as the steely-eyed, perfectly quaffed police detective Lt. Steve McGarrett on the long-running CBS series "Hawaii Five-O" (1968-80), actor Jack Lord portrayed one of the most iconic leading roles in television history. Coming from the seemingly incongruent backgrounds of his vocation as visual artist and his occupation as a seaman, Lord found himself drawn to acting relatively late in life. He garnered acclaim on Broadway before moving on to television work on programs like "Studio One" (CBS, 1948-1958) and in such films as "The True Story of Lynn Stuart" (1958). He made the most of a small role as CIA operative Felix Leiter in "Dr. No" (1962) then took on the title character for the short-lived television series "Stoney Burke" (ABC, 1962-63). It was, of course, his next leading TV role that earned him lasting fame on the crime-drama "Hawaii Five-O," for which he became forever associated with the oft-repeated quip, "Book 'em, Danno." A man described as both unwaveringly professional and intensely private, Lord virtually disappeared from the public eye in the years following the cancellation of "Hawaii Five-O." It was most likely Lord's intention that fans worldwide would forever remember him primarily as McGarrett, the no-nonsense crime-fighter bringing justice to the idyllic shores of Honolulu.
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
- James E. Davis (April 3, 1962 – July 23, 2003) was a New York City police officer, corrections officer and council member. He was murdered by a fellow politician in New York City Hall, in a bizarre instance of political rivalry turned violent.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
- Francis McCourt (August 19, 1930 – July 19, 2009) was an Irish-American teacher and writer. He won a Pulitzer Prize for his book Angela's Ashes, a tragicomic memoir of the misery and squalor of his childhood.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Barry Commoner (May 28, 1917 – September 30, 2012) was an American cellular biologist, college professor, and politician. He was a leading ecologist and among the founders of the modern environmental movement. He was the director of the Critical Genetics Project and the Center for Biology of Natural Systems. He ran as the Citizens Party candidate in the 1980 U.S. presidential election. His work studying the radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons testing led to the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963.- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Rosie Perez, born Rosa Maria Perez on September 6, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York, is a multi-talented American actress, dancer, and choreographer. Initially, she was raised in the Bushwick area of Brooklyn and spent her early life in foster care due to the challenges faced by her biological parents. Despite these hardships, Perez found solace in the performing arts, particularly in dance, which would later act as her stepping stone into a successful career in Hollywood. Perez's journey from the tough streets of Brooklyn to Hollywood stardom is nothing short of inspiring. Her breakthrough came unexpectedly when Spike Lee discovered her dancing in a club in Los Angeles in the late 1980s. Impressed by her unique dance skills, Lee offered Perez the female lead role in his film Do the Right Thing (1989), marking her first significant appearance in acting. This opportunity sparked a remarkable acting career that spanned across decades, with notable roles in films such as White Men Can't Jump (1992) and Fearless (1993). For the latter, she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, cementing her status as a respected figure in the industry. Alongside her acting career, Perez also made waves as a choreographer. She started her choreography career on the popular television show In Living Color, where her energetic and distinct dance routines quickly garnered attention. Perez's contributions to the world of choreography did not end here, for she choreographed music videos for prominent artists like Janet Jackson and LL Cool J. Rosie Perez's remarkable career encapsulates her diverse talents, resilience, and enduring contribution to the entertainment industry.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York, Bushwick
William Rubin
Dec. at 78 (1927-2006)William Rubin was the director of painting and sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art, which he first joined in 1967.- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Bruce Weigert Paltrow (November 26, 1943 – October 3, 2002) was an American television and film director and producer.He was the husband of actress Blythe Danner, and the father of actress Gwyneth Paltrow and screenwriter/director Jake Paltrow.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Robert (Bob) Melancton Metcalfe (born April 7, 1946) is an engineer-entrepreneur from the United States who helped pioneer the Internet starting in 1970, co-invented Ethernet, co-founded 3Com and formulated Metcalfe's law. Starting in January 2011, he is Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The University of Texas at Austin. He is also the Murchison Fellow of Free Enterprise.Metcalfe has received various awards, including the IEEE Medal of Honor and National Medal of Technology and Innovation for his work developing Ethernet technology. In addition to his accomplishments, Metcalfe is also known for incorrectly predicting the demise of the Internet, wireless networks, and open-source software during the 1990s.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Arthur Bertram "Art" Modell (June 23, 1925 – September 6, 2012) was an American businessman, entrepreneur and National Football League (NFL) team owner. He owned the Cleveland Browns franchise for 35 years and established the Baltimore Ravens franchise, which he owned for nine years. Assuming control of the Browns franchise in 1961, Modell was a key figure in helping promote the NFL and was initially popular in Cleveland for his active role in the community and his efforts to improve the team. However, he made controversial actions during his ownership, which included the firing of Paul Brown, the franchise's first coach and namesake. In 1995, Modell faced widespread scorn in Cleveland when he attempted to relocate the Browns to Baltimore. While the Browns' namesake was ultimately able to remain in Cleveland, Modell retained the contracts of all Browns personnel and moved the franchise to Baltimore, forming the Ravens in 1996 as a nominal expansion team. Praised in Baltimore for returning football to the city after the departure of the Colts, Modell remains a controversial figure in Cleveland due to the relocation and, in particular, for his decision-making around the management of Cleveland Stadium and the construction of a replacement.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Martin J. Sherwin (born July 2, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American historian. His scholarship mostly concerns the history of the development of atomic energy and nuclear proliferation. Sherwin received his B.A. from Dartmouth College and his Ph.D. in history from the University of California, Los Angeles. He was the long-time Walter S. Dickson Professor of English and American History at Tufts University until his retirement in May 2007. He is now a professor emeritus of Tufts and a University Professor at George Mason University. He and co-author Kai Bird shared the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography for their book on Robert Oppenheimer's life, titled American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Sherwin worked on the book for two decades before Bird, a writer (and not a historian), came on to collaborate in piecing all his research together. Sherwin also wrote A World Destroyed: Hiroshima and its Legacies, which won the Stuart L. Bernath Prize, and the National Historical Society's American History Book Prize. A previous book on nuclear policy was a runner-up for the Pulitzer. Sherwin serves on the board of The Nation magazine, to which he is a regular contributor. While a professor at Princeton University, he taught and mentored Katrina vanden Heuvel, now editor-in-chief of The Nation. He lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Susan.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Gloria Pall (July 15, 1927 – December 30, 2012) was an American model, showgirl, actress, author and businesswoman. Gloria Pallatz was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1927. During World War II, she worked as an aircraft mechanic in upstate New York at Rome Army Air Depot. On July 28, 1945 she was employed by the USO headquarters office on the 56th floor of the Empire State Building in New York City when a U.S. Army B-25 Mitchell bomber crashed into the 79th floor.In 1947, she entered and won a "Miss Flatbush" contest which opened the door to work as a model. She worked as a showgirl in both Reno and Las Vegas as well as in Hollywood where for a time she was chosen to be "Miss Earl Carroll" from the huge cast of beauties. This was at the Earl Carroll Theatre on Sunset Blvd. in 1952. She dated Howard Hughes for a time.Pall got her first acting job on television in 1951 and went on to a successful career as an actress for ten years, primarily in secondary and minor roles. In 1958, she was cast as Blanche Golden in "Abracadabra" of the western aviation adventure series, Sky King. She had a small role in The Twilight Zone episode, "And When the Sky Was Opened". She had small roles in feature films such as Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation (1953), Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953), The French Line (1954), 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), The Night of the Hunter (1955), Jailhouse Rock (1957), The Brothers Karamazov (1958), The Crimson Kimono (1959) and Elmer Gantry (1960). She appeared on the cover of several national celebrity magazines and twice was a centerfold in Esquire.In late 1954 and early 1955, she developed a television show called "Voluptua" for KABC-TV that caused a furor for what was then seen as obscenity. In a 2011 radio interview with author and broadcaster R. H. Greene, Pall reminisced about the Voluptua program, explaining the show's format, re-enacting character dialogue, and explaining how Christian and PTA groups labelled the character "Corruptua" and pressured KABC to take her off the air.Cancelled after seven weeks, Voluptua got Pall feature stories in Life and Playboy magazines. In 1959, Pall began developing a career in real-estate and in 1962 opened her own office on Sunset Strip. In later years she turned to writing books about Hollywood, penning self-published books under Showgirl Press, including the following: Voluptua: Story of a TV Love Goddess (1992) Cameo Girl of the 50's (1993) I Danced Before the King (2000) The Marilyn Monroe Party (2002)
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- An amiable, gray-haired actor with a nasal twang, Mason Adams is perhaps best known for his Emmy-nominated role as managing editor Charlie Hume on the long-running TV series "Lou Grant" (CBS, 1977-82). He began his career on radio in the 1940s, starring as the title character on the popular "Pepper Young's Family" from 1945-59. Adams has made the occasional film appearance, including "F/X" (1986) and more recently as a priest in Paul Schrader's "Touch" (1997). Also a prolific voice-over artist, he has helped sell a wide range of products, most notably Smucker's jams and jellies.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- David L. Lander will forever be best known as Andrew "Squiggy" Squiggman, one of the obnoxious upstairs neighbors on the hugely popular sitcom "Laverne and Shirley." Interestingly, the characters of Squiggy and his dopey pal Lenny actually predate the series by a number of years. Lander and his creative partner Michael McKean first developed the characters in the late 1960s when the two aspiring actors were attending Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon University, and refined them during their years in the 1970s Los Angeles improv group The Credibility Gap. When producer Garry Marshall devised a spin-off of his hit "Happy Days" starring his sister Penny Marshall and "American Graffiti"'s Cindy Williams, McKean and Lander were cast as their sidekicks. The bratty duo were popular enough that Landers and McKean recorded a comedy album of '50s rock and roll pastiche in 1979 under the name Lenny and the Squigtones. Lander and McKean also appeared as a double act in a number of films during this period, including Steven Spielberg's war comedy, "1941," and the Robert Zemeckis farce, "Used Cars." After "Laverne and Shirley" went off the air, Lander appeared in occasional films and TV shows, but primarily concentrated on voiceover work. In 1999, Lander announced that he suffered from multiple sclerosis and has since become an active spokesman for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He died of complications from the disease on December 4, 2020 at the age of 73.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Paul Charles Caravello (July 12, 1950 – November 24, 1991) better known by his stage name Eric Carr, was an American musician and multi-instrumentalist who was the drummer for the rock band Kiss from 1980 to 1991. Caravello was selected as the new Kiss drummer after Peter Criss departed, when he chose the stage name "Eric Carr" and took up The Fox persona. He remained a member of Kiss until his death from heart cancer on November 24, 1991, at the age of 41.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Paul Jabara, also known as Paul Frederick Jabara, (January 31, 1948 – September 29, 1992) was an American actor, singer, and songwriter of Lebanese ancestry, born in Brooklyn, New York City. He wrote Donna Summer's Oscar-winning "Last Dance" from Thank God It's Friday (1978) and Barbra Streisand's song "The Main Event/Fight" from The Main Event (1979). He cowrote The Weather Girls hit "It's Raining Men" with Paul Shaffer. Jabara's cousin and close friend Jad Azkoul is also a Lebanese-American musician specializing in classical guitar.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Jeffrey Alan Hoffman (born November 2, 1944) is an American former NASA astronaut and currently a professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT. Hoffman made five flights as a Space Shuttle astronaut, including the first mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope in 1993, when the orbiting telescope's flawed optical system was corrected. Trained as an astrophysicist, he also flew on the 1990 Spacelab Shuttle mission that featured the Astro-1 ultraviolet astronomical observatory in the Shuttle's payload bay. Over the course of his five missions he logged more than 1,211 hours and 21.5 million miles in space. He was also NASA's first Jewish male astronaut, and the second Jewish man in space after Soviet cosmonaut Boris Volynov.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Joseph Heller (May 1, 1923 – December 12, 1999) was an American author of novels, short stories, plays, and screenplays. His best-known work is the novel Catch-22, a satire on war and bureaucracy, whose title has become a synonym for an absurd or contradictory choice.
- Birthplace: Coney Island, New York City, New York
- Joseph Chaikin (September 16, 1935 – June 22, 2003) was an American theatre director, actor, playwright, and pedagogue.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- A former Las Vegas entertainment director who turned to acting, Steven Schirripa spent years playing bit parts and landing uncredited roles before finding himself as the soft-hearted Mafia foot soldier Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri on the acclaimed series, "The Sopranos" (HBO, 1999-2007). With his larger-than-life personality and undeniably natural acting skills, Schirripa graduated from comic foil to prominent supporting player over his seven years on the show. As his popularity on "The Sopranos" grew, so too did the size of his roles outside of the show. He made frequent guest appearances on shows like "The King of Queens" (1998-2007), "Angel" (Fox, 1999-2004), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC, 1999- ), and "Ugly Betty" (ABC, 2006-2010), while appearing in features like "Joe Dirt" (2001), "High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story" (2003), and "Must Love Dogs" (2005). After Bobby was gunned down, Schirripa branched out into a variety of areas, guest starring on game shows, hosting true crime series, appearing regularly as a special correspondent on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and playing a recurring role on "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" (ABC Family, 2008-13). Though not a household name, Schirripa was a naturally gifted performer who possessed enough charm and skill to become a beloved star.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Richard John Colangelo (April 14, 1957 – March 10, 2007), better known by the stage name of Richard Jeni, was an American stand-up comedian and actor.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Dorothy Day (November 8, 1897 – November 29, 1980) was an American journalist, social activist, and Catholic convert. Day initially lived a bohemian lifestyle before gaining public attention as a social activist after her conversion. She was a political radical, perhaps the best known radical in American Catholic Church history.Day's conversion is described in her autobiography, The Long Loneliness. Day was also an active journalist, and described her social activism in her writings. In 1917 she was imprisoned as a member of suffragist Alice Paul's nonviolent Silent Sentinels. In the 1930s, Day worked closely with fellow activist Peter Maurin to establish the Catholic Worker Movement, a pacifist movement that combines direct aid for the poor and homeless with nonviolent direct action on their behalf. She practiced civil disobedience, which led to additional arrests in 1955, 1957, and in 1973 at the age of seventy-five. As part of the Catholic Worker Movement, Day co-founded the Catholic Worker newspaper in 1933, and served as its editor from 1933 until her death in 1980. In this newspaper, Day advocated the Catholic economic theory of distributism, which she considered a third way between capitalism and socialism.Pope Benedict XVI used her conversion story as an example of how to "journey towards faith... in a secularized environment." Pope Francis included her in a short list of exemplary Americans, together with Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thomas Merton, in his address before the United States Congress. The Church has opened the cause for Day's possible canonization, which was accepted by the Holy See for investigation. Due to this, the Church refers to her with the title of Servant of God.
- Birthplace: Bath Beach, New York City, New York
- Edward J. Zander is an American business executive. He was CEO and Chairman of the Board of Motorola from January 2004 until January 2008, remaining as chairman until May 2008. His work in the technology sector included management positions at Data General and Apollo Computer before joining Sun Microsystems in 1987, where he was later promoted to Chief Operating Officer and President. After leaving Sun in 2002, he became managing director at Silver Lake Partners, a private-equity firm. He also serves on the board of directors for Jason Foundation for Education, on the science advisory board of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (where he received a degree in electrical engineering), the advisory board for IOCOM Communications, and the advisory board of the Boston University School of Management (where he received his Master of Business Administration and later an honorary D.H.L.). He was also a member of the board of directors at Seagate Technologies from 2002 to 2004, and at Time Warner Inc. from January to May 2007. He has been a member of the board of directors at EagleView Technologies Inc. since 2008.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Samuel Joel "Zero" Mostel (February 28, 1915 – September 8, 1977) was an American actor, singer and comedian of stage and screen, best known for his portrayal of comic characters such as Tevye on stage in Fiddler on the Roof, Pseudolus on stage and on screen in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Max Bialystock in the original film version of The Producers. Mostel was a student of Don Richardson, and used an acting technique based on muscle memory. He was blacklisted during the 1950s, and his testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee was well-publicized. Mostel was an Obie Award and three-time Tony Award winner. He is also a member of the American Theater Hall of Fame, inducted posthumously in 1979.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Barbara Seaman (September 11, 1935 – February 27, 2008) was an American author, activist, and journalist, and a principal founder of the women's health feminism movement.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Pete Hamill was a writer and actor who was known for writing "The Yellow Handkerchief," "Flesh and Blood," and "Snow in August."
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Charles Everett Koop (October 14, 1916 – February 25, 2013) was an American pediatric surgeon and public health administrator. He was a vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and served as the 13th Surgeon General of the United States under President Ronald Reagan from 1982 to 1989. According to the Associated Press, "Koop was the only surgeon general to become a household name."Koop was known for his work on tobacco use, AIDS, and abortion, and for his support of the rights of disabled children.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
- Hayden Rorke was a familiar face to many television fans, particularly viewers of the hit comedy show "I Dream of Jeannie," starring Barbara Eden as a bottled genie trying to swing with modern times and Larry Hagman as the Air Force officer lucky enough to fall in love with her. Rorke, who played the befuddled Air Force psychiatrist Colonel Dr. Alfred Bellows, was a highlight of the show. Before "I Dream of Jeannie," Rorke had worked for years, frequently uncredited, in many Hollywood films. Some of his most notable co-starring roles or bit parts can be found in the Gene Kelly musical "An American in Paris," the adventure story "Kim," the Westerns "Lust for Gold" and "Broken Arrow," the science fiction films "When Worlds Collide" and "Project Moon Base," and the Douglas Sirk melodrama "All that Heaven Allows," starring Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman. Rorke also guest starred on the popular long-running legal show "Perry Mason" and on the celebrated, progressive sitcom "I Love Lucy."
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Katha Pollitt (born October 14, 1949) is an American poet, essayist and critic. She is the author of four essay collections and two books of poetry. Her writing focuses on political and social issues from a left-leaning perspective, including abortion, racism, welfare reform, feminism, and poverty.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Marshall Warren Nirenberg (April 10, 1927 – January 15, 2010) was an American biochemist and geneticist. He shared a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1968 with Har Gobind Khorana and Robert W. Holley for "breaking the genetic code" and describing how it operates in protein synthesis. In the same year, together with Har Gobind Khorana, he was awarded the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize from Columbia University.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Albert Salmi served in the United States Army before studying Method acting with Lee Strasberg. Following a stint on stage, including a role in "Bus Stop" on Broadway, his film debut came in 1958 alongside Yul Brynner and William Shatner in "The Brothers Karamazov." Salmi also starred with Gregory Peck in "The Bravados" before moving back to television. Throughout the 1960s he appeared in numerous TV shows including "The Twilight Zone," "Lost in Space," "Gunsmoke," "Combat!," and "Bonanaza." He continued to work primarily in television throughout the 1970s and 1980s with roles on shows like "Baretta," "Police Story," "Dallas," and "The A-Team." Police in Spokane, Washington, found Salmi and his wife shot to death in their home in April 1990. Salmi had been suffering from depression, and police reports claim that he murdered his wife, from whom he was estranged, before killing himself.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Robert B. Sherman
Dec. at 86 (1925-2012)Robert Bernard Sherman (December 19, 1925 – March 6, 2012) was an American songwriter who specialized in musical films with his brother, Richard Morton Sherman. The Sherman brothers were responsible for more motion picture musical song scores than any other songwriting team in film history. Some of the Sherman brothers' best-known songs were incorporated into live action and animation musical films including: Mary Poppins, The Happiest Millionaire, The Jungle Book, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Slipper and the Rose, and Charlotte's Web. Their best-known work is "It's a Small World (After All)," the most-performed song of all time.- Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
- Tough-talking actor Simon Oakland started out as a concert violinist before moving into acting on stage in the late 1940s. In the late 1950s, Oakland made some appearances on television before getting the pivotal role of Edward Montgomery, a newspaper reporter trying to get the full story in Susan Hayward's campy yet harrowing Oscar-winner "I Want to Live!." After that, in 1960, Oakland earned immortality as a glib doctor trying to offer a pat explanation for the behavior of the killer Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller "Psycho." He appeared in the Oscar-winning musical "West Side Story" in 1961, and then mainly appeared on television shows such as the mind-bending anthology series "Twilight Zone" and the Prohibition-era crime drama "The Untouchables" in the mid-'60s. Oakland played a doctor again on the big screen in Vincente Minnelli's musical "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" in 1970, and then finished out his career on television.
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
- Margaret Wise Brown (May 23, 1910 – November 13, 1952) was an American writer of children's books, including Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny, both illustrated by Clement Hurd.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Robert Weston Smith, known as Wolfman Jack (January 21, 1938 – July 1, 1995), was an American disc jockey. Famous for his gravelly voice, he credited it for his success, saying, "It's kept meat and potatoes on the table for years for Wolfman and Wolfwoman. A couple of shots of whiskey helps it. I've got that nice raspy sound."
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Ray "Thunder" Stern, born Walter Bookbinder, (January 12, 1933 – March 6, 2007) was an American professional wrestler, bodybuilder and entrepreneur. At age 13 he joined the Merchant Marines using the name Paul Davis and discovered bodybuilding, a sport he loved so much he would carry a pair of 50 pound dumbbells in his duffel bag for workouts. In 1950 Stern began wrestling at age 17 in New York City working for Rudy Dusek. Due to his penchant for aerial moves promoters nicknamed him "Thunder". Stern opened the first co-ed gym in the United States in San Francisco, California, as well as the first with a nursery. He also worked with real estate and rental properties. Stern was also an avid flier, and during his wrestling career this allowed him to travel great distances in short periods to conduct more business and matches in a quicker span. He founded Stern Air in Addison, Texas with a fleet of Lear Jets and Falcon's. He even flew to Czechoslovakia to train with their national aerobatic champions, and was so successful that the team named him as an official backup member at the world level. In 1994 Stern published his autobiography, Power and Thunder: The Rags to Riches Story of One Man's Adventure of Fame, Fortune, Romance & Fitness. He was also awarded the Iron Mike Mazurki Award in 2000 at that year's Cauliflower Alley Club reunion, an award that recognizes wrestlers for success outside the industry. In 2005 he received the New York State Award (now since renamed the Senator Hugh Farley Award) from the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Amsterdam, New York. On March 6, 2007, Stern died after complications from heart surgery. He was 74 years old. he is survived by his wife of 10 years Debi Stern, a fitness athlete and IFBB judge.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Edward Small was an American producer who was known for producing "The Last of the Mohicans," "The Man in the Iron Mask," and "The Corsican Brothers."
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Standing 6'5," prematurely bald and decidedly "ethnic," Herb Edelman had a long career as a character player of stage, screen and TV. He remains best known for his extensive work in the latter medium, generally in stints as a series regular or recurring character ("Welcome Back, Kotter"; "St. Elsewhere"; "Knots Landing"), very rarely as a lead. Edelman may be best recognized as Stanley Zbornak, the ne'er-do-well ex-husband of Bea Arthur's Dorothy on the hit sitcom "The Golden Girls" (NBC, 1985-92).
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- David Lawrence Groh (May 21, 1939 – February 12, 2008) was an American actor best known for his portrayal of Joe Gerard in the 1970s television series Rhoda, opposite Valerie Harper.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Eugene Dominic Genovese (May 19, 1930 – September 26, 2012) was an American historian of the American South and American slavery. He was noted for bringing a Marxist perspective to the study of power, class and relations between planters and slaves in the South. His book Roll, Jordan, Roll: The World the Slaves Made won the Bancroft Prize. He later abandoned the left and Marxism and embraced traditionalist conservatism. He wrote during the Cold War and his political beliefs, at the time, were considered highly controversial.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Alan Dershowitz was born on September 1, 1938, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Raised an Orthodox Jew, Dershowitz graduated from Brooklyn College in 1959 and went on to graduate first in his class from Yale Law School in 1962. He served a clerk to the chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for a year, then as clerk of Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg during the 1963-64 term. In 1964, he became assistant professor at Harvard Law School, and became full professor in 1967; at the time, he was the youngest full professor of law in the school's history. Dershowitz described himself as a lawyer of last resort and only accepted cases he felt were challenging and precedent setting, mostly in criminal defense. He represented many high-profile defendants in his legal career, either as a defense attorney or consultant, including Patty Hearst, Harry Reems, Leona Helmsley, Mike Tyson, Michael Milken, OJ Simpson, and Julian Assange. One of Dershowitz's most renowned cases was his appellate defense of socialite Claus von Bulow, convicted of the attempted murder of his wealthy wife Sunny, who had slipped into a coma under mysterious circumstances. His appeal was successful in overturning von Bulow's conviction, and the attorney published his account of the trial in the book Reversal of Fortune: Inside the von Bulow Case, published in 1985 and adapted into the 1990 film "Reversal of Fortune." Over his career, Dershowitz wrote dozens of books (both fiction and non-fiction) and made innumerable appearances on TV news programs as a legal pundit. He retired from teaching at Harvard in 2013. In his later years, Dershowitz devoted a good deal of his time and energy to finding a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Ronald Leavitt (November 7, 1947 – February 10, 2008) was an American television writer and producer. He was the co-creator (with Michael G. Moye) of the American television show Married... with Children. The show's 259 episodes over 11 seasons made it the second-longest lasting sitcom on the Fox network.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
- Andrew Sarris (October 31, 1928 – June 20, 2012) was an American film critic, a leading proponent of the auteur theory of film criticism.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Ray Barretto (April 29, 1929 – February 17, 2006) was a Puerto Rican conga drummer and bandleader born in New York. Throughout his career as a percussionist, he played a wide variety of Latin music styles, as well as Latin jazz. His first hit, "El Watusi", was recorded by his Charanga Moderna in 1962, becoming the most successful pachanga song in the United States. In the late 1960s, Barretto became one of the leading exponents of boogaloo and what would later be known as salsa. Nonetheless, many of Barretto's recordings would remain rooted in more traditional genres such as son cubano. A master of the descarga (improvised jam session), Barretto was a long-time member of the Fania All-Stars. His success continued into the 1970s with songs such as "Cocinando" and "Indestructible". His last album for Fania Records, Soy dichoso, was released in 1990. He then formed the New World Spirit jazz ensemble and continued to tour and record until his death in 2006.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- George Meeker was an actor who had a successful Hollywood career. Meeker's early acting career consisted of roles in various films, such as "A Thief in the Dark" (1928), "Strictly Dishonorable" (1931) and "Tess of the Storm Country" (1932). He also appeared in "Emma" (1932), "The Match King" (1932) with Warren William and "The First Year" (1932). He kept working in film throughout the thirties, starring in "The Rainmakers" (1935), "Walking on Air" (1936) and "The Country Doctor" (1936). He also appeared in "Tango" (1936). In the latter part of his career, he continued to act in "Wings For the Eagle" (1942) with Ann Sheridan, "Secret Enemies" (1942) and "You Can't Escape Forever" (1942). He also appeared in the Edward G Robinson comedy adaptation "Larceny, Inc." (1942) and "The Ox-Bow Incident" (1943) with Henry Fonda. Meeker was most recently credited in "Brenda Starr, Reporter" (2011). Meeker passed away in August 1984 at the age of 80.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Allen Funt worked in a variety of genres and built up a diverse and reputable career. Funt worked on a variety of projects during his early entertainment career, including "Candid Camera" (CBS, 1948-1956), "Candid Camera Looks at the Difference Between Men and Women" (NBC, 1983-84), "It's Only Human" (NBC, 1981-82), "Money Talks" (1972), "The Candid Camera Special" (NBC, 1981-82) and "What Do You Say to a Naked Lady?" (1970) starring Joie Addison. In the eighties, Funt devoted his time to various credits, such as "Candid Kids" (NBC, 1984-85), "Candid Camera: The First 40 Years" (CBS, 1986-87), "Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow" (PBS, 1987-88) and "Candid Camera Christmas Special" (CBS, 1987-88). In the eighties and the nineties, Funt lent his talents to projects like "Candid Camera... Funt's Favorite Funnies" (CBS, 1989-1990), "Candid Camera... Getting Physical" (CBS, 1989-1990), "Candid Camera... Smile, You're on Vacation!" (CBS, 1989-1990), "The Candid Camera Comedy Shopping Spree" (CBS, 1989-1990) and "Candid Camera... Goes to the Doctor" (CBS, 1990-91). Funt last appeared in "Candid Camera... Really Silly Signs" (1991-92). Funt was married to Marilyn Funt and had five children. Allen Funt passed away in September 1999 at the age of 85.
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
James Hayden
Dec. at 29 (1953-1983)James Hayden was an actor who appeared in "Once Upon A Time In America," "Marilyn: The Untold Story," and "An Act of Love: The Patricia Neal Story."- Birthplace: New York City, USA, Bay Ridge, New York
- Keith Gordon Green (October 21, 1953 – July 28, 1982) was an American contemporary Christian music pianist, singer, and songwriter originally from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York. Beyond his music, Green is best known for his strong devotion to Christian evangelism and challenging others to the same. Several of his compositions became standards of contemporary Christian music. Notable songs include "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful", "Asleep in the Light", "Your Love Broke Through", "You Put This Love in My Heart", "The Prodigal Son Suite", and "There Is a Redeemer", the last of which was written by his wife Melody.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York, Sheepshead Bay
- Hubert "Cubby" Selby Jr. (July 23, 1928 – April 26, 2004) was an American writer. His best-known novels are Last Exit to Brooklyn (1964) and Requiem for a Dream (1978), exploring worlds in the New York area. Both novels were adapted later as films, and he appeared in small roles in each. Selby wrote about a harsh underworld seldom portrayed in literature. His first novel was prosecuted for obscenity in the United Kingdom and banned in Italy, prompting defences from many leading authors such as Anthony Burgess. He was highly influential to more than a generation of writers; for more than 20 years, he taught creative writing at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he lived full-time after 1983.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Arnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach (September 20, 1917 – October 28, 2006) was an American basketball coach of the Washington Capitols, the Tri-Cities Blackhawks and, most notably, the Boston Celtics. After he retired from coaching, he served as president and front office executive of the Celtics until his death. As a coach, he won 938 games (a record at his retirement) and nine National Basketball Association (NBA) championships in ten seasons (a number surpassed only by Phil Jackson, who won 11 in eighteen seasons). As general manager and team president of the Celtics, he won an additional seven NBA titles, for a grand total of 16 in a span of 29 years, making him one of the most successful team officials in the history of North American professional sports. Auerbach is remembered as a pioneer of modern basketball, redefining basketball as a game dominated by team play and defense and for introducing the fast break as a potent offensive weapon. He groomed many players who went on to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Additionally, Auerbach was vital in breaking down color barriers in the NBA. He made history by drafting the first African-American NBA player, Chuck Cooper in 1950, introduced the first African-American starting five in 1964, and hired the first African-American head coach in North American sports (Bill Russell in 1966). Famous for his polarizing nature, he was well known for smoking a cigar when he thought a victory was assured, a habit that became, for many, "the ultimate symbol of victory" during his Boston tenure.In 1967, the NBA Coach of the Year award, which he had won in 1965, was named the "Red Auerbach Trophy", and Auerbach was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969. In 1980, he was named the greatest coach in the history of the NBA by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America, and was NBA Executive of the Year in 1980. In addition, Auerbach was voted one of the NBA 10 Greatest Coaches in history, was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, and is honored with a retired number 2 jersey in the TD Garden, the home of the Boston Celtics.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Bernard Malamud (April 26, 1914 – March 18, 1986) was an American novelist and short story writer. Along with Saul Bellow, Joseph Heller, and Philip Roth, he was one of the best known American Jewish authors of the 20th century. His baseball novel, The Natural, was adapted into a 1984 film starring Robert Redford. His 1966 novel The Fixer (also filmed), about antisemitism in the Russian Empire, won both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
Richard Fariña
Dec. at 29 (1937-1966)Richard George Fariña (March 8, 1937 – April 30, 1966) was an American folksinger, songwriter, poet and novelist.- Birthplace: New York City, New York
Mitchell Kapor
Age: 74Mitchell David Kapor ( (listen) KAY-por; born November 1, 1950) is an American entrepreneur best known for his work as an application developer in the early days of the personal computer software industry, later founding Lotus, where he was instrumental in developing the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet. He left Lotus in 1986. In 1990 with John Perry Barlow and John Gilmore, he co-founded the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and served as its chairman until 1994. In 2003, Kapor became the founding chair of the Mozilla Foundation, creator of the open source web browser Firefox. Kapor has been an investor in the personal computing industry, and supporter of social causes via Kapor Capital and the Kapor Center. Kapor and his wife, Freada Kapor Klein, invest in social impact tech startups that seek to narrow gaps in opportunity and access for underrepresented communities and attempt to eliminate barriers to full participation across the tech ecosystem. Kapor and Klein take a comprehensive approach to removing barriers in education and the workplace for all and fixing the leaks at every stage of the tech pipeline. Kapor serves on the board of SMASH, a non-profit founded by Klein to help underrepresented scholars hone their STEM knowledge while building the networks and skills for careers in tech and the sciences.- Birthplace: New York City, New York
Stew Albert
Dec. at 66 (1939-2006)Stewart Edward "Stew" Albert (December 4, 1939 – January 30, 2006) was an early member of the Yippies, an anti-Vietnam War political activist, and an important figure in the New Left movement of the 1960s. Born in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn, New York, to a New York City employee, he had a relatively conventional political life in his youth, though he was among those who protested the execution of Caryl Chessman. He graduated from Pace University, where he majored in politics and philosophy, and worked for a while for the City of New York welfare department. In 1965, he left New York for San Francisco, where he met the poet Allen Ginsberg at the City Lights Bookstore. Within a few days, he was volunteering at the Vietnam Day Committee in Berkeley, California. It was there he met Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman, with whom he co-founded the Youth International Party or Yippies. He also met Bobby Seale and other Black Panther Party members there and became a full-time political activist. Rubin once said that Albert was a better educator than most of the professors. Among the many activities he participated in with the Yippies were throwing money off the balcony at the New York Stock Exchange, the Exorcism of the Pentagon, and the 1968 Presidential campaign of a pig named Pigasus. He was arrested at the disturbances outside the 1968 Democratic National Convention and was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Chicago Seven case. His wife, Judy Gumbo Albert, claimed, according to his New York Times obituary, this was because he was working as a correspondent for the Berkeley Barb. Later, he would work closely with the Berkeley Tribe underground newspaper and lived at the Tribe's commune when he was not traveling for political engagements. In 1970, he ran for sheriff of Alameda County, California, in revenge for "getting my balls sprayed with hot, painful chemicals as a welcome-to-prison health measure" after being arrested in 1969. Although he lost to the incumbent, Frank Madigan, Albert garnered 65,000 votes, in an ironic twist, in a race with the sheriff who had supervised his earlier incarceration during the Vietnam Day Committee anti-draft protests in downtown Oakland. After the Weather Underground helped Timothy Leary escape from a California prison, where he had been imprisoned for possessing L.S.D., Albert helped arrange for Leary to stay with Eldridge Cleaver in Algeria. In 1971, he was subpoenaed before several grand juries investigating the political bombing of the U. S. Capitol by the Weather Underground in March 1971, as well as a conspiracy by the Piggy Bank Six to bomb several branches of First National City Bank in Manhattan the previous year. He was not charged in either case. In the early 1970s, he and his wife sued the FBI for planting an illegal wiretap in his house. They won a $20,000 settlement and, in 1978, two FBI supervisors were fired for this action. In 1984, he and his wife moved to Portland, Oregon. They co-edited an anthology, The Sixties Papers: Documents of a Rebellious Decade, that collected material that originated in the Civil Rights Movement, Students for a Democratic Society, the anti-war movement, the counterculture, and the women's movement. His memoir, Who the Hell is Stew Albert?, was published by Red Hen Press in 2005. He ran the Yippie Reading Room until he died of liver cancer brought on by hepatitis in 2006. Two days before his death, he posted on his blog, "My politics haven't changed." In the film Steal This Movie! Albert is played by Donal Logue.- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Rudolph A. LaRusso (November 11, 1937 – July 9, 2004) was an American professional basketball player who was a five-time All-Star in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was nicknamed "Roughhouse Rudy."
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Hugh Leo Carey (April 11, 1919 – August 7, 2011) was an American politician and attorney. He served as a seven-term United States Representative from 1961 to 1974, as well as 51st Governor of New York from 1975 to 1982.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
Monk Eastman
Dec. at 45 (1875-1920)Edward "Monk" Eastman (1875 – December 26, 1920) was a New York City gangster who founded and led the Eastman Gang, which became one of the most powerful street gangs in New York City. His aliases included Joseph "Joe" Morris, Joe Marvin, William "Bill" Delaney, and Edward "Eddie" Delaney. Eastman is considered to be one of the last of the 19th-century New York gangsters who preceded the rise of Arnold Rothstein and more sophisticated, organized criminal enterprises such as Cosa Nostra.- Birthplace: Williamsburg, New York City, New York
James M. Gavin
Dec. at 82 (1907-1990)James Maurice "Jumpin' Jim" Gavin (March 22, 1907 – February 23, 1990) was a senior United States Army officer, with the rank of lieutenant general, who was the third Commanding General (CG) of the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. During the war, he was often referred to as "The Jumping General" because of his practice of taking part in combat jumps with the paratroopers under his command; he was the only American general officer to make four combat jumps in the war. Gavin was the youngest major general to command an American division in World War II, being only 37 upon promotion, and the youngest lieutenant general after the war, in March 1955. He was awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses and several other decorations for his service in the war. During combat, he was known for his habit of carrying an M1 rifle, typically carried by enlisted U.S. infantry soldiers, instead of the M1 carbine, which officers customarily carried.Gavin also worked against segregation in the U.S. Army, which gained him some notoriety.- Birthplace: New York City, New York
Larry Sultan
Dec. at 63 (1946-2009)Larry Sultan was an American photographer from the San Fernando Valley in California. He taught at the San Francisco Art Institute from 1978 to 1988 and at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco 1989 to 2009. A recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, his work is exhibited in museums in the United States.- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- A handsome, sometimes brooding American actor with great promise as a leading man, James Farentino demonstrated his skills in a wide variety of roles on stage and screen. After starting his career on Broadway, Farentino transitioned to film and television in the early 1960s, before becoming a leading man in "The Pad And How to Use It" (1966). He played Happy Loman in a telecast of "Death of a Salesman" (CBS, 1966) and later starred as the brutish Stanley Kowalski in a Broadway revival of "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1972). That same year, Farentino starred in his own detective series, "Cool Million" (NBC, 1972), and followed with his biggest role of the decade, and perhaps his career, by playing the apostle Simon Peter in the seminal miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth" (NBC, 1977), which earned him an Emmy nomination. Turns as Juan Peron in the biopic "Evita Peron" (NBC, 1981) and the helicopter pilot on the short-lived cop series "Blue Thunder" (ABC, 1984) followed. From there, Farentino struggled to maintain consistency, appearing infrequently on the small screen throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Meanwhile, the actor found his legacy tarnished with a string of failed marriages, a charge of cocaine possession in 1991, a conviction for stalking former girlfriend Tina Sinatra in 1993, and an arrest for battery in 2010. The controversies were that much more regrettable as they overshadowed a talented actor's long and versatile career, which ultimately ended rather quietly with his death in 2012.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Jack Donohue was a television director, television producer, film director, choreographer and dancer.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Richard Jay Schaap (September 27, 1934 – December 21, 2001) was an American sportswriter, broadcaster, and author.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Lorenzo Music spent most of his career behind the scenes. In fact, even his two most famous acting roles didn't involve showing his face on screen. After several years as a Nichols and May-style comedy duo with his wife Henrietta Music, the Minnesota native began writing for television, contributing to his shows like "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" and "Mary Tyler Moore." In 1972, Music co-created the classic "The Bob Newhart Show"; two years later, he was on the writing staff of the Mary Tyler Moore spinoff "Rhoda" when he was picked to voice the character of Carlton, Rhoda's perpetually stoned doorman. Though Carlton was never seen on-screen, he quickly became many fans' favorite character on the show. In 1982, Music was pegged for another voiceover role when he was chosen to provide the voice of popular cartoon cat Garfield for the lazy feline's first TV special. Lorenzo Music continued to provide Garfield's voice until his 2001 death from lung cancer.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Roger Huntington Sessions (December 28, 1896 – March 16, 1985) was an American composer, teacher, and writer on music.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
Glen MacDonough
Dec. at 54 (1870-1924)Glen MacDonough (1870 – March 30, 1924) was an American writer, lyricist and librettist. He was the son of theater manager Thomas B. MacDonough and actress/author Laura Don. Glen MacDonough married Margaret Jefferson in 1896 in Buzzard's Bay, Massachusetts. MacDonough was born in Brooklyn, New York. He is best-remembered today as the librettist of Victor Herbert's operetta, Babes in Toyland (1903). MacDonough started out as a feature/human interest journalist in New York City, and according to one source (Atlanta Constitution, Feb. 4, 1894), "...four years ago [MacDonough] was a reporter earning 15 to 20 dollars a week...but was rapidly advanced in salary and prominence. In one year on the New York Advertiser, he wrote 1,008 short stories...He [then] determined to abandon journalism and turn to the drama for a livelihood..." The Prodigal Father (1892) is MacDonough's first work that received any note in reviews of the day. It was a comedy with songs, a form generally called "musical extravaganzas" at the time. His second work, The Algerian (1893), was a collaboration with prominent songwriter Reginald DeKoven. In the 1890s he devoted much time to writing farces and comedies or the book and song lyrics to a string of musical comedies. These musical comedies include Miss Dynamite (1894) and Delmonico's at 6 (1895). MacDonough's name is associated with more than two dozen plays and musical works. Most of them have become obscure with the passage of time, but some—besides Babes in Toyland—are worthy of mention and present certain points of historical interest.That is: He wrote the lyrics for the operetta, Chris and the Wonderful Lamp (1899), with music by march king John Philip Sousa, a work that undergoes periodic revival even today. MacDonough was also one of the many lyricists called to help out in the first musical production of L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz (1902). Between 1896 and 1909, MacDonough collaborated with Victor Herbert on four other operettas besides Babes in Toyland: The Gold Bug (1896), It Happened in Nordland (1905), Wonderland (1905), and Algeria (1908, revised in 1909 as The Rose of Algeria). MacDonough was also the American adapter of Johann Strauss' last work, Vienna Life (1901), and of Franz Lehár's The Count of Luxembourg (1912). In 1909 he wrote the book for The Midnight Sons. He was one of the nine founding members of ASCAP in 1914. Glen MacDonough wrote continuously until the year before his death in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1924. His last work was in 1923, Within Four Walls, a play.- Birthplace: New York City, New York
Thomas J. Kelly
Dec. at 72 (1929-2002)Thomas Joseph Kelly (June 14, 1929 – March 23, 2002) was an American aerospace engineer. Kelly primarily worked on the Apollo Lunar Module, which earned him the name of "Father of the Lunar Module" from NASA. Kelly graduated from Cornell University in 1951, where he was a member of the Quill and Dagger society. Afterwards, Kelly obtained his MS degree from Columbia University and Ph.D. from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. Kelly was the project engineer, engineering manager and deputy program manager for Grumman Aircraft's Apollo Lunar Module (1962–1970). His 2001 book Moon Lander: How We Developed the Apollo Lunar Module documents the process of designing, building and flying the Lunar Module. Kelly was portrayed by Matt Craven in the 1998 miniseries From the Earth to the Moon.- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Kenneth David "Kenny" Kirkland (September 28, 1955 – November 12, 1998) was an American pianist/keyboardist.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
John C. Metzler, Sr.
Dec. at 81 (1909-1990)John C. Metzler (May 8, 1909 – May 25, 1990), known as Jack, was the superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia from 1951 to 1972. Previously, he was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II.- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Allegra Goodman (born 1967) is an American author based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her most recent novel, The Chalk Artist, was published in 2017. Goodman wrote and illustrated her first novel at the age of seven.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Robert O'Brien may refer to: Robert O'Brien (artist) (born 1939), British Kong Kong based artist Robert O'Brien (canoeist) (born 1933), American Olympic canoer Robert O'Brien (executive) (1907–1997), businessman and Hollywood executive Robert O'Brien (racing driver) (1908–1987), American race car driver Robert O'Brien (RAF officer), former senior commander in the Royal Air Force who became Air Secretary Robert C. O'Brien (attorney), American attorney and US Alternate Representative to the 60th session of the United Nations General Assembly Robert C. O'Brien (author) (pen name of Robert Leslie Conly, 1918–1973), American journalist and children's book author Bob O'Brien (born 1949), baseball player
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Stuart Rosenberg (August 11, 1927 – March 15, 2007) was an American film and television director whose motion pictures include Cool Hand Luke (1967), Voyage of the Damned (1976), The Amityville Horror (1979), and The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984). He was noted for his work with actor Paul Newman.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Stephen E. Harris is an American physicist known for his contributions to electromagnetically induced transparency, modulation of single photons, and x-ray emission. In a diverse career, he has collaborated with others to produce results in many areas, including the 1999 paper titled “Light speed reduction to 17 metres per second in an ultracold gas,” in which Lene Hau and Harris, Cyrus Behroozi and Zachary Dutton describe how they used EIT to slow optical pulses to the speed of a bicycle. He has also contributed to developments in the use of the laser, generating paired photons with single driving lasers He has also shown the development of such pairs of photons using waveforms His more recent work has sought to address restraints imposed on the types of waveforms that can be produced by the single-cycle barrier Harris and colleagues succeeded in this endeavour in 2005 during a series of experiments aimed at obtaining full control of waveforms, noting "we were able to vary the shape of the pulse to generate different prescribed waveforms."
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- George Bird Grinnell (September 20, 1849 – April 11, 1938) was an American anthropologist, historian, naturalist, and writer. Grinnell was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in 1870 and a Ph.D. in 1880. Originally specializing in zoology, he became a prominent early conservationist and student of Native American life. Grinnell has been recognized for his influence on public opinion and work on legislation to preserve the American bison. Mount Grinnell is named after Grinnell.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Edward Thomas Rabbitt (November 27, 1941 – May 7, 1998) was an American singer and songwriter. His career began as a songwriter in the late 1960s, springboarding to a recording career after composing hits such as "Kentucky Rain" for Elvis Presley in 1970 and "Pure Love" for Ronnie Milsap in 1974. Later in the 1970s, Rabbitt helped to develop the crossover-influenced sound of country music prevalent in the 1980s with such hits as "Suspicions" and "Every Which Way but Loose" (the theme from the film of the same title). His duets "Both to Each Other (Friends and Lovers)" and "You and I", with Juice Newton and Crystal Gayle respectively, later appeared on the soap operas Days of Our Lives and All My Children.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
- Nathan Rosen (Hebrew: נתן רוזן; March 22, 1909 – December 18, 1995) was an Israeli physicist noted for his study on the structure of the hydrogen atom and his work with Albert Einstein and Boris Podolsky on entangled wave functions and the EPR paradox. The Einstein–Rosen bridge, later named the wormhole, was a theory of Nathan Rosen.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- William Henry Keeler (March 3, 1872 – January 1, 1923), nicknamed "Wee Willie", was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1892 to 1910, primarily for the Baltimore Orioles and Brooklyn Superbas in the National League, and the New York Highlanders in the American League. Keeler, one of the best hitters of his time, was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. One of the greatest contact hitters of all time and notoriously hard to strike out, Keeler has the highest career at bats-per-strikeout ratio in MLB history: throughout his career, on average he went more than 60 at bats between individual strikeouts.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Joe Layton (May 3, 1931 – May 5, 1994) was an American director and choreographer known primarily for his work on Broadway.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Stanley Cohen (born November 17, 1922) is an American biochemist who, along with Rita Levi-Montalcini, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986 for the isolation of nerve growth factor and the discovery of epidermal growth factor.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
Murder of Kitty Genovese
Dec. at 29 (1935-1964)Catherine Susan "Kitty" Genovese was a New York City woman who was stabbed to death by Winston Moseley near her home in Kew Gardens, a neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City, on March 13, 1964. Two weeks later, a newspaper article reported the circumstances of Genovese's murder and the lack of reaction from numerous neighbors. The common portrayal of her neighbors as being fully aware of what was transpiring but completely unresponsive has since been criticized as inaccurate. Nonetheless, that portrayal prompted investigation into the social psychological phenomenon that has become known as the bystander effect or "Genovese syndrome", especially diffusion of responsibility. Moseley was arrested, tried, found guilty and sentenced to death on June 15, 1964. That sentence was later reduced to lifetime imprisonment on the grounds that he had not been allowed to argue during the trial that he was "medically insane". Moseley committed another series of crimes when he escaped from custody on March 18, 1968 and then fled to a nearby vacant home, where he held the owners hostage.- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, New York City
- Abraham Harold Maslow (; April 1, 1908 – June 8, 1970) was an American psychologist who was best known for creating Maslow's hierarchy of needs, a theory of psychological health predicated on fulfilling innate human needs in priority, culminating in self-actualization. Maslow was a psychology professor at Alliant International University, Brandeis University, Brooklyn College, New School for Social Research, and Columbia University. He stressed the importance of focusing on the positive qualities in people, as opposed to treating them as a "bag of symptoms." A Review of General Psychology survey, published in 2002, ranked Maslow as the tenth most cited psychologist of the 20th century.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
