List of Famous Teachers
- Born on August 19, 1946, in Hope, Arkansas, William Jefferson Clinton, better known as Bill Clinton, emerged from humble beginnings to become a prominent figure in American politics. Despite facing numerous challenges and controversies during his lifetime, Clinton's tenacity and charisma have cemented his legacy as one of America's most influential leaders. Clinton's political career began with his election as the Attorney General of Arkansas in 1976, followed by his tenure as Governor of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and 1983 to 1992. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life, coupled with his commitment to economic growth and social justice, propelled him to national fame. In 1992, Clinton made history when he was elected the 42nd President of the United States, becoming the first Democrat since Franklin D. Roosevelt to win a second term. His presidency was marked by significant accomplishments, including economic prosperity, welfare reform, and initiatives for environmental protection. However, Clinton's time in office was not without its share of controversy. His second term was marred by the Monica Lewinsky scandal, which led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives in 1998. Despite this, Clinton left office with the highest end-of-office approval rating of any U.S. President since World War II, highlighting the complexity of his legacy. After leaving the White House, Clinton remained active in public life, establishing the Clinton Foundation and becoming an influential global humanitarian.
- James Franco was born on April 19, 1978, in Palo Alto, California. Known for his diverse roles and creative pursuits, Franco's journey into the world of acting began at the Playhouse West acting school in Los Angeles. Despite his parents' initial disapproval, Franco dropped out of UCLA to pursue acting full-time, eventually leading to his breakout role as Daniel Desario on the cult television series Freaks and Geeks. Franco's career is characterized by a blend of commercial and independent projects, demonstrating his commitment to both mainstream appeal and artistic integrity. After gaining recognition for his performance in Freaks and Geeks, Franco went on to star in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, which catapulted him into international stardom. He then took on more challenging roles in films like 127 Hours, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Franco's dedication to his craft extends beyond acting; he has also directed and produced numerous films, showcasing his comprehensive understanding of the film industry. Apart from his acting career, Franco is renowned for his intellectual pursuits. He returned to UCLA in 2006 to complete his undergraduate degree in English and later enrolled in several graduate programs, including creative writing at Columbia University and filmmaking at New York University. Franco's literary ambitions have resulted in several published works, such as Palo Alto: Stories and Directing Herbert White: Poems. His simultaneous engagement with both academia and Hollywood makes him a unique figure in the entertainment industry, highlighting his boundless curiosity and passion for learning.The Best James Franco MoviesSee all
- 1127 Hours239 Votes
- 2Pineapple Express247 Votes
- 3This Is the End213 Votes
- Albert Einstein ( EYEN-styne; German: [ˈalbɛɐ̯t ˈʔaɪnʃtaɪn] (listen); 14 March 1879 – 18 April 1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics (alongside quantum mechanics). His work is also known for its influence on the philosophy of science. He is best known to the general public for his mass–energy equivalence formula E = m c 2 {\displaystyle E=mc^{2}} , which has been dubbed "the world's most famous equation". He received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics "for his services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect", a pivotal step in the development of quantum theory. Near the beginning of his career, Einstein thought that Newtonian mechanics was no longer enough to reconcile the laws of classical mechanics with the laws of the electromagnetic field. This led him to develop his special theory of relativity during his time at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern (1902–1909). However, he realized that the principle of relativity could also be extended to gravitational fields, and he published a paper on general relativity in 1916 with his theory of gravitation. He continued to deal with problems of statistical mechanics and quantum theory, which led to his explanations of particle theory and the motion of molecules. He also investigated the thermal properties of light which laid the foundation of the photon theory of light. In 1917, he applied the general theory of relativity to model the structure of the universe.Except for one year in Prague, Einstein lived in Switzerland between 1895 and 1914, during which time he renounced his German citizenship in 1896, then received his academic diploma from the Swiss federal polytechnic school (later the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, ETH) in Zürich in 1900. After being stateless for more than five years, he acquired Swiss citizenship in 1901, which he kept for the rest of his life. In 1905, he was awarded a PhD by the University of Zurich. The same year, he published four groundbreaking papers during his renowned annus mirabilis (miracle year) which brought him to the notice of the academic world at the age of 26. Einstein taught theoretical physics at Zurich between 1912 and 1914, before he left for Berlin, where he was elected to the Prussian Academy of Sciences. In 1933, while Einstein was visiting the United States, Adolf Hitler came to power. Because of his Jewish background, Einstein did not return to Germany. He settled in the United States and became an American citizen in 1940. On the eve of World War II, he endorsed a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt alerting him to the potential development of "extremely powerful bombs of a new type" and recommending that the US begin similar research. This eventually led to the Manhattan Project. Einstein supported the Allies, but he generally denounced the idea of using nuclear fission as a weapon. He signed the Russell–Einstein Manifesto with British philosopher Bertrand Russell, which highlighted the danger of nuclear weapons. He was affiliated with the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, until his death in 1955. Einstein published more than 300 scientific papers and more than 150 non-scientific works. His intellectual achievements and originality have made the word "Einstein" synonymous with "genius". Eugene Wigner wrote of Einstein in comparison to his contemporaries that "Einstein's understanding was deeper even than Jancsi von Neumann's. His mind was both more penetrating and more original than von Neumann's. And that is a very remarkable statement."
- Gene Simmons, born Chaim Witz on August 25, 1949, rose to prominence as the bassist and co-lead singer of the legendary rock band, Kiss. Born in Haifa, Israel, Simmons immigrated to the United States with his mother at the tender age of eight. His passion for music was ignited during his teenage years, and his fascination with comic book superheroes and theatrics would later become a significant influence in his career. Simmons co-founded Kiss in the early 1970s alongside Paul Stanley. With their face paint and extravagant stage outfits, the band quickly gained a reputation for their flamboyant image and energetic performances. Their breakthrough came in 1975 with the release of the live album Alive!. Simmons, known for his demon persona, became famous for his fire-breathing and blood-spitting stage antics. He contributed significantly to the band's repertoire, penning many of their greatest hits, including "Rock and Roll All Nite" and "God of Thunder". Beyond his musical career, Simmons has been involved in various entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors. A savvy businessman, he has invested in a range of ventures from real estate to entertainment companies. He also established the Gene Simmons Axe Company, which manufactures bass guitars. Additionally, he is an active philanthropist, supporting numerous charitable organizations such as ChildFund and Mending Kids International. Despite his larger-than-life persona, Simmons remains grounded, attributing his success to his strong work ethic and determination, qualities he inherited from his mother, a Holocaust survivor.
- Rupert Boneham (born January 27, 1964) is an American mentor for troubled teens, who became known to reality television audiences in 2003 as a contestant on Survivor: Pearl Islands where he placed eighth. He later appeared on the All Stars, Heroes vs. Villains, and Blood vs. Water seasons of Survivor, placing fourth, sixth, and 20th, respectively. He was ultimately a fan favorite among Survivor viewers, who voted him a million-dollar winner on Survivor: America's Tribal Council, a special episode of Survivor: All-Stars. The prize was awarded after a nationwide popular vote in which Boneham received 85% of the votes cast. Boneham and his wife Laura later competed on the 31st season of The Amazing Race and were the second team eliminated. Boneham was the 2012 Libertarian nominee for governor of Indiana, losing to Republican nominee, and future Vice President, Mike Pence.
- Pope Benedict XVI (April 16, 1927 – December 31, 2022) was a retired prelate of the Catholic Church who served as head of the Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2005 until his resignation in 2013. Benedict's election as pope occurred in the 2005 papal conclave that followed the death of Pope John Paul II. Benedict chose to be known by the title "pope emeritus" upon his resignation. He was described as "the main intellectual force in the Church" since the mid-1980s. In 2013, Benedict unexpectedly announced his resignation in a speech in Latin before the cardinals, citing a "lack of strength of mind and body" due to his advanced age. He is the first pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415, and the first to do so on his own initiative since Celestine V in 1294. He was succeeded by Pope Francis, and moved into the newly renovated Mater Ecclesiae Monastery for his retirement. In his retirement, Benedict XVI made occasional public appearances alongside Francis.
- Thomas Jefferson, one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States, was born on April 13, 1743, in Shadwell, Virginia. Raised in a well-to-do family with six sisters and one brother, he was afforded an excellent education, studying under notable figures like Reverend James Maury and William Small. His intellectual curiosity drove him to explore a wide variety of subjects, from philosophy and mathematics to horticulture and mechanics. This love for learning paved the way for his future roles as a statesman, architect, and inventor. Jefferson's political career began in earnest when he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1769. He made his mark early on as a fervent advocate for colonial rights, gaining recognition for his articulate arguments against British taxation. However, it was his role in drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776 that truly solidified his place in American history. As the primary author of this pivotal document, Jefferson articulated the fundamental principles that would guide the emerging nation, emphasizing the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Outside of politics, Jefferson was a man of many talents. He had a passion for architecture, designing his own home, Monticello, as well as the University of Virginia. His love for horticulture was evident in the extensive gardens he cultivated at Monticello, where he experimented with a variety of plants and crops. Moreover, as an inventor, he devised practical solutions to everyday problems, creating devices like the dumbwaiter and the plow moldboard of least resistance. Despite his many accomplishments, Jefferson remained a humble and dedicated public servant until his death on July 4, 1826. His enduring legacy continues to shape the American landscape, reflecting his profound impact on the nation's founding principles and cultural fabric.
- Renowned globally for his distinctive voice and evocative songwriting, Sting, born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner in 1951, has left an unmistakable mark on the world of music. Born and raised in Wallsend, Northumberland, England, he spent his early years as a teacher, a construction worker, and a tax officer before finding his true calling as a musician. The name "Sting" was bestowed upon him because of a black and yellow striped sweater he often wore during performances, making him resemble a wasp. In the late 1970s, Sting formed the rock band The Police with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers. They rose to fame quickly, producing five chart-topping albums, winning six Grammy awards, and becoming one of the world's best-selling bands of all time. In 1985, Sting embarked on a solo career following The Police's disbandment, further amplifying his success and prestige in the music industry. His solo work, a blend of rock, jazz and world music, has won him an additional 11 Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and several Oscar nominations for Best Original Song. Outside of music, Sting is a passionate philanthropist and environmental activist. He co-founded the Rainforest Foundation Fund with his wife Trudie Styler in 1989, which aims to protect rainforests and their indigenous populations around the world. His commitment to social causes, combined with his enduring musical impact, have cemented Sting's legacy as not just a talented musician, but also a dedicated humanitarian. Despite his many accomplishments, Sting remains committed to his craft, continually evolving his sound and pushing the boundaries of musical genres.
- Henry Kissinger, born Heinz Alfred Kissinger on May 27, 1923, in Fürth, Germany, is a renowned American political scientist and diplomat. His family, being Jewish, fled Germany in 1938 to escape the Nazi regime, settling in New York City. Kissinger's early life experiences shaped his worldview, which later underpinned his political ideologies and diplomatic strategies. His intellectual pursuits led him to Harvard University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1950 and a PhD in 1954, both in Government. He went on to serve as a professor at Harvard until 1969, cultivating an impressive academic career that laid the groundwork for his future political endeavors. Kissinger's public service career began when he served as National Security Advisor (1969-1975) and later as the U.S Secretary of State (1973-1977) during the presidencies of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. His tenure was marked by significant contributions to foreign policy, including the establishment of diplomatic relations with China, the negotiation of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) with the Soviet Union, and peace talks to end the Vietnam War. His work on the latter won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973, though it was a controversial award due to the ongoing hostilities. Post-public service, Kissinger continued to wield influence in international affairs as a geopolitical consultant, author, and speaker. His writings, including books such as Diplomacy and On China, offer extensive insights into global politics and his diplomatic philosophy. Despite criticism and controversy over his role in American foreign policy, particularly concerning human rights issues, Kissinger remains a prominent figure in international relations. His legacy represents the complex interplay of academia, diplomacy, and politics on the global stage.
- Laura Welch Bush (née Laura Lane Welch; born November 4, 1946) is an American educator who was First Lady of the United States during the presidency of her husband, George W. Bush, from 2001 to 2009. Bush previously served as First Lady of Texas from 1995 to 2000. Born in Midland, Texas, Bush graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in education, and took a job as a second grade teacher. After attaining her master's degree in library science at the University of Texas at Austin, she was employed as a librarian. Bush met her future husband, George W. Bush, in 1977, and they were married later that year. The couple had twin daughters in 1981. Bush's political involvement began during her marriage. She campaigned with her husband during his unsuccessful 1978 run for the United States Congress, and later for his successful Texas gubernatorial campaign. As First Lady of Texas, Bush implemented many initiatives focused on health, education, and literacy. In 1999–2000, she aided her husband in campaigning for the presidency in a number of ways, such as delivering a keynote address at the 2000 Republican National Convention, which gained her national attention. She became First Lady after her husband was inaugurated as president on January 20, 2001. Polled by The Gallup Organization as one of the most popular First Ladies, Bush was involved in national and global concerns during her tenure. She continued to advance her trademark interests of education and literacy by establishing the annual National Book Festival in 2001, and encouraged education on a worldwide scale. She also advanced women's causes through The Heart Truth and Susan G. Komen for the Cure organizations. She represented the United States during her foreign trips, which tended to focus on HIV/AIDS and malaria awareness.
- Ben Stein, born on November 25, 1944, in Washington D.C., is a man of many talents with a multifaceted career. He began his professional life in the field of law and politics before delving into the entertainment industry. Graduating as valedictorian from Yale Law School in 1970, Stein served as a poverty lawyer in New Haven and Washington D.C., and a trial lawyer at the Federal Trade Commission. His career took a political turn when he became a speechwriter for U.S. Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Stein's entrance into the entertainment industry was marked by his role as the monotonous high school teacher in the popular 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. This iconic role catapulted him into the limelight, leading to a successful acting career with appearances in numerous films and television shows. Not limiting himself to acting, Stein also made his mark as a game show host, notably for the Emmy Award-winning show Win Ben Stein's Money, which aired from 1997 to 2003. In addition to his legal, political, and entertainment endeavors, Stein is a prolific writer. He has authored and co-authored several books spanning different genres, including novels, biographies, and books about finance. His expertise in economics, derived from his early years as a poverty lawyer and a speechwriter, has been showcased in his financial writings. Stein's diverse career, combined with his intellectual prowess and distinct charisma, has solidified his status as a unique figure in both the world of entertainment and beyond.
- Aristotle (; Greek: Ἀριστοτέλης Aristotélēs, pronounced [aristotélɛːs]; 384–322 BC) was a Greek philosopher during the Classical period in Ancient Greece, the founder of the Lyceum and the Peripatetic school of philosophy and Aristotelian tradition. Along with his teacher Plato, he has been called the "Father of Western Philosophy". His writings cover many subjects – including physics, biology, zoology, metaphysics, logic, ethics, aesthetics, poetry, theatre, music, rhetoric, psychology, linguistics, economics, politics and government. Aristotle provided a complex synthesis of the various philosophies existing prior to him, and it was above all from his teachings that the West inherited its intellectual lexicon, as well as problems and methods of inquiry. As a result, his philosophy has exerted a unique influence on almost every form of knowledge in the West and it continues to be a subject of contemporary philosophical discussion. Little is known about his life. Aristotle was born in the city of Stagira in Northern Greece. His father, Nicomachus, died when Aristotle was a child, and he was brought up by a guardian. At seventeen or eighteen years of age, he joined Plato's Academy in Athens and remained there until the age of thirty-seven (c. 347 BC). Shortly after Plato died, Aristotle left Athens and, at the request of Philip II of Macedon, tutored Alexander the Great beginning in 343 BC. He established a library in the Lyceum which helped him to produce many of his hundreds of books on papyrus scrolls. Though Aristotle wrote many elegant treatises and dialogues for publication, only around a third of his original output has survived, none of it intended for publication.Aristotle's views on physical science profoundly shaped medieval scholarship. Their influence extended from Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages into the Renaissance, and were not replaced systematically until the Enlightenment and theories such as classical mechanics. Some of Aristotle's zoological observations found in his biology, such as on the hectocotyl (reproductive) arm of the octopus, were disbelieved until the 19th century. His works contain the earliest known formal study of logic, studied by medieval scholars such as Peter Abelard and John Buridan. Aristotle's influence on logic also continued well into the 19th century. He influenced Islamic thought during the Middle Ages, as well as Christian theology, especially the Neoplatonism of the Early Church and the scholastic tradition of the Catholic Church. Aristotle was revered among medieval Muslim scholars as "The First Teacher" and among medieval Christians like Thomas Aquinas as simply "The Philosopher". His ethics, though always influential, gained renewed interest with the modern advent of virtue ethics, such as in the thinking of Alasdair MacIntyre and Philippa Foot.
- Gabriel Byrne is a renowned Irish actor, film director, film producer, writer, cultural ambassador and audiobook narrator. Born on May 12, 1950, in Dublin, Ireland, Byrne's early life was marked by a deep interest in the arts, which he pursued despite initial challenges. His dedication saw him attending University College Dublin, where he studied archaeology and linguistics, providing a solid foundation for his later career. Byrne made his acting debut in the Irish drama series The Riordans and quickly gained recognition for his talent. This initial success opened doors to Hollywood, where he starred in films such as Miller's Crossing, The Usual Suspects, and Stigmata. Byrne's performance in these films demonstrated his chameleon-like ability to adapt to diverse roles, earning him critical acclaim and a loyal fan base. Notably, his role in In Treatment, an HBO drama series, won him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. Beyond acting, Gabriel Byrne has also made significant contributions behind the scenes. He has produced several films, including the Academy Award-nominated In the Name of the Father. As a writer, he penned the memoir Walking with Ghosts, which has been praised for its introspective and evocative storytelling. Byrne's work as Ireland's Cultural Ambassador furthered his commitment to promoting Irish culture worldwide, while his narration for audiobooks showcased his versatile talents.The 50+ Best Gabriel Byrne MoviesSee all
- 1Miller's Crossing40 Votes
- 2Little Women43 Votes
- 3The Usual Suspects49 Votes
- Originally the MTV generation's version of Dr. Ruth, Dr. Drew Pinsky later specialized in dramatic, televised treatment programs featuring substance abusing ex-rockers, former stars and fading models. Early on, "Dr. Drew," as he was affectionately known, dished helpful advice to millions of teens through his nationally syndicated radio show "Loveline," alongside comedic co-host Adam Carolla. Eventually he branched out into television with the series "Strictly Sex with Dr. Drew" (Discovery Health Channel, 2005) and the reality program "Celebrity Rehab" (VH1, 2008- ), where he spent 21 days with stars who battled alcohol and drug addiction, including actor Jeff Conaway, wrestler Chyna, and former "American Idol" (Fox, 2002- ) contestant Jessica Sierra. Pinsky continued to find success sticking to topics more relatable to the average American on his current affairs program "Dr. Drew" (HLN, 2011- ). There was no denying that Pinsky and his methods were part of the celebrity culture zeitgeist of the new millennium.
- 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.
- Born Josephine Victoria Occhiuto in 1942, Joy Behar carved out a distinctive path as an American comedian, television host, and actress. Brooklyn-born Behar's humble beginnings saw her working as an English teacher before she made the brave leap into stand-up comedy in the late 70s, a move that would set the stage for her future career in the entertainment industry. Her sharp wit, coupled with her unique perspective on life, quickly gained her recognition in New York's thriving comedy scene. Behar's breakthrough came in the mid-90s when she became one of the original panelists on the ABC daytime talk show The View. Her candid humor and no-holds-barred approach to controversial topics propelled her into the spotlight, earning her a Daytime Emmy Award in 2009. In addition to her work on The View, Behar hosted her own talk shows, including The Joy Behar Show, Joy Behar: Say Anything! and Late Night Joy. Despite her success in television, Behar never abandoned her roots in comedy. Throughout her career, she performed stand-up at various venues across the country. Moreover, she authored several books, blending her comedic style with her insights on politics, society, and life. Her prowess extends to acting as well, with roles in popular TV series such as Baby Boom and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command.
- Born on August 25, 1918, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Leonard Bernstein grew to become one of the most influential figures in classical music. A prodigy by any measure, Bernstein's prowess extended beyond his roles as a conductor and pianist, establishing him as an esteemed composer, author, and lecturer as well. His musical genius shone brightly in the orchestral and theatrical worlds, with legendary compositions like West Side Story. Bernstein's journey toward becoming an eminent musician began at Boston Latin School, where he first discovered an affinity for music. His talent was further nurtured and honed when he attended Harvard University, studying music theory and composition. Upon graduation, his passion led him to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied conducting. Bernstein then joined the ranks of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra as an assistant conductor in 1943, ultimately becoming its music director in 1958. Over the span of an illustrious career, Bernstein composed music for opera, ballet, orchestral performances, choruses, piano, and even film scores. Works like Candide, On the Town, and Chichester Psalms exhibit the range of his compositional skills. Beyond his musical accomplishments, Bernstein was known for his charismatic persona and prodigious ability to educate and inspire others about music. His contributions to television series like Omnibus and Young People's Concerts are testaments to his enduring legacy as both a musician and educator. Despite his passing on October 14, 1990, Bernstein's influence continues to resonate in the world of music, serving as an inspiration for generations of musicians and music lovers alike.
- Lyndon B. Johnson, often referred to by his initials LBJ, is recognized as an influential figure who significantly impacted America during the mid-twentieth century. Born in Texas in 1908, Johnson journeyed from a modest rural upbringing to become the 36th President of the United States. His life trajectory was marked by his dedication to public service, his political acumen, and his commitment to civil rights. Johnson's political career began when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas in 1937. He proved himself a skilled legislator and tactician, rising quickly through the ranks to become the youngest Minority Leader in Senate history by 1953. This rapid ascent continued when he was chosen as John F. Kennedy's Vice-Presidential running mate in 1960. Following Kennedy's assassination in 1963, Johnson was swiftly sworn in as President. His sudden ascension to the highest office was a turning point in American history, with his Presidency marked by significant domestic and international events. As President, Johnson's most noted accomplishments were in the realm of civil rights. He successfully advocated for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, landmark pieces of legislation that outlawed racial segregation and protected voting rights for racial minorities. His vision for a "Great Society" also led to the creation of various social welfare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. However, his Presidency was also marred by the escalation of the Vietnam War. Despite the controversy, Johnson's impact on America is clear. His legacy as a champion of civil rights and social reform continues to resonate today.
- A longtime political commentator and consultant, James Carville first came to national attention when he served as campaign manager for Bill Clinton during Clinton's successful first run for the presidency in 1992. Born October 25, 1944, in Carville, La. (the town was named for Carville's paternal grandfather, Louis Arthur Carville), Carville attended college at the University of Louisiana, where he also received his law degree. Following school, Carville served in the U.S. Marine Corps for two years, where he achieved the rank of corporal, and later worked for a Baton Rouge law firm from 1973 to 1979. He turned to politics in the 1980s, overseeing, along with partner Paul Begala, successful gubernatorial campaigns for Robert Casey in Pennsylvania and Zell Miller in Georgia. In 1992, Carville worked as presidential campaign manager for Bill Clinton, then governor of Arkansas, guiding him to a victory against George H.W. Bush, the Republican incumbent. Clinton would go on to serve two terms as president, from 1992 to 2000. Following this, Carville worked on a number of international campaigns for such politicians as Tony Blair in the U.K. and Ehud Barak in Israel. He consulted on various Democratic presidential candidate campaigns during the early 2000s, though he never took on as prominent a role as he'd held on the Clinton campaign. He has written a number of books on political and social topics, and has made numerous appearances on TV and in film, and was married to former Republican (now Libertarian) political consultant Mary Matalin in 1993. The couple had two daughters and eventually settled in New Orleans, where Carville teaches political science at Tulane University.
- Ludwig Josef Johann Wittgenstein (; German: [ˈluːtvɪç ˈvɪtgənˌʃtaɪn]; 26 April 1889 – 29 April 1951) was an Austrian philosopher who worked primarily in logic, the philosophy of mathematics, the philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of language.From 1929 to 1947, Wittgenstein taught at the University of Cambridge. During his lifetime he published just one slim book, the 75-page Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (1921), one article, one book review and a children's dictionary. His voluminous manuscripts were edited and published posthumously. Philosophical Investigations appeared as a book in 1953, and has since come to be recognised as one of the most important works of philosophy in the 20th century. His teacher, Bertrand Russell, described Wittgenstein as "perhaps the most perfect example I have ever known of genius as traditionally conceived; passionate, profound, intense, and dominating".Born in Vienna into one of Europe's richest families, he inherited a fortune from his father in 1913. He initially made some donations to artists and writers, and then, in a period of severe personal depression after the First World War, he gave away his entire fortune to his brothers and sisters. Three of his four brothers committed suicide, which Wittgenstein had also contemplated. He left academia several times—serving as an officer on the front line during World War I, where he was decorated a number of times for his courage; teaching in schools in remote Austrian villages where he encountered controversy for hitting children when they made mistakes in mathematics; and working as a hospital porter during World War II in London, where he told patients not to take the drugs they were prescribed while largely managing to keep secret the fact that he was one of the world's most famous philosophers. He described philosophy as "the only work that gives me real satisfaction".His philosophy is often divided into an early period, exemplified by the Tractatus, and a later period, articulated in the Philosophical Investigations. "Early Wittgenstein" was concerned with the logical relationship between propositions and the world and he believed that by providing an account of the logic underlying this relationship, he had solved all philosophical problems. "Late Wittgenstein," however, rejected many of the assumptions of the Tractatus, arguing that the meaning of words is best understood as their use within a given language-game. His mentor Bertrand Russell was likely the first to coin this distinction in Wittgenstein's work. A survey among American university and college teachers ranked the Investigations as the most important book of 20th-century philosophy, standing out as "the one crossover masterpiece in twentieth-century philosophy, appealing across diverse specializations and philosophical orientations." The Investigations also ranked 54th on a list of most influential twentieth-century works in cognitive science prepared by the University of Minnesota's Center for Cognitive Sciences. However, in the words of his friend Georg Henrik von Wright, he believed "his ideas were generally misunderstood and distorted even by those who professed to be his disciples. He doubted he would be better understood in the future. He once said he felt as though he was writing for people who would think in a different way, breathe a different air of life, from that of present-day men."
- Charles Durning, a celebrated American actor, was born on February 28, 1923, in Highland Falls, New York. He was one of ten children in an Irish family fraught with poverty and hardship. His early life was marked by adversity, including the loss of five siblings to various diseases and his father's early death. Despite these challenges, Durning discovered a love for theater at a young age, setting the stage for a career that would span over six decades and encompass more than 200 roles in film, television, and stage productions. Durning's acting career kicked off in the late 1950s, but it wasn't until the 1970s that he truly began to gain recognition. Known for his versatility, he showcased his ability to seamlessly transition between comedic and dramatic roles. His breakout role came in 1973 when he starred in The Sting alongside Paul Newman and Robert Redford. Throughout the 70s and 80s, Durning continued to establish himself as a character actor in films like Dog Day Afternoon, Tootsie, and O Brother, Where Art Thou? He received Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) and To Be or Not to Be (1983). In addition to his illustrious film career, Durning also made significant strides on the small screen and the stage. He won a Golden Globe for his performance in the TV movie Death of a Salesman (1985) and earned nine Emmy nominations throughout his career. On Broadway, he garnered a Tony Award for his role in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1990). Apart from his acting career, Durning was a World War II veteran who participated in the D-Day invasion. He passed away in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of diverse roles and memorable performances.
- Thích Nhất Hạnh (October 11, 1926 – January 22, 2022) was a Vietnamese Thiền Buddhist monk, peace activist, and founder of the Plum Village Tradition, historically recognized as the main inspiration for engaged Buddhism. Nhất Hạnh spent most of his later life at the Plum Village Monastery in southwest France near Thénac, travelling internationally to give retreats and talks. He coined the term "Engaged Buddhism" in his book Vietnam: Lotus in a Sea of Fire. After a 39-year exile, he was permitted to visit Vietnam in 2005. In November 2018, he returned to Vietnam to his "root temple", Từ Hiếu Temple, near Huế, where he died on January 22, 2022, at the age of 95.
- Aimee Garcia grew up in show business - dancing in a Chicago-area production of "Cinderella" at the age of seven and performing professionally as Clara in "The Nutcracker" - before moving to Los Angeles after college to work in film and television. In addition to her best-known roles as Veronica Palmero, niece of George Lopez on the sitcom "George Lopez" (ABC, 2002-07), and Jamie, nanny for the son of serial killer Dexter on "Dexter" (Showtime, 2006-13), she also racked up a handful of movie credits, including a role in the 2011 dance musical, "Go for It!"
- A feathered-hair heartthrob during a brief period in the 1970s, Jeff Conaway's career became rocky following his moment in the sun as Kenickie in the musical "Grease" (1978) and his stint on the classic ABC sitcom, "Taxi" (ABC, 1978-1982). His three years on the sci-fi series "Babylon 5" (TNT, 1994-98) notwithstanding, Conaway's career during the 1980s and 1990s consisted mainly of made-for-TV and direct-to-video films, with his high-profile drug and alcohol abuse earning him the most attention. From his appearance in 2006 on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club" (VH1, 2005-10), the actor slid further, ending up on the network's "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" (VH1, 2008-13), where the frail and seemingly suicidal actor bore almost no resemblance to the handsome smart aleck whose career had once been so promising. In the end, Conaway became a kind of cautionary tale of addiction, dying much too young after numerous public struggles.
- Charles Laughton, born in Scarborough, England in 1899, was a renowned actor and director who made a significant impact on the world of dramatic arts throughout the mid-20th century. He was the son of Eliza Conlon and Robert Laughton, owners of a hotel business, but his interest deviated from his family's trade to the performing arts. After serving in World War I and graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Laughton embarked on a career that spanned nearly four decades, earning him recognition on both sides of the Atlantic. Laughton's diverse acting portfolio ranged from stage performances in his native England to Hollywood blockbusters. His breakthrough role came in the form of Henry VIII in the film The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933), which showcased his exceptional skill for character interpretation and won him an Academy Award for Best Actor. Laughton's incredible talent allowed him to seamlessly transition between genres, from historical dramas like Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) to suspenseful thrillers such as The Night of the Hunter (1955), in which he also took on the role of director. Despite his remarkable success in film, Laughton never abandoned his love for the theater. He co-founded a production company with his wife, Elsa Lanchester, which introduced American audiences to many classic plays. Furthermore, his one-man show, Charles Laughton Reads from Great Literature, won rave reviews and demonstrated his masterful command of language. Beyond his theatrical prowess, Laughton was also a vocal advocate for civil rights. Charles Laughton passed away in 1962, leaving behind an impressive legacy in entertainment history.
- Brendan Gleeson, an accomplished Irish actor and film director, made his mark in the entertainment industry with a distinctive blend of on-screen charisma and versatile talent. Born in Dublin, Ireland, on March 29, 1955, he was initially trained as a teacher before he found his true calling in acting. His career began in the mid-1980s, but he truly emerged as an international star in the 1990s and has since left an indelible imprint on both Hollywood and the global film industry. Gleeson's first major breakthrough came in 1995 when he starred in Mel Gibson's historical drama Braveheart, where he portrayed the character of Hamish Campbell. However, it was the 2008 crime-comedy film In Bruges that won him universal acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. Notably, his body of work ranges across genres, from dramatic roles in films like The General and Cold Mountain to his memorable portrayal of Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody in the Harry Potter series. Aside from his acting prowess, Gleeson also ventured into film direction. He directed the critically acclaimed short film Psychic, which premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2018. Despite his success in film, Gleeson never abandoned his love for the stage and continued to perform in theater productions throughout his career, exhibiting an artistic versatility that sets him apart in the entertainment industry.The 50+ Best Brendan Gleeson MoviesSee all
- 1Frankie13 Votes
- 2The Guard56 Votes
- 3Calvary47 Votes
- Herbert George Wells (21 September 1866 – 13 August 1946) was an English writer. He was prolific in many genres, writing dozens of novels, short stories, and works of social commentary, history, satire, biography, and autobiography, and even including two books on recreational war games. He is now best remembered for his science fiction novels and is often called the "father of science fiction", along with Jules Verne and Hugo Gernsback.During his own lifetime, however, he was most prominent as a forward-looking, even prophetic social critic who devoted his literary talents to the development of a progressive vision on a global scale. A futurist, he wrote a number of utopian works and foresaw the advent of aircraft, tanks, space travel, nuclear weapons, satellite television and something resembling the World Wide Web. His science fiction imagined time travel, alien invasion, invisibility, and biological engineering. Brian Aldiss referred to Wells as the "Shakespeare of science fiction". Wells rendered his works convincing by instilling commonplace detail alongside a single extraordinary assumption – dubbed “Wells’s law” – leading Joseph Conrad to hail him in 1898 as "O Realist of the Fantastic!". His most notable science fiction works include The Time Machine (1895), The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), The War of the Worlds (1898) and the military science fiction The War in the Air (1907). Wells was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature four times.Wells's earliest specialised training was in biology, and his thinking on ethical matters took place in a specifically and fundamentally Darwinian context. He was also from an early date an outspoken socialist, often (but not always, as at the beginning of the First World War) sympathising with pacifist views. His later works became increasingly political and didactic, and he wrote little science fiction, while he sometimes indicated on official documents that his profession was that of journalist. Novels such as Kipps and The History of Mr Polly, which describe lower-middle-class life, led to the suggestion that he was a worthy successor to Charles Dickens, but Wells described a range of social strata and even attempted, in Tono-Bungay (1909), a diagnosis of English society as a whole. Wells was a diabetic and co-founded the charity The Diabetic Association (known today as Diabetes UK) in 1934.
- 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.
- Cornel West was an actor who graced the silver screen many times throughout his Hollywood career. He appeared in a number of television specials, including "The Issue Is Race" (1992-93), "Firing Line Special Debate (09/19/93)" (PBS, 1993-94) and "Firing Line Special Debate (12/17/93)" (PBS, 1993-94). He also appeared in "Violence: An American Tradition" (HBO, 1995-96). He also acted in various film roles at the time, appearing in "A Darker Side of Black" (1995) and the documentary "Black Is... Black Ain't" (1995) with Angela Davis. He next focused his entertainment career on film, appearing in the John Amos documentary "Ralph Ellison: An American Journey" (2002), the Keanu Reeves box office smash action movie "The Matrix Reloaded" (2003) and the Keanu Reeves box office smash action flick "The Matrix Revolutions" (2003). In the early 2000s and the 2010s, West lent his talents to projects like "Black in the '80s" (VH1, 2004-05), "Call + Response" with Daryl Hannah (2008) and "Examined Life" (2009). His credits also expanded to "Ghettophysics" (2010). West most recently appeared on "Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary" (2013).
- Franz Peter Schubert (German: [ˈfʁant͡s ˈpeːtɐ ˈʃuːbɐt]; 31 January 1797 – 19 November 1828) was an Austrian composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras. Despite his short lifetime, Schubert left behind a vast oeuvre, including more than 600 secular vocal works (mainly Lieder), seven complete symphonies, sacred music, operas, incidental music and a large body of piano and chamber music. His major works include the Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667 (Trout Quintet), the Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D. 759 (Unfinished Symphony), the three last piano sonatas (D. 958–960), the opera Fierrabras (D. 796), the incidental music to the play Rosamunde (D. 797), and the song cycles Die schöne Müllerin (D. 795) and Winterreise (D. 911). Born in the Himmelpfortgrund suburb of Vienna, Schubert's uncommon gifts for music were evident from an early age. His father gave him his first violin lessons and his older brother gave him piano lessons, but Schubert soon exceeded their abilities. In 1808, at the age of eleven, he became a pupil at the Stadtkonvikt school, where he became acquainted with the orchestral music of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. He left the Stadtkonvikt at the end of 1813, and returned home to live with his father, where he began studying to become a schoolteacher; despite this, he continued his studies in composition with Antonio Salieri and still composed prolifically. In 1821, Schubert was granted admission to the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde as a performing member, which helped establish his name among the Viennese citizenry. He gave a concert of his own works to critical acclaim in March 1828, the only time he did so in his career. He died eight months later at the age of 31, the cause officially attributed to typhoid fever, but believed by some historians to be syphilis. Appreciation of Schubert's music while he was alive was limited to a relatively small circle of admirers in Vienna, but interest in his work increased significantly in the decades following his death. Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms and other 19th-century composers discovered and championed his works. Today, Schubert is ranked among the greatest composers of the 19th century, and his music continues to be popular.
- Jeffrey Tambor, an American actor and comedian, has a rich career that spans over four decades. Born in San Francisco, California in 1944, Tambor developed an early passion for acting which led him to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Drama from San Francisco State University. He later attended Wayne State University, where he received his Master's degree in Fine Arts. Tambor's career kicked off with theater roles, before he transitioned to television in the 1970s. He gained national recognition for his role as Hank Kingsley on The Larry Sanders Show, earning four Primetime Emmy Award nominations. However, it was his portrayal of George Bluth Sr. and Oscar Bluth in the critically acclaimed series Arrested Development that brought him international acclaim. Tambor's performance earned him two Screen Actors Guild Awards and his first Emmy nomination. In a bold shift, Tambor took on the groundbreaking role of Maura Pfefferman, a transgender woman, in the Amazon Studios series Transparent. His sensitive and nuanced performance won him two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, Tambor's contribution to the world of acting remains notable and influential, making him one of the most recognizable figures in the industry.
- Cass Robert Sunstein FBA (born September 21, 1954) is an American legal scholar, particularly in the fields of constitutional law, administrative law, environmental law, and law and behavioral economics, who was the Administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Obama administration from 2009 to 2012. Earlier, as a professor at the University of Chicago Law School for 27 years, he wrote influential works on among other topics, regulatory and constitutional law. Since leaving the White House, Sunstein is the Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard Law School.
- George Stanley McGovern (July 19, 1922 – October 21, 2012) was an American historian, author, U.S. representative, U.S. senator, and the Democratic Party presidential nominee in the 1972 presidential election. McGovern grew up in Mitchell, South Dakota, where he was a renowned debater. He volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Forces upon the country's entry into World War II and as a B-24 Liberator pilot flew 35 missions over German-occupied Europe from his base near Cerignola, Italy. Among the medals bestowed upon him was a Distinguished Flying Cross for making a hazardous emergency landing of his badly damaged plane and saving his crew. At the end of the war and after completing his missions, he briefly continued with the 741st Bomb Squadron delivering surplus food and supplies near Trieste in Northeastern Italy, which was then trucked to the hungry in European cities including several in Germany. He became deeply impressed with America's need to fight hunger in war-torn Europe, and the experience may have influenced his future choice of careers. After the war he earned degrees from Dakota Wesleyan University and Northwestern University, culminating in a PhD, and was a history professor. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1956 and re-elected in 1958. After a failed bid for the U.S. Senate in 1960, he was a successful candidate in 1962. As a senator, McGovern was an example of modern U.S. liberalism. He became most known for his outspoken opposition to the growing U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. He staged a brief nomination run in the 1968 presidential election as a stand-in for the assassinated Robert F. Kennedy. The subsequent McGovern–Fraser Commission fundamentally altered the presidential nominating process, by greatly increasing the number of caucuses and primaries and reducing the influence of party insiders. The McGovern–Hatfield Amendment sought to end the Vietnam War by legislative means but was defeated in 1970 and 1971. McGovern's long-shot, grassroots-based 1972 presidential campaign found triumph in gaining the Democratic nomination but left the party badly split ideologically, and the failed vice-presidential pick of Thomas Eagleton undermined McGovern's credibility. In the general election McGovern lost to incumbent Richard Nixon in one of the biggest landslides in U.S. electoral history. Re-elected Senator in 1968 and 1974, McGovern was defeated in a bid for a fourth term in 1980. Throughout his career, McGovern was involved in issues related to agriculture, food, nutrition, and hunger. As the first director of the Food for Peace program in 1961, McGovern oversaw the distribution of U.S. surpluses to the needy abroad and was instrumental in the creation of the United Nations-run World Food Programme. As sole chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs from 1968 to 1977, McGovern publicized the problem of hunger within the United States and issued the "McGovern Report", which led to a new set of nutritional guidelines for Americans. McGovern later served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture from 1998 to 2001 and was appointed the first UN global ambassador on world hunger by the World Food Programme in 2001. The McGovern–Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program has provided school meals for millions of children in dozens of countries since 2000 and resulted in McGovern's being named World Food Prize co‑laureate in 2008.
- Edward Irving Koch ( KOTCH; December 12, 1924 – February 1, 2013) was an American lawyer, politician, political commentator, movie critic, and television personality. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977 and was mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989. Koch was a lifelong Democrat who described himself as a "liberal with sanity". The author of an ambitious public housing renewal program in his later years as mayor, he began by cutting spending and taxes and cutting 7,000 employees from the city payroll. As a congressman and after his terms as mayor, Koch was a fervent supporter of Israel. He crossed party lines to endorse Rudy Giuliani for mayor of New York City in 1993, Michael Bloomberg for mayor of New York City in 2001, and George W. Bush for president in 2004.A popular figure, Koch rode the New York City Subway and stood at street corners greeting passersby with the slogan "How'm I doin'?" A lifelong bachelor with no children, Koch rebuffed speculation about his sexuality and refused to publicly discuss his romantic relationships. After his retirement from politics, he declared that he was heterosexual. Koch was first elected mayor of New York City in 1977, and he won reelection in 1981 with 75% of the vote. He was the first New York City mayor to win endorsement on both the Democratic and Republican party tickets. In 1985, Koch was elected to a third term with 78% of the vote. His third term was fraught with scandal regarding political associates (although the scandal never touched him personally) and with racial tensions, including the murder of Yusuf Hawkins a month before the 1989 mayoral primary. In a close race, Koch lost the 1989 Democratic primary to his successor, David Dinkins.
- While many TV viewers will recall Charles Nelson Reilly and his zany humor from numerous appearances as a panelist on game-shows. most particularly "The Match Game." more than a few may not be aware of his distinguished stage career as both actor and director. The Bronx-born, Connecticut-raised performer got his start in summer theater in 1950. Honing his craft in numerous productions and under the tutelage of Herbert Berghof and Uta Hagen, Reilly was more than prepared when he made his NYC in a 1956 revival of the musical "Best Foot Forward." In 1960, he was featured in the Jerry Herman revue "Parade" and later went on to understudy both Dick Van Dyke and Paul Lynde in the hit musical "Bye Bye Birdie." The following year, Reilly had his breakthrough musical role, earning a Tony Award as Bud Frump, the insidious nephew of a corporate head (Rudy Vallee) in the Pulitzer-winning "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Now an established Broadway player, he was cast as the ambitious office clerk Cornelius Hackl in the Jerry Herman musical "Hello, Dolly!" (1964), for which he picked up a Tony nomination. While Reilly has been vocal about the problems of the production (particularly with director Gower Champion and star Carol Channing), he did have the benefit of playing opposite Eileen Brennan with whom he performed a cabaret act. After the quick closing of the ill-fated musical "Skyscraper" (which introduced him to star Julie Harris), Reilly more or less abandoned the stage for the small screen.
- Mention the name Margaret Hamilton to a Millennial, and chances are they won't be able to pick her out of a line-up. Quote her most famous line, however, and watch their eyes blink awake with recognition: "I'll get you my pretty! ....and your little dog, too!" The woman behind of cinema's most iconic villains, Cleveland-born Margaret Brainard Hamilton was, as a young girl, enchanted by L. Frank Baum's fantastical Oz tales, and impulsively drawn to the theater. Decades later, with her Technicolor-green visage, reverberating cackle, and nightmarish troop of flying monkeys, Hamilton terrified generations of children in the classic MGM musical, "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). Ironic, perhaps, given her inherently kind-hearted nature, but telling, no doubt, of her monumental talent and unwavering commitment to craft. The imaginative daughter of prominent lawyer, Hamilton's benevolent disposition and love of children made her a natural in her initial career as a kindergarten teacher (a profession her parents encouraged for practical reasons). Even so, she never gave up on her dream of becoming an actor. In 1923, at the age of 21, Hamilton made her stage debut in a Cleveland Play House production of "The Man Who Ate Popomac." Her talent blossoming over the course of the next three years, Hamilton made considerable wear on those sturdy midwestern boards. And while it was without question a big step to Broadway, Hamilton made the stride effortlessly with her Broadway debut in a Majestic Theater production of "Another Language." So memorable was Hamilton in the role of a waspish spinster that Hollywood producers lured her to the West Coast to reprise the character in the 1936 film adaptation of the same name. On the big screen, Hamilton's withering sneer registered stronger than ever, and vicious tongue lashings cracked through the air in those cavernous movie houses like a bullwhip in an arena. Three years later, Hamilton showed a gentler side in Chatterbox (1936). Though her stern screen presence and impeccable rapid-fire delivery brought her steady work throughout the 1930s, those same traits also led to her being typecast as the busybody spinster or the disapproving aunt. Meanwhile, at MGM, preparations were being made to adapt one of Baum's beloved Oz stories to the big screen. Hamilton read in the trades that Gail Sundergaard was planning to go glamorous with her interpretation of the dreaded Wicked Witch of the West. Around this time, Hamilton and her agent Jeff Smith were attending a football game when they recognized Producer Mervyn LeRoy in the crowd. When LeRoy expressed interest in working with Hamilton, Smith started bargaining. Initially, Hamilton was hired to work on The Wizard of Oz for six weeks. By the time the shoot wrapped, Hamilton had not only worked a total of twenty-three weeks, but also suffered second and third-degree burns during the scene in which her character makes a flashfire exit from Munchkinland Of course it's widely known today that The Wizard of Oz, despite being adored by critics and nominated for six Academy Awards, wasn't exactly a financial windfall for MGM. In fact, the film that would forever change the landscape of American pop culture failed to turn a profit until the re-release a decade later.
- Robby Benson (born Robin David Segal; January 21, 1956), is an American actor, singer, musician, director, producer, writer, composer and educator. He is best known as the voice of Beast in the Disney animated film Beauty and the Beast and its numerous sequels and spin-offs, and directed six episodes of the sitcom Friends.The 25+ Best Robby Benson MoviesSee all
- 1Ice Castles61 Votes
- 2Ode to Billy Joe72 Votes
- 3Beauty and the Beast43 Votes
- Erich Segal was an American writer and actor who was best known for writing "Love Story" and "Yellow Submarine." Segal was nominated for an Academy Award in 1971 for the first project.
- Dmitri Shostakovich, a luminary in the sphere of 20th-century classical music, was born on September 25, 1906, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. An only child in his family, Shostakovich displayed an early affinity for music, with his mother introducing him to piano lessons at the tender age of nine. His exceptional aptitude for music paved the way for his admission into Petrograd Conservatory in 1919, where he honed his craft under the tutelage of esteemed musicians like Alexander Glazunov and Maximilian Steinberg. Shostakovich first garnered international acclaim following the premiere of his Symphony No. 1 in 1926, which he composed as part of his graduation project at the conservatory. Despite the widespread socio-political unrest in Soviet Russia, Shostakovich's genius shone through in his wide-ranging body of work that included fifteen symphonies, six concerti, two operas, and a wealth of chamber music. His compositions often reflected the turmoil of his times, oscillating between expressions of fear, irony, and profound melancholy. Throughout his illustrious career, Shostakovich grappled with the stringent state control over artistic expression in the Soviet Union. He faced severe criticism from government authorities for his allegedly "formalist" style, particularly following the premiere of his opera, Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District. However, despite these challenges, Shostakovich remained unswervingly committed to his artistic vision. His resilience is perhaps most evident in his Symphony No. 5, which was met with tremendous public acclaim despite its covertly subversive undertones. Shostakovich passed away on August 9, 1975, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire musicians worldwide.
- Comedian, actor and musician Craig Robinson became known for his roles in the Judd Apatow-helmed feature "Knocked Up" (2007), and the NBC series "The Office" (2005-2013) on which he moved from guest role to a series regular. Robinson grew up in Chicago, Illinois, where he attended both college and graduate school. He earned his master's in Education from Saint Xavier University. After finishing graduate school Robinson taught music at Horace Mann Elementary in Chicago, Illinois. While working as a teacher Robinson began to pursue standup comedy, improv and acting. He took classes at The Second City and began to work at open mics. After playing venues in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, Robinson was booked on live television. Shortly thereafter he was cast in small roles in a number of sitcoms and series. These TV roles opened the door for feature projects like "Pineapple Express" (2008), "This Is the End" (2013) and "Sausage Party" (2016). In addition, Robinson appeared in recurring roles in TV series like "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (Fox/NBC, 2013-) and "Eastbound and Down" (2009-2012). Beyond his work in comedy, Robinson played the role of Maceo Parker in the film "Get On Up" (2014) about the life and career of James Brown. Robinson was also part of comedy duo L. Witherspoon & Chucky alongside comedian Jerry Minor. The two performed live and on television. Robinson was also a member of the band The Nasty Delicious along with his brother Chris Rob.
- Born on September 20, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York, Anne Meara was a renowned American actress and comedian. Raised in an Irish-Catholic family, she faced early adversity with the loss of her mother while still a child and later her father when she was just 11 years old. Despite these tragedies, she developed a passion for performing arts which led to her studying drama at The New School in Manhattan, marking the beginning of her illustrious career. Meara's versatility as an artist allowed her to explore various dimensions of acting and comedy. Her most memorable work came through a comedy duo with her husband Jerry Stiller, known as Stiller and Meara. Their appearances on numerous television programs such as The Ed Sullivan Show brought them widespread recognition. Meara's individual talent shone as well, as she earned four Emmy nominations for her roles in television series like Archie Bunker's Place and Homicide: Life on the Street. She also made a significant mark in the realm of theater, receiving a Tony Award nomination for her performance in Eugene O'Neill's Anna Christie. Meara penned down several plays that were performed Off-Broadway, showcasing her exceptional writing skills. Additionally, she ventured into film, delivering performances in movies like The Out-of-Towners and Fame. Meara's work often broke stereotypes, proving her mettle in both comedic and dramatic roles. Her legacy continues to inspire, reflected in the successful careers of her children, Ben and Amy Stiller. Anne Meara's life story, filled with resilience, talent, and versatility, remains an emblematic testament to her enduring influence in the world of entertainment.
- Thomas Andrew Lehrer (born April 9, 1928) is a retired American musician, singer-songwriter, satirist, and mathematician. He has lectured on mathematics and musical theater. He is best known for the pithy, humorous songs that he recorded in the 1950s and 1960s. His songs often parodied popular musical forms, though he usually created original melodies when doing so. A notable exception is "The Elements", where he set the names of the chemical elements to the tune of the "Major-General's Song" from Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. Lehrer's early work typically dealt with non-topical subject matter and was noted for its black humor in songs such as "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park". In the 1960s, he produced a number of songs that dealt with social and political issues of the day, particularly when he wrote for the U.S. version of the television show That Was the Week That Was. The popularity of these songs has endured their topical subjects and references. Lehrer quoted a friend's explanation: "Always predict the worst and you'll be hailed as a prophet." In the early 1970s, Lehrer largely retired from public performances to devote his time to teaching mathematics and music theater at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
- Rafe Judkins is an American writer, actor, and producer who is known for writing "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," "The Wheel of Time," and "Chuck."
- Henry Dixon Cowell (; March 11, 1897 – December 10, 1965) was an American composer, music theorist, pianist, teacher, publisher, and impresario. His contribution to the world of music was summed up by Virgil Thomson, writing in the early 1950s: Henry Cowell's music covers a wider range in both expression and technique than that of any other living composer. His experiments begun three decades ago in rhythm, in harmony, and in instrumental sonorities were considered then by many to be wild. Today they are the Bible of the young and still, to the conservatives, "advanced."... No other composer of our time has produced a body of works so radical and so normal, so penetrating and so comprehensive. Add to this massive production his long and influential career as a pedagogue, and Henry Cowell's achievement becomes impressive indeed. There is no other quite like it. To be both fecund and right is given to few.
- Golda Meir (born Golda Mabovitch; May 3, 1898 – December 8, 1978) was an Israeli teacher, kibbutznik, stateswoman, politician and the fourth Prime Minister of Israel. Born in Kiev, she immigrated to the United States as a child with her family in 1906, and was educated there, becoming a teacher. After marrying, she and her husband immigrated to then Mandatory Palestine in 1921, settling on a kibbutz. Meir was elected prime minister of Israel on March 17, 1969, after serving as Minister of Labour and Foreign Minister. The world's fourth and Israel's first and only woman to hold the office, she has been described as the "Iron Lady" of Israeli politics; the term was later applied to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Former Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion used to call Meir "the best man in the government"; she was often portrayed as the "strong-willed, straight-talking, grey-bunned grandmother of the Jewish people."Meir resigned as prime minister in 1974, the year following the Yom Kippur War. She died in 1978 of lymphoma.
- 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.
- Milton Friedman (; July 31, 1912 – November 16, 2006) was an American economist who received the 1976 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his research on consumption analysis, monetary history and theory and the complexity of stabilization policy. With George Stigler and others, Friedman was among the intellectual leaders of the second generation of Chicago school of economics, a methodological movement at the University of Chicago's Department of Economics, Law School and Graduate School of Business from the 1940s onward. Several students and young professors who were recruited or mentored by Friedman at Chicago went on to become leading economists, including Gary Becker, Robert Fogel, Thomas Sowell and Robert Lucas Jr.Friedman's challenges to what he later called "naive Keynesian" theory began with his 1950s reinterpretation of the consumption function. In the 1960s, he became the main advocate opposing Keynesian government policies and described his approach (along with mainstream economics) as using "Keynesian language and apparatus" yet rejecting its "initial" conclusions. He theorized that there existed a "natural" rate of unemployment and argued that unemployment below this rate would cause inflation to accelerate. He argued that the Phillips curve was in the long run vertical at the "natural rate" and predicted what would come to be known as stagflation. Friedman promoted an alternative macroeconomic viewpoint known as "monetarism" and argued that a steady, small expansion of the money supply was the preferred policy. His ideas concerning monetary policy, taxation, privatization and deregulation influenced government policies, especially during the 1980s. His monetary theory influenced the Federal Reserve's response to the global financial crisis of 2007–2008.Friedman was an advisor to Republican President Ronald Reagan and Conservative British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. His political philosophy extolled the virtues of a free market economic system with minimal intervention. He once stated that his role in eliminating conscription in the United States was his proudest accomplishment. In his 1962 book Capitalism and Freedom, Friedman advocated policies such as a volunteer military, freely floating exchange rates, abolition of medical licenses, a negative income tax and school vouchers and opposed the war on drugs. His support for school choice led him to found the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, later renamed EdChoice.Friedman's works include monographs, books, scholarly articles, papers, magazine columns, television programs and lectures and cover a broad range of economic topics and public policy issues. His books and essays have had global influence, including in former communist states. A survey of economists ranked Friedman as the second-most popular economist of the 20th century following only John Maynard Keynes and The Economist described him as "the most influential economist of the second half of the 20th century ... possibly of all of it".
- Maxine Moore Waters (née Carr, August 15, 1938) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 43rd congressional district since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Waters is currently in her 15th term in the House, having served since 1991. She previously represented the state's 29th district (1991–1993) and 35th district (1993–2013). She is the most senior of the twelve black women currently serving in Congress, and she chaired the Congressional Black Caucus from 1997 to 1999.Before becoming a U.S. Representative, Waters served in the California State Assembly, to which she was first elected in 1976. As an Assemblywoman, she advocated divestment from South Africa's apartheid regime. In Congress, she has been an outspoken opponent of the Iraq War and of Republican Presidents George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump.
- Hugh Hewitt (born February 22, 1956) is an American radio talk show host with the Salem Radio Network and an attorney, academic, and author. Generally a conservative, and a devout Catholic, he writes about law, society, politics, and media bias in the United States. Hewitt is President and CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation, a law professor at Chapman University School of Law, a columnist for the Washington Post, and a regular political commentator on NBC News and MSNBC.
- A string of roles in campy projects like the TV series "Wonder Woman" (ABC/CBS, 1976-79) gave no indication that Debra Winger was destined to become one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation. In fact, her fiercely committed and emotional performances in such popular and critically regarded films as "Urban Cowboy" (1980) and "An Officer and a Gentleman" (1982) solidified her as a leading performer with few peers. Winger appeared to reach the peak of her popularity and abilities with her turn as a terminally ill daughter in James Brooks' haunting "Terms of Endearment" (1983), which earned her an Academy Award nomination and unanimous praise from the film community. But a mercurial personality - brought to light by her well-publicized squabbles with her "Endearment" co-star Shirley MacLaine and "Gentleman" director Taylor Hackford and co-star Richard Gere - cast a pall over her career, as did several ill-advised career decisions. By the time she had reached age 40, Winger had largely turned her back on the movie industry; becoming, in the process, a symbol of the plight faced by Hollywood actresses of a certain age. This unfair, unspoken Hollywood mindset was chronicled in the documentary, "Searching for Debra Winger" (2002), which was the first public exposure the actress had received in years. Perhaps it was this confrontation of the issue raised by many middle-aged actresses which helped turn the tide, causing Winger to slowly return to acting in the new millennium. Although she would never again reach her early Eighties peak, Winger's later performances in such features as "Rachel Getting Married" (2008) and "Boychoir" (2015), as well as the TV series "In Treatment" (HBO 2008-2010) and "The Ranch" (Netflix 2016- ), proved age had no bearing on the actress' timeless appeal.The Best Debra Winger MoviesSee all
- 1An Officer and a Gentleman71 Votes
- 2Terms of Endearment59 Votes
- 3Urban Cowboy70 Votes
- Lennie Moore is an American composer, conductor, orchestrator of music for video games, film, TV, and Multi-media.
- Vladimir Samoylovich Horowitz (; Russian: Владимир Самойлович Горовиц; Ukrainian: Володимир Самійлович Горовиць; Yiddish: וולאדימיר סאַמוילאָוויטש האָראָוויץ; October 1 [O.S. September 18] 1903 – November 5, 1989) was an American classical pianist and composer born in the Russian Empire. He was acclaimed for his virtuoso technique, his tone color, and the excitement engendered by his playing. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest pianists of all time.
- Roberta Bondar (; born December 4, 1945) is Canada's first female astronaut and the first neurologist in space. After more than a decade as head of an international space medicine research team collaborating with NASA, Bondar became a consultant and speaker in the business, scientific, and medical communities. Bondar has received many honours including Companion of the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario, the NASA Space Medal, over 28 honorary degrees, induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, the International Women's Forum Hall of Fame and has her own star on Canada's Walk of Fame.
- Deanna Wright is an American actress and former fashion model.
- Joyce Meyer (born Pauline Joyce Hutchison; June 4, 1943) is an American Charismatic Christian author and speaker and president of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Joyce and her husband Dave have four grown children, and live outside St. Louis, Missouri. Her ministry is headquartered near the St. Louis suburb of Fenton, Missouri.
- Robert Hayden (August 4, 1913 – February 25, 1980) was an American poet, essayist, and educator. He served as Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1976 to 1978, a role today known as US Poet Laureate. He was the first African-American writer to hold the office.
- Itzhak Perlman (Hebrew: יצחק פרלמן; born 31 August 1945) is an Israeli-American violinist, conductor, and music teacher. Over the course of his career, Perlman has performed worldwide, and throughout the United States, in venues that have included a State Dinner at the White House honoring Queen Elizabeth II, and at the Presidential Inauguration of President Obama, and he has conducted the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Westchester Philharmonic. In 2015, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- Stern looking, bald veteran lead and character actor with aristocratic features. After appearing in vaudeville and with touring stock companies in the 1920s, Jagger made his screen debut in "Woman from Hell" (1929) and played minor roles until he returned to the Broadway stage in the mid-1930s. Starring in the title role of "Brigham Young, Frontiersman" (1940), he revitalized his film career and soon was cast in a number of strong leading roles. Jagger never became a star, but he did play prominent supporting roles for years to come, notably his Oscar-winning performance as Gregory Peck's sturdy adjunct in the excellent war drama, "Twelve O'Clock High" (1949). In the 1960s Jagger played the high school principal on the TV series, "Mr. Novak" (1963-65).
- Sharron Elaine Angle (née Ott; born July 26, 1949) is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Nevada Assembly from 1999 to 2007. She ran unsuccessfully as the 2010 Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in Nevada, garnering 45 percent of the vote. On September 15, 2013, she was unanimously elected the fifth President of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, and resigned in 2016 to run again for the Nevada U.S. Senator position being vacated by Harry Reid but failed to win the Republican primary. In 2018, she ran in the Republican primary for Nevada's 2nd congressional district and lost to the incumbent, Mark Amodei.
- Geoffrey Canada (born January 13, 1952) is an American educator, social activist and author. Since 1990, Canada has been president of the Harlem Children's Zone in Harlem, New York, an organization that states its goal is to increase high school and college graduation rates among students in Harlem. This initiative serves a 97-block area of Harlem replete with at-risk children. Canada serves as the chairman of Children's Defense Fund's board of directors. He was a member of the board of directors of The After-School Corporation, a nonprofit organization that aims to expand educational opportunities for all students. Canada's recommendation for educational reform is to start early using wide-ranging strategies and never give up.
- Dorothy Ann Willis Richards (September 1, 1933 – September 13, 2006) was an American politician and 45th Governor of Texas (1991–95). A Democrat, she first came to national attention as the Texas State Treasurer, when she delivered the keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. Richards was the second female governor of Texas and was frequently noted in the media for her outspoken feminism and her one-liners.Born in McLennan County, Texas, Ann Richards became a schoolteacher after graduating from Baylor University. She won election to the Travis County Commissioners' Court in 1976 and took office as Texas State Treasurer in 1983. She delivered a nominating speech for Walter Mondale at the 1984 Democratic National Convention and the keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. Richards won the 1990 Texas gubernatorial election, defeating Texas Attorney General Jim Mattox in a Democratic primary run-off election and businessman Clayton Williams in the general election. She was defeated in the 1994 Texas gubernatorial election by George W. Bush. She remained active in public life until her death in 2006. To date, Richards remains the last Democrat to serve as Governor of Texas.
- Isaac Julien, CBE (born 21 February 1960) is a British installation artist and filmmaker.
- A comedic powerhouse, statuesque Kristen Johnston broke out as the alien-turned-bombshell Sally Solomon on "3rd Rock from the Sun" (NBC, 1996-2001). Displaying impeccable timing and fearless comedic instincts, the husky-voiced Johnston won two Best Supporting Actress Emmys. She made a fun cameo as Ivana Humpalot in "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" (1999), starred as the young Wilma in the live-action prequel "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas" (2000) and dazzled as the bitchy Sylvia Fowler in a filmed stage production of "The Women" (PBS, 2002). Her subsequent big-screen supporting turns included colorful roles as a gym teacher in "Strangers with Candy" (2005), Drew Barrymore's protective big sister in "Music and Lyrics" (2007), and Anne Hathaway's bullying coworker in "Bride Wars" (2009). On television, notched a dark comic guest spot on "Sex and the City" (HB0, 1998-2004) as a bad girl who exits a fancy party by tumbling to her death out a window. Although her American remake of "Absolutely Fabulous" (BBC One, 1992-2004) failed to launch, Johnston resurfaced in Amy Heckerling's horror comedy "Vamps" (2011). Displaying a go-for-broke comic gusto that matched her force-of-nature physicality, Kristen Johnston always proved a fascinating addition to any project in which she appeared, leaving fans with the hopes she would once again find a breakout role suitable to her talents.
- Barbara Radding Morgan (born November 28, 1951) is an American teacher and a former NASA astronaut. She participated in the Teacher in Space program as backup to Christa McAuliffe for the 1986 ill-fated STS-51-L mission of the Space Shuttle Challenger. She then trained as a Mission Specialist, and flew on STS-118 in August 2007.
- Sathyan (born Cheruvilakathu Veettil Manuel Sathyaneshan Nadar; 9 November 1912 – 15 June 1971) was an Indian film actor known for his work in Malayalam cinema. Noted for his natural style and versatility, Sathyan won two Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actor. He was also popularly referred to as Sathyan Master. Sathyan served as an officer in the British Indian Army during World War II. After the war, he joined the Travancore State Police as an inspector in the late-1940s. During this time he got interested in acting and acted in amateur stage plays. Sathyan made his acting debut in the 1952 film Athmasakhi. He rose to stardom with the critical and commercial success of Neelakkuyil (1954). Sathyan dominated the industry throughout the 1950s and 1960s along with Prem Nazir. He's remembered for his performances in Nairu Pidicha Pulivalu (1958), Bhagyajathakam (1962), Thacholi Othenan (1964), Odayil Ninnu (1965), Chemmeen (1965), Yakshi (1968), Kadalpalam (1969), Vaazhve Mayam (1970), Anubhavangal Paalichakal (1971), and Karakanakadal (1971). Sathyan won the Best Actor Award at the 1st Kerala State Film Awards for his double role in Kadalpalam. He won the Kerala State Award for Best Actor again for his performance in the 1971 film Karakanakadal. Sathyan died due to leukemia on 15 June 1971 at the age of 59.
- Elmer Bernstein (April 4, 1922 – August 18, 2004) was an American composer and conductor known for his film scores. In a career that spanned more than five decades, he composed "some of the most recognizable and memorable themes in Hollywood history", including over 150 original movie scores, as well as scores for nearly 80 television productions. Examples of his widely popular and critically acclaimed works are scores to The Ten Commandments (1956), The Magnificent Seven (1960), To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), The Great Escape (1963), The Rookies (1972-76), Animal House (1978), Airplane! (1980), Heavy Metal (1981), Ghostbusters (1984), The Black Cauldron (1985), Cape Fear (1991), The Age of Innocence (1993), Wild Wild West (1999) and Far from Heaven (2002). Bernstein won an Oscar for his score to Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967) and was nominated for 14 Oscars in total. He also won two Golden Globe Awards, an Emmy Award, and was nominated for two Grammy Awards.
- Kenji Miyazawa (宮沢 賢治 or 宮澤 賢治, Miyazawa Kenji, 27 August 1896 – 21 September 1933) was a Japanese poet and author of children's literature from Hanamaki, Iwate, in the late Taishō and early Shōwa periods. He was also known as an agricultural science teacher, a vegetarian, cellist, devout Buddhist, and utopian social activist.Some of his major works include Night on the Galactic Railroad, Kaze no Matasaburō, Gauche the Cellist, and The Night of Taneyamagahara. Kenji converted to Nichiren Buddhism after reading the Lotus Sutra, and joined the Kokuchūkai, a Nichiren Buddhist organization. His religious and social beliefs created a rift between him and his wealthy family, especially his father, though after his death his family eventually followed him in converting to Nichiren Buddhism. Kenji founded the Rasu Farmers Association to improve the lives of peasants in Iwate Prefecture. He was also a speaker of Esperanto and translated some of his poems into that language. He died of pneumonia in 1933. Almost totally unknown as a poet in his lifetime, Kenji's work gained its reputation posthumously, and enjoyed a boom by the mid-1990s on his centenary. A museum dedicated to his life and works was opened in 1982 in his hometown. Many of his children's stories have been adapted as anime, most notably Night on the Galactic Railroad. Many of his tanka and free verse poetry, translated into many languages, are still popular today.
- Randall William Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982) was an American heavy metal guitarist who played with Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne. A devoted student of classical guitar, Rhoads combined his classical music influences with his own heavy metal style. He died in a plane accident while on tour with Osbourne in Florida in 1982. Despite his short career, Rhoads, who was a major influence on neoclassical metal, is cited as an influence by many guitarists. Rhoads is included in several "Greatest Guitarist" lists.
- Abdullah Yusuf Azzam (Arabic: عبد الله يوسف عزام, ‘Abdu’llāh Yūsuf ‘Azzām; 1941 – 24 November 1989) also known as Father of Global Jihad was a Palestinian Sunni Islamic scholar and theologian and founding member of al-Qaeda. Azzam preached both defensive and offensive jihad by Muslims to help the Afghan mujahideen against the Soviet invaders. He raised funds, recruited and organised the international Islamic volunteer effort of Afghan Arabs through the 1980s, and emphasised the political aspects of Islam. Azzam was a teacher and mentor of Osama bin Laden and persuaded bin Laden to come to Afghanistan and help the jihad. As the war drew to an end, they both established al-Qaeda. He was also a co-founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba.Azzam was killed by a car bomb while within Peshawar, Pakistan in 1989.
- Clarissa Harlowe Barton (December 25, 1821 – April 12, 1912) was a pioneering American nurse who founded the American Red Cross. She was a hospital nurse in the American Civil War, a teacher, and patent clerk. Nursing education was not very formalized at that time and she did not attend nursing school, so she provided self-taught nursing care. Barton is noteworthy for doing humanitarian work and civil rights advocacy at a time before women had the right to vote. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1973.
- Ed O'Neill, born on April 12, 1946, in Youngstown, Ohio, has gained international recognition for his dynamic roles in television and film. A graduate of Ohio University and Youngstown State University, he was a social studies teacher before his career took an unexpected turn towards acting. An avid sports enthusiast, O'Neill also harbored a passion for football, having been signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, his sports career was short-lived as he was cut from the team during the training season. O'Neill's acting journey began with small roles in theater productions, but he made a big splash in Hollywood with his role as Al Bundy, a cynical and underachieving shoe salesman, in the hit sitcom Married... with Children which aired from 1987 to 1997. This character, with its sardonic humor and wit, became a cultural icon and encapsulated O'Neill's talent for comedy, earning him two Golden Globe nominations. His acting prowess wasn't limited to television; he showcased his versatility in the film industry as well, featuring in movies like Little Giants and Dutch. In 2009, O'Neill made his return to television with the successful ABC sitcom Modern Family, where he played Jay Pritchett, a wealthy businessman with a diverse family. This role earned him three Primetime Emmy Award nominations, cementing his status as a versatile and enduring actor in the entertainment industry. Off-screen, O'Neill is a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and holds a black belt, an achievement that reflects his indomitable spirit both on and off the screen. Furthermore, his contributions to the entertainment industry were recognized when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.
- Daniel Tammet (born 31 January 1979) is an English essayist, novelist, poet, translator, and autistic savant. His 2006 memoir, Born on a Blue Day, about his life with Asperger syndrome and savant syndrome, was named a "Best Book for Young Adults" in 2008 by the American Library Association Young Adult Library Services magazine. His second book, Embracing the Wide Sky, was one of France's best-selling books of 2009. His third book, Thinking in Numbers, was published on 16 August 2012 by Hodder & Stoughton in the United Kingdom and on 30 July 2013 by Little, Brown and Company in the United States and Canada. Mishenka, his first novel, was published in France and Quebec in 2016. His books have been published in over 20 languages. He was elected in 2012 to serve as a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
- Thomas Johannes Gottschalk (born 18 May 1950) is a German radio and television host, entertainer and actor. He is best known for hosting Wetten, dass..?, for many years Europe's biggest television show, which he led to a huge success in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and South Tyrol between 1987 and 2011. Until 2015 he was also the testimonial personality in television advertisements for Haribo confectionery.
- Charles Rozell "Chuck" Swindoll is an evangelical Christian pastor, author, educator, and radio preacher. He founded Insight for Living, headquartered in Plano, Texas, which airs a radio program of the same name on more than 2,000 stations around the world in 15 languages. He is currently senior pastor at Stonebriar Community Church, in Frisco, Texas.
- Camille Anna Paglia (; born April 2, 1947) is an American feminist academic and social critic. Paglia has been a professor at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, since 1984. She is critical of many aspects of modern culture, and is the author of Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson (1990) and other books. She is also a critic of contemporary American feminism and of post-structuralism as well as a commentator on multiple aspects of American culture such as its visual art, music, and film history.
- Grover Dale (born July 22, 1935) is an American actor, dancer, choreographer, and theater director.
- Mark Pellegrino became a cult TV favorite starring in a succession of sci-fi, horror and fantasy shows. However he also spent many years playing bit parts in various movies, often playing street thugs and tough guys. For example he was cast as a 'punk' twice in 1987 (in "LA Law" (NBC 1986-1994), his screen acting debut, and "Death Wish 4: The Crack Down" (1987), his first feature), then again in 1990 in HBO's horror anthology "Tales From the Crypt" (1989-1996). Pellegrino mixed TV work with some big Hollywood projects including "Lethal Weapon 3" (1992), "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" (1997) and a small but memorable role as one of the heavies who assaults Jeff Bridges' iconic character Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski in the Coen brothers' "The Big Lebowski" (1998). He later picked up a regular role in the short-lived ABC show "The Beast" (2001), which was cancelled after just six episodes.
- Eli Whitney (December 8, 1765 – January 8, 1825) was an American inventor best known for inventing the cotton gin. This was one of the key inventions of the Industrial Revolution and shaped the economy of the Antebellum South. Whitney's invention made upland short cotton into a profitable crop, which strengthened the economic foundation of slavery in the United States. Despite the social and economic impact of his invention, Whitney lost many profits in legal battles over patent infringement for the cotton gin. Thereafter, he turned his attention into securing contracts with the government in the manufacture of muskets for the newly formed United States Army. He continued making arms and inventing until his death in 1825.
- Esperanza Emily Spalding (born October 18, 1984) is an American jazz bassist and singer. Spalding was raised in Portland, Oregon, and was a musical prodigy, playing violin in the Chamber Music Society of Oregon at five years old. She was later both self-taught and -trained on a number of instruments, including guitar and bass. Her proficiency earned her scholarships to Portland State University and the Berklee College of Music. In 2017, she was appointed Professor of the Practice of Music at Harvard University.She has won four Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the 53rd Grammy Awards, making her the first jazz artist to win the award.
- Michael Tilson Thomas worked on a variety of projects during his entertainment career. Thomas worked on a variety of projects during his early entertainment career, including "Aaron Copland: A Self-Portrait" (PBS, 1985-86), "Celebrating Gershwin" (PBS, 1987-88) and "Dancers" with Mikhail Baryshnikov (1987). He also contributed to "George Gershwin Remembered" (PBS, 1986-87), "Manhattan" with Woody Allen (1979) and "Steve Reich: A New Musical Language" (PBS, 1986-87). He also contributed to a variety of television specials, including "Bernstein at 70" (1988-89), "Michael Tilson Thomas Conducts Miami's New World Symphony" (PBS, 1989-1990) and "Leonard Bernstein's 75th" (1993-94). He also appeared in "On the Town in Concert" (PBS, 1993-94). Additionally, he could be seen on a variety of television specials like "Carnegie Hall Opening Night 1998" (1998-99), "Leonard Bernstein: Reaching For the Note" (PBS, 1998-99) and "New World Symphony: Beethoven Alive!" (PBS, 1998-99). He also appeared in "The Rhythm of Life" (PBS, 1999-2000). Most recently, Thomas appeared on "Rehearsing a Dream" (2006).
- Jessica Madison Wright Morris (July 29, 1984 – July 21, 2006), known professionally as J. Madison Wright, was an American actress. Born in Cincinnati, she spent her early years being raised in Lexington, Kentucky. She was best known for her role as Sam Wallace in Shiloh. She co-starred in Shiloh with her younger sister Tori Wright.
- Richard Russell Riordan Jr. (; born June 5, 1964) is an American author. He is known for writing the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, about a twelve-year-old Percy Jackson who discovers he is a son of Greek God Poseidon. His books have been translated into 42 languages and sold more than 30 million copies in the US. 20th Century Fox has adapted the first two books of his Percy Jackson series as part of a series of films. His books have spawned related media, such as graphic novels and short story collections. Riordan's first full-length novel was Big Red Tequila, which became the first book in the Tres Navarre series. His big breakthrough was The Lightning Thief (2005), the first novel in the five-volume Percy Jackson series, which placed a group of adolescents in a Greco-Roman mythological setting. Since then, Riordan has written The Kane Chronicles trilogy and The Heroes of Olympus series. The Kane Chronicles (2010-2012) focused on Egyptian mythology; The Heroes of Olympus was the sequel to the Percy Jackson series. Riordan also helped Scholastic Press develop The 39 Clues series and its spinoffs, and penned its first book, The Maze of Bones (2008). His most recent publications are three books in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series, based on Norse mythology. The first book of his The Trials of Apollo series based on Greek mythology, The Hidden Oracle, was released in May 2016.
- Hubert Horatio Humphrey Jr. (May 27, 1911 – January 13, 1978) was an American politician who served as the 38th vice president of the United States from 1965 to 1969. He twice served in the United States Senate, representing Minnesota from 1949 to 1964 and 1971 to 1978. He was the Democratic Party's nominee in the 1968 presidential election, losing to Republican nominee Richard Nixon. Born in Wallace, South Dakota, Humphrey attended the University of Minnesota. At one point he helped run his father's pharmacy. He earned a master's degree from Louisiana State University and worked for the Works Progress Administration, the Minnesota war service program, and the War Manpower Commission. In 1943, he became a professor of political science at Macalester College and ran a failed campaign for mayor of Minneapolis. He helped found the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) in 1944. In 1945, he won election as mayor of Minneapolis, serving until 1948 and co-founding the liberal anti-communist group Americans for Democratic Action in 1947. In 1948, he was elected to the U.S. Senate and successfully advocated for the inclusion of a proposal to end racial segregation in the 1948 Democratic National Convention's party platform.Humphrey served three terms in the Senate from 1949 to 1964. He was the Senate Majority Whip from 1961 to 1964. During his tenure, he was the lead author of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, introduced the first initiative to create the Peace Corps, sponsored the clause of the McCarran Act that threatened concentration camps for "subversives", proposed making Communist Party membership a felony, and chaired the Select Committee on Disarmament. He unsuccessfully sought his party's presidential nomination in 1952 and 1960. After Lyndon B. Johnson acceded to the presidency, he chose Humphrey as his running mate, and the Democratic ticket was elected in the landslide 1964 election. In March 1968, Johnson made his surprise announcement that he would not seek reelection, and Humphrey launched his campaign for the presidency. Loyal to the Johnson administration's policies on the Vietnam War, he saw opposition from many within his own party and avoided the primaries to focus on winning the delegates of non-primary states at the Democratic Convention. His delegate strategy succeeded in clinching the nomination, and he chose Senator Edmund Muskie as his running mate. In the general election, he nearly matched Nixon's tally in the popular vote but lost the electoral vote by a wide margin. After the defeat, he returned to the Senate until his death in 1978.
- Víctor Lidio Jara Martínez (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈβiktoɾ ˈliðjo ˈxaɾa maɾˈtines]; 28 September 1932 – 16 September 1973) was a Chilean teacher, theater director, poet, singer-songwriter and communist political activist tortured and killed during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. He developed Chilean theater by directing a broad array of works, ranging from locally produced plays to world classics, as well as the experimental work of playwrights such as Ann Jellicoe. He also played a pivotal role among neo-folkloric musicians who established the Nueva Canción Chilena (New Chilean Song) movement. This led to an uprising of new sounds in popular music during the administration of President Salvador Allende. Jara was arrested shortly after the Chilean coup of 11 September 1973, which overthrew Allende. He was tortured during interrogations and ultimately shot dead, and his body was thrown out on the street of a shantytown in Santiago. The contrast between the themes of his songs—which focused on love, peace, and social justice—and the brutal way in which he was murdered transformed Jara into a "potent symbol of struggle for human rights and justice" for those killed during the Pinochet regime. His preponderant role as an open admirer and propagandist for Che Guevara and Allende's government, under he served as a cultural ambassador through the late 60's and until the early 70's crisis that ended in Allende's Coup, marked him for death. In June 2016, a Florida jury found former Chilean Army officer Pedro Barrientos liable for Jara's murder. In July 2018, eight retired Chilean military officers were sentenced to 18 years and a day in prison for Jara's murder.
- Steven De Groote was a South African classical pianist. Steven De Groote was born in Johannesburg, South Africa into a Belgian family in which, for three generations, almost every member had been a professional musician. His grandmother was a recipient of the Prix de Rome in Belgium, and his father the conductor of the Cape Town University Symphony. As a youngster, De Groote toured South Africa performing trios with his father on violin and brother on cello.
- Darius Milhaud (French: [daʁjys mijo]; 4 September 1892 – 22 June 1974) was a French composer, conductor, and teacher. He was a member of Les Six—also known as The Group of Six—and one of the most prolific composers of the 20th century. His compositions are influenced by jazz and Brazilian music and make extensive use of polytonality. Milhaud is considered one of the key modernist composers.
- Raymond Murray Schafer, CC is a Canadian composer, writer, music educator and environmentalist perhaps best known for his World Soundscape Project, concern for acoustic ecology, and his book The Tuning of the World. He was notably the first recipient of the Jules Léger Prize in 1978.
- Sharon Christa McAuliffe (née Corrigan; September 2, 1948 – January 28, 1986) was an American teacher and astronaut from Concord, New Hampshire, and one of the seven crew members killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. She received her bachelor's degree in education and history from Framingham State College in 1970 and also a master's degree in education, supervision and administration from Bowie State University in 1978. She took a teaching position as a social studies teacher at Concord High School in New Hampshire in 1983. In 1985, she was selected from more than 11,000 applicants to participate in the NASA Teacher in Space Project and was scheduled to become the first teacher in space. As a member of mission STS-51-L, she was planning to conduct experiments and teach two lessons from Space Shuttle Challenger. On January 28, 1986, the shuttle broke apart 73 seconds after launch. After her death, schools and scholarships were named in her honor, and in 2004 she was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
- Gary Burton (born January 23, 1943) is an American jazz vibraphonist, composer, and educator. Burton developed a pianistic style of four-mallet technique as an alternative to the prevailing two-mallet technique. This approach caused him to be heralded as an innovator, and his sound and technique are widely imitated. He is also known for pioneering fusion jazz and popularizing the duet format in jazz, as well as being a major figure in music education from his 30 years at the Berklee College of Music.
- Kerri Allyson Strug Fischer (born November 19, 1977) is a retired American gymnast from Tucson, Arizona. She was a member of the Magnificent Seven, the victorious all-around women's gymnastics team that represented the United States at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, and is best remembered for performing the vault despite having injured her ankle and for subsequently being carried to the podium by her coach, Béla Károlyi.
- James Abram Garfield (November 19, 1831 – September 19, 1881) was the 20th president of the United States, serving from March 4, 1881 until his death by assassination six and a half months later. He was the first sitting member of Congress to be elected to the presidency, and remains the only sitting House member to gain the White House.Garfield entered politics as a Republican in 1857. He served as a member of the Ohio State Senate from 1859 to 1861. Garfield opposed Confederate secession, served as a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War, and fought in the battles of Middle Creek, Shiloh, and Chickamauga. He was first elected to Congress in 1862 to represent Ohio's 19th District. Throughout Garfield's extended congressional service after the Civil War, he firmly supported the gold standard and gained a reputation as a skilled orator. Garfield initially agreed with Radical Republican views regarding Reconstruction, but later favored a moderate approach for civil rights enforcement for freedmen. At the 1880 Republican National Convention, Senator-elect Garfield attended as campaign manager for Secretary of the Treasury John Sherman, and gave the presidential nomination speech for him. When neither Sherman nor his rivals – Ulysses S. Grant and James G. Blaine – could get enough votes to secure the nomination, delegates chose Garfield as a compromise on the 36th ballot. In the 1880 presidential election, Garfield conducted a low-key front porch campaign and narrowly defeated Democrat Winfield Scott Hancock. Garfield's accomplishments as president included a resurgence of presidential authority against senatorial courtesy in executive appointments, purging corruption in the Post Office, and appointing a U.S. Supreme Court justice. He enhanced the powers of the presidency when he defied the powerful New York senator Roscoe Conkling by appointing William H. Robertson to the lucrative post of Collector of the Port of New York, starting a fracas that ended with Robertson's confirmation and Conkling's resignation from the Senate. Garfield advocated agricultural technology, an educated electorate, and civil rights for African Americans. He also proposed substantial civil service reforms; those reforms were eventually passed by Congress in 1883 and signed into law by his successor, Chester A. Arthur, as the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. On July 2, 1881, Garfield was shot at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington D.C. by Charles J. Guiteau, a disappointed and delusional office seeker. The wound was not immediately fatal for Garfield, but a team of doctors, who were preoccupied with finding the bullet, probed the wound with dirty, unsterilized fingers and instruments in vain. Garfield ultimately succumbed on September 19, 1881, from infections caused by his doctors. Guiteau was executed for the murder of Garfield in June 1882.
- John C. Morris (born December 16, 1978; nicknamed "Johnny Mo") is a Canadian curler, and two-time Olympic gold medallist from Canmore, Alberta. Morris played third for the Kevin Martin team until April 24, 2013. Morris, author of the book Fit to Curl, is the son of Maureen and Earle Morris, inventor of the "Stabilizer" curling broom. Morris grew up in Gloucester, Ontario (now part of Ottawa) and at the age of five began curling at the Navy Curling Club.
- Eduardo Oscar Machado (born June 11, 1953) is a Cuban playwright living in the United States. Notable plays by Machado include Broken Eggs, Havana is Waiting and The Cook. Many of his plays are autobiographical or deal with Cuba in some way. Machado teaches playwriting at New York University. He has served as the Artistic Director of the INTAR Theatre in New York City since 2004. He is openly gay.
- Kwame Malik Kilpatrick (born June 8, 1970) is an American former politician, having served as a Democratic Michigan state representative and mayor of Detroit from 2002 to 2008. Kilpatrick resigned as mayor in September 2008 after being convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice. He was sentenced to four months in jail and was released on probation after serving 99 days. On May 25, 2010, Kilpatrick was sentenced to eighteen months to five years in state prison for violating his probation, and served time at the Oaks Correctional Facility in northwest Michigan. On March 11, 2013, he was convicted on 24 federal felony counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud, and racketeering. On October 10 of that year, Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison.
- Maxim Alexandrovich Vengerov (Russian: Максим Александрович Венгеров, pronounced [mɐkˈsʲim ɐlʲɪˈksandrəvʲɪtɕ vʲɪnˈɡʲɛrəf]) (born 20 August 1974 in Novosibirsk) is a Russian-born Israeli violinist, violist, and conductor.
- George Saunders (born December 2, 1958) is an American writer of short stories, essays, novellas, children's books, and novels. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper's, McSweeney's, and GQ. He also contributed a weekly column, American Psyche, to the weekend magazine of The Guardian between 2006 and 2008.A professor at Syracuse University, Saunders won the National Magazine Award for fiction in 1994, 1996, 2000, and 2004, and second prize in the O. Henry Awards in 1997. His first story collection, CivilWarLand in Bad Decline, was a finalist for the 1996 PEN/Hemingway Award. In 2006 Saunders received a MacArthur Fellowship. In 2006 he won the World Fantasy Award for his short story "CommComm".His story collection In Persuasion Nation was a finalist for the Story Prize in 2007. In 2013, he won the PEN/Malamud Award and was a finalist for the National Book Award. Saunders's Tenth of December: Stories won the 2013 Story Prize for short-story collections and the inaugural (2014) Folio Prize. His novel Lincoln in the Bardo (Bloomsbury Publishing) won the 2017 Man Booker Prize.
- The "sit-down" comedy of Shelley Berman - so named for his frequent position on stage, perched on a stool as he reeled off anxious, neurotic monologues that embodied the minor tragedies of everyday life - was a major force in transforming the tone and focus of comedy in the mid-1950s from broad slapstick and joke-driven material to humor drawn from character foibles and all-too-real scenarios. Born Sheldon Leonard Berman on February 3, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, he intended to become a serious actor, studying at Chicago's Goodman Theatre after serving in World War II. He married fellow student Sarah Herman in 1947, and the couple headed east to New York City, where Berman contributed sketches to "The Steve Allen Show" (NBC/ABC/syndicated, 1956-1964). The Bermans then returned to Chicago, where he began performing with Mike Nichols and Elaine May in the Compass Players, an improvisational troupe that would become the famed Second City. During his tenure, he began to develop solo routines in which he would portray one half of a telephone conversation. The monologues took off, and Berman was soon an in-demand comic on the Chicago and national club circuit. These led to a contract with Verve Records and a comedy album, Inside Shelley Berman, which landed at the No. 2 spot on the Billboard album chart for five weeks and earned him the first Grammy Award for a spoken comedy record. Berman was soon appearing on television, both as a comic performer and actor, most notably on "The Twilight Zone" (CBS, 1959-1963), and would record six more albums for Verve. But a 1963 segment on "The DuPont Show of the Week" (NBC, 1961-64) would derail his career for decades; the documentary episode, which observed Berman's life and career both on and offstage, captured a moment in which he was provoked into a rage by a phone that rang during one of his performances. He was soon dogged by negative press, which portrayed him as difficult and tempermental - a notion underscored by his belief that Bob Newhart had plagiarized his telephone routines for his own act - and Berman would maintain a low profile as a guest performer on episodic television and the occasional stage production for much of the next three decades. He also wrote several books and television pilots and served as a lecturer in the University of Southern California's masters program for professional writing, and taught performance at the Improv Olympics. The death of his son, Joshua, from a brain tumor at the age of 12 in 1977 further limited his visibility, but by the late 1980s, Berman began to resurface: he had his own one-man show, "Insideoutsideandallaround with Shelley Berman," in 1980, and became a regular presence in guest roles on television, most notably as Hollywood producer Ben Flicker on "L.A. Law" (NBC, 1986-1994) and as a judge on "Boston Legal" (ABC, 2004-08). Berman mounted a terrific comeback in 2002 when he was cast as Larry David's irascible father on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO, 2000- ), for which he received an Emmy nomination in 2008. The exposure afforded by the show led to appearances in films like "Meet the Fockers" (2004) and "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" (2008), and several more comedy albums, including To Laughter with Questions in 2013. Berman logged his last screen appearance on a 2012 episode of "Hawaii 5-0" (CBS, 2010- ); he died from complications related to Alzheimer's disease at his home in Bell Canyon, California on September 1, 2017 at the age of 92.
- Erica Jong (née Mann; born March 26, 1942) is an American novelist, satirist, and poet, known particularly for her 1973 novel Fear of Flying. The book became famously controversial for its attitudes towards female sexuality and figured prominently in the development of second-wave feminism. According to Washington Post, it has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.
- Richard Keith "Dick" Armey (; born July 7, 1940) is an American economist and politician. He was a U.S. Representative from Texas's 26th congressional district (1985–2003) and House Majority Leader (1995–2003). He was one of the engineers of the "Republican Revolution" of the 1990s, in which Republicans were elected to majorities of both houses of Congress for the first time in four decades. Armey was one of the chief authors of the Contract with America. Armey is also an author and former economics professor. After his retirement from Congress, he has worked as a consultant, advisor, and lobbyist.
- Joseph Michael "Joe" Acabá (born May 17, 1967) is an American educator, hydrogeologist, and NASA astronaut. In May 2004 he became the first person of Puerto Rican heritage to be named as a NASA astronaut candidate, when he was selected as a member of NASA Astronaut Training Group 19. He completed his training on February 10, 2006 and was assigned to STS-119, which flew from March 15 to March 28, 2009 to deliver the final set of solar arrays to the International Space Station. Acabá served as a Flight Engineer aboard the International Space Station, having launched on May 15, 2012. He arrived at the space station on May 17 and returned to Earth on September 17, 2012. Acaba returned to the International Space Station in 2017 as a member of Expedition 53/54.
- Jonathan Kozol (born September 5, 1936) is an American writer, educator, and activist, best known for his books on public education in the United States.
- Dorothy Marie "Dottie" Metcalf-Lindenburger (born May 2, 1975 in Colorado Springs, Colorado) is a former American astronaut. In 2000, she married Jason Metcalf-Lindenburger, a fellow Whitman College graduate and educator, from Pendleton, Oregon, and they now have 1 daughter together. She was a science teacher at Hudson's Bay High School in Vancouver, Washington when she was selected in 2004 as an Educator Mission Specialist. She was the first Space Camp alumna to become an astronaut.
- This article is about the American filmmaker. For the American publisher and writer, see Larry N. Jordan. Lawrence Jordan (born 1934 ) is an American independent filmmaker who is most widely known for his animated collage films. In 1970 he received a Guggenheim Fellowship to make Sacred Art of Tibet.
- Amiri Baraka (born Everett LeRoi Jones; October 7, 1934 – January 9, 2014), previously known as LeRoi Jones and Imamu Amear Baraka, was an American writer of poetry, drama, fiction, essays and music criticism. He was the author of numerous books of poetry and taught at several universities, including the State University of New York at Buffalo and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He received the PEN/Beyond Margins Award, in 2008 for Tales of the Out and the Gone.Baraka's career spanned nearly 50 years, and his themes range from black liberation to white racism. Some poems that are always associated with him are "The Music: Reflection on Jazz and Blues", "The Book of Monk", and "New Music, New Poetry", works that draw on topics from the worlds of society, music, and literature. Baraka's poetry and writing have attracted both high praise and condemnation. In the African-American community, some compare Baraka to James Baldwin and recognize him as one of the most respected and most widely published black writers of his generation. Others have said his work is an expression of violence, misogyny, and homophobia. Regardless of viewpoint, Baraka's plays, poetry, and essays have been defining texts for African-American culture.Baraka's brief tenure as Poet Laureate of New Jersey (2002–2003) involved controversy over a public reading of his poem "Somebody Blew Up America?", which resulted in accusations of anti-Semitism and negative attention from critics and politicians.
- The son of Rat Packer Peter Lawford and Patricia Kennedy, John F Kennedy's elder sister, hazel-eyed, brown-haired Christopher Lawford took a most circuitous route before realizing acting was his true calling. He obtained a law degree form Boston College and then, while lecturing in psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School, earned $100 for his first modeling gig, which led him to TV commercials and eventually theater. The Lawford name helped him get his foot in the Hollywood door, and he debuted in James Bruce's feature "The Suicide Club" (1987), followed by Danny Huston's "Mr. North" (1988). His greatest exposure came as Charlie Brent in the ABC daytime serial "All My Children," a role he played for a little more than three years. Lawford worked his way up the cast list in features like Oliver Stone's "The Doors" (1991) and Mike Binder's "Blankman" (1994) before executive producing and co-starring as a gay theater director in Tony Vitale's critically-acclaimed "Kiss Me, Guido" (1997). Among his TV credits, Lawford acted for fellow Kennedy clansman turned director Arnold Schwarzenegger (married to cousin Maria Shriver) in "The Switch," a 1990 episode of HBO's "Tales From the Crypt." Christopher Lawford died on September 3, 2018 at the age of 63, suffering a heart attack at a yoga studio in Vancouver, British Columbia.
- Hafizullah Amin (Pashto/Dari: حفيظ الله امين; born 1 August 1929 – 27 December 1979) was an Afghan communist politician during the Cold War. Amin was born in Paghman and educated at Kabul University, after which he started his career as a teacher. After a few years in that occupation, he went to the United States to study. He would visit the United States a second time before moving permanently to Afghanistan, and starting his career in radical politics. He ran as a candidate in the 1965 parliamentary election but failed to secure a seat. Amin was the only Khalqist elected to parliament in the 1969 parliamentary election, thus increasing his standing within the party. He was one of the leading organizers of the Saur Revolution which overthrew the government of Mohammad Daoud Khan. In 1979 he named himself president, prime minister, and chairman of the Khalq wing. He has been described as "ruthless" and a "radical Marxist".Amin's short-lived presidency was marked by controversies from beginning to end. He came to power by disposing of his predecessor Nur Muhammad Taraki and later ordering his death. Amin made attempts to win support from those who revolted against the communist regime which had begun under Taraki, but his government was unable to solve this problem. Many Afghans held Amin responsible for the regime's harshest measures, such as ordering thousands of executions. Thousands of people disappeared without trace during his time in office. The Soviet Union, which was dissatisfied with Amin, intervened in Afghanistan while invoking the Twenty-Year Treaty of Friendship between Afghanistan and the Soviet Union. Amin was assassinated by the Soviets on December 27, 1979 as part of Operation Storm-333, having ruled for slightly longer than three months.
- Carlos Eugenio Restrepo Restrepo (September 12, 1867 – July 6, 1937) was a Colombian lawyer, writer, and statesman, who was elected President of Colombia in 1910. During his administration he worked towards making political reconciliation among the Conservative and Liberals. He appointed members of the Liberal Party to his Cabinet, and to the dismay of some of his own party, adopted a neutral stand on all issues. He later served as Minister of Government and Ambassador to the Vatican City State.
- Charlotte Hawkins Brown (June 11, 1883 – January 11, 1961) was an American author, educator, and founder of the Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, North Carolina.
Jon Davis
Jon Davis is an American poet. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut and received a B.A. in English and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Montana, where he was editor of the literary journal, CutBank. He has served as Writing Program Coordinator for The Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, edited the literary journals Shankpainter and Countermeasures: A Magazine of Poetry & Ideas, and taught at the University of Montana, College of Santa Fe, and Salisbury State University. He is currently a professor at the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Jon Davis is the author of three chapbooks and three full-length collections of poetry. He has received numerous awards for his poetry, including a Lannan Literary Award, two National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships, and the Lavan Younger Poets Award from the Academy of American Poets. He wrote the screenplay for the short film The Burden Carriers, which was screened at ImagineNative Film Festival in Toronto and at the Santa Fe Film Festival, and for The Hand Drum, a National Geographic All Roads Festival selection.- Manmohan Singh (Punjabi: [mənˈmoːɦən ˈsɪ́ŋɡ] (listen); born 26 September 1932) is an Indian economist and politician who served as the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014. The first Sikh in office, Singh was also the first prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term. Born in Gah (now in Punjab, Pakistan), Singh's family migrated to India during its partition in 1947. After obtaining his doctorate in economics from Oxford, Singh worked for the United Nations during 1966–69. He subsequently began his bureaucratic career when Lalit Narayan Mishra hired him as an advisor in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Over the 70s and 80s, Singh held several key posts in the Government of India, such as Chief Economic Advisor (1972–76), governor of the Reserve Bank (1982–85) and head of the Planning Commission (1985–87). In 1991, as India faced a severe economic crisis, newly elected Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao surprisingly inducted the apolitical Singh into his cabinet as Finance Minister. Over the next few years, despite strong opposition, he as a Finance Minister carried out several structural reforms that liberalised India's economy. Although these measures proved successful in averting the crisis, and enhanced Singh's reputation globally as a leading reform-minded economist, the incumbent Congress party fared poorly in the 1996 general election. Subsequently, Singh served as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of Parliament of India) during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government of 1998–2004. In 2004, when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came to power, its chairperson Sonia Gandhi unexpectedly relinquished the premiership to Manmohan Singh. Singh's first ministry executed several key legislations and projects, including the Rural Health Mission, Unique Identification Authority, Rural Employment Guarantee scheme and Right to Information Act. In 2008, opposition to a historic civil nuclear agreement with the United States nearly caused Singh's government to fall after Left Front parties withdrew their support. Although India's economy grew rapidly under UPA I, its security was threatened by several terrorist incidents (including the 2008 Mumbai attacks) and the continuing Maoist insurgency. The 2009 general election saw the UPA return with an increased mandate, with Singh retaining the office of Prime Minister. Over the next few years, Singh's second ministry government faced a number of corruption charges—over the organisation of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the 2G spectrum allocation case and the allocation of coal blocks. After his term ended in 2014 he opted out from the race to the office of the Prime Minister of India during 2014 Indian general election. Singh was never a member of the Lok Sabha but served as a member of the Parliament of India, representing the state of Assam in the Rajya Sabha for five terms from 1991 to 2019. In August 2019, Singh filed nomination as a Congress candidate to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan after the death of sitting MP Madan Lal Saini.
- Sheikh Hassan Ahmed Abdel Rahman Muhammed al-Banna (Arabic: حسن أحمد عبد الرحمن محمد البنا; 14 October 1906 – 12 February 1949), known as Hassan al-Banna, was an Egyptian schoolteacher and imam, best known for founding the Muslim Brotherhood, one of the largest and most influential Islamic revivalist organizations.Al-Banna's writings marked a watershed in Islamic intellectual history by presenting a modern ideology based on Islam. Al-Banna considered Islam to be a comprehensive system of life, with the Quran as the only acceptable constitution. He called for Islamization of the state, the economy, and society. He declared that establishing a just society required development of institutions and progressive taxation, and elaborated an Islamic fiscal theory where zakat would be reserved for social expenditure in order to reduce inequality. Al-Banna's ideology involved criticism of Western materialism, British imperialism, and the traditionalism of the Egyptian ulema. He appealed to Egyptian and pan-Arab patriotism but rejected Arab nationalism and regarded all Muslims as members of a single nation-community.The Muslim Brotherhood advocated gradualist moral reform and had no plans for a violent takeover of power. The "Jihad of the spirit"―self-initatied productive work aimed at bettering the conditions of the Islamic community―was a significant part of their ideology. Under al-Banna's leadership, the organization embarked on a wide-ranging campaign of social engagement; they especially emphasized public health improvements. Following the abolition of the caliphate in 1924, al-Banna called on Muslims to prepare for armed struggle against colonial rule; he warned Muslims against the "widespread belief" that "jihad of the heart" was more important than "jihad of the sword". He allowed the formation of a secret military wing within the Muslim Brotherhood, which took part in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Al-Banna generally encouraged Egyptians to abandon Western customs; he argued that the state should enforce Islamic public morality through censorship and application of hudud corporal punishment. Nonetheless, his thought was open to Western ideas and some of his writings quote European authors instead of Islamic sources.Al-Banna was assassinated by the Egyptian secret police in 1949. His son-in-law Said Ramadan emerged as a major leader of the Muslim Brotherhood in the 1950s.
- James Lafayette Dickey (February 2, 1923 – January 19, 1997) was an American poet and novelist. He was appointed the eighteenth United States Poet Laureate in 1966. He also received the Order of the South award. Dickey was best known for his novel Deliverance (1970) which was adapted into an acclaimed film of the same name.
- Gordon Muir Campbell, (born January 12, 1948) is a retired Canadian diplomat and politician who was the 35th mayor of Vancouver from 1986 to 1993 and the 34th premier of British Columbia from 2001 to 2011. He was the leader of the British Columbia Liberal Party from 1993 to 2011. From 2011 to 2016, he was Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Canada's representative to the Ismaili Imamat from 2014 to 2016.
- Sheryl Bailey (born May 20, 1966) is an American jazz guitarist and educator. She teaches guitar at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
- William Emanuel Cobham Jr. (born May 16, 1944) is a Panamanian-American jazz drummer who came to prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s with trumpeter Miles Davis and then with the Mahavishnu Orchestra. According to AllMusic's reviewer, Cobham is "generally acclaimed as fusion's greatest drummer".He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame in 2013.
- George Herbert Leigh Mallory (18 June 1886 – 8 or 9 June 1924) was an English mountaineer who took part in the first three British expeditions to Mount Everest, in the early 1920s. During the 1924 British Mount Everest expedition, Mallory and his climbing partner, Andrew "Sandy" Irvine, disappeared on the north-east ridge during their attempt to make the first ascent of the world's highest mountain. The pair were last seen when they were about 800 vertical feet (245 m) from the summit. Mallory's ultimate fate was unknown for 75 years, until his body was discovered on 1 May 1999 by an expedition that had set out to search for the climbers' remains. Whether Mallory and Irvine had reached the summit before they died remains a subject of speculation and continuing research.
- Khachatur Abovian (or Abovyan; Armenian: Խաչատուր Աբովյան; October 15, 1809 is an Armenian writer and national public figure of the early 19th century who mysteriously vanished in 1848 and was eventually presumed dead. He is an educator, poet and an advocate of modernization. Reputed as the father of modern Armenian literature, he is best remembered for his novel Wounds of Armenia. Written in 1841 and published posthumously in 1858, it was the first novel published in the modern Armenian language using Eastern Armenian based on the Yerevan dialect instead of Classical Armenian.Abovian was far ahead of his time and virtually none of his works was published during his lifetime. Only after the establishment of the Armenian SSR was Abovian accorded the recognition and stature he merited. Abovian is regarded as one of the foremost figures not just in Armenian literature but Armenian history at large. Abovian's influence on Western Armenian literature was not as strong as it was on Eastern Armenian, particularly in its formative years.
- Jean Marie Maurice Schérer or Maurice Henri Joseph Schérer, known as Éric Rohmer (French: [eʁik ʁomɛʁ], 21 March 1920 – 11 January 2010), was a French film director, film critic, journalist, novelist, screenwriter, and teacher. Rohmer was the last of the post-World War II French New Wave directors to become established. He edited the influential film journal, Cahiers du cinéma, from 1957 to 1963, while most of his colleagues—among them Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut—were making the transition from film critics to filmmakers and gaining international attention. Rohmer gained international acclaim around 1969 when his film My Night at Maud's was nominated at the Academy Awards. He won the San Sebastián International Film Festival with Claire's Knee in 1971 and the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for The Green Ray in 1986. Rohmer went on to receive the Venice Film Festival's Career Golden Lion in 2001. After Rohmer's death in 2010, his obituary in The Daily Telegraph described him as "the most durable filmmaker of the French New Wave", outlasting his peers and "still making movies the public wanted to see" late in his career.
- For over the past 30 years, the diminutive, stage-trained character actor, Austin Pendleton has been cast in film and TV roles that, in an earlier generation, might have been filled by such hand-wringing nervous Nellies as Edward Everett Horton or Franklin Pangborn. He worked at the Williamstown (MA) Theater Festival while attending Yale, then headed for New York after his 1961 graduation. Though hardly a leading man type, he quickly got work, making his off-Broadway debut in 1962's "Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling So Sad."
