April 1 birthdays and deaths:

Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye was a legendary American singer-songwriter born in 1939. He is known for his velvety smooth vocals and critically acclaimed hits like "What's Going On" and "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)".

Deathyear: 1984

Simo Häyhä

Simo Häyhä, dubbed "The White Death," was a Finnish sniper born in 1905. During World War II, he took 542 lives, earning 18 kills per day. His exceptional marksmanship and camouflage tactics made him a legend in the Finnish Army and a feared opponent on the Eastern Front.

Deathyear: 2002

Charles I of Austria

Charles I, also known as Karl I, was the last Emperor of Austria-Hungary, ruling from 1916 until his abdication in 1918, not 1887. He was born on August 17, 1887.

Deathyear: 1922

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor of Aquitaine, born 1122, was a powerful queen of France and England. She was the Duchess of Aquitaine and Queen Consort of France to Louis VII, then Queen Consort of England to Henry II Plantagenet. She played a significant role in shaping European history.

Deathyear: 1204

Vontae Davis

Vontae Davis is a former American football cornerback who played in the NFL from 2009 to 2018. He played for the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and Baltimore Ravens, earning two Pro Bowl selections and being named a Second-Team All-Pro.

Deathyear: 2024

Leslie Cheung

Leslie Cheung was a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor known for his versatility and charisma. With a successful music career spanning over two decades, he won numerous awards, including the RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Award.

Deathyear: 2003

John Forsythe

John Forsythe was an American actor, born on January 29, 1918, best known for his iconic roles in TV's "Bachelor Father" and "Charlie's Angels," as well as his distinctive voice as the narrator of TV's "The Love Boat," showcasing his prolific career spanning over five decades.

Deathyear: 2010

Scott Joplin

Scott Joplin, known as the "King of Ragtime," was a pioneering American pianist and composer. Born in 1868 in Texarkana, Arkansas, Joplin's music combined African American and European influences, creating the distinctive ragtime style.

Deathyear: 1917

Joe Flaherty

Joe Flaherty is a renowned American actor, writer, and comedian, born in 1941. He is best known for creating and starring in the classic TV series "Second City Television" and "Freaks and Geeks."

Deathyear: 2024

Carrie Snodgress

Carrie Snodgress was a talented American actress born in 1945. She appeared in numerous films and television shows, including "Diary of a Mad Housewife" and "To Save and Project," earning an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Darryl F. Zanuck's mistress in "Mildred Pierce" (1945).

Deathyear: 2004

Max Ernst

Max Ernst (1891-1976) was a renowned German painter and sculptor, pioneer of Surrealism. He experimented with collage, assemblage, and abstraction, creating dreamlike works that blurred reality and fantasy. His innovative techniques and bold, expressive style continue to inspire artists worldwide.

Deathyear: 1976

George II of Greece

King George II of Greece was born on January 19, 1890, but he was the King of Greece from 1922 to 1924 and again from 1935 to 1947.

Deathyear: 1947

Rube Waddell

Rube Waddell was a dominant left-handed pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Browns. With 193 wins and 2.16 ERA, he's among the greatest of all time. Famed for his blazing fastball and excellent control, Waddell was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946.

Deathyear: 1914

Martha Graham

Martha Graham (1894-1991) revolutionized modern dance with her expressive, abstract style. A pioneer of American modern dance, she founded the Martha Graham Dance Company and created iconic works, including "Appalachian Spring" and "Echoes." Her innovative choreography continues to influence contemporary dance worldwide.

Deathyear: 1991

Charles R. Drew

Charles Richard Drew was a pioneering American physician and surgeon born in 1904. He developed the concept of the "blood bank" and was a key figure in revolutionizing blood transfusion and surgery during World War II.

Deathyear: 1950

Steven Bochco

Steven Bochco is a renowned American television writer and producer, born in 1943. He is best known for creating and producing iconic series such as "Hill Street Blues," "L.A. Law," and "Doogie Howser, M.D.," earning him multiple Emmy Awards and paving the way for future TV dramas.

Deathyear: 2018

Lev Landau

Lev Landau, a renowned Azerbaijani-Russian physicist, made groundbreaking contributions to quantum mechanics, magnetism, and statistical mechanics. A formidable academic, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics (1962) and is regarded as one of the most distinguished physicists of the 20th century.

Deathyear: 1968

Ed Piskor

Ed Piskor is an American comic book artist and cartoonist, born in 1982. He is known for his unique style and storytelling in graphic novels like "Mug Club" and "Hollywood Dream Machine," which blend coming-of-age themes with humor and satire. His work often explores genres like sci-fi and horror.

Deathyear: 2024

Alan Kulwicki

Alan Kulwicki was a Polish-American NASCAR driver who won the 1992 Winston Cup Series championship. He drove for Hagan's Racing and Melling Racing, earning 29 top-10 finishes in his 269 starts. Kulwicki's underdog story and quiet humility captivated fans, earning him the nickname "The Polish Fury".

Deathyear: 1993

Helena Rubinstein

Helena Rubinstein, born Anna Dworak in 1870 in Krakow, Poland, founded the cosmetics company Helena Rubinstein, Inc. in 1904, pioneering the beauty industry. She built a cosmetics empire through shrewd business acumen and innovative marketing, becoming one of the wealthiest women in the United States.

Deathyear: 1965

Rozz Williams

Rozz Williams was an influential American singer-songwriter and guitarist, known for his gothic and post-punk sound. Born in 1963, Williams was the founding member of the bands Christian Death and Shadow Project, and is remembered for his dark and poetic lyrics.

Deathyear: 1998

Miguel de la Madrid

Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado is a prominent Mexican figure, serving as the 52nd President of Mexico from 1982 to 1988. He is also a banker and academic, known for his efforts to stabilize the Mexican economy and establish diplomatic relations with foreign nations.

Deathyear: 2012

Mohammad Reza Zahedi

Mohammad Reza Zahedi is a senior Iranian military officer born in 1960. He held various commands and was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of Iran's Armed Forces in 2007.

Deathyear: 2024

Erik Bruhn

Erik Bruhn was a renowned Danish actor, director, and choreographer, born in 1928. He was a luminary of the Royal Danish Ballet and staged numerous productions, including "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker".

Deathyear: 1986

Sigismund I the Old

Sigismund I, King of Poland (1467-1548), was a monarch of great vision and diplomacy. He ruled Poland from 1506 to 1548, promoting trade and artistic development.

Deathyear: 1548

Flann O'Brien

Brian O'Nolan, a renowned Irish author and satirist, wrote under various pseudonyms, including Flann O'Brien and Myles na gCopaleen. His works, such as "At Swim-Two-Birds" and "The Third Policeman", showcased his unique blend of wit and absurdity.

Deathyear: 1966

Yevgeny Yevtushenko

Yevgeny Yevtushenko is a renowned Soviet and Russian poet and writer, born in 1932. He is known for his powerful and socially conscious works, often exploring themes of love, war, and the human condition, earning him international acclaim and numerous accolades, including the Lenin Prize and the Golden Nobel Prize.

Deathyear: 2017

Giorgio Chinaglia

Giorgio Chinaglia is a renowned Italian-American soccer player and radio host, born in 1947. As a forward, he played for Lazio and the United States national team, while also hosting various radio shows, earning him a lasting legacy in both sports and media.

Deathyear: 2012

Noah Beery

Noah Beery Sr. was an American actor born on April 22, 1882. He began his career on stage, transitioning to film in the 1910s, appearing in over 180 films, including "The Mark of Zorro" (1940) and "The Big Sleep" (1946), showcasing his versatile acting skills.

Deathyear: 1946

Abaqa Khan

Abaqa Khan (1234-1282) was the fourth Ilkhan of the Mongol Empire, ruling modern-day Iran and surrounding areas from 1265 to 1282. He curbed the power of the nobility, expanded trade, and promoted Buddhism. His reign marked a period of relative peace and cultural flourishing in the region.

Deathyear: 1282

Michael Havers, Baron Havers

Michael Havers, Baron Havers, was a renowned English lawyer and politician who served as Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain from 1987 to 1990. He was born in 1923 and was known for his judicial expertise and conservative political views.

Deathyear: 1992

Lou Conter

Lou Conter, born 1921, is a retired American naval commander. Throughout his 25-year naval career, he served in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam War. He is most notable for being the only person to have served on both the USS Indianapolis and USS Arizona.

Deathyear: 2024

Robert Doisneau

Robert Doisneau was a renowned French photographer known for his whimsical, humanist portraits. Born in 1912, he captured the essence of 20th-century French life, showcasing everyday moments of love, joy, and simplicity. His iconic images, such as "Le Baiser de la Boutique" (The Kiss in the Photographer's Window), have become symbols of French culture.

Deathyear: 1994

Blanche I of Navarre

Blanche I, queen of Navarre and Sicily, was born in 1387. She was the daughter of John I of Aragon and was married to Martin of Aragon. She played a significant role in politics, ruling the Kingdom of Navarre and later the Kingdom of Sicily from 1410 until her death in 1441.

Deathyear: 1441

Trịnh Công Sơn

Trịnh Công Sơn is a renowned Vietnamese guitarist and composer, born in 1939. His music seamlessly blends traditional Vietnamese melodies with Western classical influences, creating a unique and captivating sound that has captivated audiences worldwide.

Deathyear: 2001