April 26 birthdays and deaths:

Srinivasa Ramanujan

Srinivasa Ramanujan was a brilliant Indian mathematician who made significant contributions to number theory and infinite series. Born in 1887, he worked with G.H. Hardy at Cambridge, producing fundamental work on the Riemann zeta function and the distribution of prime numbers.

Deathyear: 1920

Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball was a pioneering figure in comedy, starring in "I Love Lucy" and producing many iconic sitcoms. She broke barriers as a female comedian and producer, earning 13 Emmy nominations and winning four. Her fearless spirit and trailblazing legacy continue to inspire generations.

Deathyear: 1989

John Wilkes Booth

John Wilkes Booth was a renowned American actor and Confederacy sympathizer who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865, at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. He was born on May 10, 1838.

Deathyear: 1865

George Jones

A true country music legend, George Jones (born George Glenn Jones on September 12, 1931) is renowned for his smooth, mellow voice and emotive songwriting. With a career spanning over 50 years, he has recorded numerous hits, including "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and "White Lightning".

Deathyear: 2013

Jill Dando

Jill Dando was a beloved English journalist and television presenter, best known for hosting the BBC's flagship current affairs program, "Crimewatch". She was also a skilled reporter, covering major news stories and interviewing high-profile figures.

Deathyear: 1999

Irene Ryan

Irene Ryan, American actress and philanthropist, was born in 1902. She was best known for her role as "Granny" Mosby on the popular TV show "The Beverly Hillbillies". She was also a generous philanthropist, supporting various charitable causes throughout her life.

Deathyear: 1973

Gypsy Rose Lee

Gypsy Rose Lee was a legendary American actress, striptease dancer, and writer born in 1911. Known for her seductive performances and clever storytelling, she revolutionized the art of burlesque and became an iconic figure in American entertainment.

Deathyear: 1970

Mu'awiya I

Mu'awiya I, the first Umayyad caliph, was born in 602 CE. He was a skilled diplomat and military leader who united the Arabs and expanded the Islamic Empire. He was known for his fair governance and support for trade and commerce.

Deathyear: 680

Sid James

Sid James was a South African-English actor, comedian, and singer who rose to fame in the UK in the 1950s. He is best known for his roles in the Carry On series of British comedy films and as the pub landlord in the BBC sitcom "Are You Being Served?".

Deathyear: 1976

Jonathan Demme

Jonathan Demme, a renowned American filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter, was born in 1944. He gained fame for directing iconic films like "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Philadelphia," earning critical acclaim and numerous awards.

Deathyear: 2017

Carmine Coppola

Carmine Coppola was a renowned American composer and conductor, best known for his work in film scoring. Born in 1910, he received critical acclaim for his scores for "The Godfather" (1972) and "The Conversation" (1974), earning him an Academy Award nomination.

Deathyear: 1991

Broderick Crawford

Broderick Crawford was a prolific American actor, born on December 9, 1911. He gained fame with his portrayal of Willie Stark in the 1949 film "All the King's Men," earning an Academy Award nomination and cementing his status as a talented dramatic actor.

Deathyear: 1986

Count Basie

Count Basie was a legendary American pianist, composer, and bandleider who led his own orchestra from the 1930s to the 1980s. Known for his distinctive "less-is-more" style, Basie's music combined swing, blues, and jazz, creating a distinct and influential sound.

Deathyear: 1984

Jim Davis (actor)

Jim Davis, born 1909, was a renowned American actor, best known for his iconic roles in TV shows such as "Falcon Crest" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof". With a career spanning over 40 years, he was critically acclaimed for his versatility and commanding stage presence.

Deathyear: 1981

Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson was a prominent Norwegian-French author, poet, and playwright who advocated for social justice and democracy. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1903 for his contributions to the world's literature, and is considered one of Norway's most important writers.

Deathyear: 1910

Jayne Meadows

Jayne Meadows is a renowned American actress, born in 1919. She is particularly recognized for her work on the stage and screen, appearing in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions throughout her esteemed career.

Deathyear: 2015

Phoebe Snow

Phoebe Snow was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in 1950. She rose to fame in the 1970s with her unique blend of folk, rock, and R&B. Her smooth, powerful voice and intricate guitar playing made her a standout in the music industry.

Deathyear: 2011

Klaus Schulze

Klaus Schulze is a renowned German composer and musician, born in 1947. He is considered one of the pioneers of electronic music and has released numerous albums, blending genres like ambient, techno, and classical elements.

Deathyear: 2022

Maria Schell

Maria Schell, a renowned Austrian-Swiss actress, born on January 15, 1926, is celebrated for her emotive performances in films like "The True and the False" and "Homecoming." She received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Ingrid Lindström in "The Man Between" as well.

Deathyear: 2005

Mas Oyama

Masutatsu Ōyama was a renowned Japanese martial artist who founded Kyokushin kaikan, a full-contact karate style. Born in 1923, he developed a rigorous training methodology, emphasizing knockdowns and full-contact sparring. His dedication earned him the title of Godhand Oyama.

Deathyear: 1994

Giuliano de' Medici

Giuliano de' Medici, born in 1453, was an Italian ruler and member of the influential Medici family. Serving as a banker and diplomat, he played a key role in the politics of Florence and was a prominent figure in the art and cultural scene during the Renaissance.

Deathyear: 1478

Morihei Ueshiba

Morihei Ueshiba, a renowned Japanese martial artist, founded aikido in the early 20th century. Born in 1883, Ueshiba was a skilled swordsman and wrestler who developed aikido, a grappling-based martial art emphasizing harmony with nature and inner balance.

Deathyear: 1969

Shankar–Jaikishan

Shankar is a renowned Indian composer and conductor, born in 1922. Known for his eclectic and innovative style, he blends traditional Indian music with Western classical forms, creating a distinctive sound that has captivated audiences worldwide.

Deathyear: 1987

Bessie Love

Bessie Love was a celebrated American actress, born in 1898, who began her career as a child performer on Broadway. She rose to fame in the 1920s, starring in over 70 films, including the groundbreaking "The Sign on the Cloud" (1933), a precursor to the talkies.

Deathyear: 1986

Hubert Selby Jr.

Hubert Selby, Jr. was a pioneering American author, poet, and screenwriter, born in 1928. His raw, unflinching writing style explored themes of poverty, addiction, and the human condition in works like "Last Exit to Brooklyn" and "The Room."

Deathyear: 2004

Arnold Sommerfeld

Arnold Sommerfeld was a renowned German physicist and academic born in 1868. He made significant contributions to the development of quantum mechanics, relativity, and atomic physics. He was a professor at the University of Munich and was recognized with numerous awards for his groundbreaking work.

Deathyear: 1951

Edward Arnold (actor)

Edward Arnold was a renowned American actor, born in 1890, known for his distinctive voice and authoritative presence on screen. He starred in numerous films, including "You Can't Take It With You" and "The Proud Ones", garnering acclaim for his versatility and range.

Deathyear: 1956

Gichin Funakoshi

Gichin Funakoshi, a renowned Japanese martial artist, founded Shotokan karate. Born in 1868, he is considered one of the most influential figures in the development of modern martial arts.

Deathyear: 1957

Carl Bosch

Carl Bosch was a German chemist and engineer who pioneered the development of high-pressure synthesis methods. He won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1931 for his work on the production of ammonia and the Haber-Bosch process, which revolutionized the fertilizer industry.

Deathyear: 1940

Pavlo Skoropadskyi

Pavlo Skoropadskyi was a German-Ukrainian general and politician who served as Hetman of Ukraine from 1918 to 1919. Born in 1871, he played a significant role in Ukrainian politics during the Ukrainian State's short-lived existence.

Deathyear: 1945

Sigmund Rascher

Sigmund Rascher was a German physician born in 1909. He was a SS doctor who performed medical experiments on concentration camp prisoners during WWII. His research focused on the effects of high altitudes and freezing temperatures on the human body.

Deathyear: 1945

Mason Adams

Mason Adams was a prolific American actor, born on February 17, 1919. He is best known for his role as Mayor Tweed in the sitcom "Soap" and his numerous guest appearances on popular TV shows.

Deathyear: 2005

DJ Rashad

DJ Rashad, born Ronald Treacy in 1979, was a pioneering American electronic musician, producer, and DJ. Known for his innovative footwork style, he released several critically acclaimed albums and EPs, pushing the boundaries of Chicago's electronic music scene.

Deathyear: 2014

Jack Valenti

Jack Valenti, a pioneering American businessman, spearheaded the development of the Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) film rating system in 1968, revolutionizing the way films were categorized and impacting the entertainment industry forever.

Deathyear: 2007

Cicely Courtneidge

Cicely Courtneidge was a talented Australian-born British actress, comedian, and singer, born in 1893. She delighted audiences on stage and screen with her charming personality, impressive voice, and impressive comedy skills.

Deathyear: 1980

Stirling Silliphant

Stirling Silliphant was a renowned American screenwriter and producer, born in 1918. He won two Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay for "In the Heat of the Night" and "The Poseidon Adventure". He also created the classic TV series "Route 66" and "NYPD".

Deathyear: 1996

Hans Holzer

Hans Holzer was a renowned Austrian-American paranormal investigator and author, born in 1920. He wrote extensively on psychic phenomena, spirits, and supernatural events. His works include "The Truth About Ghosts" and "Is There an Afterlife?"

Deathyear: 2009

Adrian Borland

Adrian Borland was a pioneering English musician, known for his innovative guitar work and introspective songwriting with the post-punk band Wire Train and his solo career.

Deathyear: 1999

John Heartfield

John Heartfield, a German illustrator and photographer, born Helmut Herzfeld in 1891, was a pioneering artist who blurred the lines between art and politics. His avant-garde work, often featuring photomontage and collage, critiqued nationalism and fascism, earning him international recognition.

Deathyear: 1968

Earl Silverman

Earl Silverman is a Canadian men's rights advocate born in 1948. He founded the Toronto District Family Court Support Services in 1991 and the Toronto chapter of the National Coalition for Men in 2004, working to raise awareness about men's issues and promote gender equality.

Deathyear: 2013

Robert Campin

Here is a 40-word biography about Robert Campin, a Flemish painter: Robert Campin (1378-1440) was a renowned Flemish painter, credited with creating exquisite Renaissance-style artworks. Active in Tournai, Campin's distinctive style combined Flemish International Gothic and Burgundian influences. His masterworks adorn the treasury of the Cathedral of Our Lady in Tournai.

Deathyear: 1444

Emperor Go-Shirakawa

Emperor Go-Shirakawa, Japan's 77th emperor, reigned from 1155 to 1158. Born in 1127, he was the son of Emperor Toba. Known for his efforts to strengthen the imperial family's power and resist the growing influence of the samurai class.

Deathyear: 1192