April 28 birthdays and deaths:

Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini, a passionate Italian journalist and politician, served as the 27th Prime Minister of Italy from 1922 until 1943.

Deathyear: 1945

John Singleton

John Singleton (1968-2019) was a groundbreaking American film director, writer, and producer. Known for his powerful portrayal of African American experiences in films like "Boyz n the Hood" and "Poetic Justice," he was the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director.

Deathyear: 2019

Michael Collins (astronaut)

Michael Collins, born on October 31, 1930, is an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer. He was the command module pilot for the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, orbiting the Moon while Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin made history landing on its surface.

Deathyear: 2021

Rory Calhoun

Rory Calhoun was an American actor, producer, and screenwriter, known for his rugged good looks and tough-guy persona. Born Francis Timmermans in Los Angeles in 1922, Calhoun starred in over 90 films and TV shows before his untimely death in 1999.

Deathyear: 1999

Francis Bacon (artist)

Francis Bacon (1909-1992) was an Anglo-Irish abstract expressionist painter born in Dublin, Ireland. He moved to England at a young age and is known for his bold, figurative works often featuring distorted human figures in bleak, abstracted settings.

Deathyear: 1992

Jim Valvano

Jim Valvano, a legendary figure in American sports, was a basketball player, coach, and sportscaster. Born in 1946, he led the NC State Wolfpack to a 1983 NCAA title and was named Coach of the Year. His charismatic personality and enthusiastic broadcasting style made him a beloved figure.

Deathyear: 1993

Chris Candido

Chris Candido was an American professional wrestler born in 1971. Known for his technical grappling skills and charismatic personality, Candido competed in various promotions, including ECW, WCW, and WWE, earning a reputation as a talented wrestler with a dedicated fan base.

Deathyear: 2005

Hermann Fegelein

Hermann Fegelein was a German general during World War II, serving as Adolf Hitler's liaison officer. He held the rank of SS-Gruppenführer and SS-Brigadeführer and was responsible for coordinating the activities of the SS and the Wehrmacht.

Deathyear: 1945

Ed Begley

Edward B. Begley, a veteran character actor, was born in 1901. He appeared in over 150 films, often playing authority figures, and collaborated with legendary directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Billy Wilder. Begley's career spanned six decades, earning him a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1960.

Deathyear: 1970

Dabbs Greer

Dabbs Greer was an American actor born in 1917. He appeared in over 100 films and TV shows, including the iconic western series "Gunsmoke". He is also known for his roles in "The Twilight Zone" and "The Andy Griffith Show". His long career spanned over six decades.

Deathyear: 2007

Lou Thesz

Lou Thesz, a pioneering professional wrestler, was a technical grappling master. Known as the "Phantom of the Ring," Thesz won numerous championships, including the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and trained many notable wrestlers, solidifying his legacy as a legendary wrestler and trainer.

Deathyear: 2002

Mikhail Kutuzov

Mikhail Kutuzov, a renowned Russian field marshal, played a crucial role in the Napoleonic Wars. Born in 1745, he gained fame for his strategic victories, including the Battle of Borodino and the defenses of Moscow against Napoleon's army.

Deathyear: 1813

El Risitas

El Risitas, born Juan José Alvarado Contreras in 1956, is a Spanish comedian and actor. He is best known for his distinctive laughter and comedic skits, often portraying a lovable but hapless character.

Deathyear: 2021

Fuad I of Egypt

Fuad I was the seventh Khedive of Egypt, ruling from 1917 to 1922. Born in 1868, he was a member of the Muhammad Ali dynasty and oversaw Egypt's independence from British occupation. He played a crucial role in Egypt's transformation into a republic.

Deathyear: 1936

Alf Ramsey

Alf Ramsey is a legendary English footballer and manager, born in 1920. He played for Tottenham Hotspur and England, appearing 32 times for the national team. As manager, he led England to victory in the 1966 World Cup, but his tenure ended in controversy amidst poor results and conflict.

Deathyear: 1999

Brian McCardie

Brian McCardie is a Scottish actor and writer, born in 1965. He is best known for his roles in TV shows such as "Taggart" and "Rebus", as well as his work as a playwright and screenwriter.

Deathyear: 2024

Josiah Willard Gibbs

Josiah Willard Gibbs was a renowned American scientist born in 1839. He made significant contributions to thermodynamics, developing the laws of thermodynamics and introducing the concept of the "Gibbs free energy." His work revolutionized the field of physical chemistry.

Deathyear: 1903

Patricia Medina

Patricia Medina was a British actress born in 1919. She appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout her career, including "War and Peace" and "The Naked Truth". Medina's lengthy career spanned over five decades and earned her a reputation as a talented and versatile actress.

Deathyear: 2012

Jack Ramsay

Jack Ramsay is a former American basketball player, coach, and sportscaster. Born in 1925, he played in the ABL and NBA, then coached the Bills and Blazers, and later became a renowned sportscaster, known for his sharp analysis and witty commentary.

Deathyear: 2014

Richard Lugar

Richard Lugar, a Republican senator from Indiana from 1977 to 2013, was a moderate who focused on international relations and arms control. Dubbed the "consummate legislator," he worked effectively with colleagues from both parties to pass significant legislation.

Deathyear: 2019

Johann Friedrich Struensee

Johann Friedrich Struensee was a German physician and politician who served as Queen's Marshal and de facto ruler of Denmark during the 1780s. His liberal reforms and romantic relationship with Queen Caroline Mathilda earned him both admiration and controversy.

Deathyear: 1772

Alexander Lebed

Alexander Lebed was a Russian general and politician born in 1950. He played a key role in the First Chechen War and later served as Governor of Krasnoyarsk Krai. He was known for his moderate views and played a crucial role in the 1996 presidential election.

Deathyear: 2002

Louis de Montfort

Louis de Montfort was a French priest and mystic who lived from 1673 to 1716. Known for his devotion to the Virgin Mary, he advocated for the Immaculate Conception and the doctrine of the Indwelling Trinity. His writings emphasized the importance of prayer, sacrifice, and devotion to Mary.

Deathyear: 1716

Mohammad Daoud Khan

Mohammed Daoud Khan was a prominent Afghan commander and politician who served as the country's first president from 1973 until his assassination in 1978. He played a crucial role in Afghan independence and modernization efforts, establishing diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union.

Deathyear: 1978

Shajar al-Durr

Shajar al-Durr, the "Olive Tree", ruled Egypt from 1250 to 1257 as the first and only female sultana of the Ayyubid dynasty. A skilled administrator and diplomat, she maintained strong relationships with the Mamluks and oversaw a period of stability and cultural flourishing in the Egyptian capital.

Deathyear: 1257

Jerome Bixby

Jerome Bixby was a renowned American author and screenwriter, born in 1923. He made a lasting impact on science fiction with his works, including "It's a Good Life" and "Lazarus Come Forth". His writing spanned over six decades, leaving an indelible mark on the literary world.

Deathyear: 1998

Sayyid Mir Muhammad Alim Khan

Mohammed Alim Khan was the Manghud ruler of the Khanate of Bukhara from 1910 to 1920. Born in 1880, he was a grandnephew of the Emir of Bukhara. He faced challenges during World War I and was eventually forced to abdicate in 1920.

Deathyear: 1944

Conrad of Montferrat

Conrad of Montferrat, a Norman nobleman, was born in 1140. He was a prince and a Crusader who fought in the Third Crusade. He played a key role in the capture of Acre and Jerusalem, becoming King of Jerusalem in 1190 after the death of Guy of Lusignan.

Deathyear: 1192

Frank Knox

Frank Knox, a renowned journalist and politician, served as the 46th United States Secretary of the Navy from 1940 to 1945. Born in 1874, Knox held various positions, including editor-in-chief of the Chicago Daily News and governor of Massachusetts from 1920 to 1925.

Deathyear: 1944

Lester Sumrall

Lester Sumrall, born in 1913, was a renowned American minister and founder of LeSEA (Lester Sumrall Evangelistic Association). With a legacy spanning over six decades, he touched countless lives through his evangelistic ministry, radio broadcasts, and humanitarian efforts.

Deathyear: 1996

Ricardo Cortez

Ricardo Cortez was an American actor, born on July 19, 1900, in New York City. He appeared in over 100 films between 1924 and 1955, often playing villainous or romantic roles.

Deathyear: 1977

Penelope Fitzgerald

Penelope Fitzgerald, a renowned English author and poet, was born in 1916. Known for her subtle narrative style and wit, she wrote 13 novels, including "The Bookshop" and "Offshore", which were critically acclaimed and won several awards, solidifying her reputation as one of the 20th century's greatest writers.

Deathyear: 2000

Tommy Caldwell (musician)

Tommy Caldwell is a renowned American drummer, not a bass player. He was born in 1957, not 1949. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any information on a Tommy Caldwell born in 1949 as a bass player.

Deathyear: 1980

Fitzhugh Lee

Fitzhugh Lee was a renowned American general and politician. Born in 1835, he served as a Confederate general during the American Civil War. After the war, he became the 40th Governor of Virginia from 1886 to 1890.

Deathyear: 1905

Tommy Newsom

Tommy Newsom was an American jazz saxophonist and bandleader born in 1929. He was known for his elegant and introspective playing style, and led the big band and small groups, recording several albums and collaborating with jazz greats such as Woody Herman and Mel Lewis.

Deathyear: 2007

Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker

Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker was a renowned German physicist and philosopher, born in 1912. He made significant contributions to theoretical physics, particularly in the fields of quantum mechanics and cosmology.

Deathyear: 2007

Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland

Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland, was an English politician and nobleman born in 1449. He played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses, serving as a key figure in the Royalist forces during the Wars of the Roses and later as a Member of Parliament.

Deathyear: 1489

Steve Howe (baseball)

Steve Howe is a former American professional baseball player who played 15 seasons in the Major Leagues. Born in 1958, he pitched for teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Francisco Giants. Known for his blazing fastball and sharp slider, Howe earned 174 saves during his career.

Deathyear: 2006

Rhys ap Gruffydd

Rhys ap Gruffydd, Prince of Deheubarth, was a Welsh nobleman who ruled from 1155 until his death in 1197. He was a skilled military leader who resisted English invasions and promoted Welsh culture. His reign is commemorated in the Mabinogion, a collection of ancient Welsh tales.

Deathyear: 1197