August 30 birthdays and deaths:

Mikhail Gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev, the 8th and final leader of the Soviet Union, introduced reforms as General Secretary from 1985 to 1991. His policies of glasnost (transparency) and perestroika (restructuring) aimed to revitalize the economy and promote democracy, but ultimately led to the Soviet Union's dissolution in 1991.

Deathyear: 2022

Charles Bronson

Charles Bronson was a legendary American actor and World War II veteran, best known for his tough-guy roles in film westerns. He began his acting career on Broadway before transitioning to Hollywood, starring in iconic films like "The Magnificent Seven" and "The Great Escape."

Deathyear: 2003

Wes Craven

Wes Craven was a pioneering filmmaker known for his work in the horror genre. He directed influential films like "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Scream," and was fondly remembered for his dark wit and clever plotting.

Deathyear: 2015

Glenn Ford

Glenn Ford was a renowned Canadian-American actor and producer, born in Ottawa in 1916. He starred in over 90 films, including "Gilda" and "The Blackboard Jungle." Ford won numerous awards for his performances and was a beloved figure in Hollywood, often playing likable, everyday characters on screen.

Deathyear: 2006

Vera-Ellen

Vera-Ellen (1921-1981) was a renowned American actress and dancer, best known for her iconic performances in films like "White Christmas" (1954) and "Call Me Madam" (1952). Her impressive dance skills and charming on-screen presence earned her a permanent place in Hollywood's Golden Age of cinema.

Deathyear: 1981

Jean Seberg

Jean Seberg was a talented American actress, born in 1938. She gained fame for her portrayal of Jean-Luc Godard's Contempt (1963) and Brecht's Mother Courage, as well as her role in the classic film Breathless (1960).

Deathyear: 1979

Valerie Harper

Valerie Harper was a talented American actress and writer, best known for her iconic role as Rhoda Morgenstern on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and its spin-off "Rhoda." She was a beloved figure in American television, earning multiple Emmy Award nominations throughout her illustrious career.

Deathyear: 2019

Richard Jordan

Richard Jordan was a talented American actor born in 1938. He appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including "The Hunt for Red October" and "Masada". His distinctive voice and emotive acting brought characters to life, earning him a loyal following and critical acclaim throughout his career.

Deathyear: 1993

J. J. Thomson

J. J. Thomson, a renowned English physicist and mathematician, discovered the electron in 1897, pioneering modern physics. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1906 for his groundbreaking work on cathode rays.

Deathyear: 1940

Oliver Sacks

Oliver Sacks was a renowned neurologist, author, and academic, born in 1933. He wrote extensively on neurological disorders, exploring the intersections of science, psychology, and human experience. His engaging essays and memoirs captivated readers worldwide, earning him multiple awards and recognition for his innovative and accessible writing.

Deathyear: 2015

Seamus Heaney

Seamus Heaney, renowned Irish poet and playwright, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995. Born in 1939, he is celebrated for his nuanced explorations of the human experience, often drawing on Irish mythology, history, and landscapes to craft powerful and evocative verse.

Deathyear: 2013

Theodoric the Great

Theodoric the Great was an Ostrogoth king who ruled Italy from 493 to 526. He conquered Italy and established a stable government, encouraging trade and culture. A just and fair ruler, he encouraged education and the arts, earning the respect of his people and the Romans.

Deathyear: 526

Guy Burgess

Guy Burgess, a British diplomat and member of the House of Commons, was a renowned Soviet spy who defected to the Soviet Union in 1951. His betrayal, along with those of Anthony Blunt and Kim Philby, formed the Cambridge Five, a group of British spies who secretly worked for the KGB.

Deathyear: 1963

Killer Kowalski

Killer Kowalski, born Othew Koriniewski in 1926, was a Canadian-American professional wrestler and trainer. He gained fame for his intense matches and was a pioneer in the industry. Kowalski was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014.

Deathyear: 2008

John Bell Hood

John Bell Hood, a renowned Confederate general, was born in 1831. He graduated from West Point and served in the Mexican-American War. During the American Civil War, he led the Army of Tennessee, suffering a series of defeats, including the Battle of Atlanta.

Deathyear: 1879

William Talman (actor)

William Talman was an American actor and screenwriter, best known for his roles in film noir and westerns, including the iconic character of Paul Drake on the TV series "Perry Mason." He passed away in 1968 at the age of 53.

Deathyear: 1968

Louise Hay

Louise Hay (1926-present) was a pioneering motivational author who empowered millions to heal their minds, bodies, and spirits. Her bestselling books, such as "Heal Your Body" and "You Can Heal Your Life," offered practical wisdom and inspiration for spiritual growth and self-improvement.

Deathyear: 2017

Abraham Zapruder

Abraham Zapruder was a Russian immigrant who owned a clothing alteration shop in Dallas. He became famous for filming the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.

Deathyear: 1970

Louis XI

Louis XI of France, nicknamed the "Universal Spider", reigned from 1461 to 1483. He was a shrewd and calculating king who expanded French territory through diplomacy and war, leaving behind a strong and centralized state.

Deathyear: 1483

Naguib Mahfouz

Naguib Mahfouz was a renowned Egyptian author and journalist, widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988 for his important and imaginative works.

Deathyear: 2006

Charles Coburn

Charles Coburn was a distinguished American actor, born in 1877, who enjoyed a long and prolific career in Hollywood, frequently playing authoritative figures, such as generals, senators, and judges, bringing gravitas to over 100 films between the 1930s and 1960s.

Deathyear: 1961

Sterling Morrison

Sterling Morrison (1942-1995) was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter. A founding member of The Velvet Underground, Morrison's distinctive guitar playing and haunting vocals helped shape the group's influential sound, which blended avant-garde rock, art rock, and punk precursors.

Deathyear: 1995

Mohammad-Ali Rajai

Mohammad-Ali Rajai was the 2nd President of Iran, serving from 1980 until his assassination in 1981. A devout Islamist and ally of Ayatollah Khomeini, he played a key role in consolidating the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Deathyear: 1981

Lindsay Anderson

Lindsay Anderson was a renowned English director and screenwriter, known for his gritty, critically acclaimed films like "This Sporting Life" (1963) and "If..." (1968), which blended social commentary and poetic realism, earning him international recognition.

Deathyear: 1994

Pope Alexander III

Pope Alexander III, born Roland à la Place, was born around 1100-1105. He was a Franciscan reformer who implemented significant reforms, convened the Third Lateran Council, and canonized saints. He served as Pope from 1159 to 1181.

Deathyear: 1181

J. Lee Thompson

J. Lee Thompson was a renowned English-Canadian director, producer, and screenwriter, born in 1914. He helmed films like "Ice Station Zebra" (1968) and "The Guns of Navarone" (1961), earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Director.

Deathyear: 2002

Narayan Rao

Narayan Rao (1755-1772) was the third Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, serving from 1773. He was the son of Peshwa Raghunath Rao and succeeded his uncle Shahu. Unfortunately, he was assassinated in 1772 by his own sister-in-law, Anandibai, due to her rivalry with his mother-in-law.

Deathyear: 1773

Donald Davidson (philosopher)

Donald Davidson was an influential American philosopher and academic, born in 1917. He made significant contributions to the fields of epistemology, philosophy of language, and philosophy of mind.

Deathyear: 2003

Konstantin Rodzaevsky

Konstantin Rodzaevsky, born in 1907, was a prominent Russian lawyer and political figure. He founded the Russian National Socialist Party, advocating for a fascist regime in Russia. His controversial ideologies and actions led to his arrest and execution during Stalin's purges.

Deathyear: 1946

Max Factor Sr.

Max Factor, Sr. was a Polish-born American makeup artist and businessman who founded the Max Factor Company in 1909. Born in 1877, he revolutionized makeup techniques and created the iconic "Masterpiece" makeup line.

Deathyear: 1938

Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy

Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, was a prominent military leader and politician who ruled from 1553 to 1580. Born in 1528, he is known for his defense of Turin against the French and his role in the Council of Trent. He died in 1580 without an heir.

Deathyear: 1580

Bipan Chandra

Bipan Chandra is a renowned Indian historian and academic, born in 1928. With a Ph.D. from Oxford, he taught at several universities, specializing in nationalist and colonial history. His publication, "The Rise and Growth of Nationalist Movement," is a prominent work in the field.

Deathyear: 2014

Fischer Black

Fischer Black was a renowned American economist and academic, born in 1938. He is best known for his work on option pricing, particularly his Black-Scholes model, which revolutionized the field of finance and earned him the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1997.

Deathyear: 1995

Andrew V. McLaglen

Andrew V. McLaglen was a renowned director and producer, known for his work on films like "The Great Escape" (1963) and "Fathom" (1965). Born in 1920 in England, he transitioned to Hollywood and worked extensively with John Wayne, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Director.

Deathyear: 2014

Govan Mbeki

Govan Mbeki, a renowned ANC activist, was the father of President Thabo Mbeki and the uncle of anti-apartheid icon, Walter Sisulu. Born in 1910, he fought for equality and played a crucial role in the ANC, serving as the party's secretary-general from 1955-1959 and again from 1969-1990.

Deathyear: 2001

Jean Tinguely

Jean Tinguely was a Swiss painter and sculptor known for his iconic "destroying" machines and sculptures that burned, melted, or self-destructed. His innovative and witty work often incorporated recycled materials, challenging traditional notions of art and functionality.

Deathyear: 1991

Taylor Caldwell

Taylor Caldwell (1900-1985) was a prolific English-American author, penning over 40 novels and numerous essays. Her works often combined sensationalism and historical accuracy, exploring themes of love, power, and morality. She was a bestselling author during her lifetime, known for titles like "The Proud and Lonely" and "Dynasty of Death".

Deathyear: 1985

Michael Jackson (writer)

Michael Jackson, born in 1942, was a renowned English author and journalist, known for his insightful commentary and captivating storytelling. His works contributed significantly to the literary world, leaving a lasting impact on readers and fellow writers alike.

Deathyear: 2007

M. M. Kalburgi

M.M. Kalburgi was a renowned Indian scholar, author, and academic born in 1938. A specialist in Jain studies, he translated multiple Jain texts, including the Mahaviraçarakama. He also wrote extensively on Indian philosophy, literature, and culture, contributing significantly to the field of Indology.

Deathyear: 2015