August 4 birthdays and deaths:

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was a renowned American model and actress, born Norma Jeane Mortenson in 1926. She rose to fame with her iconic film roles and glamorous persona, captivating the world with her charm, wit, and mesmerizing beauty.

Deathyear: 1962

Jeanne Calment

Jeanne Calment was a remarkable French super-centenarian who defied the odds, living to the extraordinary age of 122 years and 164 days. Born in 1875, she holds the record for the world's substantiated longest-lived person, with a life marked by health, vitality, and an incredible zest for life.

Deathyear: 1997

Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen was a renowned Danish author, born in 1805, renowned for his timeless fairy tales, such as "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling". His stories have captivated readers worldwide, leaving an indelible mark on literature.

Deathyear: 1875

Victor Mature

Victor Mature was a popular American actor of the 1940s and 1950s, known for his powerful voice and dashing good looks. He appeared in over 100 films, including "Samson and Delilah," "The Robe," and "My Darling Clementine."

Deathyear: 1999

James Brady

James Brady was a champion of gun control, advocating for stricter regulations after surviving a presidential assassination attempt. As White House Press Secretary, he served with distinction under President Ronald Reagan, and his legacy lives on through the fight against gun violence.

Deathyear: 2014

Enver Pasha

Enver Pasha was a prominent Ottoman general and politician born in 1881. He played a crucial role in the Ottoman Empire's involvement in World War I, serving as Minister of War from 1914 to 1918. His leadership contributed to the Ottoman Empire's decline and eventual partition.

Deathyear: 1922

Melvyn Douglas

Melvyn Douglas was a renowned American actor, born in 1901, known for his powerful stage presence and versatility in film and television. He won two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for "Hud" (1963) and "Being There" (1979), solidifying his place as a Hollywood legend.

Deathyear: 1981

Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester

Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, was a French-English soldier and politician who played a significant role in the 13th-century politics of England. Born in 1208, he was appointed Lord High Steward in 1248 and went on to become a prominent figure in the Baronial Reform Movement.

Deathyear: 1265

Lee Hazlewood

Lee Hazlewood was a pioneering American singer-songwriter and producer, known for his distinctive baritone and genre-bending sound, which blended country, folk, and pop. He was the founder of his own label and collaborated with Nancy Sinatra on their hit duet, "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'".

Deathyear: 2007

William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley

William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, was a renowned English statesman and academic, serving as Lord High Treasurer from 1572 to 1598. Born in 1520, he was a trusted advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, instrumental in shaping English foreign and domestic policies during the Golden Age of England.

Deathyear: 1598

Ze'ev Jabotinsky

Ze'ev Jabotinsky was a Ukrainian-American general, journalist, and activist born in 1880. He was a key figure in the Zionist movement and founding member of the Jewish Legion during WWI.

Deathyear: 1940

Juan Sebastián Elcano

Juan Sebastián Elcano, a Spanish explorer and navigator, was the first person to circumnavigate the globe in a single expedition. He completed the journey after the death of Ferdinand Magellan, leading the remaining crew to Spain and returning in 1522.

Deathyear: 1526

John Vianney

John Vianney, a French priest and saint, was born in 1786 and lived a life of utmost humility and devotion. Known as the "Cure d'Ars," he ministered to the people of Ars-sur-Formans for 40 years, earning a reputation for his extraordinary spiritual guidance and healing abilities.

Deathyear: 1859

Henry I of France

Henry I of France, also known as Henri I, was the King of France from 1031 to 1060. He was the eldest son of Robert the Pious and was known for his military campaigns against the Normans and his role in establishing the University of Paris.

Deathyear: 1060

Samuel J. Tilden

Samuel J. Tilden was a prominent American lawyer and politician who served as the 25th Governor of New York from 1875 to 1876. Known for his honesty and integrity, he is best remembered for his controversial presidential election loss in 1876, marked by allegations of electoral theft.

Deathyear: 1886

John Burgoyne

John Burgoyne was a British general and politician born in 1723. He is infamous for his defeat at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War, which greatly impacted the war's outcome and led to the French alliance with the Americans.

Deathyear: 1792

Nuon Chea

Nuon Chea, a Cambodian politician, was a key theorist and member of the Khmer Rouge regime, implementing radical social and economic changes. Born in 1926, he played a significant role in the regime's brutal rule, estimated to have caused the deaths of approximately 1.7 to 2.2 million people between 1975 and 1979.

Deathyear: 2019

Wenceslaus III of Bohemia

Wenceslaus III, King of Bohemia from 1253, was the grandson of Saint Wenceslaus I. He was assassinated in 1305, a victim of a conspiracy. His daughter, Elizabeth, later became Queen of Poland.

Deathyear: 1306

Blake Snyder

Blake Snyder was a renowned American screenwriter and producer, born in 1957. He is best known for his work on films such as "Blank Check" and "Bubble Boy". He also developed the popular "Save the Cat" screenwriting technique.

Deathyear: 2009

Roy Thomson, 1st Baron Thomson of Fleet

Roy Thomson, 1st Baron Thomson of Fleet, was a Canadian-English publisher born in 1894. He founded the Thomson Corporation, a media conglomerate that included publishing, broadcasting, and printing companies.

Deathyear: 1976

Raul Hilberg

Raul Hilberg, renowned for his comprehensive and nuanced study of the Holocaust, authored the seminal work "The Destruction of the European Jews". This Austrian-American historian and political scientist shed light on the human and institutional factors contributing to the Holocaust, earning him the Pulitzer Prize in 1981.

Deathyear: 2007

Isaac Levitan

Isaac Levitan was a prominent Russian painter and educator, born in 1860. He was known for his beautiful landscapes and seascapes, which often depicted the Russian countryside and its people. Levitan was also a renowned art teacher and was instrumental in shaping the artistic styles of several Russian artists.

Deathyear: 1900

Pearl White

Pearl White was an American actress, stuntwoman, and screen siren, born in 1889. She gained fame for her daring stunts in film serials, particularly in the "Perils of Pauline" series, captivating audiences in the early days of Hollywood.

Deathyear: 1938

Billy Sherrill

Billy Sherrill is a renowned American songwriter and producer, born in 1936. He has penned hits for artists like Charlie Rich, Tammy Wynette, and George Jones. Sherrill's distinctive production style, blending country and pop elements, has helped shape the sound of country music for decades.

Deathyear: 2015

Art Donovan

Art Donovan, a legendary American football player and radio host, was born in 1925. Donovan played in the NFL for the Baltimore Colts and Yankees, and later hosted "The Purple Reign Show" on ESPN Radio, sharing his expertise and humor with fans.

Deathyear: 2013

Jake Hooker (musician)

Jake Hooker, born in 1953, is an Israeli-American guitarist and songwriter. Best known as the lead guitarist and founding member of the iconic glam rock band T. Rex, Hooker's distinctive riffs and songwriting skills have left a lasting impact on the music industry.

Deathyear: 2014

Sandy Woodward

Admiral Sir Sandy Woodward, a respected English naval officer, was born in 1932. He served in the Royal Navy, played a key role in the Falklands War, and commanded the destroyers HMS Glamorgan and HMS Sheffield, earning him the accolades of his peers and the nation.

Deathyear: 2013

Berengar II of Italy

Berengar II, King of Italy from 950 to 961, strove to reunify the Italian peninsula under his rule. He was defeated by Otto I of Germany, restoring the Holy Roman Empire's authority over northern Italy, ending Berengar's attempts at independence.

Deathyear: 966