December 26 birthdays and deaths:

Gerald Ford

Gerald Ford, American commander, lawyer, and politician, served as the 38th President from 1974 to 1977, pardoning Richard Nixon and navigating the Watergate scandal, while establishing the Department of Education and strengthening the Supreme Court.

Deathyear: 2006

Harry S. Truman

Harry S. Truman was a World War I veteran and Missouri politician who served as the 33rd President of the United States from 1945 to 1953. He made the difficult decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan, ending World War II.

Deathyear: 1972

Killing of JonBenét Ramsey

JonBenét Patricia Ramsey, born in 1990, was the six-year-old beauty queen whose murder in 1996 shocked the nation. On December 26, in their Boulder, Colorado, home, a ransom note was found demanding money in exchange for her safe return, but her body was discovered in the basement with a handwritten ransom note nearby.

Deathyear: 1996

Babur

Babur, founder of the Mughal Empire, was a brilliant military tactician who defeated the Lodi Sultan in 1526. He went on to establish the Mughal Empire, spreading it across India and creating a strong administrative system.

Deathyear: 1530

Reggie White

Reggie White was a dominant defensive end in the NFL, playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and Carolina Panthers. He won the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award in 1987 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Deathyear: 2004

Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu, a champion of justice and equality, fought against apartheid in South Africa. As an Anglican bishop and theologian, he worked tirelessly for human rights and reconciliation. His courageous advocacy earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, cementing his legacy as a champion of freedom and justice.

Deathyear: 2021

Brodie Lee

Brodie Lee, born Garrett Clark, was an American professional wrestler who performed in WWE, Ring of Honor, and other promotions. Known for his intimidating ring presence and charismatic promos, Lee won several championships and earned a loyal fan following before tragically passing away in 2020 at the age of 41.

Deathyear: 2020

Jason Robards

Jason Robards was a renowned American actor, known for his powerful stage presence and versatility. He appeared in numerous films and TV shows, earning multiple award nominations.

Deathyear: 2000

Savitri (actress)

Savitri was a multifaceted Indian actress, playback singer, dancer, director, and producer, known for her iconic roles in films like "Missiamma" and "Pennarisi". Born in 1936, she made a lasting impression in Telugu cinema, earning the title "Nadigeyalu" (Queen of Telugu cinema).

Deathyear: 1981

Teena Marie

Teena Marie, known as the "Queen of Funk," was a talented American singer-songwriter and producer. Born Christine Boland in 1956, she rose to fame with her powerful, soulful voice and hit songs like "Lovergirl" and "Fire and Desire."

Deathyear: 2010

Jack Benny

Jack Benny (1894-1974) was a beloved American comedian, vaudevillian, and actor, famous for his quick wit and endearing ego. He enchanted audiences with his signature nervous energy, deadpan delivery, and iconic radio show, cementing his status as a comedy legend of the 20th century.

Deathyear: 1974

Tom Smothers

Tom Smothers is a legendary American comedian, actor, and activist, best known for his work on the classic TV variety show "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" with his brother Dick.

Deathyear: 2023

Curtis Mayfield

Curtis Mayfield was a legendary American singer-songwriter and producer known for his silky smooth vocals and socially conscious lyrics. As a member of The Impressions, he penned classics like "People Get Ready" before launching a successful solo career with hits like "Superfly" and "Pusher Woman."

Deathyear: 1999

Vincent Schiavelli

Vincent Schiavelli was an American actor, born on August 10, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York. He is best known for his roles in films like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", "Amadeus", and "Twins", often playing eccentric and unorthodox characters.

Deathyear: 2005

Elsa Lanchester

Elsa Lanchester was a talented English-American actress, born in 1902. She's best known for her iconic roles in "The Bride of Frankenstein" (1935) and "watch on the Rhine" (1943). Lanchester's unique voice and eccentric personality made her a beloved and memorable figure in Hollywood's Golden Age.

Deathyear: 1986

Nigel Hawthorne

Nigel Hawthorne (b. 1929) is a renowned English actor, known for his commanding stage presence and powerful voice. He has appeared in numerous stage productions, film roles, and TV series, including the Academy Award-nominated performance in "The Madness of King George".

Deathyear: 2001

Howard Hawks

Howard Hawks was a pioneering American filmmaker, known for directing iconic films like "Rio Bravo" and "Hatari!" His versatility in genres, from westerns to comedy, showcased his artistic mastery. He remained active until the 1970s, leaving behind a legacy that shaped modern American cinema.

Deathyear: 1977

Richard Chase

Richard Chase, a mentally unstable individual, was a serial killer, necrophile, and cannibal. Born in 1950, he murdered six people in Sacramento, California, between 1976-77, engaging in necrophilia and consuming his victims' organs. He was executed by lethal injection in 1986.

Deathyear: 1980

E. O. Wilson

Edward O. Wilson is an American biologist known for his groundbreaking work on ant ecology and sociobiology. His research has shed light on the evolution of social behavior in insects and humans, earning him two Pulitzer Prizes and numerous prestigious awards in the field of biology.

Deathyear: 2021

Shankar Dayal Sharma

Shankar Dayal Sharma was a renowned Indian academic and politician who served as the 9th President of India from 1992 to 1997. Born on August 19, 1918, he held various positions, including Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and Governor of Connecticut in the United States.

Deathyear: 1999

Kerry Packer

Kerry Packer, Australian media magnate, built a vast empire, including the Nine Network and Australian Consolidated Press, through shrewd business deals and takeovers. A self-made billionaire, he revolutionized Australian media and became a household name, known for his sharp wit and ruthless business tactics.

Deathyear: 2005

Gerry Anderson

Gerry Anderson was a pioneering British television producer, director, and screenwriter, best known for creating iconic sci-fi and puppetry-based series such as "Thunderbirds," "Captain Scarlet," and "Lady Penelope," captivating audiences with his innovative storytelling and visual effects.

Deathyear: 2012

Heinrich Schliemann

Heinrich Schliemann, a German-Italian archaeologist and author, was born in 1822. He is famous for discovering the ancient city of Troy, believed to be the setting of Homer's epic poem, The Iliad.

Deathyear: 1890

Gorgeous George

Gorgeous George Wagner, aka Gorgeous George, was an American professional wrestler known for his charisma, ring attire, and flamboyant style. He won multiple championships and is considered one of the most popular wrestlers of all time. Born in 1915, he passed away in 1963.

Deathyear: 1963

Melvil Dewey

Melvil Dewey was a pioneering American librarian and educator born in 1851. He is renowned for developing the Dewey Decimal Classification system, a widely used cataloging system for organizing books and materials in libraries around the world.

Deathyear: 1931

Dietrich Eckart

Dietrich Eckart (1868-1923) was a German journalist, poet, and politician. He was a key figure in the development of Nazi ideology, serving as editor of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf. Eckart's writings emphasized anti-Semitism and anti-capitalism, shaping Hitler's ideology.

Deathyear: 1923

Angus Ogilvy

Angus Ogilvy is a British businessman born in 1928. As the eldest son of the 1st Earl of Arroll, he inherited the title and assumed the role of Lord Ogilvy in 1970. He has been a prominent figure in British business and philanthropy.

Deathyear: 2004

Weegee

Weegee, born Usher Fellig in Ukraine in 1898, immigrated to the US, where he became a renowned photographer and journalist, capturing the grit and intensity of New York City's streets from the 1920s to the 1960s, earning his nickname for his prophetic shots of death and destruction.

Deathyear: 1968

Ricky Harris

Ricky Harris was an American comedian, actor, and writer, best known for his roles in TV shows "All Eyez on Me" and "The Shield". He grew up in South Central Los Angeles and began his career as a stand-up comedian in the late 1980s.

Deathyear: 2016

Frederic Remington

Frederic Remington was an American painter and illustrator known for his depictions of the American West. Born in 1861, he captured the spirit of the Old West through his bold, expressive works, which often featured cowboys, Indians, and buffalo.

Deathyear: 1909

Sarekoppa Bangarappa

Sarekoppa Bangarappa was an Indian politician who served as the 15th Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1988 to 1990. Born in 1932, he was a prominent figure in the Indian National Congress and played a key role in state politics.

Deathyear: 2011

Herb Ritts

Herb Ritts was a renowned American photographer and director, known for his striking black-and-white portraits and sensual still-life compositions. He photographed iconic figures like Princess Diana, Madonna, and Richard Gere, and directed music videos for Madonna and Janet Jackson.

Deathyear: 2002

Pedro Armendáriz Jr.

Pedro Armendáriz Jr. is a renowned Mexican-American actor and producer born in 1940. With a remarkable career spanning over five decades, he has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including the iconic Western series, "The High Chaparral," showcasing his versatility and talent.

Deathyear: 2011

Guillermo Stábile

Guillermo Stábile was an Argentine footballer who played as a forward for Club Atlético Huracán and the Argentina national team. He is best known for scoring five goals in Uruguay's Olympic Stadium in the 1928 Summer Olympics, a record that stood for over 92 years.

Deathyear: 1966

Galeazzo Maria Sforza

Galeazzo Maria Sforza, Duke of Milan (1444-1476), was a Medici-backed candidate who seized the throne in 1450. He was known for his lavish spending and authoritarian rule, earning him the nickname "the terrible". His reign was marked by conflicts with the papacy and other Italian city-states.

Deathyear: 1476

Sylva Koscina

Sylva Koscina was a renowned Italian actress, born in 1933. She appeared in over 60 films, showcasing her versatility in romantic comedies, dramas, and thrillers. Her striking looks and charismatic on-screen presence solidified her status as a beloved cinematic icon in Italy and beyond.

Deathyear: 1994

Cornelius Castoriadis

Cornelius Castoriadis was a renowned Greek economist and philosopher, born in 1922. He was a prominent figure in contemporary thought, known for his work on democracy, capitalism, and social theory.

Deathyear: 1997

Farid al-Atrash

Farid al-Atrash was a legendary Syrian-Egyptian singer-songwriter, oud player, and actor, born in 1915. With his soulful, velvety voice and nimble oud skills, he mesmerized audiences across the Middle East. His songs, often romantic and melancholic, remain beloved classics in the region's music heritage.

Deathyear: 1974

Anatoly Lunacharsky

Anatoly Lunacharsky was a prominent Russian journalist and politician, born in 1875. He was a key figure in the Russian Revolution and served as People's Commissar for Education, promoting education and art during the Soviet era.

Deathyear: 1933

Harold B. Lee

Harold B. Lee was the 11th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1973 until his death in 1973. He served as a general authority in the Church and was known for his inspirational leadership and biblical scholarship.

Deathyear: 1973

George S. Irving

George S. Irving, a talented American actor, singer, and dancer, was born in 1922. He is best known for his iconic portrayal of Claus in the 1963 animated TV special "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town."

Deathyear: 2016

Pope Dionysius

Pope Dionysius (259-268 AD) was the 5th bishop of Rome and succeeded Pope Fabian. Little is known about his papacy, but he is credited with sending De Corunabibus, a letter to the Church of Corinth, which is considered one of the earliest Christian anti-Semitic writings.

Deathyear: 268

Pope Zosimus

Zosimus was the Bishop of Rome from 417 to 418, serving as the Pope of the Catholic Church. He succeeded Pope Innocent I and was succeeded by Pope Boniface I. During his brief papacy, Zosimus settled the controversy over the consecration of Antioch's bishop.

Deathyear: 418