February 2 birthdays and deaths:

Carl Weathers

Carl Weathers is a legendary American football player and actor, born in 1948. He's best known for his roles as Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise and Chubbs Peterson in Caddyshack. Weathers' athletic background and charismatic screen presence have made him a beloved figure in Hollywood.

Deathyear: 2024

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman was a highly acclaimed American actor, director, and producer, known for his nuanced performances in films like "Capote" and "Doubt." He was a four-time Academy Award nominee and won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Truman Capote.

Deathyear: 2014

Chris Kyle

Chris Kyle, a legendary American sniper, served in the US Navy SEALs from 1999-2009. He is credited with more than 160 confirmed kills during his four tours in Iraq. Upon retiring, he founded the Texas-based non-profit, FITCO Cares, providing fitted prosthetic limbs to injured veterans.

Deathyear: 2013

Sid Vicious

Sid Vicious, born Simon Ritchie, was the bassist of the iconic punk rock band, The Sex Pistols. Known for his controversial behavior and tumultuous relationships, Vicious's life was marked by tragedy and violence, ultimately succumbing to a drug overdose at just 21 years old.

Deathyear: 1979

Bertrand Russell

Bertrand Russell, a renowned English mathematician and philosopher, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950. Born in 1872, he made significant contributions to philosophy, logic, and mathematics, leaving a lasting impact on 20th-century thought.

Deathyear: 1970

Gene Kelly

Gene Kelly was a renowned American entertainer, renowned for his charismatic performances in films like "Singin' in the Rain" and "Anchors Aweigh". A talented dancer, singer, and director, Kelly's iconic choreography and charming on-screen presence left a lasting legacy in the world of Hollywood.

Deathyear: 1996

Boris Karloff

Boris Karloff was a renowned English actor, best known for his iconic roles in horror films. Born William Henry Pratt in 1887, Karloff's deep voice and eerie presence transformed him into a cinematic legend, captivating audiences in classics like "Frankenstein" and "The Mummy".

Deathyear: 1969

Donald Pleasence

Donald Pleasence was a prolific English-French actor, born in 1919, renowned for his versatility and distinctive voice. He appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including the Halloween franchise, The Great Escape, and the iconic portrayal of Dr. Emilio Léonardo in the 1970s cult classic, Fantastic Voyage.

Deathyear: 1995

K. Viswanath

K. Viswanath is a renowned Indian actor, director, and screenwriter born in 1930. A prominent figure in Indian cinema, Viswanath's remarkable career spans over six decades, with iconic films like "Apoorva Raagangal" and "Sagara Sangamam" showcasing his versatility and artistic flair.

Deathyear: 2023

Dmitri Mendeleev

Dmitri Mendeleev was a Russian chemist and academic who developed the Periodic Table of Elements, a groundbreaking achievement in chemistry. He organized elements in a logical and systematic way, predicting the existence of undiscovered elements and correctly placing elements in their respective groups.

Deathyear: 1907

Captain Tom Moore

Captain Sir Tom Moore was a British Army officer and charity campaigner who served in India during World War II. He became famous at the age of 100 for raising millions of pounds for the NHS by walking 100 laps around his garden during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deathyear: 2021

Max Schmeling

Max Schmeling, a renowned German boxer, was born in 1905. He held the European heavyweight title from 1930 to 1933 and fought Joe Louis in 1936 and 1938. Known for his impressive technique and strong punching power, Schmeling was celebrated for his accomplishments in the ring.

Deathyear: 2005

Fred Perry

Frederick Perry, born Edward Playfair Perry in Harrogate, England in 1909, was a renowned tennis player who dominated the sport in the 1930s. He won 8 Grand Slam titles, including 3 Wimbledon championships, and was known for his elegant playing style and iconic Lacoste-inspired jumper.

Deathyear: 1995

Don Murray (actor)

Don Murray is a veteran American actor born in 1929. He is known for his iconic roles in films like "The Badlanders," "Fear Strikes Out," and "Attack!" He has appeared in over 100 films and TV shows, earning him a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in "A Hatful of Rain."

Deathyear: 2024

Murder of Anita Cobby

Anita Cobby was a 26-year-old Aboriginal Australian woman brutally murdered on March 19, 1986. She was abducted, tortured, and killed by five men while walking home from a social event. The crimes shocked Australia, sparking outrage and calls for justice.

Deathyear: 1986

Owen Tudor

Owen Tudor, a Welsh squire, founded the Tudor dynasty. Born around 1400, he was Henry V's chamberlain and married his widow, Catherine of Valois. Their son, Jasper Tudor, and grandson, Henry Tudor (Henry VII), would eventually seize the English throne, establishing the Tudor dynasty.

Deathyear: 1461

Gino Hernandez

Gino Hernandez was an American professional wrestler born on December 28, 1957. He was a prominent figure in the wrestling world during the 1970s and 1980s, competing for various promotions including World Class Championship Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance.

Deathyear: 1986

John L. Sullivan

John L. Sullivan, also known as the "Boston Strongboy," was a dominant American boxer born in 1858. He was the first heavyweight champion of the world, holding the title from 1882 to 1892.

Deathyear: 1918

Alistair MacLean

Alistair MacLean was a renowned Scottish novelist and screenwriter, best known for his thrilling spy and adventure novels, including "The Guns of Navarone" and "Where Eagles Dare".

Deathyear: 1987

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina was a renowned Italian composer and educator of the Renaissance era. Born in 1525, he excelled in creating complex harmonies and melodies, leaving a lasting impact on sacred music. His compositions, characterized by subtlety and restraint, continue to inspire musicians worldwide.

Deathyear: 1594

Charley Grapewin

Charley Grapewin was an American actor, born in 1869. He had a distinctive appearance and a charming personality, which served him well in over 200 film appearances, including "Alice Adams" (1935) and "Of Mice and Men" (1939), showcasing his versatility and enduring talent.

Deathyear: 1956

John Kerr (actor)

John Kerr was an American actor and lawyer, born in 1931. He appeared in numerous stage and screen productions, including the iconic 1957 film "Tea and Sympathy" alongside Deborah Kerr.

Deathyear: 2013

Bob Elliott (comedian)

Bob Elliott, born in 1923, was a beloved American comedian, actor, and screenwriter, best known for his long-running comedy duo with Ray Goulding, The Bob Elliott Show, and his roles in TV shows and films, entertaining audiences for decades with his humor and wit.

Deathyear: 2016

Vijay Arora

Vijay Arora is a renowned Indian actor, born in 1944. He has appeared in numerous films and television shows, gaining fame for his iconic roles in "Sholay" (1975) and "Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke" (1993).

Deathyear: 2007

Sanford Meisner

Sanford Meisner was a renowned American actor and coach, best known for his groundbreaking work in the development of the Meisner technique, a method of acting that emphasizes living truthfully in the moment. He founded the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City.

Deathyear: 1997

Natalie Clifford Barney

Natalie Clifford Barney was a pioneering American author, poet, and playwright who founded the Salons of the Quai Voltaire in Paris. Known for her lesbian relationships and femme-fatale mystique, she wrote several novels, plays, and poetry collections, exploring themes of love, identity, and women's rights.

Deathyear: 1972

Barry Morse

Barry Morse was a renowned Canadian actor, director, and screenwriter. Born in 1918, he is best known for his iconic role as Inspector Lewis Erskine on the TV series "Colossus: The Forbin Project" and "Space: 1999".

Deathyear: 2008

Hatuey

Hatuey was a fierce and proud Taíno tribal chief who resisted Spanish colonization in the early 16th century. He led a rebellion against the Spanish on Hispaniola, burning his own canoe to avoid capture and ultimately being killed by the Spanish in 1512.

Deathyear: 1512

Bernard Ebbers

Bernard Ebbers, a Canadian businessman, co-founded and led WorldCom, a telecommunications giant, as its CEO. He was born in 1941 in Ontario. Ebbers was convicted of conspiracy and securities fraud in 2005, serving seven years in prison for his role in the company's massive accounting scandal.

Deathyear: 2020

Carl Friedrich Goerdeler

Carl Friedrich Goerdeler, a German economist and politician, was born in 1884. He was a mayor of Leipzig and a vocal critic of Nazism, attempting to assassinate Adolf Hitler in 1944. He was executed in 1945 for his role in the plot.

Deathyear: 1945

Marija Gimbutas

Marija Gimbutas (1921-1994) was a renowned Lithuanian-American archaeologist and feminist scholar. Her groundbreaking research focused on ancient societies, particularly the Neolithic cultures of Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean.

Deathyear: 1994

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (1372-1448 CE) was a renowned Egyptian jurist and scholar. He wrote extensively on hadith and Islamic law, leaving a lasting legacy in the fields of fiqh and tafsir. His most famous work is the 12-volume commentary on the hadith collection, "Fath al-Bari".

Deathyear: 1448

Paul Baloff

Paul Baloff, known for his powerful vocals and energetic stage presence, was an American singer-songwriter born in 1960. He was the lead vocalist of the thrash metal band Exodus from 1983 to 1986 and later fronted the bands Power/Metal and Heir Apparent.

Deathyear: 2002

Gaston, Duke of Orléans

Gaston, Duke of Orléans, was a French nobleman and younger brother of King Louis XIII. Known for his charm, generosity, and libertine lifestyle, Gaston was a prominent figure in 17th-century French politics, involved in several plots against the monarch and sparking a rivalry with his brother.

Deathyear: 1660

Imre Lakatos

Imre Lakatos was a Hungarian-English mathematician and philosopher born in 1922. He made significant contributions to mathematics, logic, and philosophy, particularly in the fields of mathematics education and the philosophy of science.

Deathyear: 1974

Racek Kobyla of Dvorce

Racek Kobyla od Dvorce was a Bohemian landowner during the Late Middle Ages. His castle was left to his widow, Anna.

Deathyear: 1416

Letizia Bonaparte

Letizia Ramolino was a renowned Italian noblewoman born in 1750. She was the mother of Napoleon Bonaparte and married to Carlo Buonaparte. She played a significant role in her son's early life, shaping his ambitions and fostering his ambition to rise to power.

Deathyear: 1836

Margaret John

Margaret John was a renowned Welsh actress, born in 1926. She was known for her versatility and range, appearing in numerous stage productions, films, and television shows. She won several awards for her performances, including a BAFTA Cymru Lifetime Achievement Award.

Deathyear: 2011

Guillaume de l'Hôpital

Guillaume-François Antoine, Marquis de l'Hôpital, a renowned French mathematician and academic, was born in 1661. He made significant contributions to calculus, particularly deriving the general method of finding the gradient, now known as "l'Hôpital's rule". His work had a profound impact on the development of mathematics.

Deathyear: 1704

Baldassare Castiglione

Baldassare Castiglione (1478-1529) was an Italian soldier and diplomat. He served as an ambassador for the Holy Roman Emperor, fought bravely in the Italian Wars, and was known for his diplomatic skills and military prowess. His reputation as a noble and chivalrous warrior endures.

Deathyear: 1529

Pope Clement XIII

Pope Clement XIII (1693-1769) was a Polish-born priest who became the 247th Pope in 1758. He was a strong advocate for the Church's independence from secular authority and defended the Society of Jesus against suppression.

Deathyear: 1769

The Jacka

The Jacka, a renowned American rapper and producer, was born in 1977. Known for his lyrical dexterity and flow, he rose to prominence in the Bay Area hip-hop scene. He collaborated with prominent artists and released several albums, showcasing his talent and leaving a lasting impact on the genre.

Deathyear: 2015

Joan, Lady of Wales

Joan, Lady of Wales, was the daughter of King Owen ab Einion, a powerful Welsh noble. In 1258, she married Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, Prince of Wales, and became the Princess of Wales. Their marriage strengthened the bond between Wales and the English monarchy.

Deathyear: 1237

Bert Parks

Bert Parks was a legendary American actor, singer, and television personality, best known for hosting the Miss America pageant's telecast from 1955 to 1980. Born in 1914, he was a charismatic emcee, crooner, and pop culture icon, entertaining millions with his warm smile and velvety voice.

Deathyear: 1992

Constantin Carathéodory

Constantin Carathéodory, a renowned Greek mathematician, was born in Berlin in 1873. He made significant contributions to functional analysis, differential geometry, and the calculus of variations. He taught at the University of Munich and was a prominent figure in the development of modern mathematics.

Deathyear: 1950

Daniil Kharms

Daniil Kharms was a Russian poet, playwright, and writer, born in 1905. His works often blended absurdity, surrealism, and dark humor, exploring themes of mortality, existence, and the absurdity of human life. His writing style was unorthodox, innovative, and provocative, earning him cult fame in Russia.

Deathyear: 1942