July 3 birthdays and deaths:

Jim Morrison

Jim Morrison, charismatic lead singer of The Doors, was known for his poetic lyrics, brooding stage presence, and rebellious lifestyle. His enigmatic persona and distinctive vocals captivated audiences, making him a rock 'n' roll icon and cultural phenomenon.

Deathyear: 1971

Brian Jones

Brian Jones, a founding member of the Rolling Stones, was a pioneering British musician known for his innovative guitar playing, haunting vocals, and charismatic stage presence. He was also a talented songwriter and producer, and his eclectic tastes influenced the Rolling Stones' sound.

Deathyear: 1969

Andy Griffith

Andy Griffith was an American actor, singer, and producer, best known for his starring role as Sheriff Andy Taylor in the classic TV show "The Andy Griffith Show." He also starred in the spin-off "Mayberry R.F.D." and had a successful music career.

Deathyear: 2012

Theodor Herzl

Theodor Herzl, a celebrated Austrian journalist and playwright, transformed his passion for writing into a life's mission. As a pioneer of modern political Zionism, he envisioned a Jewish state, striving to revive the ancient dream of a homeland for the Jewish people.

Deathyear: 1904

Jim Backus

Jim Backus was an American actor and voice artist, born on February 25, 1913. He was best known for his roles in "The Twilight Zone" and "Gilligan's Island," and voiced the iconic cartoon character Mr. Magoo.

Deathyear: 1989

Diana Douglas

Diana Douglas is a British-American actress, born Diana Fare Rycroft Dill in London in 1923. She is the daughter of stage actor Sir Malcolm Dudley Carew DFC and actress Beatrice Henderson.

Deathyear: 2015

Mehmed V

Mehmed V was the 35th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, reigning from 1909 to 1918. Born in 1844 to Sultan Abdülmecid I, he succeeded his brother Abdülhamid II. Known for his regal simplicity and conservative views, Mehmed V is remembered for his role in the Young Turk Revolution.

Deathyear: 1918

Marie de' Medici

Marie de' Medici, born in 1573, was a French queen consort and regent. She married King Henry IV and became queen of France. After her husband's assassination, she acted as regent for her son, King Louis XIII, and sought to expand French influence in Europe.

Deathyear: 1642

Ross Martin

Ross Martin was an American actor and director, born in 1920. He is best known for his portrayal of Bart Maverick in the TV series "Maverick" and his roles in films such as "Operation Mad Ball" and "The Glass Wall".

Deathyear: 1981

James Daly (actor)

James Daly was an American actor, known for his versatility and range. Born in 1918, he appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including "Captain Newman, M.D." and "Peyton Place". He received critical acclaim for his performances on stage and screen.

Deathyear: 1978

Don Drysdale

Don Drysdale was a dominant pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning eight All-Star nods and winning the 1962 Cy Young Award. After retiring, he transitioned to a successful broadcasting career, earning a Sports Emmy Award for his play-by-play work.

Deathyear: 1993

Saroj Khan

Saroj Khan, the legendary Indian dance choreographer, and iconic choreographer, known for her work on films like "Waqt", "Judaai", and "Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai", has left an indelible mark on Bollywood's dance landscape. She is considered one of the pioneers of Indian dance.

Deathyear: 2020

Hetty Green

Hetty Green, also known as the "Witch of Wall Street," was a prolific investor and financier who amassed a fortune through shrewd business deals and savvy investments. Born in 1834, Green was a trailblazing businesswoman who defied convention and achieved remarkable success in a male-dominated financial world.

Deathyear: 1916

Rudy Vallée

Rudy Vallée, born in 1901, was a talented American singer, saxophonist, and actor. He rose to fame in the 1920s as the "Ragtime Singing Cowboy" and had numerous hit songs, including "Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue" and "I'm Knee-Deep in a Sea of Texas."

Deathyear: 1986

Mark Sandman

Mark Sandman, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer, co-founded the alternative rock band Morphine in 1989. With his distinctive baritone voice and slide guitar, Sandman created a unique sound, characterizing the band's blend of blues, jazz, and rock. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 1990s.

Deathyear: 1999

Joel Chandler Harris

Joel Chandler Harris was a renowned American journalist and author, best known for his Uncle Remus stories, a collection of African American folktales and stories. Born in 1845, Harris was also a writer and editor for the Atlanta Constitution.

Deathyear: 1908

Pancho Gonzales

Pancho Gonzales was a trailblazing American tennis player, born in 1928. A dominant force on the court, he won 11 Grand Slam singles titles and 27 doubles titles, becoming the first player to achieve both the Career Grand Slam and the Golden Slam.

Deathyear: 1995

Abu Daoud

Abu Daoud, a Palestinian terrorist, masterminded the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, killing 11 Israeli athletes. Born in 1937, he was a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Deathyear: 2010

Gaylord Nelson

Gaylord Nelson was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 35th Governor of Wisconsin from 1959 to 1963. He was a champion of environmental causes and conservation, famously crafting Earth Day in 1970 to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainability.

Deathyear: 2005

Mordecai Richler

Mordecai Richler was a renowned Canadian novelist, screenwriter, and polemicist, known for his witty and incisive writings about Jewish identity, Quebec, and Canadian identity. His books, such as "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz", have become Canadian classics.

Deathyear: 2001

John Keel

John A. Keel was an American journalist and author, born in 1930. He wrote extensively on UFOs, Bigfoot, and other paranormal phenomena, as seen in his books "UFOs: Operation Trojan Horse" and "The Mothman Prophecies".

Deathyear: 2009

Emperor Zhongzong of Tang

Emperor Zhongzong of Tang (656-762) was the fifth emperor of the Tang dynasty. Known for his extravagance and debauchery, he repeatedly clashed with his officials and promoted his favorites to powerful positions. His reign was marked by corruption, instability, and decline in the empire's fortunes.

Deathyear: 710

Boots Randolph

Boots Randolph, a renowned American saxophonist, was born in 1927. Known for his smooth, soulful playing style, he gained fame with his song "Yakety Sax" and has worked alongside prominent musicians, including Elvis Presley and Louis Armstrong.

Deathyear: 2007

Édouard Beaupré

Édouard Beaupré, also known as "The Canadian Giant," was a lumberjack and strongman who measured 6 feet 8 inches tall. Born in 1881 in Ontario, he worked in the lumber industry and performed strength feats, including lifting massive logs and hauling entire trees uphill.

Deathyear: 1904

Hipólito Yrigoyen

Hipólito Yrigoyen, a renowned educator and politician, served as Argentina's 19th President from 1916 to 1922. Born in 1852, he was a key figure in the Radical Civic Union and promoted education, social justice, and democracy.

Deathyear: 1933

André Citroën

André Citroën, a visionary French engineer and entrepreneur, founded the Citroën Company in 1919. Born in 1878, Citroën's innovative spirit led him to develop revolutionary technologies, including the Traction Avant, marking a new era in automotive design, making him a pioneer in the French automotive industry.

Deathyear: 1935

Lew Hoad

Lew Hoad, a renowned Australian tennis player and coach, was born in 1934. He won 329 singles and 144 doubles titles, held the world number one ranking in 1952-53, and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1980.

Deathyear: 1994

Clive Hornby

Clive Hornby is a British actor and drummer, born in 1944. He's best known for his role as Jack Sugden on the ITV soap opera "Emmerdale" (formerly "Emmerdale Farm").

Deathyear: 2008

Clay Allison

Clay Allison, an American rancher, born in 1841, was a rugged individualist known for his pistol-packing and rough-riding ways. He was implicated in the killing of a sheriff and spent time in prison, but continued his lawless lifestyle until his untimely death in 1887.

Deathyear: 1887

Little Crow

Little Crow, a revered leader of the Mdewakanton Sioux, was born around 1810. He played a key role in the Dakota War of 1862, guiding his tribe through conflicts with European-Americans. His efforts led to his execution by hanging in 1863.

Deathyear: 1863