July 5 birthdays and deaths:

Ted Williams

Ted Williams, a two-time MVP, played 22 seasons with the Boston Red Sox, hitting .344 with 521 HRs and 1,831 RBIs. He also managed the Washington Senators from 1969 to 1972, becoming the first player-manager to win 90 games.

Deathyear: 2002

Richard Donner

Richard Donner is a renowned American film director, born in 1930. Known for his expertise in blockbuster movies, he has directed iconic films such as Superman, The Goonies, and Lethal Weapon, becoming a crucial figure in the world of Hollywood cinema.

Deathyear: 2021

Kenneth Lay

Kenneth Lay, co-founder of Enron, played a significant role in shaping the energy landscape. Born in 1942, Lay rose to prominence leading Enron's energy trading business, but his leadership was marred by scandals that led to the company's bankruptcy and his own resignation.

Deathyear: 2006

Katy Jurado

Katy Jurado was a Mexican actress who gained international recognition for her intense and emotive performances. Born in 1924, she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "The Bad Land" (1955) and appeared in over 100 films throughout her career.

Deathyear: 2002

Nick Cordero

Nick Cordero, a talented Canadian actor and singer, born in 1978, gained recognition for his role in the Broadway musical "Bullets Over Broadway". He also starred in TV shows like "Ellen" and "Law & Order". Cordero passed away in 2020 after a long battle with COVID-19.

Deathyear: 2020

Cy Twombly

Cy Twombly, a renowned American-Italian artist, worked primarily with oil-based paint and wax crayons. He's known for his abstract, free-flowing artwork that often resembles ancient scripts. His pieces, such as "Blackboard" (1968), are a fusion of poetry, history, and the human experience.

Deathyear: 2011

Raffaella Carrà

Raffaella Carrà is a beloved Italian entertainer, born in 1943. She's a talented singer, dancer, TV presenter, and actress. Her charisma and charm have captivated audiences for decades. Known for her bright smile and sultry dance moves, Carrà is an Italian icon, cherished by fans worldwide.

Deathyear: 2021

Porfirio Rubirosa

Porfirio Rubirosa was a charismatic Dominican notable for his impressive exploits in racing, polo, and diplomacy. Born in 1909, he effortlessly navigated the worlds of racing, polo, and international diplomacy, earning the nickname "The Last Polo Playboy."

Deathyear: 1965

Carole Landis

Carole Landis was a popular American actress of the 1930s and 1940s, known for her striking looks and charming on-screen persona. Born in 1919, she appeared in over 60 films, often playing sassy and seductive characters.

Deathyear: 1948

Bob Probert

Robert "Bob" Probert was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and radio host, born in 1965. He played over 1,000 NHL games, known for his toughness and scoring ability as a center for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks.

Deathyear: 2010

James Stockdale

James Stockdale, born in 1923, was a highly decorated American admiral who earned the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War. As a naval aviator, he survived being shot down and spent eight years in captivity. His leadership skills and courage earned him numerous awards.

Deathyear: 2005

Walter Gropius

Walter Gropius, a pioneering German-American architect, designed the John F. Kennedy Federal Building and Werkbund Exhibition. Born in 1883, Gropius founded the Bauhaus school, revolutionizing modern architecture with his innovative and functional designs, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of architecture.

Deathyear: 1969

Stamford Raffles

Here is 40 words about Stamford Raffles: Stamford Raffles, a British politician and statesman, founded modern Singapore in 1819. Born in 1781, Raffles became the Lieutenant-Governor of Java and then Bencoolen, before arriving in Singapore to establish the British trading post, paving the way for the city-state's growth.

Deathyear: 1826

John Curtin

John Curtin, a prominent Australian journalist and politician, served as the 14th Prime Minister of Australia from 1941 to 1945.

Deathyear: 1945

Nicéphore Niépce

Nicéphore Niépce, a French inventor, created the first known photograph in 1826. Born in 1765, Niépce's innovations predated the daguerreotype. He captured a view of his courtyard, which took several hours to expose. His work pioneered photography, paving the way for generations of photographers.

Deathyear: 1833

Harry James

Harry James was a renowned American trumpet player and actor, born in 1916. He rose to fame in the 1930s with his virtuosic trumpet playing and charming on-screen presence, appearing in numerous films and orchestral performances throughout his six-decade-long career.

Deathyear: 1983

Henry Johnson (World War I soldier)

Henry Johnson, a Black American sergeant, distinguished himself during World War I. On October 20, 1918, he fought off a group of German soldiers, killing four and capturing 11, despite sustaining injuries. His bravery was recognized with the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de Guerre.

Deathyear: 1929

Lewis Armistead

Lewis Armistead was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. He played a pivotal role in the Battle of Gettysburg, famously leading Pickett's Charge. Wounded and captured, Armistead died the next day, July 5, 1863.

Deathyear: 1863

Tom Mboya

Tom Mboya was a Kenyan politician who served as the country's Minister of Justice from 1963-1969. Born in 1930, Mboya was a leading figure in the country's independence movement and was murdered in 1969 at the age of 39.

Deathyear: 1969

Sid Luckman

Sid Luckman was an American football quarterback who played for the Chicago Bears (1939-1950). He won four NFL championships, was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965.

Deathyear: 1998

George Melly

George Melly was a British singer-songwriter, vocologist, and jazz singer, known for his distinctive vocal style and charismatic stage presence. He was also a prominent literary critic and social commentator, writing for The Times and other publications.

Deathyear: 2007

Leo McCarey

Leo McCarey was a renowned American filmmaker, directing and producing iconic films like "Going My Way" (1944) and "The Bells of St. Mary's" (1945). He won Best Director and Best Picture Oscars for the former.

Deathyear: 1969

Rosemary Murphy

Rosemary Murphy was an American actress known for her versatility and range. Born in 1925, she appeared in over 100 films and TV shows, including "Giant," "The Twilight Zone," and "The Waltons." She consistently delivered nuanced performances throughout her career, earning her recognition within the entertainment industry.

Deathyear: 2014

Anugrah Narayan Sinha

Anugrah Narayan Sinha, a prominent Indian lawyer and politician, served as the 1st Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. Born in 1887, he played a key role in the Indian independence movement and was a prominent figure in Bihar's politics, serving from 1937 to 1941.

Deathyear: 1957

Yoichiro Nambu

Yoichiro Nambu, a Japanese-American physicist and academic, was a Nobel laureate known for his groundbreaking work on symmetry breaking and the Higgs mechanism. Born in 1921, Nambu's research laid the foundation for many modern particle physics discoveries, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2008.

Deathyear: 2015

Amzie Strickland

Amzie Strickland was an American actress, born in 1919. She appeared in numerous television shows and films, including "The Partridge Family" and "Columbo". With a career spanning over six decades, Strickland's extensive acting experience earned her a special place in the entertainment industry.

Deathyear: 2006

Georges Bernanos

Georges Bernanos, a French Catholic writer and soldier, was born in 1888. He served in World War I and later wrote critically acclaimed novels and plays, often exploring themes of faith and morality, gaining acclaim for his unique and nuanced style.

Deathyear: 1948