June 15 birthdays and deaths:

James Hunt

James Hunt, a flamboyant and charismatic English racing driver, won the 1976 Formula One World Championship with Hesketh Racing. He transitioned to television, hosting several auto racing shows, including "Superstars" and "F1 Racing" before passing away in 1993.

Deathyear: 1993

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) was a renowned American singer and actress, considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of all time. Known for her pure, clear tone and impressive technical facility, she won 13 Grammy Awards and collaborated with top musicians, including Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.

Deathyear: 1996

Glenda Jackson

Glenda Jackson is a renowned English actress and politician, born in 1936. She has won numerous awards for her film and stage work, including two Academy Awards, and has served as a Labour Party member of parliament since 1992.

Deathyear: 2023

James K. Polk

James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States, served from 1845 to 1849. A lawyer and politician, he was born in 1795. He oversaw the settlement of the Mexican-American War and signed the Oregon Treaty, expanding the country to the Pacific Ocean.

Deathyear: 1849

Casey Kasem

Casey Kasem was a renowned radio host, producer, and voice actor, best known for co-creating the popular music countdown show "American Top 40." Born in 1932, Kasem's warm and witty personality made him a beloved figure in American entertainment.

Deathyear: 2014

Frederick III, German Emperor

Frederick III, German Emperor, was born on October 18, 1831. He was the eldest son of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria of Great Britain. He became the German Emperor in 1888, but he died of cancer just 99 days later, never having fully taken up his duties.

Deathyear: 1888

John Connally

John Connally was a prominent American figure, serving as 61st Secretary of the Treasury (1972-1974), Texas Governor (1963-1969), and U.S. Secretary of the Navy (1961-1965).

Deathyear: 1993

Hume Cronyn

Hume Cronyn was a renowned Canadian-American actor, born on July 15, 1911. He was known for his versatility and played memorable roles in film and television, earning multiple award nominations, including an Emmy and a Tony Award.

Deathyear: 2003

Murad I

Murad I, the Saltan of the Ottoman Empire from 1359-1389, was a prominent military leader who expanded Ottoman territories through conquests. He defeated the Byzantines, Turks, and Serbs, strengthening the empire's borders and shaping its future as a dominant power in the region.

Deathyear: 1389

Franco Zeffirelli

Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli is renowned for his lyrical and visually stunning productions. Born in 1923, he is best known for his iconic film adaptations of Shakespeare's plays, particularly "Romeo and Juliet" (1968) and "Hamlet" (1990), showcasing his mastery of opera and cinematic storytelling.

Deathyear: 2019

Kirk Kerkorian

Kirk Kerkorian was a successful American businessman, founder of Tracinda Corporation, and self-made billionaire. Born in 1917, he made his fortune through shrewd investments and wise business deals, amassing a net worth of over $4 billion.

Deathyear: 2015

Minamoto no Yoshitsune

Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-1189) was a legendary Japanese general who played a crucial role in the Genpei War. He is renowned for his military genius, bravery, and loyalty. Under his leadership, the Minamoto clan won decisive battles, leading to their victory in the war.

Deathyear: 1189

Wes Montgomery

Wes Montgomery, an American guitarist and songwriter, was born on June 20, 1925. He is known for his unique improvisational style, which features melodic and harmonic complexity.

Deathyear: 1968

Mihai Eminescu

Mihai Eminescu was a renowned Romanian writer, journalist, and poet. Born in 1850, he is considered one of Romania's greatest literary figures. Eminescu's works, including his poetry, novellas, and articles, are renowned for their innovative language and exploration of Romanian identity.

Deathyear: 1889

Philip the Good

Philip III, Duke of Burgundy, was born in 1396 and ruled from 1419 to 1467. He was a skilled military leader who fought extensively in France and Italy, expanding the Burgundian territories and establishing a strong foundation for his dynasty.

Deathyear: 1467

Wat Tyler

Wat Tyler, a rebellious yeoman, led the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, which protested labor conditions, taxes, and serfdom. Frustrated by poverty and oppression, Tyler rallied commoners to demand better lives, ultimately resulting in the execution of key officials, including the Lord Chancellor, and some reform.

Deathyear: 1381

Robert I of France

Robert I of France, also known as Robert the Old, was the King of West Francia and Duke of Normandy from 922 to 923. He was the father of Hugh the Great and the grandfather of Hugh Capet, the founder of the Capetian dynasty.

Deathyear: 923

Meredith Willson

Meredith Willson, a pioneering American playwright, composer, and conductor, wrote the iconic musical "The Music Man" (1957), starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. Born in 1902, Willson's innovative work blended wit, satire, and heartfelt storytelling, earning him a Tony Award in 1958.

Deathyear: 1984

Dick Murdoch

Dick Murdoch, an American wrestler, was born in 1946. He had a successful wrestling career, competing in various promotions, including the National Wrestling Alliance and World Class Championship Wrestling. Murdoch was known for his charismatic persona and feuds with legendary wrestlers like Terry Funk and Bruiser Brody.

Deathyear: 1996

Daniel Keyes

Daniel Keyes is a prominent American author, born in 1927. His works often explore humanity's relationship with technology and the human condition. His notable novels include "Flowers for Algernon" and "The Minds of Billy Milligan", which have won numerous awards and been adapted into films.

Deathyear: 2014

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner was a German painter, printmaker, and illustrator born in 1880. He was a founder of the Bridget group, an avant-garde art movement in the early 20th century. Kirchner's work often featured abstracted, primitivist forms and themes of anxiety, ugliness, and human suffering.

Deathyear: 1938

Jacques Bergerac

Jacques Bergerac was a French actor, businessman, and husband of actress Irene Handl. Born in 1927, he gained fame for his roles in British TV series, particularly in "Danger Man" and "The Avengers". He also owned a cosmetics chain in the UK.

Deathyear: 2014

Matt "Guitar" Murphy

Matt "Guitar" Murphy, an American blues guitarist and singer, was born in 1929. He played with blues legends like Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Deathyear: 2018

Happy Chandler

Happy Chandler, a Kentucky businessman and politician, served as the 49th Governor of Kentucky from 1955 to 1959. With a strong personality, he oversaw numerous infrastructure projects and championed Kentucky's basketball teams.

Deathyear: 1991

John Vincent Atanasoff

John Vincent Atanasoff, a pioneering American physicist and inventor, conceived and partly built the first electronic computer, the Atanasoff-Berry Computer, in 1939. Born in 1903, Atanasoff's innovative work in electromechanical calculators and electrical engineering laid the groundwork for modern computer technology.

Deathyear: 1995

Lazar of Serbia

Lazar of Serbia, born in 1329, was a Serbian prince and temporary ruler of the Serbian Empire. He played a key role in the Battle of Kosovo Polje in 1389, a turning point in Serbian-Ottoman relations.

Deathyear: 1389

Andronikos III Palaiologos

Andronikos III Palaiologos (1297-1341) was a Byzantine emperor who ruled from 1328 to 1341. He overthrew his father, Andronikos II, and implemented significant reforms, strengthening the Byzantine Empire's military and administrative systems.

Deathyear: 1341

Ray McAnally

Ray McAnally (born 1926) is an Irish actor who has enjoyed a distinguished career on stage and screen. His notable roles include his portrayal of Francisco Goya in the biographical drama "Goya" (1999) and Sheriff Berrigan in the TV series "Royal Pain" (2007).

Deathyear: 1989

John VI Kantakouzenos

John VI Kantakouzenos (1292-1383) was a Byzantine emperor who ruled from 1347-1354. He was a clever and cunning leader who fought to regain power after his overthrow, eventually crowning himself emperor once more and ruling until his death.

Deathyear: 1383

Lois Duncan

Lois Duncan was a renowned American author born in 1934, known for her captivating young adult novels, often blending mystery, suspense, and teenage drama. Her acclaimed works, such as "I Know What You Did Last Summer," have gained popularity worldwide.

Deathyear: 2016

Miloš Obilić

Miloš Obilić was a legendary Serbian knight who slew Turkish Sultan Murad I at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389. He became a symbol of Serbian nationalism and heroism, and his bravery is still celebrated in Serbian folklore and literature.

Deathyear: 1389

Theophanu

Theophanu, a Byzantine princess, married Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor in 972. Born in 955, she was the daughter of Constantine VIII. Her marriage strengthened the relationship between the Byzantine and Holy Roman Empires.

Deathyear: 991

Sir Fitzroy Maclean, 1st Baronet

Sir Fitzroy Maclean, a Scottish general and politician, distinguished himself in World War II, leading the Special Intervention Regiment in North Africa and Italy. He later served as a British MP and Baronet, known for his bravery, wit, and passion for Highland culture.

Deathyear: 1996

Brett Whiteley

Brett Whiteley (1939-1992) was a renowned Australian painter known for his expressive and emotive works of art. His bold use of color and loose brushstrokes captured the essence of everyday Australian life, landscapes, and cultural icons, cementing his status as a national art treasure.

Deathyear: 1992

Choi Hong-hi

Choi Hong Hi, a Korean general and martial artist, is credited with developing Taekwondo, a martial art of self-defense. Born in 1918, Choi combined elements of traditional Korean martial arts with modern ideas to create Taekwondo, which has since become a global phenomenon.

Deathyear: 2002

Bill Haast

Bill Haast, a renowned American herpetologist, was born in 1910. He was an academic expert in reptilian biology, specifically focusing on venomous snakes. Haast is credited with developing groundbreaking methods for breeding and handling venomous snakes.

Deathyear: 2011

W. Arthur Lewis

Arthur Lewis, a renowned Saint Lucian economist and academic, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979. Born in 1915, Lewis made significant contributions to the field of economics, particularly in his work on economic development and growth in developing countries.

Deathyear: 1991

John, Duke of Berry

John, Duke of Berry (1340-1416), was a younger brother of King Charles V of France. He played a significant role in the government of France and was known for his patronage of the arts, commissioning many illuminated manuscripts and supporting famous artists such as Bourdeille and Fouquet.

Deathyear: 1416

Sam Crawford

Sam Crawford was a renowned American baseball player, coach, and umpire who played from 1899 to 1917. He won two championships with the Detroit Tigers and holds the record for most triples in Major League Baseball history.

Deathyear: 1968

Evelyn Underhill

Evelyn Underhill was a British mystic, author, and Anglican theologian. She wrote extensively on spirituality and mysticism, inspiring countless souls. Her best-known work, "Mysticism" (1911), remains a classic in the field, offering a comprehensive overview of mystical thought and experience.

Deathyear: 1941

Romanos I Lekapenos

Romanos I Lekapenos was a Byzantine Emperor who ruled from 920 to 944. He was a eunuch who rose through the imperial administrative ranks, marrying Empress Theodora II and eventually overthrowing her husband Emperor Constantine VII.

Deathyear: 948

Kenneth G. Wilson

Kenneth Geddes Wilson is a renowned American physicist and academic who pioneered research in quantum field theory and the renormalization group. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1982 for his groundbreaking work on the Wilsonian renormalization group.

Deathyear: 2013

Manos Hatzidakis

Manos Hatzidakis was a renowned Greek composer and music theorist, born in 1925. He made significant contributions to Greek music, creating iconic film scores and compositions that blended traditional and modern elements. His work continues to influence contemporary Greek music.

Deathyear: 1994