June 29 birthdays and deaths:

Jayne Mansfield

Jayne Mansfield was a provocative and talented American actress, known for her blonde bombshell persona. Born in 1933, she starred in films like "The Girl Can't Help It" and "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?", earning a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.

Deathyear: 1967

Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Hepburn was a legendary American actress known for her feisty spirit and iconic roles in films like "The Philadelphia Story" and "The Lion in Winter". She won a record four Academy Awards for Best Actress and was nominated for a total of 12 times.

Deathyear: 2003

Alan Arkin

Alan Arkin is a renowned American actor, born in 1934, with a career spanning over six decades. He has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, earning multiple awards and nominations, including an Oscar for his role in "Little Miss Sunshine."

Deathyear: 2023

Rosemary Clooney

Rosemary Clooney was a legendary American singer and actress, known for her smooth, velvety voice and charming stage presence. With a career spanning over six decades, she won numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Deathyear: 2002

Carl Reiner

Carl Reiner is a legendary Hollywood figure, renowned for his work on beloved TV shows and films. As a writer, director, producer, and actor, he's crafted timeless classics like "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "All in the Family," earning multiple Emmy and Grammy awards along the way.

Deathyear: 2020

Lana Turner

Lana Turner, the "Sweater Girl," was a Hollywood legend who reigned supreme during the 1940s and 1950s. With her sultry eyes and wholesome charm, Turner starred in classics like "Pillow Talk" and "The Postman Always Rings Twice," earning an Oscar nomination and cementing her status as a Golden Age icon.

Deathyear: 1995

Donald Rumsfeld

Donald Rumsfeld, a renowned American politician, served as the 13th United States Secretary of Defense from 2001 to 2006. Born in 1932, Rumsfeld began his career as a naval aviator, later becoming a successful businessman and policy-maker. His tenure at the Department of Defense was marked by controversies surrounding the Iraq War.

Deathyear: 2021

Bob Crane

Bob Crane was an American actor, best known for his iconic role as Colonel Robert G. Hogan in the 1960s TV series "Hogan's Heroes." With his charming smile and quick wit, he won the hearts of audiences everywhere. He was born on July 13, 1928.

Deathyear: 1978

Lady Margaret Beaufort

Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and Derby (1443-1509), was a Lancastrian claimant to the English throne. She married four times, including to John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln, and fathered Henry VII, who conquered Richard III at Bosworth Field, becoming King Henry VII of England.

Deathyear: 1509

Roscoe Arbuckle

Roscoe Arbuckle, known for his "Fatty" character, was a pioneering comedian, actor, director, and screenwriter. Born in 1887, he was one of the most popular and highest-paid performers in the early days of cinema, starring in over 150 films before his untimely death in 1936.

Deathyear: 1933

Tim Buckley

Tim Buckley was a talented American singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his poetic lyrics and soaring vocals. He released several critically acclaimed albums in the late 1960s and early 1970s before his untimely death at age 28.

Deathyear: 1975

Steve Ditko

Steve Ditko was a pioneering American comic book writer and illustrator, known for his unique visual style and eccentric storytelling. He co-created the iconic characters Mr. A and Spider-Man with Stan Lee, and went on to create the influential series Mr. A and the Monitor.

Deathyear: 2018

Henry Clay

Henry Clay (1777-1852) was a prominent American lawyer and statesman. He served as Secretary of State (1825-1829), Speaker of the House (1811-1814, 1815-1820), and Senate Majority Leader (1832-1837).

Deathyear: 1852

Moctezuma II

Moctezuma II, the ninth Aztec emperor (1466-1520), ruled from 1502 to 1520, presiding over a period of significant cultural and military expansion. He is best known for his tragic downfall, resisting the Spanish conquest led by Hernán Cortés, eventually falling at his own hands.

Deathyear: 1520

Ferdinand I of Austria

Ferdinand I of Austria, born in 1793, became the Archduke of Austria and later Emperor of Austria-Hungary in 1835. He was a cautious and conservative leader who sought to maintain the status quo, rather than introducing significant reforms.

Deathyear: 1875

Paul Klee

Paul Klee, a Swiss-German painter and illustrator, was born in 1879. He blended elements of Expressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism in his vibrant, imaginative works, often incorporating watercolors, ink, and collage.

Deathyear: 1940

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a renowned English poet and translator. Born in 1806, she was known for her passionate sonnets, particularly "Sonnets from the Portuguese", which express her deep love for her husband, Robert Browning. Her work is still widely studied and admired today.

Deathyear: 1861

William Hickey (actor)

William Hickey was an American actor, born in 1927, known for his distinctive voice and versatility in film, television, and theater. He appeared in over 170 films and TV shows, including "Prick Up Your Ears," "Blade," and "Fish Unlimited," earning an Oscar nomination for his performance in "Prick Up Your Ears."

Deathyear: 1997

Héctor Lavoe

Héctor Lavoe was a legendary Puerto Rican-American singer-songwriter, known as the "Dean of Salsa". Born in 1946, he revolutionized Latin music with his powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, leading the Fania All-Stars and enjoying a successful solo career before his untimely passing in 1993.

Deathyear: 1993

Lowell George

Lowell George, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer, founded the band Little Feat and achieved fame with his unique blend of country, rock, and jazz. He released several successful albums, including his solo work, before his untimely death in 1979.

Deathyear: 1979

Hershel W. Williams

Hershel W. Williams, a US Marine Corps warrant officer, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. As the last living Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, Williams passed away on March 28, 2021, at the age of 98.

Deathyear: 2022

Primo Carnera

Primo Carnera, a heavyweight boxing champion, reigned from 1932 to 1934. Born in Pisek, Italy in 1906, he fought many notable opponents before retiring in 1936. He pursued an acting career, appearing in several films, including "Quo Vadis".

Deathyear: 1967

Thomas Henry Huxley

Thomas Henry Huxley, a prominent English biologist, was born in 1825. Known as "Darwin's Bulldog" for his advocacy of Charles Darwin's evolution theory, Huxley made significant contributions to the field of biology, including the development of comparative anatomy and the study of microscopic organisms.

Deathyear: 1895

Vittorio Gassman

Vittorio Gassman was a renowned Italian actor and director, born in 1922. He is best known for his charismatic performances in films like "Bello, Onoreve and... Guarda La Luna!", "Big Deal on Madonna Street", and "The Leopard".

Deathyear: 2000

Lucien Bonaparte

Lucien Bonaparte, French prince and diplomat, was born in 1775. He was the eldest brother of Napoleon Bonaparte and served as a senator and diplomat. He died on June 29, 1840.

Deathyear: 1840

Michael Madhusudan Dutt

Michael Madhusudan Dutt was a renowned Indian poet and playwright, known for his nuanced blend of Bengali and English influences. Born in 1824, he is considered a pioneer of Bengali literature, introducing Western forms and themes to Indian poetry. His works showcased his nationalistic sentiments and poetic mastery.

Deathyear: 1873

Eric Dolphy

Eric Dolphy was a groundbreaking American saxophonist, composer, and bandleader, known for his virtuosic runs and harmonic improvisations. With a distinctive tone and rapid-fire phrasing, Dolphy's innovative style merged post-bop with free jazz, influencing generations of musicians.

Deathyear: 1964

Moïse Tshombe

Moise Tshombe was a Congolese accountant and politician who served as Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1964 to 1965. Born in 1919, Tshombe played a significant role in Congo's fight for independence and later became a prominent politician in the country.

Deathyear: 1969

Pierre Balmain

Pierre Balmain, a French fashion designer, founded the luxury fashion house Balmain in 1945. Born in 1914, Balmain was known for his elegant, feminine designs and was a favorite among Hollywood stars and European aristocrats. He was also a pioneer of the "New Look" style.

Deathyear: 1982

Ignacy Jan Paderewski

Ignacy Jan Paderewski was a renowned Polish pianist, composer, and politician. Born in 1860, he excelled in music, composing several notable works, and later served as Poland's 2nd Prime Minister from 1919 to 1921, playing a significant role in the country's independence.

Deathyear: 1941

Ramon Llull

Ramon Llull, a 13th-century Spanish philosopher, mathematician, and writer, boldly advocated for the use of logic and argumentation to defend Christianity against Islam. His works, such as "The Book of the Gentile and the Three Wise Men," showcased his philosophical prowess and theological wit.

Deathyear: 1315

Allan Carr

Allan Carr, a prolific screenwriter and producer, is known for his work on iconic films like "Grease" and "Arthur." With a career spanning over five decades, Carr's expertise in comedy and drama has made him a staple in the film industry, earning him four Academy Award nominations.

Deathyear: 1999

Injury Reserve

Stepa J. Groggs is an American rap artist from Connecticut, best known for his catchy wordplay and rugged flow. Born in 1988, he has released several mixtapes and collaborated with prominent artists in the hip-hop scene, garnering a devoted following among fans.

Deathyear: 2020

Cao Pi

Cao Pi (187-226 CE) was the first emperor of the Cao Wei state, one of the Three Kingdoms of China. He succeeded his father Cao Cao and reigned from 220 to 226 CE. Notorious for his cruel and timid nature, he initiated the First War against Sun Quan and Liu Bei.

Deathyear: 226

Dave Semenko

Dave Semenko is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player known for his rugged defense and physical play. Born in 1957, he played for the Edmonton Oilers and Hartford Whalers, winning the 1985 Stanley Cup with the Oilers.

Deathyear: 2017

Hachalu Hundessa

Hachalu Hundessa is a renowned Ethiopian singer and songwriter born in 1986. Known for his soulful voice and powerful lyrics, he has become a popular figure in Ethiopian music. His songs often focus on social justice, love, and self-discovery.

Deathyear: 2020

Josef Masopust

Josef Masopust was a Czech footballer and coach, born in 1931. He played for Sparta Prague and the Czechoslovakia national team, winning the 1962 World Cup and scoring 17 goals in 63 appearances. He later coached Sparta Prague and the Czechoslovakia national team.

Deathyear: 2015

Mohamed Boudiaf

Mohamed Boudiaf was an Algerian soldier and politician who served as President of Algeria from 1962 to 1965. He played a key role in the Algerian War of Independence against French colonial rule, leading the Algerian People's Party and becoming the country's first president after independence.

Deathyear: 1992

Henry King (director)

Henry King was a renowned American filmmaker who directed, produced, and wrote many films from 1915 to 1984. He worked with legendary stars like John Wayne and Victor McLaglen, and won three Academy Awards for his work on "The Sun Shines Bright" (1953).

Deathyear: 1982