June 3 birthdays and deaths:
Famous people who died on June 3:
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, the legendary American boxer, was born Cassius Clay in 1942. Known for his quick wit and powerful punches, Ali became a three-time heavyweight champion, inspiring millions with his charming personality and vocal activism against racism and war.
Deathyear: 2016
Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka was a Czech-Austrian author known for his distinctive and often surreal writing style. Born in Prague in 1883, Kafka's works include "The Metamorphosis," "The Trial," and "The Castle."
Deathyear: 1924
David Carradine
David Carradine was an American actor born on December 8, 1936. He gained fame for his iconic roles in TV series "Kung Fu" and films like "A Bridge Too Far" and "Kill Bill." Known for his distinctive voice and acting versatility, Carradine passed away on June 3, 2009.
Deathyear: 2009
Ruhollah Khomeini
Ruhollah Khomeini was a prominent Shia cleric and Iranian politician who played a crucial role in the 1979 Iranian Revolution. He served as the first Supreme Leader of Iran from 1979 until his death in 1989, shaping the country's Islamic republic and cementing his legacy as a powerful figure in modern Iran.
Deathyear: 1989
Rue McClanahan
Rue McClanahan was a talented American actress, born on February 21, 1934. She is best known for her iconic role as Blanche Devereaux on the hit TV series "The Golden Girls." Throughout her career, she received numerous awards and nominations for her outstanding performances.
Deathyear: 2010
James Arness
James Arness, an American actor and producer, is best known for his iconic role as Marshal Matt Dillon in the long-running TV series "Gunsmoke" (1955-1975).
Deathyear: 2011
Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn was a Mexican-American actor and producer, born Antonio Ruffino Quiñones y Rio in Chihuahua, Mexico in 1915. He won two Oscars for Best Supporting Actor for "Viva Zapata!" and "Lust for Life," known for his rugged, charismatic on-screen presence and iconic roles in iconic films.
Deathyear: 2001
Jack Kevorkian
Jack Kevorkian, also known as "Dr. Death," was an American pathologist, author, and activist who advocated for assisted suicide. He was convicted of second-degree murder for administering a lethal injection to a terminally ill patient, and spent 8 years in prison.
Deathyear: 2011
Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII, born Angelo Roncalli in 1881, was a compassionate and reform-minded pope who served from 1958-1963. He convened the Second Vatican Council, known as Vatican II, aimed at modernizing the Catholic Church and promoting ecumenism and social justice.
Deathyear: 1963
F. Lee Bailey
F. Lee Bailey is a renowned American attorney, born in 1933. He is famous for his high-profile defense of celebrities and criminals, including George Jackson, Angela Davis, and the Boston Strangler, Albert DeSalvo. His unique defense strategies and charismatic courtroom presence have earned him numerous accolades.
Deathyear: 2021
Will Sampson
Will Sampson was a prolific American actor and painter, born in 1933. He appeared in over 100 films and television shows, including "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "The Little Dragons." He was also a skilled painter, known for his vibrant and expressive works of art.
Deathyear: 1987
Roberto Rossellini
Roberto Rossellini was a pioneering Italian director and screenwriter, known for his neorealist style and films such as "Rome, Open City" (1945) and "Stromboli" (1950). His contributions to international cinema earned him numerous awards, including the Golden Lion and the Palme d'Or.
Deathyear: 1977
Katia and Maurice Krafft
Katia Krafft was a renowned French volcanologist and geologist, born in 1942. She spent decades studying volcanic eruptions, became one of the first women to reach the summit of Mount St. Helens, and died in the 1991 Mount Unzen eruption while documenting its deadly pyroclastic flows.
Deathyear: 1991
Katia and Maurice Krafft
Maurice Krafft, a renowned French volcanologist and geologist, was born in 1946. He was known for his groundbreaking work on volcanoes, studying eruptions and lava flows, and his TV show "Voyages sous-marin" showcased his underwater discoveries.
Deathyear: 1991
William Russell (English actor)
William Russell is a renowned English actor born in 1924, with a career spanning over seven decades. He has appeared in numerous stage and screen productions, earning numerous awards and nominations, including an Emmy nomination for "Casualty".
Deathyear: 2024
Johann Strauss II
Johann Strauss II, the Waltz King, was an Austrian composer and conductor of the Romantic era. He wrote over 150 waltzes, polkas, and marches, captivating audiences with his elegant and lively compositions, including the famous "Blue Danube Waltz".
Deathyear: 1899
Andrew Gold
Andrew Gold was a talented American singer, songwriter, musician, and arranger, born in 1951. He gained fame as a solo artist and as a member of the folk-rock band Linda Ronstadt & the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, known for his distinctive voice and hit songs like "Lonely Boy" and "Humble Hero".
Deathyear: 2011
Georges Bizet
Georges Bizet was a French composer and pianist, born in 1838. He is best known for his opera "Carmen", which premiered in 1875 and has since become an iconic work in the opera repertoire.
Deathyear: 1875
Hjalmar Schacht
Hjalmar Schacht was a Danish-German economist, banker, and politician. He worked as the President of the Reichsbank and the Minister of Economics during the rise of Nazi Germany. His economic policies and banking practices were criticized for enabling the Nazi war effort.
Deathyear: 1970
Stephen A. Douglas
Stephen A. Douglas was a prominent American lawyer and politician born in 1813. He served as the 7th Secretary of State of Illinois and was a leading figure in the Democratic Party, running for President in 1860.
Deathyear: 1861
Mikhail Kalinin
Mikhail Kalinin, a Russian civil servant and politician, served as the Chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee from 1918 to 1946.
Deathyear: 1946
Ozzie Nelson
Ozzie Nelson was a legendary American actor, singer, and bandleader, best known for his hit TV show "The Ozzie & Harriet Show" with his real-life family. He led his popular orchestra, entertaining millions, and was a pioneer of clean entertainment on television.
Deathyear: 1975
William Harvey
William Harvey (1578-1657) was an English physician and academic who made significant contributions to medicine. He is credited with discovering the circulatory system, explaining blood circulation, and establishing the concept of blood flow through the heart.
Deathyear: 1657
Robert Noyce
Robert Noyce was a pioneering physicist and entrepreneur who co-founded Intel Corporation in 1968. Born in 1927, Noyce made significant contributions to the development of the microchip and transistors.
Deathyear: 1990
Anna Neagle
Anna Neagle was a renowned English actress and singer, born Anna Söderberg in 1904. Her impressive career spanned over three decades, with hits like "Poldark" and "Maytime." She was a favorite of the British public, earning her title as the "British Elizabeth Taylor."
Deathyear: 1986
Robert Morley
Robert Morley was a renowned English actor and screenwriter, born in 1908. He was known for his distinctive voice and authoritative presence on screen, starring in iconic films like "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" (1949) and "The Golden Hawk" (1952).
Deathyear: 1992
Gopinath Munde
Here is a 40-word write-up about Gopinath Munde: Gopinath Munde was a prominent Indian politician who served as the 3rd Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Born in 1949, Munde was a stalwart of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and held various ministerial positions, including Agriculture and Parliamentary Affairs.
Deathyear: 2014
Sanada Yukimura
Sanada Yukimura was a renowned Japanese samurai born in 1567. He was the leader of the Sanada clan and a key figure in the Siege of Osaka. Known for his bravery and leadership, he was nicknamed "The Last Samurai" and became a legendary figure in Japanese history.
Deathyear: 1615
Nâzım Hikmet
Nâzım Hikmet was a renowned Turkish poet, author, and playwright, born in 1902. His works often explored themes of love, politics, and social justice. He was imprisoned and exiled for his communist beliefs, yet continued to write until his death in 1963. His poetry remains a powerful symbol of Turkish literature.
Deathyear: 1963
Lew Wasserman
Lew Wasserman was a renowned American talent agent and manager, co-founding MCA (Music Corporation of America) in 1925. He revolutionized the entertainment industry by creating a massive talent agency and management company, representing iconic stars like Marilyn Monroe and Alfred Hitchcock.
Deathyear: 2002
Eisaku Satō
Eisaku Satō was a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 1964 to 1972. He was a Liberal Democratic Party leader and promoted the Double-Ticket System, a policy that bundled unrelated projects with popular, high-profile infrastructure projects.
Deathyear: 1975
Frank Lautenberg
Frank Lautenberg, a World War II veteran, served in the U.S. Senate from 1982 to 2001 and was a champion of consumer protection, workers' rights, and environmental causes. He was also a pioneer for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights.
Deathyear: 2013
Koko Taylor
Koko Taylor, the "Queen of the Chicago Blues," was a legendary American singer and blues musician who rose to fame in the 1960s. Known for her powerful, soulful voice and energetic stage presence, Taylor was a revered figure in the blues genre.
Deathyear: 2009
Thomas Hutchinson (governor)
Thomas Hutchinson, a wealthy Boston merchant, served as Governor of Massachusetts from 1771-1774, advocating for imperial authority and opposing American independence. His views sparked controversy, making him a symbol of loyalism during the American Revolution.
Deathyear: 1780
Li Yuanhong
Li Yuanhong was a Chinese general and politician who served as the 2nd President of the Republic of China from 1916 to 1917. Born in 1864, he played a key role in several military campaigns and was a key figure in the early years of the Chinese Republic.
Deathyear: 1928
Dennis James
Dennis James is an American actor and game show host, born in 1917. He is best known for hosting various game shows, including "The Price is Right" and "Greensboro", and has appeared in numerous films and television shows.
Deathyear: 1997
Loukas Notaras
Loukas Notaras was the last Megas Doux of the Byzantine Empire, serving from 1453 until his death in 1454. A loyalist to the Palaiologos dynasty, he defended Constantinople against the Ottoman siege, famously uttering "Well, brothers, the end has come" after the city's fall.
Deathyear: 1453
Carol Ann Abrams
Carol Ann Abrams is an American producer, author, and academic, born in 1942. She is known for her work as a producer on numerous films and television shows, as well as her professorship at the University of Southern California.
Deathyear: 2012
Okada Izō
Okada Izō was a Japanese samurai of the late 19th century. Born in 1838, he served as a loyalist to the Tokugawa shogunate during the Meiji Restoration. He fought against the new government and ultimately died in 1869 at the Battle of Hakodate.
Deathyear: 1865
Carleton S. Coon
Carleton S. Coon (1904-1981) was a renowned American anthropologist and academic. He was a professor at Harvard University and authored influential works on human evolution and physical anthropology. His book "The Story of Man" (1954) remains a classic in the field.
Deathyear: 1981