March 1 birthdays and deaths:

Akira Toriyama

Akira Toriyama is a renowned Japanese manga artist, known for his distinctive art style and iconic series like Dragon Ball, Dr. Slump, and Sand Land. With a career spanning over four decades, he has become a household name in Japan and internationally.

Deathyear: 2024

Jackie Coogan

Jackie Coogan was a beloved American actor who rose to fame as a child star in the 1920s and 1930s. With his cherubic face and endearing on-screen demeanor, he starred in films like "The Kid Brother" and "Tom Sawyer" before growing up to pursue adult roles.

Deathyear: 1984

Iris Apfel

Iris Apfel is a renowned American businesswoman, interior designer, and philanthropist, known for her iconic style and eclectic flair. With a career spanning over five decades, she has captivated audiences with her wit, wisdom, and creative flair, earning international acclaim and a National Medal of Arts.

Deathyear: 2024

Jack Wild

Jack Wild was a renowned English actor, best known for his iconic role as Finger in the 1968 film 'Oliver!', earning him the Academy Juvenile Award. He went on to appear in numerous films and TV shows, solidifying his status as a beloved British screen presence.

Deathyear: 2006

Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor

Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor (1747-1790), was a German monarch who ruled the Habsburg Empire. He was a patron of the arts and sciences, and his policies aimed to reform and strengthen the empire.

Deathyear: 1792

Just Fontaine

Just Fontaine, a French footballer born in 1933, holds the record for most goals scored in a World Cup finals, with 13 goals in 1958. He played for Racing Club de Paris and was a member of the 1958 French World Cup team.

Deathyear: 2023

Andrew Breitbart

Andrew Breitbart was a conservative American journalist and publisher born in 1969. He was the founder of the conservative news site Breitbart News and was known for his provocative and controversial reporting and commentary on politics and social issues.

Deathyear: 2012

Bonnie Franklin

Bonnie Franklin was an American actress, dancer, and singer, born on January 6, 1944. She is best known for her starring role as Barbara Hatcher on the 1970s sitcom "Maude" and for her distinctive singing voice, which she showcased in various stage productions.

Deathyear: 2013

Dixie Dean

Dixie Dean was an English footballer who played as a striker for Everton and the England national team. He scored a record 349 goals in 399 games for Everton and 18 goals in 16 caps for England.

Deathyear: 1980

Joe Besser

Joe Besser, a pioneering American comedian, burst onto the scene in the 1920s with his irreverent humor and physical comedy skills. With a career spanning over 50 years, he appeared in numerous TV shows, films, and vaudeville acts, earning a reputation as a beloved entertainer.

Deathyear: 1988

Gabriele D'Annunzio

Gabriele D'Annunzio was a prominent Italian journalist and politician born in 1863. He was a fascist and nationalist, serving as Chairman of Fiume, a city in modern-day Croatia. He is known for his romantic and imaginative writing style.

Deathyear: 1938

Arthur Koestler

Arthur Koestler was a Hungarian-English journalist and author born in 1905. He wrote extensively on politics and philosophy, and his memoirs and travelogues are notable for their witty observations and insightful commentary on international politics and human nature.

Deathyear: 1983

Saint David

David was a 6th-century Welsh bishop and saint. He was a missionary and evangelist who brought Christianity to Wales. He is often referred to as the "Apostle of Wales" and is considered the patron saint of Wales. His feast day is March 1.

Deathyear: 589

Minnie Miñoso

Minnie Miñoso, a trailblazing Cuban-American baseball player and coach, was born in 1922. He played for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and others, and was the first Latin American player to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.

Deathyear: 2015

Wilhelmina Cooper

Wilhelmina Cooper was a pioneering Dutch-American model and entrepreneur, born in 1940. She founded Wilhelmina Models in 1967, revolutionizing the industry with a focus on innovative casting and talent development. Under her leadership, the agency became a premier global force in the modeling world.

Deathyear: 1980

George Herbert

George Herbert (1593-1633) was a versatile English poet, orator, and Anglican priest. He is remembered for his poetic works, including "The Temple," which showcases his mastery of metaphysics and spirituality. His poetry explores themes of faith, morality, and the human condition.

Deathyear: 1633

Homer Plessy

Homer Plessy, an African American, born in 1862 or 1863, was a political activist who challenged racial segregation in Louisiana. In the landmark case Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), he argued that separate railroad cars for whites and blacks were unconstitutional, sparking the "separate but equal" doctrine.

Deathyear: 1925

Alain Resnais

Alain Resnais was a pioneering French director, cinematographer, and screenwriter, renowned for his lyrical and philosophical films. Born in 1922, he explored themes of memory, time, and human relationships in works like "Hiroshima Mon Amour" and "Stavisky," earning him critical acclaim and influencing cinema worldwide.

Deathyear: 2014

Peter Osgood

Peter Osgood was a legendary English footballer who played for Chelsea FC from 1964 to 1974. He won numerous titles, including the European Cup, FACup, and League Cup. Osgood's clinical finishing and skill on the pitch earned him a cult hero status among Chelsea fans.

Deathyear: 2006

Joseph Christopher

Joseph Christopher, born in 1955, was a mentally ill American serial killer who murdered six people, including three children, in and around Buffalo, New York between 1977-1978. His killing spree ended when he was arrested in Missouri. He was later diagnosed with schizophrenia and is currently institutionalized.

Deathyear: 1993

Vasantdada Patil

Vasantdada Patil, an Indian politician, served as the 5th Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1978 to 1980. Born in 1917, he was a prominent figure in the Indian National Congress and played a significant role in shaping the state's politics during his tenure.

Deathyear: 1989

Mustafa Barzani

Mustafa Barzani, the legendary Kurdish national leader, was born in 1903 in the Ottoman Empire. He led the fight for Kurdish independence, first against the Ottoman Empire, then Iraq, and later against Saddam Hussein's regime, earning him the nickname "The Lion of Kurdistan".

Deathyear: 1979

Edwin H. Land

Edwin Herbert Land, born in 1909, was a pioneering American scientist and entrepreneur. He co-founded the Polaroid Corporation, revolutionizing photography with instant film technology. Land's innovative spirit and determination transformed the industry, making photography more accessible and convenient for the masses.

Deathyear: 1991

Francesco Redi

Francesco Redi, a renowned Italian physician and poet, was born in 1626. He made significant contributions to the field of medicine, inventing the first vaccine against anthrax and making groundbreaking discoveries in microbiology. He was also a talented poet, writing many successful works of literature.

Deathyear: 1697

Francisco de Almeida

Francisco de Almeida was a Portuguese soldier and explorer who led the first sustained Portuguese presence in India in the early 16th century. He founded the city of Cochin and played a key role in the Portuguese colonization of India, becoming the first Governor of Portuguese India in 1505.

Deathyear: 1510

Ayurbarwada Buyantu Khan

Ayurbarwada Buyantu Khan (1286-1368) was the third Emperor of the Yuan dynasty, ruling China from 1320-1323. He is credited with promoting Buddhism, protecting scholars, and initiating diplomatic relationships with neighboring countries.

Deathyear: 1320

Pope Leo VIII

Leo VIII, bishop of Ostia, was elected Pope in 963 AD. Known for his political skill, he secured the Holy Roman Emperor's support and strengthened the papacy. He was deposed and imprisoned by Emperor Otto I in 965.

Deathyear: 965

Kristian Digby

Kristian Digby was a British television host and director born in 1977. He hosted several shows, including "The Phone Shop" and "Big Brother's Little Brother", and directed various TV programs. Digby sadly passed away in 2006 at the age of 32 from a brain hemorrhage.

Deathyear: 2010

Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff

Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff was a Dutch-German chemist and academic who made groundbreaking discoveries in the fields of organic chemistry and stereochemistry. He was awarded the inaugural Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1901 for his pioneering work in the field.

Deathyear: 1911

Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto

Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto, a distinguished English soldier and politician, served as the 8th Governor General of Canada (1898-1904) before being appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1898.

Deathyear: 1914

Mike Willesee

Mike Willesee is a renowned Australian journalist and producer, born in 1942. He's known for his investigative reporting and documentary-making, particularly through his work on the ABC's flagship current affairs program, "This Day Tonight".

Deathyear: 2019

Bobby Timmons

Bobby Timmons was an American pianist and composer known for his unique blend of jazz and calypso. Born in 1935, he is celebrated for his work on songs like "Moanin'" and "Soul Station".

Deathyear: 1974

Alexandre Yersin

Alexandre Yersin, a Swiss-French physician and bacteriologist, discovered the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis, in 1894. His work led to a better understanding of the disease, saving countless lives. He also made significant contributions to the development of vaccination and antimicrobial therapy.

Deathyear: 1943