March 23 birthdays and deaths:

Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor was a renowned actress, known for her stunning beauty, sparkling personality, and remarkable talent. With a career spanning over six decades, she won two Academy Awards and became synonymous with iconic film roles, including "National Velvet" and "Cleopatra".

Deathyear: 2011

Bhagat Singh

Bhagat Singh was an Indian revolutionary activist who fought for India's independence from British rule. Known for his bravery and strategic thinking, he led Lahore Conspiracy Case trials and executed in 1931 at the age of 23 for the shooting of a British policeman and being a revolutionary.

Deathyear: 1931

Desmond Doss

Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist, served as a medic during World War II. He single-handedly rescued numerous wounded soldiers and survived the Battle of Okinawa without firing a shot. Doss received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions, saving 75 lives and embodying his faith-driven courage.

Deathyear: 2006

Lee Kuan Yew

Lee Kuan Yew was a pioneering figure in Singapore's history. As the country's 1st Prime Minister, he led the nation to independence and transformed Singapore into a modern, prosperous nation through his visionary leadership and pragmatic policies.

Deathyear: 2015

Madeleine Albright

Madeleine Albright, a Czechoslovakian-American diplomat, was the 64th United States Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001. Born in 1937 in Prague, Czechoslovakia, she was the first female Secretary of State and only the second Cabinet member born outside the United States. She is a trailblazing figure in American politics.

Deathyear: 2022

Paul I of Russia

Paul Petrovich, grandson of Peter the Great, ruled Russia from 1796 to 1801. He implemented some progressive reforms, but his erratic and authoritarian nature led to growing discontent among the nobility and ultimately contributed to his assassination.

Deathyear: 1801

Peter Lorre

Peter Lorre, a brilliant Hungarian-born American actor, starred in iconic films like "M" (1931) and "Casablanca" (1942). Known for his distinctive voice and dramatic intensity, Lorre won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Noah in the 1955 film "Beat the Devil."

Deathyear: 1964

George Segal

George Segal, born February 13, 1934, is an American actor with a film career spanning over six decades. He appeared in numerous iconic films, such as "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", "The Owl and the Pussycat", and "Look Who's Talking".

Deathyear: 2021

Cristóbal Balenciaga

Cristóbal Balenciaga, a Spanish fashion mastermind, founded the iconic House of Balenciaga in 1919. Born in 1895, he revolutionized fashion with his avant-garde designs, freeing women from corsets and introducing irregular silhouettes, influencing generations to come.

Deathyear: 1972

Friedrich Hayek

Friedrich Hayek was a renowned Austrian-German economist, philosopher, and academic, recognized for his pioneering work in economics and philosophy. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1974 for his contributions to the field of economic science.

Deathyear: 1992

Boris Berezovsky (businessman)

Boris Berezovsky was a Russian-born Soviet-British mathematician and businessman, born in 1946. He made significant contributions to mathematics and was a prominent figure in Russian government under Boris Yeltsin.

Deathyear: 2013

Ken Howard

Ken Howard is a renowned American actor, born in 1944. He has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including "The Rockford Files" and "Jagged Edge." He has received critical acclaim for his performances, earning a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

Deathyear: 2016

Joe Weider

Joe Weider, a Canadian-American bodybuilder and entrepreneur, revolutionized the fitness industry. Co-founding the International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness, he championed the sport, establishing the Mr. Olympia competition and publishing bodybuilding magazines, inspiring generations of fitness enthusiasts and athletes.

Deathyear: 2013

Shivaram Rajguru

Shivaram Rajguru was an Indian freedom fighter and activist born in 1908. He was involved in the Indian independence movement, participating in numerous protests and resistance movements.

Deathyear: 1931

Stendhal

Mario Luigi Frezierri, aka Stendhal, was a French novelist born in 1783. He's known for his semi-autobiographical works, particularly "The Red and the Black" and "The Charterhouse of Parma", which explored themes of love, politics, and the human condition.

Deathyear: 1842

Sukhdev Thapar

Sukhdev Thapar was an Indian activist who played a key role in India's independence movement. A follower of Mahatma Gandhi, he participated in Non-Cooperation Movement and Salt March.

Deathyear: 1931

Dave Brockie

Dave Brockie was a Canadian-American singer-songwriter and bassist, best known as the frontman of the heavy metal band Gwar. Born on November 30, 1963, Brockie was known for his outrageous stage presence and dark humor, and played bass for the band from 1984 until his death in 2014.

Deathyear: 2014

Peter of Castile

Peter I of Castile and León (1334-1369) was a skilled diplomat and military leader who expanded the kingdom's borders through strategic marriages and conquests. He defeated the kingdom of Portugal, and his reign saw a period of cultural and economic growth in Castile.

Deathyear: 1369

Lil' Chris

Lil' Chris, born Christopher Hardwick in 1990, is a UK-based singer-songwriter, actor, and TV personality. He rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits like "Gettin' Girl" and "New Line in You". He's also appeared on British TV shows, showcasing his versatile talents.

Deathyear: 2015

Giulietta Masina

Giulietta Masina was a renowned Italian actress, cherished for her captivating on-screen presence. Born in Bergamo in 1921, she gained international acclaim for her roles in Federico Fellini's films, particularly in "La Strada" and "8 1/2", cementing her status as a cinematic icon.

Deathyear: 1994

Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta

Luis Donaldo Colosio was a Mexican economist and politician born on November 10, 1950. He served as the General Secretary of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and was the presidential candidate in the 1994 Mexican general election, but tragically assassinated on March 21, 1994.

Deathyear: 1994

Mike Hailwood

Mike Hailwood, a British motorcycle racing legend, won 14 Grand Prix events, 23 TT victories, and 9 World Championships. He also enjoyed sports car racing and competed in Formula One. Known as "Mike the Bike," Hailwood is remembered for his exceptional skill and bravery on the track.

Deathyear: 1981

Adolfo Suárez

Adolfo Suárez, a pioneering figure in Spanish politics, served as the country's first democratically elected Prime Minister from 1976 to 1981. A lawyer by profession, he played a crucial role in Spain's transition to democracy following the death of Francisco Franco.

Deathyear: 2014

Nadar

Nadar, born Gaspard-Félix Tournachon, was a pioneering French photographer, journalist, and writer. By 1860, he had over 300,000 photographs taken, documenting ordinary life, architecture, and key events.

Deathyear: 1910

Said Nursî

Said Nursî was a Turkish theologian and scholar born in 1878. He was a prominent Sunni Islamic scholar who developed a unique understanding of Islam, blending philosophical and mystical elements.

Deathyear: 1960

Nicolas Fouquet

Nicolas Fouquet, a French politician, was born in 1615. He served as the Superintendent of Finances under King Louis XIV, but his lavish lifestyle and extravagance led to his downfall. He was imprisoned in the Castle of Pignerol and died in 1680.

Deathyear: 1680

Gilbert N. Lewis

Gilbert N. Lewis, a prominent American chemist, was born in 1875. He is known for his work on the Lewis acid-base theory, the concept of acid and base, and the Lewis structure, which represents the arrangement of electrons in a molecule.

Deathyear: 1946

Pope Julius III

Pope Julius III (1550-1555) was a Medici politician-bishop who reigned during a period of Church reform. As a cardinal, he was known for his lavish lifestyle. His pontificate was marked by internal struggles and controversies, including the attempted abolition of the Index of Prohibited Books.

Deathyear: 1555

Davie Cooper

Davie Cooper was a Scottish footballer who played for Aberdeen and Motherwell, scoring 100 goals in 427 games. He also managed Montrose and was a respected coach, worked as an assistant manager at Hibernian and Falkirk, earning him the nickname "The Professor" due to his tactical awareness.

Deathyear: 1995

Richard Beeching

Richard Beeching, Baron Beeching, was a renowned English physicist and engineer, born in 1913. He is best known for his work at the Ministry of Transport, where he implemented significant changes to the UK's railway system, leading to the 1963 Beeching Report, a landmark document that restructured the industry.

Deathyear: 1985

Raoul Dufy

Raoul Dufy, a French painter and illustrator, was born in 1877. He was part of the Fauvist movement, characterized by vivid colors and bold brushstrokes. Dufy's works often depicted themes of leisure, such as yachting and dancing, showcasing his fascination with the modern world.

Deathyear: 1953

Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed

Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, a skilled politician, served as the President of Somalia from 2004 to 2008. Born in 1934, he played a key role in the country's transition from dictatorship to democracy. He advocated for stability and security, despite challenges posed by the country's civil war.

Deathyear: 2012

Ben Hollioake

Ben Hollioake was an Australian-English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Surrey and the England Test team from 1997 to 2000. He was a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler, capped five times by England, scoring 142 runs and taking 12 wickets.

Deathyear: 2002

Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster

Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, Lord High Steward of England, was a prominent English politician and nobleman. Born in 1310, he served as a military leader and diplomat during the Hundred Years' War, playing a key role in the Anglo-French conflict.

Deathyear: 1361

Moshe Feinstein

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986) was a renowned American Orthodox Rabbi and posek. He was a leading authority on Jewish law and ethics, and his responsa (halachic opinions) were widely respected.

Deathyear: 1986

Mae Murray

Mae Murray, known as "The Goddess of the Silver Screen," was an American actress, dancer, producer, and screenwriter born in 1885. She was a popular silent film star, known for her stunning beauty and captivating performances in films like "The Affairs of Anatol" and "Sternberg Trilogy".

Deathyear: 1965