March 29 birthdays and deaths:

Patty Duke

Patty Duke, the American actress, was born Anna Marie Pearce in 1946. She is best known for her Oscar-winning performance in "The Miracle Worker" (1962) and her earlier stardom in the hit TV series "The Patty Duke Show" (1963-1966).

Deathyear: 2016

Louis Gossett Jr.

Louis Gossett Jr. is a renowned American actor, born on May 27, 1936. He has appeared in over 150 films and TV shows, including the Academy Award-winning "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Roots." He has been honored with multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards.

Deathyear: 2024

Agnès Varda

Agnès Varda (1928-2019) was a French film director, writer, and artist known for her innovative and poetic films exploring the human condition, family, and social issues. Her work often blended documentary and fiction elements, earning her the nickname "the mother of the French New Wave."

Deathyear: 2019

John Jacob Astor

John Jacob Astor was a German-American businessman and member of the Astor family. Born in 1763, he founded the American Fur Company and became one of the wealthiest men in the United States, investing in real estate and other ventures, leaving a lasting legacy.

Deathyear: 1848

Robert Falcon Scott

Robert Falcon Scott, a British Royal Navy officer and explorer, led two British expeditions to the Antarctic regions in the early 20th century.

Deathyear: 1912

Georges Seurat

Georges Seurat, a pioneering French painter, pioneered Pointillism, employing tiny dots of color to create vibrant, shimmering scenes. Born in 1859, Seurat's innovative style revolutionized Impressionism, inspiring artists like Claude Monet and Edouard Vuillard, and cementing his place in art history.

Deathyear: 1891

Emanuel Swedenborg

Emanuel Swedenborg, born in 1688, was a Swedish philosopher, theologian, and scientist. He's known for his works on astronomy, anatomy, and theology. He introduced the concept of correspondences, where spiritual and material worlds are connected. His ideas have influenced many spiritual and philosophical movements.

Deathyear: 1772

Gustav III

Gustav III, King of Sweden from 1771 to 1792, was a passionate monarch who sought to strengthen the monarchy and centralize power. He implemented reforms, abolished serfdom, and patronized the arts, earning him a reputation as a visionary leader, but also ended with a tragic and violent coup attempt.

Deathyear: 1792

Joe Diffie

Joe Diffie is a renowned American country music singer-songwriter, born in 1958. With a distinctive voice and style, he has released numerous chart-topping hits, including "Pickup Man" and "Third Rock from the Sun".

Deathyear: 2020

Paul Henreid

Paul Henreid was an Austrian-born American actor, director, and producer, best known for his charming performances in Hollywood films, including "Now, Voyager" (1942) and "Deception" (1946), as well as his long-term marriage to actress Duenna Retter Hlavacek.

Deathyear: 1992

Carl Orff

Carl Orff was a renowned German composer and educator, born in 1895. He was known for his innovative and expressive compositions, including the iconic "Carmina Burana" opera. As a educator, he developed the concept of Dalcroze Eurhythmics, a music education methodology emphasizing physical movement and rhythmic awareness.

Deathyear: 1982

Bill Travers

Bill Travers was a talented English actor, director, and screenwriter. Born in 1922, he is best known for his roles in films like "Born Free" and "Elephant Walk". He also co-founded the Born Free Foundation, which works to protect animals.

Deathyear: 1994

Karol Szymanowski

Karol Szymanowski was a renowned Polish pianist-composer, known for his expressive and nuanced piano music. His works, such as "Masques" and "Fantaisie', showcased his technical mastery and poetic sensibility.

Deathyear: 1937

Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley, an English clergyman, poet, and missionary, was the brother of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Charles founded the first Methodist congregation in 1739 and wrote over 6,000 hymns and poems, including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".

Deathyear: 1788

Andy Hallett

Andy Hallett was an American actor and singer, best known for his role as Gunnar on the TV series "Angel". With a powerful, soulful voice, he was also a talented singer, performing at various venues, showcasing his unique vocal abilities.

Deathyear: 2009

Krzysztof Penderecki

Krzysztof Penderecki is a renowned Polish composer and conductor, born in 1933. He is known for his innovative and expressive works, including orchestral pieces, operas, and choral music. His music often features complex rhythms, dissonance, and dramatic contrasts.

Deathyear: 2020

Eric Williams

Eric Williams, a prominent historian and politician, served as the 1st Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 1962 to 1981. Born in 1911, he passionately worked for independence and developed Trinidad and Tobago's economy, earning him the nickname "The Architect of Independence".

Deathyear: 1981

Walter Hallstein

Walter Hallstein was a German academic and politician who served as the first President of the European Commission from 1958 to 1962. Born in 1901, he played a pivotal role in shaping the European Union and was a champion of European integration.

Deathyear: 1982

Henry Robertson Bowers

Henry Robertson Bowers was a Scottish lieutenant and explorer who was part of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition led by Ernest Shackleton in 1914. He was known for his bravery and endurance, and died on Mount Erebus, Antarctica, in 1912 at the age of 29.

Deathyear: 1912

Charles-Valentin Alkan

Charles-Valentin Alkan was a French pianist and composer known for his imaginative and technically demanding works. Born in 1813, Alkan was renowned for his innovative and expressive playing style, composing complex pieces that showcased his mastery of piano.

Deathyear: 1888

John Burroughs

John Burroughs, a renowned American naturalist and nature essayist, wrote about his wilderness adventures and observations of nature. Born in 1837, he was known for his poetic descriptions of the natural world, and his essays continue to delight and inspire readers to this day.

Deathyear: 1921

Otto Hermann Kahn

Otto Hermann Kahn (1867-1934) was a German-American banker and philanthropist. He made his fortune in Wall Street and philanthropically supported various institutions, including the Princeton University Art Museum and the New York Public Library.

Deathyear: 1934

Ralph Klein

Ralph Klein was a prominent Canadian politician and journalist who served as the 12th Premier of Alberta from 1992 to 2006. Born in 1942, Klein was known for his folksy charm and his commitment to free-market economics and limited government.

Deathyear: 2013

Charles Villiers Stanford

Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) was a renowned Irish composer and conductor, known for his symphonies, chamber music, and hymns. He taught at the Royal College of Music and was a prominent figure in British music, influencing generations of composers and musicians.

Deathyear: 1924

Ted Kluszewski

Ted Kluszewski was a dominant first baseman who played 15 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox. He won the American League home run title in 1954 and played in two World Series.

Deathyear: 1988

Harry Price

Harry Price, a prominent parapsychologist and author, investigated paranormal phenomena, founding the National Laboratory of Psychical Research. His book "Ghost Hunter" (1936) detailed his nocturnal examinations and photographic captures of the famous Borley Rectory, commonly considered the most haunted house in Britain.

Deathyear: 1948

Joe Williams (jazz singer)

Joe Williams (1918-2001) was an American jazz singer known for his smooth, velvety tone and laid-back style. With a career spanning over five decades, he recorded with top jazz musicians, including Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

Deathyear: 1999

Gerry Conway (musician)

Gerry Conway is a British drummer and percussionist known for his work with Anne Briggs, Bert Jansch, and Pentangle, as well as his collaborations with folk and rock musicians. Born in 1947, Conway's distinctive playing style has contributed to the evolution of English folk and rock music.

Deathyear: 2024

Pope Stephen IX

Pope Stephen IX (b. 1020) was a German priest who rose to the papacy in 1057. He defended the reforms of Pope Gregory VII and supported the canonization of Pope Sylvester II. Stephen IX died in 1058, being the third consecutive pope to meet a premature end.

Deathyear: 1058

Henry Percy, 3rd Earl of Northumberland

Here is 40 words about Henry Percy, 3rd Earl of Northumberland: Henry Percy, 3rd Earl of Northumberland (1421-1461) was an English nobleman and politician. He was a loyal supporter of King Henry VI and played a key role in the Wars of the Roses.

Deathyear: 1461

Anna Louise Strong

Anna Louise Strong, a renowned American journalist and author, was born in 1885. She was a pioneering reporter who covered major international events, including the Russian Revolution, and wrote extensively on socialism and left-wing politics. Her work has left a lasting impact on the world of journalism.

Deathyear: 1970