May 13 birthdays and deaths:

Doris Day

Doris Day, American singer and actress, charmed audiences with her bright smile, velvety voice, and sassy wit. With hits like "Sentimental Journey" and "Que Sera, Sera," she topped charts and won hearts with her Golden Girl persona, starring in iconic films like "Calamity Jane" and "Pillow Talk."

Deathyear: 2019

Gary Cooper

Gary Cooper was a legendary American actor born in 1901, known for his rugged individualism and stoic on-screen presence. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his iconic roles in "High Noon" (1952) and "Sergeant York" (1941).

Deathyear: 1961

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, born in 1948, is the 2nd President of the United Arab Emirates. A prominent businessman and statesman, he has played a significant role in shaping the country's development and strengthening economic ties with international partners.

Deathyear: 2022

Margot Kidder

Margot Kidder, the Canadian-American actress, rose to fame for her iconic roles in the "Superman" franchise as Lois Lane. With a career spanning over four decades, she has appeared in numerous films and television shows, leaving a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.

Deathyear: 2018

Dan Blocker

Dan Blocker was an American actor best known for his role as Hoss Cartwright on the NBC western series "Bonanza". A rancher and actor, Blocker's impressive physique and quiet demeanor made him a beloved figure on the popular television show.

Deathyear: 1972

Chet Baker

Chet Baker was a renowned American jazz trumpeter and vocalist, known for his laid-back, introspective style. Born on December 23, 1929, Baker's expressive trumpet playing and soothing vocals elevated his music to timeless classics, captivating listeners worldwide.

Deathyear: 1988

Jason Miller (playwright)

Jason Miller, American actor and playwright, born in 1939, is best known for his Tony Award-winning play "That Championship Season". He has also appeared in films and television shows, showcasing his versatility in the entertainment industry.

Deathyear: 2001

Kathleen Cavendish, Marchioness of Hartington

Kathleen Cavendish, Marchioness of Hartington (b. 1920) was a fashion icon and socialite. She was a cousin to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and married to Alexander "Alec" Home-Drummond-Hastings, the 22nd Baron Hastings, in 1940.

Deathyear: 1948

Sasaki Kojirō

Sasaki Kojirō, a renowned Japanese master swordsman, was born in 1575. He was a skilled fencer and renowned for his exceptional skill with the katana. tragedy struck in 1612 when he was killed in a duel with Miyamoto Musashi.

Deathyear: 1612

Alice Munro

Alice Munro, a Nobel laureate in literature, crafted poignant and nuanced short stories exploring the complexities of human relationships, memory, and identity. Born in 1931 in Ontario, Canada, Munro's masterful storytelling captivated readers worldwide with her intimate and powerful portrayals of rural Canadian life.

Deathyear: 2024

Apolinario Mabini

Apolinario Mabini was a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the 1st Prime Minister of the Philippines from 1899 to 1901. Born in 1864, he played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence from Spain and the United States.

Deathyear: 1903

Takeda Shingen

Takeda Shingen was a powerful Japanese daimyō who ruled the Takeda domain from 1548 until his death in 1573. He is considered one of the most brilliant and ambitious military leaders of his time, known for his unwavering discipline and strategic genius.

Deathyear: 1573

George Dantzig

George Dantzig was a pioneering American mathematician and academic who made significant contributions to optimization theory, linear programming, and statistics. Born in 1914, he worked at Stanford University and was a co-author of the popular Linear Algebra textbook.

Deathyear: 2005

Fridtjof Nansen

Fridtjof Nansen was a renowned Norwegian scientist, explorer, and academic. He gained fame for his Arctic expeditions, and in 1922, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian efforts with refugees. Nansen's groundbreaking research in marine biology and oceanography earned him international recognition.

Deathyear: 1930

Donald "Duck" Dunn

Donald "Duck" Dunn was a legendary American bass player, songwriter, and producer, best known for his work with Booker T. & the M.G.'s, The Blues Brothers, and Eric Clapton, among many others.

Deathyear: 2012

Bob Wills

Bob Wills, the "King of Western Swing," was a pioneering American singer-songwriter and actor. Born in 1905, he led the Texas Playboys, blending country, western swing, and jazz to create a unique sound that captivated audiences across the United States.

Deathyear: 1975

Georges Cuvier

Georges Cuvier was a renowned French zoologist and academic who made significant contributions to the field of comparative anatomy. He studied at the University of Paris and became a professor at the National Museum of Natural History.

Deathyear: 1832

Joyce Brothers

Joyce Brothers was a renowned American psychologist, author, and actress born in 1927. She was a polygraph expert on TV shows, wrote bestselling books, and made numerous TV appearances. Her wit, wisdom, and expertise made her a beloved and respected figure in American media.

Deathyear: 2013

Alois Hudal

Alois Hudal was an Austrian-Italian bishop born in 1885. He served as the Bishop of Trieste from 1932 to 1964. Hudal is infamous for issuing passports to thousands of Nazi war criminals and collaborators, helping them flee justice after World War II.

Deathyear: 1963

Sholem Aleichem

Sholem Aleichem, born Solomon Rabinovich in 1859, was a celebrated Ukrainian-American author and playwright. He wrote over 40 plays and numerous short stories, often focusing on Jewish life in Eastern Europe. His works are considered some of the most important in Yiddish literature.

Deathyear: 1916

Derek Boogaard

Derek Boogaard was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers from 2007 to 2011. Known for his toughness and physicality on the ice, he tragically passed away in 2011 at age 28 due to chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Deathyear: 2011

Cyril Wecht

Cyril Wecht is a renowned American forensic pathologist born in 1931. He served as Pittsburgh's coroner from 1969 to 1996 and conducted autopsies for over 30,000 cases, including infamous ones like the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

Deathyear: 2024

Gene Sarazen

Gene Sarazen was a legendary American golfer and journalist, born in 1902. He won 39 professional tournaments, including 7 majors. He was known for his creative shot-making and won the Masters in 1935 by hitting a 4-iron shot that dropped into the hole.

Deathyear: 1999

John Nash (architect)

I think there may be some confusion. John Nash was not an English architect who designed the Royal Pavilion. The Royal Pavilion was actually designed by Henry Holland. John Nash was an English architect, but he is best known for his work on Regency architecture, particularly in London. He was born in 1752.

Deathyear: 1835

Paul Bartel

Paul Bartel was an American actor, director, and screenwriter, best known for his dark comedies and horror films. He appeared in numerous TV shows and films, including "The Unholy Rollers" and "Eating Raoul", which he also wrote and directed.

Deathyear: 2000

Mickey Spillane (mobster)

Mickey Spillane, born in 1934, was an American mobster and author. He gained fame for his crime novels, particularly the Mike Hammer series, which became iconic in the hardboiled detective genre. Spillane's gritty, action-packed narratives have left a lasting impact on popular culture.

Deathyear: 1977

Valeriy Lobanovskyi

Valeriy Lobanovskyi is a legendary Ukrainian footballer and manager, born in 1939. He won numerous titles with Dynamo Kyiv and the Soviet Union national team, before coaching his country to the 1998 World Cup semifinals.

Deathyear: 2002

Cyrus McCormick

Cyrus McCormick was an American businessman who revolutionized agriculture with his mechanical reaper, a precursor to the combine harvester. He co-founded the International Harvester Company and played a key role in modernizing farming practices, transforming the industry and paving the way for global food production.

Deathyear: 1884

Saad Al-Salim Al-Sabah

Saad Al-Salim Al-Sabah was the Emir of Kuwait from 1977 until his death in 2006. He played a crucial role in Kuwait's independence and unity, and his vision for the country's modernization and development led to significant economic and infrastructure growth.

Deathyear: 2008

Joseph Henry

Joseph Henry, a pioneering American physicist and academic, born in 1797, made significant contributions to the fields of electromagnetism and the study of lightning. He was the first secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and professor of natural philosophy at Princeton University.

Deathyear: 1878

Johan van Oldenbarnevelt

Johan van Oldenbarnevelt was a prominent Dutch politician born in 1547. He served as Grand Pensionary of the Netherlands from 1573 to 1619, playing a key role in the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule and helping to establish the United Provinces of the Netherlands.

Deathyear: 1619

Frank Aletter

Frank Aletter is an American actor, born in 1926, who gained recognition for his work in various TV shows, films, and stage productions. He's best known for his roles in "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis" and "The Virginian".

Deathyear: 2009

Don Ritchie

Don Ritchie (1925-2012) was an Australian humanitarian known for his tireless efforts to save the lives of others. As a sailor and amateur rescue expert, he single-handedly saved over 354 people from the water at Watsons Bay, Sydney.

Deathyear: 2012

Franz Kline

Franz Kline was a prominent American painter and educator, known for his bold and expressive abstractions. Born in 1910, Kline was a prominent figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement, with works like "Chief" and "Cathedral" showcasing his bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors.

Deathyear: 1962

Malik Bendjelloul

Malik Bendjelloul was a Swedish director and producer, born in 1977. He won several awards for his documentary "Searching for Sugarman" (2012), which chronicles the story of a forgotten musician, Rodriguez.

Deathyear: 2014

Sukanta Bhattacharya

Sukanta Bhattacharya was a renowned Indian poet and playwright, born in 1926. His works, such as the famous play 'Chaturanga', are considered classics of Bengali literature. His unique writing style, blending mythology and social commentary, continues to inspire Bengali literature to this day.

Deathyear: 1947

Emperor Ling of Han

Emperor Ling of Han (156-188 CE) was the tenth emperor of the Han dynasty. He ascended to the throne after his mother, Empress Dowager Dong, seized power from his brother. His reign was marked by corruption, economic decline, and wars with the Xiongnu.

Deathyear: 189

Jumbo Tsuruta

Jumbo Tsuruta was a Japanese professional wrestler born in 1951. Known for his incredible strength and charisma, he was a mainstay of All Japan Pro Wrestling, capturing numerous championships and becoming a beloved figure in Japanese wrestling.

Deathyear: 2000

Johnnie Wilder Jr.

Johnnie Wilder Jr. (b. 1949) is an American singer, best known for being the lead vocalist of the R&B/funk band Heatwave. He sang on hits like "Always and Forever" and "The Groove Line." His smooth, soulful voice helped define the sound of Heatwave's disco-funk era.

Deathyear: 2006

Chuck Muncie

Chuck Muncie is a former American football player who played as a running back in the NFL from 1979 to 1987. He played for the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams, finishing his career with 6,105 rushing yards and 68 touchdowns.

Deathyear: 2013