May 16 birthdays and deaths:

Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr. was a renowned American entertainer, born in 1925. A talented singer, dancer, and actor, he rose to fame with the Rat Pack, performing alongside Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. He was a true entertainer, breaking barriers as a black performer in a previously segregated industry.

Deathyear: 1990

Andy Kaufman

Andy Kaufman was a groundbreaking comedian, actor, and writer known for his eccentric and often irreverent performances. With his impressions, parodies, and transgressive humor, Kaufman left a lasting impact on American comedy, paving the way for future avant-garde performers.

Deathyear: 1984

Jim Henson

Jim Henson, a visionary puppeteer and filmmaker, brought joy and wonder to audiences worldwide through his beloved Muppets. Born in 1936, he created Kermit, Miss Piggy, and friends, leaving a lasting legacy in entertainment and inspiring generations with his creativity and imaginative spirit.

Deathyear: 1990

Ronnie James Dio

Ronnie James Dio, a legendary rock vocalist, was born in 1942. He was a member of Rainbow and Black Sabbath, and also had a successful solo career. Known for his powerful voice and iconic songs like "Holy Diver" and "The Last in Line", Dio passed away in 2010.

Deathyear: 2010

Dabney Coleman

Dabney Coleman is a veteran American actor born in 1932. He is known for his numerous film and television appearances, including iconic roles in "9 to 5" and "Buffalo Bill," showcasing his versatility and remarkable acting skills.

Deathyear: 2024

William Adams (pilot)

William Adams (1564-1620) was a skilled English sailor and navigator who founded the Dutch East India Company's trading post in Japan. He traveled extensively throughout Asia, accumulating knowledge of distant lands and cultures.

Deathyear: 1620

Margaret Hamilton (actress)

Margaret Hamilton, a renowned American actress, was born on December 9, 1902. Best known for her iconic portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz," Hamilton's distinctive voice and striking presence made her a beloved figure in Hollywood.

Deathyear: 1985

Eliot Ness

Eliot Ness was a renowned American federal agent who led the Prohibition Unit in the 1930s, famously combating organized crime and corruption. Notably, he led the Untouchables, a team of agents who brought down notorious gangster Al Capone.

Deathyear: 1957

Mehmed VI

Mehmed VI (1861-1926) was the 36th and last Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, ruling from 1918 to 1922. He struggled to maintain independence during World War I and was eventually forced to abdicate, marking the end of the Ottoman Empire's 623-year history.

Deathyear: 1926

Django Reinhardt

Here is a 40-word summary about Django Reinhardt, a Belgian guitarist and composer: "Born in Belgium in 1910, Django Reinhardt was a Gypsy jazz guitar legend. A survivor of a devastating fire that left him with a crippled hand, he developed a unique style blending swing, swing, and gypsy jazz, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of music."

Deathyear: 1953

I. M. Pei

Ieoh Ming Pei, widely known as I.M. Pei, was a renowned Chinese-American architect, born in 1917. He designed iconic buildings worldwide, including the Louvre's glass pyramid in Paris and the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, blending modernism and traditional elements.

Deathyear: 2019

Bob Hawke

Bob Hawke, Australia's 23rd Prime Minister, served from 1983 to 1991, leading the country through significant economic and social reforms. A labor leader and advocate for social justice, Hawke is remembered for his charismatic leadership and commitment to empowering the Australian people.

Deathyear: 2019

Charles Perrault

Charles Perrault, a renowned French author and academic, was born in 1628. He wrote numerous works, including "Histoires ou Contes du Temps Past" (Tales and Stories of the Past), which introduced European readers to beloved fairy tales like "Sleeping Beauty" and "Cinderella".

Deathyear: 1703

Nigger (dog)

I cannot write words that defame or descriminate.

Deathyear: 1943

Joseph Fourier

Joseph Fourier was a French mathematician and physicist born in 1768. He made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics, physics, and engineering. Fourier's work on the Fourier transform and the wave theory of heat led to important breakthroughs in the study of heat transfer and thermodynamics.

Deathyear: 1830

A. Philip Randolph

A. Philip Randolph was a pioneering American union leader and activist who fought for civil rights and workers' rights. Founding the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, he became the first African American to lead a national labor union, advocating for worker rights and social justice from 1925 to 1982.

Deathyear: 1979

Mariana of Austria

Mariana of Austria, born in 1634, was the Queen consort of Spain from 1665 to 1700. As a member of the Habsburg family, she was married to King Philip IV and was known for her diplomatic skills, helping to solidify alliances and preserve the power of the Spanish monarchy.

Deathyear: 1696

Dick Trickle

Dick Trickle is a retired American stock car racing driver, born in 1941. He competed in NASCAR's top series from 1977 to 2002, with 113 starts and a best finish of eighth at the 1987 Daytona 500.

Deathyear: 2013

Edward Hardwicke

Edward Hardwicke was a talented English actor, born in 1932. He is best known for playing Dr. Watson alongside Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes in the 1984-1994 TV series.

Deathyear: 2011

Paul Shane

Paul Shane was a prolific British actor and comedian born in 1940. He gained fame for his roles in TV shows such as "Never the Twain" and "Oh, Father!", showcasing his impressive comedic skills. His versatility in comedy and drama earned him a lasting legacy in the British entertainment industry.

Deathyear: 2013

H. B. Reese

Hershey's former dairyman Herbert Bernback Reese (1876-1956) pioneered boxed milk processing and later created the iconic Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, a match made in heaven. His innovative approach to chocolate and peanut butter combined to create a beloved American candy.

Deathyear: 1956

James Agee

James Agee was a renowned American novelist, screenwriter, and critic, born in 1909. He wrote novels like "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men" and "A Death in the Family," earning him a Pulitzer Prize nomination. His work often explored themes of social justice and American culture.

Deathyear: 1955

Angelo Errichetti

Angelo Errichetti was a Democratic politician who served as Camden County Executive in New Jersey from 1974 to 1984. He was accused of corruption and pleaded guilty to conspiracy and extortion in 1984.

Deathyear: 2013

Levi P. Morton

Levi P. Morton was the 22nd Vice President of the United States, serving from 1889 to 1893 under President Benjamin Harrison. A member of the Whig and Republican parties, he was a New York lawyer and politician who championed infrastructure development and economic growth.

Deathyear: 1920

Robert Mondavi

Robert Mondavi, born 1913, revolutionized American winemaking as co-founder of Opus One Winery. His innovative techniques and passion for quality earned international acclaim, solidifying California's wine country reputation.

Deathyear: 2008

Chuck Brown

Chuck Brown, known as the "Godfather of Go-Go," was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer. Born in 1936, he popularized the genre of Go-Go music, blending funk, soul, and Latin rhythms.

Deathyear: 2012

Mark McCormack

Mark McCormack, a pioneering American lawyer and sports agent, founded International Management Group (IMG) in 1960. Born in 1930, McCormack revolutionized the sports representation industry, signing iconic athletes like Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman, and becoming a legendary figure in the world of sports.

Deathyear: 2003

Joseph Strauss (engineer)

Joseph Strauss, a renowned American engineer, collaborated with Leon Moisseiff and Russel Morrow to design the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, connecting San Francisco to Marin County. Born in 1870, Strauss' innovative work revolutionized bridge construction and cemented his legacy in engineering history.

Deathyear: 1938

Alec Campbell

Alec Campbell, born in 1899, was a renowned Australian soldier who fought in World War I. He survived the Gallipoli campaign and three years in the trenches of France, earning the Military Medal for his bravery.

Deathyear: 2002

Emperor Wu of Jin

Emperor Wu of Jin, also known as Sima Yan, ruled the Jin dynasty from 265 to 290 CE. He ascended to the throne through a coup against the Cao Wei, successfully reunifying China after centuries of division.Known for his effective governance and cultural achievements, his reign marked a period of stability and prosperity.

Deathyear: 290

Bruno Tesch

Bruno Tesch, a German chemist and entrepreneur, founded Tesch & Stroof, a company that manufactured pesticides, including Zyklon B, which was used in concentration camps during the Holocaust.

Deathyear: 1946

Michael Boorda

Jeremy Michael Boorda was a decorated American admiral who served as the Chief of Naval Operations from 1994 to 1996. Born in 1939, Boorda graduated from the United States Naval Academy and had a distinguished 38-year naval career before his tragic death in 1996.

Deathyear: 1996

Irwin Shaw

Irwin Shaw (1913-1984) was a prolific American writer, known for his semi-autobiographical novels and plays that probed the human condition. His works often explored themes of alienation, politics, and social justice, earning him acclaim for novels like "The Girls in Their Summer Dresses" and plays like "Bury the Dead".

Deathyear: 1984

Heinrich Rohrer

Heinrich Rohrer, a Swiss physicist and academic, was born in 1933. He shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1986 for his work on the development of the scanning tunneling microscope, a revolutionary tool for imaging and manipulating atoms.

Deathyear: 2013

Hank Jones

Hank Jones was a renowned American pianist, composer, and bandleader. Born in 1918, he was a prominent figure in jazz, known for his technical mastery and swing style.

Deathyear: 2010

Modibo Keïta

Modibo Keïta was a Malian politician who served as the country's first president from 1960 to 1968. He played a key role in Mali's independence movement and promoted socialist policies, establishing a socialist state. He was born in 1915 and died in 1977.

Deathyear: 1977