May 3 birthdays and deaths:

Mehmed II

Mehmed II, the Conqueror, was the Ottoman sultan from 1451 to 1481. He conquered Constantinople in 1453, ending the Byzantine Empire, and implemented reforms to strengthen the Ottoman state.

Deathyear: 1481

Nargis

Nargis, the Indian cinema's "Mother Goddess", was a celebrated actress known for her breathtaking performances in films like "Andaz", "Mela", "Aandhi", and the iconic "Mother India". Her striking looks and versatility on screen earned her the nickname "Mazhenchi" - a term of great respect.

Deathyear: 1981

Dalida

Dalida, a stunning French-Italian singer, actress, and model, born Édith Piaf's rival, sang in multiple languages, recorded over 2,000 songs, released 56 albums, and performed 3,000 concerts. A provocative and flamboyant performer, Dalida's death in 1987 ended her extraordinary life at just 54.

Deathyear: 1987

Christine Jorgensen

Christine Jorgensen was a trailblazing American trans woman who made international headlines in 1952 when her sex reassignment surgery was revealed by the press. She became an advocate for trans rights and traveled the world sharing her story, paving the way for future generations of trans individuals.

Deathyear: 1989

Jackie Cooper

Jackie Cooper was a renowned American actor, television director, and producer, born in 1922. He began acting as a child star, and continued to work in television and film throughout his long career, earning multiple Emmy nominations and wins.

Deathyear: 2011

Pramod Mahajan

Pramod Mahajan was an Indian politician and a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Born in 1949, Mahajan served as a Member of Parliament (M.P.) from 1989 to 1996 and held various ministerial positions, including Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Deathyear: 2006

Robert Alda

Robert Alda was an American actor, born on February 9, 1914, most notably recognized for his role as Col. Herbert Kaplan on the ABC series "Hazel". His film and stage career spanned over six decades, earning him praise for his captivating performances.

Deathyear: 1986

Earl Woods

Earl Woods, born in 1932, was a remarkable individual who served as a US Army colonel, played professional baseball, and wrote the memoir "Training a Tiger." He was the proud father of iconic golfer Tiger Woods.

Deathyear: 2006

Jack Weston

Jack Weston (1924-1996) was an American actor with a long and prolific career. He appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including "The Flamingo Kid," "The Anderson Tapes," and "Murder, She Wrote." He often played shrewd, wise-cracking characters.

Deathyear: 1996

Wally Schirra

Wally Schirra was a pioneering astronaut and nuclear engineer who flew on six space missions, including the first 12-hour and 24-hour spaceflights. He was the fifth person in space and the first to fly with three NASA astronauts: Gordon Cooper, Tom Stafford, and Donn Fulton Eisele.

Deathyear: 2007

Patrick Pearse

Patrick Pearse, a passionate Irish linguist and national hero, was born in 1879. As a teacher, he recognized the importance of Irish language and culture. He also led the 1916 Easter Rising, fighting for independence from Britain, and was executed for his efforts.

Deathyear: 1916

Bruce Cabot

Bruce Cabot was an American actor, born to a Cherokee mother, who rose to fame in the 1930s and 1940s. Notable roles included Kibbee in "Gone with the Wind" (1939), Zeke Bly in "The Searchers" (1956), and David Simpson in "The Blue Angel" (1932).

Deathyear: 1972

Suzy Parker

Suzy Parker was a renowned American model and actress born on November 28, 1932. She gained fame in the 1950s, appearing on the covers of Vogue and Life, and acted in films like "The Seven Year Itch" (1955) and "The Underneath" (1955).

Deathyear: 2003

Zakir Husain

Zakir Husain was an Indian academic and politician who served as the 3rd President of India from 1967 to 1969. Born in 1897, Husain was a renowned educationist and diplomat who played a crucial role in India's independence movement and later presided over the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Deathyear: 1969

Barbara Castle

Barbara Castle, a pioneering British politician, served as Minister of Overseas Development, Minister of Transport, and First Secretary of State under Harold Wilson. Known as the "Red Queen," she championed workers' rights, welfare reform, and women's empowerment, earning her place in British political history.

Deathyear: 2002

Jerzy Kosiński

Jerzy Kosiński was a Polish-American novelist and screenwriter born in 1933. He wrote about Polish and American experiences, exploring themes of identity, morality, and human nature. His works, such as "The Painted Bird," are known for their haunting and poignant portrayals of the human condition.

Deathyear: 1991

Charles Fort

Charles Fort was an American journalist, outsider theorist, and author known for his unconventional writings on pseudoscience, the unexplained, and the unknown. His books, such as "The Book of the Damned," explored the strange and bizarre, influencing future thinkers, writers, and cultural icons.

Deathyear: 1932

George Murphy

George Murphy, a talented actor and dancer, was born on July 15, 1902. He began his Hollywood career as a dancer, transitioned to acting, and later entered politics, serving as the 33rd United States Senator from California from 1965 to 1975.

Deathyear: 1992

Daliah Lavi

Daliah Lavi is an Israeli actress, singer, and model born in 1942. She gained international recognition for her roles in films like "Casino Royale" and "The Pleasure Girl". Her sultry voice and striking looks made her a popular singer and a sought-after model.

Deathyear: 2017

Gary Becker

Gary Becker, a renowned American economist and Nobel laureate, applied economic principles to understand human behavior, famously extending economics beyond traditional market theory. His work on human capital, education, and crime led to significant contributions to the fields of microeconomics and sociology.

Deathyear: 2014

Pope Benedict XIV

Pope Benedict XIV (1675-1758) was a German clergyman and philosopher who served as Pope from 1740 to 1758. Known for his intellectual pursuits, he was a professor of philosophy, canon lawyer, and literary critic before his papacy.

Deathyear: 1758

Béla IV of Hungary

Béla IV of Hungary (1206-1270) was King of Hungary from 1235 to 1270. He defeated the Mongols at the Battle of Muhi in 1241, saving Europe from conquest. He also promoted the arts, architecture, and trade during his reign.

Deathyear: 1270

Gene Raymond

Gene Raymond was an American actor and director, best known for his roles in films like "Torchy Blane" and "Three-Cornered Moon". He was also the husband of Jean Harlow, a famous actress, and led a life marked by scandals and tragic circumstances.

Deathyear: 1998

Lloyd Price

Lloyd Price is an American R&B vocalist known for his hits like "Stagger Lee" and "Personality". Born on March 5, 1933, in Kenner, Louisiana, Price's soulful voice and distinctive style have made him a beloved figure in the music industry for over six decades.

Deathyear: 2021

Tom Clarke (Irish republican)

Tom Clarke, Irish rebel, was born in 1858. A loyal member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, he played a key role in the 1916 Easter Rising. Clarke was executed by firing squad on November 3, 1916, along with 14 other leaders of the rebellion.

Deathyear: 1916

Adolphe Adam

Adolphe Adam, a prominent French composer and critic, was born in 1803. He is best known for his operas, particularly "Le Chalet" and "Si j'étais roi", and was a critic for the influential music magazine "La Parisienne".

Deathyear: 1856

Dick Rutan

Dick Rutan is an American military aviator and officer born in 1938. He is best known for flying the Voyager 1, a specially designed aircraft that completed the first non-stop, non-refueled global flight in 1986, staying aloft for 9 days and covering over 25,000 miles.

Deathyear: 2024

Thomas MacDonagh

Thomas MacDonagh was a prominent Irish poet, playwright, and nationalist. Born in 1878, MacDonagh was heavily involved in the 1916 Easter Rising and was executed by the British for his involvement. He was known for his literary talent and his dedicated commitment to the Irish independence movement.

Deathyear: 1916

Henry Garnet

Henry Garnet (1555-1606) was an English Jesuit priest, author, and martyr. He collaborated with Guy Fawkes in the Gunpowder Plot, was captured, and executed for treason. His imprisonment and death led to controversy over the Catholic Church's involvement in the plot.

Deathyear: 1606

Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber

Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber was a renowned Czech-Austrian violinist and composer born in 1644. He served as a court musician in Salzburg and wrote the famous "Battalia" suite, showcasing his virtuosic violin skills.

Deathyear: 1704

John O'Connor (cardinal)

Cardinal John Joseph O'Connor was an American prelate and diplomat who served as the Archbishop of New York from 1984 to 2000. He was known for his conservative views and played a significant role in shaping the Catholic Church's position on various social and moral issues.

Deathyear: 2000

George Psalmanazar

George Psalmanazar, a pseudonym of Charles de Brosses, was a French-English author and abbot who wrote numerous books, including "A Full and Correct Account of the Proceedings of the Right Honorable the Lords of the Privy Council" in 1747.

Deathyear: 1763