October 24 birthdays and deaths:

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks was an American civil rights activist who became a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement. On December 1, 1955, she refused to give up her seat to a white person on a Montgomery, Alabama bus, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott and inspiring nonviolent resistance against racial segregation.

Deathyear: 2005

Leslie Jordan

Leslie Jordan is a celebrated American actor, writer, and singer, known for his versatility and iconic roles in TV shows like "Will & Grace" and "American Horror Story." With a career spanning decades, he has received numerous awards and nominations for his performances.

Deathyear: 2022

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson was a trailblazing baseball player who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and won the 1949 World Series. After retiring, he went on to become a successful sportscaster and humanitarian, dedicating his life to promoting racial equality and civil rights.

Deathyear: 1972

Jane Seymour

Jane Seymour was an English queen and the third wife of King Henry VIII. She gave birth to a son, Edward VI, in 1537. She died shortly after childbirth, September 24, 1537, and was buried with full honors in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Deathyear: 1537

Raul Julia

Raul Julia was a renowned Puerto Rican-American actor and singer, known for his powerful performances in films like "The Addams Family" and "Street Fighter". Born in 1940, he was a talented artist, best remembered for his energetic stage presence and iconic roles in theater, film, and television.

Deathyear: 1994

Maureen O'Hara

Maureen O'Hara was a fiery redhead who enchanted audiences with her bold, expressive voice and fiery spirit. Known for her feisty on-screen presence in films like "How Green Was My Valley" and "Miracle on 34th Street", O'Hara remained a beloved Hollywood icon.

Deathyear: 2015

Gene Roddenberry

Gene Roddenberry, American captain, screenwriter, and producer, was born in 1921. He created the iconic science fiction franchise Star Trek, premiering in 1966. Roddenberry's vision of a utopian future emphasized humanity's potential for cooperation and exploration, making it a lasting cultural phenomenon.

Deathyear: 1991

James Michael Tyler

James Michael Tyler is an American actor, best known for his role as Gunther on the popular TV show "Friends". Born in 1962, Tyler has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including "Scrubs" and "Just Shoot Me!".

Deathyear: 2021

Fats Domino

Fats Domino (b. 1928) is a legendary American pianist and singer-songwriter. Known for his boogie-woogie style and distinctive vocal delivery, he's had numerous hits, including "Ain't That a Shame," "Blueberry Hill," and "I'm Walkin'".

Deathyear: 2017

Marcia Strassman

Marcia Strassman is a talented American actress and singer, born in 1948. Known for her charming on-screen presence, she has appeared in numerous TV shows and films, including the popular sitcom "Welcome Back, Kotter" and film "Ice Castles".

Deathyear: 2014

Vidkun Quisling

Vidkun Quisling was a Norwegian soldier and politician who served as Minister President of Norway from 1942 to 1945. Born in 1887, Quisling was a decorated war hero who became obsessed with the Nazi ideology, eventually colluding with Germany to seize power and rule Norway.

Deathyear: 1945

Tycho Brahe

Tycho Brahe, a renowned Danish astronomer and alchemist, was born in 1546. He made significant contributions to astronomy, particularly with his precise naked-eye observations, and was a pioneer in the field of astronomy.

Deathyear: 1601

Dutch Schultz

Dutch Schultz was a notorious American mob boss born in 1902 as Frederick Bronstein. He rose to prominence in the Prohibition era, controlling a massive illegal liquor network. His violence and cunning earned him a notorious reputation, but his life was tragically cut short in a 1935 shooting.

Deathyear: 1935

Chuck Hughes

Chuck Hughes, a talented NFL quarterback, tragically died on August 5, 1979, during a game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears. Born on August 5, 1943, Hughes' death during play shocked the sports world, highlighting the dangers and unpredictability of professional football.

Deathyear: 1971

Robert Guillaume

Robert Guillaume is a renowned American actor, born in 1927, best known for his iconic roles in TV shows "Soap" and "Benson". He won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for his portrayals of Benson DuBois, a clever and lovable butler.

Deathyear: 2017

Daniel Webster

Daniel Webster was a prominent American lawyer, senator, and statesman. He served as Secretary of State under Presidents William Henry Harrison and John Tyler. Known for his strong personality and eloquent oratory skills, Webster was a key figure in shaping American foreign policy and resolving conflicts.

Deathyear: 1852

John McCarthy (computer scientist)

John McCarthy, a renowned computer scientist and academic, invented the programming language Lisp in the 1950s. Born in 1927, McCarthy's groundbreaking work revolutionized computer science, transforming the way programs are written and executed, leaving a lasting legacy in the field.

Deathyear: 2011

Hugh Capet

Hugh Capet was the king of France from 987 to 996, marking the beginning of the Capetian dynasty. He was a brilliant strategist and expanded French territories, strengthening the monarchy and paving the way for the reign of his son, Robert II, the Pious.

Deathyear: 996

Harry Hay

Harry Hay (1912-2002) was a pioneering LGBTQ+ activist. He co-founded the Mattachine Society (one of the first gay rights organizations) and the Radical Faeries (a US-based queer spirituality movement). Hay's tireless work helped pave the way for modern LGBTQ+ awareness and acceptance.

Deathyear: 2002

Don Messick

Don Messick was a renowned American voice actor and singer, best known for his iconic roles in cartoons, including Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! and The Smurfs. With a career spanning decades, he brought beloved characters to life with his distinctive voice.

Deathyear: 1997

Bobby Vee

Bobby Vee, born Robert Velline in 1943, was an American pop singer and musician who rose to fame in the 1960s with hits like "Take Good Care of My Baby" and "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes."

Deathyear: 2016

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe White, born in 1943, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Known for his swampy blues-rock sound, he's written hits for artist such as Ray Charles, Tanya Tucker, and Pink, and has released several solo albums.

Deathyear: 2018

Brooke Greenberg

Brooke Greenberg was a American girl born in 1993 who lived with a rare genetic disorder known as LEOPARD syndrome. Due to her condition, she required constant care and was the oldest known person with this rare disorder, yet she still enjoyed activities like painting and listening to music.

Deathyear: 2013

Wolf Rüdiger Hess

Wolf Rüdiger Hess is a German author and critic born in 1937. He has written extensively on literature and art, and his own creative work includes poetry and short stories. His writing often explores the human condition, exploring themes of identity, morality, and societal norms.

Deathyear: 2001

Ismat Chughtai

Ismat Chughtai (1915-1991) was a pioneering Indian author and screenwriter. Her works, often considered controversial for their bold depictions of women's lives, challenged societal norms. Her writing explored themes of gender, sexuality, and social justice, earning her the nickname "Indian Jane Austen."

Deathyear: 1991

G. E. Moore

George Edward Moore, a prominent Anglo-American philosopher, was born in 1873. He made significant contributions to the fields of ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics, and his works significantly influenced 20th-century philosophy.

Deathyear: 1958

Ricky Hendrick

Ricky Hendrick, born in 1980, is a retired American racing driver and businessman. He won the 2004 ARCA Series championship and competed in the NASCAR Cup Series. He currently serves as the president of Hendrick Motorsports, one of the most successful NASCAR teams.

Deathyear: 2004

Qutuz

Qutuz, an Egyptian Mamluk sultan, ruled from 1259 to 1260. He was a brilliant strategist who led the Egyptian army to victory at the Battle of Ain Jalut, defeating the Mongols and saving Egypt from their invasion.

Deathyear: 1260

S. S. Rajendran

S. S. Rajendran was a renowned Indian actor, director, and producer, known for his memorable roles in Tamil cinema. Born in 1928, he made his debut in the 1950s and went on to act in over 200 films, earning the nickname "Mozhi Maar", which translates to "Tone of the Village".

Deathyear: 2014

Richard Hofstadter

Richard Hofstadter was a renowned American historian and author, known for his influential works on American intellectual and cultural history. Born in 1916, he wrote extensively on topics like the American Revolution, the Enlightenment, and the role of intellectuals in shaping American identity.

Deathyear: 1970

Franz Lehár

Franz Lehár, a renowned Austrian-Hungarian composer, was born in 1870. He is best known for his operettas, such as "The Merry Widow" and "The Land of Smiles". His works are characterized by their catchy melodies, wit, and romantic flair, captivating audiences worldwide.

Deathyear: 1948

David Oistrakh

David Oistrakh was a renowned Ukrainian violinist, known for his expressive and powerful playing style. Born in 1908, he was renowned for his interpretations of Russian and Ukrainian composers, and was one of the most celebrated violinists of the 20th century.

Deathyear: 1974

Alessandro Scarlatti

Alessandro Scarlatti was a renowned Italian composer and educator, born in 1660. He served as maestro di cappella at the Royal Chapel in Naples, and his operas and cantatas are renowned for their elegance and lyricism.

Deathyear: 1725

Jerzy Kukuczka

Jerzy Kukuczka was a renowned Polish mountaineer born in 1948. He was the first person to climb all 14 eight-thousander peaks. With a plethora of ascents, he became an iconic figure in the mountaineering world, earning accolades and respect from the climbing community.

Deathyear: 1989

Valdemar IV of Denmark

Valdemar IV Atterdag, King of Denmark (1320-1370), was a skilled diplomat and military leader who expanded Denmark's territories through strategic marriages and conquests, including the victory over the Hanseatic League in the Scanian War.

Deathyear: 1375

Louis Renault (industrialist)

Louis Renault was a French engineer and businessman who co-founded the Renault Company in 1899 with his brothers Marcel and Fernand. Born in 1877, Renault was a pioneer in the automotive industry, revolutionizing car manufacturing with innovative designs and technological advancements.

Deathyear: 1944

Jo Siffert

Jo Siffert was a Swiss racing driver who competed in Formula 1 and sports cars. He won the 1967 Formula 1 constructors' championship with Cooper Cars. Siffert also had a successful career in motorcycle racing, winning the 1959 European 500cc Road Racing Championship.

Deathyear: 1971

Pierre Gassendi

Pierre Gassendi was a French priest, astronomer, and mathematician born in 1592. He made significant contributions to the field of astronomy, discovering the satellite of Jupiter, Io, and providing evidence against the geocentric theory. He was also a professor at the University of Provence.

Deathyear: 1655

Lamont Johnson

Lamont Johnson was a talented American actor, director, and producer, born in 1922. He appeared in numerous TV shows and films, including "Bonanza" and "The Twilight Zone". He also directed several films and TV shows, showcasing his versatility in the industry.

Deathyear: 2010