October 31 birthdays and deaths:

Sean Connery

Sir Sean Connery is a Scottish actor renowned for his iconic portrayal of James Bond in the early 1960s. With a career spanning over six decades, he has appeared in a wide range of films, including "The Hunt for Red October" and "The Untouchables", for which he won an Academy Award.

Deathyear: 2020

River Phoenix

River Phoenix was a talented American actor and singer, best known for his roles in "Stand by Me" and "Running on Empty". Born on August 23, 1970, he tragically passed away on October 31, 1993, at the age of 23.

Deathyear: 1993

Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi, the first and only woman to hold the office of Prime Minister of India, served from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 to 1984. She implemented policies to address poverty, boosted industries, and strengthened national defense.

Deathyear: 1984

MF Doom

MF Doom, born Zev Love X, is a British-American rapper and producer known for his dense, complex lyricism and distinctive flow. With top-notch production credits and solo projects like "Madvillainy" and "Born Like This," he's a cult favorite among underground hip-hop fans.

Deathyear: 2020

Harry Houdini

Harry Houdini, born Erik Weisz in 1874, was a renowned American magician and stuntman. He mesmerized audiences with daring escapes, daring feats, and precise illusions, solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest magicians of all time.

Deathyear: 1926

Federico Fellini

Federico Fellini was a renowned Italian filmmaker, known for his imaginative and surreal movies. Born in Rimini in 1920, Fellini directed films like "La Strada," "8 1/2," and "Amarcord," which showcased his unique visual style and explored themes of identity, faith, and the human condition.

Deathyear: 1993

Egon Schiele

Egon Schiele was an Austrian painter and graphic artist born in 1890. Known for his emotive and expressive works, Schiele's style blended realism and eroticism, often depicting the human body in bold, vibrant colors. His haunting self-portraits and intense landscapes showcased his unique visionary perspective.

Deathyear: 1918

George Halas

George Halas, also known as "Papa Bear," was a legendary American football player and coach. Born on February 2, 1895, Halas played for the Decatur Staleys and later coached the Chicago Bears to several championships.

Deathyear: 1983

Ken Mattingly

Ken Mattingly, an American astronaut, born in 1936, was part of the Apollo 16 and STS-4 missions. A decorated naval aviator, he piloted the Apollo 16 lunar module during his Apollo 16 mission in 1972.

Deathyear: 2023

Charles Taze Russell

Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916) was an American minister and founder of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. He developed the theology of Jehovah's Witnesses and published the periodical "The Watch Tower," which attracted millions of followers worldwide.

Deathyear: 1916

Amrita Pritam

Amrita Pritam, India's "Forster of the Bazaars", is a renowned author and poet, born in 1919. Her pioneering works, like "The Shadow of the Patriarch", revolutionized Punjabi literature. Her powerful storytelling and poignant poetry have earned her accolades worldwide. She is a stalwart of Indian literary circles.

Deathyear: 2005

P. W. Botha

Percy York Broer Botha, known as P.W. Botha, was a South African soldier and politician who served as State President from 1984 to 1989. He played a significant role in the country's history, particularly during the apartheid era.

Deathyear: 2006

John Houseman

John Houseman was a renowned Romanian-born American actor, producer, and screenwriter, best known for his Academy Award-winning performances in "The Paper Chase" (1973) and "Citizen Kane" (1941), as well as his iconic voice and distinctive countenance.

Deathyear: 1988

S. D. Burman

Sachin Dev Burman was a legendary Indian composer and singer, known for his iconic Bollywood scores and soulful vocals. With a career spanning over five decades, he created timeless classics like "Jahaan Pe Na Ghar Na Shikwar" and "Tere Mere Sapne."

Deathyear: 1975

Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald

Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald, was a notable Scottish-English admiral and politician. Born in 1775, he was known for his bravery and innovative tactics in the Napoleonic Wars.

Deathyear: 1860

Rosalind Cash

Rosalind Cash, an American actress and singer, rose to fame with roles in "The Learning Tree" and "Midnight Cowboy," earning a Golden Globe nomination. Known for her rich, soulful voice, she also released several albums, showcasing her impressive vocal range.

Deathyear: 1995

Joseph Hooker

Joseph Hooker was a prominent Union general during the American Civil War. Born in 1814, he led the Army of the Potomac and fought in several battles, including the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Chancellorsville.

Deathyear: 1879

Qian Xuesen

Qian Xuesen, a renowned Chinese aerodynamicist and academic, was born in 1911. He pioneered aerodynamics research in China, and his work on wing theory and aerodynamic design significantly contributed to China's aviation industry, earning him the title "Father of China's Aeronautical Science".

Deathyear: 2009

Abe no Seimei

Abe no Seimei was a renowned Japanese astrologer, born around 921 CE. He was said to possess extraordinary divination skills, often consulted by the Imperial Court and nobility. His expertise in astrology and the occult earned him a legendary status in Japanese history.

Deathyear: 1005

Willie McCovey

Willie McCovey, known as "Stretch" for his lengthy stride, played 22 seasons as a first baseman for the Giants and Padres, earning 6 All-Star selections, and his .270 career average and 521 home runs place him among the all-time top 100 homer hitters in MLB history.

Deathyear: 2018

Peter Stumpp

Peter Stumpp, a German farmer, was born in 1535 and notorious for allegedly killing and cannibalizing at least 16 people, mostly children. Confessed to his crimes in 1589, he was executed by being beaten to death with sticks.

Deathyear: 1589

Studs Terkel

Studs Terkel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, is celebrated for his oral histories that capture the voices and stories of ordinary people, chronicling the American experience from the Great Depression to the Vietnam War.

Deathyear: 2008

Mikhail Frunze

Mikhail Frunze was a key Bolshevik leader who played a crucial role in the Russian Revolution of 1917. A talented military strategist and tactician, Frunze rose through the ranks, becoming a trusted ally of Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky.

Deathyear: 1925

Greg Moore (racing driver)

Greg Moore was a Canadian racing driver born in 1975. He competed in CART and IndyCar Series from 1994 to 2004. Moore won 12 podiums and 1 pole position before his fatal accident at the 2004 Canadian Grand Prix.

Deathyear: 1999

John VIII Palaiologos

John VIII Palaiologos (1390-1448) was the last Byzantine Emperor, ruling from 1425 until his death in 1448. He faced numerous challenges, including the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople and the Council of Florence, where he sought papal support and recognition.

Deathyear: 1448

Eleanor of England, Queen of Castile

Eleanor of England, daughter of King Henry II and Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, married King Alfonso VIII of Castile in 1179. She was queen consort of Castile, mother to five children, and played a significant role in the politics of the kingdom, advising her son Ferdinand III.

Deathyear: 1214

Ted Sorensen

Ted Sorensen was a prominent American lawyer and the 8th White House Counsel to President John F. Kennedy. Born in 1928, Sorensen served from 1961-1964, playing a key role in shaping Kennedy's foreign policy and civil rights agenda.

Deathyear: 2010

Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester

Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, was the illegitimate son of King Henry I of England. Born around 1100, he was a powerful noble and military leader, serving as regent and commander of the king's armies. He died in 1147.

Deathyear: 1147

Otto Rank

Otto Rank, an Austrian psychologist, author, and educator, was born in 1884. He was a prominent figure in the field of psychodynamics, and his work centered around the concept of will and the human struggle for self-expression.

Deathyear: 1939

Raf Vallone

Raf Vallone was a renowned Italian footballer and actor, born on July 17, 1916. He played for Vicenza, AC Milan, and the Italian national team, earning 16 caps. He later transitioned to acting, starring in films like "War and Peace" and "Fanny".

Deathyear: 2002

Flórián Albert

Flórián Albert is a Hungarian footballer and manager, born in 1941. He played as a striker for Ferencváros and the Hungary national team, earning 74 caps and scoring 31 goals. Albert won the Golden Boot at the 1966 World Cup and was awarded the Golden Cap badge.

Deathyear: 2011

Utamaro

Utamaro, a renowned Japanese artist and printmaker, is celebrated for his exquisite ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Born around 1753, Utamaro's works, including portraits and landscapes, showcase his mastery of composition, line, and color, capturing the essence of Edo (Old Tokyo) culture during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Deathyear: 1806

Princess Amelia of Great Britain

Princess Amelia of Great Britain was born in 1711 as the eighth child of George II and Caroline of Ansbach. She died on October 31, 1786, at Carlton House in London.

Deathyear: 1786

Joseph Papp

Joseph Papp was a pioneering American stage director and producer, known for his innovative and socially conscious productions. He founded the Public Theater and presented the first Off-Broadway production of "Hair".

Deathyear: 1991

Ring Lardner Jr.

Ring Lardner Jr. (1915-2000) was a renowned American journalist and screenwriter. He won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for "M*A*S*H" (1970). Lardner's work is known for its dark humor and biting satire, often tackling social and political issues.

Deathyear: 2000

Al-Muqtadir

Al-Muqtadir (895-932) was the 16th Abbasid Caliph, ruling from 908 to 932. He was known for his military campaigns and patronage of literature and art. He fostered a period of cultural and scientific flourishing in Baghdad, earning him the nickname "Abu'l Qasim".

Deathyear: 932

John Bradshaw (judge)

John Bradshaw, a trailblazing English lawyer and judge, served as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster from 1645 to 1659. Born in 1602, he played a crucial role in the English Civil War, eventually presiding over the trial and execution of King Charles I in 1649.

Deathyear: 1659