September 8 birthdays and deaths:

Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II ascended to the British throne in 1952 and has reigned for over seven decades. Known for her dedication to duty and stability, she has overseen significant social and economic changes, earning respect and admiration from her subjects and international leaders.

Deathyear: 2022

Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge was a trailblazing actress and singer who emerged during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Born in 1922, she delighted audiences with her powerful vocals and charming on-screen presence, starring in films like "Carmen Jones" and "Island in the Sun".

Deathyear: 1965

Leni Riefenstahl

Leni Riefenstahl was a pioneering German actress, director, producer, and screenwriter, born in 1902. Notoriously linked to the Nazi regime, she directed and produced propaganda films, including "Triumph of the Will" and "Olympia," showcasing her artistic talent while also propagating Nazi ideology.

Deathyear: 2003

Richard Strauss

Richard Strauss was a renowned German composer and conductor, born in 1864. He led the Berlin Philharmonic and composed iconic works like "Also sprach Zarathustra" and "Der Rosenkavalier".

Deathyear: 1949

Faisal I of Iraq

Faisal I (1883-1933) was the King of Iraq from 1921 until his death in 1933. A son of Sharif Hussein of Mecca, he was declared king of Iraq following the British mandate. He played a key role in establishing the modern state of Iraq.

Deathyear: 1933

Don Williams

Don Williams, a legendary American country music singer-songwriter, born in 1939, is known for his smooth, baritone voice and heartfelt lyrics. With over 70 million records sold, he's one of the best-selling country artists of all time, earning him the nickname "The Gentle Giant".

Deathyear: 2017

Brad Davis (actor)

Brad Davis, American actor, was born on March 6, 1949. He gained recognition for his depiction of Luke in the 1978 film "Midnight Express," earning an Academy Award nomination. His versatile performances spanned genres from drama to comedy, showcasing his talents in numerous film and television roles.

Deathyear: 1991

Pierre Bergé

Pierre Bergé was a French businessman and art collector, best known for co-founding the luxury goods company Hermès with Jean-Louis Dumas in 1978. He was also a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a prominent philanthropist in France.

Deathyear: 2017

Zero Mostel

Zero Mostel was a renowned American actor and comedian born in 1915. He is best known for his stage and screen work, including the classic film "The Producers" (1968), in which he played the role of Max Bialystock, a theatre producer.

Deathyear: 1977

S. Truett Cathy

S. Truett Cathy, a renowned American businessman, founded Chick-fil-A in 1946. Born in 1921, Cathy pioneered the fast-food industry with his innovative idea of a streamlined drive-in. His commitment to quality and customer service led to the iconic brand, beloved across the United States.

Deathyear: 2014

Moondog

Moondog (formerly Louis Hardin) was a visionary composer and performer who blended folk, jazz, and classical music with poetry and storytelling. His eclectic, avant-garde sound was shaped by his blindness, which he overcame with remarkable adaptability and creativity.

Deathyear: 1999

Thomas Szasz

Thomas Szasz was a Hungarian-American psychiatrist and academic born in 1920. He was a prominent critic of psychiatry's power and the medical model of mental illness, advocating for civil liberties and individual rights. His work challenged the medicalization of human problems and questioned the legitimacy of psychiatry.

Deathyear: 2012

Sean O'Haire

Sean O'Haire was a professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, and kickboxer born in 1971. He competed in various promotions, including WWE, WCW, and UFC, known for his athleticism, technical grappling skills, and charismatic persona.

Deathyear: 2014

Peter Brock

Peter Brock, born in 1945, is a legendary Australian racing driver and sportscaster. He dominated Australian motorsport, winning nine Bathurst 1000 titles, and later excelled as a commentator, earning the nickname "King of the Mountain".

Deathyear: 2006

Hermann von Helmholtz

Hermann von Helmholtz was a groundbreaking German physician and physicist who made significant contributions to fields such as electromagnetism, acoustics, and energy transfer. His pioneering work laid the foundation for modern physics and engineering, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1857.

Deathyear: 1894

Roy Wilkins

Roy Wilkins was a prominent American journalist, civil rights activist, and executive secretary of the NAACP from 1955 until his death in 1981. He was a leading figure in the Civil Rights Movement, working tirelessly for racial equality and justice in the United States.

Deathyear: 1981

Nisargadatta Maharaj

Nisargadatta Maharaj was a renowned Indian guru, philosopher, and educator who emphasized the importance of self-inquiry and the attainment of inner awareness. Born in 1897, he founded the Shri ChIDambaram Bhagavan Siddhanda Ashram in Mumbai and wrote extensively on spirituality and self-realization.

Deathyear: 1981

Maria Carolina of Austria

Maria Carolina of Austria was the queen consort of Naples and Sicily from 1775 to 1799. Born in 1752, she was the daughter of Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Francis I. She was a patron of the arts and played a significant role in shaping the cultural and artistic landscape of Naples.

Deathyear: 1814

Gwyneth Powell

Gwyneth Powell is a renowned English actress born in 1946. She has had a prolific career, appearing in numerous TV shows, films, and stage productions.

Deathyear: 2022

Chelsi Smith

Born in 1973, Chelsi Smith is an American singer and beauty pageant winner, crowned Miss USA 1995 and Miss Universe 1995. She has released several albums and has performed in numerous concerts, showcasing her vocal talents.

Deathyear: 2018

Carl Weiss

Dr. Carl Weiss was a renowned American physician born in 1906. He pioneered the field of radiology and developed several medical imaging techniques. Weiss' contributions revolutionized diagnostic medicine, earning him international recognition and numerous awards for his groundbreaking work.

Deathyear: 1935

Amy Robsart

Amy Robsart, the wife of Robert Dudley, was a beautiful and charming English noblewoman born in 1536. She married Dudley in 1552, but her life was tragically cut short when she died mysteriously in 1586, sparking rumors of murder and conspiracy surrounding her husband and Queen Elizabeth I.

Deathyear: 1560

Carlo Gesualdo

Carlo Gesualdo, a renowned Italian lutenist and composer, was born in 1566. He was known for his dissonant and emotionally charged music, which reflected his tumultuous personal life. Gesualdo's compositions, including madrigals and operas, continue to influence the world of classical music to this day.

Deathyear: 1613

Aage Bohr

Aage Bohr, a Danish physicist and academic, received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1975. Born in 1922, he was a professor at the University of Copenhagen and made significant contributions to the field of physics, particularly in the areas of nuclear physics and quantum mechanics.

Deathyear: 2009

Jerry Pournelle

Jerry Pournelle is a renowned American author, journalist, and futurist, born in 1933. A prolific writer, he has penned over 150 novels and numerous non-fiction books on topics like science fiction, technology, and politics.

Deathyear: 2017

Percy Spencer

Percy Spencer, American inventor and engineer, was born in 1894. He is credited with inventing the microwave oven in 1946 while working for Raytheon. Spencer's accidental discovery of microwaves melting chocolate in his pocket led to the development of the first commercial microwave oven.

Deathyear: 1970

André Derain

André Derain was a pioneering French painter and sculptor, born in 1880. He co-founded Fauvism with Henri Matisse, emphasizing bold colors and energetic brushstrokes. Derain's works, such as "The Turning Road" (1906), showcased his innovative style, blending Cubism and Expressionism.

Deathyear: 1954

Alex North

Alex North was a renowned American composer and conductor, born in 1910. He is best known for his work in Hollywood, scoring over 100 films, including "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Spartacus." His music often blended jazz and classical elements.

Deathyear: 1991

Alexandra David-Néel

Alexandra David-Néel, a pioneering explorer and activist, traversed Tibet in the early 20th century, disguising herself as a man to avoid detection. She was the first European woman to reach the Potala Palace in Lhasa and documented her travels in her book, "My Journey to Lhasa."

Deathyear: 1969

Ann Lee

Ann Lee, born in 1736, was an English-American religious leader and founder of the Shaker movement. She declared herself the "Elder in Israel" and preached a gospel of pacifism, celibacy, and ecstatic worship. Her teachings led to a significant following in England and the American colonies.

Deathyear: 1784

Prince Buster

Prince Buster, Jamaica's first international rocksteady sensation, born Cecil Bustamente Campbell in 1938, was a prolific singer-songwriter and producer. His music blended ska, rocksteady, and reggae, inspiring a generation of musicians, including The Toyes and The Pioneers.

Deathyear: 2016

Leo IV the Khazar

Leo IV, born in 750, was a Byzantine emperor who reigned from 775 to 780. Known for his military prowess, he successfully defended Constantinople against Arab sieges. His reign marked a period of stability and religious reforms, strengthening the empire's Christian identity.

Deathyear: 780

Bud Collyer

Bud Collyer hosted numerous game shows, including "To Tell the Truth" and "Beat the Clock", from the 1940s to the 1960s. His smooth delivery and charismatic presence made him a beloved fixture on American television.

Deathyear: 1969

Hideki Yukawa

Hideki Yukawa, a renowned Japanese physicist, was born in 1907 and passed away in 1981. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1949 for his theory of strong nuclear forces.

Deathyear: 1981

Robert Fludd

Robert Fludd, a renowned English physician, mathematician, and cosmologist, was born in 1574. He was a prominent figure in the scientific revolution of the 17th century, making significant contributions to the fields of medicine, mathematics, and cosmology, and leaving a lasting impact on the development of Western science.

Deathyear: 1637

Derek Taylor

Derek Taylor was a renowned English journalist and author, known for his witty and insightful writing. Born in 1932, Taylor worked for The Sunday Times and wrote several books, including "Chasing the Sun: My Adventures in Pop". He passed away in 1995.

Deathyear: 1997

Frank Thomas (animator)

Frank Thomas was an American animator, voice actor, and screenwriter who was best known for his work on Disney classics such as Snow White, Bambi, and Cinderella. He was also a key animator and story artist at Disney from the 1930s to the 1970s.

Deathyear: 2004

Francisco de Quevedo

Francisco de Quevedo was a prominent Spanish poet and politician who lived from 1580 to 1645. He is considered one of the greatest poets of the Spanish Golden Age, known for his sharp wit, satire, and mastery of the sonnet.

Deathyear: 1645

Marvin Barnes

Marvin Barnes is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1974 to 1980. He played for the Providence College Friars and the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers.

Deathyear: 2014

Peter Simon Pallas

Peter Simon Pallas was a renowned German zoologist and botanist born in 1741. He traveled extensively throughout the Russian Empire, collecting and describing numerous species of plants and animals. His groundbreaking works on Russian zoology and botany remain influential in the field.

Deathyear: 1811

Willard Libby

Willard Libby was a renowned American chemist and academic who pioneered the field of radiocarbon dating. He developed the radiocarbon method, earning him the 1960 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Born in 1908, Libby's work revolutionized archaeology, geology, and paleontology.

Deathyear: 1980

Charles III of Navarre

Charles III of Navarre, succeeded his father Charles II in 1387, assuming the throne at 26. He became King of Navarre and King of Aragon through his marriage to Eleanor of Castile. However, his attempts to reclaim the lost territories of his family were unsuccessful.

Deathyear: 1425

Adam Opel

Adam Opel, a German entrepreneur, founded Opel in 1862. Born in 1837, Opel's innovative spirit led him to establish a sewing machine factory in Rüsselsheim, later expanding into automotive manufacturing. His legacy lives on through the Opel brand, now part of Stellantis.

Deathyear: 1895

S. Rajasekar

S. Rajasekar is a renowned Indian filmmaker, known for his work in cinematography, direction, and acting. Born in 1957, he has made a lasting impact in the Tamil film industry, with notable films like "Rajaraja Chozhan" and "Kalyana Parisu".

Deathyear: 2019

Pope Sergius I

Pope Sergius I (650-701) was the Bishop of Rome from 687 to 701. He played a significant role in the Second Council of Constantinople, resolving the Monothelete controversy, and strengthening the Catholic Church's unity, earning him the title "Father of Orthodoxy."

Deathyear: 701