People a to z

Hiram Revels is best known as the first African American to serve in the United States Senate.

Silversmith Paul Revere took part in the Boston Tea Party and famously alerted the Lexington Minutemen about the approach of the British in 1775.

Alma Reville, also known as "Lady Hitchcock," was Alfred Hitchcock's lifetime partner, assistant director and closest collaborator.

Ray Reyes is a former member of the Latin-pop boy band Menudo and has released a number of successful albums with the band Project M.

Known for her boundless energy and pert demeanor, Reynolds' most memorable turn was in the 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain.

Ryan Reynolds is a versatile actor who's played a college student, a mutant villain and a superhero. He also made headlines as Scarlett Johansson's ex.

Ving Rhames is an actor known for roles in such films as Pulp Fiction and the Mission: Impossible franchise.

Syngman Rhee became South Korea’s first president in 1948. He was re-elected twice after the Korean War, but was overthrown by a 1960 student uprising.

Nick Rhodes is the keyboardist for Duran Duran, one of the biggest bands of the 1980s.

Countess of Wessex Sophie Rhys-Jones is married to Edward, Earl of Wessex, and is the mother of Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn.

American actor Giovanni Ribisi has been known for playing a range of quirky characters on television and in movies of various genres since the 1990s.

Actress Christina Ricci played Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family movie. By the late 1990s, she was one of the most in-demand young actresses in Hollywood.

Anne Rice wrote supernatural novels. Her most famous series was Vampire Chronicles, which included the book Interview with the Vampire.

Condoleezza Rice is the first black woman to serve as the United States' national security adviser, as well as the first black woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State (2005-09).

Hall of Fame football wide receiver Jerry Rice played for the San Francisco 49ers and is widely considered the greatest ever to play his position.

Susan Rice is a U.S. Cabinet member with the Obama administration who is the country’s ambassador to the United Nations.

Adrienne Rich is a U.S. poet, scholar and critic whose work exhibits her commitment to the women's movement and a lesbian/feminist aesthetic influence.

Drummer Buddy Rich was known for his prodigious talent and fiery temper. His career saw him work with stars like Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey and Frank Sinatra.

Musician Charlie Rich had several No. 1 country songs in the 1970s, including "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Most Beautiful Girl."

Little Richard is a flamboyant American singer and pianist whose hit songs in the mid 1950s were defining moments in the development of rock ‘n’ roll.

Richard III was king of England for two turbulent years. He is best known for being accused of murdering his nephews to protect his throne.

Model and actress Denise Richards is best known for her role in 1998's Wild Things, and for her tumultuous marriage and divorce with actor Charlie Sheen.

Chemist, sanitation engineer, and home economist Ellen Richards opened scientific education and professions to women when she started teaching at MIT in 1884.

Guitarist Keith Richards is one of the driving forces behind the Rolling Stones, the self-proclaimed "World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band."

Actor Michael Richards starred for nine years on the television series Seinfeld, playing Jerry Seinfeld's quirky next-door neighbor Cosmo Kramer.

American track star Sanya Richards-Ross won Olympic gold in 2004 and 2008, as part of the U.S. 400-meter relay team, and went on to win gold in the women's 400 meters in 2012.

Bill Richardson served in Clinton's cabinet and as New Mexico’s governor but he was unsuccessful in his bid for a 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.

Lamar State College of Technology

Singer Kevin Richardson, the eldest of the Backstreet Boys and People magazine's Sexiest Pop Star of 1999, is also known for acting on Broadway and in indie films.

British actress of stage and screen Natasha Richardson won a Tony Award for her work in the Broadway show Cabaret before dying in a tragic skiing accident.

Nicole Richie is the adopted daughter of Lionel Richie and the star of the 2003-2007 TV show The Simple Life.

Branch Rickey was an innovative baseball executive known for his groundbreaking 1945 decision to bring Jackie Robinson into the major leagues, thereby breaking the color barrier.

Born in London on February 21, 1946, this actor is best known for portraying memorable villains in films like Die Hard and Robin Hood: Prince of Theives.

In 1983, astronaut and astrophysicist Sally Ride became the first American woman in space aboard the space shuttle Challenger. Ride died on July 23, 2012 at the age of 61, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Louis Riel was the leader of the Métis in western Canada who led his people in revolt against Canadian sovereignty.

Serial killer Joel Rifkin killed 17 women in the 1990s before the police tried to pull him over for a missing license plate (and discovered his latest victim).

Cathy Rigby is best known as a medal-winning American gymnast and Tony nominated actress for her theatrical production in Peter Pan.

International R&B star Rihanna released her first album in 2005 and is known for such hits as "Umbrella," Pon de Replay," "SOS" and "Disturbia."

Basketball coach Patrick James Riley participated in both basketball and football, playing professionally with the San Diego Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.

U.K.-born Sam Riley is a BAFTA-nominated actor known for his roles in Control, Brighton Rock, On the Road and Maleficent.

Faith Ringgold is an American artist and author who became famous for innovative, quilted narrations like Tar Beach that communicate her political beliefs.

Charles Ringling co-founded the Ringling Bros., and later co-owned the Barnum & Bailey Circus.

John Ringling co-founded the Ringling Bros., and later co-owned the Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Molly Ringwald is an American actress known for the series of teen films she did with directer John Hughes in the 1980s, including Sixteen Candles.

Actress Lisa Rinna is known for her roles on Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place, and for appearing on TV's Dancing with the Stars.

Basebally player Cal Ripken, Jr. played 21 seasons for the Baltimore Orioles. By the time he retired in 2001, he set a new record by playing in 2,632 consecutive games.

French actress Emmanuelle Riva first attracted international attention with the 1959 film Hiroshima Mon Amour. She later received an Academy Award nomination for 2012's Amour.

Painter and muralist Diego Rivera sought to make art that reflected the lives of the working class and native peoples of Mexico.

Though best known for his controversial talk shows, television personality Geraldo Rivera also worked as a journalist for several major news outlets.

Jenni Rivera is best known for making hit albums singing in Spanish and producing several reality TV series featuring her family.

Comedian Joan Rivers created a Grammy nominated comedy album, launched a syndicated daytime talk show, and went on to win a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Paraguayan author Augusto Roa Bastos received the Premio Cervantes prize in 1989 for books like I, the Supreme (1947).

Max Roach was a jazz drummer and pioneer of the bebop style.

Jason Robards Jr. was an intense stage and film actor, and a frequent interpreter of Eugene O'Neill's work. He starred in the 1960 television production The Iceman Cometh, and later starred in films like Philadelphia and Magnolia.

Marty Robbins was an iconic country and Western singer.

Tim Robbins is an Academy Award-winning actor as well as an accomplished film director, writer and activist. He had a 23-year relationship with actress Susan Sarandon.

Robert II was king of Scotland from 1371 to 1390, and is best known for his largely ineffectual reign.

American actor Robert Reed played the quintessential family man Mike Brady in the enduring sitcom The Brady Bunch.

Doris Roberts played the role of meddling mother Marie Barone on the hit television comedy Everybody Loves Raymond.

Emma Roberts, best known for being the daughter of actor Eric Roberts and niece of actress Julia Roberts, has established her own career in television and film.

John Roberts became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court after he was nominated by George W. Bush in 2005.

Julia Roberts is an Academy Award-winning actress and one of the top box-office earners in Hollywood, known for such films as Steel Magnolias, Pretty Woman and Erin Brockovich.

In the 1990s, Robin Roberts began hosting Sportscenter and appearing as a guest reporter on Good Morning America. In 2005, she was hired as a full-time co-anchor of the morning news program.

Patricia Roberts Harris was the first African-American woman to hold a cabinet position, serve as U.S. ambassador and head a law school.

Hall of Fame basketball guard Oscar Robertson played 14 NBA seasons. He averaged more than 25 points per game and retired as the league’s all-time assist leader.

Pat Robertson is a television evangelist best known for founding the Christian Coalition, an influential conservative political organization.

Legendary guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson has had several hit albums with The Band, an influential rock group of the 1960s and 1970s.

Paul Robeson was an acclaimed 20th century performer known for productions like The Emperor Jones and Othello. He was also an international activist.

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was an iconic African-American tap dancer and actor best known for his Broadway performances and film roles.

Retired NBA basketball player David Robinson spent his entire14-year pro career with the San Antonio Spurs. He’s widely considered one of the game’s all-time great centers.

Baseball player Frank Robinson was the first Major League African-American manager. In 1982, he joined the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play major league baseball, becoming Rookie of the Year in 1947, National League MVP in 1949 and a World Series champ in 1955.