r
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Donna Reed
Television Actress / 1921 - 1986
Actress Donna Reed charmed audiences in the film It's a Wonderful Life and on television's The Donna Reed Show.
See full bio
(1921-1986)
Television Actress
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Jack Reed
U.S. Representative / 1949 -
John Reed is the Senator for the state of Rhode Island.
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(1949-)
U.S. Representative
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Jerry Reed
Film Actor, Guitarist, Singer / 1937 - 2008
Jerry Reed was an American musician and actor best known for his Grammy hit "When You're Hot, You're Hot," and for the film Smokey and the Bandit.
See full bio
(1937-2008)
Film Actor, Guitarist, Singer
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Jimmy Reed
Guitarist, Singer / 1925 - 1976
Jimmy Reed was an American singer, harmonica player, and guitarist who was one of the most popular blues musicians of the post-World War II era.
See full bio
(1925-1976)
Guitarist, Singer
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Lou Reed
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer / 1942 -
Lou Reed is a singer and guitarist best known as a co-founder of the influential rock group the Velvet Underground and as solo artist.
See full bio
(1942-)
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer
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Thomas B. Reed
U.S. Representative / 1839 - 1902
Thomas B. Reed was the Speaker of the 38th United States House of Representatives from Maine from 1895 to 1899.
See full bio
(1839-1902)
U.S. Representative
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Walter Reed
Doctor, Scientist / 1851 - 1902
Walter Reed was a U.S. Army pathologist and bacteriologist who led the experiments that proved that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquito bite.
See full bio
(1851-1902)
Doctor, Scientist
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Della Reese
Television Actress, Singer / 1931 -
Della Reese is a singer and actress known for her gospel talents and for her role on TV's Touched by an Angel.
See full bio
(1931-)
Television Actress, Singer
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Christopher Reeve
Film Actor / 1952 - 2004
Actor Christopher Reeve played Superman in the movie and its sequels. After a spinal cord injury, he started a foundation to help other paraplegics.
See full bio
(1952-2004)
Film Actor
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Dana Reeve
Theater Actress, Television Actress, Singer, Philanthropist / 1961 - 2006
Dana Reeve was an actress and the wife of actor Christopher Reeve. She established and chaired the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center.
See full bio
(1961-2006)
Theater Actress, Television Actress, Singer, Philanthropist
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George Reeves
Film Actor, Television Actor / 1914 - 1959
Actor George Reeves was best known as Superman on the popular 1950s television show. It made him a household name, but brought an end to his film career.
See full bio
(1914-1959)
Film Actor, Television Actor
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Keanu Reeves
Film Actor / 1964 -
Actor Keanu Reeves starred in the movies Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, Speed and The Matrix and its sequels.
See full bio
(1964-)
Film Actor
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Martha Reeves
Singer / 1941 -
Martha Reeves is an American pop and R&B singer best remembered as the lead singer of the group Martha and the Vandellas.
See full bio
(1941-)
Singer
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Steve Reeves
Film Actor, Athlete / 1926 - 2000
Bodybuilder and actor Steve Reeves claimed the titles Mr. America, Mr. World and Mr. Universe by the age of 25. He starred in 18 films, including Hercules.
See full bio
(1926-2000)
Film Actor, Athlete
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William Rehnquist
Supreme Court Justice / 1924 - 2005
William Rehnquist was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon in 1971. He was elevated to the post of chief justice by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. He remained chief justice until his death in 2005.
See full bio
(1924-2005)
Supreme Court Justice
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Wilhelm Reich
1897 - 1957
Wilhelm Reich was a psychiatrist who developed psychoanalysis that concentrated on overall character structure rather than on individual symptoms.
See full bio
(1897-1957)
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Harry Reid
Lawyer, U.S. Representative, Government Official / 1939 -
Harry Reid is a Democratic U.S. senator from Nevada. He was elected Senate majority leader in 2008.
See full bio
(1939-)
Lawyer, U.S. Representative, Government Official
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Jamie Reid
Activist, Artist / 1947 -
British artist Jamie Reid designed artwork for the Sex Pistols album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, which includes the song "Anarchy in the U.K." His artistic style helped define the look of the English punk rock scene of the late 1970s.
See full bio
(1947-)
Activist, Artist
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L.A. Reid
Entrepreneur, Songwriter, Music Producer / 1956 -
L.A. Reid is an American music executive and producer. He's also starred as a judge on the music competition show The X Factor.
See full bio
(1956-)
Entrepreneur, Songwriter, Music Producer
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Tara Reid
Film Actress, Television Actress / 1975 -
American film and television actress Tara Reid has appeared in such hit movies as The Big Lebowski and American Pie.
See full bio
(1975-)
Film Actress, Television Actress
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Charles Nelson Reilly
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor, Director, Television Personality / 1931 - 2007
Charles Nelson Reilly was a Tony-Award winning actor also known for a variety of roles on TV programs, including The Ghost and Mrs. Muir and The Match Game.
See full bio
(1931-2007)
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor, Director, Television Personality
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Carl Reiner
Television Actor, Director, Author / 1922 -
Carl Reiner created, wrote and produced The Dick Van Dyke Show. It was based on his experience as a television writer for Your Show of Shows.
See full bio
(1922-)
Television Actor, Director, Author
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Rob Reiner
Activist, Actor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter / 1947 -
American actor, director and producer Rob Reiner is best known for directing the classic hits Stand By Me (1996) and When Harry Met Sally (1989).
See full bio
(1947-)
Activist, Actor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter
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Django Reinhardt
Guitarist / 1910 - 1953
Django Reinhardt was a jazz guitarist who became one of the first important soloists in the genre.
See full bio
(1910-1953)
Guitarist
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Max Reinhardt
Director / 1873 - 1943
Max Reinhardt was one of the first theatrical directors to achieve international recognition. He helped found the annual Salzburg Festival.
See full bio
(1873-1943)
Director
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Paul Reiser
Television Actor / 1957 -
Paul Reiser's career as a comedian began in New York's comedy clubs. He got his first big break starring in Diner in 1982, and later starred in Mad About You.
See full bio
(1957-)
Television Actor
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Ivan Reitman
Director, Producer / 1946 -
Ivan Reitman is a director and producer for film and stage. His box office hits include Meatballs, Ghostbusters, and Kindergarten Cop.
See full bio
(1946-)
Director, Producer
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Jason Reitman
Film Actor, Television Actor, Director, Producer, Television Producer, Academic Author, Screenwriter / 1977 -
Jason Reitman is a film director, screenwriter, producer and actor, best known for directing, Thank You for Smoking, Juno, and Up in the Air.
See full bio
(1977-)
Film Actor, Television Actor, Director, Producer, Television Producer, Academic Author, Screenwriter
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Keith Relf
Singer / 1943 - 1976
Keith Relf was a founding memeber of the Yardbirds, one of the pivotal British rock bands of the 1960s. Relf is also remembered for his unusual, untimely death.
See full bio
(1943-1976)
Singer
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Lee Remick
Film Actress, Theater Actress / 1935 - 1991
Actress Lee Remick appeared with Andy Griffith in Elia Kazan's A Face in the Crowd and starred opposite Jack Lemmon in Days of Wine and Roses.
See full bio
(1935-1991)
Film Actress, Theater Actress
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Eliphalet Remington
Entrepreneur, Inventor / 1793 - 1861
Eliphalet Remington made his first flintlock rifle in 1816, and the business he started is still making guns today.
See full bio
(1793-1861)
Entrepreneur, Inventor
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Louis Renault
Educator, Judge, Journalist / 1843 - 1918
Louis Renault was a French jurist and educator and co-winner in 1907 of the Nobel Prize for Peace.
See full bio
(1843-1918)
Educator, Judge, Journalist
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Brad Renfro
Film Actor / 1982 - 2008
Brad Renfro was a young Hollywood actor who became more famous for the trouble he was always in than for his acting.
See full bio
(1982-2008)
Film Actor
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Jeremy Renner
Actor / 1971 -
Actor Jeremy Renner played a recurring character on the television series Angel, and starred in the movies Dahmer, North Country and The Hurt Locker.
See full bio
(1971-)
Actor
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Janet Reno
Lawyer / 1938 -
Janet Reno broke new ground in 1993 as the first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney General, serving under President Bill Clinton.
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| Watch video
(1938-)
Lawyer
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Jean Renoir
Director, Producer / 1894 - 1979
French director Jean Renoir, son of the painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, directed C'est la Revolution and wrote a biography of his father in the 1960s.
See full bio
(1894-1979)
Director, Producer
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Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Painter / 1841 - 1919
A leading Impressionist painter, Pierre-Auguste Renoir was one of the most famous artists of the early twentieth century.
See full bio
(1841-1919)
Painter
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Ottorino Respighi
Songwriter / 1879 - 1936
Italian composer Ottorino Respighi introduced dramatic Russian sound to Italian music. He wrote suites and operas, including Pini di Roma and Belfagor.
See full bio
(1879-1936)
Songwriter
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Mary Lou Retton
Gymnast / 1968 -
Mary Lou Retton is a retired champion gymnast who won gold, silver and bronze medals at the 1984 Olympics. She was featured on the Wheaties cereal box.
See full bio
(1968-)
Gymnast
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Paul Reubens
Film Actor, Television Actor / 1952 -
Paul Ruebens is an American actor, writer, film producer and comedian best known as his alter ego, Pee-wee Herman, on the Pee-wee Herman Show.
See full bio
(1952-)
Film Actor, Television Actor
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Hiram R. Revels
Academic, U.S. Representative, Minister / 1827 - 1901
Hiram Revels is best known as the first African American to serve in the United States Senate.
See full bio
(1827-1901)
Academic, U.S. Representative, Minister
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Paul Revere
Folk Hero / 1735 - 1818
Silversmith Paul Revere took part in the Boston Tea Party and famously alerted the Lexington Minutemen about the approach of the British in 1775.
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| Watch video
(1735-1818)
Folk Hero
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Alma Reville
Filmmaker, Screenwriter / 1899 - 1982
Alma Reville, also known as "Lady Hitchcock," was Alfred Hitchcock's lifetime partner, assistant director and closest collaborator.
See full bio
(1899-1982)
Filmmaker, Screenwriter
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Ray Reyes
Singer / 1970 -
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.
See full bio
(1970-)
Singer
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Burt Reynolds
Film Actor, Television Actor / 1936 -
Burt Reynolds starred in movies in the 1970s and '80s. His role in the film Boogie Nights earned him an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1936-)
Film Actor, Television Actor
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Debbie Reynolds
Film Actress, Singer / 1932 -
Known for her boundless energy and pert demeanor, Reynolds' most memorable turn was in the 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain.
See full bio
(1932-)
Film Actress, Singer
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Ryan Reynolds
Film Actor / 1976 -
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.
See full bio
(1976-)
Film Actor
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Ving Rhames
Film Actor / 1959 -
Ving Rhames is an actor known for roles in such films as Pulp Fiction and the Mission: Impossible franchise.
See full bio
(1959-)
Film Actor
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Syngman Rhee
World Leader / 1875 - 1965
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.
See full bio
(1875-1965)
World Leader
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Nick Rhodes
Musician / 1962 -
Nick Rhodes is the keyboardist for Duran Duran, one of the biggest bands of the 1980s.
See full bio
(1962-)
Musician
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Sophie, Countess of Wessex
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Royalty / 1965 -
Countess of Wessex Sophie Rhys-Jones is married to Edward, Earl of Wessex, and is the mother of Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn.
See full bio
(1965-)
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Royalty
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Giovanni Ribisi
Film Actor, Television Actor / 1974 -
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.
See full bio
(1974-)
Film Actor, Television Actor
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Christina Ricci
Film Actress / 1980 -
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.
See full bio
(1980-)
Film Actress
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Anne Rice
Author / 1941 -
Anne Rice wrote supernatural novels. Her most famous series was Vampire Chronicles, which included the book Interview with the Vampire.
See full bio
(1941-)
Author
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Condoleezza Rice
Government Official / 1954 -
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).
See full bio
| Watch video
(1954-)
Government Official
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Jerry Rice
Football Player / 1962 -
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.
See full bio
(1962-)
Football Player
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Susan Rice
Diplomat / 1964 -
Susan Rice is a U.S. Cabinet member with the Obama administration who is the country’s ambassador to the United Nations.
See full bio
(1964-)
Diplomat
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Adrienne Rich
Scholar, Academic Author, Journalist, Poet / 1929 - 2012
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.
See full bio
(1929-2012)
Scholar, Academic Author, Journalist, Poet
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Buddy Rich
Drummer / 1917 - 1987
Buddy Rich played drums in swing bands with Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey, and was known for his drumming speed.
See full bio
(1917-1987)
Drummer
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Charlie Rich
Guitarist, Pianist, Singer / 1932 - 1995
Musician Charlie Rich had several No. 1 country songs in the 1970s, including "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Most Beautiful Girl."
See full bio
(1932-1995)
Guitarist, Pianist, Singer
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Cliff Richard
Film Actor, Singer / 1940 -
Cliff Richard, once dubbed the British Elvis Presley, is a singer whose single “Move It” was the first great British rock-and-roll record.
See full bio
(1940-)
Film Actor, Singer
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Little Richard
Singer / 1932 -
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.
See full bio
(1932-)
Singer
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Joseph Henri Maurice Richard
Hockey Player / 1921 - 2000
Ice-hockey player Maurice Richard played for the Montreal Canadiens and became the first National Hockey League player to score 50 goals in a regular season.
See full bio
(1921-2000)
Hockey Player
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Richard I
Folk Hero, Military Leader, Political Leader, King / 1157 - 1199
Richard I of England, better known as Richard the Lionheart, is best known as a great military leader who remains a enduring iconic figure in England today.
See full bio
(1157-1199)
Folk Hero, Military Leader, Political Leader, King
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Richard III
Political Leader, King / 1452 - 1485
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.
See full bio
(1452-1485)
Political Leader, King
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Ann Richards
U.S. Governor / 1933 - 2006
Feisty politician Ann Richards came to national attention as a keynote speaker in the 1988 Democratic National Convention and later as governor of Texas.
See full bio
(1933-2006)
U.S. Governor
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Denise Richards
Actress, Model / 1971 -
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.
See full bio
(1971-)
Actress, Model
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Ellen Richards
Scientist / 1842 - 1911
Chemist, sanitation engineer, and home economist Ellen Richards opened scientific education and professions to women when she started teaching at MIT in 1884.
See full bio
(1842-1911)
Scientist
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Keith Richards
Guitarist / 1943 -
Guitarist Keith Richards is one of the driving forces behind the Rolling Stones, the self-proclaimed "World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band."
See full bio
(1943-)
Guitarist
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Michael Richards
Television Actor, Comedian / 1949 -
Actor Michael Richards starred for nine years on the television series Seinfeld, playing Jerry Seinfeld's quirky next-door neighbor Cosmo Kramer.
See full bio
(1949-)
Television Actor, Comedian
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Sanya Richards-Ross
Track and Field Athlete / 1985 -
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.
See full bio
(1985-)
Track and Field Athlete
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Bill Richardson
Governor, U.S. Representative / 1947 -
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.
See full bio
(1947-)
Governor, U.S. Representative
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J. P. Richardson
Songwriter, Singer / 1930 - 1959
Lamar State College of Technology
See full bio
(1930-1959)
Songwriter, Singer
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Natasha Richardson
Theater Actress, Television Actress / 1963 - 2009
British actress of stage and screen Natasha Richardson won a Tony for her work in the Broadway show Cabaret before she died in a tragic skiing accident.
See full bio
(1963-2009)
Theater Actress, Television Actress
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Tony Richardson
Director / 1928 - 1991
Tony Richardson was a director of stage plays and films who is known for such projects as Look Back in Anger and Tom Jones.
See full bio
(1928-1991)
Director
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Lionel Richie
Songwriter, Singer / 1949 -
Lionel Richie is a singer/songwriter known for creating numerous hits while with his band the Commodores and while on his own.
See full bio
(1949-)
Songwriter, Singer
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Nicole Richie
Fashion Designer, Reality Television Star / 1981 -
Nicole Richie is the adopted daughter of Lionel Richie and the star of the 2003-2007 TV show The Simple Life.
See full bio
(1981-)
Fashion Designer, Reality Television Star
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Eddie Rickenbacker
Race Car Driver, Business Leader, Pilot / 1890 - 1973
During his lengthy career, Eddie Rickenbacker (1890–1973) went from racecar driver to WWI flying ace to president of Eastern Airlines.
See full bio
(1890-1973)
Race Car Driver, Business Leader, Pilot
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Branch Rickey
Civil Rights Activist, Business Leader / 1881 - 1965
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.
See full bio
(1881-1965)
Civil Rights Activist, Business Leader
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Alan Rickman
Film Actor / 1946 -
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.
See full bio
(1946-)
Film Actor
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Paul Ricoeur
Philosopher, Writer / 1913 - 2005
Paul Ricoeur is widely recognized as one of the most distinguished philosophers of the 20th century. He taught in both France and the United States.
See full bio
(1913-2005)
Philosopher, Writer
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Nelson Riddle
Songwriter / 1921 - 1985
Nelson Riddle arranged music for some of the biggest names in 20th century American music, including Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Rosemary Clooney.
See full bio
(1921-1985)
Songwriter
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Sally Ride
Educator, Astronaut, Physicist / 1951 - 2012
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.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1951-2012)
Educator, Astronaut, Physicist
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Tom Ridge
Governor, U.S. Representative, Government Official / 1945 -
Tom Ridge is an American politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania and the first United States Secretary of Homeland Security (2003–2005).
See full bio
(1945-)
Governor, U.S. Representative, Government Official
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Gary Ridgway
Serial Killer / 1949 -
Serial killer Gary Leon Ridway, known as the Green River Killer, murdered as many as 60 women along Route 99 before he was caught in 2001.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1949-)
Serial Killer
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Louis Riel
Political Leader / 1844 - 1885
Louis Riel was the leader of the Métis in western Canada who led his people in revolt against Canadian sovereignty.
See full bio
(1844-1885)
Political Leader
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Joel Rifkin
Serial Killer / 1959 -
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).
See full bio
(1959-)
Serial Killer
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Cathy Rigby
Film Actress, Theater Actress, Gymnast, Musician / 1952 -
Cathy Rigby is best known as a medal-winning American gymnast and Tony nominated actress for her theatrical production in Peter Pan.
See full bio
(1952-)
Film Actress, Theater Actress, Gymnast, Musician
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Diana Rigg
Film Actress, Theater Actress, Television Actress, Pin-up, Television Personality, Journalist / 1938 -
Dame Diana Rigg belonged to the Royal Shakespeare Company, played Emma Peel on the 1960s British spy show The Avengers, and was a James Bond girl.
See full bio
(1938-)
Film Actress, Theater Actress, Television Actress, Pin-up, Television Personality, Journalist
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Bobby Riggs
Tennis Player / 1918 - 1995
Bobby Riggs was an American tennis player best known for playing in the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" with Billie Jean King.
See full bio
(1918-1995)
Tennis Player
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Rihanna
Singer / 1988 -
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."
See full bio
(1988-)
Singer
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Pat Riley
Basketball Player, Coach, Football Player / 1945 -
Basketball coach Patrick James Riley participated in both basketball and football, playing professionally with the San Diego Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.
See full bio
(1945-)
Basketball Player, Coach, Football Player
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Rainer Maria Rilke
Author, Poet / 1875 - 1926
Bohemian-Austrian poet Ranier Maria Rilke is considered one of the most significant poets in the German language and is best known for his work Duino Elegies.
See full bio
(1875-1926)
Author, Poet
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Arthur Rimbaud
Poet / 1854 - 1891
Poet Arthur Rimbaud (1854–1891) shook the world of verse with his decadent poems, including "The Drunken Boat" (1871).
See full bio
(1854-1891)
Poet
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LeAnn Rimes
Film Actress, Television Actress, Singer / 1982 -
Country singer LeAnn Rimes's album Light Up My Life became the first to debut at number one on the pop, country and contemporary Christian Billboard charts.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1982-)
Film Actress, Television Actress, Singer
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Faith Ringgold
Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Painter, Author / 1930 -
Faith Ringgold is an American artist and author who became famous for innovative, quilted narrations like Tar Beach that communicate her political beliefs.
See full bio
(1930-)
Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Painter, Author
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Charles Ringling
Business Leader / 1863 - 1926
Charles Ringling co-founded the Ringling Bros., and later co-owned the Barnum & Bailey Circus.
See full bio
(1863-1926)
Business Leader
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John Ringling
Business Leader / 1866 - 1936
John Ringling co-founded the Ringling Bros., and later co-owned the Barnum & Bailey Circus.
See full bio
(1866-1936)
Business Leader
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Molly Ringwald
Film Actress, Theater Actress, Television Actress / 1968 -
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.
See full bio
(1968-)
Film Actress, Theater Actress, Television Actress
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Lisa Rinna
1963 -
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.
See full bio
(1963-)