s
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J.D. Salinger
Author / 1919 - 2010
With his landmark novel Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger was an influential 20th-century American writer.
See full bio
(1919-2010)
Author
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Carl Sandburg
Journalist, Author, Poet / 1878 - 1967
American poet Carl Sandburg was also a folklorist, novelist and historian. He won a Pulitzer Prize for the book Abraham Lincoln: The War Years.
See full bio
(1878-1967)
Journalist, Author, Poet
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John Singer Sargent
Painter / 1856 - 1925
John Singer Sargent was an Italian-born American painter whose portraits of the wealthy and privileged provide an enduring image of Edwardian-age society.
See full bio
(1856-1925)
Painter
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Vidal Sassoon
Entrepreneur / 1928 - 2012
Vidal Sassoon revolutionized women’s hairstyles in the post-war years and created an international hair-products empire which proclaimed "If you don't look good, we don't look good."
See full bio
(1928-2012)
Entrepreneur
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Carlos Saura
Director / 1932 -
Carlos Saura made political films criticizing Francisco Franco’s control in Spain. After Franco’s death in 1970, Saura made flamenco-dance dramas.
See full bio
(1932-)
Director
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Diane Sawyer
News Anchor, Journalist / 1945 -
As the first female correspondent on 60 Minutes and the current anchor of ABC World News, Diane Sawyer blazed a path for women in broadcast journalism.
See full bio
(1945-)
News Anchor, Journalist
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Laura Schlessinger
Educator, Medical Professional, Philanthropist, Radio Personality, Talk Show Host, Journalist / 1947 -
Controversial radio host Laura Schlessinger, also known as "Dr. Laura," is an expert at giving listeners—and readers—a piece of her mind when it comes to moral living and leading a successful family life.
See full bio
(1947-)
Educator, Medical Professional, Philanthropist, Radio Personality, Talk Show Host, Journalist
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Albert Schweitzer
Philosopher, Scholar, Doctor, Musician, Missionary, Preacher, Theologian, Journalist / 1875 - 1965
Albert Schweitzer was Alsatian-German theologian, philosopher, organist, and mission doctor in equatorial Africa, whose goal was the Brotherhood of Nations.
See full bio
(1875-1965)
Philosopher, Scholar, Doctor, Musician, Missionary, Preacher, Theologian, Journalist
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Earl Scruggs
Musician / 1924 - 2012
Earl Scruggs is a bluegrass musician who pioneered the Scruggs Style, a method of banjo playing.
See full bio
(1924-2012)
Musician
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Ryan Seacrest
Disc Jockey, Television Personality, Television Producer / 1974 -
Ryan Seacrest is known for hosting the popular televised competition American Idol, the annual TV special Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve and the radio program American Top 40.
See full bio
(1974-)
Disc Jockey, Television Personality, Television Producer
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David Sedaris
Writer / 1956 -
David Sedaris is a humorist and essayist best known for his sardonic autobiographical stories and social commentary.
See full bio
(1956-)
Writer
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Jason Segel
Film Actor, Television Actor / 1980 -
A comedic actor, Jason Segel has appeared on television and in such films as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Bad Teacher and The Muppets.
See full bio
(1980-)
Film Actor, Television Actor
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Rod Serling
Anti-War Activist, Television Personality, Author, Screenwriter / 1924 - 1975
Emmy Award–winning television and film writer Rod Serling created and hosted the sci-fi fantasy series The Twilight Zone and co-wrote Planet of the Apes.
See full bio
(1924-1975)
Anti-War Activist, Television Personality, Author, Screenwriter
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Sam Shaw
Photographer / 1912 - 1999
Photographer Sam Shaw is remembered for his iconic images of such stars as Marilyn Monroe and Marlon Brando. He also produced several films, including 1961's Paris Blues.
See full bio
(1912-1999)
Photographer
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Sam Sheppard
Doctor, Surgeon / 1923 - 1970
Sam Sheppard was an American physician best known as a homicide suspect in his wife’s murder.
See full bio
(1923-1970)
Doctor, Surgeon
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Cindy Sherman
Photographer, Director / 1954 -
American photographer Cindy Sherman is known for her elaborately "disguised" self-portraits that focus on social role-playing and sexual stereotypes.
See full bio
(1954-)
Photographer, Director
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Su Shi
Painter, Medical Professional, Political Leader, Author, Poet / 1037 - 1101
Born in 1037, Su Shi is one of China's greatest poets and essayists of the Song era.
See full bio
(1037-1101)
Painter, Medical Professional, Political Leader, Author, Poet
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Harold Shipman
Serial Killer, Doctor / 1946 - 2004
British serial killer Harold Shipman, who worked in England as a medical doctor, killed over 200 of his patients before his arrest in 1998.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1946-2004)
Serial Killer, Doctor
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Don Shula
Coach / 1930 -
Don Shula was the head coach of the NFL's Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1996, leading the team to a Super Bowl championship and an undefeated season.
See full bio
(1930-)
Coach
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John Singleton
Director, Producer, Screenwriter / 1968 -
Screenwriter and director John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood led to a Academy Award for Best Director, making him the first African-American ever nominated.
See full bio
(1968-)
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
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David Alfaro Siqueiros
Painter / 1896 - 1974
David Alfaro Siqueiros was a Mexican painter and muralist whose work reflected his Marxist ideology.
See full bio
(1896-1974)
Painter
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Karina Smirnoff
Animal Rights Activist, Dancer, Television Personality / 1978 -
After her impressive 2006 debut, professional dancer Karina Smirnoff went on to star in six more seasons of Dancing with the Stars.
See full bio
(1978-)
Animal Rights Activist, Dancer, Television Personality
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Al Smith
Governor / 1873 - 1944
U.S. politician Al Smith was a four-time Democratic governor of New York, and the first Roman Catholic to run for the American presidency (1928).
See full bio
(1873-1944)
Governor
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Joseph Smith
Religious Leader / 1805 - 1844
Joseph Smith was the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After he was murdered, his work was continued by Brigham Young.
See full bio
(1805-1844)
Religious Leader
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Maggie Smith
Actress / 1934 -
British actress Maggie Smith's distinguished career includes performing opposite Laurence Olivier in Othello to an Academy Award-winning performance in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, to a role in the Harry Potter series.
See full bio
(1934-)
Actress
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Ozzie Smith
Baseball Player / 1954 -
Former San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Ozzie Smith is regarded as one of the greatest defensive players in baseball history.
See full bio
(1954-)
Baseball Player
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Patti Smith
Songwriter, Singer, Journalist, Poet / 1946 -
Patti Smith is a highly influential figure in the New York City punk rock scene, starting with her 1975 album Horses. Her biggest hit is the single "Because the Night."
See full bio
| Watch video
(1946-)
Songwriter, Singer, Journalist, Poet
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Steven Soderbergh
Film Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter / 1963 -
Steven Soderbergh is a screenwriter, cinematographer, editor and director, best known for directing the films Erin Brockovich, Traffic and Ocean's Eleven.
See full bio
(1963-)
Film Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter
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Susan Sontag
Scholar, Women's Rights Activist, Anti-War Activist, Academic Author, Journalist / 1933 - 2004
Susan Sontag was a critical essayist, cultural analyst, novelist and filmmaker. She wrote On Photography, Illness as Metaphor, The Volcano Lover and In America.
See full bio
(1933-2004)
Scholar, Women's Rights Activist, Anti-War Activist, Academic Author, Journalist
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Sissy Spacek
Film Actress, Television Actress / 1949 -
Sissy Spacek is an American actress who is best known for her title role in the horror film Carrie and as Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner's Daughter.
See full bio
(1949-)
Film Actress, Television Actress
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Kate Spade
Entrepreneur, Fashion Designer / 1962 -
Fashion designer Kate Spade launched her own line of handbags. Her company has grown to include several retail outlets and a wider range of categories.
See full bio
(1962-)
Entrepreneur, Fashion Designer
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Nicholas Sparks
Author / 1965 -
Nicholas Sparks is the author of novels The Notebook, Message in a Bottle and Nights in Rodanthe, among others.
See full bio
(1965-)
Author
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Phil Spector
Murderer, Musician / 1940 -
Phil Spector is best known for writing several No. 1 hit songs, and for being convicted of the murder of Lana Clarkson.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1940-)
Murderer, Musician
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Robert Stack
Film Actor, Television Actor, Television Personality / 1919 - 2003
Actor Robert Stack was in over 40 films but is best known for his television work in ABC's drama series The Untouchables and as the host of Unsolved Mysteries.
See full bio
(1919-2003)
Film Actor, Television Actor, Television Personality
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Jean Stapleton
Theater Actress, Television Actress / 1923 -
Jean Stapleton is an American actress best known for her award-winning role as Edith Bunker in the TV hit series All in the Family.
See full bio
(1923-)
Theater Actress, Television Actress
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Howard Stern
Actor, Radio Talk Show Host, Talk Show Host / 1954 -
Howard Stern is a disk jockey, talk show host, author and television personality. His long-running show is currently broadcast via satellite radio.
See full bio
(1954-)
Actor, Radio Talk Show Host, Talk Show Host
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Rod Stewart
Songwriter, Singer / 1945 -
Rod Stewart is best known as a U.K. and U.S. pop/rock singer-songwriter with a signature raspy voice, who performed from the 1960s to the present day.
See full bio
(1945-)
Songwriter, Singer
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Stephen Stills
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer / 1945 -
Stephen Stills is an American folk musician, best known as a member of the vocal super group Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. He is the first person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame twice in one night.
See full bio
(1945-)
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer
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Michael Stipe
Activist, Songwriter, Music Producer, Singer / 1960 -
Michael Stipe is the frontman and lead singer of the influential alternative rock band R.E.M.
See full bio
(1960-)
Activist, Songwriter, Music Producer, Singer
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Paul Stookey
Musician / 1937 -
Paul Stookey was the comedic member of the award-winning folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, and wrote the hit "The Wedding Song (There is Love)."
See full bio
(1937-)
Musician
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Larry Storch
Film Actor, Television Actor, Comedian, Television Personality / 1923 -
Larry Storch, a veteran stand-up comic and character actor, is most commonly remembered for his work on the 1960s western comedy F Troop.
See full bio
(1923-)
Film Actor, Television Actor, Comedian, Television Personality
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Donna Summer
Songwriter, Singer / 1948 - 2012
Donna Summer was a singer-songwriter who became the "Queen of Disco" in the 1970s with such hits as "Love to Love You Baby," "I Feel Love" and "Last Dance."
See full bio
| Watch video
(1948-2012)
Songwriter, Singer
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Andy Summers
Musician / 1942 -
Andy Summers achieved international fame as the Grammy Award-winning guitarist of The Police, known for hits songs like "Message in a Bottle," "Every Breath You Take" and "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic."
See full bio
(1942-)
Musician
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Charles Sumner
U.S. Representative / 1811 - 1874
Charles Sumner was a U.S. Representative best known an anti-slavery advocate who authored the nation’s first civil rights legislation.
See full bio
(1811-1874)
U.S. Representative
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Zenko Suzuki
Prime Minister / 1911 - 2004
Zenko Suzuki is a Japanese politician and the 70th Prime Minister of Japan who resigned in 1982 due to factional strife within his party.
See full bio
(1911-2004)
Prime Minister
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Jodie Sweetin
Film Actress, Television Actress / 1982 -
At age five, actress Jodie Sweetin debuted as Full House's Stephanie Tanner, the middle sister. Her catchphrase—"How rude!"—is still requested by fans.
See full bio
(1982-)
Film Actress, Television Actress
t
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Jessie Tarbox
Photographer / 1870 - 1942
Jessie Tarbox was a photographer and photojournalist. She was the first woman to be hired as a staff photographer on a U.S. newspaper.
See full bio
(1870-1942)
Photographer
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Brandon Tartikoff
Television Producer / 1949 - 1997
Brandon Tartikoff was the president of NBC Television during its rise to the top from 1980 till 1991.
See full bio
(1949-1997)
Television Producer
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Chip Taylor
Golfer, Songwriter, Singer / 1944 -
Singer-songwriter Chip Taylor combined country with R&B to write songs, like Wild Thing, that remain a staple in the American music diet.
See full bio
(1944-)
Golfer, Songwriter, Singer
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Rip Taylor
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Comedian, Television Personality / 1934 -
Comedian Rip Taylor is best known for his tacky costumes, handlebar mustache, wacky wigs and manic confetti tossing in his stage and film appearances.
See full bio
(1934-)
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Comedian, Television Personality
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George Tenet
Government Official / 1953 -
CIA director George Tenet resigned in 2004 after U.S. forces in Iraq failed to find the weapons of mass destruction he had claimed existed there.
See full bio
(1953-)
Government Official
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John Thune
U.S. Representative / 1961 -
Republican John Thune won the 2004 Senate election against Democrat Tom Daschle to become senator of South Dakota.
See full bio
(1961-)
U.S. Representative
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Titus
Military Leader, Political Leader, Emperor / 39 - 81
Titus was Roman Emperor from 79-81 AD who--during his short reign--completed the Colosseum and dealt with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
See full bio
(39-81)
Military Leader, Political Leader, Emperor
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J.R.R. Tolkien
Linguist, Author / 1892 - 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien is an internationally renowned fantasy writer. He is best known for authoring The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
See full bio
(1892-1973)
Linguist, Author
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Jean Toomer
Author, Playwright / 1894 - 1967
Poet, novelist and short-story writer Jean Toomer was a major figure during the Harlem Renaissance. He is best known for his first book, Cane.
See full bio
(1894-1967)
Author, Playwright
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Verne Troyer
Film Actor, Reality Television Star / 1969 -
Verne Troyer first came to fame as Mini-Me in the popular 1999 comedy Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me with Mike Myers.
See full bio
(1969-)
Film Actor, Reality Television Star
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Mao Tse-tung
Military Leader, Political Leader / 1893 - 1976
Mao Tse-tung was the principal Chinese Marxist theorist, soldier and statesman who led his nation's Cultural Revolution.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1893-1976)
Military Leader, Political Leader
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Sophie Tucker
Film Actress, Theater Actress, Singer / 1886 - 1966
Sophie Tucker, also known as "The Last of the Red Hot Mamas," was a Russian-American singer, comedian, actress and Vaudeville performer.
See full bio
(1886-1966)
Film Actress, Theater Actress, Singer
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Christy Turlington
Model / 1969 -
Christy Turlington is one of America’s most successful models. Best known for her work for Maybelline, she has appeared on more than 300 magazine covers.
See full bio
(1969-)
Model
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Mary Tyler Moore
Actress / 1936 -
Mary Tyler Moore is an Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and television star know for her roles on The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1936-)
Actress
u
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Tracey Ullman
Television Actress / 1959 -
Tracey Ullman is a comedic actress best known for her TV show The Tracey Ullman Show, for which she won an Emmy in 1990.
See full bio
(1959-)
Television Actress
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Lars Ulrich
Drummer / 1963 -
Founder and drummer of the heavy metal band Metallica, Lars Ulrich is known for his forceful style and double bass beats, as well for suing Napster in 2000.
See full bio
(1963-)
Drummer
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Maurice Utrillo
Painter / 1883 - 1955
Maurice Utrillo French painter who was noted for his depictions of the houses and streets of the Montmartre district of Paris.
See full bio
(1883-1955)
Painter
v
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Meredith Vieira
Talk Show Host, News Anchor / 1953 -
Meredith Vieira is an Emmy-winning TV journalist and personality who has co-anchored The Today Show and co-hosted The View.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1953-)
Talk Show Host, News Anchor
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Vivekananda
Activist, Religious Leader / 1863 - 1902
Vivekananda was a spiritual leader and activist who attempted to combine Indian spirituality with Western ideas.
See full bio
(1863-1902)
Activist, Religious Leader
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Jon Voight
Film Actor / 1938 -
Actor Jon Voight’s role as Joe Buck in the groundbreaking film Midnight Cowboy earned him an Oscar nomination and launched his career into the big time.
See full bio
(1938-)
Film Actor
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Diane von Fürstenberg
Fashion Designer / 1946 -
Diane von Fürstenberg is one of the world's most successful fashion designers. Once married to Austro-Italian Prince Egon von Furstenberg, she designed her iconic wrap dress for the working woman.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1946-)
Fashion Designer
w
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Ngugi wa Thiong'o
Writer / 1938 -
Writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o became East Africa's leading novelist with books like Weep Not, Child (1964), A Grain of Wheat (1967) and The River Between (1965).
See full bio
(1938-)
Writer
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Andy Wachowski
Filmmaker, Screenwriter / 1967 -
Andy Wachowski is a writer, director and producer known for sci-fi and action films, including The Matrix trilogy, V for Vendetta and Cloud Atlas.
See full bio
(1967-)
Filmmaker, Screenwriter
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Dwyane Wade
Basketball Player / 1982 -
Basketball star Dwyane Wade plays as a guard for the Miami Heat, with which he has won two NBA Championships, in 2006 and 2012.
See full bio
(1982-)
Basketball Player
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Madam C.J. Walker
Civil Rights Activist, Entrepreneur / 1867 - 1919
Madam C.J. Walker was the first American woman to become a self-made millionaire. Her business was worth more than $1 million at the time of her death.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1867-1919)
Civil Rights Activist, Entrepreneur
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John Walsh
Activist, Philanthropist, Television Personality / 1945 -
John Walsh hosts the TV series America's Most Wanted, as a result of his son being abducted and murdered in 1981.
See full bio
(1945-)
Activist, Philanthropist, Television Personality
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Denzel Washington
Film Actor / 1954 -
Former star of the hit TV drama St. Elsewhere, actor/director Denzel Washington has earned popular and critical acclaim for his roles in several feature films, including Training Day and American Gangster.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1954-)
Film Actor
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Emily Watson
Actress / 1967 -
British actress Emily Watson won acclaim with film roles such as Bess McNeil in Breaking the Waves, and the title character in Angela's Ashes.
See full bio
(1967-)
Actress
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John B. Watson
Psychologist, Academic Author / 1878 - 1958
Psychologist John B. Watson is remembered for codifying and publicizing behaviorism with his article “Psychology as a Behaviorist Views It” and other research.
See full bio
(1878-1958)
Psychologist, Academic Author
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Shawn Wayans
Film Actor / 1971 -
Shawn Wayan is an actor known for co-starring with his brother Marlon in various comic spoofs, including the Scary Movie franchise.
See full bio
(1971-)
Film Actor
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Anthony Wayne
General, U.S. Representative / 1745 - 1796
Anthony Wayne was an American general and U.S. Representative best known for winning the Battle of Fallen Timbers which removed Native American claims to Ohio and the surrounding area.
See full bio
(1745-1796)
General, U.S. Representative
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Randy Weaver
1948 -
Randy Weaver, former U.S. Army combat engineer, is best known for being at the center of a deadly confrontation with FBI agents at Ruby Ridge, Idaho in 1992.
See full bio
(1948-)
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Robert Weaver
Academic, Economist / 1907 - 1997
Noted economist Robert Weaver, was the first African American to serve in the U.S. cabinet as the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
See full bio
(1907-1997)
Academic, Economist
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Daniel Webster
Lawyer, U.S. Representative, Government Official / 1782 - 1852
Daniel Webster was an American lawyer and Whig Part leader who served as a congressman and secretary of state.
See full bio
(1782-1852)
Lawyer, U.S. Representative, Government Official
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Wesley Clark
General / 1944 -
Wesley Clark is a military leader who rose to the top tier of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and was NATO Supreme Allied Commander.
See full bio
(1944-)
General
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Betty White
Animal Rights Activist, Television Actress, Comedian / 1922 -
Betty White is a comedic actress who has been in show business, from TV to film, since the 1950s, most notably on The Golden Girls.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1922-)
Animal Rights Activist, Television Actress, Comedian
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Leonard D. White
Historian, Political Scientist, Journalist / 1891 - 1958
Leonard White was a political scientist and historian who was a leading authority on public administration.
See full bio
(1891-1958)
Historian, Political Scientist, Journalist
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Richard Widmark
Film Actor, Television Actor / 1914 - 2008
Actor Richard Widmark had a long and successful film career and is best known for his shocking debut as a psychopath in Kiss of Death.
See full bio
(1914-2008)
Film Actor, Television Actor
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Simon Wiesenthal
Activist / 1908 - 2005
Simon Wiesenthal was a survivor of the Holocaust who worked as an author and Nazi hunter, wishing to ensure that what befell his community would be remembered.
See full bio
(1908-2005)
Activist
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Douglas Wilder
Governor, Mayor / 1931 -
Douglas Wilder was the first African American to win statewide office in Virginia, and to be elected governor in the U.S.
See full bio
(1931-)
Governor, Mayor
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Daniel Hale Williams
Surgeon / 1856 - 1931
Daniel Hale Williams was a physician who performed the first known open-heart surgery in the United States and who founded a hospital with an interracial staff.
See full bio
(1856-1931)
Surgeon
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Stanley Tookie Williams
Murderer, Thief, Philanthropist / 1953 - 2005
Stanley Tookie Williams is best known for founding the Crips gang.
See full bio
(1953-2005)
Murderer, Thief, Philanthropist
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Robert Woodrow Wilson
Astronomer, Physicist / 1936 -
Robert Woodrow Wilson is an American radio astronomer and physicist best known for the discovery that supported the big bang model of creation.
See full bio
(1936-)
Astronomer, Physicist
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Woodrow Wilson
Educator, U.S. President / 1856 - 1924
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th U.S. resident, led America through World War I and crafted the Versailles Treaty's "Fourteen Points," the last of which was creating a League of Nations to ensure world peace. Wilson also created the Federal Reserve and signed the 19th Amendment, allowing women to vote.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1856-1924)
Educator, U.S. President
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Paul Wolfowitz
Government Official / 1943 -
Paul Wolfowitz is a U.S. government official who is best known as the leading architect of the Iraq War under President George Bush's administration.
See full bio
(1943-)
Government Official
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Tiger Woods
Golfer / 1975 -
Professional golf player Tiger Woods was the youngest man (at the age of 21) and the first African-American to win the U.S. Masters.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1975-)
Golfer
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Dorothy Wordsworth
Writer / 1771 - 1855
Dorothy Wordsworth was a writer and sister of William Wordsworth, often serving as his inspiration.
See full bio
(1771-1855)
Writer
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Jane Wyman
Actress / 1917 - 2007
Jane Wyman was a Academy Award-winning American screen actress who was also Ronald Reagan's first wife.
See full bio
(1917-2007)
Actress
y
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Loretta Young
Actress / 1913 - 2000
Loretta young was a child actor who became one of Hollywood's leading ladies in the 1930s and 1940s.
See full bio
(1913-2000)
Actress
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Ernesto Zedillo
Economist, World Leader / 1951 -
Ernesto Zedillo was president of Mexico 1994–2000. He made a major effort to restore public confidence damaged by the scandals of the Salinas administration.
See full bio
(1951-)
Economist, World Leader
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Rob Zombie
Director, Singer / 1965 -
Singer-filmmaker Rob Zombie has delighted and shocked audiences with his horror-rock music and his scary, violent films.
See full bio
(1965-)
Director, Singer