These adoptive parents are a testament that fame and wealth can't fill the emotional void that little, innocent rugrats can. While some of these famous parents find love and satisfaction through the adoption of one child, others catch—what we like to call—the We Are the World Syndrome, adopting multiple children from across borders. Explore our group of Famous Adoptive Parents and see how they're changing the world—one child at a time.
Who can forget Angela Bassett as Tina Turner or Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles? Do you remember who played Billie Holiday? Or who Beyoncé performed as in the film Cadillac Records? More recent African-American biopics include the Lifetime original movie Betty & Coretta (2013), starring Angela Bassett as Coretta Scott King and Mary J. Blige as Betty Shabazz, and The Butler (2013), starring Forest Whitaker and based on the life of Eugene Allen.
View our photos of African-American biopics to compare these famous figures to the actors and actresses who have portrayed them.
Many African-Americans made their name performing at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, including Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown and Jimi Hendrix. The roster of talented artists who made their careers after a successful amateur night at the Apollo grew so large, that the venue earned a reputation as the place to jump-start the career of an ambitious hopeful. Other performers, like Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson, came to the theater after experiencing big professional success, adding further credibility to the historic New York concert hall. Explore the biographies of some of the more notable African-Americans who stepped out onto the Apollo stage, making entertainment history.
Meet famous people born in August. Barack Obama, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Tim Tebow, Ingrid Bergman, Halle Berry, Tony Bennett, Jack Black, Coco Chanel, and Andy Warhol are just some of the names you'll find share an August birthday.
Explore Biography.com's famous black dancers goup, including Alvin Ailey, Cab Cloway, Gregory Hines, Josephine Baker, Judith Jamison, Debbie Allen, Savion Glover, Sammy Davis Jr., Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.
Spanning jazz to soul to funk, to more contemporary genres like R&B, rap and pop, African-American musicians are responsible for chart-topping hits like "I Feel Good," "Respect," "Georgia on My Mind," "Let The Good Times Roll," "Good Golly Miss Molly" and "Thriller." Explore our collection of famous black musicians, including Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, B.B. King, Duke Ellington, James Brown, Little Richard, Beyoncé Knowles, and more.
From Whitney Houston's unbelievable vocal range to Michael Jackson's spot-on pitch and unforgettable choreography, these are the famous black singers who, together, have unequivocally defined pop culture for the masses for more than a century. Explore this group to learn more about some of the world's most renowned African-American vocalists, including Josephine Baker, Whitney Houston, Sammy Davis Jr., Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé Knowles, Chuck Berry, Nina Simone, Mary J. Blige, André 3000, Janet Jackson and Gladys Knight.
Browse notable dancers such as Rita Moreno, Josephine Baker, and Fred Astaire.
The first Grammy Awards ceremony was held in 1959, after Walk of Fame recording executives compiled a list of industry leaders who they realized would never get a star on Hollywood Boulevard, but deserved recognition. The group helped found the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and named their award the "Grammy" as a nod to Edison's gramophone. Since then, hundreds of music industry members have received Grammys for their notable accomplishments in the field of music and recording. Here are the many winners of this now-prestigious award.
Browse notable music producers such as Jay-Z, Barry White, and Alison Krauss.
What is it with celebrities and sex scandals? Like love and marriage, famous people and sex scandals just seem to go hand in hand. They're some of society's most powerful people, but these actors, politicians, athletes and musicians just can't seem to control their desires. These days it seems like if you open the closet of nearly any celebrity, some kind of (sexy) skeleton is sure to fall out. Here are the famous people who have had their naughty indiscretions—often plastered all over the front page of the newspaper.
Take a look at famous people named Jackson, such as Michael Jackson, Jesse L. Jackson Jr., and Janet Jackson.
Take a look at famous people named Michael, such as Michael Phelps, Michael Jackson, and Michael Johnson.
View famous people who died in 2009 such as Michael Jackson, Corazon Aquino, and Patrick Swayze.
Meet famous people like George Carlin, Ray Charles, Judy Garland, and Katharine Hepburn, who died in the month of June.
Meet famous icons such as Elvis Presley, Chris Farley, and Judy Garland who died from drug or alcohol-related causes or complications.
Browse notable singers such as Mariah Carey, Johnny Cash, and Linda Ronstadt.
Browse notable songwriters and composers such as Irving Berlin, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Leonard Bernstein.
Explore our collection of some of the most famous performers of the highly anticipated Super Bowl from the 1970s through today, including Ella Fitzgerald, Chubby Checker, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, the Rolling Stones, the Black Eyed Peas, No Doubt, Madonna, Cee Lo Green, Nicki Minaj, Usher and Beyoncé.
Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael were five brothers from Gary, Indiana, who became one of the biggest pop groups in music history. One of Motown's most successful acts in the 1970s, The Jackson 5 had four of their first singles hit the top of the Billboard chart, but the group's appeal was more than just musical - they were among the first black teen idols to appeal to a white audience. The Jackson 5's mix of mind-blowing musical talent and sheer charisma earned the family the status of pop royalty in the music business and later helped launch Michael's legendary solo career.
The Jackson family is arguably one of the most famous families in entertainment. Originating from Gary, Indiana, this iconic group influenced musical genres from R&B and soul, to pop. The nine Jackson children Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Michael, Randy, and Janet have all made their mark on the music industry. From the early success of "The Jackson 5" to Michael's reign as the "King of Pop," the siblings became important figures in popular culture, however not without controversy. Here we look at the members of this unforgettable family and their rise to fame.
Michael Jackson is one, so is Stephen King and Greta Garbo. Some say typical traits of Virgoans are helpful, critical, shy, and meticulous. Meet some famous people who share the astrological sign Virgo.