They've sprinted, served, batted, slam-dunked and TKO'd their way into sports history. Sprinter Jesse Owens's Olympic triumphs put Hitler to shame. Basketball star Michael Jordan taught kids that they could fly. Gymnast Gabby Douglas showed that champions can come in pint-size packages, and Tiger Woods brought the game of golf to another level. Explore biographies of famous black athletes who broke records and barriers and, ultimately, captured our imaginations.
Explore our collection of famous black entrepreneurs, including L.A. Reid, Tyler Perry, Tyra Banks, Magic Johnson, George Foreman, Madam C.J. Walker, Wally Amos, Russell Simmons, Kimora Lee Simmons, Will Smith, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Queen Latifah, Richard D. Parsons, Robert L. Johnson, Sheila Johnson, Don King, Berry Gordy Jr., Beyoncé Knowles, Jay-Z, Usher and Oprah Winfrey.
Find out more about some of the world's boxing legends, including Muhammad Ali, Rubin Carter, Sugar Ray Leonard, Jake LaMotta, Joe Frazier and Vincent Gigante. Examine the lives of some of the most talented boxers to step foot in the ring in recent years, including Laila Ali, Mike Tyson, Claressa Shields and Floyd Mayweather. Find all of this, and more, in Biography.com's famous boxers group.
You'll be surprised by some of the names included in Biography.com's group of celebrities who've written children's books. Dozens of celebs have penned literary works specially designed for kids, including Madonna, Billy Crystal, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jerry Seinfeld, Katie Couric, Whoopi Goldberg, Jay Leno and Queen Latifah. Find out who else has ventured into the imaginative world of children's books.
Kick off a New Year with a look at the creative and influential people who were born in the month of January. Historical figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr., musical geniuses like Wolfgang Mozart and pop icons such as Elvis Presley all celebrated birthdays within the month of January. See the other famous people who were born in the premiere month of the year.
With innovative ideas and charismatic personalities, many African-Americans have made lasting contributions to the country, while also earning millions. Oprah Winfrey emerged as a world-famous one-woman brand with her show, eventually becoming the world's first black billionaire. Robert L. Johnson started BET, the cable channel geared towards African-Americans. Athlete Michael Jordan turned into a household name through numerous endorsement deals. These people were among the first African-Americans to overcome the obstacles of discrimination and achieve top honors in their fields. With talent and determination, each one reinvented not only what it meant to be an African-American, but also what it meant to be an American.
Browse notable ministers such as Josiah Henson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Norman Vincent Peale.
Boxing was first introduced as an Olympic event at the 1904 Summer Olympics. Since then, the Games have introduced us to future boxing legends. In 1960, boxer Muhammad Ali won a spot on the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, returning home that year with a gold medal. At the 1976 Olympics, Sugar Ray Leonard won the gold medal in light-waterweight boxing, with the heavyweight title awarded to Leon Spinks. These men join the group of fighters, from George Foreman to Floyd Mayweather, who have made history in their run for Olympic Gold. Biography looks at some of the hardest hitters in Olympic boxing history.
Olympic medal winners have wowed us with their athleticism and determination and have made history with some of the most unforgettable moments in sports history. From Bruce Jenner's 1972 world record victory lap to Michael Phelps's astounding eight medal sweep at the 2008 Beijing Games, these champions have proven they have what it takes to be the best. Here's a look at some of the most well-known medal winners from past and present Olympic Games.
Take a look at famous people named George, such as George Cabot, George Carruthers, and George Weah.
The American Dream is the notion that, with hard work, any individual can emerge from poor circumstances to a life of wealth and security. Despite the economic ups and downs of modern times, the notion of lifting one's self up is still ingrained in our mindset. Some of our most famous celebrities are, in fact, people who came from nothing. Talent, hard work, and good fortune aligned to make these individuals successful business leaders, actors, athletes and more.