When the then-29-year-old pitched the TV show to network execs, he described it as “a comedy show, frank and intelligent, for young, urban adults.”

The African American scientist is known as the "Peanut Man," but did he actually create the popular spread?

The activist was much more than a woman who once refused to cede her seat on a segregated bus, as she spent decades fighting for civil rights.

The civil rights icon met his end on April 4, 1968, while seeking victory for the Memphis' struggling sanitation workers.

When the ‘Golden Girls’ star isn’t on screen, she can be found bonding with animals of every kind — and fighting for their wellness.

The NFL star received a life sentence in 2015 for the murder of his friend Odin Lloyd. He hung himself in his jail cell two years later.

After staying up until 4 a.m. to craft a speech he hoped would have the same impact as the Gettysburg Address, MLK Jr. went off-script for his most iconic words.

When the guitarist walked out of the Fab Four, the "Wonderful Tonight" singer was the first choice to take over.

The director and journalist's love story began the moment they met and lasted until Nichols' death in 2014.

For centuries, generations of royals have endured many ups and downs with their children.

A spontaneous meeting of two powerhouse British musical acts in Switzerland created one of the most iconic songs in music history.

After his injury, the 'Superman' actor devoted his life fighting for medical advancements as he lived out his final years as a quadriplegic.

The rock band risked it all by washing their faces clean in a live reveal — only to go back to wearing makeup a decade later.

An over-reliance on psychedelic drugs drove the rock star from the bounds of reality and forced his bandmates to cut ties to keep their musical dreams alive.

Actors Mary Tyler Moore and Ed Asner may be best known for appearing together in 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show,' but their connection extended far beyond their on-screen roles.

See what Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez and the rest of the pack have been up to since their big 1980s debut.

As Benedict's successor, Francis' liberal and minimalistic beliefs are a stark contrast from Benedict's more traditional practices.

Not happy with his character after the first table read, Daniels left the role before filming even began.

The pontiff cited advanced age as the reason behind his shocking move in February 2013, though his decision may have been aided by the difficulties of bringing the Church into the 21st century.

The writer didn't have to look far to pen the now-classic American novel.

The quick-witted actress' passion for fun and games launched her groundbreaking 80-year career in television.

The then-unknown actor lit up the screen with his charisma and one-liners, turning the coming-of-age comedy into a cult favorite.

The Italian dictator described "The Cardinal's Mistress" as “a novel for seamstresses and scandal.”

These are the real-life mobsters and events that inspired the books and movies.