The famed literary and celluloid antagonist was based on a Mexican doctor who murdered his boyfriend in 1959.

Leads Josh Brolin and Sean Astin have enjoyed extended success as actors, while others pivoted to work as screenwriters, stunt coordinators and activists.

The world was riveted to the long-running saga of the American exchange student who was accused of killing her roommate.

Formerly enslaved Douglass was inspired by the white abolitionist’s passion, but they often butted heads, including over the raid at Harpers Ferry.

The vice president possessed a deep admiration for his devoted son who succumbed to brain cancer at age 46.

The politician's life was upended following his election to the U.S. Senate in 1972 when his first wife and baby daughter lost their lives.

The double-amputee amazed legions of fans with his world-class sprinting times before he shocked them by killing his girlfriend on Valentine's Day 2013.

The physicist received her counterpart's support when her private affairs were exposed to a gossip-hungry public.

These Big Apple-based organizations have weathered bloody insurrections, federal convictions and undercover agents through decades of legal and illicit operations.

The notorious robber was killed by a would-be gang member while plotting his next heist.

These children of the 'Bel Paese' left behind an indelible imprint with their contributions to humanity, sports, science and popular culture.

The Queen frontman's dental emergency opened the door for the punk rockers' foul-mouthed introduction to the world on live television.

Backed by an ambitious stage mom, the street boys from Manhattan’s Upper East Side set sail as singers before hitting their stride as comedic maestros.

Wepner's 1975 fight with Muhammad Ali motivated Sylvester Stallone to write the movie about a fighting underdog.

The alt-rock group found its roots in Seattle's post-punk scene, before taking flight on the vocals of San Diego surfer-songwriter Eddie Vedder.

The "Welcome to the Jungle" hitmakers met in the seedy underbelly of Hollywood in the early 1980s.

After professional basketball players were finally allowed to compete at the Olympics, a pack of NBA legends steered Team USA to victory at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

Seeking an outlet for their love of American blues and R&B, the two former classmates teamed up with other like-minded musicians to form the group that would set the standard for rock royalty.

The first lady refused to see all but a select group of visitors and feuded with officials from Springfield, Illinois, over the president’s burial site.

The punk rock icon and his girlfriend shared the plunge into the excesses of the lifestyle, until he was charged with her murder in October 1978.

After the death of the actor who played Coach, Harrelson joined the show, invigorated the cast with his youthful zest and quickly won over audiences.

The Bard churned out 'King Lear,' 'Macbeth' and 'Antony and Cleopatra' as London reeled from the foiled Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and an outbreak of the bubonic plague the following year.

Isolated during the Great Plague of London, the philosopher engaged in the groundbreaking discoveries that marked his "year of wonders."

The New York City couple were executed for conspiracy to commit espionage in 1953, sparking decades of conspiracy talk that produced new twists in the 21st century.