Harold Sakata
Wrestler and actor, portrayed Oddjob
A Japanese-American wrestler and actor gained recognition for playing the character Oddjob in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. Initially a successful amateur wrestler, he transitioned to professional wrestling, competing in various matches across the United States. The performance in Goldfinger brought significant attention and opened doors to further artistic endeavors, including appearances in television series and films. Contributions to both wrestling and acting resulted in a lasting legacy in popular culture.
Portrayed Oddjob in Goldfinger
Competed in professional wrestling
Other People Born on July 1st
Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur
French general during American Revolution
Born
July 1st, 1725 300 years ago
Died
May 10th, 1807 218 years ago — 81 years old
Born in 1725, served as a French general during the American Revolutionary War. Commanded French forces that aided the Thirteen Colonies in their struggle against British rule. Played a crucial role in the Siege of Yorktown, contributing to the decisive victory over British General Cornwallis in 1781. Worked closely with General George Washington, strengthening the alliance between France and America. After the war, returned to France, where he continued to serve in the military until retirement.
Continue ReadingVasantrao Naik
Indian politician, 3rd Chief Minister of Maharashtra
Born
July 1st, 1913 112 years ago
Died
August 18th, 1979 46 years ago — 66 years old
Served as the third Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1963 to 1966, implementing policies for agricultural reform and rural development. Elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1952, held various ministerial positions before assuming the chief ministership. Contributed to the establishment of cooperative farming and efficient irrigation systems, greatly impacting the agrarian economy of the state. Played a significant role in the reorganization of Maharashtra's administrative boundaries.
Continue ReadingToshi Seeger
Activist and Clearwater Festival co-founder
Born
July 1st, 1922 103 years ago
Died
July 9th, 2013 12 years ago — 91 years old
Co-founded the Clearwater Festival to raise awareness about environmental issues related to the Hudson River. Played a crucial role in promoting environmental education and activism through events and initiatives. Worked tirelessly alongside her husband, Pete Seeger, to advocate for ecological preservation and sustainable practices. Engaged the community and encouraged public involvement in environmental causes through musical and artistic expression.
Continue ReadingNguyễn Đình Chiểu
Vietnamese poet and revolutionary
Born
July 1st, 1822 203 years ago
Died
July 3rd, 1888 137 years ago — 66 years old
A prominent poet and activist in the 19th century, contributed significantly to Vietnamese literature and national identity. Wrote poetry that reflected resistance against colonialism and celebrated Vietnamese culture. Became a key figure during the French colonial period, using literature as a means to inspire national pride and unity. Spent much of life in poverty and blindness, yet continued to write influential works that rallied the spirit of the Vietnamese people.
Continue ReadingGerald Edelman
Immunologist and Nobel Prize Winner
Born
July 1st, 1929 96 years ago
Died
May 17th, 2014 11 years ago — 84 years old
A notable biologist and immunologist, contributions include extensive research on the immune system and the development of the theory of neural Darwinism. Played a significant role in understanding immunoglobulin and the development of monoclonal antibodies. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1972 for discoveries related to the immune system.
Continue ReadingArthur Borton
English colonel, Victoria Cross recipient
Born
July 1st, 1883 142 years ago
Died
1933 92 years ago — 50 years old
An English colonel served during World War I and received the Victoria Cross for gallantry during action in 1917. Borton demonstrated exceptional bravery and leadership that led to significant contributions to military operations. After the war, continued service in the armed forces marked a commitment to duty and country. Recognized for extraordinary courage under fire, the actions during combat earned a distinguished place in military history.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on July 29th
Péter Kiss
Hungarian engineer and politician
Born
1959 66 years ago
Died
July 29th, 2014 11 years ago — 55 years old
Contributed to engineering and public service in Hungary. Served as Deputy Mayor of Budapest, where efforts centered on urban development and infrastructure improvement. Engaged in various engineering projects that aimed to enhance urban living environments. Played a significant role in the political landscape, leading initiatives focused on modernization and technological advancement within the city. Advocated for sustainable urban planning during tenure, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to urban challenges.
Continue ReadingBruce Edward Ivins
Bio-defense researcher with anthrax studies
Born
1946 79 years ago
Died
July 29th, 2008 17 years ago — 62 years old
A scientist focused on bio-defense research, contributing significantly to the study of anthrax. Worked at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, leading efforts in vaccine development and response strategies against biological threats. Participation in various government bio-terrorism response initiatives marked career. Research included the characterization of anthrax spores and vaccine efficacy.
Continue ReadingFranklin H. Westervelt
American computer scientist and engineer
Born
1930 95 years ago
Died
July 29th, 2015 10 years ago — 85 years old
Contributed significantly to computer science and engineering through academic endeavors. Worked extensively in the field of computer graphics and visualization. Served in various capacities at renowned institutions, focusing on the advancement of technology and education. Engaged in research that influenced the development of systems in computer science, specifically in image processing and visualization techniques.
Continue ReadingMaría Antonia Iglesias
Spanish journalist and author
Born
1945 80 years ago
Died
July 29th, 2014 11 years ago — 69 years old
A prominent journalist and author, this individual contributed extensively to Spanish media. Work in television included hosting the news program 'Informe Semanal,' which provided in-depth news coverage. Authored several books, focusing on contemporary social issues and historical events in Spain. Work in journalism focused on political and social topics, especially during critical periods in Spanish history. Maintained a significant presence in media through various roles and platforms.
Continue ReadingMarcel-Paul Schützenberger
Mathematician and theoretical computing expert
Born
October 24th, 1920 105 years ago
Died
July 29th, 1996 29 years ago — 75 years old
A mathematician and academic who contributed to combinatorics and formal language theory. Developed the concept of rational series and introduced the Schützenberger group. His research in algebraic structures significantly influenced theoretical computer science. Held academic positions in various institutions and actively published scholarly articles throughout a distinguished career.
Continue ReadingNikolai Volkoff
Wrestler and tag team champion
Born
October 14th, 1947 78 years ago
Died
July 29th, 2018 7 years ago — 70 years old
Born in Croatia and later moving to the United States, a professional wrestler gained fame in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) during the 1980s and 1990s. Volkoff's character featured elements of his Eastern European heritage, often portrayed as a Soviet villain during the height of the Cold War. He formed a successful tag team with The Iron Sheik, winning the WWF World Tag Team Championship. Additionally, Volkoff had a career in wrestling that spanned several decades, performing in various promotions across the world.
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