Phyllis Diller
Comedian and voice artist in 'The Jetsons'
Born
Died
Category
Performers & Entertainers
Country
United States
Links & References
An American actress and comedian, gained recognition for a unique comedic style characterized by self-deprecating humor and eccentric persona. Started a career in the 1950s and made significant contributions to both stand-up comedy and television. Appeared in films such as 'The Pruitts of Southampton' and voiced the character of the hag in the animated series 'The Jetsons'. Diller also became a regular guest on various talk shows and entertained audiences with her distinctive laugh and energetic performances.
Voiced the character of the hag in 'The Jetsons'
Appeared in 'The Pruitts of Southampton'
Regular guest on talk shows such as 'The Tonight Show'
Other People Born on July 17th
Omari Banks
Cricketer with notable international debut
Born
July 17th, 1982 43 years ago
Professional cricket career began in the early 2000s, representing the West Indies at various levels. Played as a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler. Made international debut in a One Day International match against England in 2003. Played domestic cricket for Anguilla and participated in several tournaments, showing promising potential in the sport.
Continue ReadingJustine Triet
Film director and screenwriter
Born
July 17th, 1978 47 years ago
Born in 1978, this individual is recognized as a prominent figure in contemporary French cinema. Directorial debut occurred with the film 'La bataille de Solférino' in 2013, which garnered attention for its innovative storytelling. Followed by the critically acclaimed 'Innocent' in 2016 and 'Anatomy of a Fall' in 2022, the latter winning the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Their works often explore complex human emotions and relationships, reflecting a strong narrative style.
Continue ReadingOG Anunoby
British basketball player, Toronto Raptors
Born
July 17th, 1997 28 years ago
Played college basketball for the University of Indiana. Selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors. Contributed to the Raptors' success during their championship run in the 2018-2019 season, where the team won the NBA Championship. Recognized for defensive skills and versatility on the court.
Continue ReadingDarius Boyd
Rugby league player, State of Origin star
Born
July 17th, 1987 38 years ago
Played rugby league professionally in Australia, primarily as a fullback and prominently for the Brisbane Broncos. Won three NRL premierships and represented Queensland in the State of Origin series multiple times. Achieved significant success throughout a career spanning over a decade, being a key player in his teams' performances. His contributions to the Broncos helped solidify the team's status in the National Rugby League.
Continue ReadingJason Jennings
Baseball pitcher, 2002 NL Rookie of the Year
Born
July 17th, 1978 47 years ago
A former professional baseball player who played as a pitcher. Made his Major League Baseball debut in 2001 with the Colorado Rockies. Achieved success as the 2002 National League Rookie of the Year after an impressive first season. Played for multiple teams throughout a career that spanned several years, including the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. Established a reputation for durability and innings-eating prowess on the mound, contributing to various team successes during tenure.
Continue ReadingLoui Eriksson
Swedish ice hockey left winger
Born
July 17th, 1985 40 years ago
Born in 1985, Eriksson began a professional career in ice hockey with the Dallas Stars after being drafted in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He played for the Stars from 2006 to 2013, contributing significantly to the team's performance. A standout season came in 2011 when he achieved a career-high in goals. After his tenure in Dallas, Eriksson joined the Boston Bruins, where he was part of a team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2013. He later played for the Vancouver Canucks and the Arizona Coyotes, showcasing consistent offensive skills. Internationally, Eriksson represented Sweden in several tournaments, including the IIHF World Championships and the Winter Olympics.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on August 20th
Ed Freeman
Medal of Honor recipient and soldier
Born
November 20th, 1927 98 years ago
Died
August 20th, 2008 17 years ago — 80 years old
Served as a soldier and helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. Participated in the Battle of Ia Drang, where he made multiple rescue flights to evacuate wounded soldiers under enemy fire. Demonstrated exceptional bravery and dedication, which led to the awarding of the Medal of Honor for actions during this conflict. Later had a career in various roles, including leadership positions within the military. His legacy is honored through the recognition of his courage and service.
Continue ReadingNarendra Dabholkar
Indian author and rationalist activist
Born
1945 81 years ago
Died
August 20th, 2013 12 years ago — 68 years old
An Indian author and activist focused on rationalism and social reform. Founded the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, an organization combating superstition and promoting scientific thinking. Wrote extensively on the topics of atheism and rationalism. Authored several books addressing superstition, including 'The Myth of God' and 'Crisis of Faith'. Recognized for vigorous advocacy against black magic and fraudulent practices, leading campaigns to educate the public on rational thought and skepticism.
Continue ReadingStephanie Tubbs Jones
American politician and lawyer
Born
1949 77 years ago
Died
August 20th, 2008 17 years ago — 59 years old
A prominent figure in American politics, served as a U.S. Representative for Ohio's 11th congressional district from 1999 until passing in 2008. Elected as the first African American woman to represent Ohio in Congress, advocated for education, healthcare, and civil rights. Prior to congressional service, held positions including the first female assistant county prosecutor in Cuyahoga County and judge in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. Active in numerous local and national organizations, focused efforts on promoting social justice and economic equality.
Continue ReadingLeona Helmsley
American hotelier and real estate leader
Born
July 4th, 1920 105 years ago
Died
August 20th, 2007 18 years ago — 87 years old
A prominent business figure in the hotel and real estate industry, operated the Helmsley Hotels. Gained notoriety for operating high-end hotels in New York City, including the famous Parker Meridien and the Grand Hyatt. Her business strategies and controversies garnered significant media attention throughout her career. Became a key figure in the New York social scene during the 1980s, often associated with luxury living and extravagant lifestyles. Her legal troubles in the late 1980s and her eventual conviction for tax evasion, which led to a four-year prison sentence, marked significant turning points in her life.
Continue ReadingAdolf von Baeyer
Chemist and Nobel Prize laureate
Born
October 31st, 1835 190 years ago
Died
August 20th, 1917 108 years ago — 81 years old
A prominent chemist and academic, major contributions included the synthesis of indigo and the development of several significant reactions in organic chemistry. Baeyer served as a professor at the University of Munich and influenced the study of organic compounds, especially aromatic compounds. He received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1905 for his work in organic chemical research. His findings laid groundwork for the modern understanding of chemical structures and reactions.
Continue ReadingKim Stanley
American actress in Broadway and film
Born
February 11th, 1925 101 years ago
Died
August 20th, 2001 24 years ago — 76 years old
An accomplished American actress, noted for profound performances on stage and screen. Achieved early success in the Broadway productions of 'Batchelor's Holiday' and 'The Rose Tattoo', earning a Tony Award for the latter. Transitioned to film with memorable roles in 'The Goddess' and 'Bus Stop', showcasing a range of emotional depth and complexity. Received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for the film 'Seance on a Wet Afternoon'. Later, featured in television dramas and miniseries, including 'The Last of Mrs. Lincoln', further solidifying a reputation for strong character portrayals, particularly in adaptations of literary works.
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