Ralph McQuarrie
Conceptual designer for Star Wars
Contributed as a key conceptual designer and illustrator in the film industry, particularly in science fiction. Primarily associated with the original Star Wars trilogy, created iconic designs that shaped the visual aesthetics of space operas. His artwork included character designs, environments, and spacecraft which set a standard for future films in the genre. Worked closely with George Lucas, helping to establish the look and feel of the Star Wars universe, thus influencing countless films and media in the science fiction genre.
Designed characters and settings for Star Wars
Worked on concepts for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Contributed to the design of Battlestar Galactica
Other People Born on June 13th
Antoni Radziwiłł
Composer and politician in Lithuania
Born
June 13th, 1775 251 years ago
Died
April 7th, 1833 193 years ago — 57 years old
A prominent figure in Lithuanian cultural life, contributed to music and politics in the early 19th century. Held the position of Voivode of Vilnius and played a significant role in the political landscape. His compositions included various symphonic and chamber works. Engaged in efforts to promote the arts and culture in Lithuania during a time of political turmoil.
Continue ReadingDon Budge
Tennis player and coach, Grand Slam winner
Born
June 13th, 1915 111 years ago
Died
January 26th, 2000 26 years ago — 84 years old
An American tennis player achieved the first Grand Slam in 1938, winning all four major championships in a single calendar year. Budge secured victories at the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. His innovative playstyle and powerful two-handed backhand revolutionized the game. Post-retirement, Budge contributed to tennis as a coach and served as a spokesperson for the sport, promoting its growth. He also played a significant role in the establishment of tennis as a professional career.
Continue ReadingUlla Schmidt
German Federal Minister of Health
Born
June 13th, 1949 77 years ago
An educator and politician, served as the Federal Minister of Health in Germany from 2001 to 2009. Focused on health care reforms and policies that aimed to improve the German health system. Worked on initiatives related to health insurance and prevention strategies, advocating for better health care access for citizens. Played a significant role in establishing health care regulations and frameworks during tenure.
Continue ReadingSher Bahadur Deuba
Nepalese politician and Prime Minister
Born
June 13th, 1946 80 years ago
Served multiple terms as Prime Minister of Nepal, with the first term beginning in 1995. Played a significant role in the Nepali Congress party and in Nepal's democratic movement. Actively participated in the peace process following the civil war in Nepal, contributing to the constitution drafting process. Engaged in various political negotiations and alliances during a tumultuous period in Nepalese history.
Continue ReadingJosé Bonifácio de Andrada
Brazilian poet and politician
Born
June 13th, 1763 263 years ago
Died
April 6th, 1838 188 years ago — 74 years old
A key figure in the Brazilian independence movement, played a pivotal role in the transition from colonial status to the establishment of an independent nation. Served as a statesman and advisor to Emperor Dom Pedro I. Contributed to the philosophical and literary landscape of Brazil through poetry and academic endeavors. His work emphasized national identity and cultural values during a transformative period in Brazilian history.
Continue ReadingAntje Möldner-Schmidt
German middle-distance runner, Olympian
Born
June 13th, 1984 42 years ago
Competed in middle-distance and long-distance events. Specialized in the 3000 meters steeplechase. Represented Germany at international competitions. Achieved notable success at the European Championships. Participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, finishing 9th in the 3000 meters steeplechase. Also competed in various national and European events, securing medals and personal records.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on March 3rd
Chhatrapati Rajaram
3rd Chhatrapati of Maratha Empire
Born
1670 356 years ago
Died
March 3rd, 1700 326 years ago — 30 years old
Ascended to the throne as the third Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire. Led the Maratha resistance against the Mughal Empire after the passing of his predecessor. His reign included significant military campaigns to reclaim lost territories and maintain the sovereignty of the Maratha territory. Focused on administrative reforms and fortification of defenses. He also played an instrumental role in nurturing the legacy of the Maratha Empire, ensuring its prominence in Indian history.
Continue ReadingRoger Bannister
Middle-distance athlete, first sub-4 minute miler
Born
March 23rd, 1929 97 years ago
Died
March 3rd, 2018 8 years ago — 88 years old
An English middle-distance athlete achieved global recognition for running the first official sub-four-minute mile on May 6, 1954, with a time of 3 minutes 59.4 seconds at Iffley Road Track in Oxford. This historic feat marked a significant milestone in athletics. After retiring from competitive running, pursued a career in medicine, becoming a neurologist. Contributed to the medical community through research and teaching.
Continue ReadingErnest Braun
Physicist and academic, authored textbooks
Born
1925 101 years ago
Died
March 3rd, 2015 11 years ago — 90 years old
Austrian-English physicist and academic contributed significantly to the fields of physics and education. Focused on the development of various educational materials and textbooks, influencing the dissemination of knowledge in physics. Worked at several academic institutions, where emphasized the importance of practical applications of physics in education. Participated in numerous physics-related discussions, promoting collaborative research and inquiry. Contributed to advancements in physics education and played an important role in shaping curricula.
Continue ReadingMarguerite Duras
French author and film director
Born
April 4th, 1914 112 years ago
Died
March 3rd, 1996 30 years ago — 81 years old
An influential figure in literature and cinema, this individual wrote novels, screenplays, and plays. The semi-autobiographical novel "The Lover" became a bestseller and was adapted into a film. Engaged in the avant-garde movement, contributions included exploring themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time. In the realm of cinema, excellent work in film direction was noted, especially in adaptations of her literary works. This person was also involved in political activism and journalism, particularly during World War II.
Continue ReadingLou Costello
Comedian and actor in Abbott and Costello
Born
March 6th, 1906 120 years ago
Died
March 3rd, 1959 67 years ago — 52 years old
An American actor and comedian, this performer gained prominence as part of the comedy duo Abbott and Costello. The duo’s unique blend of humor included memorable routines and wordplay, with the most famous sketch being 'Who’s on First?' Their television show, 'The Abbott and Costello Show,' aired in the 1950s and contributed significantly to their popularity. The duo also starred in numerous feature films, including 'Buck Privates,' which became a box office hit during World War II. Costello’s career was marked by his ability to blend physical comedy with clever dialogue, earning a dedicated following during his lifetime.
Continue ReadingNorman Smith
English drummer and producer of pop music
Born
1923 103 years ago
Died
March 3rd, 2008 18 years ago — 85 years old
A prominent English drummer and record producer, contributed to the UK music scene from the 1960s. Played drums on iconic Beatles tracks such as 'Please Please Me' and 'She Loves You'. Transitioned to a successful career as a producer, working with notable artists like Pink Floyd and directing their early albums. Notably produced the acclaimed album 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'.
Continue Reading