Ray Liotta
American actor in crime dramas
An American actor gained prominence for performances in crime dramas and thrillers. Best recognized for the role of Henry Hill in the film 'Goodfellas,' directed by Martin Scorsese. Other notable performances include the portrayal of Shoeless Joe Jackson in 'Field of Dreams' and participation in the television series 'Shades of Blue.' Established a reputation for intense character portrayals, particularly in roles associated with organized crime.
played Henry Hill in 'Goodfellas'
played Shoeless Joe Jackson in 'Field of Dreams'
starred in the series 'Shades of Blue'
Other People Born on December 18th
Johann Salomo Semler
German historian and biblical critic
Born
December 18th, 1725 300 years ago
Died
March 14th, 1791 235 years ago — 65 years old
Contributed to biblical criticism and historical methodology. Played a key role in the development of textual criticism of the Bible. Established the importance of historical context in understanding religious texts through his scholarly works. Helped lay the foundation for later developments in liberal theology and critical scholarship.
Continue ReadingEmil Starkenstein
Czech pharmacologist, co-founded clinical pharmacology
Born
December 18th, 1884 141 years ago
Died
November 6th, 1942 83 years ago — 57 years old
A pharmacologist co-founded the discipline of clinical pharmacology, significantly contributing to the understanding of drug effects on the human body. Starkenstein's work laid the groundwork for future research in medical therapies and the evaluation of drug efficacy and safety. Throughout the career, collaboration with other prominent scientists drove advancements in pharmacological studies, shaping the way drugs are tested and used in clinical settings.
Continue ReadingEric Tindill
Rugby player and cricket umpire
Born
December 18th, 1910 115 years ago
Died
August 1st, 2010 15 years ago — 99 years old
A rugby player and cricketer with significant contributions to both sports. Played rugby for the Wellington representative team and served as captain. Also participated in first-class cricket matches, primarily representing Wellington. Transitioned to officiating as an international cricket umpire, overseeing matches in various competitions. His dual career in sports left a notable legacy in New Zealand's athletic history.
Continue ReadingFrancis Burton Harrison
American politician and general
Born
December 18th, 1873 152 years ago
Died
November 21st, 1957 68 years ago — 83 years old
Born in 1873, served as the sixth Governor-General of the Philippines from 1913 to 1921. Positioned during a period of American colonial rule, focused on promoting self-governance and civil rights for Filipinos. Earned a reputation for advocating for Filipino representation in government and enhancing educational opportunities. Played a significant role in the establishment of the Philippine legislature.
Continue ReadingJack Brooks
American colonel and politician
Born
December 18th, 1922 103 years ago
Died
December 4th, 2012 13 years ago — 89 years old
Served as a U.S. Congressman from Texas for over 40 years. Played a significant role in various legislative efforts, particularly in education and civil rights. Contributed to significant oversight on governmental agencies and was a member of key committees. Participated in military service during World War II and the Korean War. After a distinguished career in the military, transitioned to politics and became an influential figure in Texas.
Continue ReadingRaymond Herrera
Drummer and songwriter for Fear Factory
Born
December 18th, 1972 53 years ago
A prominent drummer and songwriter, contributions to the metal genre include significant work with the band Fear Factory. Established a distinctive sound through technical drumming and innovative songwriting. The group gained recognition in the 1990s for blending heavy metal with industrial music. This individual helped shape the band's iconic album 'Demanufacture', which is often cited as a landmark release in the genre.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on May 26th
Al Simmons
Baseball player and coach, Hall of Famer
Born
May 22nd, 1902 123 years ago
Died
May 26th, 1956 69 years ago — 54 years old
A prominent baseball player and coach from the early 20th century. Played primarily as an outfielder. Spent the majority of his career with the Philadelphia Athletics, achieving great success in Major League Baseball. Accumulated over 2,000 hits and maintained a high batting average throughout his career. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953, solidifying a legacy as one of the game's greats. Later took on coaching roles, contributing to the development of future baseball talent.
Continue ReadingLes Johnson
Australian politician and legislator
Born
November 22nd, 1924 101 years ago
Died
May 26th, 2015 10 years ago — 90 years old
A prominent Australian politician, served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1975 to 1983. Represented the Division of Hughes as a member of the Liberal Party. Sought to influence policies within the Australian government during a period of significant change. Actively participated in parliamentary debates and committees.
Continue ReadingSidney Smith
Admiral and politician in England
Born
June 21st, 1764 261 years ago
Died
May 26th, 1840 185 years ago — 75 years old
Born in 1764, a prominent admiral and politician served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. He participated in various naval engagements, including the Siege of Acre where strategic leadership played a crucial role in defending against French forces. Later, he took on political responsibilities and represented various constituencies in the Parliament. His contributions in both military and political fields were significant during a transformative period in British history.
Continue ReadingOtto Muehl
Austrian-Portuguese painter and director
Born
June 16th, 1925 100 years ago
Died
May 26th, 2013 12 years ago — 87 years old
Born in 1925, this artist worked primarily in the visual arts and theater. He was a key figure in the Viennese Actionism movement, known for avant-garde performances that challenged societal norms. Muehl founded the 'Actionism' group, which promoted radical performance art in the 1960s. In 1970, he established a commune in Portugal that blended art with communal living. His work often involved provocative themes that aimed to provoke social and emotional engagement.
Continue ReadingAndy Fletcher
English musician and Depeche Mode co-founder
Born
1961 65 years ago
Died
May 26th, 2022 3 years ago — 61 years old
A prominent English musician played keyboards for the band Depeche Mode, which was formed in 1980. The band achieved significant commercial success and is recognized as a pioneer of electronic music. Fletcher contributed to the band’s distinctive sound and was involved in their songwriting process. Depeche Mode released several critically acclaimed albums, including "Violator" and "Songs of Faith and Devotion," which garnered international acclaim and several awards. Fletcher’s role in the band continued until his death in 2022.
Continue ReadingFriz Freleng
Animator and director of Looney Tunes
Born
August 21st, 1906 119 years ago
Died
May 26th, 1995 30 years ago — 88 years old
An American animator, director, and producer contributed significantly to the creation of iconic characters and cartoons. Started working with Warner Bros. in the 1930s, Freleng directed numerous Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons. His work included famous characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig. Freleng co-created the beloved character Tweety Bird and worked on notable films including 'The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie.' Received multiple Academy Awards for his contributions to animation and film, solidifying a prominent place in animation history.
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