Spencer Haywood
Basketball player, 1968 Olympic gold medalist
An influential figure in basketball, played for the University of Detroit before joining the American Basketball Association (ABA). Achieved success with the Denver Rockets, where captured the ABA Rookie of the Year award in 1970. Later transitioned to the National Basketball Association (NBA), playing for teams including the New York Knicks, Seattle SuperSonics, and Los Angeles Lakers. Contributed significantly to the SuperSonics' 1979 NBA Championship victory. Made history by paving the way for players to enter professional leagues directly from high school, eventually leading to changes in player eligibility rules. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
Won a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics
Captured NBA Championship with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015
Other People Born on April 22nd
David Luiz
Brazilian footballer and defender
Born
April 22nd, 1987 38 years ago
Started professional career in Brazil with Esporte Clube Bahia. Moved to Europe to play for Benfica, winning the Primeira Liga and the Taça da Liga. Transferred to Chelsea FC, where he contributed to winning the UEFA Champions League in 2012 and the Premier League title in 2015. Had a successful return to Chelsea in 2019 and played for Arsenal FC. Represented Brazil in multiple international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup.
Continue ReadingSherri Shepherd
Actress and co-host of The View
Born
April 22nd, 1967 58 years ago
An American actress, comedian, and television personality garnered attention through roles in television and film. Achieved prominence as a co-host on the daytime talk show The View from 2007 to 2014. Featured in the sitcom 30 Rock as Angie Jordan, showcasing comedic talent. Starred in the film Precious, which received critical acclaim and multiple awards. Active in stand-up comedy, performing widely across the United States. Authored a memoir detailing personal experiences and life lessons.
Continue ReadingJeff Minter
Video game designer, Llamatron creator
Born
April 22nd, 1962 63 years ago
A British video game designer and programmer, contributed significantly to the gaming industry since the early 1980s. Created iconic games such as Llamatron, a well-regarded twin-stick shooter, and worked on titles for various platforms including the Atari ST and Commodore 64. Founded the development company Llamasoft, known for its retro-style and psychedelic games. Continues to be active in the gaming community, engaging with fans and developing new projects.
Continue ReadingDavid J. C. MacKay
Physicist and engineer in academia
Born
April 22nd, 1967 58 years ago
Died
2016 10 years ago — 49 years old
An English physicist and engineer, contributed significantly to the fields of information theory and machine learning. Served as a professor at the University of Cambridge, focusing on the intersection of physics and engineering. Authored the influential book, 'Information Theory, Inference, and Learning Algorithms', which became a key resource in these fields. Engaged in various research initiatives aimed at sustainable energy and future technologies.
Continue ReadingJeff Hostetler
American football quarterback champion
Born
April 22nd, 1961 64 years ago
Played as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL), primarily for the New York Giants, leading the team to victory in Super Bowl XXV. Achieved success as a backup quarterback and later as a starter, showcasing skills in both regular season and playoff games. After his tenure with the Giants, played for the Los Angeles Raiders, contributing to the team's performance in subsequent seasons.
Continue ReadingRosalind Gill
English sociologist and academic
Born
April 22nd, 1963 62 years ago
A prominent figure in sociological research, contribution focused on gender, media, and cultural studies. Involved in the exploration of the impacts of digital culture on gender identities and labor. Published extensively in academic journals and authored several influential books. Active in discussions around the intersections of feminism and digital media, facilitating critical insights into contemporary social issues related to these fields.
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