What Happened This Year 1920

Born in 1920

Stan Musial

Baseball player; 3-time MVP
Born
November 21st, 1920 104 years ago
Died
January 19th, 2013 12 years ago — 92 years old

A prominent baseball player and manager, this individual played 22 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball. Achievements included three Most Valuable Player awards and 24 All-Star selections. He was recognized as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history, finishing his career with a .331 batting average. After retiring as a player, he enjoyed a brief managerial stint and remained involved with the Cardinals as an ambassador.

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Ralph Meeker

American actor in 'Paths of Glory'
Born
November 21st, 1920 104 years ago
Died
1988 37 years ago — 68 years old

An American actor prominent in the mid-20th century, notable for performances in film, television, and theater. Gained recognition for the role of Lieutenant H. Golightly in Stanley Kubrick's film 'Paths of Glory' (1957). Also starred in the Broadway production of 'The Iceman Cometh' and appeared in TV series such as 'The Twilight Zone.' Meeker's career spanned several decades, showcasing a range of character roles that displayed his versatility on stage and screen.

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Baidyanath Misra

Indian economist and educator
Born
November 22nd, 1920 104 years ago
Died
2019 6 years ago — 99 years old

Contributed significantly to the field of economics in India, especially in agricultural economics. Served as a professor and later as the Vice-Chancellor at a prominent university. Participated in various government committees aimed at improving national agricultural policies. Played a role in formulating techniques that enhanced agricultural productivity in India.

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Anne Crawford

British actress in 'The Dam Busters'
Born
November 22nd, 1920 104 years ago
Died
October 17th, 1956 68 years ago — 35 years old

Born in 1920, this actress gained prominence in British cinema during the 1940s. Featured in several films, the portrayal in 'The Dam Busters' stands out as a significant role. Also appeared in 'The Way Ahead' and 'The Goon Show', showcasing talent in both drama and comedy. After a successful career, experienced personal health challenges in later years.

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Paul Celan

Poet and translator of 'Death Fugue'
Born
November 23rd, 1920 104 years ago
Died
1970 55 years ago — 50 years old

Born in Romania, a poet and translator emerged as a prominent figure in 20th-century literature. Celan's most celebrated work, 'Death Fugue,' reflects on the horrors of the Holocaust and the struggles of memory and language. After World War II, Celan settled in France, where he engaged with surrealism and existentialism in his poetry. His works are characterized by their deep existential themes and linguistic innovation, often exploring identity, loss, and trauma. Celan contributed significantly to the discourse of post-war European literature and was involved in translating works from German to French, enhancing cultural exchange between the two languages.

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Noel Neill

American actress and Lois Lane portrayal
Born
November 25th, 1920 104 years ago
Died
2016 9 years ago — 96 years old

An American actress gained prominence for portraying Lois Lane in the Superman film series, particularly in the 1948 film serial and the 1950 sequel. The role exemplified her contributions to early superhero cinema. Neill began her career in radio before transitioning to film and television. Her work on 'Adventures of Superman' in the 1950s solidified her connection to the Superman legacy, making it a significant part of her career. Her career spanned several decades, with appearances in both film and television, and she remained a beloved figure among Superman fans until her passing.

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Ricardo Montalbán

Mexican actor and Star Trek star
Born
November 25th, 1920 104 years ago
Died
January 14th, 2009 16 years ago — 88 years old

A prominent Mexican actor with a career that spanned over seven decades. Achieved fame through performances in film and television. Gained significant recognition for role as Khan Noonien Singh in 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan'. Starred in the television series 'Fantasy Island' as Mr. Roarke, a character that became iconic. Also featured in numerous films, including 'The King and I', 'Fiesta', and 'Give Me Your Heart'. His work extended to voice acting, contributing to animated films and series.

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Shelagh Fraser

English actress in 'The Innocents'
Born
November 25th, 1920 104 years ago
Died
August 29th, 2000 24 years ago — 79 years old

An English actress, celebrated for significant roles in film and television, particularly her performance in the 1961 film 'The Innocents' based on Henry James's novella 'The Turn of the Screw'. Work spanned several decades with appearances in various stage, television, and film productions. Fraser gained recognition for her portrayals in popular television series including 'Doctor Who' and 'The Avengers'. In addition to her work onscreen, Fraser contributed to British theatre.

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Daniel Petrie

Film and television director and producer
Born
November 26th, 1920 104 years ago
Died
August 22nd, 2004 20 years ago — 83 years old

A director and producer in film and television. Directed the classic TV movie 'Brian's Song' in 1971, which depicted the life of football player Brian Piccolo. His work spanned several decades, contributing to both television and film. Received several accolades throughout his career, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or a Special. Also directed films like 'The Dollmaker' and 'Forty Carats'.

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