What Happened This Year 1928

Born in 1928

Vern Mikkelsen

Basketball player and coach with Lakers
Born
October 21st, 1928 96 years ago
Died
November 21st, 2013 11 years ago — 85 years old

Played professional basketball in the NBA for the Minneapolis Lakers from 1949 to 1959. Achieved success as a player by winning four championships. Transitioned to coaching and led teams at various levels including college basketball. Known for contributions to the sport during the early years of the NBA.

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Whitey Ford

Baseball pitcher and Hall of Famer
Born
October 21st, 1928 96 years ago
Died
October 8th, 2020 4 years ago — 91 years old

A pitcher in Major League Baseball, achieved prominence with the New York Yankees. Debuted in 1950 and became a key player during the Yankees' dynasty years. Helped the team secure six World Series titles. Known for exceptional pitching skills and earned a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. After retiring as a player, transitioned to coaching, contributing to the development of future players.

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Clare Fischer

American pianist and composer
Born
October 22nd, 1928 96 years ago
Died
2012 13 years ago — 84 years old

Contributed significantly to jazz music as a pianist, composer, and arranger. Developed a unique style blending classical influences with jazz. Worked with prominent artists including Prince, and arranged for various big bands. Composed various pieces and choral works, which incorporated innovative harmonies. Fischer's work had a lasting influence on the jazz genre.

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Nelson Pereira dos Santos

Brazilian film director and producer
Born
October 22nd, 1928 96 years ago
Died
2018 7 years ago — 90 years old

A Brazilian director, producer, and screenwriter, he significantly contributed to Brazilian cinema. His work encompassed various genres, with an emphasis on social issues and cultural representation. One of the most notable films, "Vidas Secas" (Barren Lives), highlighted the struggles of the impoverished in the Brazilian northeast, gaining international recognition. The film is often cited as a hallmark of the Cinema Novo movement, which aimed to reflect the realities of Brazilian society through innovative filmmaking techniques.

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George Bullard

American baseball player, catcher
Born
October 24th, 1928 96 years ago
Died
2002 23 years ago — 74 years old

A baseball player active from 1947 to 1954, primarily served as a catcher in Major League Baseball. Played for the Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Athletics. Contributed to the team's efforts during a transformative period in the sport. After a brief career, transitioned to coaching and developing young talent in baseball.

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Anthony Franciosa

American Actor in The Long, Hot Summer
Born
October 25th, 1928 96 years ago
Died
January 19th, 2006 19 years ago — 77 years old

An actor with a significant career in film and television, gained recognition for performances in both mediums. Early roles included appearances in the television series 'The Claimant' and 'Surfside 6'. Gained prominence in the film 'The Long, Hot Summer', alongside other notable works such as 'A Face in the Crowd' and 'The Assault'. Received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for portrayal in 'The Stranger'. Later starred in the television series 'The Name of the Game' and 'The City'.

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Peter Naur

Danish computer scientist and academic
Born
October 25th, 1928 96 years ago
Died
January 3rd, 2016 9 years ago — 87 years old

Contributed significantly to the development of computer science and programming languages. Developed an early version of the Algol programming language and worked on the concept of formal grammar. Played a key role in the establishment of computer science as a distinct academic discipline. Authored various influential works, notably on the syntax and semantics of programming languages, and contributed to the formulation of the Backus-Naur form, a notation for expressing context-free grammars. Had a deep interest in the epistemology of computer science and its philosophical implications.

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Jeanne Cooper

Television actress known for The Young and the Restless
Born
October 25th, 1928 96 years ago
Died
May 8th, 2013 11 years ago — 84 years old

Born in 1928, a prominent American actress gained wide recognition for her role as Katherine Chancellor on the soap opera 'The Young and the Restless.' This character became iconic over her 40-year tenure on the show, which started in 1973. Cooper's career spanned several decades, appearing in numerous television series and films. Early in her career, she featured in shows such as 'The Boris Karloff Festival' and 'The Twilight Zone.' Cooper also received critical acclaim and awards, solidifying her legacy in daytime television.

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Paulo Mendes da Rocha

Architect specializing in modernist designs
Born
October 25th, 1928 96 years ago
Died
2021 4 years ago — 93 years old

A leading figure in modernist architecture, contributed significantly to the landscape of Brazilian urban design. Elected to the Royal Institute of British Architects, received the Pritzker Prize in 2006 for excellence in his field. Projects include the Brazilian Museum of Sculpture and the Serra Dourada Stadium. Engaged in academic endeavors at various universities, influencing the next generation of architects with innovative ideas.

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