What Happened This Year 1937

Born in 1937

Rudy LaRusso

Basketball player and All-Star forward
Born
November 11th, 1937 88 years ago
Died
2004 22 years ago — 67 years old

Played professional basketball in the NBA primarily for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors and the Detroit Pistons. Career spanned from 1958 to 1968, with notable performances that earned All-Star selections. Contributed to the Warriors during the 1961-62 season, finishing with an average of 18.4 points per game. Also played for the Pistons achieving a reputation for strong scoring and rebounding skills.

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Alicia Ostriker

Poet and scholar of contemporary poetry
Born
November 11th, 1937 88 years ago

Born in 1937, this American poet and scholar has contributed significantly to contemporary poetry and feminist literature. Authoring numerous poetry collections, her major work includes 'The Mother / Child Papers' which explores themes of motherhood and identity. Additionally, her scholarly pursuits focus on the intersection of literature and feminism, leading to influential essays and critiques on the role of women in poetry. Active in academia, she has taught at several universities and is recognized for promoting women's voices in literature.

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Richard H. Truly

NASA astronaut and Space Shuttle commander
Born
November 12th, 1937 88 years ago
Died
2024 2 years ago — 87 years old

Richard H. Truly served as a NASA astronaut and made significant contributions to the United States' space exploration efforts. He participated in multiple space missions, including the first flight of the Space Shuttle Challenger. He commanded the STS-2 mission, which was the second flight of the Space Shuttle program, and he also flew on the STS-1 mission, the inaugural Space Shuttle flight. In addition to his work as an astronaut, he held several key positions within NASA, including Associate Administrator for Space Operations and Administrator of NASA.

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Murray Oliver

Ice hockey player and coach
Born
November 14th, 1937 88 years ago
Died
November 23rd, 2014 11 years ago — 77 years old

A Canadian ice hockey player and coach, played as a center in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1956 to 1971. Played for teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Boston Bruins, and the New York Rangers. After concluding a playing career, transitioned into coaching, guiding junior and professional teams in several leagues throughout Canada. Contributed to the development of several players during coaching tenure.

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Little Willie John

American Rhythm and Blues Singer
Born
November 15th, 1937 88 years ago
Died
1968 58 years ago — 31 years old

Born in 1937, a prominent figure in the Rhythm and Blues genre, distinguished for his powerful vocals. Achieved commercial success during the 1950s and 1960s with hit singles that showcased unique emotional depth. Recorded multiple albums and contributed to the development of soul music from the R&B tradition. Influenced various artists in both R&B and rock music.

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Alan Budd

Economist and academic
Born
November 16th, 1937 88 years ago
Died
2023 3 years ago — 86 years old

Contributed significantly to economic policy as an academic and economist in the UK. Served as the chief economic advisor to the UK government in the 1980s. Worked extensively in the field of economic research and public policy, focusing on macroeconomic issues. Held academic positions at several universities and was involved with various economic organizations.

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Peter Cook

English actor and screenwriter
Born
November 17th, 1937 88 years ago
Died
January 9th, 1995 31 years ago — 57 years old

An influential English actor and screenwriter, recognized for pioneering satirical comedy. Co-founded the comedy club 'The Establishment' in London, which became a hub for new comic talent. Created and starred in the sketch show 'Not Only... But Also' alongside Dudley Moore, which featured iconic characters and routines. Collaborated on several films including 'Bedazzled' (1967), which showcased his sharp wit and creativity.

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Eero Mäntyranta

Finnish Olympic cross-country skier
Born
November 20th, 1937 88 years ago
Died
2013 13 years ago — 76 years old

Competitive career spanned from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. Achieved notable success in cross-country skiing, winning multiple Olympic medals and World Championship titles. First gained prominence at the 1964 Innsbruck Winter Olympics, where secured two gold medals and one silver in cross-country events. Continued success in the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble with a gold medal in the 15 km event. Demonstrated excellence on the FIS World Cup circuit, securing prestigious victories.

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René Kollo

German tenor famous for opera performances
Born
November 20th, 1937 88 years ago

Born in 1937, a celebrated German tenor gained prominence for performances in major opera houses around the world. His career spanned several decades, highlighted by interpretations of dramatic roles in operas such as 'Aida', 'Carmen', and 'Tannhäuser'. He also performed in concert and recorded many acclaimed albums throughout his career. His contributions to the world of opera earned critical acclaim.

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