1938 1940

What Happened This Year 1939

All Events 112 Births 578 Deaths 124

Born in 1939

D'Urville Martin

Actor and Director of 'Dolemite'

Born

1939 87 years ago

Died

May 28th, 1984 42 years ago — 45 years old

An actor and director contributed to film and television primarily in the 1970s. Directed the film 'Dolemite' in 1975, which became a cult classic. Appeared in notable films including 'The Big Bird Cage' and 'Black Gunn'. Alongside acting, involved in various projects that highlighted African American culture.

Brian Jacques

Author of the Redwall series

Born

1939 87 years ago

Died

February 5th, 2011 15 years ago — 72 years old

An English author and radio host, recognized for creating the Redwall series, a collection of children's fantasy novels that feature anthropomorphic animals and rich storytelling. The first book in the series, 'Redwall', was published in 1986, and it became immensely popular, leading to multiple sequels. The series explores themes of bravery, friendship, and adventure. Jacques also hosted a radio program, 'Jakestown', on BBC Radio Merseyside, where he shared stories and insights about literature and storytelling. His contributions to children's literature earned him a dedicated readership and several awards throughout his career.