What Happened This Year 1971

Born in 1971

C. S. Lee

Korean-American actor in 'Dexter'
Born
December 30th, 1971 53 years ago

A Korean-American actor, noted for significant work on television. Gained prominence for portraying Vince Masuka in the series 'Dexter'. The role highlighted skills in balancing humor with darker themes. Appeared in other productions, enhancing visibility in the entertainment industry. Active in various film and television projects.

Continue Reading

Ricardo

Spanish footballer and manager
Born
December 30th, 1971 53 years ago

A former footballer and manager, this individual played as a goalkeeper and had a significant career in professional football. Played for various clubs including Real Betis and CD Tenerife in La Liga. Transitioned to management after retirement, leading teams in lower divisions. Achieved recognition in both playing and coaching roles, showcasing leadership on and off the pitch.

Continue Reading

Esteban Loaiza

Baseball player and All-Star pitcher
Born
December 31st, 1971 53 years ago

Born in Mexico, a professional baseball player established a successful career in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right-handed pitcher. Played for several teams, including the Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, and Kansas City Royals. Achieved All-Star status in 2003 while with the Chicago White Sox, marking a peak in performance during that season. Achieved over 100 career wins in MLB and recorded a significant strikeout rate. Recognized for his contributions to the game during his time in both the American and National Leagues.

Continue Reading

Heath Shuler

American football player, politician
Born
December 31st, 1971 53 years ago

A former professional American football quarterback and a politician. Played college football at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Selected by the Washington Redskins as the third overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft. Played for the Redskins and the New Orleans Saints during an NFL career that spanned from 1994 to 1997. After retiring from football, served as a U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 11th congressional district from 2007 to 2013. Focused on issues including education and healthcare during time in Congress.

Continue Reading

Brent Barry

Basketball player and sportscaster
Born
December 31st, 1971 53 years ago

A former professional basketball player and sportscaster, played in the NBA primarily with the San Antonio Spurs and the Seattle SuperSonics. After retiring, transitioned into broadcasting, providing commentary and analysis for various sports networks. Achieved notable success during playing career, participating in three NBA championships and winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1996.

Continue Reading

Sergei Bodrov Jr.

Actor and director, 'Brother' series
Born
1971 54 years ago
Died
September 20th, 2002 23 years ago — 31 years old

An actor, director, and screenwriter with significant contributions to Russian cinema. Gained prominence through compelling performances in films such as 'Brother' and its sequel 'Brother 2'. Directed the award-winning film 'Mongol', which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Bodrov's work often depicted themes of youth, morality, and struggle within the sociopolitical context of Russia.

Continue Reading

Koko

Western lowland gorilla and ASL user
Born
1971 54 years ago
Died
June 19th, 2018 7 years ago — 47 years old

A western lowland gorilla achieved prominence through the use of American Sign Language. Residing in captivity, facilitated communication with human caregivers and demonstrated cognitive abilities. Engaged in various studies aimed at understanding animal cognition and communication. Gained attention from the public and media, contributing to awareness of gorilla conservation.

Continue Reading

Kim Jong-nam

North Korean politician, former heir apparent
Born
1971 54 years ago
Died
February 13th, 2017 8 years ago — 46 years old

An influential figure in North Korean politics, served as the eldest son of Kim Jong-il. Initially considered the successor to his father, faced political challenges and a growing rivalry with his younger brother Kim Jong-un. Lived in exile after falling out of favor, residing in several countries. Assassinated in 2017 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, highlighting tensions within the North Korean regime.

Continue Reading

Sean O'Haire

Wrestler and mixed martial artist
Born
1971 54 years ago
Died
September 8th, 2014 11 years ago — 43 years old

A professional wrestler and mixed martial artist participated in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Gained popularity for unique wrestling style and engaging persona. Transitioned into mixed martial arts, showcasing skills in various fighting disciplines, including kickboxing. Competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and later became involved in several independent wrestling promotions. In addition to athletic pursuits, contributed to the training of up-and-coming wrestlers, sharing knowledge and experience within the industry. Career spanned multiple decades until death in 2014.

Continue Reading