What Happened This Year 2006

People Who Died in 2006

Robert Cornthwaite

American actor in 'The Thing' (1951)
Born
April 28th, 1917 108 years ago
Died
2006 19 years ago — 89 years old

An American actor began his career on stage before transitioning to film and television. Gained recognition for portraying Dr. Arthur Carrington in the science fiction film 'The Thing from Another World' (1951). Made appearances in various television series including 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Gunsmoke'. Worked on several other films throughout a career that spanned several decades, including notable roles in 'The Incredible Shrinking Man' and 'The Time Machine'.

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Wang Xuan

Computer Scientist and Academic
Born
February 5th, 1937 88 years ago
Died
2006 19 years ago — 69 years old

Contributions to computer science include work on Chinese character recognition and input methods. Developed the first Chinese word processor and contributed to advancements in text processing for Chinese languages. Held a professor position and served in various academic roles throughout a career dedicated to promoting computer science in China.

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Luke Graham

Professional wrestler and promoter
Born
February 5th, 1940 85 years ago
Died
2006 19 years ago — 66 years old

Graham entered the wrestling scene in the early 1960s and rose to prominence throughout the decade. Competing primarily in the United States, he was recognized for his technical skills and charismatic persona. Graham held multiple championships during his career and became involved in wrestling promotion, contributing to the growth of the sport. His influence extended beyond his in-ring career, as he helped train future generations of wrestlers.

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J Dilla

American rapper and music producer
Born
February 7th, 1974 51 years ago
Died
2006 19 years ago — 32 years old

A prominent figure in hip-hop music, contributed as a producer and rapper with a distinctive style that influenced modern music. Released the critically acclaimed album 'Donuts' shortly before passing away in 2006. Worked with numerous artists and formed part of the influential group Slum Village, which he co-founded. His innovative use of sampling and drum programming set a standard in the genre.

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Craig Kusick

Baseball player and coach
Born
September 30th, 1948 77 years ago
Died
2006 19 years ago — 58 years old

Played primarily as a first baseman in Major League Baseball. Debuted with the Minnesota Twins in 1971 and played until 1977. Transitioned to coaching after retirement, contributing to baseball development at various levels. Served in coaching roles with youth and collegiate teams, sharing expertise with aspiring players.

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King Floyd

American singer-songwriter and musician
Born
February 13th, 1945 80 years ago
Died
2006 19 years ago — 61 years old

A prominent figure in the funk and soul music genres, this artist gained recognition with the hit single 'Groove Me,' released in 1970. The song reached No. 1 on the R&B chart and climbed to No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. His smooth vocals and distinct style attracted a dedicated following during the peak of his career. The artist released several albums throughout the 1970s, notable for blending elements of funk, soul, and R&B. Although the mainstream success waned over the subsequent decades, live performances and recordings continued to showcase musical talent and creativity, culminating in a lasting legacy within the genre.

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Jean-Jacques Servan-Schreiber

French journalist and politician
Born
February 13th, 1924 101 years ago
Died
2006 19 years ago — 82 years old

Servan-Schreiber worked as a journalist and politician in France. He founded the newspaper L'Express in 1953, which became influential in French journalism. He served as a member of the National Assembly from 1967 to 1973. As a politician, he advocated for European integration and modernization of France's economy. His writings significantly influenced public opinion and political discourse in post-war France, particularly during periods of societal change.

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Sally Gray

English actress and singer in film and stage
Born
February 14th, 1915 110 years ago
Died
2006 19 years ago — 91 years old

Born in 1915, this English actress and singer gained prominence in the mid-20th century. Appearing in several films and stage productions, significant roles included performances in 'The Man from Morocco' and 'The Young Lovers'. In addition to acting, vocal talents were showcased in various music performances during her career. Contributions to the entertainment industry spanned several decades.

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Ian Hamilton Finlay

Scottish poet and garden sculptor
Born
October 28th, 1925 100 years ago
Died
2006 19 years ago — 81 years old

A Bahamian-Scottish poet, sculptor, and gardener, contributed significantly to the concrete poetry movement. Engaged in creating a landscape of art that combined language and sculpture within garden settings. His work often reflected themes of nature, history, and politics. Founded Little Sparta, a unique garden and artistic project in Scotland, which integrated poetry and visual art into the landscape.

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