May 2: What Happened on This Day in History

Dwayne Johnson (1972)

Dwayne Johnson, also known by his ring name 'The Rock,' is a globally recognized American actor, producer, businessman, and former professional wrestler. He initially gained fame as one of WWE's most charismatic and successful wrestlers, before transitioning to a highly successful career in Hollywood, starring in blockbuster franchises such as 'Fast & Furious,' 'Jumanji,' and 'Moana.' [bio]

Christine Baranski (1952)

Christine Baranski is an acclaimed American actress known for her versatile work in theater, television, and film. With a career spanning several decades, she has received numerous awards and widespread recognition for her performances. [bio]

David Suchet (1946)

David Suchet is an English actor best known for his role as Agatha Christie's detective Hercule Poirot in the long-running British television series. His portrayal of Poirot has been widely acclaimed as definitive. [bio]

Satyajit Ray (1921)

Satyajit Ray was a renowned Indian film director, screenwriter, author, and composer, widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century. He is best known for his work in Bengali cinema, notably for directing the acclaimed 'Apu Trilogy' (Pather Panchali, Aparajito, Apur Sansar), which brought Indian cinema to international prominence. Ray's storytelling, visual style, and humanistic approach made … [bio]

Ellie Kemper (1980)

Ellie Kemper is an American actress, comedian, and writer, widely recognized for her roles in the television series 'The Office' and 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.' [bio]

Matt Berry (1974)

Matt Berry is an English actor, comedian, musician, and writer, best known for his distinctive voice and for starring in sitcoms such as 'The IT Crowd', 'Toast of London', and 'What We Do in the Shadows'. He has built a cult following with his irreverent comedic style and has also enjoyed success as a musician and voice actor. [bio]

Lesley Gore (1946)

Lesley Gore was an American singer, songwriter, and actress, best known for her hit pop singles in the 1960s, particularly "It's My Party." She became an icon of the early 1960s pop scene and later became an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. [bio]

Theodore Bikel (1924)

Theodore Bikel was an Austrian-American actor, folk singer, musician, and activist, renowned for his roles on stage and screen, as well as his significant contributions to folk music. Over his long career, Bikel became particularly well known for portraying Tevye in 'Fiddler on the Roof' and for co-founding the Newport Folk Festival. [bio]

Hedda Hopper (1885)

Hedda Hopper was a prominent American actress and one of Hollywood's most influential gossip columnists. Best known for her powerful and sometimes controversial syndicated newspaper column, Hopper became a central figure in 20th-century Hollywood, using her platform to shape public opinion about celebrities, movies, and political issues. [bio]

James Badge Dale (1978)

James Badge Dale is an American actor best known for his roles in both television series and major motion pictures, including 'The Pacific,' '24,' 'Iron Man 3,' and 'World War Z.' His performances have earned recognition for their intensity and versatility across genres. [bio]

Osama bin Laden (2011)

Osama bin Laden was a Saudi Arabian-born militant and the founder of al-Qaeda, the extremist organization responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, most notably the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. Bin Laden became the most wanted terrorist in the world after masterminding several deadly operations against Western and allied targets. [bio]

Leonardo da Vinci (1519)

Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian polymath of the Renaissance era, renowned as a painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, scientist, and inventor. He is most famous for his masterpieces "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper," as well as his extensive notebooks filled with studies on anatomy, engineering, optics, and nature. Da Vinci's contributions spanned both the arts and sciences, influencing countless … [bio]

Oliver Reed (1999)

Oliver Reed was a British actor known for his intense screen presence and for starring in a range of popular films from the 1960s through the 1990s. He gained recognition for roles in movies such as 'Oliver!', 'Women in Love', and 'Gladiator.' Reed was also known for his off-screen charisma, reputation as a hellraiser, and candid personality. [bio]

Lynn Redgrave (2010)

Lynn Redgrave was an acclaimed English actress and playwright, widely recognized for her extensive work in film, television, and theatre. She received numerous accolades over her career, including nominations for Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, Emmy Awards, and Tony Awards. Noted for her versatility and wit, Redgrave became a beloved figure in British and American entertainment. [bio]

Caryl Chessman (1960)

Caryl Chessman was an American author and convicted criminal who gained worldwide attention for his long and controversial time on death row, during which he became an advocate for criminal justice reform and the abolition of capital punishment. [bio]

Gene Raymond (1998)

Gene Raymond was an American actor, screenwriter, director, producer, and composer best known for his work in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s. He appeared in more than 50 films and is recognized for his roles in romantic comedies and musicals. [bio]

Michael Hordern (1995)

Sir Michael Hordern was a distinguished English actor known for his extensive work in theatre, film, radio, and television, acclaimed for his versatility and longevity in the performing arts. [bio]

Maidie Norman (1998)

Maidie Norman was an American film, television, and stage actress and educator, best known for her pioneering roles as an African-American woman in Hollywood during the mid-20th century. She is recognized for her efforts to fight against stereotypical portrayals of Black women in film and television. [bio]

Joseph R McCarthy (1957)

Joseph McCarthy was a controversial U.S.

Tibor Kalman (1999)

Tibor Kalman was a groundbreaking Hungarian-American graphic designer who revolutionized visual communication through his innovative design...