May 3: What Happened on This Day in History

Bing Crosby (1903)

Bing Crosby was an American singer, actor, and media personality, widely regarded as one of the most influential musical artists of the 20th century. He achieved global fame through his smooth baritone voice, pioneering work in audio recording, and leading roles in film, radio, and television. [bio]

Jaycee Dugard (1980)

Jaycee Dugard is an American kidnapping survivor and author. She was abducted in 1991 at age 11 and held captive for over 18 years before being discovered and rescued in 2009. [bio]

Christina Hendricks (1975)

Christina Hendricks is an American actress and former model, best known for her role as Joan Holloway on the critically acclaimed television series 'Mad Men.' With her distinctive red hair and commanding screen presence, Hendricks has become a prominent figure in both television and film. [bio]

Ben Elton (1959)

Ben Elton is an English comedian, author, playwright, actor, and director. He is best known for his work in British television comedy during the 1980s and 1990s, including co-writing acclaimed sitcoms such as 'The Young Ones' and 'Blackadder.' [bio]

Bobby Cannavale (1970)

Bobby Cannavale is an American actor best known for his work in television, film, and theater. He is recognized for his dynamic and versatile performances in projects such as 'Third Watch,' 'Boardwalk Empire,' 'Vinyl,' and 'Will & Grace.' Cannavale has also appeared in notable films including 'The Station Agent,' 'Blue Jasmine,' and 'I, Tonya.' He is celebrated for his dynamic … [bio]

Reza Aslan (1972)

Reza Aslan is an Iranian-American writer, religious scholar, professor, and television host. He is best known for his works on religion, particularly the books 'No god but God' and 'Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth.' Aslan is also recognized for his commentary on contemporary religious issues and for hosting television series on topics intersecting faith, society, and … [bio]

Joseph Kosinski (1974)

Joseph Kosinski is an American film director best known for his work on visually striking science fiction and action films, including 'Tron: Legacy,' 'Oblivion,' and 'Top Gun: Maverick.' His background in architecture influences his unique visual style and approach to cinematic world-building. [bio]

Damon Dash (1971)

Damon Dash is an American entrepreneur, record executive, film producer, and actor, best known for co-founding Roc-A-Fella Records alongside Jay-Z and Kareem 'Biggs' Burke. He played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of numerous hip-hop artists during the late 1990s and early 2000s. [bio]

Noah Munck (1996)

Noah Munck is an American actor, comedian, and music producer, best known for his role as Gibby on the Nickelodeon television series 'iCarly.' He has also worked as an electronic music producer under the alias Noxik. [bio]

Mary Astor (1906)

Mary Astor was an American actress best known for her roles in classic Hollywood films, most notably 'The Maltese Falcon' (1941), where she starred alongside Humphrey Bogart. Her career spanned silent films to talkies, earning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'The Great Lie' (1941). [bio]

Jackie Cooper (2011)

Jackie Cooper was an American actor, television director, producer, and executive who began his career as a child actor and remained active in the entertainment industry for over six decades. He became the youngest performer to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his work in 'Skippy' (1931). Cooper also played significant roles in … [bio]

Lloyd Price (2021)

Lloyd Price was an influential American R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his pioneering contributions to the development of rock and roll and rhythm and blues with hits such as 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy' and 'Personality.' [bio]

Robert Alda (1986)

Robert Alda was an American actor and singer, best known for his work in musical theatre, film, and television. He was particularly recognized for his Tony Award-winning role in the original Broadway production of 'Guys and Dolls' and for being the father of actor Alan Alda. [bio]

Diana Wynyard (1964)

Diana Wynyard was an English stage and film actress, notable for her distinguished performances in both British and American cinema and theater during the early to mid-20th century. [bio]

Dalida (1987)

Legendary singer and performer who transcended cultural and linguistic boundaries in the music world.

Karel Appel (2006)

Karel Appel was a prominent Dutch post-war artist known for his vibrant, expressive abstract paintings and sculptures.

Lev Pontryagin (1988)

A renowned Russian mathematician who made groundbreaking contributions to topology, differential equations, and optimal control theory.

Gary Becker (2014)

Gary Becker was a Nobel Prize-winning economist who revolutionized economic analysis by applying economic methods to human behavior and...

Frank Foster (1958)

Renowned jazz saxophonist and composer who was a key member of Count Basie's band from 1953-1964.

Narciso Yepes (1997)

Renowned Spanish classical guitarist and composer who significantly contributed to the international recognition of the classical guitar.