August 13: What Happened on This Day in History

Madhur Jaffrey (1933)

Madhur Jaffrey is an Indian-born British-American actress, food and travel writer, and television personality, renowned for popularizing Indian cuisine in the West through her cookbooks and television programs. She is also an accomplished actress, having appeared in a variety of films, television shows, and stage productions. [bio]

Sebastian Stan (1982)

Sebastian Stan is a Romanian-American actor best known for his role as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. [bio]

John Slattery (1962)

John Slattery is an American actor, director, and producer, best known for his role as Roger Sterling in the critically acclaimed TV series 'Mad Men.' He has also appeared in several popular films and television series, establishing himself as a versatile and respected figure in the entertainment industry. [bio]

Bert Lahr (1895)

Bert Lahr was an American actor, vaudeville performer, and comedian, best known for his iconic role as the Cowardly Lion in the classic 1939 film 'The Wizard of Oz.' [bio]

Sunil Shetty (1961)

Sunil Shetty is an Indian actor, film producer, and entrepreneur. Predominantly known for his work in Hindi cinema, Shetty has appeared in over 100 films since making his debut in 1992. He is widely recognized for his action roles in the 1990s and 2000s, as well as his contributions to the Indian film industry as a producer and restaurateur. [bio]

Sam Champion (1961)

Sam Champion is an American weather anchor best known for his work on the ABC flagship station WABC-TV and as a former co-anchor of ABC's "Good Morning America." He is recognized for his engaging on-air personality and coverage of major weather events. [bio]

Pat Harrington (1929)

Pat Harrington Jr. was an American actor and comedian, best known for his role as Dwayne Schneider, the building superintendent, on the sitcom 'One Day at a Time' (1975–1984). He had a long television and stage career, also recognized for his voice work and for appearances on variety shows in the 1950s and 1960s. [bio]

Debi Mazar (1964)

Debi Mazar is an American actress and television personality, known for her distinctive voice, sharp features, and roles in both film and television. She has appeared in a variety of supporting and leading roles, notably in Martin Scorsese's 'Goodfellas', as well as television series such as 'Entourage' and 'Younger.' [bio]

Paul Greengrass (1955)

Paul Greengrass is a British film director, screenwriter, and former journalist, best known for his work on the 'Bourne' film series and for his distinctive documentary-style filmmaking. Greengrass has gained critical and commercial success for his visceral approach to both action and historical drama. [bio]

Heike Makatsch (1971)

Heike Makatsch is a German actress and singer, widely known for her roles in both German and international films. She rose to fame as a television presenter before transitioning to a successful film career, appearing in high-profile movies such as 'Love Actually' and 'Resident Evil.' [bio]

Mickey Mantle (1995)

Mickey Mantle was an American professional baseball center fielder and first baseman who played his entire 18-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the New York Yankees. Regarded as one of the greatest switch-hitters in baseball history, Mantle was renowned for his power, speed, and ability to hit from both sides of the plate. He was a three-time American League … [bio]

Julia Child (2004)

Julia Child was an American cooking teacher, author, and television personality, recognized for bringing French cuisine to the American public through her cookbooks and television programs. [bio]

Kenny Baker (2016)

Kenny Baker was an English actor and musician best known for portraying the droid R2-D2 in the Star Wars film series. His contribution to one of the most influential pop culture franchises made him an enduring figure in cinema history. [bio]

Nino Ferrer (1998)

Nino Ferrer was an Italian-born French singer-songwriter, actor, and jazz musician, acclaimed for his eclectic musical output and distinctive style in the Francophone pop and rock scene of the 1960s and 1970s. [bio]

Jane Darwell (1967)

Jane Darwell was an American character actress in film, stage, and television, best known for her Oscar-winning role as Ma Joad in the 1940 film adaptation of John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath." Over her long career, she appeared in more than 170 films, frequently portraying matriarchal, grandmotherly, or nurturing figures. [bio]

Elaine Hammerstein (1948)

Elaine Hammerstein was an American actress active mainly during the silent film era, known for her roles in drama and romance films of the 1910s and 1920s. [bio]

Florence Nightingale (1910)

Florence Nightingale was a pioneering British nurse, statistician, and social reformer best known for founding modern nursing. She came to prominence during the Crimean War (1853–1856), where her efforts in organizing the care of wounded soldiers significantly reduced death rates. In 1860, she established the first scientifically based nursing school at St Thomas' Hospital in London. Her influential work, "Notes … [bio]

Marion Martin (1985)

Actress (dakota lil queen of burlesque), is killed at 67.

António de Spínola (1996)

Portuguese general and politician who served as the 14th President of Portugal, playing a significant role in the country's transition from...