November 17: What Happened on This Day in History

Rock Hudson (1925)

Rock Hudson was a prominent American actor, best known for his roles in classic films and as a leading man in Hollywood during the 1950s and 1960s. He gained recognition for his performances in romantic comedies as well as dramatic roles, becoming one of the industry's most popular stars of his era. [bio]

Rachel McAdams (1978)

Rachel McAdams is a Canadian actress acclaimed for her performances in both major Hollywood films and independent cinema. She gained wide recognition with her roles in 'Mean Girls' and 'The Notebook', and has since established herself as a versatile and talented performer across genres. [bio]

Jeff Buckley (1966)

Jeff Buckley was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist renowned for his emotive voice and wide vocal range. He is best known for his only complete studio album, 'Grace', released in 1994. Buckley's interpretation of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' has become especially influential and celebrated. [bio]

Tom Ellis (1978)

Tom Ellis is a Welsh actor best known for his role as Lucifer Morningstar in the television series 'Lucifer,' which gained international acclaim. He has also appeared in other notable TV shows such as 'Miranda' and played significant roles in British and American productions. [bio]

Eugene Wigner (1902)

Eugene Wigner was a Hungarian-American theoretical physicist and mathematician renowned for his significant contributions to the theory of the atomic nucleus and the fundamental principles of symmetry in physics. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1963 for his work on the structure of atomic nuclei and the application of symmetry principles to elementary particles. [bio]

Lauren Hutton (1943)

Lauren Hutton is an American supermodel and actress renowned for her groundbreaking modeling career and significant roles in film and television. She became famous as one of the first supermodels, notable for her signature gap-toothed smile, and has appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine a record 26 times. Hutton also enjoyed a successful acting career, most notably starring alongside … [bio]

Jonathan Ross (1960)

Jonathan Ross is an English television and radio presenter, film critic, and comedian, best known for hosting several long-running talk shows in the UK, including 'The Jonathan Ross Show' and the BBC's 'Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.' [bio]

Peter Cook (1937)

Peter Cook was a renowned British comedian, actor, satirist, and writer, widely recognized as a leading figure in the British satire boom of the 1960s and for his influential work in sketch comedy. [bio]

David Ramsey (1971)

David Ramsey is an American actor and director, best known for his role as John Diggle/Spartan in The CW's television series 'Arrow' and its related 'Arrowverse' shows. [bio]

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (1958)

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is an acclaimed American actress and singer, known for her dynamic roles in major films of the 1980s and her continued career on stage and television. She gained fame with her Oscar-nominated performance in 'The Color of Money' and has been recognized for her versatility in both dramatic and action genres. [bio]

Ferenc Puskás (2006)

Ferenc Puskás was a legendary Hungarian footballer and manager, celebrated for his exceptional scoring record and regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history. Puskás was renowned for his powerful left foot, prolific prowess in front of goal, and key contributions to both the Hungarian national team, famously known as the 'Mighty Magyars', and Real Madrid during his illustrious … [bio]

Esther Rolle (1998)

Esther Rolle was an American actress best known for her role as Florida Evans on the television sitcoms 'Maude' and its spin-off 'Good Times.' She was recognized for her portrayals of strong, dignified African-American women on television during the 1970s and 1980s. [bio]

Gladys Cooper (1971)

Gladys Cooper was a renowned English actress whose career spanned over seven decades in stage, film, and television. She was celebrated for her versatility and longevity, earning critical acclaim both in the UK and the US. [bio]

Ernestine Schumann-Heink (1936)

Ernestine Schumann-Heink was a celebrated operatic contralto known for her powerful voice and compassionate personality. Active from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, she had a remarkable career on major European and American opera stages, particularly known for her performances of Wagnerian roles. [bio]

Arthur Conley (2003)

Arthur Conley was an American soul singer best known for his 1967 hit single "Sweet Soul Music." He was recognized for his energetic performances and contributions to the soul genre during the 1960s and 1970s. [bio]

Clive Brook (1974)

Actor/director (on approval), dead at 87.

Naunton Wayne (1970)

Actor (dead of night), dies in 69.

Ruth Donnelly (1982)

Comedian, who dies in new york city at the age of 86.

Audre Lorde (1992)

Renowned African American poet, feminist, and civil rights activist who powerfully addressed issues of race, gender, sexuality, and class...

Heitor Villa-Lobos (1959)

Heitor Villa-Lobos was a Brazilian composer, described as the single most significant creative figure in 20th-century Brazilian art music.