November 19: What Happened on This Day in History

Adam Driver (1983)

Adam Driver is an acclaimed American actor known for his dynamic performances in both film and television. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequel trilogy and has received multiple award nominations for his work in drama and independent cinema. [bio]

Meg Ryan (1961)

Meg Ryan is an American actress and producer, widely known for her roles in romantic comedies during the late 1980s and 1990s. She became one of America's most beloved movie stars, famous for her charm and relatable on-screen persona. [bio]

Zeenat Aman (1951)

Zeenat Aman is an acclaimed Indian actress and model who gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s for her roles in Hindi cinema. Renowned for her bold screen persona and path-breaking performances, she is regarded as one of the most influential and glamorous actresses of her era. [bio]

Allison Janney (1959)

Allison Janney is an acclaimed American actress known for her versatile performances across film, television, and theater. She is particularly recognized for her roles in 'The West Wing' and 'Mom,' as well as her Academy Award-winning performance in the film 'I, Tonya.' [bio]

Tommy Dorsey (1905)

Tommy Dorsey was a renowned American jazz trombonist, composer, conductor and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known for his smooth trombone playing and led one of the most popular swing bands in the 1930s and 1940s. [bio]

Dick Cavett (1936)

Dick Cavett is an American television personality, comedian, and former talk show host, best known for hosting 'The Dick Cavett Show,' which aired in various formats on major networks from the 1960s to the 1980s. Renowned for his wit and intellectual approach, Cavett interviewed some of the most iconic figures in entertainment, politics, and culture. [bio]

Jack Welch (1935)

Jack Welch was an influential American business executive who served as the Chairman and CEO of General Electric (GE) from 1981 to 2001. Welch is widely recognized for his leadership style, aggressive management strategies, and for transforming GE into one of the world's most valuable companies during his tenure. [bio]

Erika Alexander (1969)

Erika Alexander is an American actress, writer, producer, and activist best known for her television roles as Maxine Shaw in the sitcom 'Living Single' and Cousin Pam on 'The Cosby Show.' She has also appeared in several films and is recognized for her advocacy work. [bio]

José Capablanca (1888)

José Raúl Capablanca was a Cuban chess player, widely regarded as one of the greatest chess masters in history. He was the third World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1921 to 1927, and was renowned for his superb endgame skill and speedy, natural style of play. [bio]

Sushmita Sen (1975)

Sushmita Sen is an Indian actress, model, and the winner of the Miss Universe 1994 pageant. She was the first Indian woman to earn the title and has since become a prominent figure in the Indian film industry, as well as a noted philanthropist and public speaker. [bio]

Mike Nichols (2014)

Mike Nichols was a German-born American film and theater director, producer, actor, and comedian, widely regarded as one of the most celebrated directors in film and stage history. He won numerous major awards, including an Academy Award, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony, making him one of the few EGOT winners. [bio]

Jason David Frank (2022)

Jason David Frank was an American actor and professional mixed martial artist best known for his role as Tommy Oliver in the "Power Rangers" franchise. With a career spanning acting, martial arts, and appearances at fan conventions, he became an iconic figure for generations of fans. [bio]

Della Reese (2017)

Della Reese was an American jazz and gospel singer, actress, and ordained minister, best known for her long-running leading role in the television drama series 'Touched by an Angel', as well as her successful career as a recording artist and television talk-show host. [bio]

Stepin Fetchit (1985)

Stepin Fetchit was the stage name of Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry, an American actor and comedian best known for being one of the first Black actors to have a successful film career in Hollywood. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the 'laziest man in the world', a controversial and stereotyped character that brought both fame and criticism. [bio]

John Neville (2011)

John Neville was an English theatre and film actor renowned for his distinguished stage presence and key roles in British and Canadian theatre, as well as for his notable film performance as the title character in 'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen' (1988). [bio]

Diane Varsi (1992)

Diane Varsi was an American actress best known for her role as Allison MacKenzie in the film adaptation of 'Peyton Place' (1957), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Varsi appeared in several notable films during the late 1950s and early 1960s, later stepping away from Hollywood for a period before returning for some film … [bio]

Cab Calloway (1994)

Cab Calloway was an influential American jazz singer, bandleader, and entertainer, celebrated for his energetic performances and charismatic stage presence. A key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, he rose to fame with his orchestra at the Cotton Club, and is especially known for his pioneering scat singing style and the hit song 'Minnie the Moocher.' Calloway's innovative musical approach and … [bio]

Peter Coffield (1983)

Actor (kevin w e b) dies at 37.

Charles Manson (2017)

Infamous cult leader who orchestrated a series of brutal murders in California during the late 1960s.

Frederick Sanger (2013)

Renowned British biochemist who won two Nobel Prizes in Chemistry, making groundbreaking contributions to understanding protein and DNA...