Advanced search

Earl Simmons (December 18, 1970 - April 9, 2021), known by his stage name DMX ("Dark Man X"), was an American rapper and actor. He began rapping in the early 1990s and released his debut album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot in 1998, to both critical acclaim and commercial success, selling 251,000 copies within its first week of release. DMX released his best-selling album, ... And Then There Was X, in 1999, which included the hit single "Party Up (Up in Here)". His 2003 singles "Where the Hood At?" and "X Gon' Give It to Ya" were also commercially successful. He was the first artist to debut an album at No. 1 five times in a row on the Billboard 200 charts. Overall, DMX sold over 74 million records worldwide.

Big Pun was born on 9 November 1971 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for That Awkward Moment (2014), Vacation (2015) and Life of the Party (2018). He was married to Liza Rios. He died on 7 February 2000 in White Plains, New York, USA.

André Leon Talley was born on 16 October 1948 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. He was an actor, known for Sex and the City (2008), The September Issue (2009) and Empire (2015). He died on 18 January 2022 in White Plains, New York, USA.

One the most successful entertainers of the Black vaudeville stage, also known as the Chitlin Circuit, was Jackie "Moms" Mabley, born Loretta Mary Aiken in 1894. At the apex of her long career, she was earning $10,000 a week at Harlem's Apollo Theatre. Mabley focused on conventional topics such as family and others not normally covered by comedians of the era, white or Black, such as infidelity, poverty, welfare, and inebriation.

Billed as the Funniest Woman in the World, she adopted her original stage name from a boyfriend, Jackie Mabley, and began her career at 14. A teenage runaway, she joined the Negro troupe of Henry Bowman and Tim Moore and, in a short time, became a success. Quick-witted and quick-tongued, Mabley's unorthodox, self-assured routines as an outspoken grandma while wearing bag-lady clothes--old-fashioned print dresses and floppy hats--was a favorite with Black female audiences, particularly when she was lampooning the psychology of men. Her career spanned five decades, although white audiences did not know of her until the early 1960s. Mabley played Carnegie Hall in 1962. Mainstream TV appearances in the 1960s included variety appearances on shows hosted by Flip Wilson, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967), and Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967). She was an inspiration for irreverent female comics of that era, including Phyllis Diller and, in her final years, Mabley poked fun at the president and other government officials.

Les Paul was born on 9 June 1915 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA. He was an actor and director, known for Speed Racer (2008), Casino (1995) and Carol (2015). He was married to Mary Ford and Virginia Webb. He died on 12 August 2009 in White Plains, New York, USA.

John Carter was born on 22 September 1922 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. He was an editor and director, known for Boomerang (1992), Friday (1995) and Men of Honor (2000). He was married to Carole Carter. He died on 13 August 2018 in White Plains, New York, USA.

Michael Mineo was born on 14 March 1937 in Bronx, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Tonka (1958) and Person to Person (1953). He was married to Trevina Kapchan. He died on 28 June 1984 in White Plains, New York, USA.

Songwriter ("Easy Come, Easy Go"), composer, actor and author. He performed in the Broadway stage production of "West Side Story", and wrote the lyrics for other stage offerings, including the off-Broadway production "Fallout", Julius Monk's night club revues, the Broadway show "The Girls Against the Boys", and the 1964 New York World's Fair show "To Broadway With Love". He wrote the Broadway stage score for "Hot Spot". Joining ASCAP in 1962, his chief musical collaborator was Mary Rodgers, and his other popular-song compositions include "Perfect Strangers", "Gabie", "Hey, Love", "I Think the World of You", "Welcome to Our Country", "A Little Trouble Goes a Long, Long Way", "Nebraska", "Big Meeting Tonight", "That's Good - That's Bad", and "Ten Good Years".

Ann Hillary was born on 8 January 1926 in Jellico, Tennessee, USA. She was an actress, known for Monsters (1988), Kraft Theatre (1947) and Tales from the Darkside (1983). She was married to Frederick Knott. She died on 27 March 2019 in White Plains, New York, USA.

Jean Carroll was born on 7 January 1911 in Paris, France. She was an actress, known for The Jean Carroll Show (1953), Cavalcade of Broadway: Leon and Eddie's (1950) and The Patti Page Show (1956). She was married to Buddy Howe. She died on 1 January 2010 in White Plains, New York, USA.

Jay Henry was born on 14 July 1910 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for We're Not Dressing (1934). He died on 23 December 1951 in White Plains, New York, USA.

Mildred Joanne Smith was born on 16 May 1921 in Struthers, Ohio, USA. She was an actress, known for No Way Out (1950), The Stoolie (1972) and Quite Contrary (1953). She was married to David Andrew Hepburn. She died on 19 July 2015 in White Plains, New York, USA.

Joseph Basile was born and raised in White Plains, New York by Italian grandparents. His parents had no time to watch him and his younger sister Cathy because they were busy working to support the household. Joseph struggled in school because he learned Italian before English due to his grandparents. Joseph took it upon himself to teach himself everything and was accepted into Pace University after High School. Joseph later Graduated with a Business Degree in Management and went into business with his father Frank, doing Landscaping. Joseph got the acting bug at 25 years of age and sold his business portion back to his father to pursue acting. Joseph's constant wonder and curiosity about the entertainment business will make him a person with a strong backbone and a will that can not be denied.

Martin Taras was born on 9 August 1914 in New York City, New York, USA. He was a director and writer, known for The Lord of the Rings (1978), Wizards (1977) and Spider-Man (1967). He died on 2 November 1994 in White Plains, New York, USA.

Johnny Roventini served for more than four decades as a spokesman for Philip Morris and a living trademark for the firm's namesake brand of cigarettes. (See note.) His voice was heard on thousands of radio and television programs sponsored by the company, and he was seen in his bellboy's regalia (red-trimmed black cap; black-trimmed, bright red tunic with gold buttons; red-striped black trousers and white formal gloves) at thousands of personal appearances across the U.S. until he retired in 1974. And it was on account of his ever-present smile and outstretched hand that he was a favorite of all who met him. (Note: the Philip Morris cigarette brand ceased to exist in 1989. The company renamed the cigarette "Commander," and that brand was still available when Johnny died, some 65 years after he first represented Philip Morris. It remained an unfiltered cigarette 70 millimeters long.)

Leslie Midgley was born on 18 January 1915 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Leslie was a producer, known for CBS Reports (1959), CBS Evening News (1962) and Eyewitness to History (1959). Leslie was married to Betty Furness and Jean Burke. Leslie died on 19 June 2002 in White Plains, New York, USA.

James Morricone was born on 30 July 1946 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor and producer, known for Intervention (2004), A System Devoured (1999) and A Brooklyn State of Mind (1998). He was married to Diane James. He died on 12 August 2022 in White Plains, New York, USA.

Vivien Eng was born on 6 June 1964. She was an actress, known for Away We Go (2009), Precious (2009) and Barney Live! In New York City (1994). She died on 4 September 2015 in White Plains, New York, USA.

Harry Gresham was an actor, known for Rocky King, Detective (1950), Route 66 (1960) and Hands of Mystery (1949). He died in July 1970 in White Plains, New York, USA.

Sara Perry was born on 16 September 1871. She was an actress, known for One Too Many (1950). She died on 18 January 1959 in White Plains, New York, USA.

Tao Porchon was born on 13 August 1918 in Pondicherry, French India [now Puducherry, India]. She was an actress, known for I Married Joan (1952), The Adventures of McGraw (1957) and I Know a Woman Like That (2009). She was married to Bill Lynch. She died on 21 February 2020 in White Plains, New York, USA.

Laurie Beechman was born on 4 April 1953 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. She was an actress, known for Hair (1979), The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana (1982) and The Fourth King (1977). She was married to Neil Mazzella. She died on 8 March 1998 in White Plains, New York, USA.

Philip Gips, the graphic designer and advertising executive who created iconic posters for such films as Rosemary's Baby, Alien, Network, Superman and Fatal Attraction, also designed posters for other movies including Downhill Racer (1969), That's Entertainment (1974), Tommy (1975), The Front (1976), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), All That Jazz (1979), Arthur (1981), Absence of Malice (1981), Sophie's Choice (1982), The Verdict (1982), Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Hoosiers (1986) and No Way Out (1987).

In 2001, Premiere magazine placed three of his works for Alien, Rosemary's Baby and Downhill Racer - on its list of the "50 Best Movie Posters of All Time."

Jean Stafford was born on 1 July 1915 in Covina, California, USA. Jean was a writer, known for Hollywood Opening Night (1951) and Pardon Me for Living (1982). Jean was married to A.J. Liebling, Oliver Ormerod Jensen and Robert Lowell. Jean died on 26 March 1979 in White Plains, New York, USA.

Aaron Rosand was born on 15 March 1927 in Hammond, Indiana, USA. He is known for Orchestra of Exiles (2012), Camera Three (1954) and Aaron Rosand: Live at Mills College (2004). He was married to Christina Khimm-Rosand, Maree Macpherson, Monica Woo and Eileen Flissler. He died on 9 July 2019 in White Plains, New York, USA.