Died On This Date

April 26
Ball, Lucille Desiree
b. August 6, 1911 d. April 26, 1989
Legendary comedic actress, best known for the title role in the hit television sitcom of the 1950’s “I Love Lucy.” She was born Lucille Desiree Ball was on August 6, 1911 in Jamestown, New York. Intent on becoming an actress, she left high school at age 15, and tried unsuccessfully to get into drama school in New York City. Undaunted, Ball took a job as a waitress while trying for jobs in modeling and in chorus lines of Broadway shows. Cause of death: Ruptured aorta after heart surgery.


Ryan, Irene
b. October 17, 1902 d. April 26, 1973

American vaudeville, stage, motion picture, and television actress of the 1920s thru 1960s. Gained international fame while playing the role of 'Granny' on the 1960s TV series "The Beverly Hillbillies." Cause of death: Stroke.


Basie, William James 'Count'
b. August 21, 1904 d. April 26, 1984
Jazz Musician. He was one of the greatest bandleaders of all-time, epitomizing the jazz of south-western America. He rose to fame after taking over Bennie Moten's band in 1935. His second great band, from the 1950s onwards, relied more on arrangments, typically from Neil Hefti and Ernie Wilkin's. As a pianist Basie was equally great and was intensely rhythmic, using as few notes as possible. He earned the nickname, "Count," because of his stylish way of playing the piano.


Booth, John Wilkes
b. May 10, 1838 d. April 26, 1865
The assassin of President Lincoln. He was born on the small farm of his parents, both British immigrants, in Harford County, Maryland, the ninth of ten children. Wilkes Booth became an highly acclaimed actor prior to his act that would change history. After being shot through the neck by Sergeant Boston Corbett, He was taken to the porch of Richard Garrett's house near Port Royal, Virginia where he died.


Lee (Hovick), Gypsy Rose (Rose Louise)
b. February 9, 1914 d. April 26, 1970
Actress and Burlesque Stripper. Performed in 12 movies, and had her own television show "The Gypsy Rose Lee Show" in 1958. She wrote 3 books, including her autobiography, "Gypsy" which became a best seller. She brought respectability to the stripping art form. Born Rose Louise Hovick in Seattle, Washington, her father was a mild-mannered businessman. Her mother, Rose, was determined to leave Seattle.


Carle, James John
b. September 8, 1835 d. April 26, 1892
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. Enlisted as a private, and rose through the ranks to Brevet Brigadier General in 38 months. Served as a Captain in the 6th Pennsylvania Reserves, as Provost Marshal on the staff of Brigadier General Samuel Crawford, and as Colonel and commander of the 191st Pennsylvani Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded at Antietam, and Petersburg, and spent seven months as a POW at Libby Prison in Richmond, Belle Isle, Salisbury, and Danville.

Crawford, Broderick
b. December 9, 1911 d. April 26, 1986
Academy Award-winning Actor. He was a classic example of “overnight success” in Hollywood. The 1949 release of “All the King’s Men,” turned him into one of the most popular character leads in Hollywood after winning the Best Actor Oscar and lead to his starring role in another hit film, “Born Yesterday” (1950). However, it was 10 years working in routine supporting roles in more than 20 films that lead to his Oscar triumph. He was born into a performing family – his mother, Helen Broderick..


Oldfield, Arthur Barney

b. December 18, 1909 d. April 26, 2003

United States Army Officer, Hollywood Motion Picture Figure. He served as an aide to General Dwight Eisenhower during World War II. Following the war he went on to become a press agent for Hollywood stars like Errol Flynn, Elizabeth Taylor and Ronald Reagan. He was also a very successful publicist for Warner Bros. and defense contractor Litton Industries. It is estimated that he gave more than $3 million to scholarships and programs through the University of Nebraska Foundation.


Wall, O.S.B.
b. August 12, 1825 d. April 26, 1891
Union Army officer. Born Orindatus Simon Bolivar Wall in Richmond County, North Carolina, the son of planter, Stephen Wall, and his slave, Pricilla. He and four of his siblings were manumitted in 1837 when their father sent them to the Harveysburg Black School in present day Ohio. He attended Oberlin College before establishing a boot and shoemaking business. In 1854 he married Amanda Thomas, the couple had eight children. He read law under John M. Langston.


Valenti, Jack Joseph
b. September 5, 1921 d. April 26, 2007
Motion Picture Executive. Born in Houston, Texas, he served in World War II as a bomber pilot, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross. He founded a political consulting firm, then became an advisor to President Lyndon Johnson and was the long-time president of the Motion Picture Association of America. Effectively he was the Washington lobbyist for the Hollywood movie studios and independent movie producers from 1966 to 2004.


Gordon, Dexter Keith
b. February 27, 1923 d. April 26, 1990
Tenor jazz saxophone player who is considered the first "real" be bop tenor saxophonist. Dexter Gordon had a long and intresting life in which he disappeared from the jazz scene on many occassions with his life at times in some disarray due to two broken marriages, drinking and also a drug problem. He eventually finished out his career on top of his game. Gordon was born and raised in Watts, CA. He began his musical career studying clarinet; by his mid-teens he had switched to tenor.


Spencer, Tim
b. July 13, 1908 d. April 26, 1974
American singer and actor. He was a member of the "Sons of the Pioneers" singing group. They appeared in many motion pictures in the 1930s and 40s.