Died On This Date

July 7

Leigh (Hartley), Vivien Mary
b. November 5, 1913 d. July 7, 1967
Actress. After finishing her primary education she decided to pursue acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art when she was 18. For the next few years her career consisted of stage work and small film roles. In 1937 her first marriage with dissolved and she took up residence with actor Laurence Olivier. It was in that same year she starred in "Dark Journey" with Conrad Veidt and "Fire Over England" with future husband Olivier. Cause of death: Tuberculosis.

Doyle, Sir. Arthur Conan
b. May 22, 1859 d. July 7, 1930
Author. He is best remembered as the creator of the fictional detective "Sherlock Holmes", which has become one of the most famous fictional characters of all time. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, he began practicing medicine in 1882, but was not a great success. While waiting for patients, he started writing short stories as a hobby, but his early writings earned him only pocket money. His first great success came with his first Sherlock Holmes novel, "A Study in Scarlet" (1887).

Lake (Ockelman), Veronica (Constance Frances Marie)
b. November 14, 1922 d. July 7, 1973
Actress. She was born Constance Frances Ockleman in Brooklyn, New York to a seaman father. He died in an explosion on an oil ship when Constance was five. Her mother remarried and the family was constantly on the move living in Canada, New York and Florida. She graduated from high school in Miami. The family moved to California and she was enrolled in the Bliss Hayden School of Acting in Hollywood. Bit parts came almost immediately with RKO Studios. Cause of death: Hepatitis.

Died On This Date

July 6

Armstrong, Louis 'Satchmo'
b. July 4, 1900 d. July 6, 1971
Jazz Musician. His achievements in the jazz circle of America are extremely remarkable in light of his humble beginnings. Louis Armstrong was born a illegitimate black baby in the slums of segregated New Orleans, became a juvenile delinquent then relegated to the Colored Waifs' Home for Boys. He was introduced to the cornet which began a lifelong commitment to Jazz music.

Rogers (Slye), Roy (Leonard Franklin)
b. November 5, 1911 d. July 6, 1998
Actor, Singer. He was born Leonard Franklin Slye in Cincinnati, Ohio to a musical family. His father played guitar and his Kentucky-born mother was a singer. Leonard grew up in Duck Run, Ohio a little town near Portsmouth. He quit high school after two years forced to work in a shoe factory to help support his family. At nineteen, he moved to California and formed a band which became known as the Sons of The Pioneers.

Ebsen, Buddy (Christian Rudolph)
b. April 2, 1908 d. July 6, 2003
Actor. Motion picture and television figure whose career spanned from the 1930s until the 1990s. Best known for being the patriarch 'Jed Clampett' on the 1960s television sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies," he also gained notoriety as television detective 'Barnaby Jones' in the 1970s series of the same name, and as Fess Parker's sidekick in "Davy Crockett" during the 1950s. He is famously connected to the 1939 film classic "Wizard of Oz," when, cast as the role of the Tin Woodsman. Cause of death: Pneumonia

Died On This Date

July 5

Williams, Ted
b. August 30, 1918 d. July 5, 2002
Baseball Hall OF Famer. Considered by many to be the greatest hitter of all time, Ted Williams was born on Aug. 30, 1918, in San Diego, California. Ted was shy and sensitive boy growing up. "I was awfully self-conscious as a kid -- about everything,"' he said. "The way I looked and things I didn't have that some of the other kids did." His parents separated when Ted was at a young age, and his mother worked as a Salvation Army worker.

James, Harry Haag
b. March 15, 1916 d. July 5, 1983
Musician, Band Leader. The wartime era was crowded with big bands but Harry James with his colorful trumpet playing became one of the most popular swing bands in the nation. The group reflected the circus upbringing of its leader. The men were attired in red mess jackets, white bow ties and winged collars that went with full dress outfits. Color was the order of the day. He was born Harry Haag James in Albany, Georgia, his parents were both circus performers.

Died On This Date

July 4

Jefferson, Thomas
b. April 13, 1743 d. July 4, 1826
American Founding Father. Third President of the United States. He was a philosopher, statesman, scholar, attorney, planter, architect, violinist, writer, and natural scientist who wished to be remembered as the author of the Declaration of Independence and of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and as the founder of the University of Virginia. Born of a moderately well-off planter family, Jefferson was early imbued by his father Peter with a love both of nature, and of books.

Adams, John
b. October 30, 1735 d. July 4, 1826
2nd United States President, first United States Vice President, Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Massachusetts, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and Revolutionary War Patriot. Born the first of two sons to John and Susanna Boylston Adams, he was born in Braintree, Massachusetts (now part of Quincy, MA), where his father was a Puritan farmer, a lieutenant in the militia, a town selectman (town councilman), and a descendant of the first settlers who had arrived in New England.

Curie (Sklodowska), Marie
b. November 7, 1867 d. July 4, 1934
Scientist. She had degrees in mathematics and physics and was the first woman in Europe to receive her doctorate of science. In 1903, she became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for Physics for the co-discovery (jointly awarded to Curie, her husband Pierre, and Henri Becquerel) of radioactivity. In 1906, she became the first female lecturer, professor and head of Laboratory at the Sorbonne University in Paris. In 1911, she won an unprecedented second Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

White, Barry
b. September 12, 1944 d. July 4, 2003
Soul/Disco Singer. Barry White was born on September, 12, 1944, in Galveston, Texas, and he recorded his first album at the age of 16. White is best known for his soulful, smooth, mellow singing voice, which he used to sing love songs from the 1970s up through the 2000s. White had 106 gold albums, 41 platinum singles, 20 gold platinum singles, and ten platinum singles, which sold over 100 million. Cause of death: Kidney failure.

Monroe, James
b. April 28, 1758 d. July 4, 1831
5th United States President. James Monroe was born in Westmoreland County Virginia to parents not only wealthy but rich in legacy with kinship to the Royal Family. Tutored until eleven then educated at the finest school in Virginia, Campbelton Academy with the future Chief Justice John Marshall a classmate. He attended the College of William and Mary then studied law under Thomas Jefferson. He fought in the American Revolution. Elected to the Virginia legislature, then a member of Congress.

Died On This Date

July 3

Morrison, Jim
b. December 8, 1943 d. July 3, 1971
Singer, Songwriter. Born in Melbourne, Florida, the son of a naval officer, he adopted a bohemian lifestyle in California while attending UCLA while literally homeless, sleeping in any convenient place handy, friends couches, rooftops, in cars and under the pier at Venice Beach. A voracious reader of books, he started a rock band with fellow student Ray Manzarek after he graduated. They quickly found two more members, Robby Krieger and John Densmore.

Harmon, Larry 'Bozo The Clown'
b. January 2, 1925 d. July 3, 2008
Entertainer. Larry Harmon portrayed 'Bozo the Clown' for more than fifty years. He bought the rights to Bozo, and the business that combined animation, character licensing, and personal appearances was worth millions. His television show was seen all over the country as well as some overseas markets. He trained more than 200 'Bozos' to represent him in local markets. As Bozo's influence spread, his name became a synonym for clownish behavior.

Died On This Date

July 2

Stewart, James 'Jimmy'
b. May 20, 1908 d. July 2, 1997
Actor, American Icon. James Stewart was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, where he had an ideal childhood with encouraging and supporting parents. When he won the Best Actor Oscar in 1940 for his role in "The Philadelphia Story," he sent it to his father saying, "It belongs to us both." His dad, who owned a hardware store, kept it on a shelf for 25 years where it could be viewed by the customers. Cause of death: Pulmonic blood clot.

Grable, Betty (Ruth Elizabeth)
b. December 18, 1916 d. July 2, 1973
Actress. She was born Ruth Elizabeth Grable in St. Louis, Missouri the youngest of three children to a truck driver father and a mother who was the ultimate in stage door moms. She began training Ruth literally from the time the child could walk and talk, teaching her to dance, play the saxophone and sing. A family vacation to California when Ruth was twelve, resulted in a longer stay with mom enrolling her in various Hollywood schools for formal training. Cause of death: Cancer.

Hemingway, Ernest Miller
b. July 21, 1899 d. July 2, 1961
Author. He was born at Oak Park, Illinois, grew up in the Chicago suburbs while spending summers at the families water front home on Bear Lake. Ernest Hemingway was one of six children the son of a strict doctor who gave him a passion for fishing and hunting and a music teacher mother who cultivated a cultural knowledge of music and literature. He spoke often of his ideal, happy childhood. Cause of death: Suicide by gunshot.

Gwynne, Fred (Frederick Hubbard)
b. July 10, 1926 d. July 2, 1993
Actor. He is best remembered for his role of Herman on the television comedy series, "The Munsters" (1964-1966) and for his role of Officer Francis Muldoon in the television comedy series, "Car 54, Where are You?" (1961-1963). He was also a noted author and illustrator of ten children's books, including "The King Who Rained" (1970), "A Chocolate Moose for Dinner" (1976), and "A Little Pigeon Toad" (1988). Born Frederick Hubbard Gwynne in New York City to Frederick Walker Gwynne, a stockbroker. Cause of death: Pancreatic cancer

Sills, Beverly
b. May 25, 1929 d. July 2, 2007
Opera Singer. Considered to be one of the best known opera singers of the 1960s and 1970s, she was renowned for her coloratura roles in operas around the world. Born Belle Miriam Silverman in Brooklyn, she became general manager of the New York City Opera in 1980 after retiring from her singing career. Subsequently, in 1994, became Chairman of Lincoln Center and in 2002, of the Metropolitan Opera. Cause of death: Lung cancer.

Puzo, Mario
b. October 15, 1920 d. July 2, 1999
Novelist and screenwriter. After serving in World War II, he began his writing career for men's magazines. He published his first novel, "The Dark Arena", in 1955. His third novel was "The Godfather" which sold more than 21 million copies worldwide. Besides his movie career, he also published several other novels including the best-seller "The Sicillian" in 1984. Just before his death he finished another novel, "Omerta". Cause of death: Heart attack.

Died On This Date

July 1

Landon (Orowitz), Michael (Eugene Maurice)
b. October 31, 1936 d. July 1, 1991
Actor, Writer, Producer, Director. Born in Forest Hills, New York, to Eli Maurice Orowitz and Peggy O'Neal Orowitz. The family moved to Collingswood, New Jersey, when he was four. Eli and Peggy did not have the best of marriages and often times they had violent arguments. He experienced a stressful and unhappy childhood. His suffering from nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting) further complicated his life. His mother believed that she could cure this problem with shame. Cause of death: Cancer of the pancreas.

Matthau, Walter
b. October 1, 1920 d. July 1, 2000
Actor. Born Walter John Matthow in New York City to Russian immigrants and grew up on the Lower East Side. Matthau contributed to the family by playing bit parts at a Yiddish theater by age 11 where he was paid fifty cents for each onstage appearances. During WWII he served with the U.S. Army Air Corps where he made Staff Sergeant. In 1948 he made his Broadway debut in "Anne of the Thousand Days." He would make his film debut as the heavy in 1955's "The Kentuckian."

Mitchum, Robert

b. August 6, 1917 d. July 1, 1997
Motion Picture and Television Actor. Born Robert Charles Durman Mitchum, he appeared in more than 125 films during his 55 year run in show business and even had a brief career as a singer. Famous for his tough-guy roles in Film Noirs and Westerns, he could be menacing or charming in his roles and was sometimes both at once. Grew up as a trouble-making, wayward boy, and in the late 1940s, served a brief prison sentence for marijuana possession. In 1943, he appeared in a staggering dozen films. Cause of death: Lung cancer.

Vandross, Luther
b. April 20, 1951 d. July 1, 2005
Singer. He became famous for his soulful, romantic ballads and his many collaborations with such stars as Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson. Beginning his career singing background vocals for Richard Marx and Chaka Khan, he was discovered by David Bowie, who overheard him singing his song "Young Americans," and had him make a recording of the song. His debut solo album "Never Too Much," released in 1981, became a huge success.

Nostradamus (de Nostre Dame) (Michel)
b. December 14, 1503 d. July 1, 1566
Born Michel de Nostradame in St. Remy de Provence, France; the oldest of five brothers. The family had been Jews forced to convert to Catholicism by the Inquisition. He attended the University at Avignon and was graduated from the University of Montpellier after which he practiced as a physician. He was apparently remarkably successful in treating plague victims in the Montpellier area. About 1534 he married and had a son and a daughter.

Brando, Marlon
b. April 3, 1924 d. July 1, 2004
Actor. Motion picture and stage actor who achieved legendary status in his own lifetime. The youngest of three children of alcoholic parents, he was left alone much of the time as a child. He was kicked out of military high school for riding a motorcycle through the halls, worked as a department store elevator operator and quit after four days due to his embarrassment in having to call out the lingerie floor. Prevented from enlisting in World War II due to his 4-F status, he moved to New York. Cause of death: Pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that involves scarring of the lungs.

Wolfman Jack (Robert Weston Smith)
b. January 21, 1938 d. July 1, 1995
Disc Jockey, Actor, Entertainer. Born Robert Weston Smith in Brooklyn, New York. He was first on the airwaves as "Daddy Jules" on Newport News, Virginia station WYOU-AM. He made his mark as a disc jockey from 1958 to 1966, on radio station XERF (1570 AM) in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, just across the river from Del Rio, Texas. The Wolfman's name came from a trend of the 1950's when disc jockeys took nicknames such as Moondog or Hound dog. Cause of death: Heart failure.