John Kinsel Sr. (1917–2024), WWII Navajo Code Talker

John Kinsel Sr. was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and one of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers, who helped the Allies win World War II.

Art Rupe (1917–2022), record exec who helped launch Little Richard’s career

Art Rupe was the founder of Specialty Records, an influential force in early rock and roll.

Reginald Brewster (1917–2020), Tuskegee Airman

Reginald Brewster was a lawyer who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as a Tuskegee Airman, the legendary group of black pilots and support staff.

Arnold Spielberg (1917–2020), computer pioneer, Steven Spielberg’s dad

Arnold Spielberg was the father of movie director Steven Spielberg and a computer pioneer whose work was instrumental in the development of personal computers.

Vera Lynn (1917–2020), singer known for WWII hit “We’ll Meet Again”

Vera Lynn was a singer, songwriter, and actress known for the wartime hit songs “We’ll Meet Again” and “White Cliffs of Dover.”

I.M. Pei (1917–2019), world-renowned architect

His designs include the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris.

Charles Sanna (1917–2019), invented Swiss Miss Cocoa

Charles Sanna invented Swiss Miss Cocoa, the first hot cocoa mix that could be made with hot water instead of milk.

Nancy Sinatra Sr. (1917–2018), first wife of Frank Sinatra

Nancy Sinatra, first wife of Frank Sinatra, and mother of Nancy, Frank Jr., and Tina Sinatra.

Ramon Regalado (1917–2017), survivor of World War II Bataan Death March

The Filipino veteran received a Congressional Gold Medal in October.

Danielle Darrieux (1917 – 2017), star glowed in French cinema for over 80 years

Danielle Darrieux, a lead actress of French cinema for over 80 years, died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, according to multiple news sources. She was 100.

Bea Wain (1917 - 2017), big band singer

Popular singer during the big band era…

June Foray (1917 - 2017), voice of Cindy Lou Who

Legendary voice actor voiced Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Cindy Lou Who…

Everybody Loves Dean Martin

We're celebrating versatile entertainer Dean Martin and all the things he did so well.

Remembering Raymond Burr (video)

Raymond Burr (1917-1993) remains one of the most popular TV actors of all time. Viewers felt like they knew him from his iconic roles as lawyer Perry Mason and detective Robert Ironside. He was, by all outward appearances, a typical Hollywood star. He attended public events with starlets like Natalie Wood on his arm, and gave generously to charity. However, there was a side of his life that he felt America and Hollywood wasn’t ready for at the time. Burr was gay, and remained in the closet until his death in 1993.

Adrian Booth (1917 - 2017), actress in Three Stooges films

Film actress also threw pies with the Three Stooges...

Cool Like Thelonious Monk

Thelonious Monk was no ordinary jazzman. A few notable qualities set him apart from the rest—for one, his style. Rings on his fingers, hat and sunglasses on his head, dressed in a dapper suit, he epitomized cool jazz style.

Zsa Zsa Gabor (1917 - 2016), Hollywood legend and socialite

Zsa Zsa Gabor, the Hollywood legend and socialite known for her European glamour and her many marriages, died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016. She was 99.

Herb Weatherwax (1917–2016), Pearl Harbor survivor

Herb Weatherwax, a Pearl Harbor survivor who was a greeter at the USS Arizona Memorial, died Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, according to The Associated Press. He was 99.

George Gaynes (1917 - 2016), Punky Brewster co-star

George Gaynes, the actor who played Punky Brewster's adoptive father on the eponymous TV show, has died, according to multiple news sources. He was 98. Gaynes died Monday at his home in North Bend, Washington. No cause of death was disclosed.

Elaine Riley (1917 - 2015), actress in classic Westerns

Elaine Riley, an actress who appeared in dozens of 1940s and '50s motion pictures, has died, according to multiple news sources. Riley, who died Dec. 7, was 98.

Buffalo Bob Smith: It's Howdy Doody Time!

Buffalo Bob Smith and Howdy Doody: the two were inextricably linked thanks to pioneering children's television show "Howdy Doody," which ran on NBC from December 1947 through September 1960.

Ossie Davis: Success on His Own Terms

On Feb. 4, 2005, the world lost a great champion of civil rights, who overcame racism and prejudice to become one of the most-honored actors of his generation. Today we look back at accomplished and outspoken Ossie Davis.

Dizzy Gillespie, Blow Your (Bent) Horn

It was Dizzy Gillespie's talent and innovative style that placed him in the ranks of the all-time greatest jazz musicians… but his distinctive look didn't hurt. The bulging cheeks are essential to Gillespie's image—even people who have never heard his music are likely to recognize a photo of him. And then there was his trumpet with its bell bent upward at a 45-degree angle.

Desi Arnaz, TV Innovator

Twenty-seven years after Desi Arnaz's death, we're showcasing three of the ways he helped influence television.

Funny Phyllis Diller

Phyllis Diller was an original. And for generations of funny women, she was an inspiration.

The Softer Side of Ernest Borgnine

It’s interesting to see which of Ernest Borgnine's movies and TV shows his fans remember him by—and not surprising that they love his lighter roles, just like we do.

Isabel Sanford's Piece of the Pie

In 1981,  moved on up and broke one of the glass ceilings of show business when she became the first black woman to win an Emmy for lead actress. It was a pinnacle in a rich career… one that included critically acclaimed movie roles and viewer favorites on TV. Eight years after her death, we remember the pioneering actress.

Buddy Rich, World's Greatest Drummer

For anyone who thinks jazz is boring, check out this Buddy Rich drum solo.

Imagining JFK Alive

The day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated – Nov. 22, 1963 – is a day we all know about in great detail … yet nobody really knows the full story.

Gwendolyn Brooks Made Poetry That Mattered

The life and career of the first African American poet to win a Pulitzer Prize.