Born 1918

Dorothy Hoffner (1918–2023), record-breaking centenarian skydiver 

Dorothy Hoffner was a Chicago woman who set a world record when she went skydiving at the age of 104, just a week before her death.

Louise Tobin (1918–2022), singer who helped discover Frank Sinatra

Louise Tobin was a big band singer who helped get his first big break with her husband’s band.

Malcolm Nettingham (1918–2020), one of the last Tuskegee Airmen

Malcolm Nettingham was one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, the group of elite Black pilots and airmen who fought in World War II.

Mary Pratt (1918–2020), last surviving member of 1943 Rockford Peaches baseball team

Mary Pratt was a pitcher with the Rockford Peaches in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was featured in the hit 1992 movie “A League of Their Own.”

Katherine Johnson (1918–2020), NASA's “Hidden Figures” hero

Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who calculated orbital mechanics for the first crewed spaceflights for NASA. The story of her struggles as one of the African American women working as computers at NASA in the 1960s was made famous in the 2016 film “Hidden Figures,” which starred Taraji P. Henson as Johnson. Johnson’s calculations of the trajectory and launch window for Alan Shepard’s historic 1961 spaceflight were crucial to the success of the mission. She later helped calculate the trajectory for Apollo 11’s 1969 Moon landing, and she worked on the Space Shuttle program and on plans for a mission to Mars.

Paul Farnes (1918–2020), last surviving WWII Battle of Britain flying ace

Paul Farnes was a fighter pilot for the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, the last of the flying aces who fought the Battle of Britain during World War II. The fighter pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain were known as “The Few,” recalling Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s famous speech praising them: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” Farnes was a sergeant during the battle, later promoted several times until he was wing commander as the war ended, and his eight kills merited him the title of ace. Two other Battle of Britain fighter pilots survive, neither of them aces. In addition to the Battle of Britain, Farnes fought in the Battle of France as well as in North Africa.

Dr. Bernard Fisher (1918–2019), pioneer of breast cancer treatment

Dr. Bernard Fisher was a surgeon whose research revolutionized the treatment of breast cancer.

Dave Bartholomew (1918–2019), New Orleans music legend

Dave Bartholomew was one of the architects of rock and roll, partnering with Fats Domino on early rock classics including co-writing “Ain’t That a Shame.” The New Orleans trumpeter, band leader, producer, songwriter, and arranger was involved in many iconic songs including “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “Blueberry Hill,” “I’m Walking,” and “I Hear You Knocking.” Bartholomew was band leader for one of New Orleans premier R&B bands when he became an A&R man for Imperial Records. At Imperial, he brought in Fats Domino, working with him on combining R&B with big band, jazz, and country to create early rock and roll. Bartholomew was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

Fay McKenzie (1918–2019), actress whose career spanned 100 years

Fay McKenzie had an acting career that spanned from her first appearance in a 1918 silent film at just 10 weeks old to a final cameo in the yet to be released "Kill a Better Mousetrap."

Millie Dunn Veasey (1918–2018), served overseas during WWII with all-black female battalion

Millie Dunn Veasey, believed to be one of the last African-American women to serve overseas during World War II, has died, according to the Associated Press. She was 100.

Dr. T. Berry Brazelton (1918 – 2018), child development expert

Acclaimed pediatrician helped parents understand their children’s behavior…

Rev. Billy Graham (1918–2018), preacher who counseled U.S. presidents

MONTREAT, N.C. (AP) — The Rev. Billy Graham, who transformed American religious life through his preaching and activism, becoming a counselor to presidents and the most widely heard Christian evangelist in history, died Wednesday. He was 99.

Simeon Booker (1918–2017), first full-time African-American reporter at The Washington Post

His courageous coverage of the civil rights movement brought it national attention.

Bobby Doerr (1918 – 2017), “Silent Captain” of the Boston Red Sox

Bobby Doerr, the Hall of Fame second baseman dubbed the “Silent Captain” of the Boston Red Sox by longtime teammate and friend Ted Williams, died Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, according to The Associated Press. He was 99.

Norman Dyhrenfurth (1918–2017), leader of America's first successful Everest expedition

His Everest expedition pioneered the modern U.S. mountaineering and outdoor industry.

Lillian Ross (1918 - 2017), The New Yorker's bold narrative journalist

The pioneering reporter was friends with Ernest Hemingway and J.D. Salinger.

Thomas Forkner Sr. (1918–2017), Waffle House co-founder

Co-founder of the Waffle House restaurant chain.

Milt Schmidt (1918 - 2017), Stanley Cup champ with Boston Bruins

Milt Schmidt, a Hockey Hall of Famer who played for the Boston Bruins, died Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, according to multiple news sources. He was 98.

Peng Chang-kuei (1918–2016), General Tso’s Chicken creator

Peng Chang-kuei, the Chinese chef credited with creating General Tso’s Chicken, has died in Taiwan, according to multiple news sources. He was 98.

Michael "Jim" Delligatti (1918–2016), Big Mac creator

Michael "Jim" Delligatti, who created McDonald's iconic Big Mac sandwich, has died at the age of 98, according to multiple news sources.

Marjorie Lord (1918 - 2015), Make Room for Daddy star

Marjorie Lord, a stage and screen actress who starred opposite Danny Thomas on TV's "Make Room for Daddy," died Nov. 28 of natural causes at her home in Beverly Hills, California. She was 97.

Don Pardo: Voice of Saturday Night

Prolific television announcer Don Pardo was the voice of "Saturday Night Live" for nearly four decades.

William Holden: Hollywood Icon

William Holden went places. In movies and in life he was always on the move.

The Eddy Arnold World Record

From traditional country music to the innovative Nashville sound, Eddy Arnold continued to record throughout his life and kept his music current...

Pearl Bailey Riffs and Laughs

Pearl Bailey was so much more than an actress and singer.

Nipsey Russell: The Poet Laureate of TV

Nipsey Russell wasn't called the Poet Laureate of Television for nothing. The frequent game show panelist and celebrity roaster truly had a way with rhymes...

Jacqueline Susann's Misbehaving Celebs

Thirty-eight years after Jacqueline Susann's death, her books somehow manage to be both dated and relevant at the same time...

Richard Feynman and the Wonders of Science

It's not every day that we want to listen to a science lecture... but Richard Feynman made science fun.

John Forsythe, Small-Screen Standout

Though John Forsythe appeared in many movies, it's his television work we best remember....

Mary Kay Cared

Ten years after Mary Kay Ash's death, the company she founded continues to thrive and grow. We share some inspirational words that helped Ash build her empire.

Karl Slover, Munchkin Trumpeter

More than 70 years ago, Karl Slover turned his small stature into a plum movie role, one that he'd treasure for the rest of his life. The 4-foot-4-inch actor played a Munchkin in "The Wizard of Oz."

Betty Ford, Modern First Lady

Outspoken and passionate, Betty Ford used her platform as first lady to speak her mind.

Juan Garcia Esquivel: Music for the Space Age

Juan Garcia Esquivel, who would have celebrated his 93rd birthday today, took lounge music to its space-age extreme. We look back on his life and the unique sounds he created...