Born 1956

Bob Rivers (1956–2025), radio DJ and parody songwriter

Bob Rivers was a noted radio DJ in Seattle and other cities, known more widely for musical parodies that included his 1988 “Twisted Christmas” album.

Jim Donovan (1956–2024), voice of the Cleveland Browns 

Jim Donovan was a sportscaster best known for his long tenure as the radio play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Browns.

Christine Boisson (1956–2024), Emmanuelle actress

Christine Boisson was a French model and actress who first drew attention in the 1974 film “Emmanuelle” and went on to have over 80 screen credits and lead dozens of stage productions.

Adrian Bailey (1956–2024), Broadway performer who survived fall

Adrian Bailey was a Broadway singer, actor, and dancer whose career was tragically cut short by an onstage fall before a performance of “The Little Mermaid.” 

íngel Salazar (1956–2024), Scarface actor and comedian

Ángel Salazar was an actor and comedian best known for his performance as Chi Chi in “Scarface.” 

Erich Anderson (1956–2024), Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter star

Erich Anderson was an actor best known for his performance in “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter” as Rob Dier. 

Hinton Battle (1956–2024), three-time Tony Award winner

Hinton Battle was a three-time Tony Award-winning stage performer whose performances in “Sophisticated Ladies,” “The Tap Dance Kid,” and “Miss Saigon” won wide acclaim, and he originated the role of the Scarecrow in the Broadway production of “The Wiz.” 

Lynn Yamada Davis (1956–2024), TikTok chef known as Lynja

Lynn Yamada Davis was known for her viral cooking videos on her TikTok channel, Cooking with Lynja.

Jennell Jaquays (1956–2024), influential D&D artist and game designer

Jennell Jaquays was a designer of tabletop and video games whose work helped change the way adventure modules are designed in the popular tabletop game “Dungeons & Dragons.”

Jeffrey Foskett (1956–2023), longtime Beach Boys touring guitarist 

Jeffrey Foskett was a guitarist who toured and recorded with the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson for decades.

Carol Higgins Clark (1956–2023), bestselling mystery novelist

Carol Higgins Clark followed in the footsteps of her mother, , writing bestselling mystery novels.

Fred Hickman (1956–2022), original “CNN Sports Tonight” co-host

Fred Hickman was a journalist best known for sports reporting on shows including “CNN Sports Tonight” and ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”

Tyrone Downie (1956–2022), pianist with Bob Marley and the Wailers

Tyrone Downie was a pianist best known for his work with Bob Marley and the Wailers in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Michael Kopsa (1956–2022), “Fringe” actor and anime voice artist

Michael Kopsa was an actor in TV shows including “Fringe,” “Stargate SG-1,” and “Mobile Suit Gundam.”

Marva Hicks (1956–2022), actress and singer known for “Never Been in Love Before”

Marva Hicks was an actress and singer who had a hit in 1991 with “Never Been in Love Before.”

Tim Sale (1956–2022), “Batman: The Long Halloween” comic artist

Tim Sale was a comic book artist known for his work on influential titles including “Batman: The Long Halloween.”

Bob Saget (1956–2022), comedian and “Full House” star

Bob Saget was an actor, comedian, and director who starred in “Full House” and “Fuller House” and was the original host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos.”

Deon Estus (1956–2021), bassist for Wham! and George Michael

Deon Estus was the bassist for Wham! and as well as a singer who had a solo hit with 1989’s “Heaven Help Me.”

LaDonna Brave Bull Allard (1956–2021), DAPL protest leader

LaDonna Brave Bull Allard was the founder of the first camp for the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).

Carman (1956–2021), contemporary Christian singer and songwriter

Carman was a popular contemporary Christian singer and songwriter known for songs including “The Champion.”

Michael Cusack (1956–2020), original Special Olympics medalist

Michael Cusack was an athlete with Down syndrome who won a gold medal in freestyle swimming at the first Special Olympics in 1968.

Jack Sherman (1956–2020), former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist

Jack Sherman was a former guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He played on their self-titled debut album in 1984.

Howell Binkley (1956–2020), Tony-winning lighting designer for “Hamilton”

Howell Binkley was a lighting designer who won Tony Awards for his work on “Jersey Boys” and “Hamilton.”

Kurt Thomas (1956–2020), first U.S. male gymnast to win gold at World Championships

Kurt Thomas was the first American male gymnast to win gold at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

Kumiko Okae (1956–2020), Japanese voice actress in “Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew”

Kumiko Okae was a Japanese actress, voice actress, and TV host who was the voice of Jenny in the 2005 film “Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.”

Marty Smith (1956–2020), motocross champion

Marty Smith was a motocross racer who won three American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) National Motocross championships in the 1970s.

Hal Willner (1956–2020), music producer and SNL staffer

Hal Willner was a music producer who worked with artists including Marianne Faithfull and . He was also a longtime staff member at “Saturday Night Live,” where he was a sketch music producer since 1980.

Lucien Barbarin (1956–2020), Harry Connick Jr. trombonist

Lucien Barbarin was a trombonist for Harry Connick Jr. and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Barbarin was a New Orleans jazz legend who showcased his charismatic personality during Harry Connick Jr. concerts. The pair created comic routines that were fan favorites. Barbarin had been playing with Connick Jr. At least since the early 1990s. Barbarin released a few of his own albums, the last in 2007.

Chuy Bravo (1956–2019), “Chelsea Lately” sidekick

Chuy Bravo was an actor best known as Chelsea Handler’s sidekick on the talk show “Chelsea Lately” from 2007 to 2014.

Eusebio Pedroza (1956–2019), boxing legend from Panama

Boxing legend Eusebio Pedroza was the featherweight champion from 1978 until 1985, eventually losing the title in a fight against Barry McGuigan. Pedroza was called “The Scorpion,” known for his toughness and stamina in the later rounds. He was a major celebrity in Panama and was voted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1999.

Todd Bol (1956–2018), founder of the non-profit Little Free Library

Little free libraries are on front lawns in 88 countries.

How Anthony Bourdain Taught Me When to Stop Being Snarky

I am writing about Anthony Bourdain while on the road in Maine, nestled near an oceanside cove of beach, plucking words out of a vineyard of sorrow while staving off the shakes from a lack of television. This is one of two acceptable conditions under which one may write about Anthony Bourdain, the other being next to a plate of food; nothing pretentious, something comfortable and with a bit of the finger lick, a salty thing if it can be managed.

Tony Kinman (1956–2018), country punk pioneer

Co-founded the bands Rank and File and the Dils.

Jan Maxwell (1956 – 2018), Broadway star

Five-time Tony Award nominee…

Barbara Blaine (1956–2017), founded Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

Ohio native launched the largest support group for clergy sex abuse victims.

Banner Thomas (1956–2017), Molly Hatchet bass player

Played bass for Southern rock band Molly Hatchet.

Paul O'Neill (1956–2017), Trans-Siberian Orchestra founder

Music mastermind founded prog rock’s Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Joni Sledge (1956–2017), one of sisters behind hit song "We Are Family"

Joni Sledge, a member of the family group Sister Sledge who recorded the dance anthem “We Are Family,” died Friday, March 10, 2017, in Phoenix, according to The Associated Press. She was 60.

Carrie Fisher (1956–2016), iconic Star Wars star

Carrie Fisher, the actress whose role as Princess Leia in the original "Star Wars" trilogy and helped George Lucas’ space-fantasy epic redefine Hollywood blockbusters for a new generation of moviegoers, died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016. She was 60.

Sharon Jones (1956–2016), Dap-Kings lead singer

The soul and funk singer who fronted Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings.

Kevin Meaney (1956 - 2016), "That's not right" comedian

Kevin Meaney, stand-up comedian and actor, died at his home in Forestburgh, New York, Friday, October 21, 2016. He was 60.

Jerry Doyle (1956 - 2016), Babylon 5 star

Jerry Doyle, an actor known best as the star of the sci-fi TV series “Babylon 5,” died July 27, 2016, according to multiple news sources. He was 60.

Delightful Big Bank Hank

Hank Jackson, aka , died Nov. 11, 2014, after a long battle with cancer.

Phil Harris, The Unlikeliest TV Star

TV viewers were devastated when "Deadliest Catch" captain Phil Harris died suddenly.