Born 1959

Cocoa Tea (1959–2025), reggae icon

Cocoa Tea was an iconic reggae singer-songwriter best known for his smooth voice and his acclaimed record and single, “Riker’s Island.” 

Scott L. Schwartz (1959–2024), Ocean’s Eleven actor and wrestler

Scott L. Schwartz was an actor and pro wrestler best known for playing Bruiser in “Ocean’s Eleven” and its two sequels.

Bobby Gill (1959–2024), NASCAR truck racer 

Bobby Gill was a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racer known as a tough competitor on the track.

Harry Leary (1959–2024), Hall of Fame BMX racer 

Harry Leary was a Hall of Fame BMX racer who helped inspire a generation of riders to take to the motocross track.

Mitchell Wiggins (1959–2024), Houston Rockets shooting guard

Mitchell Wiggins was a shooting guard for such NBA teams as the Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls, as well as the father of current Golden State Warriors star Andrew Wiggins.

Rusty Golden (1959–2024), country and gospel singer and songwriter

Rusty Golden was a country and gospel singer-songwriter and also the son of The Oak Ridge Boys‘ William Lee Golden.

Shay Youngblood (1959–2024), award-winning novelist and playwright

Shay Youngblood was an award-winning novelist and playwright who explored her upbringing as a Black woman in America.

C.J. Snare (1959–2024), lead singer for FireHouse 

Carl “C.J.” Snare was the lead singer for the hard rock band FireHouse, known for 1990s hits like “Love of a Lifetime” and When I Look into Your Eyes.” 

Robyn Bernard (1959–2024), Terry Brock on General Hospital 

Robyn Bernard was an actress best known for playing Terry Brock, aka Terry O’Connor, on the daytime soap opera “General Hospital.” 

Tony Ganios (1959–2024), star of Porky’s, The Wanderer

Tony Ganios was an actor best known for playing Anthony “Meat” Tuperello in the “Porky’s” series and Perry in “The Wanderers.” 

Jack Squirek (1959–2024), Los Angeles Raiders linebacker 

Jack Squirek was a linebacker with such NFL teams as the Los Angeles Raiders, known for a key play in Super Bowl XVIII.

Steven Lutvak (1959–2023), Tony Award-nominated composer

Steven Lutvak was a composer for stage and screen best known for his work on the Tony Award-winning musical “A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder.” 

Anthony Hickox (1959–2023), director of Hellraiser III and Waxwork

Anthony Hickox was a film director known for his work on horror franchises such as “Waxwork,” “Hellraiser,” and “Warlock.” 

Sheldon Reynolds (1959–2023), guitarist for Earth, Wind & Fire

Sheldon Reynolds was a guitarist and co-vocalist for several landmark bands, including Earth, Wind & Fire, and The Commodores. 

Ian Falconer (1959–2023), Olivia children’s book author

Ian Falconer was the author and illustrator of the “Olivia” series of children’s books, as well as a set and costume designer for the theatre.

Terry Hall (1959–2022), lead singer for the Specials

Terry Hal l was the lead singer for the British ska revival band the Specials, known for songs including “Ghost Town.”

Irene Cara (1959–2022), “Flashdance” and “Fame” singer and actress

Irene Cara was a singer and actress who starred in the movie “Fame” and sang the title song, as well as singing the Oscar- and Grammy Award-winning song “Flashdance… What a Feeling.”

D.H. Peligro (1959–2022), Dead Kennedys drummer 

D.H. Peligro was the longtime drummer for the legendary punk rock band the Dead Kennedys.

Joyce Sims (1959–2022), “Come into My Life” singer

Joyce Sims was an R&B singer who had an international hit in 1987 with “Come into My Life.”

Steve Grimmett (1959–2022), Grim Reaper lead singer

Steve Grimmett was the lead singer for the British heavy metal band Grim Reaper, known for songs including “See You in Hell.”

Kelly Joe Phelps (1959–2022), acclaimed slide guitar player  

Kelly Joe Phelps was a celebrated slide guitarist and singer-songwriter who played blues, country blues, folk, and Americana music.

Brad Johnson (1959–2022), Marlboro Man and “Always” star

Brad Johnson was an actor known for roles in movies including “Always” and “Flight of the Intruder.”

Dr. Paul Farmer (1959–2022), global health humanitarian

Dr. Paul Farmer was a co-founder of the nonprofit health organization Partners In Health whose mission is to provide proper health care for people around the world living in poverty.  

Bergen Williams (1959–2021), played Big Alice on “General Hospital”

Bergen Williams was an actress best known for her role on “General Hospital” as “Big Alice” Gunderson, the maid for the Quartermaine family.

Norm Macdonald (1959–2021), comedian and former “Saturday Night Live” star

Norm Macdonald was a comedian who anchored “Weekend Update” on “Saturday Night Live” for several years in the 1990s.

Brian Travers (1959–2021), UB40 founding member

Brian Travers was a founding member, saxophonist, and contributing songwriter for the British reggae/pop band UB40.

José Baselga (1959–2021), oncologist who revolutionized breast cancer treatment

Jos é Baselga was a Spanish oncologist who developed highly effective new drugs for treating breast cancer.

Michael McCarthy (1959–2020), SNL writer and Second City veteran

Michael McCarthy was a comedian who was a former writer for “Saturday Night Live” and a performer with Chicago’s Second City improv group.

Cristina Monet-Zilkha (1959–2020), “Things Fall Apart” singer

Calling herself0aCristina, shewas a new wave pop singer who was part of the 1980s New York City underground scene known for the dance pop song cdThings Fall Apart.e

Carlos De Leon (1959–2020), Puerto Rican boxing legend

Carlos De Leon was a Puerto Rican boxing legend who was a four-time cruiserweight world champion. He was the first cruiserweight to win the title twice and then he took it back two more times. He first won the title when he beat Marvin Camel in 1980. After becoming cruiserweight champion a third time, he lost the title to boxing legend Evander Holyfield who had moved down to cruiserweight. He won it back for a record fourth time against Sammy Reeson in 1989. Later, he coached boxers in Buffalo, New York.

Brian Tarantina (1959–2019), “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” actor

Brian Tarantina was a character actor who played Jackie, the MC at the Gaslight Café, on the acclaimed show, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” He was also known for his role as Bootsy on “Gilmore Girls.” Tarantina appeared as a guest on numerous TV shows including “The Sopranos” and “Law and Order.” He also had a role in Spike Lee’s recent movie, “BlacKkKlansmen” and appeared on Broadway.

Ronnie Franklin (1959–2018), jockey almost won the Triple Crown

Won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 1979 aboard Spectacular Bid.

Chuck Mosley (1959 – 2017), former Faith No More frontman

Chuck Mosley was best known as frontman of the eclectic rock band Faith No More.

Charlie Murphy (1959–2017), Chappelle's Show comedian

Charlie Murphy, a comedian known for his work on "Chappelle's Show" who was Eddie Murphy’s older brother, died Wednesday, April 12, 2017, of leukemia, according to multiple news sources. He was 57.

Pete Burns (1959 - 2016), Dead or Alive singer

Pete Burns, lead singer for the new wave band Dead or Alive, has died at the age of 57 after a cardiac arrest.

Gary Dubin (1959 - 2016), The Partridge Family actor

Gary Dubin, an actor who had roles on "The Partridge Family" and in the movie "Jaws 2," died Oct. 8 of bone cancer, according to his sister. He was 57.

Kashif Saleem (1959–2016), singer and songwriter

Kashif Saleem, a singer-songwriter,multi-instrumentalist,and record producer, died Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Los Angeles, California, according to multiple news sources. Saleem was 56.

Tony Phillips (1959 - 2016), World Series champ with Oakland A's

Tony Phillips, a Major League Baseball player and member of the 1989 World Champion Oakland Athletics, died Feb. 17, 2016, according to The San Francisco Chronicle. He was 56.

Denise Matthews (1959 - 2016), singer better known as Vanity

Denise Matthews, who as Vanity fronted the group Vanity 6 but was known best for collaborating with the legendary singer Prince, has died at a hospital in California. She was 57, according to imdb.com. Matthews' death Feb. 15 in Fremont, California, was confirmed by Gisela Hernandez, spokeswoman for Washington Hospital Health Care System. No cause of death was reported.

Remembering Elizabeth Peña

Elizabeth Peña  was a versatile actress who shifted effortlessly between dramatic roles in such films as "Lone Star" and comedic parts on TV shows like "Modern Family."

Paul Hester's Crowded House

If you know the name Paul Hester, chances are good that you know more than one song he played drums on...

Florence Griffith Joyner: Fastest Woman on Earth

Florence Griffith Joyner was one of the most talented and colorful athletes of the 1980s. On her birthday, we take a look back at the record-setting sprinter known as Flo-Jo.