Born 1961

Simon Fisher-Becker (1961–2025), Doctor Who actor

Simon Fisher-Becker was an English character actor known for his roles in “Doctor Who” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” 

A. Cornelius Baker (1961–2024), HIV testing advocate

A. Cornelius Baker was a public health policy expert who advocated for extensive HIV/AIDS testing and care, even in the early days of the disease.

Ben Baldanza (1961–2024), former Spirit Airlines CEO

Ben Baldanza was the former president and CEO of Spirit Airlines, best known for helping pioneer the budget airline model.

Toby Keith (1961–2024), chart-topping country music star

Toby Keith was one of the top stars in country music, selling over 40 million albums and best known for such singles as “How Do You Like Me Now?!” and “As Good as I Once Was.” 

Dexter Scott King (1961–2024), Martin Luther King Jr.’s youngest son

Dexter Scott King was the younger son of and the chairman of the King Center for Nonviolent Change.0

Tim Dorsey (1961–2023), Serge A. Storms author 

Tim Dorsey was the author of the Serge A. Storms series of comedy crime novels.

The 45 King (1961–2023), producer for Jay-Z, Eminem 

Mark Howard James , better known by his stage name The 45 King , was a hip-hop producer who worked with greats like Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, and Eminem. 

Bruce Guthro (1961–2023), singer for Runrig 

Bruce Guthro was a Canadian singer and songwriter with the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig in 1998, leading them through their greatest period of success until their disbandment in 2018.

Manny Coto (1961–2023), writer and producer for Star Trek, 24, Dexter

Manny Coto was a screenwriter, director and producer known for his work on popular genre shows such as “American Horror Story,” “Star Trek: Enterprise,” “24,” and “Dexter.”

Raghavan Iyer (1961–2023), chef who brought Indian cooking to the U.S.

Raghavan Iyer was a chef who helped popularize cooking the cuisines of his native India in the U.S.

Tom Sizemore (1961–2023), actor in Saving Private Ryan, Heat

Tom Sizemore was an actor known for roles in many movies, including “Saving Private Ryan,” “Heat,” and “Natural Born Killers.”

Mike Leach (1961–2022), Mississippi State head football coach 

Mike Leach was a longtime college football coach who was the current head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Donald McEachin (1961–2022), U.S. Representative from Virginia

Donald McEachin was a politician who represented Virginia’s 4th district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Melissa Bank (1961–2022), author of “The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing”

Melissa Bank was the author of the influential 1999 best seller “The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing.”

Tanya Kersey (1961–2022), Hollywood Black Film Festival founder

Tanya Kersey was the founder of the Hollywood Black Film Festival.

Bobby Flores (1961–2022), Grammy-winning Texas western swing musician 

Bobby Flores was a legendary Texas western swing and country music multi-instrumentalist who played with Willie Nelson and Ray Price.

Andy Fletcher (1961–2022), Depeche Mode keyboardist 

Andy Fletcher was a founding member and keyboardist for the new wave electronic band Depeche Mode.

LaShun Pace (1961–2022), gospel singer

LaShun Pace was a gospel singer known for songs including “I Know I’ve Been Changed.”

Jay Pickett (1961–2021), “Port Charles,” “General Hospital” actor

Jay Pickett was an actor whose notable roles included “Port Charles” and “General Hospital.”

Tawny Kitaen (1961–2021), actress known for music videos and “Bachelor Party”

Tawny Kitaen was an actress best known for starring in Whitesnake’s music videos in the late 1980s, as well as in the movie “Bachelor Party.”

Lawrence Otis Graham (1961–2021), author who explored race in America

Lawrence Otis Graham was a lawyer and author whose examinations of race and privilege in America became best-sellers.

Eric Jerome Dickey (1961–2021), bestselling author

Eric Jerome Dickey was a bestselling author whose work depicted modern black life.

Rebecca Luker (1961–2020), Broadway star

Rebecca Luker was a Tony-nominated Broadway star known for her roles in productions including the 1994 revival of “Showboat” and the 2000 revival of “The Music Man.”

Jim Pace (1961–2020), racing driver who won Daytona and Sebring

Jim Pace was a sports car racing driver who won both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1996.

Dana Baratta (1961–2020), “Marvel’s Jessica Jones” writer

Dana Baratta was a producer and screenwriter known for credits including “Marvel’s Jessica Jones” and “Dawson’s Creek.”

Linda Manz (1961–2020), “Days of Heaven” star

Linda Manz was an actor who starred in the Terrence Malick movie “Days of Heaven” and film “Out of the Blue.”

Bettina Gilois (1961–2020), screenwriter of “Bessie,” “Glory Road”

Bettina Gilois was a screenwriter best known for her work on the HBO film “Bessie” and Disney’s “Glory Road.”

Roger Mayweather (1961–2020), legendary boxing trainer

Roger Mayweather  was a legendary boxing trainer who trained his nephew, boxing star Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather was an excellent boxer himself, a two-time world champion nicknamed “Black Mamba,” who had bouts with Julio Cesar Chavez and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. Roger helped his nephew Floyd become one of the greatest boxers in history. Floyd was a world champion in multiple weight classes and finished his career with a record of 50-0.

Daniel Johnston (1961–2019), influential quirky singer-songwriter

Kurt Cobain and Sonic Youth were fans of his music.

Anne Donovan (1961 – 2018), Hall of Fame basketball player and coach

Anne Donovan, the Basketball Hall of Famer who won a national championship at Old Dominion, two Olympic gold medals as a player and another as a coach, died Wednesday of heart failure, according to the Associated Press. She was 56.

Matt Dike (1961–2018), co-founder of record label Delicious Vinyl

Worked with the Beastie Boys on their masterpiece “Paul’s Boutique.”

Kevin Towers (1961 – 2018), former Padres, Diamondbacks GM

Led the Padres to the World Series in 1998…

Brent Briscoe (1962 – 2017), actor brought genuine humanity to supporting roles

Brent Briscoe, a character actor who appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows, died Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, following complications from a serious fall, according to multiple news sources. He was 56.

Princess Diana: Style and Substance

More than two decades after her death, we continue to be fascinated by Princess Diana.

American Heroes: Astronaut Laurel Clark

She was willing to put her life on the line for medicine, science, and humankind.

Brenda Buttner (1961–2017), Bulls & Bears host

Brenda Buttner, the host of “Bulls & Bears” on Fox News, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, of cancer, according to multiple news sources. She was 55.

Guido Westerwelle (1961 - 2016), former German foreign minister

Guido Westerwelle, a former German foreign minister, died March 18 of complications of leukemia, according to multiple news sources. He was 54.

Davey Allison, NASCAR Legend

NASCAR driver Davey Allison was the proud new owner of a Hughes helicopter when, just a foot from landing at his beloved "home track" of Talladega Speedway, the craft nosed up and crashed. Allison, rising star of the legendary Alabama racing family, was skilled at controlling cars capable of going more than 200 miles an hour, but he lost control of the copter at a crucial moment and he died the next day of his injuries.