Born 1962

Charles Phan (1962–2025), influential Vietnamese chef 

Charles Phan was a Vietnamese chef whose restaurant, The Slanted Door, and cookbooks helped spark a nationwide appreciation of his country's cuisine.

Ray Garton Jr. (1962–2024), award-nominated horror writer

Ray Garton Jr. was an author and novelist nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for “Live Girls,” who was also known for works such as “Seduction,” “Darklings,” his “A Nightmare on Elm Street” novelizations, and the controversial book, “In a Dark Place.” 

Virgil (1962–2024), WWE star

Virgil was a WWE star who also wrestled as Soul Train Jones and Victor. 

James Kottak (1962–2024), drummer with Scorpions, Kingdom Come 

James Kottak was a rock drummer who spent 20 years with the band Scorpions and a founding member of Kingdom Come.

Andre Braugher (1962–2023), Brooklyn Nine-Nine star 

Andre Braugher was an actor known for his performances as police officers on TV’s “Homicide: Life on the Street” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” 

Gail O’Neill (1962–2023), model and TV news correspondent 

Gail O’Neill was a top fashion model who debuted in the 1980s and became one of the original correspondents for “The Early Show” on CBS.0

Michael Chiarello (1962–2023), American celebrity chef 

Michael Chiarello was an acclaimed chef in California’s Napa Valley who authored numerous cookbooks, produced popular olive oils, and starred on the Food Network’s “Easy Entertaining” among many other TV appearances.

Stephen Gould (1962–2023), powerful opera tenor

Stephen Gould was a powerful tenor whose 2006 performance as Siegfried in Wagner's “Der Ring des Nibelungen” earned rave reviews and led to a career on stage in some of the world’s greatest opera houses.

Carol Robles-Román (1962–2023), former Deputy Mayor of New York City 

Carol Robles-Román was an attorney and one of the longest serving deputy mayors in New York City's history.

Teresa Taylor (1962–2023), drummer for Butthole Surfers

Teresa Taylor was a drummer for Butthole Surfers, an influential underground rock band out of Texas, best known for their wild experiments and their crossover hit, “Pepper.” 

Rick Hoyt (1962–2023), Boston Marathon icon with Team Hoyt 

Rick Hoyt was a fixture of the Boston Marathon who raced in his wheelchair as his father, , pushed him.

Lance Reddick (1962–2023), star of The Wire, John Wick

Lance Reddick was an actor known for prominent roles in many TV shows and movies including “The Wire,” “Fringe,” and the “John Wick” series.

Robbie Knievel (1962–2023), daredevil and son of Evel Knievel

Robbie Knievel was a daredevil known for motorcycle stunts, following in the footsteps of his father, .

Drew Griffin (1962–2022), CNN investigative reporter 

Drew Griffin was a veteran award-winning investigative reporter for CNN.

James Michael Tyler (1962–2021), played Gunther on “Friends”

James Michael Tyler was an actor best known for playing Gunther, the barista at Central Perk, on “Friends.”

Angela Bailey (1962–2021), record-holding Olympic sprinter

Angela Bailey was a Canadian sprinter who won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics.

Joe Lara (1962–2021), "Tarzan: The Epic Adventures" star

Joe Lara was an actor best known for starring in the TV series "Tarzan: The Epic Adventures."

Nick Kamen (1962–2021), Levi’s model and singer who worked with Madonna

Nick Kamen was an English model and singer best known for the songs “Each Time You Break My Heart” and “I Promised Myself.”

Cliff Simon (1962–2021), actor who played Ba’al in “Stargate: SG-1”

Cliff Simon was a South African actor who played the villain Ba’al in “Stargate SG-1” for six seasons.

Kevin Greene (1962–2020), legendary NFL pass rusher

Kevin Greene was a Hall of Fame linebacker who was one of the best pass rushers in NFL history.

James Redford (1962–2020), filmmaker who was Robert Redford’s son

James Redford was a filmmaker known for documentaries including “The Kindness of Strangers,” and he was the son of actor and director Robert Redford.

Monica Roberts (1962–2020), transgender rights advocate who founded TransGriot blog

Monica Roberts was a transgender rights advocate who was the founding editor of TransGriot, a blog focusing on trans women of color and the issues that concern them.

Todd Nance (1962–2020), original Widespread Panic drummer

Todd Nance was the original drummer for the popular Southern rock jam band Widespread Panic. He left the band in 2016.   

Kelly Preston (1962–2020), “Jerry Maguire” star

Kelly Preston was an actress known for roles in movies including “Jerry Maguire,” “Twins,” and “Sky High.” She was actor John Travolta’s wife.

Tony Fernandez (1962–2020), former Toronto Blue Jays star

Editor's note: Tony Fernandez's date of death was later clarified to have been February 16, 2020.

John Mann (1962–2019), lead singer of Spirit of the West

John Mann was the lead singer of Spirit of the West, a Canadian alternative rock band that had its biggest success in the 1990s with hits including “Political” and “And if Venice Is Sinking.”

Suzanne Whang (1962–2019), former host of “House Hunters”

Suzanne Whang was the host of HGTV’s “House Hunters” from the show’s debut in 1999 through 2007. She was also an actress and comedian, and she had a recurring role as Polly Nguyen on “Las Vegas.” Whang played Carol Cheng on “General Hospital” and made appearances on shows including “Criminal Minds,” “Two and a Half Men,” and “Boston Legal.” She won the Best Up & Coming Comedian Award at the 2002 Las Vegas Comedy Festival and the Andy Kaufman Award at the 2004 New York Comedy Festival. She had been battling breast cancer for 13 years.

Kate Spade (1962 – 2018), fashion designer

Known for her line of stylish handbags…

Steve Reevis (1962 – 2017), played Shep Proudfoot in “Fargo”

Steve Reevis, the actor known for his supporting roles in “Fargo” and “Dances with Wolves,” has died, according to The Associated Press. He was 55.

Darren Daulton (1962 - 2017), World Series champ with the Florida Marlins

Legendary Phillies catcher won 1997 World Series with the Marlins...

Ricky Harris (1962–2016), Everybody Hates Chris actor

Ricky Harris, an actor, comedian, and producer who played the recurring character Malvo on the Chris Rock-based sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris," died Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, according to multiple news sources. He was 54.

C. Martin Croker (1962 - 2016), Space Ghost Coast to Coast voice actor

C. Martin Croker, an animator and voice actor whose credits include “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” and “Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” died Sept. 18, 2016, according to multiple news sources. He was 54. The cause of death was not released. The Atlanta, Georgia, native was born Clay Martin Croker Jan. 10, 1962. He began his animation career during the early 1990s working for TNT, the Atlanta-based cable and satellite television channel. He later broadened his career by doing cartoon voice-overs. He voiced the characters Zorak and Moltar in “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” from 1994 to 2008, when the animated series ended. He also voiced the Dr. Weird character, as well as Dr. Weird’s assistant, Steve, for the first two seasons of Adult Swim’s “Aqua Teen Hunger Force.”

Youree "Miss Cleo" Harris (1962–2016), infomercial psychic

Youree Dell Harris, known better as Miss Cleo the psychic to viewers of iconic late-night infomercial has died at 53.

Emilio Navaira (1962 - 2016), King of Tejano Music

Emilio Navaira, the American-born, Grammy-winning singer known as the King of Tejano Music, died Monday of a heart attack, according to multiple news sources. He was 53. Navaira, who charted nearly a dozen singles on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart, over the course of his career, was found unconscious at his house, police in New Braunfels, Texas, said. His greatest country hit was 1995’s “It’s Not the End of the World," which rose as high as No. 27. His song “Por Siempre Unidos” made the top 10 the following year, peaking at No. 7 on Latin Pop Airplay.

David Foster Wallace: The Essential Suggestions

Getting into Wallace may seem daunting to a first-timer, but our primer of a few particularly great works is a good starting point.

Manute Bol: Big Man, Big Heart

We remember Manute Bol, one of the tallest and nicest guys to ever play in the NBA.

Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter

If there's anyone who truly lived their dream to the fullest, it's got to be Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.