Born April 29

Joe D'Alessandris (1954–2024), Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach

Joe D'Alessandris was a longtime NFL offensive line coach who had been with the Baltimore Ravens since 2017.

Jacob Rothschild (1936–2024), financier and philanthropist

Jacob Rothschild was a financier and philanthropist from the Rothschild banking dynasty who walked away from his family’s empire to forge his own path.

Patricia Bragg (1929–2023), Bragg Live Food Products CEO

Patricia Bragg was the longtime CEO of Bragg Live Food Products, known for their apple cider vinegar and other health food staples.

April Stevens (1929–2023), Deep Purple singer with Nino Tempo

April Stevens was a singer who performed with her brother, Nino Tempo, and had a No. 1 hit in 1963 with “Deep Purple.” 

Akira Takarada (1934–2022), star of original “Godzilla”

Akira Takarada was a Japanese actor who starred in the original “Godzilla” movie in 1954.

Zizi Jeanmaire (1924–2020), French ballerina danced in Hollywood films

Zizi Jeanmaire was a French modernist ballerina who won international acclaim for her sexually suggestive dancing in the ballet “Carmen,” choreographed by her husband, Roland Petit. She later appeared in the Hollywood films “Hans Christian Andersen” (1952) with Danny Kaye, and “Anything Goes” (1956) with Bing Crosby. She was billed simply as Jeanmaire.

Joe Porcaro (1930–2020), jazz drummer who played with his sons’ band, Toto

Joe Porcaro was a drummer who recorded with decades of musical superstars and contributed percussion to his sons’ band, Toto, including on their hit song “Africa.”

Michael Angelis (2020), “Thomas the Tank Engine” narrator

Michael Angelis was a British actor best known for narrating the children’s television series “Thomas the Tank Engine.”

Otis Rush (1934–2018), Chicago blues guitar legend

Otis Rush was a legendary Chicago blues guitarist known for his fluid jazz-influenced style which came to be known in Chicago as the West Side blues sound. He was a major influence on many guitarists including Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, and Carlos Santana.

Ed Charles (1933 – 2018), member of the 1969 Miracle Mets

Ed Charles, the third baseman known as “The Glider” who helped lead the Miracle Mets to the 1969 World Series title, died Thursday, March 15, 2018, according to the Associated Press. He was 84.

Henry John “Hank” Deutschendorf II (1988–2017), Ghostbusters actor

One of the twin brothers who shared the role of Baby Oscar in “Ghostbusters II.”

Amy Krouse Rosenthal (1965 - 2017), children's author

Author and filmmaker Amy Krouse Rosenthal touched many lives when she wrote a moving essay about her husband, Jason, and her terminal cancer diagnosis.

Toots Thielemans (1922 - 2016), jazz harmonica player

Toots Thielemans, a legendary jazz harmonica player, died Aug. 22, 2016, according to multiple news sources. He was 94.

Maurice Strong (1929 - 2015), first U.N. Environment Program chief

Canadian environmentalist and businessman Maurice Strong, who served as the first United Nations Environment Program chief and whose work led to the upcoming World Climate Summit in Paris, has died, according to The Associated Press. He was 86.

Duke Ellington at the Movies

Duke Ellington is one of the best known figures in jazz history. But did you know he was a movie star, too?

Timothy Treadwell: The Bear Man

Timothy Treadwell had his supporters and his critics but nobody doubted his passion for Grizzly Bears...

The Tuneful Tammi Terrell

Tammi Terrell was just 24 when she died of a brain tumor, . But during her too-short life, she recorded some of —both as a solo artist and in duets, most notably with .