Born December 25

Howard Twilley (1943–2025), Miami Dolphins wide receiver

Howard Twilley was a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins for 11 seasons, including the team’s 1972 perfect season.

Rickey Henderson (1958–2024), MLB’s all-time stolen base leader

Rickey Henderson was a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer who still holds the records for most runs and most stolen bases more than 20 years after his retirement.

Israel Vázquez (1977–2024), three-time world champion boxer

Israel Vázquez was a Mexican boxer nicknamed "El Magnifico" whose three world championships and rivalry with Rafael Márquez made him one of Mexico’s most beloved boxers.

Ewen MacIntosh (1973–2024), actor in U.K. version of The Office

Ewen MacIntosh was a British actor and comedian best known for playing Keith Bishop in the original British sitcom, “The Office.” 

Charles “Lefty” Driesell (1931–2024), college basketball coach 

Charles “Lefty” Driesell was a legendary college basketball coach known for his team-building skills, leading to over 100 wins with four different schools.

Shane MacGowan (1957–2023), frontman of the Pogues

Shane MacGowan was a singer and songwriter who fronted the Celtic band the Pogues, a politically charged, Celtic music-inspired folk-rock band best known for their Christmas ballad, “Fairytale of New York.” 

Jim Tom Hedrick (1940–2023), star of Moonshiners

Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick was a respected Appalachian distiller and fan favorite on the Discovery Channel’s reality television series, “Moonshiners.” 

Jimmy Buffett (1946–2023), Margaritaville singer

Jimmy Buffett was a singer and songwriter known for such laid-back hits as “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”

Pete Brown (1940–2023), poet and co-writer of rock classics

Pete Brown was an English poet and lyricist who collaborated with music acts like Cream and Jack Bruce, co-writing rock classics such as “White Room” and “Sunshine of Your Love.”

Demaryius Thomas (1987–2021), Denver Broncos wide receiver

Demaryius Thomas was a wide receiver who won Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos.

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.

Fred Sasakamoose (1933–2020), indigenous NHL trailblazer

Fred Sasakamoose was one of the first indigenous players in the NHL.

Dave Parks (1941–2019), former 49ers and Saints star receiver

One of only three wide receivers ever selected first overall in the NFL draft.

Dick Miller (1928 – 2019), veteran character actor

Dick Miller was a popular character actor who starred in “Gremlins” and “The Howling.” He appeared in more than 175 films and made more than 2,000 television appearances. He was a favorite of director Joe Dante, appearing inall ofhis movies.

China Machado (1928–2016), pioneering supermodel

China Machado, the Shanghai-born supermodel who broke barriers in the fashion industry, died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, at a hospital in Brookhaven, New York, according to multiple news sources. She was 87.

Anna Dewdney (1965–2016), Llama Llama children's author

Anna Dewdney, a best-selling children's author known for her "Llama Llama" stories, has died at the age of 50.

Rod Serling: The Twilight Man

Ingenious premises, twist endings, the uncanny – nobody did these better than The Twilight Zone and its creator, Rod Serling.

Clara Barton, Battlefield Angel

One hundred years ago today, Clara Barton died, leaving behind an enormous humanitarian legacy.