Born December 30

Roy Calne (1930–2024), pioneering organ transplant surgeon

Roy Calne was a British surgeon who specialized in organ transplants, working with the teams who conducted the first liver transplant, intestinal transplant, and several pioneering combined transplants.

Franne Lee (1941–2023), designer of SNL’s Coneheads

Franne Lee was a costume designer in the early days of “Saturday Night Live” who created the costumes for classic sketches like the Coneheads and the Blues Brothers.

Robert Toll (1940–2022), co-founder of Toll Brothers homebuilders

Robert Toll was the co-founder and former CEO of Toll Brothers, the luxury homebuilding company.

Clay Jordan (1955–2022), “Survivor: Thailand” runner-up

Clay Jordan was the runner-up in “Survivor: Thailand,” the fifth season of the popular reality competition show.

Fred Ward (1942–2022), star of “The Right Stuff”

Fred Ward was a longtime character actor who had starring roles in “The Right Stuff,” “Tremors,” and “Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins.” 

Michael Nesmith (1942–2021), member of the Monkees

Michael Nesmith was a singer, guitarist, and songwriter with the Monkees and the First National Band.

Jerry Granelli (1940–2021), drummer for “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

Jerry Granelli was a jazz drummer best known for playing in the Vince Guaraldi Trio for the classic TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

Theodore ‘Ted’ Lumpkin (1919–2020), Tuskegee Airman

Theodore ‘Ted’ Lumpkin was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, the Black pilots and support staff who served with distinction in World War II. He served as an intelligence officer, giving mission briefings to pilots during a combat tour in Italy. He retired from the Air Force Reserves as a lieutenant colonel.

John Houghton (1931–2020), renowned climate scientist

John Houghton was a renowned climate scientist who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

Gordon Banks (1937–2019), England’s 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper

Made “save of the century” against the legendary Pele.

Alan O’Neill (2018), “Sons of Anarchy” actor

He played Hugh on the FX show from 2013 – 2014…

Joseph Bologna (1934 - 2017), Oscar-nominated actor and screenwriter

Actor co-wrote the Oscar-nominated film “Lovers and Other Strangers”…

Jack Riley (1935 - 2016), The Bob Newhart Show actor

Jack Riley, a veteran comic actor who appeared on “The Bob Newhart Show,” died Aug. 19, 2016, according to multiple news sources. He was 80.

The Bo Diddley Beat

Nearly a decade after Bo Diddley's death, we're still listening to his signature rhythm.

Jack Lord: Book 'em, Danno!

Fifteen years ago today, Jack Lord died – the first of the stars of the original Hawaii Five-O to go...

Davy Jones, Teen Idol

The world has lost a teen idol and icon of the 1960s: Davy Jones, beloved member of the Monkees, and an actor, singer and songwriter.

There He Is, Bert Parks

In the glory days of the Miss America pageant, emcee Bert Parks was as much a part of the event as the more than 50 women who competed for the crown each year...