Born July 18

Dick Button (1929–2025), Olympic figure skating legend

Dick Button was a two-time U.S. Olympic figure skating gold medal winner who became one of the sport's most well-known commentators.

Nell Smith (2007–2024), young singer with the Flaming Lips

Nell Smith was a singer known for her 2021 collaboration with the Flaming Lips, released when she was just 14 years old. 

Stephanie Sparks (1973–2024), golfer and The Big Break host

Stephanie Sparks was an amateur golf champion who hosted TV shows on the Golf Channel, such as the reality competition series “The Big Break.”  

Bill Delahunt (1941–2024), U.S. Rep. from Massachusetts 

William “Bill” Delahunt represented the 10th congressional district of Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat from 1997 to 2011. 

Edward Bond (1934–2024), socially-conscious playwright and director

Edward Bond was a playwright and theater director whose often socially conscious work included “Saved,” “Narrow Road to the Deep North,” “Lear,” and “The Sea.” 

Frank Farian (1941–2024), Milli Vanilli creator

Frank Farian was a German singer, songwriter, and record producer who created the hit pop acts Milli Vanilli and Boney M. 

Steven Lutvak (1959–2023), Tony Award-nominated composer

Steven Lutvak was a composer for stage and screen best known for his work on the Tony Award-winning musical “A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder.” 

Jeff Burr (1963–2023), director of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III 

Jeff Burr was a filmmaker who worked on popular horror franchises like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Puppet Master,” and “Pumpkinhead.” 

Jerry Richardson (1936–2023), Carolina Panthers founder

Jerry Richardson was the founder and longtime owner of the Carolina Panthers, the second former NFL player to own a team.

Keith Levene (1957–2022), founding member of Public Image Ltd., the Clash

Keith Levene was a founding member and guitarist in Public Image Ltd. and the Clash.

Jay Weaver (1979–2022), bassist for Big Daddy Weave

Jay Weaver was the bassist for the popular Christian band Big Daddy Weave.

Dr. Aaron Beck (1921–2021), father of cognitive therapy

Dr. Aaron Beck was a psychotherapist who was a pioneer in the development of cognitive behavioral therapy.

Glen Wood (1925–2019), NASCAR legend

Glen Wood (1925e280932019) was aNASCAR Hall of Fame driver who co-founded the legendary Wood Brothers Racing Team with hisbrother Leonard. The Wood Brothers Racing Team is the longest running team in NASCAR, picking up 99 victories, the last one by driver Ryan Blaney at Pocono in 2017. Wood had 4 wins as a driver.

Dorothy Mengering (1921 - 2017), cookbook author and David Letterman's mom

A cookbook author, Dorothy Mengering was known better for her appearances on her son David Letterman's late-night talk show.

John Glenn (1921 - 2016), astronaut and senator

NASA astronaut John Glenn earned everlasting fame when he becamethe first American to orbit the Earth.

Burt Kwouk (1930 - 2016), played Cato in Pink Panther films

Burt Kwouk, a British actor known to American movie audiences as Inspector Clouseau’s manservant in a number of the popular “Pink Panther” films, died May 24, according to multiple news sources. He was 85.

Lonnie Mack (1941–2016), influential blues guitarist

Blues guitarist and singer Lonnie Mackinfluenced many of rock's greatest players, from Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Kurt Masur (1927 - 2015), New York Philharmonic maestro

Kurt Masur, the maestro who tamed the New York Philharmonic and united a divided Germany, has died of complications of Parkinson’s disease, The Associated Press and the New York Philharmonic report. Masur, who died Saturday, Dec. 19, was 88.

Hunter S. Thompson: Beyond Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Hunter S. Thompson is best known for having written Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas , but there’s much more to remember about this complicated man.

Clowning Around with Red Skelton

Red Skelton wanted to be a clown and he became one of the best...

Bold, Beautiful Darlene Conley

When Darlene Conley died on January 14, 2007, fans of CBS soap The Bold and the Beautiful were devastated. Conley played larger-than-life redhead Sally Spectra for 19 years...