Marian Turski (1926–2025), Holocaust survivor and historian

Marian Turski was a Holocaust survivor who became an historian devoted to ensuring the world’s collective memory of the genocide does not fade.

Paul Berg (1926–2023), Nobel-winning genetics scientist

Paul Berg was an American biochemist whose work in gene splicing helped lay the foundations for the biotech industry. 

Georgia Holt (1926–2022), actress and Cher’s mother 

Georgia Holt was an actress and singer who was the mother of superstar Cher.

George Booth (1926–2022), cartoonist for the New Yorker

George Booth was a cartoonist for the New Yorker, who drew the magazine’s unofficial mascot of a bull terrier.

Lou Ottens (1926–2021), inventor of the cassette tape

Lou Ottens was a Dutch engineer who invented the cassette tape, one of the most popular music formats of the 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s.

Don Newcombe (1926–2019), former Dodgers great

Don Newcombe was a legendary pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers who was the first Black pitcher to start a World Series game during his rookie season in 1949, winning the Rookie of the Year award. Known for his rocket fastball, he helped lead the Dodgers to a World Series title in 1955 with a 20-5 record. His best year was 1956, when he won the NL MVP award, leading the league with 27 wins. He was selected to four all-star teams during his career.

Arthur Rosenfeld (1926 - 2017), the Godfather of Energy Efficiency

Art Rosenfeld, a California physicist whose extraordinary contributions to sustainable development led him to be known as the Godfather of Energy Efficiency, died Jan. 27, 2017, in Berkeley, California, according to multiple news sources. He was 90. Rosenfeld's death wasn't publicized until this week, however. Rosenfeld created new standards for energy efficiency in California that later became internationally known. His work contributed to the development of compact fluorescent lamps and other low-energy electric lights, energy efficient refrigerators, and windows injected with argon gas to prevent heat from escaping one's house.

Tony Martell (1926–2016), T.J. Martell Foundation founder

Music executive who founded the T.J. Martell Foundation for leukemia research.

Bill Backer (1926 - 2016), Coca-Cola ad exec

Bill Backer, a former advertising executive who conceived of the groundbreaking 1971 Coca-Cola television commercial titled “Buy the World a Coke,” died May 13 in Warrenton, Virginia. He was 89.

Marilyn Monroe's Timeless Beauty

More than 51 years after her death, Marilyn Monroe is back in the news this week, thanks to recently surfaced evidence that she had plastic surgery: cartilage implants in her chin. The X-rays up for auction are fairly conclusive, but even so, we're not so sure we care whether Monroe had a little work done. We've seen the photos of prefame Norma Jeane, and we know that throughout her life, before and after the alleged surgery, she was simply beautiful.

The Very Versatile Andy Griffith

Andy Griffith was one of those rarest of performers – the kind who play one very iconic role, but don't spend the rest of their lives trying to escape from that role's shadow.

The Ghosts of Marilyn Monroe

Born this day in 1926, Marilyn Monroe remains an icon of 20th century America. Today we share some of our favorite depictions of her...