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Veteran character actress Alice Drummond was born May 21, 1928 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island to Sarah Irene (née Alker), a secretary, and Arthur Ruyter, an auto mechanic. She graduated from Pembroke College (Brown University) in 1950. She is best remembered as the frightened librarian at the beginning of Ghostbusters (1984), Ray Finkle's eccentric mother in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), and Clara the quiet local in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995).

Soupy Sales was born on 8 January 1926 in Franklinton, North Carolina, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Black Scorpion (2001), A Dirty Shame (2004) and The Innocent and the Damned (2005). He was married to Trudy Carson and Barbara Fox. He died on 22 October 2009 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.

Roger Hill was born on 31 July 1949 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Warriors (1979), Once Upon a Classic (1976) and The Leatherstocking Tales (1984). He died on 20 February 2014 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.

Long-time comic book artist, perhaps best known for his work at Marvel. At that company, Gene drew a revival of the Sub-Mariner in the mid-1960s; took over from artist Don Heck on Iron Man; took over from John Romita Sr. on Daredevil; spent time drawing Captain America; and launched a successful Marvel adaptation of Dracula. Fans appreciate his use of shadow for dramatic effect and his ability to draw romantic and action scenes. In the 1980s, he was successful on DC's Batman titles.

Anthony Ribustello was an actor and politician. He is perhaps best known for his role as Dante Greco, Tony Soprano's driver on the HBO series, The Sopranos.

In April 2009, Ribustello ran for Bronx Borough President as the Republican candidate in a special election to replace incumbent Democrat Adolfo Carrion, who resigned to take a position in the Obama Administration. Ribustello received about 13 percent of the vote in the overwhelmingly Democratic borough, losing to Democratic Assemblyman Ruben Diaz Jr.

In addition to acting, Ribustello is also employed at the New York City Board of Elections.

Frank Vallelonga was an actor, known for Green Book (2018), The Birthday Cake (2021) and A Brilliant Disguise (1994). He died on 28 November 2022 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.

Laslo Benedek was brought to Hollywood from Hungary--where he had been a writer, editor and photographer--by MGM, and his first few films were undistinguished programmers. His third, however, was quite a bit better: Death of a Salesman (1951), the screen version of Arthur Miller's classic play. Although trashed by critics at the time for, among other things, its "staginess" (Benedek said that he wanted to keep the work's theatricality intact), overlooked is the fact that Benedek drew out convincing, evocative performances from Kevin McCarthy, Cameron Mitchell, Fredric March and Mildred Dunnock.

Benedek's next film, however, is the one he'll be remembered for: The Wild One (1953). This granddaddy of all biker flicks is amusingly tame--some might even say lame--by today's standards, but it caused quite a commotion in its day (it was banned in England and was railed against by conservative religious and social pressure groups in the US as yet one more example of how Hollywood was "corrupting the youth of America"). The film is actually not all that much, being rather slow-going and the "bikers" coming across more like bratty teenagers than dangerous rampaging hoods, but it struck a chord with young people and parents alike--for different reasons, of course--and was far and away the most successful film of Benedek's career.

Ellen Holly is a retired Black American actress. She was best known for her part as Carla Benari Hall in "One Life to Live" which she played for more than 20 years but she she was more then a soap opera actress.

On Broadway, she showed her versatile acting talent in the various roles she played in "A Hand Is on the Gate", "Tiger Tiger Burning Bright", "Face of a Hero", "Taming of the Shrew", "Henry V", "Too Late the Phalarope", "MacBeth", "Funnyhouse of a Negro", "Camino Real", "The Cherry Orchard", and others. She appeared in a handful of films, starting with "Take a Giant Step".

Her autobiography was titled "One Life: An Autobiography of an African American Actress".

Joe Fleishaker was born on 25 November 1953 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Troma's Edge TV (2000), Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV (2000) and Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (2006). He died on 23 May 2016 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.

Frank Edward Robinson was born on April 25, 1937 to the late Adkin and Mary Robinson in White Plains, New York. He transitioned on December 1, 2018 at Calvary Hospital in The Bronx, New York. Frank was a resident of The Bronx, New York for nearly seventy-five years. He was educated in New York City public schools in the Bronx and Manhattan and later studied acting at the American Community Theater under the direction of the late Maxwell Glanville. He was united in marriage to Claretha Fleming on November 27, 1965. In this union they raised three children. Frank completed one tour of service in the United States Marine Corps beginning in 1956. Later, while raising his family and pursuing an acting career, he gained employment with the United Postal Service where he remained until his retirement in 2001. His true passion was for the arts as a vehicle for cultural and political awareness. This led him to join a group of artists with similar interests and worldview to help found the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), a progenitor of the Black Arts and "Black is Beautiful" movements, out of which grew the renowned Grandassa Models and the "Naturally" show. In addition to being one of two male "Naturally" models, Frank served as the Director of the AJASS Repertory Theater, staging and appearing in Caste Life Revue and Portrait of Patrice Lumumba. Forever connected to his AJASS family, Frank extended his reach as he pursued a career as a professional actor, devoting his time talent and energy to theater as a performer, teacher and mentor. Performing in venues at home and abroad (Switzerland, France and Italy), Frank worked in stage, television and on the big screen. Among his stage credits are Amiri Baraka's Slave Ship; Ray Aranha's My Sister, My Sister; Richard Wesley's The Mighty Gents; Phillip Hayes Dean's Every Night When the Sun Goes Down; Melvin van Peebles' Ain't Supposed to Die A Natural Death; August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone & Two Trains Running; Leslie Lee's Black Eagles; Public Theater Productions of The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel and Corelainus. As a member of Gertrude Jeannette's HADLEY Players Repertory Company, Frank also appeared in This Way Forward, A Bolt from the Blue and Gladys' Dilemma. Film appearances include Across 110th Street, Fort Apache The Bronx, Love and Death, Taxi Driver, Heart, For Love of the Game and Malcolm X. Work in television includes Like It Is, Kojak, The Equalizer, Spencer for Hire, New York Undercover, Law and Order and The Cosby Show. Frank was most proud of his theatrical representation of the djeli or grio- the traditional Afrikan oral historian. Widely received by national audiences, his one-man play "The Griot," was conceived and performed by Frank in community venues and public schools across the country as a tribute to the history, and literary legacy of Afrikan people. His belief in and commitment to Pan Africanism, family and community compelled Frank to use his life and his home as an example of these principles. Together with his wife Claretha, he opened The Pan African Learning Center. Housed in their home, the school was funded and operated by a small parent cooperative group and staffed by licensed educational professionals. The objective was to find an alternative to the public and parochial curriculum available at that time. For ten years, the couple also sponsored a family organized and funded annual 3-day camp experience of supervised dormitory living, fishing, boating, hiking, communal living and recreation in Brewster, New York for extended family and young people in the community. In addition to living the Nguzo Saba Kawaida Principles, Frank and Claretha opened their home yearly for friends, family and community for Karamu Feast during each Kwanzaa season from 1972 to the present. Frank loved Claretha and his children and they loved him back. He delighted in telling his children and grands stories about his life experiences. He and Claretha enjoyed traveling, but they also loved entertaining, so their home was the center of most family activities. Among some of his other pleasures, Frank enjoyed listening to Jazz, naming the tunes and the artists. His favorite sports were baseball and boxing and he spent many hours rewatching classic films. He helped cultivate his granddaughter Kalimah's interest in Jazz. He also greatly influenced his grandson Abdullaye's interest in fashion and art. Robinson Frank Adu was a very interesting man who seemed to know something about everything. Everyone has a Frank, Daddy, Frankie or Uncle Frank story. Left to honor Frank's rich life, and precious memory are his wife Claretha (The Bronx, New York); son, Nicholas Robinson (Seattle, Washington); daughter, LaShawn Hamilton (and Charles) (Brooklyn, New York); daughter, Zena Robinson-Wouadjou (Harlem, New York); his dear sister, Juanita Hartwell (The Bronx, New York); a brother, Lawrence Robinson (and Grace) (Harlem, New York); a sister-in-law, Inez Robinson (Oakland, California); five grandchildren- Sadé, Anthony, Nia, Abdullaye and Kalimah; two great-grandchildren- Zakkai and Azaria; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends.

Toni Morrison was born on 18 February 1931 in Lorain, Ohio, USA. She was a writer and actress, known for Beloved (1998), American Experience (1988) and Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am - Deleted Scenes (2019). She was married to Harold Morrison. She died on 5 August 2019 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.

Richard Waring was born on 27 May 1910 in Buckinghamshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Mr. Skeffington (1944), Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) and The Ford Theatre Hour (1948). He was married to Florida Friebus. He died on 18 January 1993 in City Island, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.

Well known for her high level of camp and her energetic performances, La Lupe was one of the Spanish-language world's greatest performers. Born in Cuba to a poor family, La Lupe began her life as a schoolteacher in Havana at her father's request. However music was in her blood, and against his wishes she entered a singing competition on the radio where she won first place. Later she joined the singing group "Trio Los Tropicales" and made many successful club debuts throughout Havana. When La Lupe went solo, her performances at Havana's La Red night club caused quite a stir, an impact that leaked slowly to the rest of the island. Overnight La Lupe had become a source if wonderment, controversy and a national celebrity.

Her first recordings, which included Spanish versions of Rock hits by Paul Anka and other American authors, as well as Cuban standards, made the hit parades of radio stations across the country. Her unique voice, combined with extravagant performance antics, made her a smash in the Cuban music scene. However, after the Cuban Revolution of 1959, La Lupe felt that she could no longer live in a country that did not accept her singing style, which was officially classified as anti-revolutionary. She left Cuba for Mexico in 1962, where she sought to relaunch her career, but was never accepted. Later she moved to New York, where she met fellow Cuban musician Mongo Santamaría. Both teamed up with to make the album make "Mongo Introduces La Lupe" in 1963. That album made her a star and later she joined the legendary musician Tito Puente to record four successful albums which confirmed and cemented her enormous popularity.

Voted the best singer by the Latin press in 1965 & 1966, La Lupe went on to become one of the top two divas of salsa music (the other was Celia Cruz). It was during these years that she recorded some of her greatest songs, especially those written by Puerto Rican composer C. Curet Alonso, such as "La Tirana" and "Puro Teatro". In the 1970's La Lupe saw her career decline somewhat. First she was banned from television from Puerto Rico after she tore her clothes off during an awards ceremony on national television. Next, her record label, Tico Records, was purchased by Fania Records, and company executives decided to focus their energies on the less controversial Celia Cruz. Although she had several hits during that decade, she slowly faded into obscurity. In the 1980's, La Lupe, retired from the industry, found herself destitute. Her husband's medical bills, her large donations to the African-based religion of "Santeria", and her personal problems often left her and her family homeless. She became paralyzed following a domestic accident and was healed in a Pentecostal church. After this, she converted to Pentecostalism and recorded Christian oriented material in the late 80s. She continued her faith activities by funding a ministry she named La Lupe in Christ which allowed her to preach to Pentecostal communities until her death in 1992.

La Lupe never saw the surge in her popularity after her death, especially after the legendary Spanish director, Pedro Almodovar chose her song, "Puro Teatro," to be the closing song of his Oscar nominated hit film, "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown". Fania re-released her recordings on their Tico labels during that decade, and many of her records went platinum throughout Spain and Latin America. Considered by many to be a combination of Bette Midler meets Judy Garland with a dash of Eartha Kitt, La Lupe's largest fan base is primarily the gay Latin community. Many drag performers imitate her and she is considered to be the Judy Garland of the Spanish-language world due to her torrid love affairs, heavy drug use, poor financial management and her bout with bipolar-ism. Doubtless, La Lupe is one of the most remarkable musical divas the world has ever known.

Luther Davis was born on 29 August 1916 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for Kraft Suspense Theatre (1963), Daughter of the Mind (1969) and Kismet (1955). He was married to Jennifer Bassey. He died on 29 July 2008 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.

Graduate of University of Illinois (B.F.A., 1958) and UCLA (M.A., 1960). Former award-winning ad copywriter (Ad. Writers Association of NY Silver Key Awards, 1964 and 1972) for LA's Lansdale and Carson/Roberts companies, then NY's Papert, Koening, Lois agency. Also managing editor of Eros Magazine, 1962 -1963, which, no doubt, inspired his later contributions to the nude musical, "Oh, Calcutta" (1972). Achieved national acclaim with his bestseller, "How to Be a Jewish Mother", in 1964. This was followed by "Scoring: A Sexual Memoir", 1972; "Something's There: My Adventures in the Occult", 1976; and "Confessions of a Pregnant Father", 1987. With former wife, Suzanne O'Malley, co-wrote "How to Avoid Love and Marriage" in 1983.

Father Daniel J. Berrigan, S.J. died at the age of 95 on April 30, 2016. Colman McCarthy, former columnist for the Washington Post, called Berrigan "a major figure in the radical left of the 1960s and 1970s," who died at a Jesuit residence at Fordham University in the Bronx. Known as a poet and non-violent activist, the priest led antiwar protests, was unable to be with "The Baltimore Four", but most famously spent two years in prison for acts of civil disobedience that became well known through his play and the film "The Trial of The Catonsville Nine." His brother Philip, also a priest (but who left active ministry), was one of the "Four" and "Nine" and died in 2002. Survivors include a sister and three brothers.

Former Washington Post columnist McCarthy described the Catonsville event: "In May 1968, Father Berrigan, his brother and fellow priest Philip Berrigan, and seven other activists entered a Selective Service office in Catonsville, Md. They gathered hundreds of draft files, lugged them outside and, with a recipe of kerosene and soap chips taken from a Green Berets handbook, burned them to ashes. The Catonsville Nine, as they became known, were arrested, and in a five-day trial in October 1968, they were found guilty of destruction of government property."

Father Berrigan may be best known in the film world for his cameo in the 1986 British drama The Mission, written by Robert Bolt, in which he spoke only one word, "No!" While he lived a "YES!" to God's will as he discerned it, that included a clear and definitive "No!" to violence and war.

Stage director, writer, and film bit player Robert Dahdah was born to Lebanese parents on March 8, 1926 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dahdah moved as a child with his family to New York City and lived in Washington Heights. Robert served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Dahdah was the head of the Empathy Group in 1953 and directed plays at Washington Square Theater before becoming one of the key pioneering figures of the Off-Off Broadway theater movement at Caffe Cino in the 1960's. Among the notable plays that Robert directed are the smash hit "Dames at Sea," "The Bed," "Curley McDimple," "Clara Bow Loves Gary Cooper," and "Alias Jimmy Valentine." Moreover, Dahdah also appeared in a handful of movies in uncredited bit roles. He died at age 89 on February 6, 2016 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx.

Ivan Reiner was born on 24 January 1911 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for The Wild, Wild Planet (1966), War Between the Planets (1966) and The Green Slime (1968). He died on 15 September 1997 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.

Ruth Morley was born on 19 November 1925 in Vienna, Austria. She was a costume designer, known for Tootsie (1982), Superman (1978) and Ghost (1990). She died on 12 February 1991 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.

Kalief Browder was born on 25 May 1993 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He died on 6 June 2015 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.

Matthew Locricchio was born on 3 June 1947 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He was an actor, known for Escape from Alcatraz (1979), Law & Order (1990) and The Streets of San Francisco (1972). He was married to Richard Farley. He died on 9 January 2019 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.

Mdot EBK was born on 17 August 2004. He was an actor, known for Mdot EBK: Godfather (2023), Mdot EBK feat. Eddie Gz: Off the Mud (2021) and M-Dot EBK: Goblins & Demons Pt 2 (2022). He died on 5 July 2023 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.

Chad Brown was born on 13 August 1961 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Qualcosa in più (1990), Maximum Bob (1998) and Basket Case 2 (1990). He was married to Vanessa Rousso. He died on 2 July 2014 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.

Hal Hackady was born on 10 February 1922 in Middletown, Connecticut, USA. He was a writer and composer, known for Hey, Let's Twist! (1961), Senior Prom (1958) and Lights Out (1946). He died on 12 October 2015 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.

Helen Fisher was born on 31 May 1945 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. She was married to John Tierney. She died on 17 August 2024 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.