The Many Hats of Roald Dahl

Children's author, writer of spooky adult fiction, TV host, ace fighter pilot and inventor Roald Dahl died 20 years ago today. Here are 20 facts about his life and work.

Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch

Of Gregory Peck in "To Kill a Mockingbird," author Harper Lee said, "Atticus Finch gave him an opportunity to play himself."

Betty Grable's Million Dollar Legs

Blonde bombshell Betty Grable wowed crowds in Technicolor musicals of the 1940s and '50s, showing off her strong voice, skilled dancing and, of course, her million dollar legs.

5 Things You Didn't Know About Betty Grable

There was a time when Betty Grable was the hottest thing going in Hollywood. On her 100th birthday, we look back at the movie star and icon.

Kevin O’Morrison (1916 - 2016), Sleepless in Seattle actor

Kevin O’Morrison, an actor who appeared in such films as “Sleepless in Seattle” and “The Set-Up,” has died at the age of 100, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Carl Clark (1916–2017), WWII hero

African American World War II hero received medal 60 years later.

John Kundla (1916 - 2017), NBA Hall of Famer

Former Lakers head coach was an NBA Hall of Famer...

Julia Ruth Stevens (1916 - 2019), daughter of Babe Ruth

Julia Ruth Stevens was the last surviving daughter of baseball legend Babe Ruth.

Maida Heatter (1916–2019), "Queen of Cake" and cookbook author

Maida Heatter was the "Queen of Cake," a pastry chef and cookbook author known for her decadently sweet creations.

Dorothy Olsen (1916–2019), one of WWII's last surviving Women Airforce Service Pilots

Dorothy Olsen was one of the last surviving WASPs, women pilots who flew non-combat missions for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. The WASPs—Women Airforce Service Pilots—were stationed across the U.S., ferrying planes from factories to airbases, test-flying new and recently repaired planes, and training new pilots in order to free up male Army Air Forces members to fly combat missions. Olsen had earned her private pilot’s license after a childhood dreaming of flight, and she joined the WASPs in 1943, the year they were first established. She was one of just 1,074 women to complete the WASP training program. Though they were of vital importance to the war effort, the WASPs weren’t officially military, and their contributions went largely unrecognized for decades. It wasn’t until 1977 that they received veterans’ benefits, and in 2010 they were collectively presented the Congressional Gold Medal.

John Moon (1916–2019), oldest known surviving veteran of Iwo Jima

John Moon was believed to be the oldest known surviving veteran of Iwo Jima.

Olivia de Havilland (1916–2020), Oscar-winning “Gone With the Wind” star

Olivia de Havilland was an Oscar-winning actress who played Melanie Hamilton in "Gone With the Wind" and won two Academy Awards for Best Actress.

Beverly Cleary (1916–2021), award-winning “Ramona” series author

Beverly Cleary penned award-winning books for children and young adults including the popular "Ramona" series, notably the National Book Award-winning “Ramona and Her Mother” as well as “Ramona the Brave,” “Ramona Quimby, Age 8,” and “Ramona Forever.”

Betty Rowland (1916–2022), legendary burlesque dancer 

Betty Rowland was a legendary burlesque dancer during the “Golden Age of Burlesque” who was known as the “Red Headed Ball of Fire.”

Julia Hawkins (1916–2024), 108-year-old record-setting sprinter

Julia Hawkins was a senior cyclist who, at age 100, became a competitive sprinter and eventually set multiple records in her age group.