Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 20th June

Births today begin with Sigisund III Vasa not only the King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Sweden but also Guy Fawkes looks likey – released himself in 1566. Hollywood darling Errol Leslie Thompson Flynn had the green light to be born in 1909. Actress/television producer Margaret LaVelle Fitzpatrick, but better known as Gail Patrick left the stage door in 1911. Non zoo keeper with the television programme and numerous voices, Ernest John ‘Johnny’ Morris hatched in 1916. Sculptor of ‘The Sphere’, which stood between the twin towers in New York and is now in Battery Park showing the damage sustained during 9/11, Fritz Koenig adapted to life from 1924. Far right French fire brand politico Jean-Marie Le Pen made his entrance to the world in 1928. Star of various not very amusing sit-coms, Wendy Craig didn’t have butterflies arriving in 1934. Diminutive cricketer Ramakant Desai bowled everyone over in 1939. Film director Stephen Arthur Frears sealed the deal and has been celebrating his birthday since 1941. Co-founder of Californian band The Beach Boys, Brian Douglas Wilson had his breakaway moment in 1942. Original cast member of The Mickey Mouse Club Cheryl Lynn Holdridge, pulled the ripcord in 1944. Minor royal (and patron of various charities) Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester started off as Birgitte Eva Henriksen in Denmark back in 1946. Ex-Commodore, (as in band member, not naval officer), crooner Lionel Brockman Ritchie Jr. said, ‘Hello’ for the first time in 1949. Winner of the job no one else wanted, Nouri al-Maliki (now ex) Prime Minister of Iraq had a vote of confidence from his family in 1950. Large actor who liked a drink (or three) whilst starring in unamusing series Roseanne, John Stephen Goodman wasn’t born yesterday given he’s celebrating his 66th birthday today. South African born English previous cricket captain, Allan Joseph Lamb bailed out in 1954. Make up liking founder member of new wave band Duran Duran – Nigel John Taylor was another of the neurotic outsiders from 1960. Son of American actor Michael Landon, the imaginatively named Michael Landon Jr, who followed his old man into acting was a real bonanza for his folks in 1964. Another(!) ex-Mrs T. Cruise, Nicole Mary Kidman really is the birthday girl seeing as she arrived in 1967. Ball kicker and diving meister, Frank James Lampard made it through the defences in 1978.

It seems to be another slow day for deaths, but we kick off with Roman Emperor Louis the Pious must have hoped his connections made his funeral special in 840. Navigator and cartographer with a Sea named after him – Willem Barentsz had a smooth passage to his funeral in 1597. Argentinian flag waver and statesman with a boat named  after him, Manuel José Joaquín del Corazón de Jesús Belgrano sank without trace in 1820, rather like his boat 162 years later. King of Great Britain along with that old outpost of Hanover, William IV stopped having his portraits painted in 1837. Landscape artist John Clayton Adams could only see black from 1906. Bruno Frank, writer of the screenplay for The Hunchback of Notre Dame, as opposed to a phone book entry for a boxer, was canned in 1945. Fan of twinkly lights, massive casinos, over extravagant shows and associated kickbacks, Benjamin ‘Bugsy’ Siegel took a gamble and lost in 1947. One fourth of The Four Tops, Lawrence Albert Payton found that’s as nature planned it in 1997. Dutch jogger Tinus Osendarp dropped his baton in 2002. Co-inventor of the handheld calculator and thermal printer – Jack St. Clair Kirby cashed in his chips in 2005. Finally, co-founder of and guitarist with Kool and the Gang – Claydes Charles Smith funked off in 2006. 

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Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 19th June

Another ancient royal begins today’s posting as King of Scotland James VI, who also held the title King of England and Ireland as James I was his mum’s little prince from 1566. Sixth Hindu Guru, Guru Hargobind (or Saccha Badshah), was one of the Khalsa from 1595. Founding member of the Royal Geographic Society – John Barrow started to get his bearings in 1764. Professional cutter of people and pioneer of hypnotism, James Braid didn’t put his mum in a trance during birth in 1795. Desk soldier, (whilst sending everyone else to the front line), who now has a pub named after him in Effingham, Surrey – Douglas Haig took the easiest option in 1861. Future royal gold digger Bessie Wallis Warfield, who went onto become Wallis Simpson, before getting the title Wallis, Duchess of Windsor freeloaded from today in 1896. Actor/comedian Moses Harry Horwitz (or just Moe Howard), was sweet and hot in 1897. Inventor of the hook and loop fastener (or as it’s also known Velcro) – George de Mestral tore himself away from his mum in 1907. Diminutive ginger comedian, Charles Edward Springall or Charlie Drake as he became known was a little darling from 1925. Having mentioned Barry Took on March 31st when he rolled over, here he is again given he made his point of view known in 1928. Bosnian Serb war criminal with the wild hair who disappeared for a few years, Radovan Karadžić fought his way through in 1945. Also born that year is Burmese house sitting champion and now disgraced State Counsellor – Aung San Suu Kyi. Ex-hush hush Lower Kingswood (Surrey) resident, Iran fatwa recipient of the year 1989, Ahmad Salman Rushdie has no shame being born in 1947. Dreary singer who gave Leonard Cohen a run for his money, Nicholas Rodney ‘Nick’ Drake joined the family tree in 1948. American singer Laurence Dunhill who obviously couldn’t be bothered to sign his full name given he abbreviated it to Larry Dunn, didn’t have as much earth or fire as he did wind in 1953. A year later, large framed and deep voiced actress Mary Kathleen Turner had a simple wish to be born. Old cheerleader for Los Angeles Lakers and previous Mrs Emilio Estevez with an alleged substance problem, Paula Julie Abdul wasn’t in a rush rush to be delivered in 1962. Scrum enthusiast who runs after hookers and ex-RAF pilot, Rory Underwood had the dummy passed to him in 1963. Another ex-Mayor of London, blonde mop head Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson started out in New York in 1964. Actress/fashion designer and ex-Mrs Jude Law, Sadie Liza Vaughan/Frost had the presence of mind to be born in 1965, whilst in 1967 Norwegian of the day Bjørn Dæhlie slid through. French actor/Oscar winner – Jean Dujardin made some noise in 1972. Z list ‘celebrity’ who apparently had an affair with David Beckham (wow), and went onto feature in various dull reality shows Rebecca Loos made her first appearance in 1977. Actress born Zoe Yadira Saldaña Nazario but goes by Zoe Saldana had the perfect vantage point in 1978. 

Deaths are thinner on the ground today, but we start with Emperor of Mexico Maximilian I, let the moths at his excessively large ermine cape in 1867. Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet found he didn’t have Peter Pan’s powers in 1937. Chairman of IBM Thomas John Watson Sr., punched his last card in 1956. Wife of chief marshmallow burner and lead singer of ‘Ging Gang Gooly’, Olave Baden-Powell didn’t get any more badges after 1977. Founder of relationship counselling Paul Popenoe left his wife (without consultation) in 1979. Actress from the 1930’s/40’s Jean Arthur found you can’t take it with you in 1991. Writer of The Lord of the Flies, Sir William Gerald Golding buzzed off in 1993. Singer of festive hit ‘Jingle Bell Rock’, Robert Lee ‘Bobby’ Helms started hanging about with the fool and the angel from 1997. Finally, actor known for his role in The Sopranos James Joseph Gandolfini Jr., became the man who wasn’t there in 2013. 

Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 18th June

We begin today with 106th Emperor of Japan as Emperor Ōgimachi (the one with the odd hat or hair do in his pic), entered the world in traditional order way back in 1517. Artist who came up with the pointing Uncle Sam poster – James Montgomery Flagg entered the world (as seen by him) in 1877. Climber of hills and mountains, George Herbert Leigh Mallory thankfully wasn’t left dangling in 1886. Actress Jeanette Anna MacDonald was smilin’ through in 1903. Game show host/radio actor and announcer, Clayton Johnson Heermance Jr. (or Bud Collyer), had to tell the truth about his birthdate from 1908. Olympic athlete and sometime Tarzan actor, Glenn Edgar Morris swung by in 1912. Alternative fire fighter with the singed fringe and eye brows, Paul Neal ‘Red’ Adair set his parents world alight in 1915. Known for his roles in Western films and television series Have Gun – Will Travel, Richard Allan Boone made it through the dragnet in 1917. Actor Ian Gillet Carmichael was in the here and now from 1920. Classic sit-com actor Paul Eddington had a good life from 1927. 34th President of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso took up the challenge in 1931. Canaries, (Norwich City FC) fan who likes a drink, (or three), cook Delia Smith will bake a cake whilst swigging the champers in honour of her 77th birthday. Controversial ex-President of South Africa Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki had his first appointment in 1942. Frugal ex-Beatle, widower of mass produced vegetarian meal company owner and chief tambourine player in Wings, James Paul McCartney twisted and shouted in 1942. Sit-com actor from the 1970’s – Barry Joseph Evans didn’t have to mind his language in 1943. Former ball kicker now manager of the Russian football (soccer) team, Fabio Capello dribbled for the first time in 1946. Identical twins who were Prime Minister and President of Poland respectively, Jarosław Aleksander and Lech Aleksander Kaczyński spilt the difference in 1949. Former model for Lancôme (among other things), so hasn’t quite started to show her age, yet – Isabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini found it was just a matter of time before being born in 1952. Essex songstress who’s lost a few stone over the years, Geneviève Alison Jane Moyet was all cried out 57 years ago. Equally deluded eldest son of iron fisted Iraqi dictator Saddam, Uday Saddam Hussein al-Tikriti used all his force in 1964. Pot bellied bare chested punk singer with Norwegian punk band Turbonegro, Pål Pot Pamparius wasn’t locked down in 1969. Founding member/singer with dull group Boyz II Men – Nathan Morris was at the beginning of the road in 1971. Another deluded nutter Majed Mashaan Ghanem Moqed highjacker of American Airlines flight 77 took over events in 1977.

As for deaths, it’s a pretty quiet day but we do see Romanian Prime Minister Titu Liviu Maiorescu find his days were over in 1917. Dead Norwegian of the day goes to polar explorer who (just) beat the British to the South Pole, Roald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen started to feel permanently cold from 1928. Writer with a park named in his honour – Alexi Maximovich Peshkov, didn’t get any further walks in after 1936. Actor born Sabino Tomas Gomez, but known as Thomas Gomez had dead man’s eyes in 1971. Known for his role as ‘the Master’ in Dr. Who – Roger Cesar Marius Bernard de Delgado Torres Castillo Roberto, but known as Roger Delgado started to wear the mummy’s shroud in 1973. Deputy Commander in Chief of the Red Army who accepted the German surrender Georgy Konstantiovich Zhukov capitulated in 1974. ‘The God’s Banker’ Roberto Calvi stopped hanging about London in 1982. Baseball announcer John Francis ‘Jack’ Buck was a no-hitter from 2002. Overweight politically incorrect comedian Bernard John Manning had his final performance in 2007. Saxophonist with ‘The Boss’ Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Clarence Clemons ran out of puff, and life, in 2011. Finally, actor Vincent Giorgio Andrea Spinetti who featured in the Beatles films, needed some Help! in 2012.

Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 17th June

Today, we see the births of another ancient royal – Edward Longshanks or King Edward I of England who also went by the name Hammer of the Scots expelled himself in 1239. Not to be outdone, and keeping with the theme, Charles (or Carl) XII, King of Sweden started having his hair permed in 1682. Turncoat in the American Revolution and signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, William Hooper didn’t change his mind about being born in 1742. Norwegian of the day is second Kristiansand resident to be mentioned this week, Henrik Arnold Thaulow Wergeland, he of dodgy haircut, funny glasses and excessive sideburns, got his pose just right in 1808. Inventor of shorthand system named after him, John Robert Gregg also had short arms and legs in 1867. Creator of American cereal ‘Wheaties’ – George Cormack didn’t forget the milk in 1870. Hitler’s other right hand man, Martin Bormann started off with floppy limbs in 1900. Credited with inventing the chocolate chip cookie Ruth Graves Wakefield blended in well after being delivered in 1903. Over enthusiastic cat lover who left her moggies a million pounds, Beryl Reid didn’t go for the extra day given she was born in 1919. Film/television director Kenneth ‘Ken’ Loach wasn’t in two minds amount being delivered in 1936. 58th speaker of the House of Representatives, Newton Leroy McPherson or Newton Leroy ‘Newt’ Gringrich couldn’t keep quiet from 1943. Also born that year is Julian Clary looky likey and Ivory tinkler with the nose, Barry Alan Pinkus who adopted his mum’s surname, (Manilow) didn’t think, ‘let’s hang on’. Comedian/game show host who hit the big time presenting a programme on Retirement Living TV, William ‘Bill’ Rafferty found every second counts from 1944. Mac wearing nasal drone with the wart and newts, anti-Semitic ex-Mayor of London – Kenneth Robert ‘Ken’ Livingstone elected to be born in 1945. Another person born that year is earlier incarnation of Lance Armstrong, Eddy Merckx who found he was a dropout. One half of gross out brotherly film directors, Robert Leo ‘Bobby’ Farrelly Jr., was unhitched in 1958. 1963 saw Pauline Graham’s daughter, Sandra, light up her world. Dirtballer and grass court specialist who’s also older sis to Serena, Venus Ebony Starr Williams hasn’t quite reached deuce given she was born in 1980.

It appears not to be a day to be anything religious given we start the deaths paragraph with Pope Adeodatus II or Deodatus II who only got four years as top dog before giving up in 676. Archbishop of Rheims, Fulk the Venerable, found his prayers weren’t answered in 900. Empress consort of the Mughal Empire, born Arjumand Bantu but known as Mumtaz Mahal ended up at the temple her husband built in her honour back in 1631. Lakshmibai the Rani of Jhansi, though known at birth as Manikarnika, didn’t put up any resistance to turning her toes up in 1858. Not quite a Pope but His Eminence Basil Hume of Westminster stopped wafting incense about in 1999, whilst two years later in 2001 Archbishop of Glasgow, Thomas Winning lost the will to live. Leggy American dancer and actress Tula Ellice Finklea who sensibly changed her name to Cyd Charisse failed to high kick again after 2008. 2012 saw Rodney Glen King III succeed in finishing off what the LAPD tried to do in 1991. Best known for her role ‘Nursey’ in BBC  comedy Blackadder, Patricia ‘Patsy’ Byrne saw the curtain come down in 2014. Seven time Prime Minister and then ninth President of Turkey – Sami Süleyman Gündogdu Demirel made sure he wasn’t going to represent his country again from 2015. Finally, lead vocalist of hip hop group P.M. Dawn – Attrell Stephen Cordes Jr, who adopted the slightly hipper moniker of ‘Prince Be’, has been set adrift on memory bliss since 2016. 

Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 16th June

Today’s posting begins with ancient Emperor of Japan given Emperor Konoe got the job pretty much as soon as he was born in 1139. Scottish born explorer of the land of sunshine, surfing, spiders and, err, Foster’s, Thomas Livingstone Mitchell started surveying everything in front of him from 1792. Goyaałé, otherwise known as Bedonkohe Apache leader Geronimo was ‘the one who yawns’ in 1829. Sash/medal wearing King of Sweden Gustav V started life as Duke of Värmland in 1858. Norwegian of the day, rifle shooter Olaf Emil Frydenlund must have had his eye in given he made it through the sights in 1862. Ninth Prime Minister of maple syrup drinking lumberjacks, Arthur Meighen proved to be more popular with his family in 1874 than voters in later life. Prime Minister of Iran (until the CIA and Secret Intelligence Service from the UK removed him), Mohammed Mosaddegh staged his own take over in 1882. One of the best ever comedy actors to grace the earth, Stanley Arthur Jefferson (or Stan Laurel as the Sons of the Desert know him), had his first fine mess in 1890. Old rock studier with the rather unfortunate middle name, George Gaylord Simpson had to wait a few years from 1902 to become an old fossil himself. Actor Jack Albertson had his cousins kissin’ him from 1907. President of the Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces of Peru, Juan Francisco Velasco Alvarado raised the stakes in 1910. Controversial politician who made the equally controversial ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech – John Enoch Powell faced freedom and reality in 1912. Over exposed actor James Christopher Bolam was a likely lad from 1938. Songwriter and one third of Holland Dozier Holland, Lamont Herbert Dozier kept his mum hangin’ on in 1941. Singer with The Stylistics, James Smith was a rockin’ rolling baby in 1950. Fellow singer (albeit one I’ve never heard of), Gino Vannelli found people gotta move in 1952. American divot maker Philip Alfred ‘Phil’ Mickleson had a free drop in 1970. Notorious singer, (used in the broadest sense of the word), Lesane Parish Crooks, or Tupac Shakur noticed the changes after being born in 1971. Spanish born German actor Daniel César Martin Brühl González Domingo, or just Daniel Brühl, was in no real rush to be delivered in 1978.

Death wise, physician who was an early adopter of anaesthesia, John Snow, found himself knocked out in 1858. War Cry peddler, timbrel enthusiast and son of Sally Army founder William – Bramwell Booth was ‘promoted to glory’ in 1929. Given I mentioned David T. Abercrombie the other day in honour of his birthday, here’s his equally non-hunky business partner Ezra Hasbrouck Fitch who must have issued the diktat for dark shops given he entered a very dark place in 1930. Also not making it through that year, co-inventor of the gyrocompass – Elmer Ambrose Sperry lost his bearings.Person credited with finding and naming the San Andreas Fault, Andrew Cowper Lawson felt a little quiver in 1952. Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Hungarian People’s Republic with the moustache and glasses, Imre Nagy found he didn’t go hungry from 1958. Actor who played Superman in the television series of the same name, George Reeves had enough of Kryptonite in 1959. Pointer at a map whilst getting the weather wrong, Jule Gregory Charney suffered a severe low pressure in 1981. Fan of Columbian marching powder along with being lead guitarist with The Pretenders, James Honeyman-Scott wasn’t pretending being dead in 1982. Founder of alternative political party, (alas it’s not Nigel Farage), but David Edward Sutch or Screaming Lord Sutch certainly wasn’t alive and well from 1999. 10th Prime Minister of Thailand Field Marshall Thanom Kittikachorn didn’t manage to add to his medal collection from 2004. Finally, ex-German Chancellor Helmut Josef Michael Khol stepped down in 2017. 

Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 14th June

We begin today’s posting with author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin (among others), Harriet Beecher Stowe only had to wait six months (and a few days) until the first Christmas of New England in 1811. German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Aloysius ‘Alois’ Alzheimer, who has a, err, erm, what’s it called after him but thankfully never forgot he was born in 1864. Norwegian of the day is advanced abacus user Atle Selberg who began counting the years from 1917. Ex-member of the communist party and black listed Hollywood act tor who re-built Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on London’s South Bank as well as being Zoë’s old man, Samuel Wantenmaker (or just Sam Wanamaker), had his premiere in 1919. Also born that year is fellow actor Eugene Klass who became known as Gene Barry found he had a naked alibi. Car designer for Rover cars (when they were made from proper materials as opposed to recycled tin cans and plastic) – David Ernest Bache didn’t get a facelift after his birth in 1928. Argentinian born agitator in Cuba who’s made a fortune for someone through posters and badges, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara revolutionised his parents lives after 1928. Singer Renaldo ‘Obie’ Benson couldn’t help himself being born in 1936. Voiceover artist/actress Marilyn Sue Schreffler was the golden child to her parents in 1945. Owner of various tall towers and golf courses across America, not to mention temperamental President of the United States who likes to tweet a lot, Donald started trumping in 1946. Bearded Welsh poet, Terry Pratchett looky likey (minus the hat) and ex-Arch Bishop of Canterbury, Rowan Douglas Williams held court in 1950. Old drag queen and near national treasure, Paul James O’Grady had his eyes down in 1955. Reporter of false crime, ex-community service road sweeper in New York, wearer of excessively large hats and dresser upper/singer for Culture Club, George O’Dowd or Boy George started the crying game in 1961. Tennis ball hitter and current Mrs A Agassi, Stefanie Mari ‘Steffi’ Graf had her debut delivery in 1969. Toothy and speccy comedian who’s no relation to Jimmy, Alan Carr got his first vision of the world in 1976.

Death wise, having mentioned 104th Archbishop of Canterbury (above), here’s another – Simon Sudbury was at the other end of life in 1381. Defector from the American Continental Army to the British Army in the American Civil War, Benedict Arnold lost his stiff upper lip in 1801. Engineer who mapped out the plan for Washington D.C. – Pierre (Peter) Charles L’Enfant made it to a pensioner before rolling over in 1825. Author Jerome Klapka Jerome who was mentioned on 2nd May in honour of his birthday, gets another go given he had the idle thoughts of an idle fellow from 1927. Women’s rights campaigner and chain enthusiast not to mention handbag swinger Emmeline Pankhurst (née Goulden), hung up her sash in 1928. Inventor of the square box found in the corner of virtually every house around the world, John Logie Baird unplugged in 1946. Author and poet Salvatore Quasimodo had a slightly altered coffin in 1968. Actor who was the original voice of Fred Flintstone, born Herbert Theodore Bergman or Alan Reed Sr., has been a space ghost since 1977. Dame Edith Margaret Emily ‘Peggy’ Ashcroft gave her best ever death scene in 1991. Composer/conductor/arranger Enrico Nicola ‘Henry’ Mancini knew the score when it came to dying in 1994. Irish rocker, William Rory Gallagher didn’t get to rock or even move after today in 1995. Controversial ninth President of Austria Kurt Josef Waldheim still wondered what the fuss was all about in 2007. Known for his role in sometime fairly amusing sit-com ‘Allo Allo’, Roger Michael Kelly, (or to use his stage name Sam Kelly) got to say, ‘Goodbye Goodbye’ in 2014. Finally, actress who featured in numerous Dick Van Dyke shows, Ann (Morgan) Guilbert didn’t get a second chance in 2016. 

Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 13th June

This day back in 823 saw Charles the Bald born (although whether he actually grew any hair is still open to question), whilst six years later in 829 the rather unfortunately named Charles the Fat arrived. First ever First Lady of the United States, Martha Washington (née Dandridge), tagged along in 1731. Early day Sherlock Holmes actor – Basil Rathbone was allowed to make a wish on his birthday from 1892. Pecksniffian blue rinsed old biddy who spent her life ‘morally outraged’ at various television programmes (but never used the off switch), whilst telling everyone else that would listen how awful things are, Daily Mail reader Constance Mary Whitehouse (née Hutcheson) would have been incensed if she’d known how she arrived in the world back in 1910. Game show host who also presented the American version of This Is Your Life – Ralph Livingstone Edwards faced the truth and consequences of being born in 1913. Singer David Gordon Kirkpatrick or Slim Dusty known for his hit ‘A Pub With No Beer’, had a G’day in 1927. Mathematician and subject of film (and book), A Beautiful Mind – John Forbes Nash Jr., worked his way through the possibilities in 1928. Known for his role in A Clockwork Orange, Malcolm John Taylor but known as Malcolm McDowell, didn’t look back in anger having been born in 1943. Successor to Kofi Annan at motion passing, (but not a lot else) United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon was diplomatic at his arrival in 1944. Resident of old dear’s favourite West Sussex town, Worthing – singer Dennis Michael Locorriere didn’t have Sylvia as a mother from 1949. Actor known for playing ‘John Boy’ in The Waltons – Richard Earl Thomas was the million dollar kid from 1951. English comedy actress Katherine Lucy Bridget ‘Kathy’ Burke won’t be having nil by mouth given she’ll be eating cake in celebration of her 54th birthday. Singer/songwriter who seems to have dropped off the radar somewhat, David Gray didn’t get to eat hospital food in 1968. Also born that year, older brother to Louis – novelist Marcel Raymond Theroux wrote himself into the plot. One third of dire pop group Aqua, born Søren Rasted, but now goes by the name Søren Nystrøm Rasted has been a playmate to Jesus since 1969. 

Tattooed fearless jackass, Stephen Gilchrist Glover or Steve-O bounced for the first time in 1974. Norwegian of the day – bikini clad beach volleyball player, Nila Ann Håkedal found herself in the ready position in 1979.

Deaths appear to be a bit thin on the ground, that said, the following fell into the clutches of the reaper – magician Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin conjured up a coffin in 1871. Ludwig Otto Friedrich Wilhelm or Ludwig II of Bavaria, the one who had Neuschwanstein Castle built and propped up Richard Wagner, found his activities curtailed in 1886. 16th Prime Minister of Australia Joseph Benedict ‘Ben’ Chifley got burnt another way in 1951. Actor known for playing Michael Banks in Mary Poppins, Matthew Adam Garber had the clapperboard come down in 1977. Jazz and swing king (of the musical variety), Benjamin David ‘Benny’ Goodman stopped swinging in 1986. Dead Norwegian of the day is ski jumper Birger Ruud came to the end of his run in 1998. Also not making it through that year is cartoonist responsible for Andy Capp, Reginald ‘Reg’ Smythe found the speech bubbles blank. Prime Minister of Pakistan Mailk Meraj Khalid has abstained since 2003. Three time Taoiseach (or PM) of Ireland with what turned out to be somewhat of a chequered past, (think corruption, tax evasion, extra marital affairs and embezzlement), Charles James ‘Charlie’ Haughey gave up playing the system in 2006. Pakistani singer with the dodgy haircut and what looks like a caterpillar on the upper lip, Mehdi Hassan Khan didn’t have to warm his vocal chords again after 2012. Finally, model/actress and ‘muse’ to The Rolling Stones, Anita Pallenberg found her last day on earth was in 2017.