Biographies

Danny Ray Thompson (1947–2020) Danny Ray Thompson American baritone saxophonist best known for long service with the Sun Ra Arkestra; performer, band manager for a time, and part of the ensemble’s continuity from the late 1960s on…

Danny Schechter: media critic, independent filmmaker, and activist Danny Schechter Danny Schechter (1942–2015) was an American television producer, independent filmmaker, blogger and media critic known for documentaries on Nelson Mandela and for critiquing mainst…

Danny Talbott — American three‑sport athlete and UNC quarterback (1944–2020) Danny Talbott Danny Talbott (1944–2020) was a three‑sport collegiate athlete at UNC, 1966 ACC Player of the Year at quarterback, later a professional baseball player and NFL backup who remained…

Danny Thomas American entertainer and philanthropist (born Amos Muzyad Yaqoob Kairouz), star of Make Room for Daddy and founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Danny Trejo: Actor and Cultural Figure Danny Trejo American character actor born in 1944, known for rugged anti‑hero roles, collaborations with Robert Rodriguez, and appearances in Machete, Spy Kids, Desperado and From Dusk Till Da…

Danny Welbeck Danny Welbeck (born 26 November 1990) is an English professional footballer of Ghanaian descent, known as a versatile forward who emerged from Manchester United's academy and repre…

Danny Wells (Jack Westelman): Canadian‑American actor and voice artist Danny Wells Danny Wells (born Jack Westelman, 1941–2013) was a Canadian‑American actor and composer best known for Charlie the bartender on The Jeffersons and voicing Luigi in The Super Mario…

Dante Alighieri: Life, Works and Lasting Influence Dante Alighieri Italian poet Dante Alighieri (c.1265–1321), author of the Divine Comedy, shaped Italian literary language and medieval thought. Overview of his life, major work, themes, influence…

Dante Basco American actor and voice actor best known as Rufio in Hook and the voice of Prince Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender; his work spans film, television, animation and advocacy for A…

Dante Caputo — Argentine academic, diplomat and politician Dante Caputo Profile of Dante Mauricio Caputo (1943–2018), Argentine academic and Foreign Minister under Raúl Alfonsín who served as President of the UN General Assembly (1988–1989).

Dante Exum — Australian professional basketball guard Dante Exum Australian NBA guard Dante Exum (born 1995). Overview of his early life, NBA career with Utah and Cleveland, playing style, international experience and notable background facts.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti English poet, painter, illustrator and translator (1828–1882); founding member of the Pre‑Raphaelite Brotherhood; known for medieval themes, luminous portraits and translations of…

Dante Gullo Argentine sociologist and politician (1947–2019). Served in the national Chamber of Deputies (2007–2011) and the Buenos Aires City Legislature (2011–2015); known for work on social…

Danuta Szaflarska: Polish stage and film actress (1915–2017) Danuta Szaflarska Danuta Szaflarska was a celebrated Polish stage and film actress whose career spanned pre‑war and post‑war eras. Known as a legend of Polish cinema, she received the Złota Kaczka f…

Dany Heatley — Canadian NHL right winger and Olympic gold medalist Dany Heatley Profile of Dany Heatley, a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger: career overview, playing style, teams, awards, the 2003 car accident, international play and later career…

Daphne Caruana Galizia — Maltese investigative journalist and blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia Investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia (1964–2017) exposed corruption and helped reveal the Panama Papers. Her assassination sparked international outcry, legal probes, re…

Daphne du Maurier British novelist and short‑story writer (1907–1989) noted for atmospheric, suspenseful fiction such as Jamaica Inn, Rebecca and The Birds, and for film adaptations of her work.

Daphne Oxenford (1919–2012) Daphne Oxenford English actress whose career spanned stage, radio and television; original cast member who played Esther Hayes in Coronation Street and was a familiar voice on British radio.

Daphne Zuniga: actress and activist Daphne Zuniga Daphne Zuniga (born 1962) is an American actress noted for Melrose Place, Spaceballs and One Tree Hill. She is active in women's rights and in efforts to restore the Los Angeles Ri…

Dappy (Costadinos Contostavlos) — English rapper and N-Dubz frontman Dappy Profile of Costadinos 'Dappy' Contostavlos: background, role in N-Dubz, solo career, signature style, heritage and influence on UK urban music.

Dara Ó Briain Irish stand-up comedian and television presenter known for hosting panel shows, science and comedy programmes, and for combining mathematics and popular science with observational…

Dara Singh: Indian wrestler, actor, filmmaker and parliamentarian Dara Singh Biography of Dara Singh (1928–2012): his wrestling origins, cinematic career in Hindi and Punjabi films, political nomination to the Rajya Sabha, and cultural legacy in India.

Darcus Howe: British broadcaster, writer and civil liberties campaigner Darcus Howe Profile of Darcus Howe (1943–2017), Trinidad-born British activist, editor and broadcaster known for Race Today, the Notting Hill Carnival, Black on Black and high-profile civil ri…

Darcy G. Richardson — American author, historian and political activist Darcy Richardson Darcy G. Richardson (born 1955) is an American author, historian and political activist known for writing on U.S. politics and running for office with several third-party and indep…

Darijo Srna — Croatian footballer and long-time Shakhtar Donetsk captain Darijo Srna Darijo Srna, a Croatian right-back known for leadership, set-piece ability and a lengthy career at Shakhtar Donetsk; captain of club and his national side with multiple domestic an…

Darin — Swedish pop singer and songwriter Darin (singer) Darin Zanyar (born June 2, 1987) is a Swedish pop artist of Kurdish descent who rose to fame on Idol 2004 and became one of Sweden's most successful contemporary pop performers.

Dario Antoniozzi — Italian Christian Democrat politician Dario Antoniozzi Italian Christian Democrat politician (1923–2019). Long-serving deputy (1953–1983), cabinet member under Giulio Andreotti (1976–1979), and Member of the European Parliament (1979–1…

Dario Argento — Italian filmmaker known for horror and giallo Dario Argento Dario Argento (born 1940) is an Italian director, producer and screenwriter celebrated for stylized horror and giallo films, notably Suspiria and his Three Mothers trilogy.

Darío Barrio — Spanish chef and television presenter Darío Barrio Spanish chef and TV presenter Darío Barrio (1972–2014) was known for his work on Cuatro’s Todos contra el chef, international culinary training and his untimely death during a BASE…

Darío Castrillón Hoyos Colombian cardinal who led the Congregation for the Clergy (1996–2006) and the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei; noted for pastoral charity and work on clergy formation and tradi…

Dario Dainelli — Italian central defender and professional footballer Dario Dainelli Profile of Dario Dainelli, Italian centre-back born 9 June 1979, his club career across Italy's top divisions, playing style, international appearances for Italy and roles after re…

Dario Fo: Italian playwright, performer and satirist Dario Fo Overview of Dario Fo (1926–2016), his dramatic style, major works, political satire, use of commedia dell'arte and grammelot, collaborations with Franca Rame, controversies and leg…

Dario Franchitti — Scottish racing driver and IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti Dario Franchitti is a Scottish racing driver, four-time IndyCar champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner who raced for Chip Ganassi Racing and retired in 2013 after a seriou…

Dario Gradi — Football coach and youth-development architect Dario Gradi Dario Gradi is a football coach best known for a long tenure at Crewe Alexandra and for building a productive youth academy. His methods influenced coaching and player development…

Dario Hunter — American rabbi, lawyer, educator and political candidate Dario Hunter Dario Hunter (born 1983) is an American lawyer, rabbi, educator and politician, known as the first Muslim-born person ordained as a rabbi and for his 2020 Green Party presidential…

Dario Hunter 2020 presidential campaign Dario Hunter, a rabbi and Youngstown school board member, sought the Green Party nomination in 2020. He formed an exploratory committee in January 2019, announced his campaign in F…

Dario Šimić Croatian former professional football defender, long-serving international and club player in Croatia, Italy and France, best known for his defensive versatility and tournament app…

Darius Campbell Danesh Scottish singer, songwriter and West End stage performer who rose to prominence on early 2000s television talent shows; also known for his acting on stage and his international car…

Darius III — Last King of the Achaemenid Persian Empire Darius III Biography of Darius III (Artashata/Codomannus), his rise to power, wars with Alexander the Great, defeat and death, and his legacy as the final Achaemenid monarch.

Darius Milhaud: French composer and polytonal innovator Darius Milhaud Darius Milhaud (1892–1974), a central figure of 20th‑century French music, known for polytonality, jazz and Brazilian influences, prodigious output, and membership of the group Les…

Darius the Great: Persian King, Reformer, and Builder Darius the Great Overview of Darius I (c. 550–486 BCE): his rise, administrative reforms, coinage, military campaigns (including Marathon), building projects like Persepolis, and historical legacy.

Darius Vassell English former professional footballer, a quick and mobile striker who played for Aston Villa, Manchester City, Ankaragücü and represented England at major tournaments in the early…

Dariusz Michalczewski — Polish-German light‑heavyweight boxing champion Dariusz Michalczewski Polish-born boxer Dariusz 'Tiger' Michalczewski unified major light‑heavyweight titles, held a long reign in the 1990s, and was noted for an extended unbeaten run and high-profile…

Darlene Cates American actress best known for her portrayal of the housebound mother in What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993). Born Rita Darlene Guthrie (1947–2017), remembered for a humane and aff…

Darlene Love American singer and actress whose gospel-influenced voice and 1960s recordings (including seasonal classic "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)") made her a lasting figure in pop and…

Daron Malakian: Armenian‑American Guitarist, Songwriter, and Bandleader Daron Malakian Profile of Daron Malakian, Armenian‑American guitarist and songwriter best known for System of a Down and Scars on Broadway, his style, career milestones, and influence on rock and…

Darrall Imhoff: American NBA center and participant in Wilt Chamberlain's 100‑point game Darrall Imhoff Overview of the life and career of Darrall Imhoff (1938–2017), an American NBA center best known as the Knicks' starter during Wilt Chamberlain's 100‑point game and a member of the…

Darrell Castle: American lawyer and Constitution Party politician Darrell Castle Darrell Castle (b. 1948) is a Memphis-based attorney, activist and third‑party politician best known as the Constitution Party vice‑presidential nominee in 2008 and its presidentia…