Biographies

Hajime Moriyasu Japanese former football midfielder and manager (born 1968). Played for the Japan national team and later managed Sanfrecce Hiroshima and the Japan national side, noted for organiz…

Hajo Meyer (1924–2014): German-born Dutch physicist and political activist Hajo Meyer Overview of Hajo Meyer, a German-born Dutch physicist and Jewish political activist (1924–2014), his life, scientific career, Holocaust survival, later activism and the controversi…

Hakainde Hichilema: Zambian Businessman and President (born 1962) Hakainde Hichilema Profile of Hakainde Hichilema, Zambian businessman and opposition leader who became president in 2021; covers background, political rise, priorities and significance for Zambia.

Hakan Balta Hakan Balta (born 23 March 1983) is a retired Turkish professional footballer, best known for his long spell at Galatasaray and appearances with the Turkey national team.

Håkan Carlqvist: Swedish Motocross Champion and 500cc World Title Winner Håkan Carlqvist Håkan Carlqvist (1954–2017) was a Swedish professional motocross racer who won the 1979 250cc and 1983 500cc F.I.M. World Championships, racing for Husqvarna and Yamaha and widely…

Håkan Jeppsson (1961–2018) — Swedish businessman and Malmö FF chairman Håkan Jeppsson Swedish businessman Håkan Jeppsson served as chairman of Malmö FF from 2010 until his death in 2018. Born in Malmö, he studied at Lund University and was a notable figure in Swedis…

Håkan Juholt Swedish Social Democratic politician, former leader of the Social Democratic Workers' Party, long-time member of the Riksdag and former journalist and photographer.

Hakan Şükür — Turkish striker, club legend and former politician Hakan Şükür Profile of Hakan Şükür: his football career, playing style, major achievements with Galatasaray and the Turkish national team, and his later involvement in politics and public life…

Hakan Yakin Hakan Yakin, Swiss footballer of Turkish descent, known for creativity, free-kicks and vision. Key figure for FC Basel and the Switzerland national team at Euro 2004, World Cup 200…

Hakeem Jeffries American lawyer and Democratic politician from New York; U.S. Representative since 2013, former chair of the House Democratic Caucus and elected House Democratic Leader in 2023.

Hakeem Olajuwon: career, playing style, and legacy Hakeem Olajuwon Overview of Hakeem Olajuwon, the Nigerian-American NBA center known as 'The Dream', his career highlights, signature moves like the Dream Shake, and his lasting influence on basket…

Hakim Ahmad Shuja (1893–1969) — Urdu poet, playwright and early film writer Hakim Ahmad Shuja Urdu poet, playwright and screenwriter from Lahore known for romantic lyrics, memoirs of the city's old quarters, and contributions to early Indian and Pakistani cinema; father of…

Hal Blaine — American Session Drummer and Wrecking Crew Member Hal Blaine Hal Blaine (1929–2019) was a prolific American session drummer, prominent member of the Wrecking Crew, contributor to dozens of hit records and recipient of a 2018 Grammy Lifetime…

Hal Brown — American Major League Baseball Pitcher Hal Brown Biography of Hector Harold “Hal” Brown (1924–2015), a right-handed Major League pitcher from 1951–1964 who played for five clubs and was known for durability and a late-blooming, s…

Hal Bruno: American Journalist and Political Commentator Hal Bruno Profile of Hal Bruno, his career at Newsweek and ABC News, wartime service, Fulbright study, moderation of the 1992 vice presidential debate, and later work with the National Falle…

Hal Colebatch Sir Harry Pateshall 'Hal' Colebatch (1872–1953) was an Australian politician who served briefly as the 12th Premier of Western Australia in 1919; he remains the state's shortest‑se…

Hal Douglas Hal Douglas (born Harold Cohen; 1924–2014) was an American voice actor whose deep, authoritative voice narrated thousands of movie trailers, television commercials and stage produc…

Hal Greer: American Basketball Guard and 76ers Star Hal Greer Hal Greer (1936–2018) was a Hall of Fame guard who spent his entire NBA career with the Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers, a 10-time All-Star and member of the 1967 championshi…

Hal Holbrook Hal Holbrook (1925–2021) was an American actor best known for his one-man portrayal of Mark Twain and a long career across stage, film, television and voice work, including an Acad…

Hal Ketchum: American country singer-songwriter and guitarist Hal Ketchum Biography and overview of Hal Ketchum (1953–2020), his career, musical style, notable recordings, and legacy, including chart success and his retirement due to Alzheimer's disease.

Hal Linden — American actor, director and Tony Award winner Hal Linden Hal Linden (born Harold Lipshitz, 1931) is an American stage and screen actor, singer and director. He is best known for starring as Capt. Barney Miller, winning a Tony Award and f…

Hal Moore (1922–2017): U.S. Army leader and author Hal Moore Lieutenant General Hal Moore was a decorated U.S. Army officer, Vietnam battalion commander, and co-author of a seminal Vietnam memoir. He is known for front-line leadership and ad…

Hal Needham — American stuntman, director and film industry innovator Hal Needham Hal Needham (1931–2013) was a pioneering American stuntman who became a film director and actor, best known for Smokey and the Bandit and The Cannonball Run and for popularizing hi…

Hal Riney American advertising executive known for warm storytelling style; narrator of Ronald Reagan’s 1984 campaign spots and founder of an agency that became Publicis & Hal Riney.

Hal Roach: American Film and Television Comedy Producer (1892–1992) Hal Roach Hal Roach was an American producer, director, and actor who founded Hal Roach Studios and produced landmark comedy series including Laurel and Hardy and Our Gang.

Hal Robson-Kanu: Welsh international forward and club career overview Hal Robson-Kanu Profile of Hal Robson-Kanu, a Wales international forward known for his technical play and memorable Euro 2016 performances; overview of his career, style, clubs and notable achiev…

Hal Smith (actor) American character actor and voice artist best known as Otis Campbell on The Andy Griffith Show; long career across radio, film, television and animation with notable work for Disn…

Hal Smith (catcher): American Major League Baseball player (1931–2014) Hal Smith (catcher) Profile of Harold Raymond 'Hal' Smith, an American Major League Baseball catcher who played mainly for the St. Louis Cardinals (1956–1961) and briefly for the Pittsburgh Pirates in…

Hal Smith (infielder) Hal Smith was an American professional baseball infielder who played in Major League Baseball from 1955 to 1964 and was a member of the 1960 World Series champion Pittsburgh Pirate…

Hal Willner: American Producer and Curator of Eclectic Musical Tributes Hal Willner Hal Willner (1956–2020) was a producer known for curated tribute albums, live events and sketch music for television. He brought together artists across genres to reinterpret film…

Haldan Keffer Hartline — American physiologist and Nobel laureate Haldan Keffer Hartline American physiologist Haldan K. Hartline (1903–1983) pioneered single‑cell studies of the retina, revealing neural mechanisms of vision and sharing the 1967 Nobel Prize in Physiolo…

Hale Boggs: U.S. Representative, House Majority Leader, and 1972 Disappearance Hale Boggs Profile of Thomas Hale Boggs Sr., long-serving Democratic congressman from New Orleans, House Majority Leader, Warren Commission member, and his 1972 plane disappearance with Rep.…

Haleh Afshar, Baroness Afshar British–Iranian academic, life peer and Muslim feminist who researched land reform, development and gender equality; a public intellectual and House of Lords member active on women…

Haley Barbour: American Governor, Political Operative, and Party Leader Haley Barbour Profile of Haley Barbour, Republican politician and lobbyist, governor of Mississippi (2004–2012), former RNC chairman, his career, policies, controversies and public role.

Haley Bennett American actress and singer from Fort Myers, Florida, known for film roles in The Haunting of Molly Hartley, Music and Lyrics, The Girl on the Train, The Magnificent Seven and the…

Haley Hudson (American actress) Haley Hudson American actress (born June 14, 1986) known for supporting roles in early-2000s teen film and television, notably Freaky Friday and Lizzie McGuire, and for a punk/goth screen perso…

Haley Joel Osment — American actor and voice artist Haley Joel Osment Profile of Haley Joel Osment, a child actor turned adult performer known for The Sixth Sense and voice work; overview of career, notable roles, awards, and later developments.

Halim El-Dabh: Egyptian‑American Composer and Pioneer of Electronic Music Halim El-Dabh Composer, performer, and ethnomusicologist Halim El‑Dabh (1921–2017) blended Egyptian traditional music with early electronic techniques and tape manipulation, and is recognized as…

Halimah Yacob — President of Singapore Halimah Yacob Halimah Yacob (born 23 August 1954) is a Singaporean politician who became the country’s eighth president in 2017. She previously served as Speaker of Parliament and held senior ro…

Halina Aszkiełowicz-Wojno — Polish volleyball player (1947–2018) Halina Aszkiełowicz-Wojno Polish volleyball player, member of the national team (1965–1973). Olympic bronze medalist at Mexico 1968; European silver (1967) and bronze (1971). Remembered for contributions to…

Halit Akçatepe Turkish actor (1938–2017) whose long career in film, television and theatre made him a beloved figure in Turkish popular culture, notably for his role as Güdük Necmi in the Hababam…

Hallam Tennyson, 2nd Baron Tennyson Biographical overview of Hallam Tennyson (1852–1928), British peer and colonial administrator who served as Governor of South Australia and as the second Governor‑General of Austra…

Hallard White Hallard Leo “Snow” White (1929–2016) was a New Zealand rugby union player and later coach and administrator, noted for a long provincial career with Auckland and for representing t…

Halldór Ásgrímsson Icelandic politician who led the Progressive Party, served in several ministerial roles and was Prime Minister in the mid-2000s; later withdrew from frontline politics and died in…

Halle Berry Halle Berry (born 1966) is an American actress and producer. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Monster's Ball (2002), becoming the first African American woman to do s…

Hallie Kate Eisenberg American actress (born Aug 2, 1992) best known as a child performer in late-1990s Pepsi commercials who later appeared in films and television before stepping back from full-time a…

Haloti Ngata Etuini Haloti Ngata (born 1984) is an American former professional football defensive tackle, renowned for his run-stopping, athleticism, and role in the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bo…

Halsey (singer) — American singer-songwriter and pop artist Halsey (singer) Halsey (Ashley Nicolette Frangipane) is an American singer-songwriter known for electropop and alternative pop work, candid storytelling, charting singles and a public presence tha…