Biographies

Jafar Umar Thalib: Founder of Laskar Jihad and Indonesian Islamic leader Jafar Umar Thalib Profile of Jafar Umar Thalib (1961–2019), Indonesian Islamic leader and founder of Laskar Jihad. Examines his rise and the group's role in Indonesia's religious and political confl…

Jagannath Azad (1918–2004) Jagannath Azad Urdu-language poet and academic who asserted he wrote the early patriotic song known as the Tarana-e-Pakistan; his claim about Pakistan’s first anthem remains debated.

Jagannath Mishra (1937–2019) — Three-time Chief Minister of Bihar Jagannath Mishra Indian National Congress leader Jagannath Mishra served three non-consecutive terms as Chief Minister of Bihar (1975–77, 1980–83, 1989–90) and remained a prominent figure in late 2…

Jagannath Pahadia (1932–2021), Indian politician Jagannath Pahadia Indian National Congress leader and public official; served as Chief Minister of Rajasthan (1980–81) and later as governor of Bihar and Haryana. Born in Rajasthan; died of COVID-19…

Jagjit Singh — influential Indian ghazal singer and modernizer Jagjit Singh Jagjit Singh (1941–2011), acclaimed Indian ghazal singer and composer who popularized the ghazal across South Asia and internationally through recordings, films and contemporary pr…

Jagjivan Ram — Indian independence activist and Dalit leader Jagjivan Ram Jagjivan Ram (1908–1986), commonly called Babuji, was a prominent Indian freedom fighter and politician from Bihar who campaigned for Dalit rights, led rural labour initiatives and…

Jagmeet Singh — Canadian politician and leader of the New Democratic Party Jagmeet Singh Profile of Jagmeet Singh (born 1979), lawyer and federal leader of Canada's New Democratic Party since 2017, his political career, background, priorities and public significance.

Jah Wobble Jah Wobble (born 11 August 1958) is an English bass guitarist, singer and poet, best known as Public Image Ltd’s original bassist. He founded Invaders of the Heart and has explored…

Jahan Shah (Muzaffar al-Din) — Kara Koyunlu ruler of Azerbaijan Jahan Shah Muzaffar al-Din Jahan Shah (d. 1467) led the Kara Koyunlu confederation, expanding its territories and fostering culture from his capital Tabriz while patronizing architecture and…

Jahangir: Mughal emperor, memoirist, and patron of the arts (1569–1627) Jahangir Jahangir, Mughal emperor from 1605 to 1627, is remembered for his detailed memoirs, artistic patronage, the political role of his wife Nur Jahan, and both courtly culture and dynas…

Jahn Otto Johansen: Norwegian journalist, editor and non-fiction writer Jahn Otto Johansen Profile of Jahn Otto Johansen (1934–2018), a prominent Norwegian journalist and editor who worked for Morgenposten, NRK and Dagbladet and wrote widely on international affairs.

Jai Courtney: Australian actor and screen performer Jai Courtney Overview of Jai Courtney, covering his early life in Sydney, acting training, major film and television roles, critical reception and notable characteristics of his screen career.

Jaime Alguersuari: Spanish racing driver and former Formula One competitor Jaime Alguersuari Profile of Jaime Alguersuari, a Spanish racing driver born in Barcelona, youngest F1 debutant in 2009, his career with Toro Rosso, and later pursuits in music and media.

Jaime Camil Mexican actor, singer and television presenter known for telenovelas, American TV role in Jane the Virgin, and voice work in Pixar's Coco; bilingual entertainer with a cross-border…

Jaime Humberto Hermosillo — Mexican film director and screenwriter Jaime Humberto Hermosillo Overview of the life, career, major films and influence of Jaime Humberto Hermosillo (1942–2020), a prominent Mexican director noted for intimate dramas and collaborations with Gab…

Jaime King — American actress and model Jaime King Profile of Jaime King, American model-turned-actress known for roles in Pearl Harbor, Bulletproof Monk, Sin City, Hart of Dixie and voice work on Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Jaime Lusinchi (1924–2014) Jaime Lusinchi Venezuelan politician and leader of Acción Democrática who served as President of Venezuela from 1984 to 1989, a period marked by social programs, economic strain and political con…

Jaime Ortí: Spanish football executive, Valencia CF leader and sports broadcaster Jaime Ortí Profile of Jaime Ortí (1947–2017), a Spanish football executive who led Valencia CF and became a prominent Valencian sports broadcaster, credited with popularising the term "Galáct…

Jaime Pressly — American actress and model Jaime Pressly Overview of Jaime Pressly, her early life, breakthrough television role, film work, career development, and public recognition as an actress and model.

Jaime Reyes — the Blue Beetle (DC Comics) Jaime Reyes Jaime Reyes is the third Blue Beetle, a Mexican-American teenager who bonds with an alien scarab and becomes a powered hero. Created in 2006, he updated the legacy with teenage per…

Jaime Rodríguez Calderón (El Bronco) — Mexican politician and independent governor Jaime Rodríguez Calderón Jaime Rodríguez Calderón (born 1957), nicknamed El Bronco, is a Mexican politician known as the first independent to win a governorship (Nuevo León). Former PRI member, mayor of Ga…

Jaime Roldós Aguilera — Ecuadorian president (1979–1981) Jaime Roldós Aguilera Jaime Roldós Aguilera was Ecuador's democratically elected president from 1979 until his death in 1981, known for a human-rights focus, social policies and a dramatic, still-discus…

Jaime Rosenthal — Honduran businessman and politician Jaime Rosenthal Jaime R. Rosenthal (1936–2019) was a prominent Honduran entrepreneur and politician who served as Third Vice President (1986–1989) and later as a member of the National Congress (2…

Jaime Thorne León Peruvian lawyer and politician who served as Minister of Defense from September 2010 to July 2011; noted as a civilian head of the defence ministry and died in 2018 of brain cancer…

Jaimie Alexander American film and television actress (born 1984), best known for Marvel’s Lady Sif and as the lead in NBC’s Blindspot; began in TV guest roles and is noted for action-oriented perf…

Jaipal Reddy Sudini Jaipal Reddy (1942–2019) was an Indian politician, five-term Lok Sabha member and Union minister who held portfolios such as Information & Broadcasting, Urban Development, P…

Jair da Rosa Pinto (1921–2005) — Brazilian footballer Jair (footballer, born 1921) Jair da Rosa Pinto, left-footed inside-forward and winger, was a leading Brazilian footballer of the 1940s–50s known for pace, dribbling and a creative, free-roaming attacking styl…

Jair Bolsonaro Brazilian politician and former army officer who served as President of Brazil (2019–2022); known for conservative positions, a long legislative career, and a polarizing public pro…

Jair da Costa — Brazilian football winger Jair da Costa Profile of Jair da Costa (born 9 July 1940), a Brazilian former footballer best known as a right winger who starred for Inter Milan in the 1960s and earned caps for the Brazil nati…

Jair Marinho (Brazilian footballer, 1936–2020) Jair Marinho Jair Marinho de Oliveira (17 July 1936 – 7 March 2020) was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a full‑back. He competed in Brazil's domestic game during the 1950s–196…

Jair Rodrigues (1939–2014): Brazilian singer and musician Jair Rodrigues Concise profile of Jair Rodrigues, a Brazilian singer and musician noted for lively samba and popular-music performances; career from the 1950s and several well-known recordings an…

Jairzinho Jairzinho (born 25 December 1944) is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a forward and starred for the Brazil national team, most famously during the 1970 World Cup.

Jakaya Kikwete Tanzanian politician and diplomat, fourth President of Tanzania (2005–2015), former African Union chairperson and long-serving foreign minister, noted for regional diplomacy and do…

Jake Abel Jake Abel (born Nov 18, 1987) is an American film and television actor from Canton, Ohio, known for work in family and genre projects including a Disney Channel film and several TV…

Jake Bugg — English singer-songwriter Jake Bugg Profile of Jake Bugg, a Nottingham-born singer-songwriter known for his 2012 debut, folk-rock influences, early breakthrough at Glastonbury and subsequent albums through 2016.

Jake Butcher (American banker and political figure) Jake Butcher Jake Butcher was an East Tennessee banker and Democratic political figure who promoted the 1982 Knoxville World's Fair and whose financial empire collapsed amid bank fraud findings…

Jake Delhomme: Career overview of the NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme Profile of Jake Delhomme, American football quarterback best known for leading the Carolina Panthers to the 2003 season Super Bowl, his playing characteristics, career timeline, an…

Jake Forbes (Vernor Vivian 'Jumpin' Jackie') Jake Forbes Canadian NHL goaltender Vernor Vivian 'Jake' Forbes played thirteen seasons in the 1920s–30s for Toronto St. Patricks, Hamilton Tigers, New York Americans and Philadelphia Quakers.

Jake Garn: U.S. Senator from Utah and First Sitting Member of Congress in Space Jake Garn Edwin Jacob "Jake" Garn (born 1932) was a Republican U.S. Senator from Utah (1974–1993), former mayor, businessman, and the first sitting member of Congress to fly aboard the Space…

Jake Godbold: Mayor of Jacksonville (1978–1987) Jake Godbold Jake Maurice Godbold (1933–2020) was an American Democratic politician who served as mayor of Jacksonville, Florida from 1978 to 1987; he led the city's municipal government for ne…

Jake Gyllenhaal: Career, Notable Roles, and Cultural Impact Jake Gyllenhaal Overview of Jake Gyllenhaal’s life and career, his major film roles, stage work, acting approach, and the influence of performances from Donnie Darko to Brokeback Mountain and Nigh…

Jake Humphrey: English sports presenter and broadcaster Jake Humphrey Profile of Jake Humphrey, an English television presenter known for sports broadcasting, early life, career highlights with BBC Sport and Formula One coverage, presenting style and…

Jake LaMotta: The Bronx Bull — boxer, champion, and cultural figure Jake LaMotta Overview of Jake LaMotta (1922–2017), his boxing style and career, notable fights and title, cultural legacy including the film Raging Bull, and details of his personal life and de…

Jake “The Snake” Roberts Jake Roberts Profile of Jake Roberts, the American professional wrestler known for his psychological promos, the DDT finishing move, snake gimmick, career in major promotions, struggles and lat…

Jake Wood — English actor, voice artist and comedian Jake Wood English actor and voice artist best known for Max Branning on EastEnders and as the voice of the GEICO gecko in U.S. advertising; active in television, stage, radio and commercial…

Jaki Liebezeit — German drummer and founding member of Can Jaki Liebezeit Jaki Liebezeit (1938–2017) was a German drummer celebrated for his precise, repetitive grooves as a founding member of the experimental rock band Can. He also played piano and saxo…

Jakob Arjouni Jakob Arjouni (1964–2013) was a German crime novelist, best known for the Kemal Kayankaya detective series and for addressing immigration and identity in contemporary Germany.

Jakob Jantscher Austrian professional footballer (born 1989) who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger. Developed in Graz and has featured for leading Austrian clubs, earning recognition with…