Biographies

Jim Rodford (1941–2018) Jim Rodford English bassist and singer, founding member of Argent, long-time member of The Kinks, and later member of the reunited Zombies; noted for steady, melodic bass work across five deca…

Jim Rogers — investor, author and creator of the RICI Jim Rogers Jim Rogers (born 1942) is an American investor, business founder and author, known for co-founding the Quantum Fund, creating the Rogers International Commodity Index, and publishi…

Jim Root — American guitarist for Slipknot and Stone Sour Jim Root Jim Root (born October 7, 1971) is an American guitarist known for his work with Slipknot and Stone Sour, distinctive stage persona, heavy playing style and influence in modern met…

Jim Ross — American professional wrestling commentator and executive Jim Ross James William "Jim" Ross (born January 3, 1951) is an American professional wrestling commentator, promoter, executive and restaurateur, best known for his long tenure with WWE and…

Jim Ross (ice hockey) Scottish-born Canadian ice hockey defenceman (1926–2016) who played professionally from 1944–1955, including 62 NHL games with the New York Rangers. A brief account of his life, ca…

Jim Ryun: American middle-distance runner and U.S. congressman Jim Ryun Jim Ryun (born 1947) is a former world-class American middle-distance runner, 1968 Olympic silver medalist, and later a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from…

Jim Sasser: U.S. Senator from Tennessee and Ambassador to China Jim Sasser James R. Sasser is an American Democratic politician and attorney who represented Tennessee in the U.S. Senate (1977–1995), chaired the Senate Budget Committee, and served as U.S.…

Jim Schwartz (American football coach) Jim Schwartz Profile of Jim Schwartz, American football coach best known as head coach of the Detroit Lions (2009–2013), former NFL defensive coordinator, and central figure in the 2011 'Handsh…

Jim Siedow (1920–2003) Jim Siedow American stage and film actor best known for playing Drayton "The Cook" Sawyer in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) and its 1986 sequel; long career in regional theatre and chara…

Jim Simpson (1927–2016) — American television sportscaster Jim Simpson Jim Simpson was a versatile American sportscaster whose long career at NBC and later ESPN covered football, baseball, hockey, tennis and more; he received lifetime achievement hono…

Jim Smith (footballer, born 1940) James Michael 'Jim' Smith (17 Oct 1940 – 10 Dec 2019) was an English professional footballer and long-serving manager, widely respected for his steady leadership across the English…

Jim Steinman — American composer, lyricist and producer Jim Steinman Jim Steinman (1947–2021) was an American composer, lyricist, songwriter and producer known for his bombastic “operatic rock” writing, his collaborations with Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyle…

Jim Sturgess — British actor, singer and screen performer Jim Sturgess Profile of Jim Sturgess, a British actor known for film, television and radio work; background, training, notable roles and selected filmography.

Jim Taylor: American Football Fullback and Businessman Jim Taylor Profile of James 'Jim' Taylor (1935–2018), a bruising NFL fullback for the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints, his playing style, achievements, post-football ventures and leg…

Jim Thome Jim Thome is a retired American Major League Baseball power hitter (1991–2012), a Hall of Famer known for his patient approach, more than 600 home runs, and long service with Cleve…

Jim Thorpe: American multi-sport athlete and Olympic champion Jim Thorpe Biography of Jim Thorpe (1888–1953), a Sac and Fox athlete from Oklahoma who won 1912 Olympic titles, played professional baseball and football, and became an enduring sports and c…

Jim Varney — American actor and comedian, creator of Ernest P. Worrell Jim Varney American actor Jim Varney (1949–2000) was a comedian and character actor best known for Ernest P. Worrell and as the original voice of Slinky Dog in Toy Story.

Jim Webb (American politician, author, and veteran) Jim Webb James H. "Jim" Webb Jr. (born 1946) is an American author, Vietnam veteran and former U.S. Senator from Virginia (2007–2013). He also served as Secretary of the Navy and ran for pr…

Jim Whelan (New Jersey politician) Jim Whelan Jim Whelan (1948–2017) was an American Democratic politician who represented New Jersey's 2nd Legislative District in the State Senate and previously served in local and state offi…

Jim Whittaker — American mountaineer Jim Whittaker Jim Whittaker (born 1929) is an American mountaineer, guide and author best known as the first U.S. citizen to reach the summit of Mount Everest on May 1, 1963.

Jim Wright (1922–2015) — Speaker of the U.S. House and Texas congressman Jim Wright James C. Wright Jr., a Democratic representative from Texas, served in the U.S. House for 34 years, was Majority Leader and Speaker (1987–1989), and resigned amid an ethics controv…

Jimi Hendrix: Life, Music, and Legacy Jimi Hendrix An overview of Jimi Hendrix — his life, guitar innovations, key performances, recordings, and lasting influence on rock, blues and popular music.

Jimi Jamison American rock singer and songwriter known for fronting Cobra and Survivor and for co-writing and singing the Baywatch theme. A powerful melodic vocalist whose career spanned band w…

Jimin (singer, born 1995) Park Ji-min, known as Jimin, is a South Korean singer and dancer, member of BTS. He is recognized for his contemporary dance background, emotive vocal style, and several solo recor…

Jimmi Harkishin — British actor best known as Dev Alahan Jimmi Harkishin Profile of Jimmi Harkishin, a British actor born in 1965, covering his early life, acting career, notable roles (including Coronation Street), and other screen work.

Jimmie C. Holland — Pioneer of Psycho-Oncology Jimmie C. Holland Jimmie C. Holland (1928–2017) was an American psychiatrist who founded psycho-oncology and created one of the first full-time psychiatric services for cancer patients at Memorial S…

Jimmie Foxx James 'Jimmie' Foxx (1907–1967), nicknamed "Double X" and "The Beast", was a Hall of Fame power-hitting first baseman and one of the earliest members of baseball's 500-home-run clu…

Jimmie Johnson: American racing driver and seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson is an American professional racing driver known for seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, including a record run of five consecutive titles, and a long association…

Jimmie Lee Jackson African American veteran and Baptist deacon whose 1965 shooting in Marion, Alabama galvanized voting-rights activists and helped spark the Selma marches and national attention to t…

Jimmie Walker American actor and comedian (born 1947), best known as J.J. Evans on Good Times (1974–79) and for the catchphrase “Dy‑no‑mite!”; active in stand-up, television and public appearanc…

Jimmy Armfield: English footballer, captain, manager and broadcaster Jimmy Armfield Profile of Jimmy Armfield (1935–2018), a one‑club Blackpool full back, England captain, later manager and BBC broadcaster; his career, style, achievements and legacy.

Jimmy Bain — Scottish rock bassist and songwriter Jimmy Bain Overview of Jimmy Bain (1947–2016), Scottish bassist known for his work with Rainbow and Dio, his collaborations, musical style, and legacy.

Jimmy Baker (Pintjutjara) — Australian Aboriginal artist Jimmy Baker Jimmy Baker (born Pintjutjara; c.1915–2010) was an Australian Aboriginal painter whose work recorded country and Dreaming narratives and contributed to recognition of Western Deser…

Jimmy Banks (American soccer defender and coach) Jimmy Banks Jimmy Banks (1964–2019) was an American soccer defender who represented the United States at the 1990 FIFA World Cup and played professionally for the Milwaukee Wave.

Jimmy Boyd — American singer and actor best known for a 1950s Christmas hit Jimmy Boyd Jimmy Boyd (1939–2009) was an American singer and actor who rose to fame as a teenager for his recording of the Christmas novelty song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."

Jimmy Breslin: New York Columnist, Novelist, and Investigative Voice Jimmy Breslin Profile of Jimmy Breslin (1928–2017), the Pulitzer-winning New York journalist and author known for working-class columns, investigative reporting, books, and influence on city lif…

Jimmy Bullard English former professional footballer (born 23 Oct 1978), an attacking midfielder best known for spells with Wigan, Fulham and Hull City; later active in media and punditry.

Jimmy Calderwood — Scottish footballer and manager Jimmy Calderwood Jimmy Calderwood (born 28 February 1955) is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager best known for his time at Aberdeen F.C.; he disclosed an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in…

Jimmy Carr: British–Irish Comedian and Television Presenter Jimmy Carr Jimmy Carr (born 15 September 1972) is a British–Irish stand-up comedian and TV host known for deadpan delivery, dark one-liners, panel shows and nationwide stand-up tours.

Jimmy Carter: Governor, U.S. President, and Humanitarian Leader Jimmy Carter Comprehensive summary of Jimmy Carter’s life, political career, presidency (1977–1981), post-presidential humanitarian work and legacy, with key milestones and resources.

Jimmy Cavallo: American R&B and early rock saxophonist Jimmy Cavallo Profile of Jimmy Cavallo (1927–2019), an American saxophonist and bandleader noted for R&B and early rock performances, his role in the film Rock, Rock, Rock, and being the first w…

Jimmy Cliff — Jamaican singer-songwriter and actor Jimmy Cliff Jimmy Cliff (born James Chambers, 1944) is a Jamaican ska and reggae singer, songwriter and actor whose recordings and films helped introduce reggae to international audiences.

Jimmy Connors Jimmy Connors, American former professional tennis player known for an aggressive baseline game, notable rivalries and multiple Grand Slam titles; coached early by Pancho Segura.

Jimmy Creighton: Canadian hockey player and Brandon politician Jimmy Creighton James Albert 'Jimmy' Creighton (1905–1990) was a Brandon, Manitoba native who played briefly in the NHL, later officiated, worked in insurance, and served as alderman and mayor whi…

Jimmy Dean: singer, television host, actor and entrepreneur Jimmy Dean Jimmy Dean (1928–2010) was an American country singer and television personality who became widely known for the hit “Big Bad John” and for founding a successful breakfast sausage…

Jimmy Doolittle James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle (1896–1993) was an American aviator and military leader, known for pioneering instrument flying and leading the 1942 Doolittle Raid that struck Japan and…

Jimmy Duquennoy — Belgian professional cyclist (1995–2018) Jimmy Duquennoy Belgian road cyclist who rode for WB Aqua Protect Veranclassic; born in Tournai in 1995 and died aged 23 in 2018 after cardiac arrest. Remembered as a hardworking domestique with p…

Jimmy Durante: American entertainer, comedian and singer Jimmy Durante Profile of Jimmy Durante (1893–1980), the American singer, pianist, comedian and actor known as 'The Great Schnozzola', his style, career across vaudeville, radio, film and TV, and…