Biographies

Joanna Newsom: harpist, singer-songwriter, and influential indie artist Joanna Newsom Joanna Newsom (born 1982) is an American harpist and singer-songwriter known for her distinctive voice, literary lyrics and notable albums including The Milk-Eyed Mender, Ys and Di…

Joanne Borgella: singer, model, and advocate for fuller-figured representation Joanne Borgella American singer, model and jewelry designer; first Miss F.A.T. winner and an American Idol season 7 top-24 contestant. Signed to Wilhelmina Models; died in 2014 from a rare endomet…

Joanne Dru (1922–1996) — American film, stage and television actress Joanne Dru Joanne Dru, born Joan Letitia LaCock, was a mid-20th century American actress best known for roles in All the King's Men and Red River, with a career spanning film, stage and telev…

Joanne Kyger: Poet of Zen, the Beat Generation, and the San Francisco Renaissance Joanne Kyger Joanne Kyger (1934–2017) was an American poet whose work combined Zen Buddhist practice with influences from the Beat, Black Mountain and San Francisco Renaissance movements.

Joanne Whalley Joanne Whalley (born 25 August 1961) is an English actress whose film, television and stage work includes a noted portrayal of Christine Keeler in Scandal and a variety of supporti…

Joanne Woodward: Actress, Producer, and Cultural Figure Joanne Woodward Overview of Joanne Woodward's life and career as an acclaimed American actress, producer, award winner, and longtime collaborator and partner of Paul Newman.

Joannie Rochette: Canadian figure skater and 2010 Olympic bronze medalist Joannie Rochette Profile of Joannie Rochette, a Canadian figure skater known for her powerful, musical style and her celebrated bronze-medal performance at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Joanot Martorell and Tirant lo Blanch: life, work and legacy Joanot Martorell Joanot Martorell (c.1413–1468) was a Valencian writer best known for the chivalric novel Tirant lo Blanch, a landmark of medieval Iberian literature with lasting influence on the n…

João Batista da Silva (Batista) — Brazilian footballer João Batista da Silva João Batista da Silva (born 8 March 1955), commonly known as Batista, is a former Brazilian footballer who was selected for the Brazil national team and played professionally in th…

João Carlos Batista Pinheiro (1932–2011) João Carlos Batista Pinheiro Brazilian footballer from Campos dos Goytacazes who represented the Brazil national team; active in the mid-20th century and remembered in regional football history.

João Castelo (1937–2016) — Brazilian politician and lawyer João Castelo Profile of João Castelo Ribeiro Gonçalves, a Brazilian lawyer and politician who served as governor of Maranhão (1979–1982); overview of his career, role, and legacy.

João Gilberto: pioneer of bossa nova João Gilberto Biography and legacy of João Gilberto (1931–2019), the Brazilian singer and guitarist who helped create bossa nova and shaped modern popular music with his understated voice and rh…

João Goulart (Jango) — President of Brazil, 1961–1964 João Goulart Brazilian labor-oriented politician João Goulart (1918–1976) served as president 1961–1964, pursued social and economic reforms, and was overthrown by the 1964 military coup that b…

João Justino Amaral dos Santos Brazilian footballer (born 25 Dec 1954). Former player who made appearances for the Brazil national team; overview of career, playing profile, international record and legacy.

João Lourenço — President of Angola and political leader João Lourenço Profile of João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Angolan politician and President since 2017, covering his background, career, reforms, foreign policy and controversies.

João Moutinho — Portuguese footballer João Moutinho João Moutinho (born 8 September 1986) is a Portuguese central midfielder known for his passing, tactical intelligence and longevity. He has played for Sporting CP, FC Porto, AS Mon…

João Nílson Zunino — Brazilian cardiologist, businessman and football president João Nílson Zunino João Nílson Zunino (1946–2014), known as Zunino, was a Brazilian cardiologist and businessman who led Avaí Futebol Clube as president from 2002 to 2013. Born in São João Batista, h…

João Paulo dos Reis Veloso — Brazilian economist and planner João Paulo dos Reis Veloso Brazilian economist and public official who led national planning during the 1970s, headed IPEA and influenced development policy. Born 1931 in Parnaíba; died 2019 in Rio de Janeir…

João Ubaldo Ribeiro Brazilian novelist, essayist and journalist known for fiction rooted in Bahian culture; author of the novel An Invincible Memory and works adapted for Brazilian film and television…

Joaquim Alberto 'Quinzinho' Silva — Angolan striker (1974–2019) Joaquim Alberto Silva Overview of Joaquim Alberto 'Quinzinho' Silva, an Angolan footballer who played as a striker, represented Angola internationally and spent part of his club career with FC Porto. Ca…

Joaquim Chissano — Mozambican statesman and president (1986–2005) Joaquim Chissano Joaquim Alberto Chissano (born 1939) led Mozambique from 1986 to 2005, guiding the country from civil war toward peace, multiparty elections and reconstruction; he also chaired the…

Joaquim Manuel Durão — Portuguese chess master and federation leader Joaquim Durão Overview of Joaquim Manuel Durão (1930–2015), Portuguese International Master, 13-time national champion, ten-time Olympiad competitor and former president of the Portuguese Chess…

Joaquim Molins i Amat — Catalan politician (1945–2017) Joaquim Molins i Amat Catalan politician Joaquim Molins i Amat served in Spain's Congress of Deputies and the Parliament of Catalonia, playing a role in post‑Franco democratic politics and Catalan publi…

Joaquín Alonso (Spanish footballer, born 1956) Joaquín Alonso Joaquín Alonso (born 9 June 1956) is a retired Spanish footballer best known for a long career with Sporting Gijón and appearances for the Spain national team.

Joaquín Balaguer Dominican politician, writer, and three‑time president whose long career (1906–2002) shaped late 20th‑century politics in the Dominican Republic amid development and controversy.

Joaquín Castro: U.S. Representative and San Antonio Lawmaker Joaquín Castro Biography of Joaquín Castro, Democratic U.S. Representative from Texas since 2013: early life, education, political career, policy interests, and family background including his br…

Joaquín Cordero — Mexican film and television actor Joaquín Cordero Mexican actor Joaquín Cordero (1922–2013) had a long career in film and telenovelas, appearing in about 100 TV productions and over 50 films. Born in Puebla, he died in Mexico City…

Joaquín Navarro-Valls: Vatican Press Office Director, Physician and Journalist Joaquín Navarro-Valls Profile of Joaquín Navarro-Valls, Spanish physician, journalist and professor who led the Holy See Press Office (1984–2006), served as Pope John Paul II’s chief spokesman and later…

Joaquín Peiró: Spanish footballer and manager (1936–2020) Joaquín Peiró Overview of Joaquín Peiró, a Spanish attacking midfielder who played for Atlético Madrid and in Italy, later became a manager and led Málaga to La Liga promotion in 1999.

Joaquin Phoenix American actor Joaquin Phoenix is known for intense, transformative performances in films such as Gladiator, Walk the Line and Joker. He is also a producer, occasional director and…

Joaquín Rodrigo Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo (1901–1999) is best known for the Concierto de Aranjuez. Blind from childhood, he wrote influential works for guitar and orchestra and helped popul…

Joaquín Sánchez — Spanish footballer and winger Joaquín Sánchez Joaquín Sánchez Rodríguez, known as Joaquín, is a Spanish professional footballer celebrated for his long career as a right‑winger, his dribbling and set‑piece skill, and his statu…

Joaquín Sorolla — Spanish painter renowned for light, beaches and portraiture Joaquín Sorolla Biography and overview of Joaquín Sorolla (1863–1923), a Spanish painter celebrated for luminous seascapes, portraits, social scenes and a major mural cycle that brought Spanish li…

JoBeth Williams (American actress and director) JoBeth Williams Profile of JoBeth Williams, an American actress and director known for film and television roles since the 1970s, including Poltergeist and The Big Chill, with notes on her career,…

Jocelyn Bell Burnell: Discoverer of Radio Pulsars and Advocate for Diversity in Science Jocelyn Bell Burnell Northern Irish astrophysicist who discovered radio pulsars, led research in observational astronomy, received major honours and has campaigned for inclusion in the sciences.

Jocelyn Burdick (1922–2019), U.S. Senator from North Dakota Jocelyn Burdick American civic leader and interim U.S. Senator from North Dakota in 1992. Appointed after her husband's death, she was the state's first female senator and remained a notable elder…

Jocelyn Lovell — Canadian track and road cyclist Jocelyn Lovell Jocelyn Lovell (1950–2016) was a leading Canadian track and road cyclist of the 1970s, a multiple national champion and Commonwealth and Pan American Games gold medallist who later…

Jocelyn Thibault — Canadian NHL goaltender and hockey figure Jocelyn Thibault Jocelyn Thibault (born 1975) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the NHL in the 1990s and 2000s and later remained active in hockey circles.

Jocelyne Roy‑Vienneau, 31st Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau Canadian public figure who served as the 31st Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick (2014–2019), known for her viceregal duties, community work, and public service; died in 2019 aft…

Jocelyne Saab Lebanese journalist and filmmaker (1948–2019) known for documentaries and feature films that documented war, displacement and the lives of women in the Middle East.

Jochen Rindt: Austrian Formula One driver and 1970 posthumous champion Jochen Rindt Jochen Rindt (1942–1970) was an Austrian racing driver who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and became the only posthumous Formula One World Champion after a fatal crash during the 1970…

Jock Edwards — New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Jock Edwards Brief biography of Graham 'Jock' Edwards (1955–2020), a New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman who played eight Tests and six ODIs and represented Central Districts in domestic cricket.

Jock Stein — Celtic manager who led the Lisbon Lions to the European Cup Jock Stein Scottish footballer and manager Jock Stein (1922–1985) led Celtic to the 1967 European Cup, won numerous domestic trophies, and later managed the Scotland national team until his d…

Jock Sturrock: Australian Olympic yachtsman and 1956 bronze medallist Jock Sturrock Profile of Alexander 'Jock' Sturrock (1915–1997), pioneering Australian yachtsman who sailed at four Olympic Games, won 1956 Olympic bronze, and was later honoured as Australian of…

Jocky Scott John 'Jocky' Scott (born 14 January 1948) is a Scottish former footballer and long-serving manager, best known for his many playing and coaching roles at Dundee Football Club.

Jodelle Ferland — Canadian actress and former child star Jodelle Ferland Canadian actress born in 1994, Jodelle Ferland began acting at age two and is known for roles in Kingdom Hospital, Silent Hill, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and other film and televi…

Jodi Picoult: American Novelist and Storyteller Jodi Picoult Overview of Jodi Picoult, her background, themes, notable works and adaptations, career milestones, and public reception.

Jodi Rell — Governor of Connecticut (2004–2011) Jodi Rell American Republican politician who served as Connecticut governor from 2004 to 2011. She succeeded John Rowland, was the state's second female governor, and led a moderate, fiscall…