Biographies

Razak Khan (Indian film and television actor) Razak Khan Indian character actor noted for comic supporting roles in Bollywood films such as Baadshah, Hello Brother and Akhiyon Se Goli Maare. Active on film and television until his death…

Razan al‑Najjar — Palestinian medic killed at Gaza border Razan al-Najjar Razan al‑Najjar (1996–2018) was a Palestinian volunteer medic and paramedic who was killed while assisting wounded near the Gaza–Israel border; her death drew international attenti…

Razan Zeitouneh — Syrian lawyer, human rights activist, and disappeared dissident Razan Zeitouneh Profile of Razan Zeitouneh (born 1977), a Syrian human rights lawyer and activist known for documenting abuses during the Syrian conflict; awarded in 2013 and forcibly disappeared…

Razia Sultana — Sultan of Delhi (reigned 1236–1240) Razia Sultana Razia al‑Din (Razia Sultana) was the first woman to rule the Delhi Sultanate. Daughter of Sultan Iltutmish, she governed 1236–1240, noted for meritocratic policies, military leader…

Rebecca Latimer Felton American writer, lecturer and political figure from Georgia; first woman to serve in the U.S. Senate in 1922, remembered for advocacy on some reforms and for racist, pro-segregatio…

Rebecca Nurse: accused and executed in the Salem Witch Trials Rebecca Nurse Rebecca Nurse (1621–1692) was an elderly, respected Salem Village resident whose 1692 execution for witchcraft shocked the community and helped turn public opinion against the Sale…

Rebecca Schaeffer: American actress, model, and the impact of her death Rebecca Schaeffer Rebecca Schaeffer (1967–1989) was an American model and television actress best known for My Sister Sam. Her 1989 murder by an obsessed fan led to major changes in stalking, privac…

Rebecca Stead Rebecca Stead is an American author of fiction for children and young adolescents, best known for When You Reach Me (winner of the 2010 Newbery Medal). Her work blends realistic ch…

Rebekah Gibbs English television and musical theatre actress best known for playing Nina Farr on the BBC medical drama Casualty. Born in Torquay, Devon (1973); died in Pembury, Kent (2014) from…

Red Adams (1921–2017): American pitcher, scout and pitching coach Red Adams Charles 'Red' Adams, American baseball pitcher who played in the Pacific Coast League and briefly in MLB, later worked as a scout and pitching coach; born in Parlier, California (1…

Red Grange Harold "Red" Grange (1903–1991), nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost," was a pioneering American football halfback whose college stardom at Illinois and barnstorming professional career…

Red Kelly (Canadian ice hockey player, coach and politician) Red Kelly Comprehensive overview of Leonard 'Red' Kelly: his NHL career with Detroit and Toronto, coaching and political service, honors, and legacy in hockey history.

Red Murrell — American college basketball standout Red Murrell Phillip “Red” Murrell (1933–2017) was a celebrated college basketball player at Drake University, NJCAA champion and AAU All‑American whose No. 33 was retired by Drake.

Red Norvo — American jazz vibraphonist and early jazz percussion innovator Red Norvo Kenneth "Red" Norvo (1908–1999) was an American jazz musician who helped bring the vibraphone into jazz. He began in vaudeville as a tap dancer and performed in bands and small gro…

Red Schoendienst Albert 'Red' Schoendienst (1923–2018), longtime Major League Baseball second baseman, manager and coach, best known for his decades-long association with the St. Louis Cardinals an…

Red Simpson: Trucker Songs and the Bakersfield Country Tradition Red Simpson Red Simpson (1934–2016) was an American country singer-songwriter known for truck-driving songs and his association with the Bakersfield country scene, best remembered for the 1971…

Red Skelton: American comedian, actor and television personality Red Skelton Red Skelton (born Richard Bernard Eheart) was a leading American radio and television comedian from the 1930s to the 1970s, known for character sketches, pantomime and a long-runni…

Red Spooner (Andrew George Spooner) — Canadian NHL goaltender Red Spooner Andrew George "Red" Spooner (1910–1984) was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender who made a single NHL appearance for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1929–30 season.

Red Sullivan: Canadian NHL Player and Coach Red Sullivan Overview of George 'Red' Sullivan, a Canadian ice hockey player active in the NHL from 1949–1961, his teams, coaching career, and legacy, including his birth in Peterborough and de…

Redd Foxx (John Elroy Sanford): comedian, actor, and cultural influence (1922–1991) Redd Foxx Profile of Redd Foxx — his life, comedic style, major roles including Fred Sanford, career milestones, influence on stand-up comedy, and lasting cultural significance.

Redfoo (Stefan Kendal Gordy) — musician, performer and career overview Redfoo Profile of Redfoo (Stefan Kendal Gordy), American singer, rapper, DJ and record producer; overview of his early life, role in LMFAO, solo career, musical style and public reception…

Redmond Barry (1813–1880): judge, institution builder, and controversial figure Redmond Barry Irish-born judge in colonial Victoria noted for helping found the University of Melbourne and the State Library of Victoria and for presiding over high-profile trials including Ned…

Reed Smoot: Utah Senator, LDS Apostle, and Sponsor of the Smoot–Hawley Tariff Reed Smoot Reed Smoot (1862–1941) was a Republican U.S. senator and an apostle of the LDS Church. He is best known for the Smoot–Hawley Tariff and the long Senate investigation into his churc…

Reem al-Numery: Yemeni child-rights advocate and symbol against child marriage Reem Al Numery Yemeni girl whose forced marriage and legal fight drew international attention; she later became a public advocate for children's rights and received the 2009 International Women o…

Reema Lagoo — Indian stage and screen actress (1958–2017) Reema Lagoo Reema Lagoo was an Indian theatre, film and television actress best known for her mother roles in Hindi and Marathi cinema and for popular TV comedies. She worked across stage, maj…

Reeva Steenkamp: South African model and television personality Reeva Steenkamp Profile of Reeva Steenkamp (1983–2013), her life and career as a model and presenter, the circumstances of her death, and the public and legal aftermath.

Reg E. Cathey — American actor (1958–2018) Reg E. Cathey Reg E. Cathey was an American character actor celebrated for Norman Wilson on The Wire and Freddy Hayes on House of Cards; he won a 2015 Emmy and appeared in Oz and the 2015 Fantas…

Reg Fleming: Canadian NHL Winger, Enforcer, and Early CTE Case Reg Fleming Profile of Reginald S. Fleming (1936–2009), a gritty Canadian NHL right winger who played for six franchises, won the 1960 Stanley Cup, and whose posthumous CTE diagnosis raised aw…

Reg Gasnier Australian rugby league centre for St. George and Australia, celebrated for speed and skill; later a coach and administrator and named among the sport’s greatest. (1939–2014)

Reg Grundy: Australian television producer and media entrepreneur Reg Grundy Profile of Reg Grundy (1923–2016), an Australian television producer and entrepreneur known for game shows and soap operas that shaped Australian broadcasting and were exported int…

Reg Noble (Edward Reginald Noble), Canadian professional ice hockey forward Reg Noble Canadian centre and winger Reg Noble played 17 seasons across the NHA and NHL, won multiple Stanley Cups with Toronto and Montreal clubs, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of F…

Reg Presley (1941–2013) Reg Presley Reg Presley, born Reginald Maurice Ball, was the lead singer of 1960s rock band The Troggs, known for raw vocal style and songs like "Wild Thing" and his composition "Love Is All A…

Reg Varney: British actor and comedian, star of On the Buses Reg Varney Biography of Reg Varney (1916–2008), an English actor and comedian best known for On the Buses; career highlights, notable facts (first ATM withdrawal), personal life, health and l…

Reggie Cobb (1968–2019) — American football running back Reggie Cobb Reggie Cobb was an American football running back who starred at Tennessee and played seven NFL seasons from 1990–1996 for Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Jacksonville and the New York Jets.

Reggie Lucas American guitarist, songwriter and record producer; worked with Miles Davis and James Mtume, produced much of Madonna's debut, founded Quantum Sound studio, and won a 1981 Grammy.

Reggie Miller Former American professional basketball player known for elite three-point shooting, long tenure with the Indiana Pacers, clutch playoff moments, and later work as a television ana…

Reggie White Reggie White (1961–2004) was an American NFL defensive end, Hall of Famer and evangelical Christian minister nicknamed the “Minister of Defense.” He was a dominant pass rusher and…

Reghu Kumar (1953–2014), Malayalam film music composer Reghu Kumar Reghu Kumar was an Indian music director from Kerala, best known for his film scores and songs that became popular across India from the 1980s. He died in 2014 from kidney failure.

Regina Resnik: American mezzo-soprano and opera artist Regina Resnik Regina Resnik (1922–2013), American mezzo-soprano and later soprano, acclaimed for dramatic roles such as Azucena, Amneris and La Gioconda; long career on U.S. and international st…

Regina Spektor: singer-songwriter and pianist Regina Spektor Regina Spektor (born 1980) is a Moscow-born American singer-songwriter and pianist known for piano-centered indie-pop, theatrical vocals, multilingual lyrics, and the Orange Is the…

Regina Taylor — American actress and playwright Regina Taylor Regina Taylor (born August 22, 1960) is an American stage, film and television actress and a playwright known for her work since the 1980s, including a supporting role in Courage U…

Reginald Dyer British Indian Army officer best known for ordering the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh shooting in Amritsar; a central and controversial figure in debates over imperial policy and accountab…

Reginald Grey, 3rd Baron Grey de Ruthyn: Marcher Lord and Focal Figure in Glyndŵr's Revolt Reginald Grey, 3rd Baron Grey de Ruthyn Reginald Grey (c.1362–1440) was a powerful Welsh marcher lord whose land dispute with Owain Glyndŵr and role enforcing royal authority contributed to the 1400 Welsh uprising.

Reginald Palmer (Governor-General of Grenada) Reginald Palmer Sir Reginald Oswald Palmer (1923–2016) served as Governor-General of Grenada from 1992 to 1996. Civil servant and business leader, he held the GCMG and later led employer represent…

Reginald Punnett: British geneticist and creator of the Punnett square Reginald Punnett Concise encyclopedia entry on Reginald C. Punnett (1875–1967): life, career at Cambridge, the Punnett square, Mendelism (1905), Journal of Genetics, and his influence on early gene…

Reginald Scot: English writer and early skeptic of witchcraft Reginald Scot Reginald Scot (c.1538–1599) was an English country gentleman, justice of the peace and author of The Discoverie of Witchcraft (1584), an influential skeptical critique of superstit…

Reginaldo Araújo: Brazilian football defender (1977–2016) Reginaldo Araújo Profile of António Reginaldo Matias de Araújo, a Brazilian defender who played for several top domestic clubs; overview of his career, playing style, later life and legacy.

Régine Deforges French novelist, editor, director and playwright (1935–2014), best known for La Bicyclette bleue and other popular novels blending historical settings and romance.