Biographies

Roger Smith (actor): television star, singer, screenwriter and manager Roger Smith (actor) Roger LaVerne Smith (1932–2017) was an American actor, singer and screenwriter best known for 77 Sunset Strip and Mister Roberts; later he managed the career of his wife, Ann‑Margr…

Roger Vale (1942–2001): Northern Territory politician and former Assembly Speaker Roger Vale Roger Vale was a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1974–1994, serving as Speaker from 1986–1989 and representing Stuart and Braitling…

Roger W. H. Sargent — Pioneer of Process Systems Engineering Roger W. H. Sargent British chemical engineer Roger W. H. Sargent (1926–2018), Courtaulds Professor at Imperial College, is widely regarded as the founder of process systems engineering and a major in…

Roger Walkowiak Roger Walkowiak (1927–2017) was a French professional road cyclist best known for winning the 1956 Tour de France and for a modest, controversial legacy in post‑war cycling.

Roger Wilkins: Civil Rights Advocate, Lawyer, Journalist and Historian Roger Wilkins Biography of Roger Wilkins (1932–2017), U.S. Assistant Attorney General, journalist, historian and civil rights activist, covering his life, career, writings and legacy.

Leslie Roger Wootton — English Aeronautical Engineer and Balloonist Roger Wootton Leslie Roger Wootton (1944–2017) was an English aeronautical engineer, academic leader and balloonist, noted for his work on aircraft maintenance and for serving as dean of enginee…

Rogéria (Astolfo Barroso Pinto): Brazilian drag performer and actress Rogéria Rogéria (1943–2017), born Astolfo Barroso Pinto in Cantagalo, was a pioneering Brazilian drag performer and actress noted for television, stage and film work and for her role in LG…

Rogier van der Weyden Rogier van der Weyden (c.1399–1464) was a leading early Flemish painter known for expressive religious altarpieces, triptychs and portraits; his style shaped Northern Renaissance a…

Roh Hoe-chan: South Korean progressive politician and legislator Roh Hoe-chan Overview of Roh Hoe-chan (1956–2018), a South Korean progressive lawmaker, his career in the National Assembly, political positions, controversies, and legacy.

Rohit Shetty: Indian director of action-comedy and commercial franchises Rohit Shetty Rohit Shetty is a Bollywood filmmaker known for high-energy action comedies, the Golmaal series and the police 'cop universe' (Singham, Simmba, Sooryavanshi), and hits such as Chen…

Rokas Žilinskas Lithuanian journalist and politician (1972–2017). Elected to the Seimas in 2008, he was the first openly gay member of the Lithuanian parliament and served until his death from pne…

Roky Erickson — Austin singer-songwriter and founding member of The 13th Floor Elevators Roky Erickson Roky Erickson, Austin-born singer-songwriter and founding frontman of The 13th Floor Elevators, a pivotal 1960s psychedelic rock figure whose distinctive voice and songwriting infl…

Roland Guillon: French Sociologist of Work and Jazz Roland Guillon Roland Guillon (born 1942) is a French sociologist and research engineer known for studies of employment, capital and training, plus an interdisciplinary, innovative approach to ja…

Roland Minson: BYU Basketball Star, 1951 NIT Champion and Postwar Amateur Player Roland Minson Profile of Roland T. Minson (1929–2020), his BYU achievements, 1951 NIT title, military service, decision to forego an NBA career, AAU play, and legacy in American college basketba…

Roland Petit — French choreographer and ballet director Roland Petit Overview of Roland Petit (1924–2011), his choreographic style, major works in ballet and film, leadership at the Paris Opera, international collaborations and lasting influence.

Roland Povinelli (1941–2020) Roland Povinelli French Socialist politician; long-serving mayor of Allauch (1975–2020) and senator for Bouches-du-Rhône (2008–2014). Born in Marseille; died 11 May 2020 of a heart attack.

Roland Ratzenberger (1960–1994) — Austrian racing driver Roland Ratzenberger Austrian racing driver who reached Formula One with Simtek and was killed during qualifying at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, prompting a renewed focus on circuit and car…

Roland "Fatty" Taylor — American professional basketball guard (1946–2017) Roland Taylor Roland Morris "Fatty" Taylor (1946–2017) was an American professional basketball guard who played in the ABA and NBA, best known for his defensive play with the Virginia Squires an…

Roland Vogt — German Green Party politician (1941–2018) Roland Vogt Roland Vogt (1941–2018) was an early Green Party politician in Germany and the first member of the Greens elected to the Bundestag from Rhineland-Palatinate, serving from 1983 to 1…

Rolando Filidei — Italian sculptor, carver and art teacher Rolando Filidei Overview of Rolando Filidei (1914–1980), a Tuscan sculptor and teacher known for wood, stone and bronze work, his education in Florence, exhibitions and decades-long teaching caree…

Rolando Panerai: Italian baritone and noted Verdi interpreter Rolando Panerai Concise biography of Rolando Panerai (1924–2019), his career, principal roles—especially Verdi parts—broadcast and recording work, artistry, and legacy as a leading Italian bariton…

Rolf Böhme: German SPD politician and long-serving mayor of Freiburg Rolf Böhme Rolf Böhme (1934–2019) was a German Social Democratic politician who served in the Bundestag, as Parliamentary State Secretary in the Finance Ministry, and as mayor of Freiburg fro…

Rolf Bossi German criminal defense lawyer (1923–2015), prominent for defending high‑profile celebrities and notorious criminals and for participating in major post‑reunification trials.

Rolf Brem — Swiss sculptor, draftsman and illustrator Rolf Brem Rolf Brem (1926–2014) was a Swiss sculptor, draftsman and illustrator known for realistic portraiture, public monuments and wood and bronze works displayed across Switzerland.

Rolf Hochhuth: German playwright who provoked debate on history and moral responsibility Rolf Hochhuth Rolf Hochhuth (1931–2020) was a German dramatist and writer whose 1963 play The Deputy ignited controversy about the role of institutions during the Holocaust and stirred decades o…

Rolf Hoppe — German stage and film actor Rolf Hoppe Rolf Hoppe (1930–2018) was a German stage and screen actor, celebrated for versatile character roles across East German cinema, theatre and international films including Mephisto a…

Rolf Koschorrek — German CDU politician and dental industry professional Rolf Koschorrek Rolf Koschorrek (1956–2020) was a German Christian Democratic Union politician, Bundestag member from 2005 to 2013, and a businessman in the dental sector. He was born in Bad Brams…

Rolf Leeser — Dutch footballer and fashion designer Rolf Leeser German-born Dutch footballer and fashion designer. Played for Ajax (1948–1954), making 34 appearances and scoring six goals. Later founded the women's fashion company Leeser B.V.;…

Rolf Maurer (Swiss road cyclist) Rolf Maurer Rolf Maurer (1938–2019), Swiss professional road cyclist active 1960–1969; winner of the 1964 Tour de Suisse and Tour de Romandie and noted for his success in Swiss stage races.

Rolf Noskwith: Bletchley Park Cryptographer and British Businessman Rolf Noskwith Rolf Noskwith (1919–2017) was a British businessman and wartime cryptographer who worked under Alan Turing at Bletchley Park. Born in Germany, he emigrated to England and later pur…

Rolf Rüssmann — German football defender and international player Rolf Rüssmann Profile of Rolf Rüssmann (1950–2009), a German central defender best known for his time at FC Schalke 04 who also represented West Germany internationally. Overview of career, styl…

Rolf Sand — Norwegian Stage Actor at Det Norske Teatret (1920–2018) Rolf Sand Norwegian stage actor Rolf Sand (1920–2018) had a long career in regional and national theatre, noted for comic and character roles including Holberg’s Den pantsatte bondedreng.

Rolf Schafstall (1937–2018): German football player and coach Rolf Schafstall Rudolf 'Rolf' Schafstall was a German footballer turned coach. He played for Hamborn 07 and Reutlingen 05 and later managed several German clubs including MSV Duisburg, VfL Bochum…

Rolf Zacher Rolf Zacher (1941–2018) was a prolific German character actor who appeared in over 160 films and television productions from 1961 to 2017, noted for his lead role in Jaider, der ei…

Rolland Golden (1931–2019) — American realist painter and visual artist Rolland Golden Overview of Rolland Harve Golden, an American painter known for realism and abstract-realist work, his depiction of Hurricane Katrina's aftermath, international exhibitions and rec…

Rollie Massimino American college basketball coach best known for leading Villanova's 1984–85 underdog team to the NCAA title; long coaching career across several universities and lasting influence…

Rollo — Viking leader and first ruler of Normandy (c. 846–c. 928) Rollo Rollo (also Rolf or Hrolf) was a Norse warleader who received land around Rouen in 911, established the dynasty that became the counts and dukes of Normandy, and founded the House…

Rolv Wesenlund — Norwegian actor, comedian and performer Rolv Wesenlund Concise overview of Rolv Wesenlund (1936–2013), his work as an actor, comedian, singer and clarinetist, his best-known roles (Marve Fleksnes, Bør Børson) and his cultural influence…

Romain Maes (1912–1983), Belgian road racing cyclist Romain Maes Belgian professional cyclist best known for winning the 1935 Tour de France and for a disputed result in Paris–Roubaix. Overview of career, achievements and legacy.

Romain Rolland French novelist, dramatist and essayist Romain Rolland (1866–1944) won the 1915 Nobel Prize. He is known for the novel cycle Jean-Christophe, his pacifist essays, and works on musi…

Romaldo Giurgola — Italian‑Australian architect and academic Romaldo Giurgola Profile of Romaldo Giurgola (1920–2016), an Italian‑born architect, educator and partner in Mitchell/Giurgola, best known for designing Australia's Parliament House and for a human…

Roman Giertych: Polish politician, lawyer and former education minister Roman Giertych Roman Jacek Giertych (born 27 February 1971) is a Polish lawyer and former politician who led the League of Polish Families and served in government roles including Minister of Edu…

Roman Kartsev — Russian actor and comedian (1939–2018) Roman Kartsev Roman Kartsev (born Roman Antshelevich Katz) was a Soviet and Russian stage and film actor and comedian from Odessa, noted for his comic monologues, film roles and use of Odessa wi…

Roman Lyashenko — Russian ice hockey centre (1979–2003) Roman Lyashenko Roman Lyashenko was a Russian professional ice hockey centre who played in the NHL for the Dallas Stars and New York Rangers. He died in 2003 while on vacation in Turkey.

Roman Shukhevych — Ukrainian Insurgent Army leader and controversial historical figure Roman Shukhevych Biography of Roman Shukhevych, commander in the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, his roles in WWII and the postwar insurgency, and the debates over collaboration, responsibility for warti…

Roman Zhuravskyi Roman Zhuravskyi (1948–2017) was a Ukrainian professional football defender from Lviv who played for several clubs in the Ukrainian SSR. He later died in Lviv of pancreatic cancer.

Romania's Participation in the 2018 Winter Paralympics: One Athlete in Para-Snowboarding Romania at the 2018 Winter Paralympics Romania at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics: one athlete, Mihăiță Papară, represented the country in para-snowboarding; concise account of the delegation, performance and Ro…

Romanos IV Diogenes — Byzantine emperor (1068–1071) Romanus IV Romanos IV Diogenes was a Byzantine military aristocrat who became emperor by marriage, campaigned against the Seljuk Turks and suffered a decisive defeat at the Battle of Manziker…