Biographies

Zaharije Trnavčević: Serbian journalist and politician Zaharije Trnavčević Profile of Zaharije Trnavčević (1926–2016), a Serbian journalist who became a politician, led the Rich Serbia party, served as an MP and briefly as acting President of the National…

Zakaria Ben Mustapha: Tunisian politician, Mayor of Tunis and Minister of Culture Zakaria Ben Mustapha Biography of Zakaria Ben Mustapha (1925–2019), Tunis-born politician who served as Governor of Gabès, Mayor of Tunis (1980–86) and Tunisia’s Minister of Culture (1986–88).

Zakir Husain (1897–1969): Indian educator and third President of India Zakir Husain (politician) Zakir Husain was an Indian educationist and statesman who co-founded Jamia Millia Islamia, served as Governor of Bihar, Vice‑President, and became the third President of India, dyi…

Zalman King American filmmaker, writer, producer and actor (1942–2012) best known for sensual, adult-oriented films and the cable series Red Shoe Diaries.

Zalman Schachter-Shalomi: Rabbi, Renewal Teacher, and Interfaith Pioneer Zalman Schachter-Shalomi Overview of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (Reb Zalman), founder of Jewish Renewal, his life, teachings, activism for inclusion, and influence on contemporary Jewish spirituality.

Zarbon (Dragon Ball Z character) Zarbon Zarbon is a high-ranking lieutenant of Frieza in Dragon Ball Z, known for his vanity, combat skills and a powerful monstrous transformation. He plays a central role in the Namek Sa…

Zard: Japanese pop act led by Izumi Sakai Zard Zard was a Japanese pop project centered on singer-lyricist Izumi Sakai. This article summarizes the act’s history, musical style, notable songs and Sakai’s life, illness and legac…

Zarina (artist) — Zarina Hashmi, printmaker and minimalist artist Zarina (artist) Zarina Hashmi (1937–2020), known as Zarina, was an Indian-American artist whose sparse paper works, prints and sculptures explored home, memory, maps and displacement.

Žarko Petan: Slovenian writer, director and noted aphorist Žarko Petan Overview of Žarko Petan (1929–2014), a prominent Slovenian writer, essayist, screenwriter and theatre and film director, known especially for his aphorisms and cultural leadership.

Zarley Zalapski (1968–2017) Zarley Zalapski Canadian–Swiss ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL and European leagues from the late 1980s through 2010, noted for an offensive playing style and a long pro career.

Zaza Urushadze (1965–2019) Zaza Urushadze Georgian film director, screenwriter and producer best known for the internationally acclaimed film Tangerines; his work combined humanist themes with social and political conflict…

Zbigniew Pietrzykowski Polish amateur boxer (1934–2014), three-time Olympic medalist and one of Poland's most successful postwar ring fighters.

Zbigniew Ścibor-Rylski: Polish aviator, insurgent and brigadier general Zbigniew Ścibor-Rylski Polish aviator and military officer (1917–2018) who took part in the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, later served in the Polish armed forces and led veterans’ organizations; recipient of the…

Zbigniew Wodecki — Polish singer, musician and television personality Zbigniew Wodecki Polish singer, composer and entertainer (1950–2017), celebrated for popular songs, children’s themes and long-running TV appearances; remembered for his musical versatility and pub…

Zbigniew Zaleski Polish politician who represented Lublin in the European Parliament and was a member of the Civic Platform. Born in Rogoziniec in 1947; died in 2019. Career noted for service to re…

Zbyněk Michálek — Czech NHL defenseman Zbyněk Michálek Czech professional ice hockey defenseman (born 1982), known for shot-blocking and stay‑at‑home defensive play. Undrafted, Calder Cup winner with Houston Aeros; played for Minnesota…

Zdeněk Hajný: Czech painter, graphic artist and psychologist Zdeněk Hajný Zdeněk Hajný (1942–2014) was a Czech painter, graphic artist and psychologist who founded Galerie Cesty ke světlu in 1994. He is known for art that explores light, color and spirit…

Zdeněk Jičínský: Czech lawyer and long-serving legislator Zdeněk Jičínský Zdeněk Jičínský (1929–2020) was a Czech lawyer and politician who served in both the Federal Assembly of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic’s Chamber of Deputies during the coun…

Zdeněk Mahler — Czech writer, musicologist, pedagogue and screenwriter Zdeněk Mahler Czech cultural figure Zdeněk Mahler (1928–2018) was a writer, musicologist and educator who contributed to film and radio, authored music and historical texts, and helped shape pro…

Zdeněk Mézl: Czech Printmaker and Book Illustrator Zdeněk Mézl Overview of Zdeněk Mézl (1934–2016), a Czech printmaker and writer known for his woodcut book illustrations, education in Prague, major works, technique, and cultural significance.

Zdeněk Remsa — Czech ski jumper and influential figure in ski jumping Zdeněk Remsa Czech ski jumper Zdeněk Remsa (1928–2019) competed at the 1948 Winter Olympics and later remained active in Czechoslovak and Czech ski jumping as a coach, trainer and mentor to you…

Zdeněk Srstka: Czech weightlifter, stuntman and film actor Zdeněk Srstka Czech weightlifter and actor Zdeněk Srstka (1935–2019) competed at the 1960 Olympics, then became a noted stuntman and character actor in Czechoslovak and Czech cinema, appearing i…

Zdravko Tomac (1937–2020) Zdravko Tomac Croatian politician and public figure who moved from the League of Communists to the Social Democratic Party, served as a parliamentary representative, and remained active in publi…

Zdzisław Żygulski Jr. (1921–2015) — Polish art historian and curator Zdzisław Żygulski, Jr. Polish art historian and museum curator (1921–2015), long associated with the Czartoryski Museum in Kraków and known for scholarship and curation of arms and armour collections.

José Roberto de Oliveira: Brazilian attacking midfielder and former Schalke 04 player Zé Roberto (footballer, born 1980) José Roberto de Oliveira (born 1980) is a Brazilian attacking midfielder who played in Brazil and Europe, notably for Bundesliga side Schalke 04. Versatile, technical playmaker — o…

Zeami Motokiyo — Noh actor, playwright, and theorist Zeami Motokiyo Zeami Motokiyo (1363–1443) was a leading Noh actor, playwright, and theorist who developed core aesthetic ideas and left a repertoire and writings central to classical Japanese Noh…

Zebedee — New Testament figure and father of apostles James and John Zebedee Zebedee was a Galilean fisherman named in the New Testament as the father of the apostles James and John. Little is recorded about him beyond brief Gospel references and traditiona…

Zechariah, father of John the Baptist Zechariah Biblical figure in the Gospel of Luke: a Jewish priest, husband of Elizabeth and father of John the Baptist; visited by an angel and rendered mute until his son's naming.

Zeebra — Tokyo-born hip hop artist and Japanese rap pioneer Zeebra Zeebra (born 1971) is a Tokyo-based hip hop artist, member of King Giddra, solo performer since 1997, and a prominent figure in popularizing and mentoring Japanese rap.

Zeev Sternhell: Historian of Fascism and Israeli Political Thought Zeev Sternhell Zeev Sternhell (1935–2020) was a Polish-born Israeli historian and political scientist known for his studies of fascism, modern nationalism and for engaging public debates on Israe…

Zeituni Onyango: Kenyan-born relative of Barack Obama and immigration figure Zeituni Onyango Biography of Zeituni Onyango (1952–2014), half-aunt of Barack Obama; her life in Kenya and Boston, immigration and asylum case, public attention during the 2008 election, and her d…

Zeke Bratkowski: American NFL Quarterback and Coach Zeke Bratkowski Summary of Edmund 'Zeke' Bratkowski (1931–2019), his football career as an NFL quarterback for Chicago, Los Angeles and Green Bay, and his later coaching and legacy.

Zeki Alasya — Turkish Actor and Film Director Zeki Alasya Overview of Zeki Alasya (1943–2015), a Turkish actor and director known for 1970s–2000s television and film work, collaboration with Metin Akpınar, Turkish Cypriot roots, and a leg…

Zelda Rubinstein: Actress and Activist Zelda Rubinstein Zelda Rubinstein (1933–2010) was an American character actress and activist, best known as Tangina in Poltergeist. She also campaigned on human rights and AIDS issues and made many…

Zelimkhan Yaqub — Azerbaijani Poet and National Figure Zelimkhan Yaqub Zelimkhan Yaqub (1950–2016) was an Azerbaijani poet, served in the National Assembly (1995–2005) and was named National Poet of Azerbaijan in 2005, noted for patriotic and lyrical…

Željko Komšić — Bosnian politician and long-serving Presidency member Željko Komšić Željko Komšić (born 1964) is a Bosnian politician, multiple-term member of the tripartite Presidency, founder of the Democratic Front and a prominent advocate of a civic, multiethn…

Željko Kopanja — Bosnian Serb Editor and Investigative Journalist Željko Kopanja Željko Kopanja (1954–2016) was a Bosnian Serb journalist and editor of Nezavisne Novine, known for exposing wartime crimes, surviving a 1999 car-bomb attack, and advocating indepen…

Željko Milinovič — Slovenian football defender and international player Željko Milinovič Profile of Željko Milinovič (born 1969), a former Slovenian professional footballer who played as a defender and represented Slovenia at major international tournaments.

Željko Šturanović — Montenegrin politician and former prime minister Željko Šturanović Montenegrin politician and lawyer Željko Šturanović (1960–2014) led the government after Montenegro's 2006 independence, serving as prime minister from Nov 2006 until his 2008 resi…

Zelman Cowen: Australian jurist, university leader and Governor‑General Zelman Cowen Concise biography of Sir Zelman Cowen (1919–2011), an Australian legal scholar, university vice‑chancellor and the 19th Governor‑General, summarizing his life, career, honours and…

Zenaida Moya Belizean politician who served as mayor of Belize City from 1 March 2006 to 7 March 2012. She was the first woman elected to that office and is a former member of the United Democr…

Zeng Qinghong — Chinese Communist Party leader and former vice-president Zeng Qinghong Zeng Qinghong (born 30 July 1939) is a retired Chinese Communist Party official, served on the Politburo Standing Committee and as Vice‑President of the PRC (2003–2008). Known as a…

Zeno of Elea: Life, Paradoxes, and Philosophical Legacy Zeno of Elea Pre-Socratic thinker known for paradoxes challenging motion and plurality; member of the Eleatic school and influential in logic, mathematics, and the history of philosophy.

Zenobia, Queen of the Palmyrene Empire Zenobia Zenobia (c.240–c.275) was the 3rd-century queen of Palmyra who expanded a Syrian-based realm into Egypt and Anatolia, challenged Rome, and became a lasting symbol of resistance and…

Zenon Grocholewski Polish cardinal and Roman Curia official who led the Congregation for Catholic Education (1999–2015) and served as Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Gregorian University. Born 193…

Zhang Dejiang — Chinese political leader and former NPC chairman Zhang Dejiang Zhang Dejiang (born 4 Nov 1946) is a retired Chinese politician who served as Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (2013–2018) and as a senior party…

Zhang Fei (167–221): Warrior of the Late Han and the Three Kingdoms Era Zhang Fei Zhang Fei, one of Liu Bei's famed sworn brothers, was a late Eastern Han general known for ferocity in battle, a prominent role in Three Kingdoms history and literature, and a last…

Zhang Jike — Chinese table tennis player and Grand Slam champion Zhang Jike Zhang Jike (born 16 February 1988, Qingdao) is a Chinese table tennis player, 2011 and 2013 world champion and 2012 Olympic gold medallist; known for an aggressive style and rapid…