Biographies

Bibi Andersson: Swedish Actress and Longtime Collaborator of Ingmar Bergman Bibi Andersson Biography and career overview of Bibi Andersson (1935–2019), her major film roles, collaboration with Ingmar Bergman, early life, personal details, and legacy.

Bic Runga New Zealand singer‑songwriter Bic Runga (born 1976) is known for the hit “Sway,” the album Drive and a melodic, intimate pop-folk style. A multi-instrumentalist and multiple award…

Bidya Devi Bhandari — Nepali politician and first female president Bidya Devi Bhandari Bidya Devi Bhandari (born 19 June 1961) is a Nepali politician who served as the second President of Nepal and the nation's first woman head of state, with a long career in leftist…

Bidzina Ivanishvili Georgian businessman, philanthropist and politician; founder of the Georgian Dream movement, served as Prime Minister (2012–2013) and remains an influential figure in Georgia's pol…

Bié Province, Angola: geography, economy, history and towns Bié Province Central Angolan province on the Bié Plateau with fertile soils and significant agriculture. Capital Kuito; crossed by the Cuanza River; shaped by colonial-era development and civil…

Biella, Piedmont (Italy) Biella Biella is a northern Italian city in Piedmont known for its historic textile industry, Alpine foothill setting, and nearby Oropa sanctuary. It serves as a local cultural and econom…

Bielle — Mountain commune in Pyrénées-Atlantiques (Ossau Valley) Bielle Bielle is a small mountain commune in the Ossau Valley, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, southwestern France, known for pastoral landscapes, access to Pyrenean trails and nearby winter resort…

Bielsko-Biała — city at the foot of the Beskids Bielsko-Biała Bielsko-Biała is a southern Polish city formed by two historic towns; a regional center for industry, culture and mountain tourism at the Beskid foothills.

Bienville Parish, Louisiana Bienville Parish is a rural parish in northern Louisiana. Its seat is Arcadia. The parish has a largely agricultural and forestry economy and had 14,353 residents at the 2010 censu…

Bierné — former commune in Mayenne, Pays de la Loire Bierné Bierné was a small rural commune in the Mayenne department of Pays de la Loire, France, merged in 2019 into Bierné-les-Villages. Overview, geography, history, economy and local sig…

Biff Elliot American film and television actor known for his starring role as Mike Hammer in I, the Jury (1953) and for numerous character roles in stage, radio, television and film.

Big Al Carson: New Orleans Blues and Jazz Performer Big Al Carson Biography and significance of Alton “Big Al” Carson (1953–2020), a New Orleans singer and tuba player who led the Blues Masters and performed with local jazz and brass bands.

Big Bill Bissonnette — New Orleans Jazz Trombonist, Drummer, and Producer Big Bill Bissonnette New Orleans-born jazz trombonist, drummer and record producer who led the Easy Riders Jazz Band, founded Jazz Crusade label, and promoted traditional jazz touring and recordings.

Big Bully Busick (Nick Busick) — American wrestler and police officer Big Bully Busick Biography of Nick 'Big Bully' Busick (1954–2018), an American pro wrestler and former police officer, noted for a 1920s bully ring persona in the WWF and work on the regional indep…

Big Daddy Kane — influential American rapper and lyricist Big Daddy Kane Big Daddy Kane (Antonio Hardy, b. 1968) is an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York, celebrated for rapid delivery, complex rhymes, and lasting influence on hip hop’s golden age.

Big E (Ettore Ewen) — American wrestler, powerlifter, and former football player Big E Langston Profile of Ettore 'Big E' Ewen, American professional wrestler and powerlifter known for his WWE career, role in The New Day, collegiate football background, and achievements in st…

Big Jay McNeely — American rhythm and blues saxophonist and performer Big Jay McNeely Cecil 'Big Jay' McNeely (1927–2018), Los Angeles–born tenor saxophonist known for his honking style, exuberant stage show and the 1949 R&B chart-topper 'The Deacon's Hop'. Inducted…

Big Joe Turner: American Blues Shouter and Rock‑and‑Roll Pioneer Big Joe Turner Biography of Joseph Vernon “Big Joe” Turner (1911–1985), a powerful blues shouter whose recordings helped bridge jump blues, rhythm and blues and early rock and roll.

Big John Studd (John Minton) Big John Studd Big John Studd was the ring name of John Minton, an American professional wrestler and actor best known for his 1980s appearances in the World Wrestling Federation and later Hall o…

Big Kap (DJ) Big Kap Big Kap (1970–2016) was a New York City DJ known for his role in 1990s hip-hop club culture and the 1999 compilation album The Tunnel with Funkmaster Flex.

Big L (Lamont Coleman) — American Rapper and Lyricist Big L Overview of Lamont 'Big L' Coleman (1974–1999), his style, career highlights, recordings and lasting influence as a Harlem rapper and celebrated underground lyricist.

Big Mama Thornton Willie Mae 'Big Mama' Thornton (1926–1984) was an American blues singer, harmonica player and songwriter, noted for the original recording of 'Hound Dog' and her powerful, influent…

Big Pun (Christopher Rios) — life, music, and legacy Big Pun Overview of Christopher "Big Pun" Rios: his career, style, major releases, influence on hip hop, and the circumstances and legacy following his death in 2000.

Big Sean (Sean Michael Leonard Anderson) Big Sean American rapper from Detroit known for hit albums, longtime association with GOOD Music, high-profile collaborations, and multiple Grammy nominations and MTV awards.

Big Show (Paul Wight): career, persona, and legacy Big Show Profile of Paul Donald Wight II, known as Big Show: his size and style, major promotions and titles, acting work, and significance in modern professional wrestling.

Big Tom (Tom McBride) — Irish country singer and bandleader Big Tom Tom McBride, known as Big Tom, was an influential Irish country and showband singer, guitarist and saxophonist from Castleblayney, active for more than five decades (1936–2018).

Big Van Vader (Leon White) — American professional wrestler Big Van Vader Leon 'Big Van Vader' White (1955–2018) was a prominent heavyweight pro wrestler known for unusual agility, a dominant masked persona in Japan, major runs in WCW and WWF, and a last…

Bigode (1922–2003): Brazilian left-back and national team defender Bigode Bigode (4 April 1922–31 July 2003) was a Brazilian footballer known as a disciplined, quick left-back. Renowned for marking, tackling and long-range passing, he represented Brazil…

Bilal Hassani French singer, YouTuber and public figure who rose to fame through social media and represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song "Roi".

Bilal ibn Rabah: Early Muslim, First Muezzin, and Symbol of Equality Bilal ibn Ribah Bilal ibn Rabah, an early convert to Islam of Ethiopian origin, became the Prophet Muhammad's chosen muezzin and a lasting symbol against slavery and racial discrimination in Islam…

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Pakistani politician, co-chair of the Pakistan Peoples Party and son of Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari, active in national politics since 2013 and a prominent figure in Pakist…

Bildungsroman: the Coming-of-Age Novel Bildungsroman A Bildungsroman traces a protagonist's psychological and moral growth from youth to maturity. This article explains its features, history, variants, examples, and how it differs fr…

Bill (name and common meanings) Bill Overview of the English name Bill and the principal senses of the word “bill”, including personal name, proposed law, invoice, banknote, and bird's beak.

Bill Anderson (singer) American country singer-songwriter known as 'Whisperin' Bill', Grand Ole Opry member since 1961, author of numerous hits, duet partner and television personality, inducted into the…

Bill Apiata — New Zealand soldier and Victoria Cross recipient Bill Apiata Bill Apiata (born 28 June 1972) is a New Zealand soldier awarded the Victoria Cross for New Zealand for conspicuous bravery during operations in Afghanistan. Overview of his servic…

Bill Bailey (English comedian, actor and musician) Bill Bailey Bill Bailey (born 13 January 1965) is an English comedian, actor and musician known for musical stand-up, the sitcom Black Books and appearances on British panel and nature program…

Bill Baillie (New Zealand long-distance runner) Bill Baillie William 'Bill' Baillie (1934–2018) was a leading New Zealand distance runner who placed sixth in the 5,000 m at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and competed in four Commonwealth Games.

Bill Bain Bill Bain (1937–2018) was an American management consultant who founded Bain & Company and shaped a results-focused approach to corporate strategy and consulting.

Bill Bennett (William R. Bennett): Premier of British Columbia, 1975–1986 Bill Bennett Overview of William Richards 'Bill' Bennett, his life, political career as British Columbia's 27th premier, key policies, family background, later years and legacy.

Bill Berkson: Poet, Critic, Teacher and Connector of Art and Verse Bill Berkson Overview of Bill Berkson (1939–2016), an American poet and critic who bridged poetry and visual art, active in Manhattan in the 1960s–70s and later based in San Francisco.

Bill Berry (R.E.M. drummer) Bill Berry Bill Berry, American musician and founding drummer of R.E.M., known for solid backbeats, multi-instrumental contributions and songwriting; left the music business to become a farme…

Bill Bidwill — Owner of the Arizona Cardinals and American businessman Bill Bidwill Bill Bidwill (1931–2019) was an American businessman and long‑time owner of the Arizona Cardinals (NFL). He led the franchise through relocation to Arizona and stewarded the team f…

Bill Birchfield — Florida lawyer, state representative, and civic leader Bill Birchfield William O. Birchfield (1935–2016) was an American lawyer and state legislator from Mayo, Florida, who served in the Florida House for the 21st district and was active in civic life…

Bill Bixby — American actor, director and producer (1934–1993) Bill Bixby Actor and television director best known for The Incredible Hulk and The Courtship of Eddie's Father; he worked as an actor and filmmaker in US television for decades and died of p…

Bill Blair (Canadian politician) Bill Blair (politician) Canadian politician and former Toronto police chief. MP for Scarborough Southwest, he has held federal public safety, border security and emergency preparedness portfolios and serv…

Bill Bonds (American Television Anchor) Bill Bonds American television anchor and reporter, best known for anchoring WXYZ-TV's Action News in Detroit. A prominent local personality noted for a combative, direct on-air style. Died i…

Bill Bowerman: Coach, Innovator, and Co‑founder of Nike Bill Bowerman Bill Bowerman (1911–1999) was an American track coach and shoe innovator who led the University of Oregon program, coached Olympians like Steve Prefontaine, and helped start the co…

Bill Bradley William Warren "Bill" Bradley (born 1943) is an American former professional basketball player, Rhodes Scholar, three-term U.S. senator from New Jersey and author who sought the 20…