Biographies

Blanca Soto: Mexican model, actress and former beauty queen Blanca Soto Profile of Blanca Soto, a Mexican model-turned-actress known for pageant success and her leading television role in the telenovela Eva Luna.

Blanche Barton — Leader of the Church of Satan Blanche Barton Biography and overview of Blanche Barton, American religious leader who served as High Priestess of the Church of Satan and authored books on its history and founder Anton LaVey.

Blanche Blackwell — Jamaican heiress and literary muse Blanche Blackwell Blanche Blackwell (1912–2017) was a Jamaican heiress and social figure, mother of Chris Blackwell of Island Records, and a longtime friend and inspiration to writers Ian Fleming an…

Blanche Lincoln — U.S. Senator and Arkansas political leader Blanche Lincoln Biography of Blanche Lincoln, an American lawyer and Democratic politician who represented Arkansas in the U.S. House and Senate (1993–1997, 1999–2011), including career highlights…

Blaoui Houari: Oran's prolific singer, composer and conductor Blaoui Houari Algerian musician Blaoui Houari (1926–2017) was a central figure in Oran's popular music: a singer-songwriter, composer and conductor who recorded hundreds of songs and helped shap…

Blas Calzada Terrados — Spanish Economist and Financial Regulator Blas Calzada Terrados Biography of Blas Calzada Terrados (1937–2018), Spanish economist who led national statistics and financial market authorities, co‑founded Cambio 16, and advised on the IBEX 35.

Blaze Starr (Fannie Belle Fleming) — American burlesque performer and cultural figure Blaze Starr Blaze Starr (1932–2015) was an American burlesque entertainer best known for her stage persona, wide touring career, and a widely publicized relationship with Louisiana Governor Ea…

Blek le Rat (Xavier Prou): Pioneer of Stencil Street Art Blek le Rat Xavier Prou (born 1951), known as Blek le Rat, is a French street artist credited with originating stencil graffiti in Paris and influencing a generation of urban artists.

Blerim Džemaili Swiss professional football midfielder noted for his versatility, long-range shooting and a lengthy club career in Italy’s Serie A as well as regular appearances for the Switzerlan…

Bloeme Evers-Emden — Dutch Jewish child psychologist and researcher Bloeme Evers-Emden Psychologist and Holocaust survivor Bloeme Evers-Emden (1927–2016) researched Jewish 'hidden children', published four books in the 1990s, and wrote columns for the Nieuw Israëliet…

Blog (weblog): definition, structure, history, types, and uses Blog A blog is a website for regularly published entries or posts, often personal or topical. This article explains structure, history, common types (including vlogs and microblogs), us…

Blogger: roles, history, platforms and how blogging works Blogger Overview of what a blogger is, typical activities, platforms and monetization, differences from other online publishing, and practical considerations for starting and maintaining a…

Blossom Rock (Edith Marie Blossom MacDonald) Blossom Rock American character actress best known for portraying 'Grandmama' on the 1960s TV series The Addams Family; sister of singer-actress Jeanette MacDonald.

Blowfly (Clarence Reid) — American musician, parodist and producer Blowfly (musician) Clarence Reid (Blowfly) was an American singer, songwriter and producer known for explicit parody albums, an influential talk‑style delivery linked to early rap, and work writing s…

Blu Cantrell American R&B singer-songwriter Tiffany Cobb (Blu Cantrell), known for early‑2000s hits and two major albums. Overview of career, style, notable songs and legacy.

Blue-eyed soul Blue-eyed soul refers to soul and R&B music performed by white artists—an influential, sometimes contested label that arose in the 1960s to describe performers shaped by African Am…

Bluey Adams (Frank Adams) — Australian rules footballer Bluey Adams Frank "Bluey" Adams (1935–2019) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne in the VFL during the club's successful mid‑20th century period. Remembered for his pace…

Blythe Danner Blythe Danner (born 1943) is an American stage, film and television actress whose career spans Broadway, movies and TV; she is the widow of director Bruce Paltrow and mother of Gwy…

Bo Bice — American singer and Southern rock musician Bo Bice Bo Bice (born 1975) is an American singer and guitarist who rose to fame as the runner-up on American Idol season 4. He is known for a raw, Southern rock and blues-influenced style…

Bo Burnham American comedian, musician, filmmaker and writer who rose on YouTube and became known for musical comedy, stand-up specials, the film Eighth Grade, and the special Inside.

Bo Dallas (Taylor Rotunda) — American professional wrestler Bo Dallas Taylor Rotunda (born 1990), known as Bo Dallas, is an American professional wrestler noted for a 280-day NXT Championship reign, multiple FCW titles, and later WWE tag-team success…

Bo Derek American actress and model who rose to fame in the late 1970s for the film 10; noted for her image as a 1980s sex symbol and later work in film and television.

Bo Diddley: Pioneer of Rock and the Bo Diddley Beat Bo Diddley Ellas 'Bo Diddley' Bates (1928–2008), American singer, guitarist and songwriter who helped shape early rock and roll with his signature rhythm, distinctive guitars and wide influen…

Bo Holmström — Swedish television reporter and author (1938–2017) Bo Holmström Bo Holmström was a prominent Swedish TV reporter known for live coverage of major 1970s crises, a career at SVT and TV4, and later recognition with Sweden’s top journalism awards.

Bo Pelini (American football coach) Bo Pelini Overview of Mark "Bo" Pelini, an American football coach known for defensive teams and head-coaching stints at Nebraska and Youngstown State, plus his style, career path and notabl…

BoA — South Korean singer and international K-pop artist BoA BoA (Kwon Bo-ah) is a South Korean singer, songwriter and performer who achieved major commercial success in Korea, Japan and beyond, helping to globalize K-pop since her debut in…

Boaz Ma'uda — Israeli singer and Pop Idol winner Boaz Ma'uda Boaz Ma'uda (born 23 April 1987) is an Israeli singer who won Kochav Nolad in 2007 and represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. Known for a soulful voice and a blend…

Boaz Vaadia: Stone Sculptor Known for Layered Human Forms Boaz Vaadia Boaz Vaadia (1951–2017) was an Israeli‑born American sculptor noted for monumental, layered stone figures and later bronze castings that explore the relationship between people and…

Bob Anderson (1922–2012) — Olympic fencer and film swordmaster Bob Anderson Bob Anderson was a British Olympic fencer and a prolific film swordmaster and stunt performer, best known for choreographing major movie duels and teaching actors realistic swordpl…

Bob Andy (Keith Anderson) — Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter and actor Bob Andy Bob Andy (Keith Anderson, 1944–2020) was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and actor, celebrated for his songwriting, his work with vocal groups and duos, and his role in the film The M…

Bob Arum: American Lawyer and Influential Boxing Promoter Bob Arum Profile of Bob Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank, covering his legal background, promotional career, business practices, and lasting influence on professional boxing.

Bob Backlund — American professional wrestler and former WWWF/WWF champion Bob Backlund Profile of Bob Backlund (born 1949), his amateur roots, long WWWF/WWF world title reign, signature submission style, later activities including a Congressional run, and Hall of Fam…

Bob Bailey (American Major League Baseball third baseman) Bob Bailey Robert Sherwood Bailey (1942–2018) was an American professional baseball player who spent 17 seasons in Major League Baseball as a third baseman for several teams, including the Pi…

Bob Balaban: actor, director, producer and writer Bob Balaban Profile of Bob Balaban, the American character actor and filmmaker known for roles in Close Encounters, Gosford Park, Moonrise Kingdom and memorable TV guest appearances.

Bob Barker: American game show host and animal-rights advocate Bob Barker Robert William “Bob” Barker (1923–2023) was a long-serving American television game show host best known for The Price Is Right, an animal-rights campaigner, and a presence in popu…

Bob Barr American lawyer and politician; served as a Republican U.S. Representative from Georgia (1995–2003), later joined the Libertarian Party and was its 2008 presidential nominee.

Bob Beattie: American ski coach, promoter and broadcaster Bob Beattie Biography of Bob Beattie (1933–2018), U.S. Ski Team head coach, co‑founder of the Alpine Skiing World Cup, and longtime ski commentator who helped popularize alpine racing on telev…

Bob Belden: American saxophonist, arranger, composer and producer Bob Belden Profile of James Robert 'Bob' Belden (1956–2015), an American saxophonist, arranger, composer, bandleader and producer best known for the Grammy-winning orchestral jazz suite The B…

Bob Bell — the actor best known as Bozo the Clown Bob Bell American actor Robert L. "Bob" Bell (1922–1997), widely remembered for portraying Bozo the Clown on local television. A central figure in mid-20th-century children's programming an…

Bob Benmosche: Chief Executive who led AIG’s post‑crisis recovery Bob Benmosche Business executive Robert H. “Bob” Benmosche (1944–2015) served as CEO of American International Group (AIG), appointed to stabilize and rebuild the company after the 2008 financia…

Bob Bennett (U.S. Senator from Utah, 1993–2011) Bob Bennett (politician) Profile of Robert F. 'Bob' Bennett, Republican U.S. senator from Utah (1993–2011): career, committee roles, political stance, 2010 nomination loss, and legacy.

Bob Bergen — American voice actor and longtime voice of Porky Pig Bob Bergen Bob Bergen (born March 8, 1964) is an American voice actor best known as the current voice of Porky Pig, host of the children's Jep!, and a frequent performer in animation, video g…

Bob Boyd (college basketball coach) Bob Boyd (basketball) William Robert "Bob" Boyd (1930–2015) was an American college basketball coach who led Seattle University, the University of Southern California, and Mississippi State during a mul…

Bob Brown (Australian politician and environmentalist) Bob Brown Australian physician, environmental campaigner and politician who led the Greens in federal parliament; first openly gay member and party leader in Australia's Parliament; noted fo…

Bob Burnquist Brazilian–American professional skateboarder known for pioneering big-air tricks, competitive success, media appearances and skatepark projects. Influential figure in vert and mega…

Bob Burns (drummer) — original Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Bob Burns (drummer) Robert 'Bob' Burns (1950–2015) was an American drummer from Jacksonville, Florida, best known as an original member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd and for his contributio…

Bob Carr (Australian politician) Bob Carr Australian Labor politician, Premier of New South Wales (1995–2005) and later a federal senator and Foreign Minister (2012–2013).

Bob Cashell: Nevada Businessman and Longtime Mayor of Reno Bob Cashell Robert A. 'Bob' Cashell (1938–2020), Nevada entrepreneur and politician; 28th lieutenant governor and mayor of Reno (2002–2014), active in business, higher education governance and…