1959 (AD 1959) Historical Timeline & Archive

Notable Figures in 1959 (AD 1959) (22)

• Ante Pavelić (Died: 1959-12-28) — Croatian politician and dictator of the Independent State of Croatia (1941-1945)
• Babyface (musician) (Born: 1959-04-10) — Award-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and producer known for his smooth vocals.
• Ben Okri (Born: 1959-03-15) — Nigerian-born British poet and novelist, celebrated for post-colonial literature.
• Billie Holiday (Died: 1959-07-17) — Jazz legend whose unique vocal phrasing and improvisational style redefined American popular music.
• Blind Willie McTell (Died: 1959) — Piedmont blues and ragtime master known for his fluid, syncopated finger-picking style.
• Bryan Adams (Born: 1959-11-05) — Iconic Canadian singer-songwriter known for massive ballads and enduring global hits.
• Buddy Holly (Died: 1959-02-03) — Pioneering rock and roll artist whose short career defined the modern music lineup.
• Cecil B. DeMille (Died: 1959-01-21) — Pioneering American filmmaker known for epic scale, showmanship, and biblical epics.
• Dominique Dunne (Born: 1959-11-23) — American actress known for roles in Poltergeist and Family, whose life tragically ended in 1982.
• Donna Strickland (Born: 1959-05-27) — Pioneering optical physicist known for developing chirped pulse amplification technology.
• Drew Weissman (Born: 1959) — Immunologist renowned for foundational work in mRNA technology and vaccine development.
• Emma Thompson (Born: 1959-04-15) — Esteemed English actress and screenwriter celebrated for her versatile performances across stage and screen.
• Florence Griffith Joyner (Born: 1959-12-21) — Iconic American sprinter known for 1988 world records and pop culture style.
• Frank Lloyd Wright (Died: 1959-04-09) — Visionary American architect known for Organic Architecture and the Prairie Style.
• George C. Marshall (Died: 1959-10-16) — Key American military leader, diplomat, and architect of post-war global recovery.
• Jon Oliva (Born: 1959) — Co-founder and vocalist of the heavy metal band Savatage, known for his powerful voice.
• Mike Pence (Born: 1959-06-07) — American politician who served as Vice President (2017-2021) and Governor of Indiana.
• Nagarjuna (actor) (Born: 1959-08-29) — Veteran Indian actor celebrated for his prolific career across Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil cinema.
• Raymond Chandler (Died: 1959-03-26) — Pioneering hardboiled detective fiction writer and screenwriter.
• Ritchie Valens (Died: 1959-02-20) — A tragically influential rock and roll singer whose career was cut short.
• Val Kilmer (Born: 1959-12-31) — Versatile American actor known for dramatic depth, from stage to blockbuster cinema.
• "Weird Al" Yankovic (Born: 1959-10-23) — Master of comedy parodies, 'Weird Al' Yankovic blends musical satire with pop culture commentary.