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- Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss (Latin: Carolus Fridericus Gauss; 30 April 1777 - 23 February 1855) was a German mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to many fields in mathematics and science. Sometimes referred to as the Princeps mathematicorum (Latin for '"the foremost of mathematicians"') and "the greatest mathematician since antiquity", Gauss had an exceptional influence in many fields of mathematics and science, and is ranked among history's most influential mathematicians
- American actor, long on the stage, who made a handful of film appearances. His 54-year career began in 1864 when he left his native Leicester, Massachusetts to join the Holman Opera Company. He progressed through juvenile roles to leading men and into character parts, in such plays as "David Harum," "The Henrietta," and "The Spenders." He appeared in a 1915 film version of "David Harum" as well. He retired in 1918 and lived in the Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles. He died there in his room, at age 83, survived by his wife, the former Ella Chloe Myers.
- Heinrich Vollrath Schumacher was born on 30 April 1861 in Korbach, Hesse, Germany. He was a writer, known for Lady Hamilton (1921). He died on 28 March 1919 in Berlin, Germany.
- Amanda Lund was born on 30 April 1862. She was an actress, known for Kærlighedens Firkløver (1915), Amors Spilopper (1916) and Sealed Orders (1914). She died on 26 September 1929.
- Director
- Producer
- Cinematographer
Max Skladanowsky was a German inventor and early filmmaker. Born as the fourth child of glazier Carl Theodor Skladanowsky and Luise Auguste Ernestine Skladanowsky, he was apprenticed as a photographer and glass painter, which led to an interest in magic lanterns. In 1879, he began to tour Germany and Central Europe with his father Carl and elder brother Emil Skladanowsky, giving dissolving magic lantern shows. While Emil mostly took care of promotion, Max was mostly involved with the technology, and on 20 August 1892 he constructed their first film camera, but this more likely happened in the summer or autumn of 1894. He also single-handedly constructed the Bioskop projector, with which after shooting several short films the brothers would provide motion picture shows. Between the years 1895 and 1905, the brothers directed at least 25 to 30 short movies.- Art Director
- Art Department
- Production Designer
Hans Poelzig was born on 30 April 1869 in Berlin, Germany. He was an art director and production designer, known for Deception (1920), The Chronicles of the Gray House (1925) and The Golem (1920). He died on 14 June 1936 in Berlin, Germany.- Director
- Writer
- Cinematographer
Dadasaaheb Phalke was born in 1870 in Trymbakeshwar in Nasik. He was born to a Sanskrit scholar, he studied at J.J. college of Art in Bombay and at Kala Bhavan, Baroda. He then studied architecture and became landscape painter of academic nature studies. He worked in a photographic studio and at Ratlam learned three-colour block making and ceramics. He then worked as a portrait photographer, stage make-up man, assistant to a German illusionist and as a magician! He was offered backing to start an Art Printing Press and his backers to acquaint him with the latest printing process arranged for him to go to Germany provided that he remain with the company. But by the time Phalke returned he knew that a printing career would not satisfy him. He raised loan from his friend and pledging his life insurance, Phalke went to England in 1912 to purchase the necessary equipment and acquaint himself with the technical aspects of filmmaking. When he returned from London he launched Raja Harishchandra about an honest king who for the sake of his principles sacrifices his kingdom and family before the gods impressed with his honesty restore him to his former glory and this movie was released in 1913. Later he produced Mohini Bhasmasur (1913),Satyavan Savitri (1914), Lanka Dahan (1917), Shri Krishna Janam (1918) and Kaliya Madan (1919). Due to changing tastes of movies and extreme commercialised atmosphere in film world, Phalke retired. Later in 1937 he produced Gangavataram (1937), but he had lost his magic. He died in Nasik, a forgotten man. But today he is considered as a pioneer of Indian cinema and a prestigious Indian film industry award is named after him.- Alma Chester was born on 30 April 1870 in Canada. She was an actress, known for Beloved Bachelor (1931), Cowboy Holiday (1934) and The Dude Ranger (1934). She was married to Oscar W. Dibble and Irving White. She died on 22 January 1953 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Music Department
- Composer
- Actor
Franz Lehár was born on 30 April 1870 in Komárom, Austria-Hungary [now Hungary]. He was a composer and actor, known for The Rocketeer (1991), U-571 (2000) and Schindler's List (1993). He was married to Sophie Paschkis. He died on 24 October 1948 in Bad Ischl, Upper Austria, Austria.- Homer S. Cummings was born on 30 April 1870 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He died on 10 September 1956 in Stamford, Connecticut, USA.
- Percy Haswell was born on 30 April 1871 in Austin, Texas, USA. She was an actress, known for The River of Romance (1929), Daddy-Long-Legs (1919) and Fighting Mad (1919). She was married to George Fawcett. She died on 14 June 1945 in Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA.
- Additional Crew
Fielding Yost was born on 30 April 1871 in Fairview, West Virginia, USA. He is known for The Quarterback (1926). He died on 20 April 1946 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.- Henri Hirschmann was born on 30 April 1872 in Saint-Mandé, Val-de-Marne, France. He was a composer, known for Le Rondon (1960). He was married to Marie Noël and Lucie Von Oven. He died on 3 November 1961 in Paris, France.
- Actor
- Director
Jerold T. Hevener was born on 30 April 1873 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor and director, known for The Female Detective (1913), The Female Cop (1914) and Only Skin Deep (1914). He died on 14 April 1947 in Metuchen, New Jersey, USA.- Cinematographer
- Camera and Electrical Department
Paul Krien was born on 30 April 1873. Paul is known for Der Wilderer (1926), Horrido (1924) and Natur und Liebe (1927).- Charles Croker-King was born on 30 April 1874 in Huddersfield, Yorkshire , England, UK. He was an actor, known for One Exciting Night (1922), The Priory School (1921) and A Question of Trust (1920). He died on 25 October 1951 in Dorchester, Dorset, England, UK.
- Alan Stainer was born on 30 April 1875 in Guildford, Surrey, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Murder! (1930). He died on 6 August 1955 in East Molesey, Surrey, England, UK.
- Alice B. Toklas was born on 30 April 1877 in San Francisco, California, USA. She was a writer, known for Dances for an iPhone (2010), Literarische Zentren (1965) and The Twentieth Century (1957). She died on 7 March 1967 in Paris, France.
- Fritz von Herzmanovsky-Orlando was born on 30 April 1877 in Vienna, Austria-Hungary [now Austria]. He was a writer, known for 'S Wiesenhendl (1968), Kaiser Joseph und die Bahnwärterstochter (1962) and Kaiser Joseph und die bahnwärterstochter (1983). He was married to Carmen Maria Schulista. He died on 27 May 1954 in Schloss Rametz, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy.
- Eleanor Washington was born on 30 April 1878 in West Virginia, USA. She was an actress, known for Treasure Island (1917), A Ten-Cent Adventure (1915) and Intolerance (1916). She was married to Harris L. Forbes. She died on 28 October 1953 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Fernand Gabriel was born on 30 April 1878 in Paris, France. He was married to Huguette Detrez and Berthe Cerisay. He died on 9 September 1943 in Paris, France.
- Georg Queri was born on 30 April 1879 in Frieding, Bavaria, Germany. He was a writer, known for Die Erbin vom Rosenhof (1942) and Der Komödienstadel (1959). He died on 21 November 1919 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
- Remi Rasquin was born on 30 April 1879 in Antwerpen, Flanders, Belgium. He was an actor, known for L'oeuvre immortelle (1924), Mooi Juultje van Volendam (1924) and De wonderdokter (1936). He died on 29 September 1941 in Ukkel, Belgium.
- Actor
- Writer
Frantisek V. Kucera was born on 30 April 1879 in Prague, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary [now Czech Republic]. He was an actor and writer, known for Bud pripraven (1924), Lesetínský kovár (1925) and Chytte ho! (1925). He was married to Luisa Hanková-Kucerová. He died on 28 March 1958 in Mladá Boleslav, Czechoslovakia [now Czech Republic].- James Griswold was born on 30 April 1882 in New Britain, Connecticut, USA. He was an actor, known for The Girl of the Golden West (1915) and The Virginian (1914). He died on 4 October 1935 in Glendale, California, USA.
- Oscar Ebelsbacher was born on 30 April 1882 in Germany. He was an actor, known for Der gefesselte Polo (1929), Once in a Lifetime (1937) and The Gamblers (1939). He died in 1952 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Writer
Czech author Jaroslav Hasek was born in 1883 in Prague, Bohemia (now Czech Republic), which at the time was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His father was an alcoholic schoolteacher who was constantly moving the family in search of better paying jobs, and died when Jaroslav was 13. The youngster apprenticed himself to a druggist at 15, but decided that wasn't for him and eventually attended business school. He briefly worked as a bank clerk before taking up a career as a freelance writer and journalist.
In 1907 he became involved in the anarchist movement, which brought him to the attention of the Austrian secret police, resulting in his being arrested and imprisoned several times for his political activities. That same year he met a young woman named Jarmila Mayerova, and the two decided to get married. However, her parents did not approve of him--especially his politics--and would not sanction their marriage. Hasek resolved to distance himself from his political activities and concentrate on his writing in order to win her parents' approval, but when he was arrested for vandalizing an Austrian flag, her parents moved her from Prague far out into the country, hoping that the distance would eventually break up the couple. It didn't work, though, and the two were married in 1910. Unfortunately, it didn't work out and she moved back with her parents in less than a year.
In 1914, on the outbreak of World War I, Hasek was drafted into the Austro-Hungarian army and sent to the Russian front. He was captured by the Russians in 1915 and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp, where he contracted typhus, but he eventually recovered. At the camp he was recruited into an outfit called The Czech Legion, a unit put together by the Russians consisting of Czech POWs who agreed to fight the Austrians. At the end of the war he left the Czech Legion but joined the Red Army, mainly as a recruiter and propagandist. In 1920 he remarried, although he was still technically married to Jarmila.
In 1920 he returned to Prague, but his health had severely deteriorated and he was grossly overweight. He began working on a book of his that had originally been published in 1912, called "The Good Soldier Schweik and Other Strange Stories", about the adventures of a good-natured but not particularly bright soldier named Schweik who looked on his army time as basically a lark. He now began to rewrite and add new chapters to the book, giving it a somewhat darker tone due to his own wartime experiences, but his health kept getting worse and he wound up dictating the new chapters to an assistant because he could not actually perform the physical task of writing. He died of heart failure in the Czech village of Lipnice on Jan. 23, 1923. His final work, now called "The Good Soldier Schweik", has become a classic in European literature, and has been successfully adapted on stage and in film many times.- Auguste Mouriès was born on 30 April 1883 in Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France. He was an actor, known for Tartarin de Tarascon (1934), Fanny (1932) and À minuit, le 7 (1937). He died on 16 February 1956 in Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France.
- Jean Diéner was born on 30 April 1883 in Paris. He was an actor, known for The Mystery of the Eiffel Tower (1928), Le mort en fuite (1936) and Coquecigrole (1931). He died on 16 August 1948 in Paris, France.
- Olof Sandborg was born on 30 April 1884 in Gothenburg, Västra Götalands län, Sweden. He was an actor, known for Doktorns hemlighet (1930), Mot nya tider (1939) and Nils Holgerssons underbara resa (1962). He died on 26 March 1965 in Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden.
- Actor
- Cinematographer
- Production Manager
Frantisek Malý was born on 30 April 1884 in Prague, Cechy, Austria-Hungary [now Czech Republic]. He was an actor and cinematographer, known for Známost z inserátu (1920), Krizovatky (1922) and Problematický gentleman (1923). He died on 23 April 1938 in Prague, Czechoslovakia [now Czech Republic].- Gertrude Chorre was born on 30 April 1885 in La Jolla Indian Reservation, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Frozen Justice (1929) and In Old California (1929). She died on 3 September 1972 in Riverside County, California, USA.
- Nándor Alapi was born on 30 April 1885 in Alsóalap, Austria-Hungary. He was an actor, known for Te vagy a dal (1940). He died on 1 December 1945 in Székesfehérvár, Hungary.
- Henrik Børseth was born on 30 April 1885 in Haugesund, Norway. He was an actor, known for Gjest Baardsen (1939), Jomfru Trofast (1921) and Rikard Nordraak (1945). He was married to Aagot Børseth. He died on 18 September 1970 in Oslo, Norway.
- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Luigi Russolo was born on 30 April 1885 in Portogruaro, Veneto, Italy. He was a composer, known for The March of the Machines (1927), Bad Boy Made Good: The Revival of George Antheil's 1924 Ballet Mécanique (2003) and eXtrañas heterodoXias (2021). He was married to Maria Zanovello and Luigi Russolo. He died on 6 February 1947 in Cerro di Laveno, Lake Maggiore, Italy.- Editor
- Cinematographer
Dan Sharits was born on 30 April 1885 in Georgia, USA. Dan was an editor and cinematographer, known for Shadows of the Night (1928), The Thirteenth Hour (1927) and Riders of the Dark (1928). Dan died on 16 January 1963 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- In the 1930s, 1940s, and especially the 1950s, if a director wanted a short, fat actor to play a windy storekeeper or a raucous conventioneer, he might well cast Dick Elliott. He was one of those actors who, whenever he appeared on screen, often for less than a minute, the audience would think, "Oh, it's that guy." Yet few would ever know his name.
Elliott was certainly short, probably not much more than five foot four. And he was certainly fat. His belly was large and round, so he looked a bit like a huge ball with arms and legs. One imagined him soft and pink, and always happy. A Hobbit, perhaps. Santa Claus without the whiskers. And like another short, fat actor, Eugene Pallette, Elliott had a distinctive voice. Not the bullfrog basso that rumbled out of Pallette's gullet, but higher-pitched, whiny, or honey-smooth as the role demanded, with an "sh" in place of a lot of "s" sounds.
Elliott appeared in over 240 films. He was most often cast as judges, mayors, newspaper reporters, policemen, and blowhards, usually one who can't stop talking except when he'd burst into a loud laugh that bordered on a cackle.
As was the case with many character actors who never became featured players, not much record remains of his personal life. He was born Richard Damon Elliott on April 30, 1886, in Salem, Massachusetts. His gravestone says he was a loving husband and father. And we know he began performing in stock in 1931 and was on stage for nearly thirty years before his film debut, including appearing in the long-running hit, "Abie's Irish Rose." Other than that, we have only his film and television appearances to go on, and I'll mention some highlights.
His first movie was Central Airport (1933), and he was Ned Buntline in Annie Oakley (1935) with Barbara Stanwyck in 1935. He was perfect for the role of Marryin' Sam in Li'l Abner (1940), was amusing as the Judge in Christmas in Connecticut (1945), again starring Stanwyck, and made the most of his small role as a Whiskey Drummer in The Dude Goes West (1948) with Eddie Albert. Many film fans remember him best for another small role, as the man on the porch in the holiday perennial It's a Wonderful Life (1946), who tells James Stewart to stop jabbering and go ahead and kiss Donna Reed. Often his role in a film was so small his character didn't even have a name, and was sometimes listed in the cast simply as "Fat Man." He did have a good part in the under appreciated film Park Row (1952). His last film role was in Go, Johnny, Go! (1959).
The advent of television opened up a whole new world of roles. An unending stream of weekly comedies, dramas, and even variety shows needed performers. Some featured character actors like Gene Lockhart and Cecil Kellaway might star in an episode of an anthology series. Actors who had little screen time in films became invaluable featured players, and a few even attained the Holy Grail of being a series regular, Elliott among them. In the fifties he appeared in dozens and dozens of TV shows, including Dick Tracy (1950), in which he had a recurring role as Chief Murphy, My Little Margie (1952), Adventures of Superman (1952), I Love Lucy (1951), I Married Joan (1952), in which his character was called "Fatso," December Bride (1954), and Rawhide (1959). One of his best roles was in the episode The Rain Wagon (1955), in which he played Osgood Falstaff, the Shakespeare-quoting rainmaker who is secretly a bank robber. It was rare for Elliott to play a villain, but he pulls it off, making his eyes look devious and sinister -- a cuddly fat man, but don't turn your back on him. At the other extreme, he often played Santa Claus on Christmas episodes of the Jimmy Durante, Red Skelton, and Jack Benny shows.
To many people, Elliott will always be remembered as Mayor Pike in The Andy Griffith Show (1960) Sadly, Elliott died during the second season of the show, on December 22, 1961, in Burbank, California.
Dick Elliott was one of those character actors who were almost anonymous, though they lit up the screen in short roles. Fortunately, because of "It's a Wonderful Life" every Christmas and "The Andy Griffith Show" in frequent reruns, his fans can still delight in the little fat man. - Director
- Writer
- Cinematographer
Jess Robbins was born on 30 April 1886 in Dayton, Ohio, USA. He was a director and writer, known for Skirts (1928), The Son-of-a-Gun (1919) and The Law Forbids (1924). He died on 11 March 1973 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Hooper Atchley was born on 30 April 1887 in Ebenezer, Tennessee, USA. He was an actor, known for The Return of Jimmy Valentine (1936), The Arizona Terror (1931) and The Three Musketeers (1933). He was married to Violet Yahar. He died on 16 November 1943 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Oliver Johnston was born on 30 April 1888 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Quatermass Experiment (1953), Wideawake (1957) and Kidnapped (1960). He died on 22 December 1966 in Westminster, London, England, UK.
- Hugo Bruun was born on 30 April 1888 in Aalborg, Denmark. He was an actor, known for Manden med de ni Fingre IV (1916), Hans første Kærlighed (1914) and Nattens Mysterium (1917). He was married to Gudrun Bruun Stephensen. He died on 4 April 1962.
- Fritz Pfeffer was born on 30 April 1889 in Giessen, Germany. He was married to Charlotte Kaletta and Vera Bythiner. He died on 20 December 1944 in Neuengamme, Hamburg, Germany.
- Herbert Thorpe was born on 30 April 1889 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for My Ain Folk (1945) and Irish and Proud of It (1938). He died in 1946 in Hampstead, London, England, UK.
- Cinematographer
- Director
- Actor
Barney McGill was born on 30 April 1890 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. He was a cinematographer and director, known for Svengali (1931), Battle of Broadway (1938) and The Desert Song (1929). He was married to Violet. He died on 11 January 1942 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Alma Hanlon was born on 30 April 1890 in New Jersey, USA. She was an actress, known for The Whip (1917), The Great Bradley Mystery (1917) and The Mystic Hour (1917). She was married to Louis Myll and Walter J. Kingsley. She died on 26 October 1977 in Monterey, California, USA.
- Tony Andersen was born on 30 April 1890 in Copenhagen, Denmark. She was an actress, known for Den røde Drøm (1914). She died on 28 March 1972 in Jyderup, Denmark.
- Actress
Henrietta Goodwin was born on 30 April 1890 in Tacoma, Washington, USA. She was an actress. She was married to Murray Kinnell. She died on 19 November 1978 in Santa Barbara, California, USA.- Actress
- Writer
Doraldina was born on 30 April 1890 in Findlay, Ohio. She was an actress and writer, known for Passion Fruit (1921), The Woman Untamed (1920) and The Naulahka (1918). She was married to Frank Saunders. She died on 13 February 1936 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Writer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Director
Gino Valori was born on 30 April 1890 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. He was a writer and assistant director, known for Chi sei tu? (1939), Equatore (1939) and Amazzoni bianche (1936). He died on 28 May 1961 in Rome, Lazio, Italy.- Composer
- Actor
- Music Department
Luis Mendoza López was born on 30 April 1890 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He was a composer and actor, known for Caminos de ayer (1938), Aventuras de las hermanas X (1963) and La Llorona (1960). He was married to Bertha García Romero. He died on 6 April 1966 in Mexico, Distrito Federal, Mexico.