Celebrity picks for Derby Dead Pool 2026: K

 

Kabuga, Felicien
Born 1 March 1933  (Muning, Mukarange, Byumba, Ruanda-Urundi)
Flower arranger and butterfly collector. Oh, he is also a war criminal (allegedly), and (allegedly) the main financier and backer of the political and militia groups that committed the Rwandan genocide.
[Picture of Felicien Kabuga]

 

Kabuki, The Great
Born 8 September 1948  (Nobeoka, Japan)
Japanese pro-wrestler with a 53-year career, and the inventor of classic racist wrestling trope "Asian mist".
[Picture of The Great Kabuki]

 

Kaczynski, Jaroslaw
Born 18 June 1949  (Warsaw, Poland)
Polish politician. He co-founded the Law and Justice (PiS - YES, REALLY!!!!) party in 2001 with his twin brother, Lech Kaczyński. Every Tom, Dick and Harry in Poland is called Lech.
[Picture of Jaroslaw Kaczynski]

 

Kagawa, Kyoko
Born 5 December 1931  (Asou, Namegata, Japan)
Japanese actress of the golden era of the 50s and 60s
[Picture of Kyoko Kagawa]

 

Kahn, Robert E.
Born 23 December 1938  (Brooklyn, New York, USA)
American electrical engineer, who co-invented the TCP and IP protocols that you can't avoid anymore when dealing with the internet in any way
[Picture of Robert E. Kahn]

 

Kaji, Meiko
Born 24 March 1947  (Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan)
Japanese actress and singer. Some of her songs showed up in 'Kill Bill' which led to something of a musical career boost.
[Picture of Meiko Kaji]

 

Kalodner, John
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA  (exact date unknown)
Music executive known for promoting 70s/80s rock outfits like Whitesnake, Foreigner, and Aerosmith.
[Picture of John Kalodner]

 

Kamahl, (singer)
Born 13 November 1934  (Kuala Lumpur, Federated Malay States)
He has been in the Australian music industry for over 70 years and has made some memorable TV and film appearances, as well as concerts. He has sold over 20 million records (probably to his granny) and recorded more than 30 albums
[Picture of (singer) Kamahl]

 

Kamolvisit, Chuwit
Born 29 August 1961  (Hong Kong)
Formerly Thailand's biggest massage parlour owner, self-proclaimed "superpimp", now an anti-corruption campaigner, suffering from advanced liver cancer. Given 8 months to live in August 2023.
[Picture of Chuwit Kamolvisit]

 

Kan, Naoto
Born 10 October 1946  (Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan)
Prime minister of Japan 2010/11
[Picture of Naoto Kan]

 

Kander, John
Born 18 March 1927  (Kansas City, Missouri, USA)
Composer of stage musicals, including 'Cabaret', 'Fosse' and 'Chicago'.
[Picture of John Kander]

 

Kang, Maria
Born in San Francisco, California, USA  (exact date unknown)
Fitness 'guru', coach. She's the one in the "What's Your Excuse" photo which went viral in 2012, Diagnosed with Colon cancer in 2023.
[Picture of Maria Kang]

 

Kani, John
Born 30 August 1942  (New Brighton, Eastern Cape, South Africa)
South African actor. You may remember him for playing T'Chaka in the Marvel Cinematic films Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther. He also played Rafiki in The Lion King and Mufasa: The Lion King.
[Picture of John Kani]

 

Kanjo Hassan, Mohammad
Born in Duraykish District, Syria  (exact date unknown)
Syrian major general who led military justice across Syria, born circa 1957.
[Picture of Mohammad Kanjo Hassan]

 

Kants, Ivar
Born 19 July 1949  (Adelaide, South Australia, Australia)
Australian actor known for his roles in "Home and Away" and "Neighbours."
[Picture of Ivar Kants]

 

Karadordevic, Katherine
Born 13 November 1943  (Athens, Kingdom of Greece)
Wife of Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia.
[Picture of Katherine Karadordevic]

 

Karadzic, Radovan
Born 19 June 1945  (Petnijca, Savnik, Montenegro)
Former Serbian leader, now wanted for war crimes and currently in hiding.
[Picture of Radovan Karadzic]

 

Karolyi, Marta
Born 29 August 1942  (Odorheiu Secuiesc, Romania)
Romanian-born former American gymnastics coach who trained many Olympic champions with husband Béla. Also accused of severe mistreatment of athletes and covering up Larry Nassar's sexual abuse.
[Picture of Marta Karolyi]

 

Karp, Alex
Born 2 October 1967  (New York City, U.S.A)
American businessman and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of some software firm that none of us have heard of. Time magazine has heard of him though and in 2025 it named him on the Time 100 list of the world's most influential people.
[Picture of Alex Karp]

 

Karpov, Anatoly
Born 23 May 1951  (Slatoust, Russian SSR, Soviet Union)
Former world chess champion, who played slightly conservative and supported the communist regime
[Picture of Anatoly Karpov]

 

Kars, Aileen
Born 12 September 1913  (Tokomaru, Manawatu-Whanganui, New Zealand)
Oldest living New Zealander.
[Picture of Aileen Kars]

 

Kasem, Jean
Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA  (exact date unknown)
American actress, widow of the late Casey. As Groucho Marx once said "No wonder he passed away!" Born 1955.
[Picture of Jean Kasem]

 

Ka-shing, Li
Born 29 July 1929  (Chao'an, Chaozhou, Guangdong, China)
Hong Kong billionaire business magnate, investor, and philanthropist
[Picture of Li Ka-shing]

 

Kashpirovsky, Anatoly
Born 11 August 1939  (Khmelnytskyi, Ukrainian SSR, USSR)
Psychotherapist who claims to be a hypnotist and a psychic healer. He worked with the Soviet Olympic weight lifting team. He attempted mass hypnosis on state TV at the behest of the government in an effort to subdue the populace.
[Picture of Anatoly Kashpirovsky]

 

Kassebaum, Nancy
Born 29 July 1932  (Topeka, Kansas, USA)
Daughter of one of the chaps who got steamrolled by FDR in his presidential elections, later a senator from Kansas in her own right.
[Picture of Nancy Kassebaum]

 

Kate, Anissa
Born in   (exact date unknown)
French porn star, two-time winner of the AVN for best Foreign Female Performer.
[Picture of Anissa Kate]

 

Kato, Hifumi
Born 1 January 1940  (Kama, Fukuoka, Japan)
Retired professional shogi player. Don't worry - we never knew that it was a type of Japanese Chess either. He held the record for being the youngest professional at age 14 years and 7 months. I bet you are glad you read this now !!!
[Picture of Hifumi Kato]

 

Katz, Alex
Born 24 July 1927  (Brooklyn, New York, USA)
Pop Art artist & sculptor.
[Picture of Alex Katz]

 

Kavner, Julie
Born 7 September 1950  (Los Angeles, California, USA)
Actress - husky voiced Marge Simpson in 'The Simpsons'.
[Picture of Julie Kavner]

 

Kawakubo, Rei
Born 11 October 1942  (Tokyo, Japan)
Japanese fashion designer who founded the labels Comme des Garcons and Dover Street Market
[Picture of Rei Kawakubo]

 

Kay, Peter
Born 2 July 1973  (Bolton, Lancashire, England)
Rotund, northern comic of 'Phoenix Nights' fame. Garlic bread?
[Picture of Peter Kay]

 

Kaye, Carol
Born 24 March 1935  (Everett, Washington, USA)
Bass guitarist, most notably on The Beach Boys' 1966 classic 'Pet Sounds'.
[Picture of Carol Kaye]

 

Kazan, Lainie
Born 15 May 1940  (Brooklyn, New York, USA)
An American actress and singer, she was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for St. Elsewhere and the 1993 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for My Favorite Year
[Picture of Lainie Kazan]

 

Ke$ha, (singer)
Born 1 March 1987  (Los Angeles, California, USA)
Singer-songwriter and rapper whose debut album, 'Animal' topped the U.S. Charts in 2010. I pretend I know all this, but I don't..
[Picture of (singer) Ke$ha]

 

Keating, Michael
Born 10 February 1947  (London, UK)
Played Vila Restal in "Blake's 7", now a semi-regular as the local priest on "Eastenders".
[Picture of Michael Keating]

 

Keating, Paul
Born 18 January 1944  (Darlinghurst, Australia)
Prime minister of Australia from 1991 to 1996. Took Labor to a surprise victory in the 1993 election despite an ongoing recession.
[Picture of Paul Keating]

 

Keck, Donald
Born 2 January 1941  (Lansing, Michigan, USA)
American physicist and engineer most noted for his involvement in developing low-loss optical fiber
[Picture of Donald Keck]

 

Keegan, Kevin
Born 14 February 1951  (Armthorpe, Doncaster, England)
Former Liverpool FC, Newcastle United and England forward. Had spells as a player at Hamburg SV and Southamption FC in a hugely successful playing career. Managed Newcastle to Premier League runner-up spot in 1996 after his famous rant in front of the TV
[Picture of Kevin Keegan]

 

Keen, Diane
Born 29 July 1946  (London, England, United Kingdom)
UK soap actress on "Doctors" and Nescafé adverts
[Picture of Diane Keen]

 

Keene, Tom
Born 9 December 1952  (New York City, New York, USA)
Multi-media talkshow host and economic analyst for Bloomberg LP.
[Picture of Tom Keene]

 

Kefford, Ace
Born 10 December 1946  (Moseley, Birmingham, United Kingdom)
English bassist for The Move, inspired by the (very) early Bowie
[Picture of Ace Kefford]

 

Keillor, Garrison
Born 7 August 1942  (Anoka, Minnesota, USA)
American humourist with a distinctly languid voice, whose career is seemingly on the buffers after sexual misconduct allegations.
[Picture of Garrison Keillor]

 

Keith, Penelope
Born 2 April 1940  (Sutton, Surrey, England)
Popular actress in the 1970s whom male viewers secretly fancied in 'The Good Life' whilst publicly liking Felicity Kendall. And don't deny it...
[Picture of Penelope Keith]

 

Kelly, Elizabeth
Born 29 May 1921  (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England)
Actress, Nellie Ellis in EastEnders, between 1993-2000.
[Picture of Elizabeth Kelly]

 

Kelly, Elsie
Born 7 June 1936  (Merseyside, United Kingdom)
English actress, known for portraying the role of Noreen Maltby in the ITV sitcom Benidorm 2007-2012 and 2015-2018
[Picture of Elsie Kelly]

 

Kelly, Jim
Born 14 February 1960  (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA)
Retired quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, been suffering from cancer and MRSA since 2013.
[Picture of Jim Kelly]

 

Kelly, Machine Gun
Born 22 April 1990  (Houston, Texas, USA)
US rapper with rock influences, which means that he occasionally carries a guitar to look more edgy
[Picture of Machine Gun Kelly]

 

Kelly, Matthew
Born 9 March 1950  (Manchester, England)
Former host of UK TV shows 'Game For A Laugh' and 'Stars In Their Eyes', whose career came down crashing down around his ears in late 2002 when various insalubrious accusations were made about his sexual preferences. "Tonight, Matthew, you're going to be
[Picture of Matthew Kelly]

 

Kelly, Robert "R."
Born 8 January 1967  (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
Singer, best known for his song 'I Believe I Can Fly' - which he insists was NOT copied from Keith Harris & Orville.
[Picture of Robert

 

Keltie, Kate
Born 23 February 1986  (Melbourne, Australia)
Australian former actress who was Michelle Scully in Neighbours (Everybody Needs Good Neighbours)
[Picture of Kate Keltie]

 

Kemper, Edmund
Born 18 December 1948  (Burbank, California, USA)
"The Co-ed Killer", giant of a serial killer with brains to match the brawn. Serving life in prison after murdering, dismembering and raping ten people. Usually in that order, so a pleasant chap all round.
[Picture of Edmund Kemper]

 

Kempthorne, Dirk
Born 29 October 1951  (San Diego, California, U.S.A)
American politician. Served as the Secretary of the Interior from 2006 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a United States Senator from Idaho from 1993 to 1999 and as governor of Idaho from 1999 to 2006.
[Picture of Dirk Kempthorne]

 

Keneally, Thomas
Born 7 October 1935  (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia)
Australian playwright & author.
[Picture of Thomas Keneally]

 

Kennedy, Peter
Born 4 September 1927  (Olympia, Washington, USA)
Figure skater.
[Picture of Peter Kennedy]

 

Kennedy, Sarah
Born 8 July 1950  (East Grinstead, West Sussex, England)
Broadcaster who first caught the nation's attention in 1981 as part of the 'Game for a Laugh' team with the late Jeremy Beadle. Left Radio 2 in September 2010 after 17 years.
[Picture of Sarah Kennedy]

 

Kennedy Jr., Robert F.
Born 17 January 1954  (Washington D.C., USA)
Radio host and environmentalist. Son of the late Bobby Kennedy. Vanity candidate for president in 2024 on a platform of vaccine trutherism.
[Picture of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

 

Kennelly, Sheila
Born 28 December 1937  (Brighton, East Sussex, England)
Australian character actress in everything from soaps to sitcoms.
[Picture of Sheila Kennelly]

 

Kenny, Tom
Born 13 July 1962  (Syracuse, New York, USA)
Actor, comedian and the voice of 'SpongeBob SquarePants'.
[Picture of Tom Kenny]

 

Kent, Princess Michael of
Born 15 January 1945  (Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic)
Minor British Royal. Married to Prince Michael of Kent, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.
[Picture of Princess Michael of Kent]

 

Kent (Prince Edward), Duke of
Born 9 October 1935  (Belgrave Square, London, England)
The Duke of Kent since 1942, after his father was killed in an air crash. Also head of the Lawn Tennis Association & so often seen at Wimbledon.
[Picture of Duke of Kent (Prince Edward)]

 

Kenton, June
Born in England  (exact date unknown)
Businesswoman who specialises in lingerie. Was long the "royal bra fitter" for Queen Elizabeth II.
[Picture of June Kenton]

 

Kentridge, Sydney
Born 5 November 1922  (Johannesburg, Transvaal, Union of South Africa)
South African-born lawyer and judge He played a leading role in the Treason Trial of Nelson Mandela and the 1978 inquest into the death of Sergeant Bilko - SORRY - I mean Steve Biko.
[Picture of Sydney Kentridge]

 

Keon Hee, Kim
Born 2 September 1972  (Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.)
South Korean businesswoman who served as the first lady of South Korea from 2022 to 2025 as the wife of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
[Picture of Kim Keon Hee]

 

Kerr, Graham
Born 22 January 1934  (London, England)
One of the first celebrity chefs - still well remembered as 'The Galloping Gourmet'.
[Picture of Graham Kerr]

 

Kerr, Hugh
Born 9 July 1944  (Hurlford, East Ayrshire, United Kingdom)
Scottish politician, former MEP and MP
[Picture of Hugh Kerr]

 

Kerr, Sandra
Born 14 February 1942  (Plaistow, Newham, Essex, UK)
English folk singer and musician. Those of a certain age may have heard her work as she co-wrote the music for the television series Bagpuss and voiced the character of Madeleine the rag doll. See - reading this is educational.
[Picture of Sandra Kerr]

 

Kerridge, Ross
Born 31 May 1956  (Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia)
Australian anaesthetist and politician who has served as the Lord Mayor of Newcastle since 2024
[Picture of Ross Kerridge]

 

Kerry, John
Born 11 December 1943  (Aurora, Colarado, USA)
Former Vietnam war hero turned peacenik, who ran for President in 2004, losing to George W Bush. Now Senator for Massachusetts.
[Picture of John Kerry]

 

Kerry, Margaret
Born 11 May 1929  (Los Angeles, California, USA)
Voice actress who was the model for Disney's Tinker Bell.
[Picture of Margaret Kerry]

 

Kerwin, Joseph
Born 19 February 1932  (Oak Park, Illinois, USA)
US astronaut, Science Pilot on the Skylab 2 mission
[Picture of Joseph Kerwin]

 

Key, John
Born 9 August 1961  (Aukland, New Zealand)
Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2008 to 2016 and leader of the National Party from 2006 to 2016.
[Picture of John Key]

 

Keys, Alicia
Born 25 January 1981  (Hell's Kitchen, New York, USA)
US R'n'B singer who had great success with her piano ballads in the 2000s.
[Picture of Alicia Keys]

 

Khaled, DJ
Born 26 November 1975  (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA)
Social media king and occasional recording artiste, already has two US number ones to his name.
[Picture of DJ Khaled]

 

Khamenei, Ayatollah Ali
Born 17 July 1939  (Mashhad, Iran)
Former President of Iran, and current Supreme Leader, since 1989.
[Picture of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei]

 

Khan, Imran
Born 25 November 1952  (Lahore, Pakistan)
Former Pakistani cricketer, turned media celebrity, turned socialite, turned politician, turned arch-enemy of President Musharraf!
[Picture of Imran Khan]

 

Khelif, Imane
Born 2 May 1999  (Aïn Sidi Ali, Laghouat, Algeria)
Algerian boxer that faced transphobic attacks during the 2024 Summer Olympics.
[Picture of Imane Khelif]

 

Khityaeva, Lyudmila
Born 15 August 1930  (Gorky, USSR)
Soviet and Russian theatre and film actress, TV presenter. People's Artist of the RSFSR in 1983. Don't worry - we have never heard of her either.
[Picture of Lyudmila Khityaeva]

 

Kibrick, Sidney Sidney Kibrick is no longer with us
Born 2 July 1928  (Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A)

Died 3 January 2026  (Northridge, California, USA)

Age at death: 97  (read death notice)
American former child actor from the 1930s, most notable for appearing in the "Our Gang" short subjects film series, featuring in more than two dozen, between 1933 and 1939. He is the last surviving featured Our Gang character.
[Picture of Sidney Kibrick]

 

Kid Cudi, (rapper)
Born 30 January 1984  (Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A)
American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and fashion designer.
[Picture of (rapper) Kid Cudi]

 

Kidd, Delena
Born 11 February 1935  (Newcastle upon Tyne, England)
Veteran stage, film and TV actress.
[Picture of Delena Kidd]

 

Kilburn, Terry
Born 25 November 1926  (London, England)
Child actor in the original Goodbye Mr Chips.
[Picture of Terry Kilburn]

 

Kill, Jerry
Born 24 August 1961  (Cheney, Kansas, USA)
American college football coach
[Picture of Jerry Kill]

 

Kilroy-Silk, Robert
Born 19 May 1942  (Birmingham, England)
Politician (formerly with Labour and UKIP) and former talk show host. Outspoken, over tanned & not particularly liked by anyone bar himself.
[Picture of Robert Kilroy-Silk]

 

Kim, Lil
Born 11 July 1974  (New York City, New York, USA)
Biggie Smalls-discovered rapper who would go on to be one of the biggest ever names in women's hip-hop, and 1/5th of the group that brought you the wedding reception floorfiller cover "Lady Marmalade".
[Picture of Lil Kim]

 

Kimball, Bobby
Born 29 March 1947  (Orange, Texas, U.S.A)
American retired singer and musician, best known as original frontman of the rock band Toto from 1977 to 1984 and again from 1998 to 2008.
[Picture of Bobby Kimball]

 

King, Billie Jean
Born 22 November 1943  (Long Beach, California, USA)
Hugely successful tennis player, 6 times Wimbledon ladies Champion.
[Picture of Billie Jean King]

 

King, Dave
Born 11 December 1961  (Dublin, Ireland)
Irish singer, musician and songwriter. He is the frontman of the Celtic punk band Flogging Molly, of which he is a founding member
[Picture of Dave King]

 

King, Don
Born 20 August 1931  (Cleveland, Ohio, USA)
Exuberant, some might say cynical, boxing promoter with the upright hair.
[Picture of Don King]

 

King, Jonathan
Born 9 December 1944  (Godalming, Surrey, England)
Musician and TV presenter who was sentenced to 7 years in jail in 2001 for sexually abusing teenage boys.
[Picture of Jonathan King]

 

King, Kanya
Born in Kilburn, London, England  (exact date unknown)
Born 1969. British entrepreneur who founded the MOBO Awards.
[Picture of Kanya King]

 

King, Patsy Patsy King is no longer with us
Born in Melbourne, Australia  (exact date unknown)

Died 19 January 2026  (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)

Age at death: 95  (read death notice)
Actress, in many a TV show in Australia, including Prisoner: Cell Block H. Born 1929.
[Picture of Patsy King]

 

King, Tom
Born 13 June 1933  (Rugby, Warwickshire, England)
Former British cabinet minister, immortalised in the late Alan Clarke's diaries. Recently given the finger by Baroness Tumpington afer a typical gaff in the House of Lords.
[Picture of Tom King]

 

Kingston, Alex
Born 11 March 1963  (Epsom, Surrey, UK)
An English actress. You may remember her as Dr. Elizabeth Corday in "ER", as the title character in the ITV miniseries "The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders" (1996) and as River Song in "Doctor Who"
[Picture of Alex Kingston]

 

Kinney, Fern
Born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA  (exact date unknown)
R&B singer who enjoyed a massive hit in 1980 with 'Together We Are Beautiful'.
[Picture of Fern Kinney]

 

Kinney, Phyllis
Born 4 July 1922  (United States)
US-born authority on Welsh folk music
[Picture of Phyllis Kinney]

 

Kinnock, Neil
Born 28 March 1942  (Tredegar, Wales)
Leader of the Labour Party from 1983-1992. Later an EC commissioner.
[Picture of Neil Kinnock]

 

Kinsey, Mike
Born in England  (exact date unknown)
TV actor best known as Gunner "Nosher" Evans in 'It Ain't Half Hot Mum'. Later a Labour councillor.
[Picture of Mike Kinsey]

 

Kirkby, Elizabeth
Born 26 January 1921  (Bolton, Lancashire, England)
Australian politician, theatre, television and film actress, entertainer, radio broadcaster, writer, public affairs commentator, producer, director and sheep and wheat farmer and Australia's oldest university graduate. Well she's had a century to do it…
[Picture of Elizabeth Kirkby]

 

Kirkpatrick, Maggie
Born 29 January 1941  (Albury, Australia)
The Freak from Prisoner Cell Block H.
[Picture of Maggie Kirkpatrick]

 

Kiser, Terry
Born 1 August 1939  (Omaha, Nebraska, USA)
Actor in numerous TV show & films - including Bernie in 'Weekend at Bernie's' & HG Wells in 'Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman'.
[Picture of Terry Kiser]

 

Kitson, Ken
Born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England  (exact date unknown)
British actor who has a habit of popping up in Last of the Summer Wine and.... not much else really. Born 1946.
[Picture of Ken Kitson]

 

KLASNIC, Ivan
Born 29 January 1980  (Hamburg, Germany)
Former Croatian international footballer.
[Picture of Ivan KLASNIC]

 

Klaus, Vaclav
Born 19 June 1941  (Prague, Czechia)
Former President of Czechia from 2003 to 2013
[Picture of Vaclav Klaus]

 

Klein, Calvin
Born 19 November 1949  (New York City, U.S.A)
Named after a pair of underpants Calvin Klein is an American fashion designer. In addition to clothing, he has also given his name to a range of perfumes, watches, and jewellery.
[Picture of Calvin Klein]

 

Klein, Robert
Born 8 February 1942  (New York City, New York, USA)
New York Stand-Up comedian with an occasional stage or TV role
[Picture of Robert Klein]

 

Knight, Gillian
Born 1 November 1934  (Redditch, UK)
English opera singer and actress, known for her performances in the contralto roles of the Savoy operas
[Picture of Gillian Knight]

 

Knight, Gladys
Born 28 May 1944  (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
"The Empress of Soul", one of the few artists (along with her Pips) who achieved more fame after leaving Motown than on it.
[Picture of Gladys Knight]

 

Knight, Marion "Suge"
Born 19 April 1965  (Compton, California, USA)
Co-founder of rap & hip-hop label Death Row Records. Once allegedly dangled Vanilla Ice out of a seventh-storey window by his ankles; his only mistake was hauling him back in again.
[Picture of Marion

 

Knight, Merald "Bubba"
Born 4 September 1942  (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
Soul singer with Gladys Knight & the Pips.
[Picture of Merald

 

Knight, Phil
Born 24 February 1938  (Portland, Oregon, USA)
American billionaire sports executive who co-founded Nike.
[Picture of Phil Knight]

 

Knight, Ricky
Born 24 December 1953  (Norwich, Norfolk, England)
Wrestling promoter and owner of the World Association of Wrestling.
[Picture of Ricky Knight]

 

Knobbs, Brian
Born 6 May 1964  (Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA)
One half of wrestling's The Nasty Boys tag team, more famous now as one of Hulk Hogan's most brown-nosed hang-ons.
[Picture of Brian Knobbs]

 

Knowles, Beyonce
Born 4 September 1981  (Houston, Texas, USA)
Big-bummed singer, a solo star, former Destiny's Child singer.
[Picture of Beyonce Knowles]

 

Knowles, Michael
Born in Spondon, Derbyshire, England  (exact date unknown)
Actor who specialised in playing posh twits. Born 1937.
[Picture of Michael Knowles]

 

Knox, (singer)
Born 4 September 1945  (Cricklewood, London, United Kingdom)
Born as Ian Milroy Carnochan, British punk musician and founding member of the Vibrators.
[Picture of (singer) Knox]

 

Knox, Barbara
Born 30 September 1933  (Oldham, Lancashire, England)
Rita Bates/Sullivan/Fairclough in Coronation Street, a role she has played, on & off, since 1964.
[Picture of Barbara Knox]

 

Koch, Charles
Born 1 November 1935  (Wichita, Kansas, USA)
CEO of Koch Industries who has funnelled billions into right-wing causes in the US.
[Picture of Charles Koch]

 

Koch, Georg
Born 3 February 1972  (Bergisch Gladbach, West Germany)
Former professional footballer (goalkeeper) having played with SC Herford, Vienna Rapid, Duisburg, Energie Cottbus, Kaiserslautern, Arminia Bielefeld, PSV, Fortuna Düsseldorf, Dinamo and Erkenschwick. Currently suffering with terminal pancreatic cancer.
[Picture of Georg Koch]

 

Koenig, Walter
Born 14 September 1936  (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
Actor, who will forever be known as Chekov in the original 'Star Trek'. Later a comic book artist.
[Picture of Walter Koenig]

 

Kohner, Susan
Born 11 November 1936  (Los Angeles, California, USA)
Actress who retired from the industry aged only 28. Best known for her Oscar-nominated performance in "Imitation of Life".
[Picture of Susan Kohner]

 

Koizumi, Junichiro
Born 8 January 1942  (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan)
Prime Minister of Japan since 2005.
[Picture of Junichiro Koizumi]

 

Kolinka, Ginette
Born 4 February 1925  (4th arrondissement of Paris, France)
Holocaust survivor
[Picture of Ginette Kolinka]

 

Koller, Lou
Born 15 July 1967  (Queens, New York)
American punk rock singer and founding member of the hardcore band "Sick of It All". ( I know how he feels having heard him sing !!). Koller and his brother Pete have been described as some of the most influential figures in New York City hardcore
[Picture of Lou Koller]

 

Kollo, Rene
Born 20 November 1937  (Berlin, Germany)
German operatic tenor.
[Picture of Rene Kollo]

 

Kong, Aja
Born 25 September 1970  (Tokyo, Japan)
Japanese professional wrestler, the leading heel in AJW during the promotions glory days.
[Picture of Aja Kong]

 

Konnan, (wrestler)
Born 6 January 1964  (Santiago de Cuba Province, Cuba)
Cuban-born American professional wrestling personality, manager, and former professional wrestler
[Picture of (wrestler) Konnan]

 

Kony, Joseph
Born 18 September 1962  (Odek, Gulu, Uganda)
Leader of the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda. The list of his crimes are horrific but he simply says he is following "God's will" as all his work is based on The Ten Commandments. Can't remember the Commandment at Sunday School that 'thou shalt rape fem
[Picture of Joseph Kony]

 

Koontz, Dean
Born 9 July 1945  (Everett, Pennsylvania, USA)
Best-selling American author who specializes in suspense novels.
[Picture of Dean Koontz]

 

Kopell, Bernie
Born 21 June 1933  (Brooklyn, New York, USA)
American TV actor as seen on The Love Boat and Get Smart. That’s the TV show, not Reptile’s DDP winning team, I think…
[Picture of Bernie Kopell]

 

Koppel, Ted
Born 8 February 1940  (Nelson, Lancashire, England)
English born, but American based broadcaster, based mainly in news broadcasting, with some other sidelines recently.
[Picture of Ted Koppel]

 

Koppinen, Ilmari
Born 8 January 1918  (Rauma, Finland)
Finnish senior sports activist
[Picture of Ilmari Koppinen]

 

Korwin-Mikke, Janusz
Born 27 October 1942  (Warsaw, General Government (German-occupied Poland))
Also known by his initials "JKM" or simply as "Korwin", he is a Polish far-right politician, paleolibertarian [don't worry, we had to look it up as well] and author.
[Picture of Janusz Korwin-Mikke]

 

Kosar, Bernie
Born 25 November 1963  (Youngstown, Ohio, USA)
Former NFL quarterback who won the NCAA National Championship with the Miami Hurricanes in 1983.
[Picture of Bernie Kosar]

 

Kösen, Sultan
Born 10 December 1982  (Mardin, Turkey)
The World's tallest living man, stretching out to 8ft 1in.
[Picture of Sultan Kösen]

 

Kostroff, Michael
Born 22 May 1961  (New York, New York, USA)
Tv actor played defence attorney Maurice Levy in the Wire.
[Picture of Michael Kostroff]

 

Kotabe, Yoichi
Born 15 September 1936  (Taipei, Taiwan)
Japanese illustrator, animator and character designer with an extensive CV in anime films, games and television.
[Picture of Yoichi Kotabe]

 

Kotb, Hoda
Born 9 August 1964  (Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.A)
American broadcast journalist, television personality, and author. She was the main co-anchor of the NBC News morning show Today from 2018 to 2025
[Picture of Hoda Kotb]

 

Koufax, Sandy
Born 30 December 1935  (Brooklyn, New York, USA)
One of the greatest baseball players of all time, and the youngest person elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
[Picture of Sandy Koufax]

 

Koutcher, Nadine
Born 18 May 1983  (Minsk, Belarus)
Belarussian opera singer with international recognition
[Picture of Nadine Koutcher]

 

Kovack, Nancy
Born 11 March 1936  (Flint, Michigan, U.S.A)
She is a retired American film and television actress. You may remember her from . . . . well, lots of small bits in myriad TV shows. (How often do you see the word "myriad" in DDP Bios?
[Picture of Nancy Kovack]

 

Kovic, Ron
Born 4 July 1946  (Ladysmith, Wisconsin, USA)
Anti-war activist paralysed in the Vietnam War. Oliver Stone made a film, Born on the Fourth of July, about him.
[Picture of Ron Kovic]

 

Koz, Rich
Born 12 March 1952  (Park Ridge, Illinois, U.S.A)
American actor known for his role of horror-movie host Svengoolie and his cartoon showcase The Koz Zone. He also hosts Stooge-a-Palooza. In 2021, he was inducted into the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards' Monster Kid Hall of Fame. - HONEST !
[Picture of Rich Koz]

 

Krabbe, Jeroen
Born 5 December 1944  (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Somewhat lightweight Bond villain in The Living Daylights.
[Picture of Jeroen Krabbe]

 

Krabbe, Martijn
Born 26 March 1968  (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Dutch radio and television presenter. He won the Televizier-Ring Presentator award for best presenter in 2025. Go Martijn ! !
[Picture of Martijn Krabbe]

 

Kraft, Robert
Born 5 June 1941  (Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S.A)
American billionaire businessman. He is the chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group, a diversified holding company with assets in paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate development, and a private equity portfolio.
[Picture of Robert Kraft]

 

Krall, Hanna
Born 20 May 1935  (Warsaw, Poland)
Polish writer with a degree in journalism from the University of Warsaw, specializing among other subjects in the history of the Holocaust in occupied Poland.
[Picture of Hanna Krall]

 

Kranz, Gene
Born 17 August 1933  (Toledo, Ohio, USA)
Mission control member during the infamous Apollo 13 voyage, played by Ed Harris in the movie adaptation.
[Picture of Gene Kranz]

 

Kravtsov, Boris
Born 28 December 1922  (Moscow, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic)
Russian former jurist and politician who served as the justice minister of the Soviet Union between 1984 and 1989.
[Picture of Boris Kravtsov]

 

Kreutzmann, Bill
Born 7 May 1946  (Palo Alto, California, United States)
Drummer and founding member of Grateful Dead
[Picture of Bill Kreutzmann]

 

Krofft, Sid
Born 30 July 1929  (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
With his brother, Marty, TV producers for children's TV in America in the 1970s and 1980s.
[Picture of Sid Krofft]

 

Krupp, Mara
Born 26 October 1935  (Italy)
You may remember her as Mary, the hotel owner's wife in the movie "For a Few Dollars More." No, we don't remember her either.
[Picture of Mara Krupp]

 

Krzyzewski, Mike
Born 13 February 1947  (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A)
nicknamed "Coach K", he is an American former college basketball coach. He served as the head coach at Duke University from 1980 to 2022
[Picture of Mike Krzyzewski]

 

Kubrick, Christiane
Born 10 May 1932  (Brunswick, Germany)
Stanley Kubrick's widow who acted in films but also was an artist whose paintings were on the walls in some of Kubrick films
[Picture of Christiane Kubrick]

 

Kuczynski, Pedro Pablo
Born 3 October 1938  (Lima, Peru)
Former president and prime minister of Peru.
[Picture of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]

 

Kufuor, John
Born 12 August 1938  (Kumasi, Colony of the Gold Coast)
President of Ghana from 2001-09, nicknamed "the Gentle Giant".
[Picture of John Kufuor]

 

Kuhn, Peggy
Born 31 January 1939  (Truckee, California, USA)
The Amazing Race contestant.
[Picture of Peggy Kuhn]

 

Kuhne, Klaus-Michael
Born 2 June 1937  (Hamburg, Germany)
German condiment magnate, also the dumb money behind failing football club Hamburger SV
[Picture of Klaus-Michael Kuhne]

 

Kunin, Madeleine
Born 28 September 1933  (Zurich, Switzerland)
Swiss-born American diplomat, author and politician. She served as the 77th governor of Vermont from 1985 until 1991
[Picture of Madeleine Kunin]

 

Kuok, Robert
Born 6 October 1923  (Johor, Malaysia)
Successful Malaysian/Chinese businessman, owner of the Shangri-La Hotel chain and 40th richest man in the World.
[Picture of Robert Kuok]

 

Kureishi, Hanif
Born 5 December 1954  (Bromley, Kent, England)
Writer who started out his career writing porn, and never really stopped to be honest. Frequently accused by his extended family of using his career as a sneaky way of insulting them.
[Picture of Hanif Kureishi]

 

Kurkina, Raisa
Born 7 October 1927  (Tula Oblast, Soviet Union)
She is a Soviet and Russian actress. She appeared in "Visitor from Kuban", "The Saved Generation" and "The Belarusian Station" all of which are being released in a special Betamax box set later this year.
[Picture of Raisa Kurkina]

 

Kurobe, Susumu
Born 22 November 1939  (Kurobe, Japan)
Japanese television, film and stage actor, best known as "Ultraman"
[Picture of Susumu Kurobe]

 

Kurtag, Gyorgy
Born 19 February 1926  (Lugoj, Romania)
Classical composer and pianist.
[Picture of Gyorgy Kurtag]

 

Kurtis, Bill
Born 21 September 1940  (place of birth unknown)
He is a retired American television journalist, television producer, narrator, and news anchor.
[Picture of Bill Kurtis]

 

Kurtz, Swoosie
Born 6 September 1944  (Omaha, Nebraska, USA)
Highly decorated theatre and TV actress
[Picture of Swoosie Kurtz]

 

Kusama, Yayoi
Born 22 March 1929  (Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan)
Slightly bonkers japanese artist who likes dots, but also created the marvellous "Infinity Room"
[Picture of Yayoi Kusama]

 

Kutcher, Ashton
Born 7 February 1978  (Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA)
Actor, currently married to Demi Moore.
[Picture of Ashton Kutcher]

 

Kutyna, Donald J.
Born 6 December 1933  (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
Retired United States Air Force officer, often involved with NASA missions.
[Picture of Donald J. Kutyna]

 

Kwayana, Eusi
Born 4 April 1925  (Lusignan, British Guiana)
A man of charisma, courage, selflessness and humility, laying the foundation for many of the social, political, and cultural strides Guyana has made. His impact as a politician, writer, and cultural activist shaped the course of the nation’s history.
[Picture of Eusi Kwayana]

 

Kyi, Aung San Suu
Born 19 June 1945  (Rangoon, Burma)
Burmese pro-democracy activist and unlikely fan of Dave Lee Travis. Released from house arrest in 2010.
[Picture of Aung San Suu Kyi]

 

Kyl, Jon
Born 25 April 1942  (Oakland, Nebraska, U.S.A)
American politician and lobbyist who served as a United States Senator for Arizona from 1995 to 2013
[Picture of Jon Kyl]

 

Kyostila, Heikki
Born 19 January 1946  (Orimattila, Päijät-Häme Province , Finland)
Finnish entrepreneur, industrialist and billionaire. The name of where he was born is longer (and more interesting) than this bio.
[Picture of Heikki Kyostila]

 

Rasgotra, Maharaja Krishna
Born 11 September 1924  (place of birth unknown)
Retired Diplomat and former Indian Foreign Secretary, a position he held at the time of the Union Carbide/Bhopal disaster.
[Picture of Maharaja Krishna Rasgotra]

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