Birthdays: February 21

A six-time Emmy Award winner, Kelsey Grammer was born in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, to Sally (Cranmer), a singer, and Frank Allen Grammer, Jr., a musician and restaurateur, who were from the mainland. He was raised in New Jersey and Florida. Grammer was drawn to the works of William Shakespeare and spent two years at the prestigious Juilliard School. He then dove into the world of regional theater, eventually making the leap to Broadway with roles in "Macbeth" and "Othello." He joined the cast of the situation comedy Cheers (1982) in 1984.

Grammer is the first actor in television history to receive multiple Emmy nominations for performing the same role on three series. He received two nominations for his original portrayal of Dr. Frasier Crane on Cheers (1982), another for his guest appearance in that role on Wings (1990), and nine nominations (earning four awards) as Outstanding Actor for his work on Frasier (1993). Over the years, Dr. Frasier Crane has become one of television's most endearing and enduring characters. In addition to his Emmy Awards, Grammer has won two Golden Globe Awards, two American Comedy Awards and a People's Choice Award for his portrait. Grammer's distinctive voice has been heard in several hit animated features, including the voice of Stinky Pete in Disney's hit Toy Story 2 (1999) and a role in Anastasia (1997). On television, he has also been seen in several mini-series and movies. In 1996, he hosted an hour-long salute to Jack Benny for which he served as executive producer. He also starred in HBO's award-winning comedy The Pentagon Wars (1998). Grammer's autobiography, "So Far," was published in fall 1995.

Adrian Schiller was born on 21 February 1964 in London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Beauty and the Beast (2017), Suffragette (2015) and Bright Star (2009). He died on 3 April 2024 in Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK.

Al Fann was born on 21 February 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He was an actor and producer, known for Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992), The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) and The French Connection (1971). He was married to Mi Mi Green. He died on 14 October 2018.

Alan Rickman was born on a council estate in Acton, West London, to Margaret Doreen Rose (Bartlett), of English and Welsh descent, and Bernard Rickman, of Irish descent, who worked at a factory. Alan Rickman had an older brother (David), a younger brother (Michael), and a younger sister (Sheila). When Alan was 8 years old, his father died. He attended Latymer Upper School on a scholarship. He studied Graphic Design at Chelsea College of Art and Design, where he met Rima Horton, who would later become his longtime partner.

After three years at Chelsea College, Rickman did graduate studies at the Royal College of Art. He opened a successful graphic design business, Graphiti, with friends and managed it for several years before his love of theatre led him to seek an audition with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). At the relatively late age of 26, Rickman received a scholarship to RADA, which started a professional acting career that has lasted nearly 40 years, a career which has spanned stage, screen and television, and overlapped into directing, as well. In 1987, he first came to the attention of American audiences as the Vicomte de Valmont in "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" on Broadway (he was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the role). Denied the role in the film version of the show, Rickman instead made his first film appearance opposite Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988) as the villainous Hans Gruber. His take on the urbane villain set the standard for screen villains for decades to come.

Although often cited as being a master of playing villains, Rickman actually played a wide variety of characters, such as the romantic cello-playing ghost Jamie in Anthony Minghella's Truly Madly Deeply (1990) and the noble Colonel Brandon of Sense and Sensibility (1995). He treated audiences to his comedic abilities in such films as Dogma (1999), Galaxy Quest (1999) and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005), and roles like Dr. Alfred Blalock in Something the Lord Made (2004), and as Alex Hughes in Snow Cake (2006), showcased his ability to play ordinary men in extraordinary situations. Rickman even conquered the daunting task of singing a role in a Stephen Sondheim musical as he took on the role of Judge Turpin in the movie adaptation of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007). In 2001, Rickman introduced himself to a whole new, younger generation of fans by taking on the role of Severus Snape in the film versions of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001). He continued to play the role through the eighth and last movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011).

Alan Rickman died of pancreatic cancer on 14 January 2016. He was 69 years old.

AMARR is a Washington DC native whose credits span from TV and Film. He started his career at just 3 years old when he started working in his hometown on local television; things soon progressed with landing numerous national commercials and working on his first theatrical release at 6 years old.

Amparo Davila was born in 1928 in Zacatecas, Mexico. She was a writer, known for El desayuno (1977). She was married to Pedro Coronel. She died on 18 March 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Anangsha Biswas,The name in itself is unique. Born and brought up in the artistically fertile land of kolkata this lass always knew her calling. The amalgamation of theater and an acting training from sydney Australia made this erudite girl confident about her craft and acting chops. We first saw her glimpse in sudhir mishra's khoya khoya chand which she chanced upon while she was on a school break.Then her next release was Luv shuv tey chicken khuran directed by Sameer Sharma and produced by Anurag Kashyap

When most of the girls her age were busy trying to 'make it in the industry' she chose to read, train, study and sharpen her skills and not be a part of the so called rat race. A strong mind of her own anangsha is a part of the 'change makers' as in the people who are not armchair critiques rather are ready to put in the hard work and contribute in the changes that they want to see. with smita patil and meryl streep as her idols anangsha has her mind set in the right direction.

Adulation and beautiful epithets all over for her, with the Much awaited Excell Entertainments Mirzapur just releasing on Amazon prime, Samit Kakkads film releasing on Netflix and Sudhir Mishras web show Hostages again on Netflix, Pratibimb a short directed by vikram davar,this girl is definitely on the crest of her career. Anangsha a brave unconventional artist who hates confirming to someone elses ideas and stereotypical boxes of beauty, success or art.

Andreas Herbig was a composer and producer, known for Udo Lindenberg - MTV Unplugged (2011), Udo Lindenberg feat. Jan Delay: Ganz anders (2008) and Udo Lindenberg auf Tour: Deutschland im März 2012 - Ein Roadmovie (2012). He died on 21 February 2022 in Hamburg, Germany.

Andrii Hutsuliak is known for Heart of Steel (2022), Eurovision... A Little Bit More (2023) and Eurovizija (1994).

Angelic Zambrana is an actress, known for Precious (2009), Bushwick (2017) and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999).

Ann Sheridan won the "Search for Beauty" contest which carried with it a Paramount screen test. Signed to a contract at 18, she was put into a number of small roles under her real name of Clara Lou Sheridan. As she got better, her name was changed to Ann. In 1936, after two dozen films, she went to Warner Brothers, which billed her as the "Oomph Girl," a name she despised -- although she certainly looked the part. She was allowed to mature into a leading star who could be the girl next door or the tough-as-nails dame. She was in a lot of comedies and a number of forgettable movies, but the public liked her, and her career flourished. She also gave great performances such as the singer in Torrid Zone (1940) and the waitress in They Drive by Night (1940). In 1948, she was dropped by Warner Bros., but came back in Howard Hawks' comedy I Was a Male War Bride (1949) with Cary Grant. She continued to make films into the 1950s but retired before the end of the decade. She starred in the soap opera Another World (1964) and the western series Pistols 'n' Petticoats (1966). Unfortunately, just as her career was reviving with this series, she died of cancer.

Initially not a science fiction fan, theatre actor Anthony Daniels was persuaded by his agent to meet George Lucas for the casting of C-3PO in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). He went on to perform the character, both his voice and body in the suit, for all the episodic Star Wars films produced. Additionally, he performed the voice of the character for the radio serial based on the original trilogy and the animated series Star Wars: Droids (1985), Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003), Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008), related series Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) and Star Wars: Rebels (2014).

For Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), he wore a blue Spandex suit, as the android is incomplete in the film and ultimately produced in CGI. In addition to playing the golden droid, he appeared in a live action cameo in the nightclub scene of Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) and opera scene in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005). As C-3PO, he played a small role in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and The Lego Movie (2014).

This pert and pretty number was probably better known for her not-so-private off-camera escapades than for her commendable "B" work as a light comedienne in 30s and 40s films. Nevertheless, actress Arline Judge enlivened a number of them with her blue-eyed, brunette beauty and colorful characterizations. Her numerous marriages and divorces (8) equaled that of the more notable Hollywood husband-hunter Lana Turner. She topped Ms. Turner only if you consider that Arline married 8 different men; Lana's eight marriages included one remarriage (to actor Stephen Crane). The two ladies even shared an ex-husband!

While she was originally from Connecticut, her father, a newspaperman, moved his family to New York City while Arline was still young. She was eventually enrolled at the Ursuline Academy in the Bronx where, among other things, she studied dance. Briefly working in vaudeville, nightclubs and other New York musical shows, the petite-framed, eye-catching gal was noticed for films in 1930 by an RKO talent agent who spotted her in the Broadway revue "The Second Little Show," and signed.

Arline made her film debut with a flashy bit part in Bachelor Apartment (1931). After appearing fairly non-descriptively in An American Tragedy (1931) and Three Who Loved (1931), among others, she finally had people taking notice of her as a tawdry good-time girl in Are These Our Children (1931). 1931 also marked the year of marriage #1 to Wesley Ruggles, nearly 24 years her senior (she was 19; he was 42), who directed her in the aforementioned movie. She subsequently gave birth to their son Wesley, Jr. Nicknamed "One-Take Sally", Arline proved adaptable at both snappy comedy and teary drama, easily alternating her services between a wacky Wheeler and Woolsey farce such as Girl Crazy (1932) or Helen Twelvetrees weepie such as Young Bride (1932). Her characters were often more trouble than they were worth as her scheming waitress in Is My Face Red? (1932) and adulterous wife in Flying Devils (1933) can attest.

After losing her RKO contract in 1933, Arline freelanced with lesser studios as various suspiciously-motivated ladies and was often cast for amusement. She enjoyed her many couplings with comic actor Jack Oakie in Looking for Trouble (1934), Shoot the Works (1934) and King of Burlesque (1936), and also worked time and again with her husband in the films Roar of the Dragon (1932), Shoot the Works (1934), and Valiant Is the Word for Carrie (1936). Arline could always be counted on to sparkle up lightweight comedy material such as College Scandal (1935), Here Comes Trouble (1936) and, the Sonja Henie caper One in a Million (1936) with her trademark effervescence.

Divorced from Ruggles by 1937, she immediately got caught up in a tabloid triangle that resulted in marriage #2 (only hours after her divorce was finalized) with one of her battling beaus, Daniel Reid Topping, owner of football's Brooklyn Dodgers. This marriage to Topping, who in 1945 (after their 1940 divorce) co-purchased the New York Yankees, lasted about two years and produced another son, Daniel, Jr. Marriage #3 less than a month and came in the form of hotel executive James Bryant.

The trials and tribulations of Arline's hectic private life took up a lot of time and severely hampered the momentum of her film career. Five years after her last movie, she finally resurfaced again in the uneventful comedy Harvard, Here I Come! (1941), which led to a few war-era "B" and "C" movies including The Lady Is Willing (1942), Song of Texas (1943), G.I. Honeymoon (1945) and From This Day Forward (1946). A bit part as a manicurist in the Harold Lloyd comedy The Sin of Harold Diddlebock (1947) (aka _Mad Wednesday) ended her 1940s movie run. In between there an eight-day marriage #4 to Royal Air Force Captain James Adams in 1942; a slightly longer marriage #5 to ad exec Vincent Morgan Ryan in 1945); and marriage #6 to wealthy sportsman Henry (Bob) Topping, brother of second husband Daniel. After her second Topping family divorce, Henry went on to marry Lana Turner. Marriage #7 was to insurance man George Ross III (1949-1950), and marriage #8 in 1955 to Beverly Hills inventor Edward Cooper Heard, her final union ending a lengthy (for her) 5 years.

Interspersed with all this marriage mayhem were some isolated TV guest roles in the 50s and early 60s in such series as "Perry Mason" and a final leap back in films as the mom of William Wellman Jr. in the poorly acted drama A Swingin' Summer (1965), which included surf music (!), and a role as one of the strangling victims of The Crawling Hand (1963), a low-grade horror opus.

By the mid-60s Arline had given up on pursuing both career (save a few commercials) and husbands. She lived out her final years in her West Hollywood digs and was found dead of natural causes ("aspiration of gastric contents") on February 7, 1974, just shy of her 62nd birthday . She was survived by her two sons and buried in her home state of Connecticut.

Arturo Fernández was born on 21 February 1929 in Gijón, Asturias, Spain. He was an actor, known for Truhanes (1983), Los cuervos (1961) and ¡Cómo sois las mujeres! (1968). He was married to Carmen Quesada and María Isabel Sensat Marqués. He died on 4 July 2019 in Madrid, Spain.

Ashley Michele Greene was born in Jacksonville, Florida to parents Michele (Tatum), an insurance broker, and Joseph Lacy Greene, US Marine who runs a concrete business. A self-confessed tomboy and "daredevil", Ashley loved to try to keep up with her older brother Joe, taking on activities such as taekwondo and winning several awards. Ashley says she was not allowed to spar the girls in taekwondo class because she "beat the girls up". She even accidentally once gave a boy she liked a bloody nose and lip while sparring. Ashley admits she is a "competitive little sucker".

During her early teen years, Ashley found herself hanging out with older girls, which impacted her self-esteem when she found them to be more mature and, in her mind, prettier than she was. Ashley describes herself as a "hot mess" as a teenager. Ashley's mother put her into modeling classes to improve her confidence, and Ashley began to consider becoming a model as a career. After being told she was too short to be a model, Ashley considered becoming a lawyer and getting a degree in psychology. She actually convinced her parents to let her leave her private school to attend a public one which had a law and psychology program. However, after taking a commercial class, which led to acting class, Ashley knew what she wanted to do - acting.

Luckily for Ashley, her parents were supportive and allowed her to move to LA at seventeen years of age. Due to her excellent grades and extra credits, she was able to graduate high school early to follow her acting dream.

For three years, Ashley struggled to find acting roles. She picked up small roles here and there in TV shows such as Punk'd (2003) and Crossing Jordan (2001), and some very small film roles in Shrink (2009) and King of California (2007).

Ashley's big break came when she got to audition for the film, Twilight (2008), based on Stephenie Meyer's popular book series. She originally auditioned for "Bella", but, as she says herself, "I was no Bella". She was called back to audition for the role of "Alice Cullen". After a long auditioning process, Ashley was finally told she got the part.

Ashley had previously worked in restaurants but, like the rest of her fellow "Twilight" cast-mates, Ashley found herself suddenly thrust into the limelight. Though she says she doesn't get the same kind of insanity as the boys - especially Robert Pattinson. She says most fans relate to her on a "best friend" level rather than screaming at her hysterically.

Ashley has already begun filming other roles and has high hopes for her career outside of the "Twilight" franchise. She has said she wants to be a superhero, a Bond girl and possibly Wonder Woman in future projects.

Aunjanue Ellis was born in San Francisco, California. She graduated from the Brown University, and later attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

During her career, Ellis performed on Off-Broadway theater, appeared in many film, and had roles on television. In film, she is best known for her roles in "Men of Honor" (2000), "Undercover Brother" (2002), "Ray" (2004), and "The Help" (2011). On television, Ellis had her most significant role on the 2015 mini-series, "The Book of Negroes".

Bill Nagy was born on 21 February 1921 in Hungary. He was an actor, known for Goldfinger (1964), Danger Man (1960) and Never Take Candy from A Stranger (1960). He was married to Janet Macfarlane. He died on 19 January 1973 in London, England, UK.

Bob Rafelson was an American film director, writer and producer. He is regarded as one of the founders of the New Hollywood movement in the 1970s. Among his best-known films are Five Easy Pieces (1970), The King of Marvin Gardens (1972), and The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981). He was also one of the creators of the pop group and TV series The Monkees (1965).

Rafelson's debut as a director was Head, a feature film starring the Monkees. Co-written with friend Jack Nicholson, and featuring appearances by Nicholson, Victor Mature, Teri Garr, Carol Doda, Annette Funicello, Frank Zappa, Sonny Liston, Timothy Carey, Ray Nitschke, and Dennis Hopper. Rafelson did six films with Jack Nicholson, Head (1968), Five Easy Pieces (1970), The King of Marvin Gardens (1972), The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981), Man Trouble (1992), and Blood and Wine (1996).

Börje Ahlstedt was born on 21 February 1939 in Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden. He is an actor and director, known for Ronia: The Robber's Daughter (1984), Fanny and Alexander (1982) and Kaninmannen (1990). He has been married to Birgitta Hermann since 1965.

Born in Staten Island, New York, Sexton made his film debut at age 14 in Todd Solondz's Welcome to the Dollhouse playing the troubled bully Brandon McCarthy, for which he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. He was the lead in Hurricane Streets, which won 3 awards at Sundance, and also appeared in the Oscar-winning film Boy's Don't Cry, Black Hawk Down, and Session 9 as well as cult films Empire Records and Pecker. He recently had a pivotal role in Martin McDonagh's Oscar-winning film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. On television, he played Belko on AMC's Emmy and Golden Globe nominated series The Killing, recently had a supporting role in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, and plays the enigmatic character "Horse" on the acclaimed Netflix series Russian Doll with Natasha Lyonne.

Bronwen Booth was born on 21 February 1964 in Marylebone, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for What's Your Number? (2011), Scrubs (2001) and Nurse Jackie (2009). She died on 24 April 2023.

Burgess Abernethy was born on 21 February 1987 in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. He is an actor and writer, known for Quietus (2012), Mirrors (2013) and H2O: Just Add Water (2006).

Carlos Calvo was born on 21 February 1953 in Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina. He was an actor, known for R.R.D.T (1997), Cops (1997) and Amo de casa (2006). He was married to Carina Galucci. He died on 11 December 2020 in Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina.

Carlos Colón Jr. was born on 21 February 1979 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is an actor, known for WWE Smackdown! (1999), GLOW (2017) and WWE Raw (1993).

Carlos Nine was born on 21 February 1944 in Haedo, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was a writer and director, known for La marcha sobre Ezeiza (1973) and Ánima Buenos Aires (2012). He died on 16 July 2016 in Olivos, Buenos Aires, Argentina.