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An honest-to-goodness Southern Belle, similar to her most famous character role, "Elly May Clampett" on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), Donna Douglas grew up in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area, loving "critters". She got married soon after high school, had a son, divorced and won a couple of beauty contests, all within the span of a few years. She moved to New York and soon appeared on television series, including a well-remembered guest-star shot on The Twilight Zone (1959) in one of the series' most famous episodes, Eye of the Beholder (1960), in which she plays a woman who tries to undergo a series of experimental treatments to make her beautiful, only for the treatments to fail. The twist was she was beautiful, at least to the viewers, but considered hideous to the pig people of the planet, she was on. She immediately won the character role of "Elly May Clampett" on one of the greatest situation comedies of all time, The Beverly Hillbillies (1962). This extremely comical series debuted with The Clampetts Strike Oil (1962), on her 30th birthday, Wednesday, September 26th, 1962, which is among the narrowest & sheerest coincidences, that are hardest to believe.

Ninon Sevilla was a Mexican showgirl born in Cuba and raised by an aunt in the populous Centro Habana sector, Ninón Sevilla was graced with feline features, wonderful legs and exceptional vitality. She successfully danced her way through Havana night clubs and cabarets, and arrived in Mexico in 1946, where she made her film debut. Although she had already imposed her eccentric attires and hairdos, it was her association with filmmaker Alberto Gout that determined the creation of her erotic film persona. She rapidly became the icon of the rumbera, an archetype of the Mexican film musicals, a "bad girl" who is dignified by dancing. Ninón became an erotic myth and a superstar, working with the best talent in the film industry (Emilio Fernández, Pedro Armendáriz, Gabriel Figueroa, Agustín Lara, José Revuelta), in the biggest sound stages at Churubusco, choreographing her own complicated numbers, and her fame reached non-Spanish speaking markets, as Brazil and France. She was also among the first to introduce traces of the santería rites in her dances, and to acknowledge the presence of African elements in the Caribbean cultures in her films' stories. With the decline of Mexican cinema in the 50s, Ninón Sevilla retired, but she made a successful comeback in 1980, with "Noche de carnaval", winning the top Mexican award for an actress for the first time in her career.

Mario Cuomo was born to Andrea and Immaculata Cuomo on June 15th, 1932, in Queens, New York. He was the son of Italian immigrants. In Cuomo's early years he attended Saint John's University, summa cum laude in 1953. He then attended St. John's School of Law, and graduated tied for the top of his class in 1956. Cuomo became an advisor to Judge Adrian P. Burke that same year and then entered private practice in 1958. Cuomo also was a professor at St. John's law school throughout the sixties, and chaired the University Alumni Federation.

Cuomo was becoming a well known political figure and liberal in the state of New York about this time. In 1974, Cuomo was the Lieutenant Governor nominee on the Democratic ballot alongside Howard Samuels, but his ticket lost to the winners of the Democratic Nomination, Hugh Carey. Governor Hugh Carey was so impressed with Cuomo, Carey appointed him to Secretary of State.

In 1977 Cuomo ran for Mayor of New York, but lost in the primary to the eventual winner of the race Edward Koch. However Cuomo was elected to Lieutenant Governor in 1978. In 1982 Hugh Carey stepped down as Governor, and Cuomo won the primary over rival Ed Koch, and went on to defeat Republican Louis Lehrman. In his campaign, Cuomo's theme was the theme from Rocky, and his campaign can be detailed in the book Diaries of Mario M. Cuomo, about his rise to the Governor's office. Cuomo almost immediately became a national figure in Democratic Politics. A strong liberal who was against the death penalty, and for effective gun control, he was quite the contrast to the strong right values of Ronald Reagan.

In 1986 and 1990 Cuomo won the highest Margin ever for re-election to a second and third four year term. Cuomo became an extremely popular political figure. Cuomo made New York nationally known for progressive legislation. In his tenure Cuomo improved roads, revitalized education and infrastructure of New York City. Cuomo also created a large homeless assistance program, created investment in many high tech facilities, created programs to deal with AIDS and the mentally ill.

Cuomo was a devout Roman Catholic, and while he was opposed to abortion he felt the state had no right to ban it. As the decade progressed Cuomo focused attention on children's issues, and created 300,000 jobs for New Yorkers, and defied two Republican-led recessions. Mario Cuomo also created the first major ethics law for public officials and gave New York the largest tax cut in the states history.

Cuomo also created the nations first seat belt law. Cuomo also appointed all of the judges to the state's court of appeals. To add to his large list of accomplishments he appointed the first African-American, Hispanic, and the First two women. Cuomo's strong progressive record made him a rallying point for liberals all across the nation. He was a favorite to run for president in 1988 and 1992. Cuomo refused to run either year. He was the Keynote Speaker at the 1984 Democratic Convention. Rumours were abound as to why he didn't run, the most notable of which was supposed ties to the Mafia, which were never confirmed. Cuomo gave the nominating speech to Bill Clinton in 1992. That year there was a movement to write him in to become president. However Mario Cuomo's strong record could not defy the Republican Revolution. Cuomo looked good for re-election in 1994. He had the endorsement of much of the Democratic top brass in the state, and a good part of the top Republicans, including the newly elected New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Critics of his campaign said that against conservative George Pataki he did not give a strong campaign, and lost narrowly to the novice former Peekskill Mayor.

Part of Pataki's victory could be attributed to the powerful Senator Alfonse D'Amato, who helped his campaign considerably. D'Amato lost heavily in 1998, but Pataki was re-elected. Since September 11th Pataki has become viewed as a strong leader. Before September 11th, his two Democratic rivals, Carl McCall, and Cuomo's son Andrew looked to have a shot at the Governor's seat. Mario Cuomo's political legacy looks to rest to a certain degree on the potential career of his son. However Cuomo will be forever remembered as a champion of progressive ideas that are still being hailed as some of the best in the nation.

Cuomo's post political career has been quite impressive too. Cuomo has written many essays and books, speaks at many functions across the country and at one point hosted a nationally syndicated talk show. Mario is married to Matilda Cuomo and had five children: Margaret, Andrew, Maria, Madeline and Christopher. He has six grand children.

Barbara Atkinson was born on 8 January 1926 in Manchester, England, UK. She was an actress, known for The Caucasian Chalk Circle (1962), Coronation Street (1960) and Brideshead Revisited (1981). She died on 1 January 2015 in the UK.

Fiona Cumming began her career as an actress. She started out at the Royal Scottish Academy and went on to a variety of theatre and television work, including a spell at Border Television in the dual role of announcer and features interviewer. Then, deciding that she would prefer production work, she moved to London and in 1964 gained a post as an assistant floor manager at the BBC. It was as such that she first worked on DOCTOR WHO, on the season three story "The Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve." Following her promotion to production assistant she gained two further credits on the series, on season four's "The Highlanders" and on season nine's "The Mutants." Shortly after this she completed the BBC's internal director's course, and in 1974 she was taken on as a staff director. Amongst the productions on which she worked in this capacity were "Z Cars," "Angels" and "The Omega Factor" (1979). In 1979 she left the BBC and went freelance, early projects including "God's Wonderful Railway Square Mile of Murder" and "Blake's 7," all in 1980, and four DOCTOR WHO stories between 1981 and 1983. She has since remained active as a freelance director while also pursuing a number of other projects, including some with John Nathan-Turner in their Teynham Productions organisation.

Jeff Golub was born on 15 April 1955 in Akron, Ohio, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Great Performances (1971), Rod Stewart: Lady Luck (1995) and Billy Squier: Rock Me Tonite (1984). He was married to Audrey Stafford. He died on 1 January 2015 in New York City, New York, USA.

Bertil Sandgren was born on 8 May 1942 in Skara, Västra Götalands län, Sweden. He was a producer and production manager, known for Ett avsked (1965), Seasick (1996) and Vinterkyss (2005). He died on 1 January 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Stephen Pushkin was born in 1939 in Stepney, London, England, UK. He was an assistant director and production manager, known for Sweeney 2 (1978), Sweeney! (1977) and Dick Turpin (1979). He died on 1 January 2015 in St Johns Wood, London, England, UK.

Ulrich Beck was born on 15 May 1944 in Stolp, Pomerania, Germany [now Slupsk, Pomorskie, Poland]. He was an actor and producer, known for The Red Baron (2008), Der 42. Himmel (1962) and Seelische Grausamkeit (1962). He was married to Elisabeth Gernsheim. He died on 1 January 2015 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.

Lud Germain was an actor, known for Rocambole (1964), Le rendez-vous (1961) and The Red Inn (1951). He died on 1 January 2015 in France.

Amerigo Alberani was an actor and writer, known for La fiera dei sette dolori (1988), Tutto in comune (1974) and Una gita scolastica (1983). He died on 1 January 2015 in Bagnacavallo, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

Bill Kearns was born in 1925 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Bill was married to Phoebe Wilson. Bill died on 1 January 2015 in Milton, Massachusetts, USA.

Belinha died on 1 January 2015 in Brazil.

Márta Szirmai was born on 9 October 1939 in Kaposvár, Hungary. She was an actress, known for Falstaff (1979), Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (1985) and Miért rosszak a magyar filmek? (1964). She died on 1 January 2015 in Kaposvár, Hungary.

Hanna Loránd was born on 22 January 1927 in Újpest, Hungary [now in Budapest, Hungary]. She was an actress, known for Kis Katalin házassága (1950), Falak (1968) and Amerikai cigaretta (1978). She was married to Ottó Ruttkai. She died on 1 January 2015 in Budapest, Hungary.

Syed Abdul Wadud (b. 1926) was born in Sherpur, Bengal Presidency, British India (now in Sherpur, Bangladesh). He was admitted to Calcutta Medical College in 1945. After partition he transferred to Dhaka Medical College where he completed his MBBS in 1950. In 1959 he was awarded Master of Medical Science (MOMS) from University of Vienna and Doctor of Medical Science (DOMS) from Vienna Academy of Medicine. In 1961 he was awarded DO from the University of London.

Dr Wadud joined Dhaka Medical College in 1961, and in 1962 transferred to Mitford Medical College (now known as Sir Salimullah Medical College) as Professor of Ophthalmology. He continued to serve as Professor of Ophthalmology there while concurrently providing technical and logistical support and expertise to help Mr. Mirza Mehdy Ispahani establish Islamia Eye Hospital from 1966.

In 1967 he was awarded the National Award Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam by the Government of Pakistan in recognition of his contribution to furthering the treatment of diseases of the eye and prevention of blindness in Pakistan. In March 1971, he formally renounced the award in protest of the Pakistani Government's policies and military atrocities.

At the end of 1971 he opted to join Islamia Eye Hospital on government deputation and became its first Chief Consultant and CEO. This allowed him to offer services to a vast array of population in Dhaka and around the country. Throughout the 1960s-1970s, Dr Wadud was instrumental in leading eye camps in various parts of the country. Under his leadership, Islamia Eye Hospital was expanded from a 30-bed hospital to more than 300-bed specialized hospital.

In collaboration with the International Eye Foundation, Dr Wadud spearheaded the establishment of the first Eye Bank in 1974 at Islamia Eye Hospital. In this regard, he sought and found enthusiastic support from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to pave the way for laws making it easier to donate & harvest human organs in Bangladesh. With the advent of the necessary legislation, in its first year of establishment, more than 300 corneal transplantations were performed at Islamia Eye Hospital. Bangabandhu was his senior contemporary and friend from their college days together in Islamia College in Calcutta. Dr Wadud served as eye doctor to the Father of the Nation and most of his family members all throughout.

In 1976 Dr Wadud was invited as visiting Professor and Fellow at several prestigious US institutions, including Harvard University, John Hopkins University, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, and University of Florida. He was instrumental, with the help of the International Eye Foundation, in getting ORBIS, the flying eye hospital, to first visit Bangladesh in 1982. From 1985 onwards, ORBIS continued to make regular visits to Bangladesh helping treat patients and train doctors on latest technologies and techniques. In 1999, ORBIS established a permanent office in Bangladesh.

Dr Wadud retired from his position as Chief Consultant at Islamia Eye Hospital and Director, Ispahani Institute of Ophthalmology in 1992. He continued to teach at Bangladesh Medical College as Professor of Ophthalmology until 1997. From 2010 he served as Chief Advisor to Distressed Children and Infants International, a charitable organization based in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

Throughout his career Dr Wadud was devoted to the cause of treating and preventing blindness in Bangladesh and he was passionate about teaching the art and science of doing so in a humane fashion to new generations of ophthalmologists.

Dr Syed Abdul Wadud passed away on January 1, 2015 in Atlanta, USA.

His janaza (funeral) was held at Georgia Islamic Center and he was buried in Atlanta. He is survived by his wife, two sons, daughters-in-law, five grandchildren, and a host of friends, relatives and well-wishers.

Evgeniy Bachurin was born on 25 May 1934 in Leningrad, USSR. He was a composer, known for Ivanov kater (1972), Lika (1978) and The Steel Ring (1979). He died on 1 January 2015.

Yuriy Kovach was born on 18 April 1958. He was an actor, known for Golova Gorgony (1987), Grekh. Istoriya strasti (1993) and Burnt by the Sun 2 (2010). He died on 1 January 2015.