December 20

Born in Istanbul, Rontiris initially studied law before dedicating himself to the dramatic arts. He co-founded the Greek National Theater and became renowned for his innovative productions of ancient tragedies by Aeschylus and Sophocles. Rontiris introduced modern staging and lighting techniques, blending tradition with avant-garde aesthetics. He taught at various drama schools, mentoring future Greek stars. Under his direction, Greek theater gained international acclaim through tours across Europe and the Americas.

Born in 1938 in Kingston, Jamaica, Sinclair moved to New York City to pursue acting and quickly gained attention for her stage performances. She earned an Emmy nomination for her role as Queen Aoleon in the miniseries 'Roots' and won a Gemini Award for her Canadian television work. Sinclair appeared in films such as 'Conan the Barbarian' and 'Coming to America' and lent her voice to Queen Sarabi in Disney's 'The Lion King.' Known for her powerful portrayals of strong women, she became a trailblazer for Caribbean actors in Hollywood. Sinclair's legacy endures through her memorable characters and groundbreaking achievements.

Brittany Anne Murphy-Monjack was an American actress and singer whose career began in the early 1990s. She broke out with roles in Clueless (1995), Girl, Interrupted (1999), and the film adaptation of U-571 (2000). She lent her voice to animated features such as Happy Feet (2006) and appeared in comedies like Uptown Girls (2003). She also released music, with her debut album Clean Up in Aisle Sexy arriving posthumously. Murphy died suddenly in 2009 at age 32, prompting widespread media attention around her health and untimely passing.

Arnold Stang was an American character actor whose career spanned radio, film, television, and animation. He gained recognition with his nasal voice and comedic timing in films such as It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). He provided the voice for the title character in the animated series Top Cat (1961-62) and appeared in television sitcoms like One of the Boys. On stage, he performed in Broadway productions including The Jazz Singer. Stang continued working into his later years, with credits in commercials and voice roles. He passed away in 2009 at age 91, leaving behind a legacy of distinctive performances.