MAY 18
the 138th day of the year (the 139th in a leap year); there are 227 days left
BORN ON THIS DAY
In 1922, American actor and TV executive, Bill Macy
Played Maude’s husband, Walter, on the TV series, “Maude”.
In 1928, American actor, Pernell Roberts
Played Adam on the TV series "Bonanza" and Trapper John on the TV series "Trapper John, M.D." He died of pancreatic cancer on 24th January 2010
In 1931, American actor, Robert Morse
In 1934, American actor, Dwayne Hickman
Played Dobie Gillis in the TV show, "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis".
In 1942, British singer and songwriter, Albert Hammond
Hit the US Top 10 chart in 1972 with the song "It Never Rains in Southern California"; also co-wrote The Hollies' 1974 hit "The Air That I Breathe". He is also the father of the Strokes guitarist, Albert Hammond Jnr.
In 1946, American baseball legend, Reggie Jackson
In 1949, British keyboard player, formerly with the Strawbs and Yes, Rick Wakeman
In 1951, Australian golfer, Rodger Davis
In 1952, American country singer and musician, George Strait
In 1958, British punk singer and actress, Toyah Wilcox
In 1960, French former tennis star turned singer, Yannick Noah
In 1962, British actor, Nathaniel Parker
Played Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley in the “Inspector Lynley Mysteries” TV series.
In 1969, Cuban-American singer, Martika (Marta Marrera)
In 1970, American writer/actress, Tina Fey
In 1970, Australian rugby union player, Tim Horan
In 1992, American teen actor and musician and older brother of Abigail, Spencer Breslin
IT’S ALSO WORTH NOTING THAT ON THIS DAY...
In 1919, arguably Britain's greatest ever ballerina, Margot Fonteyn - nee Margaret Hookwood - was born in Reigate, Surrey.
In 1953, the first woman to fly faster than the speed of sound, Jacqueline Cochran, piloted an F-86 Sabrejet over Rogers Dry Lake, California at an average speed of 652.337 miles-per-hour.
In 1957, Chuck Berry topped the US R&B singles chart with “School Day”, which also reached #3 on the US pop chart.
In 1963, the Beatles began their first tour as headliners in Slough, England.
In 1964, dozens of youths were jailed following a weekend of violent clashes between gangs of Mods and Rockers at a number of beach resorts in England. The weekend violence in Brighton was famously dramatised in the film Quadrophenia.
In 1969, Apollo 10 was launched as forerunner to Moon landings. The lunar module descended to within ten miles of the Moon's surface before returning to Earth on May 26.
In 1974, Gough Whitlam’s Labor government retained power in the tightest Federal election since 1961.
In 1974, The Rubettes started a four-week run at No.1 in the UK with the single Sugar Baby Love.
In 1978, The Buddy Holly Story had its world premiere in Dallas. Gary Busey, who played Holly, actually sang all the songs for the soundtrack.
In 1979, the estate of Karen Silkwood won $US10.5 million compensation for the atomic contamination she suffered as a nuclear worker in 1974.
In 1980, Mt St Helens, a Washington State volcano dormant since 1857, erupted. The blast blows the top of the mountain completely off, and sets off a series of fires, mudslides and floods. Fifteen people were killed, and at least 40 were listed as missing.
In 1980, Ian Curtis, vocalist with Joy Division, hanged himself in his Manchester home. He was 23.
In 1982, Builders Labourers Federation (BLF) Secretary Norm Gallagher was sentenced to 2 months’ jail and the union was fined $A15,000 for contempt of court.
In 1990, Jill Ireland, actress and wife of Charles Bronson, died of cancer, aged 54.
In 1991, Britain's first astronaut, 27-year-old Helen Sharman, blasted into orbit.
In 1992, catcher Dave Nilsson became the first Australian to play Major League baseball when he debuted for the Milwaukee Brewers.
In 1993, after three years, Australia’s first war crimes trial ended with the acquittal of Ivan Polyukhovich.
In 1994, Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley. The marriage ended in divorce in January, 1996.
In 1995, actress Elizabeth Montgomery died of cancer. Best known as Samantha in TV’s “Bewitched”, she was 62. This was also the day that Soviet dancer and actor, Alexander Gudonov, died from the effects of alcoholism at the age of 45.
In 2000, comedian Dana Carvey testified in court in a $US7.5 million medical malpractice suit against a doctor accused of botching his double-bypass heart surgery. Carvey's condition was eventually properly treated.
In 2003, Australia's front line troops were officially welcomed home from Iraq with the nation's leaders describing them as one of the finest forces in the world.