1993 Death Moses Gunn, actor (Roots), dies of asthma at 64 1992 Event Alex Haley, (Roots), wins 1992 Ellis Island Award, posthumously 1992 Death Alex Haley, U.S. writer (Autobiography of Malcolm X, Roots), dies at 70 1991 Death John Carter, U.S. jazz clarinetist (Roots and folklore), dies 1990 Death Brent Mydland, rock keyboardist/vocalist (Grass Roots), dies at 38 1984 Death Avon Long, actor (Roots: Next Generation), dies at 74 1984 Death Avon Long, dancer/actor (Roots: Next Generation), dies of cancer at 73 1980 Death Lillian Randolph, actress (Roots, Amos n Andy), dies at 65 1979 Event Miniseries "Roots: Next Generations" premieres on ABC TV 1978 Death Thayer David, actor (Rocky, Roots, Savages), dies at 51 1977 Event Alex Haley, author of "Roots," awarded Pulitzer Prize 1977 Event Alex Haley finds his Roots in Juffure, Gambia 1977 Event 8th (final) part of "Roots" is most-watched entertainment show ever 1977 Event 1st broadcast of "Roots" mini-series on ABC TV 1977 Event Miniseries "Roots" premieres on ABC 1973 Death Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, rocker (Grateful Dead, Grass Roots), dies at 27 1957 Birthday LeVar Burton, Landstuhl Germany, Roots, Star Trek Next Generation 1952 Birthday Brent Mydland, Munich Germany, rock keyboardist/vocalist, Grass Roots 1952 Birthday Stan Shaw, born in Chicago, Illinois, actor, Mississippi, Roots Next Generation 1950 Birthday Hilly Hicks, born in Los Angeles, California, actor, Roll Out, Roots 1949 Birthday Brad Davis, Tallahassee, Florida, actor, Roots, Chiefs, Midnight Express 1947 Birthday Ricky Coonce, born in Los Angeles, California, rock drummer, Grass Roots 1946 Birthday Ben Vereen, born in Miami, Florida, actor/dancer, Pippin, Roots, Webster 1946 Birthday Beverly Todd, born in Ohio, actress, Roots, Having Babies, Redd Foxx Show 1945 Birthday Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, California, rocker, Grateful Dead, Grass Roots 1944 Birthday Rob Grill, born in Los Angeles, California, rock bassist/vocalist, Grass Roots 1944 Birthday Warren Entner, born in Boston, Massachusetts, rock vocalist and guitarist, Grass Roots 1943 Birthday Leslie Uggams, New York City, singer and actress, Leslie Uggams Show, Roots 1943 Birthday Maceo Parker, U.S. tenor saxophonist, King's One, Mo' Roots 1942 Birthday Olivia Cole, born in Memphis, Tennessee, actress, Roots, Szysznyk 1942 Birthday Ian McShane, Blackburn England, actor, Roots, Bare Essence 1940 Birthday Phil Lesh, Chapman, born in California, rock bassist, Grass Roots, Grateful Dead 1939 Birthday Thalmus Rasulala, Jack Crowder, born in Miami, Florida, actor, Blacula, Roots 1935 Birthday Doug McClure, born in Glendale California, actor, Checkmate, Virginian, Roots 1933 Birthday Cicely Tyson, born in Harlem, New York City, actress, Roots, Miss Jane Pittman 1932 Birthday Hari Rhodes, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, actor, Mike-Daktari, Roots 1931 Birthday Vic Morrow, born in Bronx, New York, actor, Combat, Roots, Twilight Zone the Movie 1929 Birthday Ralph Waite, born in White Plains, New York, actor, 'Cool Hand Luke', '5 Easy Pieces', 'Roots' 1923 Birthday Ruby Dee, born in Cleveland, Ohio, actress, Raisin in the Sun, Cat People, Roots 1921 Birthday Alex Haley, U.S., writer, Autobiography of Malcolm X, Roots 1913 Birthday Lloyd Bridges, born in San Leandro, California, actor, Sea Hunt, Roots, Airplane 1910 Birthday Avon Long, born in Baltimore, Maryland, actor, Roots: Next Generation
