…they can officially celebrate their birthday!
Do you know someone born on 29 February?
For me answering this question, is no I don’t know anyone born on this unique day personally but, I’ve decided to share my discovery, (while being curious) to see who was born on this day.
Also, I think that knowing they were born with an exceptional birthday, adds an extra layer of uniqueness to their fame.
SO WHO WAS BORN ON FEBRUARY 29TH?
Okay, let me start with:
LANGSTON FISHBURNE
Who is he?
He is an American actor born February 29, 1988
Does his surname ring a bell?
Here’s a hint:
Have you seen these films and recognise who played these roles?
~ 1993 What’s Love Got to Do with It (Ike Turner, Sr).
~ 2003 Biker Boyz (Eric ‘Smoke’)
~ 2005 The Matrix Reloaded (Morpheus)
~ 2006 Bobby (Edward)
or these television eposides?
~ 1983 For Us the Living: The Medgar Evers Story (Jimbo Collins)
~ 2021 MacGruber (General Barrett Fasoose)
Yup!
His dad is actor Laurence Fishburne.
Langston appeared in the 2018 film Ant-Man and the Wasp, with his dad. If you’ve seen the film, you’ll recognise his role as the younger version of Bill Foster (the role played by Laurence Fishburne as Dr Bill Foster)
He has appeared in many other films and television series starting with the 2011 film, ‘Have a Little Faith’ where he played the role of Henry at 20.
Have you seen any films with Langston playing a role?
Another who shares a 29 February birthdate is:
JAMES OGILVY
His mother is Princess Alexandra and was a granddaughter of King George V making her Queen Elizabeth II cousin.
He was born 1964 on this day and named him James Robert Bruce Ogilvy. This means, due to his royal lineage, James Ogilvy holds the title of a real British prince, although he doesn’t use it publicly.
James is British landscape designer and currently in the publication industry. He is the founder and editor of Luxury Briefings a magazine launched in 1996 that focuses on luxury goods, such as cars and clothes.
BtW: His mum had a memorable birthday too. She was born on Christmas Day December 25, 1936.
Next is:
RICARDO LEYVA MUÑOZ RAMÍREZ
Who was he?
A Californian American serial killer, sex offender and burglar from June 1984 to August 1985.
Here’s a brief background to his origins.
He was born in El Paso, Texas on February 29 1960 and I have to wonder if he was influenced by his cousin, father or brother-in-law to get the name the ‘Night Stalker’ by the news media until his capture?
Why do I think this?
Well here’s what I discovered about his cousin, father and brother-in-law.
Why those three?
Read on…
His older cousin, Miguel Ramirez often boasted to the then 12year old Ricardo about his gruesome exploits when he was a U.S. Army Green Beret combat veteran. He taught him some of his military skills, including stealth and kill tactics. (Children are impressionable when learning from adults and often seen mimicking their behavior).
His father’s violent temper led to the killing of his mum when he shot her in her face, in front of Ricardo during a domestic argument on May 4, 1973. (This incident had to have led to a life changing impact on his character and personality change.) He was 13 years old when he changed his name to Ricardo.
His older sister Ruth’s husband Roberto, showed Ricardo how to be a ‘Peeping Tom’ when he took him on his nocturnal peeping. (Surely, this definitely had to be a contributory factor to his character.)
How was he finally arrested?
On August 31, 1985, he attempted to steal a car in East Los Angeles and the car owner, with the help of bystanders, was able to apprehend him until the police arrived.
He was convicted, among other charges, of:
13 counts of murder,
5 counts of attempted murder,
11 counts of sexual assault, and
14 counts of burglary.
He died June 7, 2013 while awaiting execution on California’s death row.
Only he can say if his childhood events influenced him to be who he was but as he never expressed any remorse for his crimes, I doubt the answers to those questions will never be.
Interestingly, psychiatrist Michael Stone (an American psychiatrist and Professor of Clinical Psychiatry in New York City) describes Ramirez as a “made” psychopath as opposed to a “born” psychopath.
Do you agree with Michael Stone?
Another discovery that I found interesting was serial killer Aileen Carol Wuornos.
She was also born February 29 (born 1956 and executed October 9, 2002) after spending 10 years on Florida’s death row.
I think one write up on a serial killer is enough for today and so will move on to my next discovery of peeps born on this unique day.
Now how can I write about 29 February birthdays and leave out Anthony Robbins ?
ANTHONY ROBBINS
My intro to him was the day I purchased Unlimited Power - many moons ago — and let me tell you this. When I’d finished reading, I knew I had to credit this man for the start of my self help journey.
My eyes had opened to the world of ‘self help’ and I never looked back!
Who is Anthony Robbins aka Tony Robbins?
He is a motivational speaker and author who was born 29 Feb 1960 in California, USA when he was named Anthony J. Mahavoric.
When he was legally adopted, by his mum’s husband named Jim, at 12years, his surname was changed to Robbins.
His inspiration to be a motivational speaker and author started at 17years old when he began promoting seminars for Jim Rohn. And as they say the rest is history!
I love it that Mr Robbins has not forgotten his humble roots.
The Anthony Robbins Foundation feeds millions of people around the holidays each year through its international “Basket Brigade”. He also runs many other similar works with assisting those in correctional facilities, halfway houses and a homeless program division.
Hey, have you read an Anthony Robbins book, attended one of his programs or listened to an audio of his?
Next up is:
SEYMOUR AUBREY PAPERT
Who was he?
He was a South African-born American mathematician, computer scientist, and educator. He was born Feb 29, 1928 and died Jul 31, 2016.
Why have I included him?
Anyone who contributes to children’s learning, in my book, deserves recognition.
What did he do?
He was a pioneer in the field of machine learning and alongside his other co-inventor Marvin Minsky, he co-founded the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and was a key figure in the development of the Logo programming language.
What is the Logo programming language best at?
Think 3D.
You may not recognise some 3D shapes or graphics as originating from the Logo language but there are many. An example of the finished result of a Logo program is shown below.
Who uses this program?
Logo was designed as a tool to teach children about programming and mathematics in a creative and engaging way.
Using it is great for cognitive development. It makes for an engaging educational session because of the simplicity and interactivity. It brings out computational thinking and problem-solving and being of a visual nature allows users to create and manipulate graphics, which can be highly motivating for learners with diverse learning needs.
In passing, the word ‘logo’ derives from the Greek language ‘logos’ meaning word or thought.
Also it is not an acronym as found with most programming languages such as COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language).
Did you know about the Logo progam?
Here’s four names of those born on 29 February who are in the movies and television industry
Do you recognise any?
First off is:
ANIKA POITIER
Anika Poitier born 29 February 1972 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.
Why have I included her?
From her surname can you guess who her dad was?
Yup!
She is one of Sidney Poitier’s daughters and is a director, actress and writer.
Who doesn’t love Sidney Poitier? So finding out his daughter was born on this day, I just had to include her here!
She directed, wrote and played the role of Anita Mandalay in the 2004 film The Devil Cats. It tells the story of LA’s first fake six all-girl rock band who go on a journey in search of something real.
If you’ve seen the film or want to watch it, her sister, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, plays the role of Hellena Handbasket.
Next is:
SREE VISHNU
Sree Vishnu, an actor, was 29 February 1984 in Antarvedipalem, India.
Why have I included him?
I read that he has a keen eye for storytelling and I do love to tell a tale or two meself.
He is regarded as a talented and versatile actor in the Telugu film industry owing to his ability to portray diverse characters with depth and authenticity.
He has appeared in comedy, drama, romance, and action films all showcasing his acting prowess and versatility. How many actors can play these roles effortlessly?
His role in the film, “Needi Naadi Oke Katha”, won him the Best Actor Award at the Maverick Maverick Movie Awards.
Next is:
PHYLLIS ANNETTA FRELICH
Phyllis Annetta Frelich was born February 29, 1944 in Devils Lake, North Dakota, U.S.
Why have I included her?
She was born deaf, due to her mother contracting German measles during pregnancy.
She appeared in many television shows and films. In 1998–1999 she played the role of Dr Lisa Parks in 2 episodes of ER — the lives, loves and losses of the doctors and nurses of Chicago’s County General Hospital.
Her portrayal of Sarah Norman in the Broadway production of “Children of a Lesser God” in 1980, earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, making her the first deaf actress to win a Tony.
She died April 10, 2014.
She’s an inspiration and her life and work leaves an indelible mark on the world of theater and the deaf community.
Next is:
KAZUO OGA
Kazuo Oga was born on 29 February 1952 in Akita, Japan.
Why have I included him?
He has exceptional talent in creating stunning background art for animated films. His intricate and detailed backgrounds set the stage for many beloved Studio Ghibli movies, contributing to their immersive and captivating worlds.
You can see his work in the film: The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013). In this filme, Kaguya is a young woman coveted by five nobles. She tries to avoid marrying a stranger she doesn’t love by sending her suitors on seemingly impossible tasks. But she will have to face her fate and punishment for her choices.
Okay, you’ve reached the end of this Medium on Who Was Born On 29th February.
Again, I wonder if I’ve achieved my goal of leaving you more knowledgable after reading this article?
Have I?
Sadly, like night and day, up and down, on or off, there is birth and there is death.
Here’s five folks who died on 29 February in this Medium article found here…
Laters!
