May 18: Comings and Goings

Birthdays are a wonderful daily occurrence in our lives. It is rare to weave through one's day without becoming privy to an announcement or celebration of a birthday or two, whether they belong to family, friends, or other eminent figures. Remembering those who have passed each day is, perhaps, just as noteworthy an endeavor, for if their memories are kept alive, one might argue, so too are their spirits.

Here is a sampling of May 18 honorees:

Birthdays

Tina Fey - She came to prominence as a featured player and the first female head writer for "Saturday Night Live" and has fashioned a burgeoning television and film career. Her credits include the screenplay for the Lindsay Lohan film "Mean Girls," in which Fey appeared, her development of the critically acclaimed sitcom "30 Rock," and her starring role in the recent feature film "Baby Mama." And, of course, there was the hilarious SNL send-up of Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, to whom Fey bears an uncanny resemblance. Ms. Fey was born on this day in 1970 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania and has already won five Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and three SAG Awards.

George Strait - Country music has its share of superstars but none more famous and beloved than George Strait. Born on this day in 1952 in Poteet, Texas, he is referred to as the "King of Country." He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame is has been nominated for more CMA and ACM awards, with more wins, than any other artist. Consider the following statistics... he holds the record for the most number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts with 44, and has 12 multi platinum albums, 22 platinum albums and four gold albums.

Reggie Jackson - It probably would have been fitting for Mr. October to be born in October, but the fact he did most of his clutch hitting damage in that month will have to suffice. Born on this day in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, Mr. Jackson was a prolific home run hitter who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993. He won three consecutive World Series titles as a member of the Oakland A's in the early 1970s and won two more with the New York Yankees.

Deaths

Elizabeth Montgomery - Most people will remember her as Samantha Stephens in the television sitcom "Bewitched," but Ms. Montgomery had an active and successful film and television career for more than 40 years. She was nominated for an outstanding nine Emmy Awards and appeared in many critically acclaimed films such as "A Case of Rape" and "The Legend of Lizzie Borden." She passed away only eight weeks after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the age of 62 on this day in 1995.

Lawrence Welk - How's this for longevity and staying power? Mr. Welk, bandleader and television star extraordinaire, hosted "The Lawrence Welk Show" for 31 years from 1951 to 1982! He left his family's farm on his 21st birthday to pursue a career in music and never looked back. A model of consistency, Welk was married for 61 years, until his death, to Fern Renner, with whom he had three children. He passed away on this day in 1992 at the age of 89.