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Stars alight: Celebrating notable birthdays

Md Jafar Uddin
03 Jul 2024 13:40:53 | Update: 03 Jul 2024 15:09:54
Stars alight: Celebrating notable birthdays

In a celestial twist, July 3, Wednesday marks a convergence of cosmic forces, birthing luminaries and legends alike. As the sun ascends, so do the destinies of those born on this auspicious day.

Prepare yourself for some jaw-dropping moments as we dive deep into the world of people who were born today:

Julian Assange (1971)

Julian Assange — AFP Photo

Born in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, the founder of “WikiLeaks,” Julian Paul Assange is an editor, publisher, and activist. Assange gained international attention in 2010 when he released a series of leaks from a former US Army intelligence analyst via WikiLeaks. He was arrested in 2019 on espionage act charges and released in 2024 after agreeing to a US plea deal. His work earned him multiple awards for publishing and journalism.

Tom Cruise (1962)

Tom Cruise — AFP Photo

Born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV in Syracuse, New York, the iconic Hollywood actor has had a fascinating style evolution over the years. He made his mark with leading roles in the comedy film Risky Business and the action-packed film Top Gun. Cruise dominated the '90s with hits like A Few Good Men, The Firm, and Jerry Maguire. These films catapulted him to fame and won him a Golden Globe for Best Actor and another Oscar nod. With over $5 billion in North American box office gross and $12 billion worldwide, Cruise remains one of the highest-grossing stars of all time.

Richard Hadlee (1951)

Richard Hardlee — Courtesy Photo

Born in St Albans, New Zealand, Sir Richard Hadlee is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. With his bat, Hadlee scored 3,124 runs and as a right-arm fast bowler he took 431 wickets in Test matches, a world record at his time. Hadlees mastery of swing bowling with the new ball set him apart and turned him into a cricketing legend. He was appointed an MBE in the 1980 and knighted in the 1990 for his services to cricket. Hadlee’s impact on cricket remains indelible, and his legacy continues to inspire players worldwide.

Franz Kafka (1883)

Franz Kafka — Courtesy Photo

The Bohemian short-story writer and novelist, is widely regarded as one of the influential figures of 20th-century literature. His unique writing style blends elements of fantasy and realism, often featuring protagonists who are completely isolated and encounter surrealistic or bizarre predicaments. Themes of guilt, absurdity, existential anxiety, and alienation permeate his works. Some of Kafka’s best-known works include The Metamorphosis, The Trial, and The Castle. His writing is described as “Kafkaesque,” a term that captures the complex and enigmatic nature of his narratives.

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