Buzz
While the saying 'Gentlemen prefer blondes' has its share of truth, and the 90s brought about a preference for brunettes, in times past, redheads were the favored choice. Unfortunately, in modern times, redheads are often subject to derogatory terms such as 'gingers.' This list serves as a celebration and redemption of these fiery-haired individuals. Here, we present 25 redheads who have made a significant impact in history. This list is presented in no specific order.
3. Redheads 1 – 5
1. Carol Burnett (b. 1933) – An American comedian and actress, Carol Burnett is best known for her groundbreaking variety show, The Carol Burnett Show (1967-1978). She also appeared on Mama's Family in several episodes, bringing back her iconic role of Eunice, a character she originally developed with co-star Vickie Lawrence. Burnett’s career spans across numerous films and voice roles, but she is most fondly remembered for her famous ear-tugging gesture in tribute to her grandmother, her unforgettable Tarzan yell, and her hilarious parody of Gone with the Wind titled Went with the Wind.
2. Lucille Ball (1911 – 1989) – An iconic American comedienne and actress, Lucille Ball is best remembered for the groundbreaking sitcom she co-created with her real-life husband, Desi Arnaz, titled I Love Lucy (1951-1957). The show holds a special place in TV history for being the first to star a female lead and one of the pioneers in depicting a pregnant woman, though the word 'pregnant' itself could not be used. The unforgettable episode where Lucy gives birth to Little Ricky became the most-watched episode in TV history at the time. Many of the show’s famous moments are based on vaudeville acts, with the Chocolate Factory scene being among the most iconic. [Pictured above]
3. Margaret Sanger (1879 – 1966) – A central figure in the women’s liberation movement, Margaret Sanger played a pivotal role in advancing birth control. She successfully rallied American women to take charge of their reproductive choices. Her efforts led to the formation of what would later evolve into Planned Parenthood, and she lived long enough to actively advocate for the legalization of the birth control pill.
4. Judas Iscariot (d. 29-33) – A disciple of Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot is known for betraying Jesus, identifying Him to Roman soldiers in the Garden of Gethsemane with a kiss in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. Most biblical accounts describe how Judas, overcome with guilt, returned the silver and took his own life. However, some versions suggest he lived for several years before his death.
5. Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme (b. 1948) – A member of Charles Manson's infamous family, Lynette Fromme played a passive role in the Tate-LaBianca murders of 1969 and later took an active role in the attempted assassination of U.S. President Gerald Ford in 1975. For her crime, she was sentenced to life imprisonment in Texas, though she made a brief escape in 1987.
2. Redheads 6 – 10
6. Geri Halliwell (b. 1972) – Known to the world as Ginger Spice, Geri Halliwell stands out as the most commercially successful member of the Spice Girls, having released three highly regarded solo albums. She also participated in the 2007 Spice Girls Reunion Tour, bringing nostalgia to fans around the world.
8. Bernadette Peters (b. 1948) – A distinguished American actress, singer, and Broadway icon, Bernadette Peters is widely recognized for her role as Marie in Steve Martin’s 1979 film *The Jerk*, and as Annie Oakley in the 1999 Broadway revival of *Annie Get Your Gun*.
9. Napoleon Bonaparte (1761 – 1829) – A key figure in French history, Napoleon Bonaparte played an influential role in the French Revolution before declaring himself Emperor of France in 1804. His reign was marked by his fallout with Beethoven, who initially dedicated his *Third Symphony in Eb Major (Eroica)* to him but later rescinded it, and Tchaikovsky, who commemorated the French defeat in Moscow with his *1812 Overture*. After two exiles, Napoleon passed away on the island of St. Helena.
10. Lizzie Borden (1860 – 1927) – Infamously known as the accused American hatchet murderer, Lizzie Borden was tried for the brutal killings of her father and stepmother in Massachusetts in 1892. Though acquitted in court, she endured a lifetime of public scorn and remains a figure immortalized in American folklore. Her name is still associated with a notorious jump-rope rhyme about the murders and a satirical folk song.
5. Redheads 21 – 25
21. Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) – A formidable British politician, Sir Winston Churchill is best remembered for his role as the steadfast Prime Minister during World War II. His leadership and unyielding determination were crucial in sustaining British morale during the German bombings of 1940, earning him the reputation of an indomitable bulldog.
22. Vladimir Lenin (1870 – 1924) – A key figure in Russian history, Vladimir Lenin, born Vladimir Ilrich Ulyanov, was the mastermind behind the Russian Revolution of 1917. As the first premier of the Soviet Union, he laid the foundation for the state before his early death. His embalmed body continues to be displayed at his mausoleum in Red Square, Moscow, attracting visitors from around the world.
23. Malcolm X (1925 – 1965) – A key figure in the African American Civil Rights movement, Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, was a leader of the Nation of Islam. After converting to Islam during his prison sentence, he became an outspoken advocate for black Americans' rights until his tragic assassination in 1965, a crime that remains unsolved.
24. Elizabeth I (1533 – 1603) – The last monarch of the Tudor dynasty, Queen Elizabeth I was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Her reign marked a golden age in England, with cultural milestones like the works of William Shakespeare and the daring exploits of figures like Francis Drake. [Pictured above]
25. King David (1037 BC – 967 BC) – King of Israel who succeeded Saul and famously defeated the giant Goliath. A skilled lyre player, David is credited with composing much of the *Book of Psalms*, cementing his legacy as a key figure in the Bible's history.
4. Redheads 16 – 20
16. Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826) – The third President of the United States, who served from 1801 to 1809. Born in Virginia, Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. An advocate of agrarian values, he would later become a symbol for pro-secessionist Southerners. He is also remembered for negotiating the Louisiana Purchase with French leader Napoleon Bonaparte, and he passed away on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration.
17. Vincent Van Gogh (1853 – 1890) – A Dutch post-Impressionist painter whose work remained largely unrecognized during his lifetime, but now commands some of the highest prices at auction. Most famous for painting 'Starry Night,' Van Gogh struggled with mental health issues and became infamous for cutting off a portion of his ear in 1888.
18. James Joyce (1882 – 1941) – An Irish writer of the 20th century, renowned for his novels 'Ulysses' and 'Finnegans Wake.' Joyce spent much of his life as an expatriate, living in Paris and fleeing the Nazi occupation in 1940 to seek refuge in Switzerland, where he would eventually die.
19. Mark Twain (1835 – 1910) – The pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, an American humorist and author. Twain's works, including 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,' are deeply connected to the culture of 19th-century American riverboats. His pen name, 'Mark Twain,' was taken from a riverboat leadsman's cry.
20. Galileo Galilei (1564 – 1642) – An Italian astronomer and physicist, Galileo is celebrated for popularizing the telescope in the validation of Copernicus’ heliocentric theory, as well as his work on the laws of motion, including those governing falling bodies and projectiles. His findings led to a confrontation with the Church, resulting in his forced recantation and a lifetime of house arrest. [Pictured above]
1. Redheads 11 – 15
11. Cleopatra (69BC – 30BC) – The legendary Egyptian queen who navigated political alliances and passionate romances with both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. After her defeat by Augustus, she famously ended her life by letting an asp deliver the fatal bite.
12. Oliver Cromwell (1599 – 1658) – A divisive figure in English history, Cromwell is either praised as a military genius or condemned for his brutal actions in Ireland. He played a key role in establishing the English Commonwealth in 1649 following King Charles I's execution, and he waged a merciless campaign in Ireland. Cromwell died in 1658, but his body was exhumed and desecrated in 1661.
13. Emily Dickinson (1830 – 1886) – An American poet who lived in seclusion but produced a vast body of work that explored themes of nature, death, and immortality. While some of her poems were published during her lifetime, it was only after her death that her family made the majority of her extraordinary literary output available to the public.
14. Willie Nelson (b. 1933) – A proud Texan, Willie Nelson started his career as a country singer and songwriter in Nashville, crafting hits like Patsy Cline's legendary 'Crazy' for other artists. Despite his success behind the scenes, Nelson struggled to gain acceptance in Nashville's traditional country music establishment. Eventually, he returned to Texas, where he, along with fellow musician Waylon Jennings, played a pivotal role in shaping the outlaw country movement in the 1970s.
15. Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741) – Antonio Vivaldi, an Italian composer from the Baroque era, is best known for his virtuoso violin concertos, especially 'The Four Seasons.' Initially trained for a career in the priesthood, Vivaldi instead became a groundbreaking figure in classical music, making significant contributions to the concerto genre, particularly with his vibrant and innovative concertos and concerto grosso.
