January 17: Notable Births and Deaths, with Quotes

Today, let’s explore notable birth and death anniversaries for January 17.

Michelle Obama, attorney and former first lady (January 17, 1964–present)

“Bruce Springsteen is one of my favorite people, not just because of his music, but he’s one of the few men that I know who has really done the work of self-reflection. And he’s willing to share.” —Michelle Obama
Kimmel, Jimmy. “Michelle Obama on Quarantine with Barack, Sasha & Malia, Eating on Foreign Trips & New Netflix Show.” YouTube, March 17, 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roG8Bmn9LVM

“That’s what I tell young people, young couples — it’s gonna come full circle, especially if you have little kids and you’re working, you have a career. You look over at that guy, and you’re like, ‘Ooh, why did I do this? I don’t even remember.’ But you come full circle. Kids are out of the house, and it’s like, ‘Oh, you’re kind of cute.’” — Michelle Obama
Colbert, Stephen. “‘Give Yourself A Break’ – Michelle Obama On Coping With The Anxieties Of The Pandemic.” YouTube, May 12, 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNCWIFesc4E

“Malia is the movie savant. She’s very clear. Although we all don’t like the same movies. She and Barack like dark and sad. And Sasha and I, we want a little laughter and frivolity.” — Michelle Obama
Colbert, Stephen. “‘Give Yourself A Break’ – Michelle Obama On Coping With The Anxieties Of The Pandemic.” YouTube, May 12, 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNCWIFesc4E

Jim Carrey, actor and comedian (January 17, 1962–present)

“I don’t believe in icons. I don’t believe in personalities. I believe that peace lies beyond personality, beyond invention and disguise, beyond the red S that you wear on your chest that makes bullets bounce off.” —Jim Carrey
“Jim Carrey Sounds Off on Icons and More at NYFW 2017: E! Red Carpet & Award Shows.” YouTube, September 9, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JmNKGfFj7w

“Jim Carrey is a great character, and I was lucky to get the part.” —Jim Carrey
Kimmel, Jimmy. “Jim Carrey on His Famous Beard & Leaving the Spotlight.” YouTube, May 23, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQMvZ5nvjc8

“I used to be a guy who was experiencing the world, and now I feel like the world and the universe are experiencing a guy.” —Jim Carrey
Kimmel, Jimmy. “Jim Carrey on His Famous Beard & Leaving the Spotlight.” YouTube, May 23, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQMvZ5nvjc8

James Earl Jones, actor (January 17, 1931–present)

“To be a part of good storytelling. The goal was about that. And nothing threw me off, neither poverty nor discouragement. Nothing threw me off.” —James Earl Jones
“James Earl Jones.” Academy of Achievement, https://achievement.org/achiever/james-earl-jones/

“Looking back at my life and extensive career, I am so proud of my work and accomplishments. I love growing older and wiser with time.” —James Earl Jones
Marks, Brian. “James Earl Jones is ‘feeling fantastic and grateful’ on his 90th birthday… as he’s about to return to the screen for Coming 2 America.” Daily Mail, January 17, 2021, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-9157913/James-Earl-Jones-feeling-fantastic-grateful-90th-birthday.html

“I can say that those of us who have lived 90 years have no right to be surprised.” —James Earl Jones
Marks, Brian. “James Earl Jones is ‘feeling fantastic and grateful’ on his 90th birthday… as he’s about to return to the screen for Coming 2 America.” Daily Mail, January 17, 2021, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-9157913/James-Earl-Jones-feeling-fantastic-grateful-90th-birthday.html

Bobby Fischer, chess grandmaster (March 9, 1943—January 17, 2008)

“I hate ready-made suits, button-down collars, and sports shirts. I don’t want to look like a bum. I get up in the morning, I put on a suit.” —Bobby Fischer
Observer Sport Monthly. “The Madness of King Bobby.” The ObserverSport, January 12, 2003, https://www.theguardian.com/observer/osm/story/0,,870785,00.html

“All I want to do, ever, is play chess.” —Bobby Fischer
Observer Sport Monthly. “The Madness of King Bobby.” The ObserverSport, January 12, 2003, https://www.theguardian.com/observer/osm/story/0,,870785,00.html

“I object to being called a chess genius, because I consider myself to be an all-around genius.” —Bobby Fischer
Observer Sport Monthly. “The Madness of King Bobby.” The ObserverSport, January 12, 2003, https://www.theguardian.com/observer/osm/story/0,,870785,00.html

Rutherford B. Hayes, former U.S. president (October 4, 1822–January 17, 1893)

“Many of the calamitous efforts of the tremendous revolution which has passed over the Southern States still remain. The immeasurable benefits which will surely follow, sooner or later, the hearty and generous acceptance of the legitimate results of that revolution have not yet been realized. Difficult and embarrassing questions meet us at the threshold of this subject.” —Rutherford B. Hayes
Various. “Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States, from George Washington to George W. Bush.” Project Gutenberg, August 7, 2008, https://www.gutenberg.org/files/925/925-h/925-h.htm

“The sweeping revolution of the entire labor system of a large portion of our country and the advance of 4,000,000 people from a condition of servitude to that of citizenship, upon an equal footing with their former masters, could not occur without presenting problems of the gravest moment, to be dealt with by the emancipated race, by their former masters, and by the General Government, the author of the act of emancipation.” —Rutherford B. Hayes
Various. “Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States, from George Washington to George W. Bush.” Project Gutenberg, August 7, 2008, https://www.gutenberg.org/files/925/925-h/925-h.htm

“Universal suffrage should rest upon universal education.” —Rutherford B. Hayes
Various. “Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States, from George Washington to George W. Bush.” Project Gutenberg, August 7, 2008, https://www.gutenberg.org/files/925/925-h/925-h.htm