January 26: Notable Births and Deaths, with Quotes
Let’s explore notable birth and death anniversaries for January 26.
Ellen DeGeneres, comedian and television host (January 26, 1958–present)
“You know, if you’re going to be honest with yourself, you have to admit that you go into show business wanting people to talk about you and wanting everyone to know who you are. But that also means there are going to be a whole bunch of people who don’t like you. No matter who you are. I’m sure there’s somebody out there who doesn’t like Betty White because she’s short and has white hair.” —Ellen DeGeneres
Winfrey, Oprah. “Oprah Talks to Ellen DeGeneres.” Oprah.com, https://www.oprah.com/omagazine/oprah-interviews-ellen-degeneres-ellens-o-magazine-cover/all.
“I’m a comedian, and I definitely see the humor in a lot of things. I am also sad a lot. I cry often and easily. I think you’re supposed to feel all kinds of things.” —Ellen DeGeneres
Winfrey, Oprah. “Oprah Talks to Ellen DeGeneres.” Oprah.com, https://www.oprah.com/omagazine/oprah-interviews-ellen-degeneres-ellens-o-magazine-cover/all.
“My father would never confront anybody about anything and is just kind and gentle. And my mother is really funny and sarcastic. But in my family, nothing was ever confronted. Yet now it’s easy for me to tell other people what they’re doing and how it makes me feel.” —Ellen DeGeneres
Winfrey, Oprah. “Oprah Talks to Ellen DeGeneres.” Oprah.com, https://www.oprah.com/omagazine/oprah-interviews-ellen-degeneres-ellens-o-magazine-cover/all.
Kobe Bryant, basketball player (August 23, 1978–January 26, 2020)
“I love telling stories. I love inspiring kids or providing them with tools that are going to help them.” —Kobe Bryant
Medina, Mark. “Final interview with Kobe Bryant offered window into NBA legend’s motivation to be memorable.” USA Today, January 27, 2020, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/columnist/mark-medina/2020/01/27/kobe-bryants-final-interview-window-into-what-coming-next/4586327002/.
“You should be happy for the person that comes after you to be able to surpass things that you’ve done. It’s kind of juvenile to think or to behave any other way.” —Kobe Bryant
Medina, Mark. “Highlights of Kobe Bryant’s final sit-down interview, with USA TODAY Sports.” USA Today, January 29, 2020, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2020/01/29/kobe-bryant-highlights-final-sit-down-interview-before-death/4604373002/.
“You get older. You start seeing the beauty that’s in that process. You start trying to find love in that, find the beauty in that, which is completely different than being 21.” —Kobe Bryant
Zucker, Joseph. “Kobe Bryant The Interview: Key Takeaways, Comments from NBA TV Special.” BR, February 16, 2015, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2366900-kobe-bryant-the-interview-key-takeaways-comments-from-nba-tv-special.
Nelson Rockefeller, businessman and former U.S. vice president (July 8, 1908–January 26, 1979)
“As President Eisenhower said only two hours ago from this very rostrum, the Republican Party should reject extremism from either the left or the right.” —Nelson Rockefeller
New York Daily News. “Nelson Rockefeller on future of Republican Party at 1964 GOP Convention.” New York Daily News, January 26, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irlt79z6sss.
“Precisely one year ago today, on July 14, 1963, I warned that the Republican Party is in real danger of subversion by a radical, well-financed, highly disciplined majority.” —Nelson Rockefeller
New York Daily News. “Nelson Rockefeller on future of Republican Party at 1964 GOP Convention.” New York Daily News, January 26, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irlt79z6sss.
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