Billy Wilder

(June 22, 1906, Sucha Beskidska, Austria-Hungary-March 27, 2002, Los Angeles, California). American film director, producer and screen writer. Born Samuel Wilder. Received Academy Award for Best Director, 1946-1961; Irving G. Thalberg Lifetime Achievement Award, 1988.

Gene Wilder

(June 11, 1933, Milwaukee, Wisconsin-Alive). American actor. Born Jerome Silberman. Noted for roles in the films Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and The Producers.

Meir Wilner-Kovner

(October 23, 1918, Vilna, Lithuania-June 5, 2003). Born Ber Kovner. Anti-Zionist. Signer of the Declaration of Independence of Israel, 1948. Communist Party Member of the Knesset of Israel, 1948-1990. Secretary-General, Communist Party of Israel, 1965-1990, Chairman, 1990-1993. Generally espoused pro-Arab positions in the Knesset. Name sometimes given as Meir Vilner.

Walter Winchell

(April 7, 1897, New York, New York-February 20, 1972). American radio commentator and gossip columnist. Born Walter Winschel. In his early days, he was sympathetic to left-wing politics, but ended his career as a right-wing spokesman and defended of Senator Joseph R. McCarthy.

Rabbi Sherman T. Wine

(January 25, 1928, Detroit, Michigan-July 21, 2007, Essaouira, Morocco). Rabbi and Founder of Humanistic Judaism. Ordained Rabbi, Reform Judaism. Founding Rabbi of the first congregation of Humanistic Judaism, Birmingham Temple, Birmingham, Michigan, 1963-2007. Founder, Society for Humanistic Judaism, 1969. A founder, International Federation of Secular Humanistic Jews, 1986. Named "Humanist of the Year," American Humanist Association, 2003. Author, Humanistic Judaism; Judaism Beyond God; Celebration; and Staying Sane in a Crazy World. Died in an automobile accident in Morocco.

Debra Winger

(May 16, 1955, Cleveland Heights, Ohio-Alive). American Actress. Born Mary Debra Winger.

Henry Franklin Winkler

(October 30, 1945, New York, New York-Alive). American actor, director, author. Noted for role as Arthur "Fonzi" Fonzarelli on the television sitcom "Happy Days," 1974-1984.

Havel's House of History

If you know someone who might enjoy visiting Havel's House of History, please refer them to our site. If they make a purchase over $50 and mention your name, you'll receive a $5.00 credit on your next purchase.

Shelley Winters

(April 18, 1920, East St. Louis, Illinois-January 14, 2006, Beverly Hills, California). American actress. Born Shirley Schrift. Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, 1959, 1965.