Born on this day – Peter Benchley:

Peter Benchley

Writer

May 8, 1940 – February 11, 2006

Credits:

Books:

Jaws (1974); The Deep (1976); The Island (1979); The Girl of the Sea of Cortez (1982); Q clearance (1986); Rummies / Lush (1989); Beast (1991); White Shark / Peter Benchley's Creature (1994); Time and a Ticket (1964); Ocean Planet (1995); Shark Trouble (2002); Shark! (2002); Shark Life (2002); The Movie Book (2016).

Movies, video and television:

A Quint-mas Carol (2016); Amazon (1999–2000); Byline Showtime (1988); CBS Summer Playhouse (1987); Creature (1998); Cruel Jaws (1995); Dolphin Cove (1989); E! True Hollywood Story (2002); Expedition Earth (1990); Film '80 (1980); Good Morning America (1976–1994); Great White Shark: Truth Behind the Legend (2000); Hollywood Insider (2020); Hunt for the Great White Shark (1994); Hunters of the Reef (1978); I Love 1970's (2000); In the Teeth of Jaws (1997); Jaws (1975); Jaws (1987); Jaws (2000); Jaws (2009); Jaws 2 (1978); Jaws 3-D (1983); Jaws Unleashed (2006); Jaws: Deleted Scenes (2000); Jaws: From the Set (1974); Jaws: The Revenge (1987); Jaws: Ultimate Predator (2011); Jeremiah of Jacob's Neck (1976); Jordan Hates (2016); Les nouveaux rendez-vous (1980); Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994); MythBusters (2005); Personal History: Foreign Hitchcock (2004); Shark (1975); Shark Week (2018); Sharksploitation (2023); The American Sportsman (1982); The Beast (1996); The Book Programme (1974–1975); The Deep (1977); The Great Houdini (1976); The Island (1980); The Making of 'Jaws' (1995); The Man Who Loves Sharks (1992); The Merv Griffin Show (1986); The Mike Douglas Show (1976–1977); The Reader (2008); The Search for Atlantis (2000); The Shark Is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of 'Jaws' (2007); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1974–1980); Today (1976); Universal Studios Theme Parks Adventure (2001); Wogan (1991); World of Audubon (1988).

Born on this day – Don Rickles:

Don Rickles

Comedian

Actor

May 8, 1926 – April 6, 2017

Credits:

100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time (2004); 100 Years of Hope and Humor (2003); 1999 Essence Awards (1999); 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2018); 50th Presidential Inaugural Gala (1985); A Couple of Dons (1973); A Last Laugh at the Sixties (1970); A Salute To Humble Howard (1973); A Show Business Salute to Milton Berle (1973); A Tribute to Mr. Television Milton Berle (1978); Access Hollywood (2015 / 2017); ... A Father... A Son... Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2005); AFI Life Achievement Award (1989–2012); Alan King: Inside the Comedy Mind (1990); All-Star Party for Clint Eastwood (1986); All-Star Salute to Mother's Day (1981); All-Star TV Bloopers (1987); American Justice (1996); American Masters (2005–2013); Archie Bunker's Place (1982); Beach Blanket Bingo (1965); Best of the Dean Martin Show (1979); Bikini Beach (1964); Bill Russell in Bill Russell: Legend (2023); Biography (1998–2003); Bloopermania (1987); Bloopers from 'Star Trek' and 'Laugh-In' (1983); Bob and Don: A Love Story (2023); Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1965); Bob Hope's All-Star Super Bowl Party (1983); Bob Hope's All-Star Superbowl Party (1986); Bob Hope's Unrehearsed Antics of the Stars (1984); Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976); Burke's Law (1963–1965); Cain's Hundred (1962); Casino (1995); Casino: The Cast and Characters (2005); Cavalcade of America (1956); CBS News Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley (2021); Charlie Rose (2007); Chevron Hall of Stars (1956); Classic Bloopers (1990); Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (2013); Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee: Single Shot (2014–2015); Comedy Central Roasts (2008); Comic Relief V (1992); Comic Relief Zero (2013); CPO Sharkey (1976–1978); Daddy Dearest (1993); Dateline NBC (2014); Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Dean Martin (1976); Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Jimmy Stewart (1978); Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Mr. T (1984); Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Redd Foxx (1976); Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Sammy Davis Jr. (1975); Dennis Miller Live (1996); Dennis the Menace Strikes Again! (1998); Dinah! (1975–1976); Dinner with Don (2017); Dirty Work (1998); Disney's Animated Storybook: Toy Story (1996); Don Adams' 75th Birthday Roast at the Playboy Mansion (2006); Don Adams' Screen Test (1975); Don Rickles (2014); Don Rickles and His Wise Guys (1980); Don Rickles Live at Mohegan Sun (2023); Don Rickles Live at Pala (2024); Don Rickles Live Casino Rama (2023); Don Rickles LIVE in Arizona (2023); Don Rickles Live in Concert (2020); Don Rickles Live Pine Knob Arena (2023); Don Rickles: Alive and Kicking (1972); Don Rickles: Buy This Tape You Hockey Puck (1975); Don Rickles: One Night Only (2014); Don Rickles: Rickles on the Loose (1986); Donahue (1989); E! True Hollywood Story (1999); Elvis Presley: Hot Shots and Cool Clips Volume 2 (2007); Enter Laughing (1967); Entertainment Tonight (2008–2021); Everybody's Talking (1967); Extra (2017); F Troop (1965); Flip (1971); For the Love of It (1980); Foul-Ups, Bleeps & Blunders (1984); Four Star Playhouse (1956); Friars Club Tribute to Gene Kelly (1976); Funny You Should Ask (1968); George Burns' 100th Birthday Party (1979); George Burns' 90th Birthday Party: A Very Special Special (1986); George Burns Celebrates 80 Years in Show Business (1983); George Burns Comedy Week (1985); George Jessel's Here Come the Stars (1968); Get Smart (1968–1969); Gilligan's Island (1966); Gimme a Break! (1983); Gomer Pyle: USMC (1965); Good Morning America (1979); Goodnight, We Love You (2004); Grandfathered (2015); Gypsy (1967); H.R. Pufnstuf (1969); Happy Birthday, Bob (1978); Happy Birthday, Bob! (1983); Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC (1988); Happy Birthday, Las Vegas (1977); HBO Boxing (1988); Hennesey (1961); Here's Edie (1963); Here's Hollywood (1961); Hollywood Squares (2003); Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers (1985); Hollywood's Private Home Movies (1983); Hot in Cleveland (2011); Howard Stern on Demand (2007); Hugh Hefner's After Dark: Speaking Out in America (2018); Hunter (1991); I Dream of Jeannie (1967); I Spy (1967); I'm a Stroke (2003); In Case You Didn't Know with Nick Nanton (2018); Innocent Blood (1992); Inside Comedy (2012); Inside Edition (2014); Inside TV Land (2001); It's Happening (1968); Jack Benny's Second Farewell Special (1974); Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon (1973–2003); Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2006–2016); Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010); Joan Rivers: Exit Laughing (2016); Johnny Carson's 18th Anniversary Special (1980); Joys! (1976); Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (2009); Keaton's Cop (1990); Kelly's Heroes (1970); Kibbee Hates Fitch (1965); Ladies and Gentlemen... Bob Newhart, Part II (1981); Larry King Live (1993–2007); Larry King Now (2014); Las Vegas (1967); Las Vegas: An All-Star 75th Anniversary (1987); Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1997–2008); Late Show with David Letterman (1983–2015); Let Me in, I Hear Laughter (2000); Live with Kelly and Mark (1990–2023); Lord Stanley's Cup: Hockey's Ultimate Prize (2000); M Squad (1957); Medical Center (1976); Mike and Liberace (1968); Mike Douglas: Moments & Memories (2008); Milton Berle's Mad Mad Mad World of Comedy (1974); Mob on the Run (1987); Mokey's Show (2015); Molson Canadian Comedy Releaf (1991); More TV's Censored Bloopers (1981); Mr. Adams and Eve (1957); Mr. Laughs: A Look Behind the Curtain (2008); Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (2007); Muppets Tonight (1997); Murphy Brown (1988); Muscle Beach Party (1964); NBC Follies (1973); NBC: The First Fifty Years - A Closer Look (1977); Newhart (1989); Nick DiPaolo: Raw Nerve (2011); Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's (1997); On Stage at the Kennedy Center: The Mark Twain Prize (2002); Operation: Entertainment (1968); P.D.Q. (1967); Pajama Party (1964); Pat Boone and Family (1978); Pat Boone in Hollywood (1968); Pat Paulsen's Half a Comedy Hour (1970); Paul Anka ... Music My Way (1977); People Are Talking (1981); Personality (1967–1969); Phyllis Diller: Not Just Another Pretty Face (2007); Playboy After Dark (1969); Quest for Camelot (1998); Quest for Camelot Sing-Alongs (1998); R Spasoff Comedian and Don Rickles Web Series 3 (2017); Rebels on the Run: The Rise and Fall of UNLV Basketball (2005); Redux Riding Hood (1997); Rickles (1975); Robert Klein Still Can't Stop His Leg (2016); Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968–1973); Run for Your Life (1966–1967); Run Silent Run Deep (1958); Runnin' Rebels of UNLV (2011); Sammy and Company (1976); Sanford and Son (1974); Saturday Night Live (1984); Showbiz Today (1995); Sinatra: 80 Years My Way (1995); Snickers: Party (2011); Stage 7 (1955); Stand Up and Cheer (1973); Star Search (1983); Super Night at the Super Bowl (1977); Tales from the Crypt (1990); Tavis Smiley (2007); TCM Remembers 2017 (2017); That Regis Philbin Show (1964–1965); The 10th Annual American Comedy Awards (1996); The 1975 Annual Entertainment Hall of Fame Awards (1975); The 1977 Las Vegas Entertainment Awards (1977); The 1982 Annual Vision Awards (1982); The 2012 Comedy Awards (2012); The 20th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1968); The 26th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1974); The 29th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1977); The 41st Annual Academy Awards (1969); The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards (2008); The 69th Primetime Emmy Awards (2017); The 72nd Annual Academy Awards (2000); The 7th Annual TV Land Awards (2009); The 9th Annual TV Land Awards (2011); The Addams Family (1964); The Alan Hamel Show (1979); The Andy Griffith Show (1965); The Annual Friars Club Tribute Presents a Salute to Milton Berle (1980); The Aristocrats (2005); The Battle for Late Night (2010); The Bernie Mac Show (2002); The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1998); The Beverly Hillbillies (1965); The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch (2005); The Big Interview with Dan Rather (2015); The Big Show (1980); The Bob Hope Show (1966–1973); The Bobby Vinton Show (1975–1976); The Bonnie Hunt Show (2009); The Carol Burnett Show (1968–1977); The Carol Burnett Show: A Reunion (1993); The Catch (2005); The Charles Grodin Show (1996); The Comedy Shop (1978); The Crypt Keeper Presents: A Spine-Tingling Look at Tales from the Crypt (1995); The Daily Show (2007–2008); The Danny Thomas Hour (1967); The Dating Game (1969); The David Frost Show (1970–1971); The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Bob Hope (1974); The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Evel Knievel (1975); The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Frank Sinatra (1978); The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: George Burns (1978); The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Jack Klugman (1978); The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Joan Collins (1984); The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Lucille Ball (1975); The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Michael Landon (1975 / 1984); The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Telly Savalas (1974); The Dean Martin Show (1967–1974); The Dick Cavett Show (1970–1972); The Dick Powell Theatre (1962); The Dick Van Dyke Show (1964); The Don Adams Special: Hooray for Hollywood (1970); The Don Rickles Show - Mr. Warmth (1975); The Don Rickles Show (1968–1969); The Don Rickles Show (1972); The DuPont Show with June Allyson (1959–1960); The Early Show (2005); The Ed Sullivan Show (1968–1970); The Eddie Fisher Show (1957); The Eighties (2016); The First 40 Years (1980); The Frank Rosenthal Show (1977); The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (1971); The History of Comedy (2017–2018); The Hollywood Palace (1969 / 1970); The Hollywood Squares (Daytime) (1967–1974); The Hollywood Squares (Syndication) (1972); The Horror Hall of Fame II (1991); The Improv: 50 Years Behind the Brick Wall (2013); The Irv Kupcinet Show (1975); The Jerry Lewis Show (1968); The Jim Nabors Hour (1970); The J-K Conspiracy (2004); The Joan Rivers Show (1969); The Joey Bishop Show (1967–1969); The Julie Andrews Hour (1972); The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts (2000); The Klowns (1970); The Kraft Music Hall (1968–1971); The Larry Sanders Show (1997); The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005–2014); The Life and Times of Kirk Douglas (2000); The Love Machine (1971); The Lucy Show (1967); The Making of 'Toy Story' (1995); The Many Sides of Don Rickles (1970); The Martin Short Show (1999); The Merv Griffin Show (1968–1985); The Mike Douglas Show (1966–1981); The Money Jungle (1967); The Mothers-In-Law (1969); The Munsters (1965); The New Bill Cosby Show (1972); The Nightclub Years (2001); The Oscars (2018); The Pat Boone Show (1967); The People's Command Performance: '77 (1977); The Rabbit Trap (1959); The Rat Race (1960); The Regis Philbin Show (1982); The Rosey Grier Show (1968); The Single Guy (1997); The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1968); The Steve Allen Show (1968); The Story Behind 'Toy Story' (1996); The Talk (2013); The Thin Man (1959); The Tonight Show (1962); The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar (1962); The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2015–2016); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1963–1992); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 23rd Anniversary Special (1985); The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1994–2011); The Twilight Zone (1961); The Unit (2007); The Unknown Story (2022); The View (2008); The Vin Scully Show (1973); The Whoopi Goldberg Show (1992); The Wild Wild West (1966); The Wool Cap (2004); The World of Jewish Humor (1990); The Year in Memoriam (2017); This Is Your Life (1972); TMZ on TV (2009); Today (2016); Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 17th Anniversary Special (1979); Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet to Come (2016); Toy Story (1995); Toy Story 2 (1999); Toy Story 2 DVD Read-Along (2002); Toy Story 3 (2010); Toy Story 3: The Gang's All Here (2010); Toy Story 4 (2019); Toy Story at 20: To Infinity and Beyond (2015); Toy Story Midway Mania! (2008); Toy Story of Terror (2013); Toy Story Racer (2001); Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014); Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation (2011); Toy Story Toons: Partysaurus Rex (2012); Toy Story Toons: Small Fry (2011); TV Land Icon Awards 2016 (2016); TV's Censored Bloopers (1981); Two Top Bananas (1982); US Against the World (1977); Vicki! (1993); Wagon Train (1961); Way Too Early with Kasie Hunt (2021); When Comedy Went to School (2013); When Stand-Up Comics Ruled the World (2004); Where It's At (1969); Working with a Master: John Landis (2006); X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963); Zookeeper (2011).

Born on this day – Louise Meriwether:

Louise Meriwether

Writer

May 8, 1923 – October 10, 2023

Credits:

Daddy Was a Number Runner (1970); The Freedom Ship of Robert Smalls (1971); The Heart Man: Dr. Daniel Hale Williams (1972); Don't Ride the Bus on Monday: The Rosa Parks Story (1973); Francie's Harlem (1988); Fragments of the Ark (1994); Shadow Dancing (2000).

Television:

Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property (2003); American Masters (2017); Maya Angelou And Still I Rise (2016); Life with Linkletter (1970).

Born on this day – Saul Bass:

Saul Bass

Graphic designer

Director

May 8, 1920 – April 25, 1996

Credits:

84C MoPic (1989); Advise & Consent (1962); Alcoa Premiere (1961–1963); Anatomy of a Murder (1959); Aquamania (1961); Around the World in 80 Days (1956); Attack (1956); Bass on Titles (1982); Big (1988); Bonjour Tristesse (1958); Broadcast News (1987); Brothers (1977); Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965); Cape Fear (1991); Carmen Jones (1954); Casey Bats Again (1954); Casino (1995); Champion (1949); Chips Ahoy (1956); Chun King Chow Mein Hour (1962); Cinema mil (2005); Coming Attractions: The History of the Movie Trailer (2009); Cowboy (1958); Die Titelmacher (1976); Doc Hollywood (1991); Donald and the Wheel (1961); Edge of the City (1957); Evolutions: The Making of 'Phase IV' (2024); Exodus (1960); Fear in the Dark (1991); From Here to There (1964); Goodfellas (1990); Grand Prix (1966); Grin and Bear It (1954); High Note (1960); Higher Learning (1995); How to Have an Accident at Work (1959); How to Sleep (1953); Hurry Sundown (1967); In Harm's Way (1965); In the Bag (1956); It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963); Jack and Old Mac (1956); Johnny Concho (1956); Last Sunset (2012); Le grand échiquier (1972); Love in the Afternoon (1957); Mr. Saturday Night (1992); Music for the Movies: Bernard Herrmann (1999); Nihon eiga no hyaku nen / Century of Cinema (1995); Nine Hours to Rama (1963); North by Northwest (1959); Not with My Wife, You Don't! (1966); Notes on the Popular Arts (1978); Ocean's Eleven (1960); One, Two, Three (1961); Otto Preminger (1999); Phase IV (1974); Philemon (1976); Pluto's Christmas Tree (1952); Pluto's Party (1952); Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker (1991); Psycho (1960); Psycho (1998); Quest (1984); R'coon Dawg (1951); Return from the River Kwai (1989); Rosebud (1975); Saint Joan (1957); Saul Bass: Title Champ (2008); Seconds (1966); Six Characters in Search of an Author (1976); Something Wild (1961); Spartacus (1960); Storm Center (1956); Such Good Friends (1971); Talking Film (1980); Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970); That's Entertainment, Part II (1976); The 69th Annual Academy Awards (1997); The Age of Innocence (1993); The Big Country (1958); The Big Fisherman (1959); The Big Knife (1955); The Cardinal (1963); The Facts of Life (1960); The Firemen's Ball (1967); The Hemingway Play (1976); The Human Factor (1979); The Last of Mrs. Lincoln (1976); The Litterbug (1961); The Little House (1952); The Man with the Golden Arm (1955); The Night of the Hunter (1955); The Pride and the Passion (1957); The Racers (1955); The Searching Eye (1964); The Seven Year Itch (1955); The Shining (1980); The Shrike (1955); The Solar Film (1980); The Truth About Mother Goose (1957); The Two of Us (1967); The War of the Roses (1989); The Young Stranger (1957); Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom (1953); Vertigo (1958); Very Happy Alexander (1968); Walk on the Wild Side (1962); West Side Story (1961); Why Man Creates (1968); Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too (1974).

Born on this day – Robert Clampett:

Robert Clampett

Animator

Director

Producer

Puppeteer

May 8, 1913 – May 2, 1984

Born on this day – Robert Johnson:

Robert Johnson

Blues singer

Guitarist

Harmonic player

Songwriter

May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938

Credits:

Album:

Robert Johnson: The Centennial Collection (2011).

Movies, video and television:

11.6 (2013); Abraxas, Guardian of the Universe (1990); American Epic (2017); Among Giants (1998); Animal House of Blues: How a Community Helped Create a Hollywood Blockbuster or Two (2012); B.B. King: The Life of Riley (2012); Bank Roll (2012); Baseball (1994); Beat the Devil (2002); Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music (1993); Boys on the Side (1995); Cadillac Records (2008); Chocolat (2000); Crepuscular Suburban Blues (2009); Crossroads (1986); CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2009); Dancing with the Stars (2007); Danville 2nd Ward Young Men (2010); Dark (2017); Deep Water (2022); Desperate Man Blues (2003); Dickey Betts & Great Southern: Back Where It All Begins - Live at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum (2005); Die Harald Schmidt Show (1995); Down Terrace (2009); EarthBound (1994); Elementary (2013); Employee of the Month (2004); Eric Clapton & Friends in Concert: A Benefit for the Crossroads Centre at Antigua (1999); Eric Clapton and Friends (1988); Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars (2017); Eric Clapton: Sessions for Robert J (2004); Eric Clapton: Standing at the Crossroads (2021); For the Boys (1991); Freaks and Geeks (1999); Fringe (2009); Get on Up (2014); Ghosts of Mississippi (1996); Gimme Shelter (1970); Great Performances (2005); Greenleaf (2017); Grudge Match (2013); Guardami (1999); Guitar Hero (2005); Guitar Man (2015); Holes (2003); Hounddog (2007); I Am Not Okay with This (2020); iBrain (2013); Kings of the Road (1976); Kopps (2003); Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones (1973); Late Show with David Letterman (2011); Led Zeppelin (2003); Led Zeppelin: Travelling Riverside Blues (1990); Life on Mars (2007); Luck (2011); Luther (2013); Matlock (1989); Misfits (2010–2011); Music High Classroom (2012); Not Fade Away (2012); Patti Cake$ (2017); Phoenix (1998); Post Mortem (1999); Power (2015); Pump Up the Volume (1990); Red Tails (2012); Rush: R30 (2005); Saturday Night Live (1991–1995); Scratch (2001); SeaChange (1998–1999); Sid Meier's Railroads! (2006); Soap&Skin: Me and the Devil (2015); Starbuck in Rock Concert (1973); Stoned (2005); Suck (2009); Supernatural (2006); Sweet Talk (2015); The Blues (2003); The Blues Brothers (1980); The Cream of Eric Clapton (1990); The Demons (2015); The Downbeat (2010); The Ed Sullivan Show (1969); The Five Devils (2022); The Good Wife (2014); The Jeff Healey Band: Live at Montreux 1999 (2005); The Last Summer (2019); The Man Who Fell to Earth (2022); The Missing (2014); The Music Never Stopped (2011); The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll (2009); The Search for Robert Johnson (1992); The Secret Policeman's Other Ball (1982); The Skeleton Key (2005); The Stones in the Park (1969); The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2010); The Wolf of Wall Street (2013); Thunderground (1989); Tu cara me suena - Argentina (2015); Two Trains Runnin' (2016); Under the Rainbow (2013); Unplugged (1992); When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? (1979); Where the Road Runs Out (2014); Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016); Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights - Hollywood to the Heartland (2006).

Born on this day – Phillis Wheatley:

Phillis Wheatley

Writer

May 8, 1753 – December 5, 1784

Credits:

Book:

Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773).