Happy Birthday to singer John Waite (1955), political pundit Geraldo Rivera (1943), soul singer/songwriter Bill Withers (1938), Irish actor Stephen Boyd (1931; d. 1977), playwright Neil Simon (1927),

Movie icon Robert Redford is considering a return to the Broadway stage after being offered the lead in a revival of Arthur Miller's "All My Sons." The star is reportedly excited about the prospect of returning to the New York theatre and has been in talks with producer Emanuel Azenberg in a bid to make the ambitious project happen.

American playwright/screenwriter Neil Simon is to be honored with the Mark Twain Prize at New York City's Kennedy Center annual award ceremony. The writer will be celebrated at the prestigious ceremony on October 15, which celebrates entertainers who "create humor from their uniquely American experiences."

Happy Birthday to soul singer/songwriter Bill Withers (1938), Irish actor Stephen Boyd (1931; d. 1977), playwright Neil Simon (1927), Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida (1927), American actress Eva Marie Saint (1924), advice columnist Ann Landers (1918; d. 2002), "Titanic" actress Gloria Stuart (1910), English actress Angela Baddeley (1904; d. 1976), film producer Louis B. Mayer (1882; d. 1957), 30th President of the United States Calvin Coolidge (1872; d. 1933), and author Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804; d. 1864).

Oscar-winning actress Maureen Stapleton has died of chronic pulmonary disease at her home in Massachusetts. She was 80. The actress, a longtime smoker, died Monday, according to her son, Daniel Allentuck. Stapleton played the anarchist writer Emma Goldman in Warren Beatty's epic film Reds, which earned her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.