Actor Louis Gossett Jr. welcomes 75 today. The Brooklyn native attended NYU on a basketball scholarship but opted to continue his acting career and appeared in the Broadway production of A Raisin In The Sun. His other Broadway credits include Chicago and Golden Boy. Probably best known for his role in Office And A Gentleman, which garnered him an Academy Award for “Best Supporting Actor,” the groundbreaking television series Roots secured him an Emmy Award. His long list of film and tv credits include Daktari, The Bill Cosby Show, The Young Rebels, Bonanza, Mob Squad, The Rockford Files, Daddy’s Little Girl, Lackawanna Blues, The Josephine Baker Story and much more.

Mara Brock Akil turns 41. The acclaimed producer and writer began her career writing for the television show South Central. Best known for executive producing the hit shows Girlfriends and The Game, her other credits include Moesha, The Jamie Foxx Show and Cougar Town. Her production company recently signed a three year development deal with the BET network.

Actor Dondre Whitfield says hello to 42. The Brooklyn native’s film and tv appearances include Different Strokes, The Cosby Show, Another World, All My Children, The Jamie Foxx Show, Martin, Secret Agent Man, The X-Files, NYPD Blue, Girlfriends, Mr 3000, Strong Medicine, Ghost Whisperer, CSI: Miami, Cold Case, Grey’s Anatomy, The Event and 35 & Ticking among others.

California native and actor Todd Bridges turns 46. Best known for his role on the popular television show Different Strokes, he’s also appeared in Roots, Barney Miller, Little House On The Prairie, Fish, The Waltons, The Facts Of Life, Homeboys, LA Heat, The Darkling, Everybody Hates Chris and more