Today in History: Born on September 25

1847 Vinnie Ream, who sculpted President Abraham Lincoln from life shortly before he was assassinated.

1897 William Faulkner, Nobel Prize-winning writer (The Sound and the Fury, Absalom, Absalom!).

1906 Dmitri Shostakovich, Russian composer.

1931 Barbara Walters, television news personality and interviewer.

1932 Adolfo Suarez Gonzalez, 1st Duke of Suarez, Grandee of Spain, Spain's first democratically elected prime minister following Francisco Franco's dictatorship.

1932 Glenn Gould, concert pianist best known for his Bach interpretations.

1933 Ian Tyson, singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer; performed with Ian & Sylvia and Great Speckled Bird.

1936 Juliet Prowse, dancer whose career spanned four decades and included work in stage, film and TV productions; (Can-Can; G.I Blues; Mona McCluskey TV series).

1943 Robert Gates, director of CIA under Pres. George H.W. Bush; Secretary of Defense (2006-11).

1944 Michael Douglas, actor, producer; his numerous awards include two Academy Awards (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Wall Street), four Golden Globes and the Cecil B. DeMille Award.

1951 Mark Hamill actor, voice actor, producer, director, writer (Luke Skywalker in Star Wars; voice of the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series).

1956 Kim Thompson, editor, publisher; co-founder of Fantagraphics Books.

1961 Heather Locklear, actress (Dynasty, Melrose Place, Spin City TV series).

1964 Maria Doyle Kennedy, actress (The Tudors), composer, singer, songwriter, musician.

1965 Scottie Pippen, pro basketball player (Chicago Bulls), played important role in Bull's record 72-win season (1995-96).

1968 Will Smith, rapper (known as The Fresh Prince, "Getting' Jiggy Wit It"), actor, producer; awards include four Grammys.