A new class of inductees has been honored at the California Museum's Hall of Fame. In alphabetical order, these business giants, artists, athletes and other notable Californians have been recognized for their contributions. This is the second class of inductees. The inaugural class was in 2006.
Ansel Adams (1902-1984) – Photographer best known for his nature black and white photography depicting natural landscapes. Born: San Francisco. Died: Monetrey, Ca. on April 24.
Milton Berle (1908-2002) – Actor who showcased his brand of slapstick comedy on television, and was also seen and heard in silent film, vaudeville, radio and film. Born: New York City. Died: Los Angeles on March 27.
Steve Jobs (1955) – Technology pioneer who co-founded Apple in 1976 as well as Emeryville-based Pixar Animation Studios which produced popular films such as Monsters, Inc., Toy Story, Finding Nemo and Cars. Born: Silicon Valley where he still resides.
Willie Mays (1931) – Baseball player considered to be among the greatest in the game who played 22 seasons, won championships, and honored with various awards and is currently working with the San Francisco Giants. Born: Westfield, Alabrama on May 6.
Robert Mondavi (1913) – Pioneered innovated winemaking techniques that popularized Napa Valley wine. He and his wife, Margrit, are local philanthropists. Born: Virginia, Minn.
Rita Moreno (1931) – Actress who has earned an Oscar, Grammy, Tony and Emmy and is best known for her role as Anita in “West Side Story.” Born: Rosa Dolores Alverio in Humacao, Puerto Rico.
Jackie Robinson (1919-1972) – Civil rights pioneer who broke baseball’s color barrier when he stepped to the plate in 1947. Born: Cairo, Georgia on January 31. Died: Stamfort, Conn. on October 24 from heart disease and complications from diabetes.
Jonas Salk, M.D. (1914-1995) – Salk discovered the first successful polio vaccine. He never patented the vaccine that nearly eradicated the disease today. Born: New York City. Died: June 23.
John Steinbeck (1902-1968) – Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winning author of “The Grapes of Wrath.” Born: Salinas, Calif. on February 27. Died: New York City on December 20, although his ashes are located at Garden of Memories Cemetery, Salinas.
Elizabeth Taylor (1932) – Actress whose star rose with her role in “National Velvet” and has enjoyed a 60-year career punctuated with acting awards, starring in 50 films, and receiving presidential and international honors. Born: England, moved to Los Angeles as a young girl.
Earl Warren (1891-1974) – Influential United States Supreme Court Chief Justice who was also elected to be California’s governor three times. Born: Los Angeles on March 19. Died: July 9.
John Wayne (1907-1979) – Western and war film actor who has appeared in more than 175 films, including “True Grit” and “The Alamo.” Born: Marion Morrison in Iowa on May 16. Moved to Glendale, Calif. at age 6. Died: June 11 from stomach cancer, although was diagnosed and beat lung cancer.
Tiger Woods (1975) – Golfer, who at a young age, has won several Masters Tournaments, PGA Championships, US Open Championships and British Open Championships. Born: Cypress, Calif. on December 30.