Spoiler : Jackie Robinson (Jack Roosevelt Robinson) Born Cairo, Georgia, January 31, 1919 (grew up in Pasadena, California) Died Stamford, Connecticut, October 24, 1972 Age 53 (heart attack) Besides breaking the color barrier in both the Minor and Major Leagues of professional baseball, Jackie was the first athlete to be interviewed on Meet the Press (it was originally a radio show). He worked briefly as a radio actor, making his debut on the Adventures of the Abbotts. (And even if he wasn't directly a radio star, we still have recordings of his baseball games!)