Doris Miller. Louis Zamperini’s age is 103. The Bird (Miyavi), left, torments Louis Zamperini (Jack O'Connell) in "Unbroken," an epic drama that follows the incredible life of Olympian and war hero Zamperini who, along with two other crewmen, survived in a raft for 47 days after a near-fatal plane crash in WWII — only to be caught by the Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp. (They stayed married, though, for 54 years, until her death in 2001.) Most Popular #16506. Louis Zamperini walked limply to the starting line as he was at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, moments away from taking part in a 5,000-meter race at the impressive age of nineteen. Louis Zamperini died at age 97 of pneumonia on July 2, 2014. Complete Louis Zamperini 2017 Biography. For his 81st birthday in January 1998, he returned to Japan to run a leg of the Olympic torch relay for the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano. American auto executive Lee Iacocca became a national celebrity for steering the Chrysler Corporation away from bankruptcy toward record profits in the 1980s. Louis Zamperini is Born. The month and a half at sea proved harrowing for the survivors, as they were subjected to the unrelenting sun, strafing runs by Japanese bombers, circling sharks and little drinking water. Zamperini trained for only a few weeks in the 5,000 meters, and although he ran well (he finished his last lap in only 56 seconds), he didn’t medal, coming in eighth (to Lash’s 13th). Laura Hillenbrand’s biography Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption tells the extraordinary story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner-turned-war-hero. Zamperini died at age 97 of pneumonia on July 2, 2014. The book has also become the subject of a 2014 film, Unbroken, directed and produced by actress Angelina Jolie, as well as its 2018 sequel Unbroken: Path to Redemption. He stated his intention to forgive the Bird, Mutsuhiro Watanabe, but Watanabe refused to meet with him. Louis Armstrong was a jazz trumpeter, bandleader and singer known for songs like "What a Wonderful World,” “Hello, Dolly,” ”Star Dust” and "La Vie En Rose.”, James Garner was an actor known for his lead roles in the TV shows "Maverick, "The Rockford Files" and for films including "The Notebook.". (Gutteridge) and John Patrick O'Connell. We strive for accuracy and fairness. Laura Hillenbrand wrote a book about his life and it was adapted into a 2014 film called Unbroken, directed by Angelina Jolie. His story is the inspiration for the bestselling book, Unbroken and now a major motion picture by the same name. In 1934, he set the national high school track record for the mile at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The story of Louis Zamperini captured the attention of Americans in the 1940’s and again in recent years thanks to the biography by Laura Hillenbrand Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption and the hit movie Unbroken.. Those familiar with either the movie or the book will recall that after his days as a troubled youth Louis took up running and … Being born into a non-English speaking family in the United States of America started out as a struggle for Louis Zamperini. During his World War II military service, he was a B-24 bombardier in a plane nicknamed the Green Hornet. Throughout his life Zamperini physically pushed his body to the limit. Louis Zamperini was a man of accomplishment: He was an athlete. Held on Randall’s Island, the race pitted Zamperini against Don Lash, the world record holder in the event. Zamperini passed away in July of 2014; he was 97 years old. Looking back on the event, Zamperini said, “I was pretty naïve about world politics, and I thought he looked funny, like something out of a Laurel and Hardy film.”. Louis Zamperini, an Olympian and a war hero, has died at the age of 97. One of his fellow prisoner-of-war camp mates was. Cyclist Major Taylor was the second Black athlete to hold a world championship in any sport. While flying a rescue mission May 27, 1943, the Green Hornet had a mechanical failure and fell into the ocean. It wasn’t long before Zamperini was taking his love of track to the next level, and in 1936 he headed to New York City for the 5,000-meter Olympic trials. The theatrical release, unfortunately, came a few months after Zamperini died at the age of 97, one of the oldest-known NCAA champions. Zamperini graduated from USC in 1940, a year that would have been the speedster’s next shot at Olympic gold, but World War II intervened. Zamperini ran in the 1936 Berlin Olympics and survived 47 days on a raft in the Pacific after his bomber crashed. Louis Silvie Zamperini was born in 1917 in Olean, New York, United States to Anthony Zamperini and Louise Dossi. On 7 June 2012, he was invited on The Tonight Show talking about his general life, life experience during the Second World War and Olympics. Legendary 1936 Olympian and World War II hero Louis Zamperini  Photo: Peter Weber / Shutterstock.com. Scarred by his ordeal, upon his return home, Zamperini suffered from alcoholism, and he and his wife, Cynthia, came close to divorce. War Hero #7. His mother is English, and worked at British Midland, and his father was Irish (from County Kerry), and worked on the railways for Bombardier. War Hero. For his military service and time as a prisoner of war, he received the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the World War II Prisoner of War Medal. Facts about Louis Zamperini 9: Matt Barkey. They were beaten and starved, and Zamperini was singled out and abused repeatedly by a camp sergeant called the Bird, who would tear into fits of psychotic violence. Birthplace Olean, NY . He attended Torrance High School, where he was a track star. Louis Zamperini was an Olympic athlete and a US prisoner of war survivor (World War II), who later became a Christian evangelist. Born in New York, his family moved to Torrence, California in 1920. After his release, Zamperini became an inspirational figure, and his life served as the basis for the 2014 biography Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Angelina Jolie. The race ended in a dead heat between the two runners, and the finish was enough to qualify Zamperini for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, while he was still a teenager. He was 97 years old at that time. His life has been an inspiration to many and a number of books, documentaries and feature films have been based upon his life story. Louis Zamperini Starts Running. Jack O'Connell, Actor: Unbroken. Jul 3, 2014 (age 97) Birth Sign Aquarius. Zamperini was born on January 26, 1917 in Olean, New York, to Anthony Zamperini and Louise Dossi, both native to Verona in northern Italy. Louis Zamperini : biography 26 January 1917 – Louis Silvie Zamperini (born January 26, 1917) is a World War II prisoner of war survivor, inspirational speaker, and former American Olympic distance runner. Louis Zamperini Family, Childhood, Life Achievements, Facts, Wiki and Bio of 2017. Some received Zamperini’s forgiveness in person in 1950, when he visited a Tokyo prison where they were serving war-crime sentences. Desmond Doss. In 1934, Zamperini set the national high school mile record, and his time of 4 minutes and 21.2 seconds would stand for an incredible 20 years. Louis Silvie "Louie" Zamperini (born 1917 in New York, died 2014) was a middle distance runner from the USA who competed in the 1936 Olympic Games as a 19 year old in the 5000m and finished 8th. The captivity lasted for more than two years, during which time Zamperini was officially pronounced dead by the U.S. military. Louis Zamperini estimated Net Worth, Biography, Age, Height, Dating, Relationship Records, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. He died on July 2, 2014 in Los Angeles, California, USA. DEATH DATE Jul 3, 2014 (age 97) Popularity . Other Works Zamperini competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics and was set to compete again in the 1940 games in Tokyo, which were canceled when World War II broke out. Chris Kyle was a Navy SEAL marksman whose autobiography ‘American Sniper’ became a bestseller and was made into a major Hollywood film. Louis Silvie " Louie " Zamperini (January 26, 1917 – July 2, 2014) was an American World War II prisoner of war survivor, motivational speaker and track and field athlete. Upon his return to the United States, he began his career as a Christian evangelist. Tokyo Rose, whose real name was Iva Toguri, was an American-born Japanese woman who hosted a Japanese propaganda radio program aimed at U.S. troops during World War II. He was raised in a strict Catholic household. His life has inspired a recent biography as well, Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. War Hero. Jack O'Connell was born in Alvaston, Derby, England, to Alison J. He was to be the Grand Marshal for the 2015 Tournament of Roses Parade, held before the football playoff game in Pasadena, California. Louis Zamperini was born on January 26, 1917 in Olean, New York, USA as Louis Silvie Zamperini. In 1998, Zamperini returned to Japan once again to carry the torch at the Nagano Winter Games. Yet it is truly his passion for life and mental vitality that continues to impress people around the world. One of the men died at sea before Zamperini and the plane’s pilot, Russell Allen "Phil" Phillips, finally washed ashore. His experiences were detailed in the best-selling 2010 biography Unbroken, which was adapted as a major motion picture under the same name in 2014. Yet Zamperini, as a former Olympic athlete, was seen as a propaganda tool by the Japanese, a scenario that likely saved him from execution. © 2021 Biography and the Biography logo are registered trademarks of A&E Television Networks, LLC. Louis Silvie Zamperini was born to Italian immigrant parents on January 26, 1917, in the town of Olean, New York. He finished 8th in the 5000 meter race at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin Germany. He struggled with bullies and supposedly almost died twice, once due to a house fire, and another from having fallen into an oil rig and almost drowning. He had an older brother […] Louis Zamperini was a World War II prisoner of war and an Olympic athlete who became an inspirational figure and writer. Track and field star Alice Coachman made history at the 1948 Olympic Games, becoming the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal. The book has also become the subject of a 2014 film, directed and produced by actress Angelina Jolie. In 2009, Zamperini made a friend with Matt Barkley. Movie Actress. Today Louis Zamperini would be 103 years old. During the overwhelming pageant that is the Olympics, the 19-year-old stood near Adolf Hitler’s box with his fellow athletes, seeking a photo of the Nazi leader. He then earned a Purple Heart medal after being held as a prisoner of war in Ofuna, Japan during World War II. While saved from the ocean, the men were soon taken as prisoners of war by the Japanese, beginning the next leg of their horrific experience. After 47 days floating in a rubber life-raft at sea with two other crew members (one of the others died after 33 days), he and the plane's co-pilot were rescued/captured by the Japanese, and he spent almost two years, frequently tortured, in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp. University of Southern California's track & field stadium's entrance was named Louis Zamperini Plaza in 2004. His life has inspired a recent biography as well, Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Growing up in Torrance, California, Zamperini ran track at Torrance High School and discovered that he had a talent for long-distance running. Portrait of American former bombardier Lt Louis Zamperini as he poses at home, Los Angeles, California, June 13, 1985. Born in 1917 #8. Publicity Listings The home football, soccer, and track stadium for Torrance High School has been named Zamperini Stadium in his honor. The starting gun went off as he began his stride to the middle of the surrounding runners. He was raised in a strict Catholic household. Zamperini resided in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles, California at the time of his death. He was married to Cynthia Applewhite. With the outbreak of World War II, the 1940 Olympics were canceled, and Zamperini enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Zamperini also went on to become a prominent inspirational speaker, and he wrote two memoirs, both titled Devil at My Heels (1956 and 2003). Growing up in Torrance, California, … If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! His track prowess also caught the attention of the University of Southern California, which he earned a scholarship to attend. Let's check, How Rich is Louis Zamperini in 2020-2021? Louis Qualifies For The 1936 Olympics. He was married to Cynthia Applewhite. The 103-year-old war hero was born in Olean, NY. Louis Zamperini was a World War II veteran and Olympic distance runner. Death and Legacy Louis Zamperini died of pneumonia at his home in Los Angeles in 2014 at the age of 97. He went on to found a camp for troubled youth called Victory Boys Camp and forgave his Japanese tormenters. In 1919, his family moved to Torrance, California, United States. The Torrance airport was renamed Zamperini Field on December 7, 1946. He was an actor, known for Unbroken (2014), This Is Your Life (1950) and Today (1952). Norman Schwarzkopf was a Vietnam War veteran, commander of the U.S. Central Command and a four-star general in the U.S. Army. Boom! In captivity across a series of prison camps, Zamperini and Phillips were separated and subjected to torture, both physical and psychological. Official Sites. His life was celebrated in the bestselling book Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand. To survive, they collected rainwater and killed birds that happened to land on the raft. Early life Louis Zamperini was born January 26, 1917 in Olean, New York, to Anthony and Louise Zamperini. They found themselves on a Pacific island 2,000 miles from the crash site and in enemy Japanese territory. Douglas MacArthur was an American general best known for his command of Allied forces in the Pacific Theater during World War II. |  Louis Zamperini was born on September 9, 1910. Jay Zeamer Jr. War Hero. Louis Zamperini was born on January 26, 1917 in Olean, New York, USA as Louis Silvie Zamperini. In 2014, Louis Zamperini died of pneumonia at his house in Los Angeles. He had an older brother named Pete and two younger sisters, Virginia and Sylvia. ... Louis Zamperini Fans Also Viewed . Later in his childhood, his brother Pete was the one who encoura… Inducted to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in Chicago, Illinois, USA in October 2008. His record time of 4 minutes 21.2 seconds held for 20 years. Unbroken is a biography of World War II hero Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic track star who survived a plane crash in the Pacific theater, spent 47 days drifting on a raft, and then survived more than two and a half years as a prisoner of war (POW) in three … Louis Zamperini, the World War II prisoner of war survivor chosen to be the grand marshal for the 2015 Rose Parade died Wednesday at the age of 97, according to a news release from Universal Pictures. Italian-American middle distance runner – Louis Zamperini was born in Olean (city in New York, USA) on January 26th, 1917 and died in Los Angeles (county seat of Los Angeles County, California; second largest city in the United States by population) on July 6th, 2014 at the age of 97. Louis Places 8th in the Olympics. The story was made into a popular movie titled Unbroken, directed by Angelina Jolie. Louis Zamperini, the Olympic runner and World War II officer who survived a horrific plane crash, a seven-week journey across the Pacific in a … Louis Silvie Zamperini was born to Italian immigrant parents on January 26, 1917, in the town of Olean, New York. Birthday January Jan 26, 1917. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro, Say Goodbye: 2014 Deaths - May 1 - August 31. He was a first generation American, the son of two Italian immigrants. He ended up a bombardier on the B-24 Liberator, and in May 1943, Zamperini and a crew went out on a flight mission to search for a pilot whose plane had gone down. In response to Zamperini's July 2, 2014 death, the Tournament of Roses committee announced they are "committed to honoring him as the Grand Marshal of the 2015 Rose Parade". He was survived by his son. https://www.biography.com/military-figure/louis-zamperini. https://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-louis-zamperini He was a star quarterback. |  What brought Zamperini back from the brink was hearing a Billy Graham sermon in Los Angeles in 1949, a sermon that inspired Zamperini and began the healing process. Out over the Pacific Ocean, Zamperini’s plane suffered mechanical failure and crashed into the ocean. He was also a torch bearer for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Louis Zamperini, a 1936 U.S. Olympian at 5000 meters and the subject of the best-selling book Unbroken, has died at age 97 of pneumonia. He died in January 1972 at age 61. A bombardier in the Army Air Corps, Zamperini was in a plane that went down, and when he arrived on shore in Japan 47 days later, he was taken as a prisoner of war and tortured for two years. He died on July 2, 2014 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Louis Zamperini during dedication ceremony of plaza in his name at USC track stadium. Zamperini was released only after the war ended in 1945, and he returned to the United States. Louis Enlists in the Army. Louis Zamperini was released after the war ended two years later. In 1938, Zamperini was back setting records at the collegiate level, this time breaking the mile record of 4:08.3, a new mark that held for 15 years. Of the 11 men on board, only Zamperini and two other airmen survived the crash, but help was nowhere to be found, and the men were stranded on a raft together for 47 days. His efforts earned him a scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC). Born in January 1917, Louis Silvie Zamperini was a World War II prisoner of war, an outstanding Olympic athlete and an inspirational figure who touched multitudes of crowds with his life experience and as a writer. Louis Zamperini was born January 26, 1917 in Olean, New York, to Anthony and Louise Zamperini. 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