Singer, Smokey Robinson, actress, Haylie Duff, and Olympian Sanya Richards-Ross celebrate their birthdays today.
The singer Smokey Robinson turns 74 today. The singer, songwriter, record producer and record executive plays the piano as well. Originally in the group The Miracles, Robinson left them and soon began his solo career. Both of these endeavors were successful.
William Robinson Jr. also known as Smokey Robinson is originally from Detroit, Mich. At Northern High School he thrived in academics and sports, while also starting a doo-wop group the Five Chimes. In 1955 he formed the group The Matadors, which later became The Miracles.

The group signed to Tamla Records which became Motown and their single became the first million-selling hit record, “Shop Around.” Over the next 10 years, Robinson wrote hit singles for The Miracles and other acts like Mary Wells, The Temptations, The Marvelettes and Marvin Gaye. He became VP of Motown during this time and in 1972 he retired from the group. But in 1973 he started his solo career. He produced hits like "Cruisin'" and “Being with You” just to name a few and “Just to See Her”, which in 1988 won him a Grammy Award. In 2003, Robinson wrote a gospel album and continues to be active in the music industry.

In 1987 he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Robinson was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame two years later. He received many more awards for his work in the music industry. The Miracles, in their entirety, were all inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

The actress Haylie Duff turns 29 today. The singer, songwriter, film producer, record producer and blogger has been in featured in numerous films as well as TV shows and is often seen working alongside her sister Hilary Duff. Originally from Texas, the star was in the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company’s production of The Nutcracker by age 10.

Duff started career by guest appearing on TV shows like The Amanda Show , Chicago Hope and Third Watch. Her first role in a featured film was Napoleon Dynamite and that role earned her a Teen Choice Award. In 2005 she landed a role on the TV show 7th Heaven and the following year she was in the Broadway production of Hairspray. Duff starred and co-produced the movie Material Girls and later sang songs on a couple of the films she worked on including Stuck in the Suburbs and Raising Helen.
Duff started a food blog “Real Girl’s Kitchen” and along with Hilary, the sisters were named No.2 on E!’s “Favorite Famous Sisters”. In 2006 Duff was featured on the cover of Maxim during January. She continues to work in the film industry and a few new titles in 2014 will include Duff.

The Olympian Sanya Richards-Ross turns 29 today. Originally from Jamaica, the running medalist has competed in a number of events earning her several medals for the United States. In school she excelled in sports and academics.

Richards graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 2002 with a 4.0 GPA and as the National High School Female Athlete of the Year, USA Track and Field’s Youth Athlete of the Year and Track and Field News Woman’s Prep Athlete of the Year, not to mention a member of the National Honor Society. She attended the University of Texas at Austin for three years right after high school, where she met future husband Aaron Ross.

Richards has won 10 gold medals, 2 silver medals and 1 bronze medal in her Olympic career. She has performed in the 400 m and 4 x 400 m relay events in countries: Greece, England, China and France just to name a few. Richards competed between 2004 and 2012 in the Olympic category - running.
Richards owns her own hair extension line Rich Hair Collection and a hair salon The Hair Clinic with her sister in Austin. In 2013, a reality TV Show “Glam and Gold” showcased her life as she dealt with running a business, being married, being involved with her family and maintaining appearances.