The UnXplained With William Shatner - "Mysterious Curses" - 6:00 pm Saturday, December 27 on History HDTV (East)

Jack Card (Actor)

Mikael Wood (Actor)

David Fishof (Actor)

Kurt Cobain (Actor)

Born: February 20, 1967
Died: April 05, 1994
Birthplace: Aberdeen, Washington, United States

Trivia: Was devastated, at the age of 9, by his parents' divorce; Cobain subsequently lived with several different relatives. Received his first guitar, a birthday present from his uncle, at the age of 14. Dropped out of high school shortly before graduation. Discovered punk music through local proto-grunge band the Melvins, for whom Cobain served as a roadie during regional touring. Pre-Nirvana band was called Fecal Matter; the group recorded a handful of songs, but never played any shows. With bassist Krist Novoselic, formed Nirvana in 1986; Sub Pop Records released the band's debut album, Bleach, in 1989. Multiplatinum follow-up Nevermind (1991), which featured the smash single "Smells Like Teen Spirit," helped bring grunge and the Seattle music scene to national prominence. Entered rehab several times in the early '90s, trying unsuccessfully to break an addiction to heroin, which Cobain used in part to treat chronic stomach pain. Death on April 5, 1994, was followed by several posthumous Nirvana releases, including the live albums MTV Unplugged in New York (1994) and From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah (1996).

Jimi Hendrix (Actor)

Born: November 27, 1942
Died: September 18, 1970
Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States

Trivia: Rock/R&B/psychedelia superstar Jimi Hendrix was actually left-handed, obliging him to learn to play the guitar while holding the instrument upside down. An excellent student, Hendrix was nonetheless kicked out of school in the 11th grade; he would later claim that this was because he was seen holding hands with a white girl. After serving as an Air Force paratrooper, Hendrix played backup and lead electric guitar with several bands. In 1966, he formed The Jimi Hendrix Experience with Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell. The release of the group's first album, 1967's Are You Experienced?, preceded its first public appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival. Like most of his contemporaries, Hendrix never entertained thoughts of a movie career; his big-screen appearances came by way of such concert films as Popcorn (1969) and Woodstock (1970). In 1973, audiences were treated to no fewer than three Hendrix film appearances: Jimi Plays Berkeley, Keep on Rockin': Jimi Hendrix, and Rainbow Bridge. All were released posthumously; three years earlier, 27-year-old Jimi Hendrix had died in London of a drug overdose.

Janis Joplin (Actor)

Born: January 19, 1943
Died: October 04, 1970
Birthplace: Port Arthur, Texas, United States

Trivia: Influences included musical icons Leadbelly, Odetta and Bessie Smith, for whom Joplin provided a headstone 33 years after the blues great's death. An outcast in both high school and college who was frequently targeted for ridicule and torment. Pre-fame, occasionally performed with future Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna guitarist Jorma Kaukonen. Broke through with Big Brother and the Holding Company at the 1967 Monterey International Pop Festival, thanks to a mesmerizing set that included Joplin's take on the song "Ball and Chain." Cheap Thrills, Big Brother's second album, went to No. 1 upon its release in August 1968; Joplin left the band four months later. Had been scheduled to record vocals for "Buried Alive in the Blues," a song slated for the album Pearl, the day she died of a heroin overdose. Released in 1971, Pearl and the single "Me and Bobby McGee" both topped the charts. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 by folk-rock singer Melissa Etheridge.

Evalyn Walsh McLean (Actor)

Jim Morrison (Actor)

Born: December 08, 1943
Died: July 03, 1971
Birthplace: Melbourne, Florida, United States

Trivia: Moved frequently during his youth because of his father's career in the military. Appeared in an early '60s promo film for Florida State University. Formed the Doors in 1965 with keyboardist Ray Manzarek, who also attended UCLA. Was banned (along with the rest of the Doors) from The Ed Sullivan Show after failing to censor the lyrics to "Light My Fire" during the band's first appearance on the program. Convicted of indecent exposure and profanity in September 1970 for his behavior during a March 1969 Doors performance in Miami. Passed away under murky circumstances in Paris in 1971. Though officials said he died from heart failure, rumors of a drug overdose and the possibility that Morrison faked his own death abounded. Was buried in Paris, and his grave has become a popular tourist site for visitors to the city.

Amy Winehouse (Actor)

Born: September 14, 1983
Died: July 23, 2011
Birthplace: London, England

Trivia: Was a member of England's National Youth Jazz Orchestra as a teenager. Released her acclaimed debut album, the jazz-leaning Frank, in 2003. Scored her first U.S. radio hit with "Rehab," the first single from 2006's platinum Back to Black. Was arrested for marijuana possession in Norway in October 2007; in a separate incident, husband Blake Fielder-Civil was jailed on charges of assault and perverting the course of justice. Appeared on fashion critic Richard Blackwell's infamous Worst-Dressed List for 2007. Aspired to be a roller-skating waitress after watching the movie American Graffiti as a child.

The UnXplained With William Shatner: Mysterious Curses

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Today on History HDTV (East) ()

Mysterious Curses

Season 2, Episode 3