February 16th is the birthday

… of Richard Ford. The Pulitzer-winning novelist is 63.

When asked what his advice is for aspiring writers, Ford said, “Try to talk yourself out of it. As a life, it’s much too solitary, it makes you obsessive, the rewards seem to be much too inward for most people, and too much rides on luck. Other than that, it’s great.” (The Writer’s Almanac)

… of LeVar Burton. Kunta Kinte is 50.

… of Ice-T. Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola is 49. His real name is Tracy Marrow and his son is Tracy Marrow Jr., not Ice-T Jr.

… of John McEnroe. The tennis hall-of-famer is 48.

… of Jerome Bettis. “The Bus” is 35.