American singer-songwriter and actress Deborah Harry was BOTD in 1945. Born Angela Trimble in Hawthorne, New Jersey, she was adopted as a child by a middle-class family, and studies at Centenary College. She moved to New York City in the 1960s, beginning her career as a backing singer for a folk work while taking various jobs as a secretary, go-go dancer and Playboy Bunny. In 1973, she co-founded punk rock band Blondie with her then-boyfriend Chris Stein, releasing their self-titled debut album in 1976. Their third album Parallel Lines, released in 1979, made them internationally famous, producing the No 1 hit single Heart of Glass and a well-received cover of Hanging on the Telephone. Much of the band’s success hinged on Harry’s insouciant cool, platinum blonde hair and affectless ironic sexuality, earning comparisons with Marlene Dietrich. Further success followed with the international hit singles Call Me, Atomic, The Tide is High and Rapture, the first rap song to reach No 1 in the United States. Harry became the It Girl of 1970s New York, partying with Andy Warhol, David Bowie, Lou Reed and briefly dating Jean-Michel Basquiat (who appeared in the music video for Rapture). She launched a solo career in 1981, and shifted into acting, with vivid appearances in David Cronenberg’s dystopian horror film Videodrome and John Waters’ comedy Hairspray. In the late 19080s, she scored further hits with French Kissin’ in the USA, I Want That Man and an amusing cover of Cole Porter‘s song Well, Did You Evah! with Iggy Pop for the Red Hot + Blue charity album. After a long hiatus, Blondie reunited in 2007 with the album No Exit, spawning the hit single Maria. Their most recent album, Pollinator, was released in 2017. Now considered one of the most influential singers and pop culture icons of the 20th century, Harry’s work has influenced performers including Shirley Manson, Gwen Stefani, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Beth Ditto. A prominent supporter of the LGBTQ community from early in her career, her friendships with gay luminaries including Warhol and Elton John and witty subversion of her gender and sexuality has earned her a sustained LGBTQ cult following. In her 2014 memoir Face It, she acknowledged a series of relationships with women in her youth. Harry lives in New York City and Middletown, New Jersey. Her relationship status is unknown.