Famous People Born Today

James Franco

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1978

Birthplace: Palo Alto, California, United States

Actor, director, and comedian, James Franco, has been active in the entertainment industry for over two decades. He was studious as a child and wanted to become a marine biologist. However, fate had other plans and he became an actor instead. In addition to acting, he teaches film classes at many universities, including New York University.

Hayden Christensen

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1981

Birthplace: Vancouver, Canada

Canadian actor, Hayden Christensen, is best known for his role of Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. However, many critics panned his acting in both the films. Shattered Glass, Awake, Jumper, Outcast, First Kill and The Last Man are some of his other notable films.

Ashley Judd

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1968

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Ashley Judd is a popular American actress who is vocal about topics, such as sexual assault. As a three-time rape survivor—as claimed by her—Ashley serves as an inspiration to rape survivors around the world. Known for her humanitarian work, Ashley has worked on gender equality for over a decade. She is also famous for her political activities.

Maria Sharapova

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1987

Birthplace: Nyagan, Russia

One of Time’s 30 Legends of Women's Tennis, Maria Sharapova, the first Russian woman tennis player to top the singles rankings, earned three doubles and five Grand Slam titles. A failed drug test led to her temporary suspension. She bounced back with modeling and launched her confectionary brand Sugarpova.

Jayne Mansfield

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1933

Birthplace: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, United States

Died: 1967

One of the early Playboy Playmates, Jayne Mansfield was a popular sex symbol of Hollywood during the 1950s. Although she had a short-lived film career, she was very popular for her well-publicized publicity stunts, including wardrobe malfunctions. She started a new trend by becoming the first major actress of the post-silent film era to act in a nude scene!

Tim Curry

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1946

Birthplace: Grappenhall, Cheshire, England

Tim Curry, who idolized the Rolling Stones and the Beatles as a teenager, went on to become an actor and singer. He serves as an inspiration to many as he continues to contribute to the film and TV industry even after suffering a major stroke, which has left him wheelchair-bound since 2012.

Simu Liu

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1989

Birthplace: Harbin, China

Born in China, Simu Liu moved to Canada at 5. A business administration graduate, he took to acting after being laid off by Deloitte. Trained in martial arts, he initially found work as a stunt man. He is best known for his Canadian Screen Award-nominated role in Blood and Water.

Kate Hudson

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1979

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Kate Hudson carved out a nice niche for herself in Hollywood after appearing in a string of romantic comedies. She’s had many box office successes like Almost Famous, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Alex and Emma, You, Me and Dupree, Great Barrier Reef and Bride Wars. She has also had some failures and duds along the way.

Dudley Moore

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1935

Birthplace: Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom

Died: 2002

Dudley Moore was a prominent figure of the 1960s’ British satire boom. He is best known for writing the stage revue Beyond the Fringe and was also part of the sketch comedy Not Only... But Also. He delivered an Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-winning performance in the comedy film Arthur. 

Luis Miguel

Listed In: Singers

Birth Year: 1970

Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Luis Miguel is a Mexican singer. Having performed in a wide range of styles like pop and jazz, Miguel is considered the most successful artist in the history of Latin America. One of the best-selling Latin musicians ever, Miguel is credited with popularizing the bolero genre. Thanks to his popularity, he has been referred to as the Latin Frank Sinatra.

Ali Wong

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1982

Birthplace: San Francisco, California, USA

Height: 5'3" (160 cm)

Rivaldo

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1972

Birthplace: State of Pernambuco, Brazil

Brazilian former footballer Rivaldo is known for his powerful strikes and has had successful stints with the clubs Barcelona and Milan. He is the seventh-highest goal-scorer for Brazil and was part of the 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning team. Post-retirement, he appeared in the film I Am Not Salvador. 

Shannon Lee

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1969

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Shannon Lee is the daughter of the most popular martial artist of all time, Bruce Lee. She followed in her father's footsteps to become an actress and martial artist. Shannon Lee is credited with upholding her father's legacy by serving as the president of the Bruce Lee Foundation. She is also the executive producer of Warrior, a series based on her father’s idea.

Eliot Ness

Listed In: Miscellaneous

Birth Year: 1903

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Died: 1957

Eliot Ness led the group of American law-enforcement agents known as The Untouchables. He is remembered for enforcing the Prohibition in the U.S. and is considered responsible for bringing crime lord Al Capone to justice. He co-authored the book The Untouchables, which led to many screen adaptations.

Elinor Donahue

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1937

Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington

Veteran actress, Elinor Donahue, is best known for her role in the 1950s American sitcom Father Knows Best. She began acting as a child and appeared in many dancing-chorus films. As a young woman, she acted in numerous films and TV shows and became an accomplished actress. She has had an extensive career spanning almost seven decades. 

Mukesh Ambani

Listed In: Business People

Birth Year: 1957

Birthplace: Aden, Yemen

The richest person in Asia, Mukesh Ambani is an Indian billionaire business magnate. He is the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL). The son legendary Dhirubhai Ambani, he started his career by helping his father build their family business. As of today, he is the only Indian businessman on Forbes' list of the world's most powerful people.

Candace Parker

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1986

Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Height: 6'4" (193 cm)

Troy Polamalu

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1981

Birthplace: Garden Grove, California, USA

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

Loren Gray Beech

Listed In: Social Media Stars

Birth Year: 2002

Birthplace: Pottstown, Pennsylvania, United States

Loren Gray Beech is an American singer and social media personality. She is best known for posting videos on TikTok, where she is one of the most followed TikTokers. After achieving popularity as a social media personality, Loren Gray Beech established herself as a singer. Gray has received nominations for several awards, including the Teen Choice Award and Shorty Award.

Dick Sargent

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1930

Birthplace: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, United States

Died: 1994

Height: 6'2" (188 cm)

Joe Mauer

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1983

Birthplace: Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States

Height: 6'5" (196 cm)

Jennifer Taylor

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1972

Birthplace: Hoboken, New Jersey, United States

Height: 5'8" (173 cm)

Gad Elmaleh

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1971

Birthplace: Casablanca, Morocco

Gad Elmaleh is a Moroccan-Canadian stand-up comedian and actor. He studied drama at Cours Florent under the tutelage of prominent coach Isabelle Nanty. He began his career with one-man shows and eventually ventured into TV and cinema as well. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. 

Hugh O'Brian

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1925

Birthplace: Rochester, New York, United States

Died: 2016

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

Erich Hartmann

Listed In: Miscellaneous

Birth Year: 1922

Birthplace: Weissach

Died: 1993

Remembered as the most successful fighter pilot in the history of aerial warfare, Erich Hartmann completed 1,400 missions in his Messerschmitt Bf 109 and shot down 352 Allied planes. Known for his dogfighting strategy, he inspired the popular biography The Blond Knight of Germany and became a flight instructor post-retirement.

Joe Hart

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1987

Birthplace: Shrewsbury, England

English footballer Joe Hart, goalkeeper for the Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur, began his football career at 16 and has 100 Premier League clean sheets. He is the joint record-holder for the most Premier League Golden Glove awards. He has won two Premier League titles with Manchester City.

Alan Price

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1942

Birthplace: Fatfield, Washington, England

Height: 5'9" (175 cm)

Charlie Murphy

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1988

Birthplace: Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

Bryan Spears

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1977

Birthplace: Kentwood, Louisiana, USA

Height: 5'11" (180 cm)

Fernando Botero

Listed In: Artists & Painters

Birth Year: 1932

Birthplace: Medellín, Colombia

Tony Plana

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1952

Birthplace: Havana, Cuba

Height: 5'7" (170 cm)

Patrick Gibson

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1995

Birthplace: Ireland

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

Paloma Picasso

Listed In: Fashion

Birth Year: 1949

Birthplace: Vallauris, France

Fashion and jewelry designer Paloma Picasso is best known as the daughter of legendary artists Pablo Picasso and Françoise Gilot. She began her career designing costume jewelry for Yves Saint-Laurent and later designed for Tiffany & Co. Known for her signature red lipstick, she also has her own range of perfumes.

Catalina Sandino Moreno

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1981

Birthplace: Bogota, Colombia

Height: 5'6" (168 cm)

Kelly Olynyk

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1991

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Kelly Olynyk is a Canadian basketball player who has represented popular NBA teams like the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Houston Rockets. Olynyk, who currently plays for the Detroit Pistons, is also an important member of the Canadian national team.

Kelly Holmes

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1970

Birthplace: Pembury, Kent, England

Kelly Holmes is a retired English middle-distance athlete who specialized in the 800 meters and 1,500 meters events. She won gold medals for both distances at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Beginning her career with the British Army, she turned to professional athletics in 1993. She took part in her final major championship in 2004. 

Lee Da-hae

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1984

Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea

South Korean actor Lee Da-hae has gained a huge fan base in Japan and China, with K-dramas such as My Girl and Hotel King. She got her first brush with stardom after winning the Miss Chunhyang pageant and has been the first Korean female performer to deliver dialogues in Mandarin. 

Alexis Arguello

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1952

Birthplace: Managua, Nicaragua

Died: 2009

Nicaraguan professional boxer Alexis Arguello had once held the world featherweight, lightweight, and junior lightweight titles. He fought for the Contras against the Sandinista regime, and then continued his boxing career in the US, before returning to politics and becoming the mayor of Managua. He eventually died by suicide.

Antonio Carluccio

Listed In: Food Experts

Birth Year: 1937

Birthplace: Vietri sul Mare, Salerno, Campania, Italy

Died: 2017

Glenn T. Seaborg

Listed In: Scientists

Birth Year: 1912

Birthplace: Ishpeming, Michigan

Died: 1999

Glenn T. Seaborg was an American chemist who shared the 1951 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Edwin McMillan for discovering the first transuranium elements. He also authored or co-authored several books and articles, including 500 scientific journals. In 2005, Glenn T. Seaborg was inducted posthumously into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Arshad Warsi

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1968

Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Orphaned at 14, Arshad Warsi quit school after the 10th standard and took to selling cosmetics at 17. His interest in dance made him join Akbar Sami's dance group. He later launched his own dance studio. He eventually soared to fame as Circuit in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and also won a Filmfare.

Chase Winovich

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1995

Birthplace: Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania, United States

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

Reinhard Bonnke

Listed In: Miscellaneous

Birth Year: 1940

Birthplace: Königsberg,Germany

Died: 2019

Born in Germany, Pentecostal preacher Reinhard Bonnke had become a born-again Christian at 9. He was known for his self-less preachings in Africa and made his powerful oratory a trademark. As the founder of Christ For All Nations, he was reportedly responsible for over 79 million Christian conversions.

Maye Musk

Listed In: Fashion

Birth Year: 1948

Birthplace: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

A successful model and entrepreneur, Maye Musk is also a trained dietician, having a master's degree in dietetics and another in nutritional science. Born in Canada, but raised and married in South Africa, she later returned to her birth country, where she continued modeling, appearing on covers of numerous journals, concurrently running a business as a dietitian, giving presentations worldwide.     

Nick Groff

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1980

Birthplace: San Jose, California, USA

Luguentz Dort

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1999

Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

Surekha Sikri

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1945

Birthplace: New Delhi, India

Died: 2021

Jackie Bradley Jr.

Listed In: Sportspersons

Birth Year: 1990

Birthplace: Richmond, Virginia, United States

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

Kim Chiu

Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities

Birth Year: 1990

Birthplace: Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines

Kim Chiu is a Filipino model, actress, singer, dancer, host, and vlogger. Nicknamed the Multimedia Idol, Chiu has achieved immense popularity in the Philippines. Regarded as one of the most popular actresses for her generation, Chiu is also counted among the highest grossing stars of the 2010s decade. She is also one of the most decorated performers of her generation.

Bernie Worrell

Listed In: Musicians

Birth Year: 1944

Birthplace: Long Branch, New Jersey, U.S.

Died: 2016