Famous people and celebrities born on May 1

Welcome to our celebration of remarkable individuals born on May 1! On this day, we recognize the birth of various influential celebrities who have left their mark on the world. From acclaimed actors and musicians to groundbreaking athletes and leaders, explore the lives and achievements of those who share this special birthday. Join us in honoring these stars and discovering the impact they've made across diverse fields.

• 1901 Sterling Brown

  Sterling Brown was a prominent African American poet, literary critic, and academic who significantly contributed to the Harlem Renaissance and African American literary studies.

• 1901 Simon Kuznets

  Simon Kuznets was a Nobel Prize-winning economist who made groundbreaking contributions to economic growth theory and national income accounting.

• 1905 Henry Koster

  Renowned German-American film director, producer, and screenwriter who made significant contributions to Hollywood during the mid-20th century.

• 1907 Kate Smith

  Iconic American singer known for her patriotic rendition of 'God Bless America' and her significant contributions to entertainment during the mid-20th century. She was a popular radio and television personality who boosted national morale during World War II.

• 1916 Glenn Ford

  Renowned Canadian-American actor who starred in over 200 films, particularly famous for his Western movies and notable works like 'Blackboard Jungle' and 'The Rounders'.

• 1917 Danielle Darrieux

  Renowned French actress who was a prominent screen star from 1930, surviving World War II as a resistance figure. She was internationally famous and continued performing on stage and screen for decades.

• 1918 Jack Paar

  Pioneering American television talk show host who significantly influenced late-night entertainment in the 1950s and early 1960s, hosting 'The Tonight Show' and setting the stage for future talk show formats.

• 1919 Manna Dey

  Manna Dey was a legendary Indian playback singer renowned for his versatile voice and significant contributions to Hindi and Bengali cinema music.

• 1923 Joseph Heller

  Renowned American novelist and satirist best known for his groundbreaking anti-war novel 'Catch-22', which became a landmark work of 20th-century literature and a powerful critique of military bureaucracy.

• 1927 Laura Betti

  Renowned Italian actress and close friend of Pier Paolo Pasolini, known for her collaborations with major Italian filmmakers like Fellini and Bertolucci. She was also a professional jazz singer before her acting career and created a documentary about Pasolini in 2001.

• 1927 Harry [Harold George Jr] Belafonte in New York City

  Legendary calypso singer from New York City, famous worldwide for hits like 'The Banana Boat Song' and his significant contributions to music and civil rights.

• 1933 Willie Nelson

  Legendary American country music singer, songwriter, and actor, known for his distinctive voice and pivotal role in the outlaw country music movement.

• 1934 Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas

  Prominent Mexican politician who significantly challenged Mexico's one-party system and founded the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD).

• 1939 Judy Collins

  Renowned American folk singer with a distinctive crystal-clear soprano voice who transitioned from classical piano to folk music. She is known for iconic songs like 'Both Sides Now' and has had a significant impact on the folk music scene for over three decades.

• 1940 John Wheeler

  Prominent American theoretical physicist who made significant contributions to quantum mechanics and nuclear physics, known for his work on black holes and quantum theory.

• 1944 Rita Coolidge

  Rita Coolidge is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter who rose to prominence in the 1970s with her soft rock and country-influenced music. She is known for her distinctive voice and hit songs like 'We're All Alone' and 'Higher and Higher'.

• 1946 Joanna Lumley

  Renowned British actress and television personality known for her iconic roles in 'The New Avengers', 'Absolutely Fabulous', and her elegant, intelligent public persona. Born in Kashmir, she has been a prominent figure in British entertainment since the late 1960s.

• 1948 Patricia Hill Collins

  Renowned African American sociologist and feminist scholar who significantly contributed to the understanding of intersectionality and black feminist thought.

• 1956 Catherine Frot

  Renowned French film and theatre actress who won the César Award in 1996 for Best Supporting Actress. She has been nominated multiple times for the César Award and is known for her versatile performances in French cinema.

• 1958 Cecilia Peck

  American actress and daughter of actress Veronique Passani, known for her roles in 'Forbidden Love' (1986) and 'Wall Street' (1987).

• 1962 Maia Morgenstern

  Renowned Romanian actress known for her powerful performances in theater and film, including her role in 'The Passion of the Christ'.

• 1967 Tim McGraw

  Tim McGraw is a Grammy Award-winning country music superstar and accomplished actor, known for hit songs like 'Live Like You Were Dying' and roles in films such as 'Friday Night Lights'.

• 1969 Wes Anderson

  Acclaimed film director known for his unique visual aesthetic and quirky storytelling, creating critically acclaimed films like 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and 'Moonrise Kingdom'.

• 1971 Ajith Kumar

  Ajith Kumar is a prominent Tamil cinema actor known for his versatile roles and significant popularity in South Indian film industry.

• 1972 Julie Benz

  Julie Benz is an accomplished American actress best known for her memorable roles in critically acclaimed TV series like 'Dexter' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. She has established herself as a versatile performer in television drama and genre entertainment.

• 1982 Jamie Dornan

  Jamie Dornan is a Northern Irish actor, model, and musician best known for his leading role in the 'Fifty Shades' film series and critically acclaimed performances in films like 'A Private War'.

• 1985 Gal Gadot

  Israeli actress and model globally famous for portraying Wonder Woman in DC superhero films, with significant international recognition.

• 1988 Anushka Sharma

  Anushka Sharma is a prominent Bollywood actress and film producer who has significantly influenced Indian cinema through her versatile roles and successful production company Clean Slate Films.

• 1988 Nicholas Braun

  Nicholas Braun is an American actor best known for his role as Cousin Greg in the critically acclaimed HBO series 'Succession'.

• 2004 Charli D'Amelio

  Charli D'Amelio is a prominent TikTok star and social media personality who rose to fame through her viral dance videos and became one of the most followed content creators on the platform.