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.

  • Sterling Brown
    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.

  • Henry Koster
    1905 Henry Koster

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

  • Kate Smith
    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.

  • Glenn Ford
    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'.

  • Danielle Darrieux
    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.

  • Jack Paar
    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.

  • Laura Betti
    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.

  • Rita Coolidge
    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'.

  • Joanna Lumley
    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.

  • Catherine Frot
    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.

  • Cecilia Peck
    1958 Cecilia Peck

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

  • Maia Morgenstern
    1962 Maia Morgenstern

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

  • Tim McGraw
    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'.

  • Ajith Kumar
    1971 Ajith Kumar

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

  • Julie Benz
    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.

  • Jamie Dornan
    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.

  • Anushka Sharma
    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.

  • Nicholas Braun
    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.

What Is special about May 1?

Discover what makes May 1 a memorable date