Famous people and celebrities born on December 19

Welcome to our celebration of remarkable individuals born on December 19! 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.

• 1910 Jean Genet

  Jean Genet was a groundbreaking French writer who transformed his tumultuous life experiences of marginalization, crime, and social rejection into powerful literary works. He became an influential novelist, playwright, and political activist known for exploring themes of sexuality, social outcasts, and rebellion. His autobiographical writings and provocative plays challenged societal norms and established him as a significant 20th-century literary figure.

• 1915 Édith Piaf

  Legendary French singer known as 'La Môme Piaf' (The Little Sparrow), she was an iconic voice of 20th-century French music with a powerful, emotional style. Her most famous songs include 'La Vie en Rose' and 'Non, je ne regrette rien', and her life was marked by both extraordinary artistic success and personal tragedy.

• 1923 Gordon Jackson

  Scottish actor renowned for his iconic role as Hudson in the TV series 'Upstairs, Downstairs', winning an Emmy Award in 1976 and the British Actors of the Year Award in 1974.

• 1933 Cicely Tyson

  Pioneering African American actress who broke racial barriers in film and television, winning numerous awards for her powerful performances in movies like 'Roots' and 'The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman'.

• 1934 Al Kaline

  Legendary Detroit Tigers baseball player, inducted into the Hall of Fame, who spent his entire 22-year career with the team and was known as 'Mr. Tiger'.

• 1941 Maurice White

  Legendary musician and founder of Earth, Wind & Fire, a groundbreaking R&B and funk band that revolutionized popular music in the 1970s. He was a talented singer, songwriter, and percussionist who blended multiple musical styles and achieved international success.

• 1943 Keith Richards

  Iconic guitarist and founding member of the Rolling Stones, one of the most influential rock bands in music history.

• 1944 Tim Reid

  American actor known for his comedic roles in television series like WKRP in Cincinnati and Frank's Place, with a significant career in comedy and acting.

• 1944 Richard Leakey

  Renowned Kenyan paleoanthropologist from a famous scientific family, known for groundbreaking fossil discoveries in human evolution and conservation efforts.

• 1946 Robert Urich

  American actor known for television series like Spenser: For Hire and Vega$, who appeared in films such as Magnum Force and worked across stage, film, and radio.

• 1946 Steven Biko

  Prominent South African anti-apartheid activist who died in police custody, becoming a powerful symbol of resistance against racial oppression.

• 1947 Steven Spielberg

  Legendary film director, producer, and screenwriter, widely considered one of the most influential filmmakers in cinematic history.

• 1961 Abigail Johnson

  Prominent American business executive who serves as CEO and Chairman of Fidelity Investments, one of the largest financial services companies in the world. She has been instrumental in leading the family-owned firm and is considered one of the most powerful women in business.

• 1963 Jennifer Beals

  Renowned American actress best known for her iconic role in the film 'Flashdance' and her subsequent successful television and film career.

• 1963 Til Schweiger

  Prominent German actor, director, and producer known for his versatile roles in both German and international cinema.

• 1963 Brad Pitt

  Globally renowned Hollywood actor and producer, known for numerous blockbuster films and his humanitarian work.

• 1964 Béatrice Dalle

  Renowned French actress and model known for her intense and provocative performances in independent cinema, particularly famous for her role in the cult film 'Betty Blue'.

• 1965 Jessica Steen

  Canadian actress known for her roles in television series like Earth II, Homefront, and Trial & Error, with a steady career in film and TV.

• 1966 Alberto Tomba

  Legendary Italian alpine ski racer nicknamed 'La Bomba', who won multiple Olympic gold medals in slalom and giant slalom during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

• 1968 Ken Marino

  American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer known for his work in comedy films and television series like 'Wet Hot American Summer' and 'Party Down'.

• 1969 Richard Hammond

  Richard Hammond is a popular British television presenter, best known for co-hosting the automotive show 'Top Gear' and later 'The Grand Tour'.

• 1969 Kristy Swanson

  Kristy Swanson is an American actress best known for her role as the original Buffy Summers in the 1992 film 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'.

• 1970 Tyson Beckford

  Iconic male supermodel and actor known for his work with Ralph Lauren and appearances in films like 'Zoolander'.

• 1971 Amy Locane

  American actress known for her roles in television series and films, including Melrose Place.

• 1972 Alyssa Milano

  Prominent American actress known for her roles in 'Who's the Boss?' and 'Charmed'. She began her acting career as a child star and later became an activist and producer.

• 1973 Takashi Sorimachi

  Prominent Japanese actor and singer known for his roles in popular TV dramas and music career in the 1990s and early 2000s.

• 1979 Tara Summers

  British television actress known for roles in TV series like 'Boston Legal' and 'The Mentalist'.

• 1980 Jake Gyllenhaal

  Critically acclaimed Hollywood actor known for diverse and powerful performances in films like 'Donnie Darko', 'Brokeback Mountain', and 'Nightcrawler'. Received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for his compelling dramatic roles.

• 1980 Marla Sokoloff

  American actress best known for her roles in popular TV series 'The Practice' and 'Full House', who has worked consistently in television and film since the late 1990s.

• 1987 Ronan Farrow

  Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, human rights activist, and lawyer known for groundbreaking reporting on sexual harassment. He is the son of actress Mia Farrow and has a complex family history involving potential biological fathers.