Famous people and celebrities born on December 24

Welcome to our celebration of remarkable individuals born on December 24! 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.

• 1822 Matthew Arnold

  English poet and cultural critic, who was also an inspector of schools. thomas arnold was his son and the famous headmaster at rugby school. he was also the brother of william delafield arnold (novelist and colonial administrator) and tom arnold (literary professor). matthew arnold is referred to as a "sage writer", a writer who instructs and challenges the reader about …

• 1893 Ruth Chatterton

  American actress, writer, and pilot. at 14 she was a dare in a new york chorus. four years later, she made her broadway debut in a 21-day-old turkey. she was already a star in a henry miller production at the age of 21. she was a star in a series of henry miller plays, including "daddy long legs," "come out …

• 1904 Joseph Juran

  Renowned American-Romanian management consultant and quality control expert who significantly influenced modern business management practices. He was a prolific author and thought leader in quality management, known for his groundbreaking work on quality improvement strategies. He lived to be 103 years old and passed away in Rye, New York in 2008.

• 1905 Howard Hughes

  Legendary American business magnate, aviator, and film producer who revolutionized aerospace and cinema, known for his extraordinary wealth, innovative spirit, and complex psychological struggles. [bio]

• 1918 Helmut Schmidt

  Influential German Chancellor who led West Germany from 1974 to 1982, known for his pragmatic leadership during the Cold War era.

• 1922 Ava Gardner

  Iconic Hollywood actress of the mid-20th century, known for her extraordinary beauty and compelling screen presence. She starred in numerous classic films and was considered one of the great femme fatales of her era. Her career spanned several decades, making her a true legend of American cinema. [bio]

• 1923 George Patton

  Legendary American military general who played a crucial role in World War II, known for his strategic brilliance and aggressive leadership in the European Theater.

• 1924 Mohammed Rafi

  Iconic Indian playback singer who revolutionized Bollywood music with his extraordinary vocal range and versatility.

• 1927 Mary Higgins Clark

  Renowned American mystery and suspense novelist who wrote over 40 bestselling books and was known as the 'Queen of Suspense'. She published her first novel in 1975 and became one of the most successful writers in her genre.

• 1929 Chet Baker

  Legendary jazz trumpeter and vocalist known for his cool West Coast jazz style and influential musical career.

• 1933 Akihit Akihito

  Emperor of Japan from 1989 to 2019, Akihito was a significant figure in modern Japanese history who played a crucial role in Japan's post-war diplomatic relations and cultural representation.

• 1938 Bob Kahn

  Renowned computer scientist and internet pioneer, co-developer of TCP/IP protocols fundamental to internet communication.

• 1939 Dean Corll

  Notorious serial killer from Houston who murdered at least 28 teenage boys between 1970-1973. His horrific crimes shocked Texas and exposed a dark chapter of sexual predation and murder targeting young men.

• 1943 Tarja Halonen

  Prominent Finnish politician who served as the 11th President of Finland from 2000 to 2012, becoming the first woman to hold this prestigious position. She was a long-standing member of parliament and previously served as foreign minister.

• 1944 Erhard Keller

  German Olympic gold medalist speed skater who won gold in the 500-metre event in 1968.

• 1945 Lemmy Kilmister

  Legendary rock musician, founder and frontman of Motörhead, widely considered an icon of heavy metal and rock music. Known for his distinctive voice, bass playing, and influential role in the development of heavy metal and punk rock.

• 1946 Jeff Sessions

  American politician and lawyer who served as the 44th Attorney General of Alabama and later as the 84th United States Attorney General during the Trump administration.

• 1957 Hamid Karzai

  First democratically elected president of Afghanistan who led the country during a critical transition period after the fall of the Taliban regime.

• 1959 Lee Daniels

  Acclaimed American film director known for critically acclaimed movies like 'Precious' and 'The Butler', who has significantly influenced contemporary cinema.

• 1964 Mark Valley

  American actor known for roles in television series like 'Boston Legal' and 'Human Target'.

• 1966 Diedrich Bader

  American actor known for his comedic roles in television, particularly as Oswald in 'The Drew Carey Show' and roles in various sitcoms and animated series.

• 1968 Doyle Bramhall II

  Renowned blues and rock guitarist known for his work with Eric Clapton and Roger Waters, and as a solo artist with a distinctive musical style.

• 1971 Ricky Martin

  Internationally renowned Puerto Rican pop singer who rose to global fame in the late 1990s. He became a Latin pop icon with his hit 'Livin' la Vida Loca' and played a significant role in popularizing Latin music worldwide.

• 1973 Stephenie Meyer

  Young adult author

• 1976 Lynn Chen

  Lynn Chen is an accomplished Asian-American actress and musician, known for her roles in independent films and her work across various media platforms.

• 1982 Masaki Aiba

  Masaki Aiba is a prominent Japanese entertainer, member of the popular boy band Arashi, known for his versatile talents in music, acting, and television hosting.

• 1986 Satomi Ishihara

  Popular Japanese actress known for her roles in television dramas and films, with a significant presence in Japanese entertainment media.

• 1991 Louis Tomlinson

  English singer, songwriter, and actor best known for being a member of the globally successful pop band One Direction. He has pursued a successful solo music career and attempted a business venture in football club ownership.

• 1995 Anett Kontaveit

  Estonian professional tennis player who has been ranked in the top 10 by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). She is known for her powerful baseline game and has won multiple WTA titles.