Famous people and celebrities born in January 1900

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in January 1900! This month and year saw the birth of many influential figures who have made significant contributions to various fields, including entertainment, sports, politics, and more. Explore the biographies and achievements of these famous personalities and see how their talents have shaped the world. Join us in honoring the stars born in this memorable time.

• Jan. 1 Chiune Sugihara

  Japanese diplomat who saved thousands of Jewish refugees during World War II by issuing transit visas against his government's orders, risking his career and life to help people escape Nazi persecution.

• Jan. 1 Xavier Cugat

  Legendary Spanish-American bandleader known as the 'Rumbaking', who popularized Latin music genres like tango, mambo, and cha-cha in the United States during the mid-20th century.

• Jan. 1 Paola Borboni

  Renowned Italian actress with an extraordinary career spanning nine decades in cinema and theatre, making over 80 film appearances from 1916 to 1990.

• Jan. 2 William Haines

  William Haines was a prominent American actor during the silent film era who later became a successful interior designer after leaving Hollywood. He was known for his distinctive personality and was one of the first openly gay actors in Hollywood.

• Jan. 3 Maurice Jaubert

  Maurice Jaubert was a prominent French film composer of the 1930s, known for creating subtle and mood-enhancing soundtracks for notable directors like René Clair and Julien Duvivier. His musical works significantly contributed to the cinematic atmosphere of early French cinema.

• Jan. 5 Yves Tanguy

  Yves Tanguy was a prominent French surrealist painter known for his unique, dreamlike landscapes that challenged traditional artistic representation. Born in Paris to Breton parents, he was deeply influenced by the surrealist movement and became a key figure alongside artists like Salvador Dalí and André Breton. His distinctive style featured biomorphic forms and enigmatic, otherworldly scenes that explored the subconscious.

• Jan. 5 Dennis Gabor

  Dennis Gabor was a Hungarian-British physicist and electrical engineer who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1971 for his groundbreaking invention of holography. His work revolutionized optical technology and laid the foundation for modern 3D imaging techniques used in various fields including medicine, security, and entertainment.

• Jan. 6 Pierre-Octave Ferroud

  French composer known for innovative musical works who tragically died at a young age of 36. He composed notable pieces including works exploring themes of surgery and crowds.

• Jan. 6 Kathryn Hulme

  Accomplished American novelist who was active in the mid-20th century and passed away in 1981.

• Jan. 7 Robert Le Vigan

  French character actor who was prominent in the French cinema of the 1930s and early 1940s, known for his versatile supporting roles in numerous films.

• Jan. 8 Serge Poliakoff

  Renowned Russian-French abstract painter who was a key figure in the post-war Lyrical Abstraction movement. He created distinctive works characterized by vibrant colors and geometric compositions. His art is represented in major international museums.

• Jan. 8 François Menthon

  Prominent French lawyer, politician, and jurist who played a significant role in the Gaullist movement. He was a key figure in the French Resistance during World War II and later in post-war French politics.

• Jan. 9 Richard Halliburton

  Richard Halliburton was a renowned American adventurer and travel writer who documented extraordinary journeys across the globe during the early 20th century. His books captured the imagination of readers with vivid descriptions of daring expeditions and cultural encounters. Halliburton was known for his adventurous spirit and unconventional lifestyle, which included exploring remote locations and challenging societal norms.

• Jan. 16 Edith Frank

  Mother of Anne Frank, the famous Jewish diarist who documented her family's experiences during the Holocaust. She tragically died in Auschwitz concentration camp.

• Jan. 16 Eugen Bamann

  German biochemist and scientific researcher who made significant contributions to biochemical understanding in the early 20th century.

• Jan. 19 Laura Z. Hobson

  American novelist best known for her groundbreaking novel 'Gentleman's Agreement', which addressed antisemitism in post-World War II America.

• Jan. 20 Colin Clive

  British actor known for his iconic roles in Frankenstein (1931) and Jane Eyre (1934), who transitioned from military service to stage and film after a knee injury. He was recognized for his brooding performances in early Hollywood and British cinema.

• Jan. 22 Ernst Busch

  Renowned German stage actor, singer, and political activist who was a key interpreter of Bertolt Brecht's works and survived persecution during the Nazi regime.

• Jan. 25 Theodosius Dobzhansky

  Renowned geneticist who made fundamental contributions to evolutionary biology, helping to integrate Darwinian theory with modern genetics and population studies.

• Jan. 27 Hyman Rickover

  Admiral Hyman Rickover was a pioneering naval officer who revolutionized naval technology by developing nuclear-powered submarines and ships. He served in the US Navy for over 60 years and was instrumental in transforming naval warfare and maritime capabilities. Known as the 'Father of the Nuclear Navy', his innovations had profound impacts on military strategy and technological advancement.

• Jan. 28 Alice Neel

  Alice Neel was a prominent American portrait painter known for her emotionally charged and psychologically penetrating works that captured diverse subjects from New York's social landscape. She was a key figure in the Twentieth-century American art scene, particularly celebrated for her humanistic and empathetic portrayal of marginalized communities.

• Jan. 30 Sandy Powell

  Renowned British costume designer from Rotherham, famous for her work on films like 'Rob Roy' and multiple collaborations with notable directors.

• Jan. 31 Betty Parsons

  Betty Parsons was a prominent American artist and influential art gallery owner who played a crucial role in promoting abstract expressionism in the mid-20th century. She represented groundbreaking artists like Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Barnett Newman, significantly shaping the New York art scene.