Famous people and celebrities born in May 1902

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in May 1902! 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.

May 1 Theodore Schultz
Theodore Schultz was a renowned American economist who won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979 for his groundbreaking work on human capital and economic development.
May 2 Brian Aherne
Brian Aherne was a prominent British-American actor who successfully transitioned from stage to film, appearing in notable movies like 'Juarez' and receiving an Oscar nomination. He had a versatile career spanning theater and cinema from the 1920s to the 1960s.
May 3 Walter Slezak
Austrian-American actor who transitioned from romantic lead to character roles, known for his Tony Award-winning performance in 'Fanny' in 1954. Son of an operatic tenor, he initially studied medicine and worked as a bank clerk before pursuing acting.
May 4 Alfred Kastler
Nobel Prize-winning French physicist known for his fundamental work in quantum mechanics and spectroscopy, particularly optical pumping.
May 4 Cola Debrot
Prominent Dutch intellectual who worked as a physician, lawyer, and politician, making significant contributions to Caribbean governance and literature.
May 5 W. Clement Stone
Prominent American businessman and philanthropist known for his success in insurance and motivational literature about personal development.
May 6 Max Ophuls
Renowned German film director known for his sophisticated and stylish cinema, who significantly influenced European film art in the mid-20th century.
May 6 Harry Golden
Ukrainian-American journalist, author, and civil rights activist known for his writings on Jewish-American experiences and Southern social issues.
May 6 Paul Azaïs
French actor who appeared in 112 films between 1929 and 1966, contributing to the French cinema of his era.
May 7 Jean-Philippe Lauer
Renowned French egyptologist who dedicated 75 years to studying and preserving the Saqqara archaeological site, particularly focusing on Djoser's mortuary complex. He was considered a leading expert on pyramid construction techniques and methods. His extensive work significantly contributed to our understanding of ancient Egyptian architectural practices.
May 8 André Lwoff
French microbiologist and Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine in 1965. He was a prominent researcher at the Institut Pasteur and made significant contributions to microbiology and cell biology.
May 8 André Michel Lwoff
MED - French microbiologist and virologist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1902)
May 10 David Selznick
Legendary Hollywood film producer who won Oscars for 'Gone with the Wind' and 'Rebecca', and was awarded the Irving Thalberg Memorial Prize. He was considered one of the most influential producers of the Golden Age of Hollywood.
May 11 Edna Ernestine Kramer
Edna Ernestine Kramer was a pioneering American mathematician who made significant contributions to mathematical research in the early 20th century.
May 15 Richard Daley
Powerful Democratic mayor of Chicago who served from 1955 to 1976, known for his strong political machine and controversial handling of the 1968 Democratic National Convention protests.
May 16 Jan Kiepura
Jan Kiepura was a renowned Polish tenor and actor, famous for his performances in opera, operetta, and film during the early to mid-20th century. He was particularly celebrated for his powerful voice and charismatic screen presence. Kiepura starred in numerous international productions and was a significant cultural figure in Poland and Europe.
May 18 Meredith Willson
Renowned American composer, playwright, and musician best known for creating the iconic Broadway musical 'The Music Man'. He was a significant figure in mid-20th century American musical theater and also worked in radio and film.
May 21 Marcel Breuer
Renowned Hungarian-American architect and designer, famous for his modernist architectural works and furniture design, particularly associated with the Bauhaus movement.
May 22 Al Simmons
Al Simmons was a prominent American baseball player and coach who played in Major League Baseball during the early 20th century, known for his exceptional batting skills.
May 24 Lionel Conacher
Legendary Canadian multi-sport athlete who excelled in football, hockey, and baseball, later becoming a prominent politician in Ontario.
May 27 Erminio Macario
Prominent Italian comedy actor and performer who was a significant figure in Italian cinema and theater during the mid-20th century.
May 27 Peter Marshall
Distinguished Presbyterian clergyman who served as Senate chaplain and was a notable public speaker with significant religious leadership roles in Washington, D.C.
May 29 Paul Kohner
Prominent Hollywood film producer who represented many notable actors and played a significant role in the entertainment industry during the mid-20th century.
May 29 Henri Guillaumet
French sports champion known for his achievements, particularly in aviation and endurance sports.
May 30 Stepin Fetchit
Pioneering African American actor and comedian known for his controversial stereotypical film roles in early Hollywood, who was both criticized and later recognized as a trailblazer for Black performers.