Famous people and celebrities born in 1904

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1904. This year gave rise to a new generation of talent, including actors, musicians, athletes, politicians and more who have significantly impacted our world. Dive into the stories of these famous personalities, explore their journeys, and see how they've shaped culture and society since their birth year. Join us as we take a nostalgic trip back to 1904 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 2 Sally Rand
Famous burlesque performer known for her provocative fan dance, Sally Rand was an iconic American entertainer who became a sensation during the Great Depression era.
Jan. 10 Ray Bolger
Famous American actor and dancer best known for his iconic role as the Scarecrow in 'The Wizard of Oz', a classic film that defined his career and made him a beloved Hollywood personality.
Jan. 17 Patsy Ruth Miller
American actress known for her work in silent films during the 1920s, who had a long career in entertainment and lived to be 91 years old.
Jan. 18 Cary Grant
Iconic Hollywood actor known for his sophisticated charm and versatility across comedy and drama. He starred in numerous classic films and is considered one of the most beloved movie stars of the 20th century. His unique screen presence made him a timeless symbol of male elegance. [bio]
Jan. 22 George Balanchine
Legendary Russian-American choreographer who revolutionized ballet by liberating it from traditional 19th-century symmetrical forms. He created iconic roles for dancers and is considered one of the most influential ballet choreographers of the 20th century.
Feb. 6 Claudio Arrau
Claudio Arrau was a legendary Chilean classical pianist renowned for his profound interpretations of composers like Beethoven, Brahms, and Schubert. He was considered one of the most important pianists of the 20th century, with a career spanning over seven decades.
Feb. 16 George F. Kennan
Renowned American diplomat and historian who was a key architect of the US Cold War containment policy towards the Soviet Union.
Feb. 23 William L Shirer
Renowned American journalist and historian famous for his seminal work 'The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich'. He was a key observer and chronicler of World War II events in Europe.
March 1 Glenn Miller
Legendary big band leader and trombonist who revolutionized swing music during the 1930s and 1940s. He was a pivotal figure in American popular music, creating iconic hits that defined the swing era. Miller tragically disappeared during a World War II military flight in 1944. [bio]
March 2 Dr Seuss
Dr. Seuss was an iconic American children's book author and illustrator who revolutionized children's literature with his imaginative stories and distinctive artistic style. He wrote over 60 books that have been translated into numerous languages and continue to delight children worldwide.
March 4 Theodor Seuss
Beloved children's author Dr. Seuss, famous for iconic books like 'The Cat in the Hat', 'Green Eggs and Ham', and 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'. [bio]
March 7 Reinhard Heydrich
A high-ranking Nazi SS officer who was a key architect of the Holocaust and played a crucial role in planning the genocide of Jews during World War II. Known as the 'Butcher of Prague', he was assassinated by Czech resistance fighters in 1942.
March 26 Joseph Campbell
American author and leading authority on mythology, the psyche, and symbolism.
April 14 John Gielgud
Renowned British stage and film actor, considered one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. He was a key figure in classical theater and won numerous awards, including an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award.
April 22 Robert Oppenheimer
Renowned American physicist who led the Manhattan Project's atomic bomb development during World War II. He was a key scientific figure who significantly influenced nuclear physics and modern warfare. Known as the 'father of the atomic bomb', he later became a prominent advocate for international nuclear control.
April 29 Russ Morgan
Russ Morgan was a prominent American big band and swing orchestra leader from Scranton, Pennsylvania, known for his musical contributions during the mid-20th century.
May 11 Salvador Dalí
Salvador Dalí was a world-renowned Spanish surrealist artist famous for his bizarre and imaginative paintings, who also explored entrepreneurship through commercial ventures like perfume and design.
May 17 Jean Gabin
Jean Gabin was a legendary French actor known for his iconic roles in classic French cinema. He was a prominent figure in the golden age of French film, starring in numerous critically acclaimed movies. His charismatic screen presence made him one of the most celebrated actors of his era.
May 21 Fats Waller
Legendary jazz pianist, composer, and singer known for his virtuosic keyboard skills and humorous performances during the Harlem Renaissance era of the 1920s and 1930s.
May 26 George Formby
Renowned English comedian, singer, and actor famous for his ukulele performances and comedic films during the early to mid-20th century.
June 2 Johnny Weissmuller
Legendary Olympic swimmer and actor best known for playing Tarzan in 12 films between 1932 and 1948. He won five Olympic gold medals in swimming and became a global pop culture icon through his portrayal of the jungle hero.
June 14 Margaret Bourke-White
Margaret Bourke-White was a pioneering American photographer and photojournalist who captured iconic images of the Great Depression and World War II, working for Life magazine and documenting significant historical moments.
June 17 Ralph Bellamy
Renowned American actor with an extraordinary career spanning eight decades, performing in over 400 stage roles and 100 movies. He was a versatile performer who received an honorary Oscar in 1987 for his significant contributions to cinema.
June 26 Peter Lorre
Peter Lorre was a renowned Hungarian-American actor famous for his distinctive appearance and roles in classic films like 'M' and 'Casablanca'. He was a versatile performer who transitioned from European stage work to Hollywood cinema, becoming an iconic character actor of the mid-20th century.
June 30 Glenda Farrell
Glenda Farrell was a prominent Hollywood actress known for her roles in numerous pre-war and wartime films, particularly in character and supporting roles. She was a versatile performer who appeared in both comedies and dramas during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
July 5 Milburn Stone
American actor best known for playing Dr. 'Doc' Adams on the long-running and iconic Western television series Gunsmoke, which aired from 1955 to 1975.
July 10 Lili Damita
French actress and wife of Hollywood star Errol Flynn, known for her roles in early sound films and her tumultuous marriage to the famous actor.
July 12 Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda was a renowned Chilean poet, diplomat, and political activist who significantly influenced 20th-century Latin American literature. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971 for his extraordinary poetic works that blended political passion with lyrical beauty. His poetry often addressed themes of love, social justice, and the human experience.
July 14 Isaac Bashevis Singer
Nobel Prize-winning Yiddish novelist known for his profound storytelling exploring Jewish life and culture, particularly in Eastern Europe before the Holocaust.
Aug. 3 Clifford D. Simak
Clifford D. Simak was a pioneering American science fiction writer who won multiple Hugo Awards and significantly influenced the genre with his humanistic and philosophical storytelling.
Aug. 12 Czarevitch Alexei
Russian royal heir who suffered from hemophilia, causing severe health challenges throughout his short life.
Aug. 12 Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich of Russia
Only son of Emperor Nicholas II, heir to the Russian throne, who was executed in 1918.
Aug. 21 Count Basie
Legendary jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader who led the iconic Count Basie Orchestra, revolutionizing big band and swing music in the 20th century.
Aug. 22 Deng Xiaoping
A pivotal Chinese leader who transformed China's economic and political landscape through market reforms, moving the country from a strict communist model towards a more open, market-driven economy. He was a paramount leader who guided China's modernization and international integration during the late 20th century.
Aug. 25 Ruby Keeler
Ruby Keeler was a prominent Canadian-American actress and dancer who rose to fame in Hollywood during the 1930s. She starred in the iconic musical '42nd Street' and formed a successful on-screen partnership with Dick Powell. Her early career as a chorus girl at age 13 helped support her large family in New York.
Aug. 26 Christopher Isherwood
Christopher Isherwood was a prominent British-American writer known for his influential Berlin novels, which inspired the famous musical 'Cabaret'. He was a significant figure in 20th-century literature, exploring themes of sexuality, identity, and social change through his semi-autobiographical works.
Aug. 27 John Hay Whitney
Duplicate of primary record for John Hay Whitney
Sept. 29 Greer Garson
Greer Garson was a renowned Anglo-American actress who dominated Hollywood during World War II, winning an Academy Award for 'Mrs. Miniver' and becoming one of MGM's most prominent stars of the 1940s.
Oct. 1 Vladimir Horowitz
Legendary Ukrainian-born classical pianist considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century, renowned for his virtuosic technique and interpretations.
Oct. 2 Graham Greene
Graham Greene was a prolific British novelist, known for his complex moral and political narratives. He was a significant literary figure of the 20th century, with numerous works adapted into films. His contributions to literature earned him international recognition, including the French Legion d'Honneur.
Oct. 7 Chuck Klein
Chuck Klein was a legendary Philadelphia Phillies outfielder who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was a prolific home run hitter during the late 1920s and early 1930s, known for his exceptional batting skills.
Oct. 22 Constance Bennett
Prominent Hollywood actress of the 1930s and 1940s, known for her glamorous roles in romantic comedies and dramas during the Golden Age of cinema.
Nov. 14 Dick Powell
Versatile Hollywood star who successfully transitioned from musical performer to dramatic actor and film director, known for his roles in musicals and film noir.
Dec. 6 Elissa Landi
Italian actress and writer who was prominent on stage and in film, having also authored three novels.
Dec. 31 Umm Kulthum
Legendary Egyptian singer, actress, and cultural icon who profoundly influenced Arabic music and was considered the 'Star of the East' during the 20th century. [bio]