Famous people and celebrities born in May 1904
Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in May 1904! 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 2 Maurice Estève
Maurice Estève was a prominent French abstract painter of the École de Paris, known for his vibrant and colorful compositions that significantly influenced mid-20th century modern art.
- May 3 Charles "Red" Ruffing New York Yankees pitcher
Charles 'Red' Ruffing was a legendary New York Yankees pitcher who played from 1930 to 1946, known for his exceptional skills on the baseball mound and contribution to the team's success.
- May 3 Bill Brandt
Bill Brandt was a renowned photographer known for his influential and innovative work in documentary and art photography during the mid-20th century.
- May 4 Umm Kulthum
Legendary Egyptian singer known as the 'Star of the East', one of the most significant and influential Arabic singers of the 20th century, renowned for her powerful voice and cultural impact.
- May 5 Gordon Richards
Legendary British jockey who holds the record for most wins in a single season, dominating horse racing in the early to mid-20th century.
- May 6 Harry Martinson
Swedish writer and poet who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1974, known for his profound poetry and prose exploring human relationships with nature and technology.
- May 6 Moshé Feldenkrais
Ukrainian-Israeli physicist and body movement expert who developed the Feldenkrais Method, a somatic educational system focusing on self-awareness and movement.
- May 6 Raymond Bailey
American actor best known for playing Mr. Drysdale in the popular television sitcom 'The Beverly Hillbillies'.
- May 8 John Snagge
Prominent BBC radio journalist and broadcaster who was a key voice in British media during the mid-20th century.
- May 9 Gregory Bateson
Influential interdisciplinary scholar who made significant contributions to anthropology, systems theory, and cybernetics. He pioneered innovative approaches to understanding complex social and behavioral systems across multiple scientific domains. His work bridged anthropology, communication theory, and epistemology.
- May 10 Armand Solbach
French gymnast who won an Olympic gold medal in rings at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games, representing France in gymnastics.
- 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 13 Chishu Ryu
Renowned Japanese actor famous for his roles in classic films by Yasujirō Ozu, particularly in 'Tokyo Story' and 'An Autumn Afternoon'. He was a key figure in post-war Japanese cinema and worked extensively with director Ozu.
- May 14 Hans Albert Einstein
Renowned Swiss-American engineer, educator, and son of Albert Einstein, who made significant contributions to hydraulics and sediment transport research.
- May 15 Clifton Fadiman
Renowned American literary critic, writer, and radio/television personality who was a prominent intellectual figure in mid-20th century American media and literature.
- 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 18 Jacob K. Javits
Prominent American politician who served as the 58th New York State Attorney General and was a long-serving U.S. Senator from New York.
- May 18 Shunryū Suzuki
Japanese-American Zen Buddhist monk who played a crucial role in introducing Zen Buddhism to the West, founding the San Francisco Zen Center.
- May 18 François Marty
French Roman Catholic priest who served as Bishop of Saint-Flour and later Archbishop of Reims, becoming a cardinal in 1969.
- May 20 Margery Allingham
Margery Allingham was a prominent British mystery novelist known for creating the detective Albert Campion. She began writing at a young age and became a significant figure in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. Her works are celebrated for their sophisticated storytelling and complex characters.
- 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 21 FIFA
International football (soccer) governing body responsible for organizing major global tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, with headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
- May 24 George Formby [William Booth]
Legendary British comedian, singer, and actor known for his ukulele performances and comedic films during the 1930s and 1940s.
- 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.
- May 26 Necip Fazıl Kısakürek
Influential Turkish poet, playwright, and author who significantly contributed to modern Turkish literature and Islamic intellectual thought.
- May 29 Gregg Toland
Legendary Hollywood cinematographer famous for his innovative deep-focus techniques, most notably in Orson Welles' 'Citizen Kane'.
- May 29 Marcel Thil
French boxing champion who was a prominent middleweight boxer in the 1930s, known for his exceptional skills in the ring.