Famous people and celebrities born in 1906

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1906. 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 1906 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 14 William Bendix
William Bendix was a prominent American character actor best known for his role in the popular radio and television sitcom 'The Life of Riley'. He was a versatile performer who appeared in numerous films and TV shows during the mid-20th century.
Jan. 16 Diana Wynyard
Prominent English stage and film actress known for her performances in early 20th-century British cinema, particularly in the classic film 'Cavalcade'.
Jan. 21 Igor Moiseyev
Legendary Russian choreographer who revolutionized folk dance performance and founded the renowned Igor Moiseyev Ballet Academy, preserving and modernizing traditional dance styles.
Feb. 2 Gale Gordon
Gale Gordon was a prominent American character actor best known for his comedic roles in classic television sitcoms, particularly as Mr. Mooney in 'The Lucy Show' and Mr. Barnsdahl in 'Here's Lucy', where he frequently co-starred with Lucille Ball.
Feb. 4 Dietrich Bonhoeffer
A prominent German theologian and Lutheran pastor who actively resisted the Nazi regime. He was a key figure in the Confessing Church movement and was executed by the Nazis for his role in a plot to assassinate Hitler.
Feb. 7 Last Puyi
The last Emperor of China, who ruled as the Xuantong Emperor from 1908 to 1912, representing the final monarch of the Qing Dynasty before its abdication.
Feb. 10 Lon Chaney
Legendary American actor known as the "Man of a Thousand Faces" for his remarkable character transformations in silent films.
Feb. 26 Madeleine Carroll
Prominent British actress of the Golden Age of Hollywood, known for her roles in classic films like 'The 39 Steps' and 'Prisoner of Zenda'. She was a leading lady during the 1930s and 1940s, transitioning from silent films to talkies.
March 6 Lou Costello
Legendary American comedian best known for the comedy duo Abbott and Costello, famous for their vaudeville and film performances, particularly their iconic comedy routine 'Who's on First?'
March 16 Henny Youngman
Legendary comedian known as the 'King of One-Liners', famous for his rapid-fire jokes and signature line 'Take my wife... please!'
March 19 Adolf Eichmann
A high-ranking Nazi SS officer who was a key architect of the Holocaust, responsible for organizing the systematic deportation and extermination of millions of Jews during World War II. He played a crucial role in implementing the 'Final Solution' and was later captured in Argentina, put on trial in Israel, and executed for war crimes.
March 20 Ozzie Nelson
American actor and television pioneer best known for starring in the popular family sitcom 'The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet' alongside his wife Harriet Nelson.
March 31 Sin-Itiro Tomonaga
Renowned Japanese theoretical physicist who made significant contributions to quantum electrodynamics and won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965, sharing the award with Richard Feynman and Julian Schwinger.
April 13 Samuel Beckett
Renowned Irish playwright and novelist who revolutionized modern theater through his absurdist works. Nobel Prize winner in Literature, famous for 'Waiting for Godot', he explored themes of existential despair with profound humor and minimalist style. [bio]
April 28 Kurt Gödel
Kurt Gödel was a groundbreaking logician and mathematician who revolutionized mathematical logic with his incompleteness theorems. He profoundly influenced 20th-century mathematical and philosophical thought. His work demonstrated fundamental limitations in formal mathematical systems.
May 2 Philippe Halsman
A pioneering portrait photographer who revolutionized visual art through innovative techniques and memorable collaborations with artists like Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol.
May 3 Mary Astor
Renowned Hollywood actress of the Golden Age, Mary Astor was a prominent film star with a remarkable 45-year career spanning 109 films. She was particularly famous for her roles in classic movies like 'The Maltese Falcon'.
May 5 Ursula Jeans
British actress known for her work in early to mid-20th century cinema, with a notable performance in the film 'I Lived with You'.
May 13 Thomas Mitchell
Renowned Hollywood character actor who won an Academy Award and appeared in classic films like 'Gone with the Wind' and 'It's a Wonderful Life'.
May 22 John Morrison (scientist)
John Morrison was a prominent physicist who made significant contributions to quantum mechanics and played a crucial role in the Manhattan Project during World War II.
June 3 Josephine Baker
Iconic African-American performer who became a French citizen and resistance fighter during World War II. She was a groundbreaking entertainer, civil rights activist, and international star who challenged racial boundaries in the early 20th century.
June 14 Margaret Bourke-White
Pioneering American documentary photographer and photojournalist, famous for her World War II and Great Depression era images, and the first female war correspondent allowed to work in combat zones.
June 20 Catherine Cookson
Catherine Cookson was a prolific and beloved British novelist who wrote over 100 books, primarily historical fiction set in the industrial landscape of North East England. Her works often explored themes of social class, hardship, and resilience, making her one of the most popular authors of her time.
June 22 Billy Wilder
Legendary Hollywood filmmaker who revolutionized cinema with his versatile storytelling and critical acclaim. He directed iconic films like 'Some Like It Hot' and 'Sunset Boulevard', winning multiple Academy Awards. Wilder was a quintessential writer-director who significantly influenced American cinema.
July 2 Hans Bethe
Renowned German-American physicist who made groundbreaking contributions to understanding stellar energy and nuclear reactions, winning the 1967 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work.
July 3 George Sanders
Renowned Russian-born American actor who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1950 for his role in 'All About Eve'. Sanders was famous for his sardonic wit and memorable performances in classic Hollywood films, appearing in over 90 movies during his career.
July 8 Philip Johnson
Philip Johnson was a pioneering American architect who significantly influenced modern architecture through diverse projects including iconic skyscrapers, museums, and cultural centers. He was a key figure in the postmodern architectural movement and designed landmark buildings like the Glass House in Connecticut. His innovative designs challenged traditional architectural conventions throughout the 20th century.
Aug. 5 John Huston
Legendary Hollywood filmmaker who directed numerous classic films and was a pivotal figure in American cinema during the mid-20th century. He was known for his distinctive storytelling and adaptations of literary works. Huston was a multi-talented artist who excelled as a director, screenwriter, and occasional actor.
Aug. 19 Philo Farnsworth
Pioneering American inventor who revolutionized television technology by creating the first all-electronic TV system and the 'image disector' video tube. [bio]
Aug. 19 June Collyer
American actress known for the June-Stu Erwin Show, who had a successful career in early television and film during the mid-20th century.
Aug. 29 John Betjeman
Prominent British poet, writer, and broadcaster who was instrumental in preserving Victorian architecture and was appointed Poet Laureate in 1972. He was known for his nostalgic and humorous poetry that captured the essence of mid-20th century British life.
Sept. 7 Jeanette Loff
Jeanette Loff was a prominent American actress and singer during the silent and early sound film era, appearing in several Hollywood productions throughout the 1920s and early 1930s.
Sept. 25 Dmitri Shostakovich
Renowned 20th-century Russian composer who created groundbreaking symphonies and string quartets while navigating the complex political landscape of Soviet Russia. His music often subtly critiqued the Soviet regime through complex musical expressions. He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century.
Oct. 1 S. D. Burman
Legendary Indian music director who revolutionized Bollywood film music during the mid-20th century, creating iconic compositions that remain influential in Indian cinema.
Oct. 6 Janet Gaynor
Pioneering Hollywood actress who won the first Academy Award for Best Actress and starred in landmark films like 'A Star is Born'. She successfully transitioned to contemporary art in her later years.
Oct. 9 Léopold Sédar Senghor
Renowned Senegalese poet, philosopher, and politician who served as the first president of Senegal, celebrated for his significant contributions to African literature and postcolonial cultural identity.
Oct. 14 Hannah Arendt
Renowned German-American philosopher and political theorist who made groundbreaking contributions to understanding totalitarianism and political thought in the 20th century.
Nov. 2 Luchino Visconti
Renowned Italian film director and theater director who was a key figure in Italian neorealist cinema. He created landmark films like 'Death in Venice' and 'The Leopard', significantly influencing 20th-century European cinema. His work often explored social themes and historical narratives with profound artistic depth.
Nov. 13 Hermione Baddeley
Renowned British character actress known for her memorable roles in television series like 'Maude' and 'The Good Life', with a career spanning several decades in film and theater.
Nov. 14 Louise Brooks
Pioneering American actress of the silent film era, Louise Brooks was a cultural icon who revolutionized cinema with her distinctive style and powerful performances in German expressionist films like Pandora's Box.
Nov. 18 Soichiro Honda
Legendary Japanese automotive engineer and founder of Honda Motor Company, who transformed the global automotive and motorcycle industries.
Dec. 9 Grace Hopper
A pioneering computer scientist and US Navy rear admiral who developed the first compiler and popularized the term 'debugging' in computer science. She was instrumental in developing COBOL and played a crucial role in early computer programming.
Dec. 20 Leonid I. Brezhnev
Soviet political leader who served as General Secretary of the Communist Party and de facto leader of the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1982. His era was characterized by political stability but economic stagnation.
Dec. 30 Sergey Korolev
Sergey Korolev was the chief Soviet rocket engineer and spacecraft designer, widely considered the father of practical spaceflight and a key figure in the Space Race.