Famous people and celebrities born in May 1906

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in May 1906! 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 Horst Schumann
Nazi SS physician notorious for conducting unethical medical experiments on concentration camp prisoners during World War II, particularly in Auschwitz, focusing on sterilization and human experimentation.
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 2 Wolfgang Abendroth
A prominent German sociologist and political scientist who made significant contributions to academic research in political education and social theory.
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 3 René Huyghe
Eminent French art historian and intellectual who served as a curator at the Louvre and professor at Collège de France. He made significant contributions to understanding art history, psychology, and philosophy.
May 3 Anna Roosevelt
Daughter of Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt, she was a public relations professional and children's book author. Her life was marked by personal challenges and the legacy of her famous political family.
May 3 Pierre Vilar
Distinguished French historian specializing in Spanish and Catalan history. He was considered one of the most important 20th-century historians in understanding Spain's historical development.
May 4 Esmond Knight
British actor known for his stage and film performances, particularly in Shakespearean roles like Hamlet. He was a prominent figure in mid-20th century British theatre and cinema.
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 5 Lincoln Kirstein
Influential American arts patron, impresario, and dance visionary who played a crucial role in establishing ballet in the United States.
May 5 Charles Exbrayat
Prolific French fiction writer who authored over 100 novels and short stories, specializing in humorous thrillers that were frequently adapted into movies.
May 6 André Weil
Renowned French-American mathematician who made significant contributions to algebraic geometry, number theory, and topology. He was a founding member of the influential Bourbaki mathematical group and played a crucial role in 20th-century mathematics.
May 9 Roberto Rossellini
Roberto Rossellini was a pioneering Italian film director, a key figure in the neorealist movement of cinema. He significantly influenced world cinema through groundbreaking films like 'Rome, Open City'.
May 9 Eleanor Estes
Eleanor Estes was a renowned American children's book author and librarian, best known for her Newbery Medal-winning works like 'Ginger Pye' and 'The Moffats'. She was a significant figure in mid-20th century children's literature.
May 11 Jacqueline Cochran
Jacqueline Cochran was a pioneering American aviator who broke numerous speed and altitude records, becoming the first woman to break the sound barrier. She was a key figure in women's aviation during World War II and helped establish the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). Her achievements significantly advanced women's roles in aviation and aerospace.
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 15 Humberto Delgado
A prominent Portuguese military officer and political dissident who challenged António Salazar's authoritarian regime in the 1958 presidential election. Known as the 'General without Fear', he was assassinated by the PIDE secret police in 1965, becoming a symbol of resistance against the Estado Novo dictatorship.
May 16 Arturo Uslar Pietri
Prominent Venezuelan lawyer, journalist, writer, and politician who was nominated multiple times for the Nobel Prize in Literature and received the Prince of Asturias Award in 1990.
May 16 Margret Rey
German-born author and illustrator best known for creating the Curious George book series with her husband H.A. Rey.
May 17 Zinka Milanov
Zinka Milanov was a renowned Metropolitan Opera diva who passed away at 83 after suffering a stroke.
May 17 Frederic Prokosch
Frederic Prokosch was a distinguished American writer known for his poetry, novels, and literary criticism, as well as his translation work.
May 17 Belle Stewart
Belle Stewart was a singer who lived a long life, passing away at 91 years old.
May 20 Giuseppe Siri
Giuseppe Siri was a prominent Italian Catholic cardinal who served as the Archbishop of Genoa from 1946 to 1987. He was a significant figure in the Catholic Church during the mid-20th century and was considered a potential papal candidate.
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.
May 22 Harry Ritz
Harry Ritz was a comedian from the famous Ritz Brothers comedy troupe, known for their performances in silent and early sound films during the 1930s.
May 29 TH White
British author renowned for his seminal work 'The Once and Future King', a comprehensive retelling of the King Arthur legend that inspired the Broadway musical Camelot. He was a distinguished Cambridge University professor and a significant literary figure of the mid-20th century.