Famous people and celebrities born in January 1908

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in January 1908! 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.

• Jan. 7 Red Allen

  Henry 'Red' Allen was a prominent jazz trumpeter and bandleader from New Orleans, known for his innovative and influential style in traditional and swing jazz during the early to mid-20th century.

• Jan. 8 William Hartnell

  William Hartnell was a prominent British actor best known for being the first actor to portray Doctor Who in the iconic BBC science fiction series from 1963 to 1966.

• Jan. 8 Fearless Nadia

  Fearless Nadia was a pioneering Australian-Indian actress and stuntwoman who became an iconic figure in early Indian cinema, known for her daring action roles.

• Jan. 9 Simone de Beauvoir

  Simone de Beauvoir was a groundbreaking French philosopher, writer, and feminist theorist who profoundly influenced 20th-century intellectual thought. Her seminal work 'The Second Sex' is considered a foundational text in feminist philosophy. She was a key figure in existentialism and maintained a lifelong intellectual partnership with Jean-Paul Sartre.

• Jan. 10 Bernard Lee

  Renowned British actor famous for playing 'M' in multiple James Bond films during the Sean Connery and Roger Moore eras, a quintessential portrayal of the MI6 boss.

• Jan. 10 Paul Henreid

  Prominent Austrian-American actor and director known for classic films like 'Casablanca' and 'Now, Voyager', who successfully transitioned between acting and directing.

• Jan. 11 Lionel Stander

  Lionel Stander was an American character actor known for his distinctive gravelly voice and roles in television and film, most famously as Max in the popular 1980s TV series 'Hart to Hart'. He was also a notable victim of the Hollywood blacklist during the McCarthy era.

• Jan. 12 Jean Delannoy

  Renowned French film director who won the Palme d'Or in 1946 for 'La Symphonie Pastorale' and had a significant career spanning several decades in cinema, directing and writing numerous notable films.

• Jan. 14 Russ Columbo

  Russ Columbo was a popular American crooner, violinist, and actor during the early 1930s, known for his romantic ballads and film appearances before his tragic early death.

• Jan. 15 Edward Teller

  Hungarian-American physicist known as the 'father of the hydrogen bomb', Teller made groundbreaking contributions to nuclear physics, molecular physics, and spectroscopy. He played a crucial role in the Manhattan Project and developed significant theoretical frameworks in quantum mechanics and nuclear science.

• Jan. 16 Ethel Merman

  Legendary Broadway and Hollywood musical star renowned for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. She dominated musical comedy in the mid-20th century, starring in iconic shows like 'Anything Goes' and 'Annie Get Your Gun'. Her distinctive voice and charismatic performances made her a true entertainment icon.

• Jan. 16 Gunter Prien

  Legendary German U-boat commander during World War II, famous for sinking the British battleship HMS Royal Oak in 1939. His daring submarine exploits inspired the famous novel and film 'Das Boot'. Prien was a key figure in naval warfare and symbolized the German submarine strategy.

• Jan. 17 Cus D'Amato

  Legendary boxing trainer who mentored Mike Tyson and Floyd Patterson, revolutionizing boxing training techniques and developing world-class champions.

• Jan. 18 Jacob Bronowski

  Jacob Bronowski was a renowned Polish-British mathematician, historian of science, and acclaimed television presenter best known for his influential documentary series 'The Ascent of Man'.

• Jan. 19 Georges Langelaan

  British journalist and author known for his influential 1957 short story 'The Fly', which inspired multiple film adaptations and an opera. Born in France to French parents, he made significant contributions to science fiction literature.

• Jan. 19 Aleksandr Gennadievich Kurosh

  Prominent Russian mathematician and theoretical researcher who made significant contributions to group theory and mathematical research during the Soviet era.

• Jan. 20 Paula Wessely

  Prominent Austrian actress and film producer known for her significant contributions to mid-20th century European cinema, particularly in German-language films.

• Jan. 20 Gonzalo Aguirre Beltran

  Renowned Mexican anthropologist who pioneered research on Afro-Mexican and indigenous populations, significantly contributing to understanding marginalized communities in Mexico.

• Jan. 20 Fleur Cowles

  Versatile American author, editor, and artist known for her creative work across multiple media and her influential role in mid-20th century publishing.

• Jan. 22 Lev Landau

  Renowned Soviet theoretical physicist who made groundbreaking contributions to quantum mechanics, superfluidity, and superconductivity. He was a key scientific figure of the 20th century and received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1962.

• Jan. 22 Lev Davidovich Landau

  Nobel Prize laureate for his pioneering theories for condensed matter, especially liquid helium

• Jan. 25 Hsieh Tung-min

  Taiwanese politician who served as Vice President of the Republic of China during a significant period of political transition in Taiwan's history.

• Jan. 26 Stéphane Grappelli

  Renowned French-Italian jazz violinist who co-founded the Quintette du Hot Club de France with Django Reinhardt and became a legendary figure in jazz music.

• Jan. 27 William Randolph Hearst

  Influential American newspaper magnate who built a massive media empire and was known for pioneering 'yellow journalism'. His life and career significantly impacted American media and communication in the early 20th century.

• Jan. 28 Paul Misraki

  French composer and musician known for his work in film and popular music during the mid-20th century.

• Jan. 29 Adam Clayton Powell (Representative-Democrat-New York

  Prominent African American Democratic congressman from New York who served from 1945 to 1970, and was a key civil rights advocate during the mid-20th century.

• Jan. 31 Atahualpa Yupanqui

  Legendary Argentine folk musician who profoundly influenced Latin American music, known for his poetic songwriting and deep connection to Argentine rural culture.

• Jan. 31 Simonne Mathieu

  Prominent French tennis player of the 1930s, renowned for her exceptional performance in singles and doubles championships, particularly at the French Open.