Famous people and celebrities born in 1909

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1909. 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 1909 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 1 Dana Andrews
Prominent Hollywood actor known for classic films like 'Laura' and 'The Best Years of Our Lives', who had a significant career in mid-20th century cinema.
Jan. 3 Victor Borge
Victor Borge was a renowned Danish-American comedian, pianist, and entertainer who revolutionized musical comedy through his unique blend of classical music and humor. He was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1986 for his significant contributions to American culture. His innovative performances made classical music accessible and entertaining to broad audiences.
Jan. 22 Ann Sothern
Prominent American actress who rose from small Broadway roles to Hollywood stardom, particularly known for her popular 'Maisie' film series at MGM during the 1930s and 1940s.
Jan. 24 Ann Todd
British actress known for her roles in classic films like 'Things to Come' and 'Danny Boy', who had a notable career in mid-20th century cinema.
Feb. 9 Carmen Miranda
Iconic Brazilian-Portuguese actress and singer who became a Hollywood sensation in the 1940s, known for her vibrant performances, exotic costumes, and unique musical style that brought Latin American flair to American entertainment.
Feb. 11 Max Baer
Omaha, nebraska -- heavyweight boxing champ (1934-35)
Feb. 16 Hugh Beaumont
American actor best known for his role as Ward Cleaver in the iconic TV series 'Leave It to Beaver', he was also a director and prominent figure in 1950s television.
Feb. 20 Heinz Erhardt
Heinz Erhardt was a Baltic German musician and entertainer, born in Riga to a musical family. His grandfather Paul Nelder owned a music house and taught him piano, influencing his early musical development.
March 1 David Niven
Renowned English actor and novelist famous for roles in 'A Matter of Life and Death', 'Around the World in 80 Days', and 'The Pink Panther'. Academy Award winner for Best Actor in 'Separate Tables' (1958). [bio]
March 24 Tommy Trinder
Tommy Trinder was a prominent British comedian known for his vibrant and humorous performances across stand-up comedy, movies, television, and radio during the mid-20th century.
April 6 Albert R. Broccoli
Legendary film producer best known for producing the James Bond film series, which revolutionized the spy movie genre.
April 9 Robert Helpmann
Robert Helpmann was a renowned Australian ballet dancer, choreographer, and actor who significantly influenced performing arts in the 20th century. He was a prominent member of the Sadler's Wells Ballet and made substantial contributions to dance and theater in Australia and internationally.
April 20 Lionel Hampton
Legendary jazz vibraphonist and bandleader who significantly influenced jazz music in the 20th century.
April 21 Rollo May
Rollo May was a prominent American existential psychologist who significantly influenced humanistic psychology through his groundbreaking works exploring human experience, anxiety, love, and personal empowerment.
April 29 Tom Ewell
Renowned American actor and comedian best known for his roles in classic films like 'The Seven Year Itch' alongside Marilyn Monroe. He was a prominent figure in Hollywood during the 1950s and 1960s.
April 30 Juliana
Queen Juliana of the Netherlands was beloved by her people, serving from 1948 to 1980 and known for her unpretentious and approachable leadership style.
May 15 James Mason
Renowned British actor known for iconic roles in classic films like 'Lolita', 'Bloodline', and 'The Boys from Brazil'. He was a prominent Hollywood star with a distinguished career spanning several decades.
May 16 Margaret Sullavan
Renowned Hollywood actress of the 1930s and 1940s, known for her distinctive voice and compelling stage performances. She was a prominent figure in Broadway and film, with a notable career spanning multiple genres.
May 17 Magda Schneider
German actress and singer who was prominent in musicals and operatic films during the mid-20th century. She was the mother of famous actress Romy Schneider, who became an international cinema icon.
May 19 Fred Perry
Fred Perry was a legendary British tennis player who dominated the sport in the 1930s, becoming the first player to achieve the Grand Slam in tennis by winning all four major tournaments. He was a three-time consecutive Wimbledon champion and a pivotal figure in British tennis history.
May 30 Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman was a legendary jazz clarinetist and bandleader who revolutionized American music during the swing era. Known as the 'King of Swing', he played a pivotal role in popularizing big band jazz and breaking racial barriers in music. His Carnegie Hall concert in 1938 was a landmark moment in jazz history.
June 6 Isaiah Berlin
Isaiah Berlin was a renowned British philosopher and intellectual historian who significantly influenced modern political theory through his exploration of liberalism, individual freedom, and the complexity of human values.
June 7 Jessica Tandy
Acclaimed British-American actress who won an Oscar at 80 for 'Driving Miss Daisy' and was a Broadway star. She and her husband Hume Cronyn were legendary theater and film performers who received a joint lifetime achievement Tony Award in 1993.
June 14 Burl Ives
Renowned American folk singer, actor, and cultural icon who significantly influenced mid-20th century music and entertainment. He was famous for his distinctive baritone voice and memorable performances in folk music and film. Ives was a Grammy Award winner and appeared in notable movies like 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'.
June 20 Errol Flynn
Iconic Hollywood actor known for swashbuckling adventure films, Errol Flynn was a charismatic leading man who defined the romantic hero archetype in 1930s and 1940s cinema. He starred in classic films like 'Captain Blood' and 'The Adventures of Robin Hood', becoming a symbol of masculine charm and heroic adventure. Flynn's magnetic screen presence made him one of the most recognizable …
July 11 Irene Hervey
Irene Hervey was an American film and television actress active during the Golden Age of Hollywood, known for her roles in numerous movies throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
July 18 Harriet Nelson
Famous American actress and singer known for her role in 'The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet', a popular family sitcom in the 1950s and 1960s.
July 20 Mireille Balin
Mireille Balin was a prominent French actress of the interwar period, known for her roles in classic French cinema and her significant contribution to the golden age of French film.
July 26 Vivian Vance
Beloved American actress famous for her role as Ethel Mertz on the iconic sitcom 'I Love Lucy', which revolutionized television comedy in the 1950s. She was a key part of one of the most successful and influential comedy shows in television history.
Aug. 4 Saunders Mac Lane
Saunders Mac Lane was a renowned American mathematician who fundamentally shaped modern abstract algebra and category theory. He was a professor at the University of Chicago and made groundbreaking contributions to mathematical foundations. His work significantly influenced mathematical logic and algebraic structures.
Aug. 10 Leo Fender
Legendary American inventor and businessman who founded Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, revolutionizing the music industry with iconic electric guitars and amplifiers.
Aug. 21 Nikolay Bogolyubov
Renowned Ukrainian-Russian mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to quantum field theory, statistical mechanics, and nonlinear mechanics. He was a prominent academic and member of multiple scientific academies.
Aug. 25 Michael Rennie
British actor famous for his iconic roles in science fiction and historical films, particularly known for playing Klaatu in 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' and a lead role in 'The Robe'.
Sept. 7 Elia Kazan
Influential Turkish-born American film and stage director who significantly shaped Hollywood's golden era. He discovered and launched the careers of Marlon Brando and James Dean, while also being a controversial figure for his testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee.
Sept. 7 Clara Calamai
Prominent Italian actress of the 1930s and 1940s who was a leading figure in Italian cinema. She was known for her versatility and charm, appearing in various comedies and dramas of the era.
Sept. 21 Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah was a pivotal African leader who led Ghana to independence in 1957 and became its first president. He was a key figure in the Pan-African movement and advocated for the political and economic liberation of African nations from colonial powers. His political philosophy of African socialism and commitment to continental unity made him one of the most influential …
Sept. 28 Al Capp
Al Capp was a renowned American cartoonist famous for creating the satirical comic strip Li'l Abner, which ran from 1934 to 1977. His work was known for its sharp social commentary and unique artistic style.
Oct. 17 Cozy Cole
American drummer (d. 1981)
Oct. 28 Francis Bacon (artist)
Francis Bacon was a renowned 20th-century British painter known for his visceral, psychologically intense artworks that distorted human figures to explore emotional and existential themes. His provocative paintings often depicted isolated, anguished human forms in stark, minimalist settings. He is considered one of the most important painters of the post-war period.
Oct. 30 Homi J. Bhabha
Homi J. Bhabha was a renowned Indian physicist who played a crucial role in India's nuclear program and scientific development, tragically dying in a plane crash in 1966.
Nov. 20 Peter Drucker
Renowned management consultant, author, and social ecologist who pioneered modern business management theory and influenced global corporate thinking.
Nov. 26 Frances Dee
Frances Dee was a prominent Hollywood actress during the Golden Age of cinema, known for her roles in romantic dramas and her marriage to actor Joel McCrea.
Nov. 26 Eugene Ionesco
Eugene Ionesco was a groundbreaking Romanian-French playwright who revolutionized modern theatre with his absurdist works, challenging traditional dramatic conventions.
Dec. 9 Douglas Fairbanks
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was an American actor who followed in his famous father's footsteps, making his film debut at 13 and transitioning from acting to film production. He navigated Hollywood's competitive landscape by taking on small roles and writing titles for silent movies, determined to forge his own path.
Dec. 12 Karen Morley
American actress known for her roles in Hollywood films during the 1930s and 1940s, who later faced blacklisting during the McCarthy era.