Famous people and celebrities born in December 1911
Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in December 1911! 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.
- Dec. 1 Tarzan
Iconic fictional character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, a jungle hero who became a global pop culture phenomenon through numerous books, films, and adaptations.
- Dec. 2 Walter Alston
Legendary Major League Baseball manager who led the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers for 23 consecutive seasons, winning seven National League pennants and four World Series championships.
- Dec. 3 Nino Rota
Renowned Italian film composer famous for his iconic musical scores, particularly for Federico Fellini's films and Francis Ford Coppola's 'The Godfather' series. He won an Oscar for his collaborative work on 'The Godfather Part II' in 1974. Rota is considered one of the most influential film composers of the 20th century.
- Dec. 4 Jorge Negrete
Jorge Negrete was a legendary Mexican actor and singer known as the 'Charro Cantor' during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. He was a pivotal figure in the film industry, helping establish the Film Production Union and leading the National Association of Actors (ANDA). His marriage to María Félix was one of the most famous celebrity unions of his time.
- Dec. 5 Władysław Szpilman
Polish composer and pianist known for surviving the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II, whose life story was immortalized in the film 'The Pianist'.
- Dec. 9 Lee J. Cobb
Lee J. Cobb was a prominent American actor known for his powerful performances in films like '12 Angry Men' and 'On the Waterfront'.
- Dec. 9 Broderick Crawford
Broderick Crawford was an acclaimed American actor best known for his Oscar-winning role in 'All the King's Men' and his starring role in the popular TV series 'Highway Patrol'.
- Dec. 11 Qian Xuesen
Renowned Chinese academic and aerodynamicist who made significant contributions to rocket science and aerospace engineering.
- Dec. 12 Naguib Mahfouz
Naguib Mahfouz was an influential Egyptian novelist and the first Arabic writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, known for his realistic depictions of Egyptian society.
- Dec. 13 Trygve Haavelmo
Trygve Haavelmo was a renowned Norwegian economist who won the Nobel Prize in Economics for his groundbreaking work in econometrics and probability theory. He made significant contributions to understanding economic dynamics and statistical methods in economic research.
- Dec. 14 Hans von Ohain
Pioneering German-American aerospace engineer who developed the first operational jet engine, significantly contributing to aviation technology during World War II.
- Dec. 14 Spike Jones
Legendary American musician and bandleader known for his comedic and satirical musical arrangements, particularly popular in the 1940s and 1950s.
- Dec. 15 Stan Kenton
Influential American jazz composer and bandleader who revolutionized big band music through progressive and experimental styles, challenging traditional jazz conventions throughout his four-decade career.
- Dec. 17 André Claveau
Renowned French actor and singer who was a prominent figure in mid-20th century French entertainment, known for his melodic voice and versatile performances.
- Dec. 18 Jules Dassin
Renowned American film director of Jewish-Russian descent, known for influential films in Hollywood and French cinema. He was married to Greek actress and politician Melina Mercouri, who was a significant cultural figure.
- Dec. 21 Junie Astor
French actress who performed on stage and in cinema during the mid-20th century.
- Dec. 21 Josh Gibson
Legendary Negro League baseball player known as the 'Black Babe Ruth', considered one of the greatest power hitters in baseball history who tragically died young.
- Dec. 23 Niels Kaj Jerne
Niels Kaj Jerne was a renowned immunologist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his groundbreaking work in immunology.
- Dec. 25 Louise Bourgeois
Louise Bourgeois was a pioneering French-American artist renowned for her influential sculptural works that explored themes of memory, sexuality, and the human body. She was a key figure in modern and contemporary art, creating powerful, emotionally charged sculptures across multiple mediums. Her artistic career spanned over seven decades, during which she significantly impacted the development of contemporary sculpture.
- Dec. 25 Burne Hogarth
Burne Hogarth was an influential American cartoonist best known for his groundbreaking work on the Tarzan comic strip. He was a pioneering illustrator who significantly contributed to the visual storytelling and artistic techniques in comic art. His dynamic drawing style and anatomical precision made him a legendary figure in the comic book and illustration world.
- Dec. 27 Anna Russell
Anna Russell was a renowned British comedic performer famous for her satirical musical performances and parodies of opera, particularly her hilarious interpretations of classical music genres.
- Dec. 29 Klaus Fuchs
Renowned German-born physicist who was a key contributor to the Manhattan Project and later convicted of espionage for passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union.
- Dec. 30 Jeanette Nolan
Jeanette Nolan was a prolific American character actress who appeared in over 100 films and television shows, including notable roles in 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Psycho'. She was also a talented voice actress with a career spanning several decades.