Famous people and celebrities born in May 1911

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in May 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.

May 2 Charles Bruck
Renowned conductor of Hungarian-French origin who specialized in opera and worked extensively in the United States. He was a significant figure in the classical music scene during the mid-20th century.
May 3 Yank Lawson
Yank Lawson was a prominent American jazz trumpeter known for his performances in the swing era, particularly famous for his work in 'Stormy Weather'.
May 7 Ishirō Honda
Renowned Japanese film director famous for creating the Godzilla film series and pioneering the kaiju genre in cinema. He significantly influenced science fiction and monster movies worldwide.
May 8 Robert Johnson
Legendary Delta blues musician who profoundly influenced rock and blues music, known for mythical stories about selling his soul to the devil at a crossroads to gain extraordinary guitar skills.
May 9 Harry Simeone
Harry Simeone was a renowned American music arranger, conductor, and composer best known for his work in popular music during the mid-20th century. He was particularly famous for his Christmas music arrangements and conducting choral groups. His musical contributions significantly influenced the American music landscape of his era.
May 10 Bel Kaufman
Renowned Jewish-American author best known for her novel 'Up the Down Staircase', which provided a humorous and insightful look into the challenges of teaching in urban public schools during the 1960s.
May 11 Phil Silvers
Renowned American comedian and actor best known for his iconic role in 'Sergeant Bilko', a popular TV comedy series that showcased his exceptional comedic talents.
May 15 Max Frisch
Max Frisch was a renowned Swiss novelist and playwright who significantly influenced post-World War II German-language literature. He explored complex themes of human identity, individuality, and social responsibility through his innovative and ironic literary works. Considered the most important Swiss writer of the 20th century, Frisch's writings continue to be studied and celebrated internationally.
May 16 Zoë Fontana
Prominent Italian fashion designer who co-founded the renowned Sorelle Fontana fashion house in Rome in 1946 with her sisters Micol and Giovanna, significantly influencing post-war Italian haute couture.
May 17 Maureen O'Sullivan
Maureen O'Sullivan was a prominent Irish-American actress famous for her iconic role as Jane in the classic Tarzan film series, appearing alongside Johnny Weissmuller in multiple movies during the 1930s and 1940s.
May 18 Sigrid Gurie
Norwegian-American actress known for her roles in classic films like 'Algiers' during Hollywood's golden age, with a notable career in the 1930s and 1940s.
May 18 Big Joe Turner
Legendary blues and rhythm & blues singer, known as the 'Boss of the Blues', who significantly influenced rock and roll music.
May 20 Gardner Fox
Gardner Fox was a legendary comic book writer who significantly shaped the DC Comics universe, creating foundational superhero teams like the Justice Society of America and contributing to the Golden Age of comics.
May 20 Annie M. G. Schmidt
Annie M. G. Schmidt was a renowned Dutch author and playwright, famous for her children's literature and significant contributions to Dutch cultural arts.
May 21 Maurice Nadeau
Maurice Nadeau was a prominent French writer, editor, and literary critic known for his influential book 'History of Surrealism'. He played a crucial role in discovering and promoting literary talents like Michel Houellebecq and J.M. Coetzee.
May 22 Anatol Rapoport
Renowned Russian-born mathematician, psychologist, and systems theorist who made significant contributions to game theory, conflict resolution, and mathematical modeling of social interactions.
May 24 Luciano Minguzzi
Luciano Minguzzi was a prominent Italian sculptor and artist known for his significant contributions to 20th-century Italian art. He created numerous public sculptures and was recognized for his innovative sculptural techniques. His work often explored themes of human emotion and movement.
May 27 Vincent Price
Iconic American actor renowned for his distinctive voice and sophisticated horror film roles. A true Renaissance man, he was also a respected art collector, gourmet cook, and prolific author of art and culinary books.
May 27 Hubert Humphrey
Prominent American politician who served as Vice President under Lyndon B. Johnson from 1965-1969. A long-serving Senator from Minnesota, he was a key figure in the Democratic Party and ran for president in 1968.
May 27 Teddy Kollek
Hungarian-born Israeli politician who served as Mayor of Jerusalem for 28 years, transforming the city's landscape and cultural identity. A visionary leader who played a crucial role in Jerusalem's development after 1967.
May 28 Thora Hird
Renowned British actress who gained fame through comedy television series, particularly 'Last of the Summer Wine', with a career spanning several decades in film and television.
May 28 Jean-Pierre Lévy
Prominent French Resistance leader during World War II, heading the significant resistance movement Franc-tireur, who played a crucial role in fighting Nazi occupation.
May 31 Maurice Allais
Maurice Allais was a renowned French economist who won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1988 for groundbreaking research in market theory and resource optimization. His work significantly influenced economic thinking in the 20th century.