Famous people and celebrities born in 1916

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1916. 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 1916 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

• Jan. 3 Maxene Andrews

  American soprano singer and middle child of three siblings, the andrews sisters. this close harmony singing group was a part of the swing-boogie-woogie era. the sisters sold over 75 million records during their long careers. the 1941 hit "boogie woogie bugle boy", can be considered an early example in rhythm and blues, or jump blues.

• Feb. 1 Pierre Dudan

  French singer, composer, lyricist and writer who died on february 4, 1984.

• Feb. 14 Sally Gray

  English singer and actress (d. 2006).

• Feb. 17 Raf Vallone

  He is a talented and handsome italian actor. he graduated from the university of turin and became a professional soccer player, critic and got minor roles in a few films. he won international acclaim in 1949 for his performance in "bitter rice", the first of many complex characters he would portray in his long and prolific acting career. vittoria de …

• Feb. 26 Jackie Gleason

  American comedian. he was the most popular male star of his time and tv's greatest star in the 50s with his show, "the honeymooners." from his tv show "the jackie gleason program", in the 1960s, his characters were well-known, including poor soul, reggie van gleason iii, and joe the bartender. his films include "the hustler," 1961, and "smokey and the …

• Feb. 29 Dinah Shore

  American entertainer. she was the winner of eight emmys and holds nine gold records. she was known for her smooth, contralto voice and first visit to gis at the frontlines of wwi. she was the tv's most popular hostess for twenty years, starting in 1952.

• March 10 Pamela Mason

  American minor actress, whose films include "i met a murderer," the upturned glass," and "lady possessed", and whose tv credits included "the pamela mason show” and "my wicked, wicked ways." in 1939, she made her stage debut with "the luck of the devil", and entered the show business in that capacity.

• March 16 Mercedes McCambridge

  American actress known for her powerful performances in film and radio.

• March 19 Irving Wallace

  American writer, who at one point had a worldwide readership of over 600 million people. he may have been one the five most popular contemporary authors. his novels, many of them adapted into movies, were the main reason for his immense popularity. his works include "the chapman report", 1960, "the prize," 1962, and "the fan club," 1975. he also co-authored …

• March 26 Sterling Hayden

  American actor and author. he was a leading actor for most of his life. his specialty was westerns and film noir such as "johnny guitar", "the asphalt jungle," or "the killing". he was later recognized for his character acting roles such as that of gen. jack d. ripper, in dr. strangelove: how i learned to stop worrying about the bomb …

• April 5 Gregory Peck

  He was nominated as an american film and stage actor for four oscars. the best actor award went to him for his performance in "to kill a mockingbird" 1962. he was the recipient of the american film institutes life achievement award as well as the kennedy center lifetime achievement in the arts award. he is a handsome, tall man (6'3") …

• April 30 Robert Shaw

  American conductor and longtime musical director of atlanta symphony. he is also the dean of american choral conducting. shaw founded the "collegiate chorale", which was part of the "rca victor chorale," 1944-1948. he also directed the "the robert shaw chorale," 1948-1948. he was appointed associate conductor of the cleveland orchestra eight years later. he loved to work with amateur singers …

• May 1 Glenn Ford

  Canadian-american actor. he starred in more than 200 movies between 1987 and 1987 than any other actor. his long list of westerns included "the adventures of martin eden", 1942, "blackboard jungle," 55 and "the rounders," 1965. he starred in "cade's country" a tv series during the 1970s.

• June 9 Robert McNamara

  American business executive, president of a world bank and official in government who was secretary of defense during the bay of pigs war and vietnam war. mcnamara was a financial analyst, accountant and the first non-family president at ford motor company. he was a success story in the u.s. auto industry and he headed the u.s. department of defense, which …

• June 14 Dorothy McGuire

  American actress (born 1916).

• June 23 Irene Worth

  American actress (d. 2002).

• July 1 Olivia de Havilland

  Olivia de havilland was a british-born actress known for her roles in classic films such as 'gone with the wind' and 'the adventures of robin hood'.

• July 11 Reg Varney

  English screenwriter and actor (d. 2008).

• July 22 Marcel Cerdan

  Algerian-french boxing champion. he started boxing in november 1934. on 21 september 1948, he won the world and europe middleweight title by defeating tony zale in round 12. in 1949, he lost the title to jake lamotta. in 1962, he was elected to the boxing hall of fame.

• July 27 Keenan Wynn

  American actor playing the role of character actor. he has appeared in more than 220 films and numerous tv specials. wynn graduated from st. johns military academy. he is the son and grandson of silent film actor frank keenan, his mother. his range of roles included comedy and drama, as well as radio and stock performances. he was one of …

• Aug. 25 Van Johnson

  American actor. a redhead with a boyish appearance, who starred in 125 films between the '40s & '50s. he arrived in new york at the age of 18, star-struck, with $5 in his pocket. also, he had a straw bag containing all his possessions. his 6'3" height was the highlight of his dancing, and he performed in the chorus in …

• Aug. 27 Martha Raye

  American entertainer. a zestful, boisterous comedian from america with a large, elastic mouth and crazy antics.

• Sept. 15 Margaret Lockwood

  Indian-born british actress, well-known for her performances in film and on stage. she was a strong leading lady who was a charming inga(c]nue in her '30s, boring villainess star of the ’40s, and likedable character actress of the '50s. her films include "lorna doone," 1935; "the lady vanishes," 38; "the wicked lady," 45; and "cast a dark shadow," 56. in …

• Nov. 4 Walter Cronkite

  American broadcaster. he was the first to cover the presidential nominating conventions. for more than twenty years, he was the cbs evening news anchor. he was a familiar and trusted fixture in american homes throughout the '60s through the '70s. he was born and raised in the heartland and he exuded a cheerful optimism that reflected the everyday man: "work …

• Nov. 23 Michael Gough

  Actor malaysian-english (d. 2011).

• Dec. 9 Kirk Douglas

  American actor. he has appeared in 82 films, including westerns, thrillers, and costume epics. he was nominated for best actor in "champion," “lust for life,” and “the bad and the beautiful.” for his efforts as a u.s. goodwill ambassador, he was awarded the life achievement award of american film institute and the chevalier of french legion of honor.

• Dec. 13 Mark Stevens

  Actor

• Dec. 18 Betty Grable

  American actress, singer, and dancer. her films include "how to marry a millionaire" 1953 and "how to be very,very popular" 1955. harry james, her bandleader, was her second marriage. she had two children.