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
Maxene Andrews was a renowned soprano singer and key member of the Andrews Sisters, a legendary close harmony group that defined the swing and boogie-woogie era. The group sold over 75 million records and popularized hits like 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy', which significantly influenced rhythm and blues music.
Jan. 3 Betty Furness
Betty Furness was a prominent American actress and television journalist who transitioned from entertainment to consumer advocacy. She became well-known for her consumer reports and consumer protection work during the mid-20th century.
Feb. 1 Pierre Dudan
French artist known for his multifaceted career as a singer, composer, lyricist, and writer, who made significant contributions to French cultural arts in the mid-20th century.
Feb. 14 Sally Gray
English actress and singer known for her work in British entertainment during the mid-20th century.
Feb. 17 Raf Vallone
Renowned Italian actor who rose to international fame through neorealist cinema, particularly with his breakthrough role in 'Bitter Rice' and his collaboration with Vittorio De Sica. He was a multifaceted talent who transitioned from professional soccer to acting, becoming a significant figure in mid-20th century Italian film.
Feb. 19 Eddie Arcaro
Eddie Arcaro was an iconic American horse racing jockey, widely considered the greatest of all time. He won an unprecedented five Kentucky Derby races and two Triple Crowns, demonstrating extraordinary skill and partnership with horses throughout his legendary career.
Feb. 26 Jackie Gleason
Jackie Gleason was an iconic American comedian and actor who dominated television in the 1950s with his groundbreaking show 'The Honeymooners'. He created memorable characters like 'Poor Soul' and starred in classic films such as 'The Hustler' and 'Smokey and the Bandit'. Gleason was known for his large physical presence and comedic genius.
Feb. 29 Dinah Shore
Renowned American singer, actress, and television personality who dominated entertainment from the 1950s to 1970s. She was a pioneering female TV host who won multiple Emmy Awards and was known for her musical talent and engaging personality.
March 10 Pamela Mason
American actress of the mid-20th century who appeared in several British films and had her own television show. She was known for her roles in minor films and stage performances during the late 1930s and early 1940s.
March 16 Mercedes McCambridge
Renowned American actress who won an Academy Award for her powerful voice acting in 'Johnny Guitar' and 'The Exorcist', making significant contributions to film and radio drama.
March 19 Irving Wallace
Prolific American novelist and writer known for bestselling books like 'The Chapman Report' and 'The Prize', who achieved massive global readership and had several works adapted into movies.
March 26 Sterling Hayden
Renowned Hollywood actor famous for his roles in film noir and westerns, particularly memorable in 'Dr. Strangelove' and 'The Godfather'. He was known for his rugged screen presence and versatile character acting across multiple genres.
April 5 Gregory Peck
Legendary Hollywood actor known for his iconic role in 'To Kill a Mockingbird', for which he won an Oscar. He was a highly respected performer with numerous prestigious awards, including the AFI and Kennedy Center lifetime achievement honors. [bio]
April 22 Yehudi Menuhin
Legendary violinist and conductor, considered one of the most extraordinary musical prodigies of the 20th century, renowned for his exceptional talent from a very young age.
April 28 Ferruccio Lamborghini
Legendary Italian industrialist who founded Lamborghini, transforming from tractor manufacturing to creating world-renowned luxury sports cars. He challenged Ferrari by designing high-performance vehicles that became iconic in automotive history. His innovative spirit revolutionized the sports car industry.
April 30 Robert Shaw
Renowned American choral conductor who revolutionized choral music through the Robert Shaw Chorale and his work with the Cleveland Orchestra. He was a pioneering figure in choral conducting, known for his methodical approach and passion for cultivating amateur singers.
April 30 Claude Shannon
Pioneering mathematician and electrical engineer who founded information theory, making fundamental contributions to digital communication and computing. His groundbreaking work laid the foundation for the digital age.
May 1 Glenn Ford
Renowned Canadian-American actor who starred in over 200 films, particularly famous for his Western movies and notable works like 'Blackboard Jungle' and 'The Rounders'.
May 11 Camilo Jose Cela
Prominent Spanish novelist, awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1989. A key figure in 20th-century Spanish literature known for his innovative narrative style.
May 11 C J Cela
Same as previous entry - Spanish writer.
May 16 Adriana Caselotti
Famous voice actress best known for being the original voice of Snow White in Disney's first animated feature film.
May 31 Battle of Jutland
Significant naval battle during World War I between the British Grand Fleet and the German Deep Sea Fleet, marking a crucial maritime confrontation.
June 8 Francis Crick
Francis Crick was a renowned British molecular biologist who, together with James Watson, discovered the double helix structure of DNA, revolutionizing our understanding of genetics and earning a Nobel Prize in 1962.
June 9 Robert McNamara
Influential American business executive and government official who served as U.S. Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War era. He was the first non-family president of Ford Motor Company and later led the World Bank. McNamara played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. military and foreign policy during the 1960s.
June 13 Mary Wickes
American character actress known for comedic roles in films like 'Sister Act' and classic movies from the 1940s and 1950s.
June 14 Dorothy McGuire
Renowned American actress of stage and screen, known for her roles in classic films like 'Gentleman's Agreement' and 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'.
June 15 Herbert Simon
Renowned American social scientist and economist who won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1978. A distinguished professor and author who made significant contributions to understanding decision-making processes.
June 23 Irene Worth
Acclaimed American stage and film actress known for her powerful performances in theater and cinema, winning multiple awards throughout her distinguished career.
June 29 Ruth Warrick
Prominent American actress known for her roles in 'Citizen Kane' and the long-running soap opera 'All My Children', who had a significant career in film and television spanning several decades.
July 1 Olivia de Havilland
Olivia de Havilland was a legendary Hollywood actress who won two Academy Awards and was a key star of the Golden Age of Cinema, famously known for her roles in 'Gone with the Wind' and 'The Adventures of Robin Hood'. [bio]
July 11 Reg Varney
English actor and comedian best known for his role in the popular sitcom 'On the Buses'.
July 22 Marcel Cerdan
Legendary French-Algerian boxer who was world middleweight champion, known for his exceptional fighting skills and tragic death. He defeated Tony Zale in 1948 and was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1962. His life was cut short in a plane crash in 1949.
July 24 John MacDonald
Renowned American mystery novelist famous for creating Travis McGee, a unique detective character. He wrote over 77 books and 500 stories, winning prestigious awards like the Edgar Grand Master Award in 1972.
July 27 Keenan Wynn
Keenan Wynn was a prolific Hollywood character actor who appeared in over 220 films across comedy and drama genres. He was part of MGM's stable of actors for thirteen years and came from a family of performers, being the son and grandson of silent film actors.
Aug. 25 Van Johnson
Iconic Hollywood actor of the 1940s and 1950s, known for his distinctive red hair and boyish charm. He starred in 125 films and was a prominent performer in theater and cinema during the golden age of Hollywood.
Aug. 27 Martha Raye
Martha Raye was a renowned American comedian, actress, and entertainer known for her distinctive large mouth and energetic comedic performances. She was a popular performer during the mid-20th century, entertaining troops during World War II and appearing in numerous films and television shows.
Sept. 13 Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a renowned British author and screenwriter who revolutionized children's literature with imaginative and darkly humorous stories that have enchanted generations of readers worldwide. [bio]
Sept. 15 Margaret Lockwood
Renowned British actress who was a prominent film star from the 1930s to 1950s, known for her versatile roles in classic British cinema. She starred in memorable films like 'The Lady Vanishes' and 'The Wicked Lady', and wrote her autobiography 'Lucky Star' in 1955.
Sept. 17 Mary Stewart
Renowned British novelist known for her romantic suspense and historical fiction, particularly her Merlin trilogy. She was a highly respected author who significantly influenced the romantic thriller genre during the mid-20th century.
Nov. 4 Walter Cronkite
Legendary CBS News anchor who was a trusted voice of journalism during pivotal moments in American history, including the Vietnam War and moon landing. Known as 'the most trusted man in America', he significantly influenced public opinion and media reporting. His career spanned several decades and he was instrumental in shaping television news journalism. [bio]
Nov. 15 Bill Melendez
Renowned Mexican-American animator best known for producing and directing Charlie Brown and Snoopy animated specials. He was a key figure in bringing Charles Schulz's beloved Peanuts characters to television.
Nov. 23 Michael Gough
Renowned English actor known for his versatile roles in film and television, including appearances in Batman films and numerous stage productions.
Nov. 24 Forrest Ackerman
Legendary science fiction enthusiast and editor who was a pivotal figure in promoting science fiction culture for over seven decades. He coined the term 'sci-fi' and was a passionate collector and advocate for the genre.
Dec. 9 Kirk Douglas
Legendary Hollywood actor known for his powerful performances in 82 films across multiple genres. A prominent figure in cinema history, he was nominated for three Academy Awards and received numerous lifetime achievement honors. [bio]
Dec. 13 Mark Stevens
American film actor known for his roles in mid-20th century Hollywood productions, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s.
Dec. 15 Maurice Wilkins
Maurice Wilkins was a Nobel Prize-winning biophysicist who played a critical role in understanding DNA's structure alongside Watson and Crick. His X-ray crystallography work was instrumental in revealing the double helix model of DNA. He shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this groundbreaking scientific achievement.
Dec. 18 Betty Grable
Iconic pin-up girl and Hollywood star of the 1940s and 1950s, Betty Grable was one of the most popular actresses of her era. She was famous for her legendary legs, which were insured for $1 million, and starred in numerous musical comedies. Her popularity peaked during World War II, where her poster became a morale booster for American soldiers.