Famous people and celebrities born in December 1916

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in December 1916! 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 Wan Li

  Prominent Chinese politician and educator who served as the 4th Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China. He played a significant role in China's political landscape during the late 20th century and was known for his contributions to education and governance.

• Dec. 2 Howard Finster

  Howard Finster was a renowned American folk artist and Baptist preacher who created thousands of visionary artworks blending religious themes with outsider art. He gained international recognition for his unique, intricate paintings and was particularly famous for creating album art for bands like R.E.M. and Talking Heads.

• Dec. 5 Hilary Koprowski

  A pioneering Polish-American immunologist who developed the first effective live polio vaccine, making significant contributions to global public health and medical science.

• Dec. 6 Kristján Eldjárn

  Kristján Eldjárn was the third President of Iceland, serving from 1968 to 1980. He was a respected educator, archaeologist, and politician who played a significant role in Icelandic national development.

• Dec. 7 Yekaterina Budanova

  Soviet fighter pilot and one of only two female flying aces during World War II, known for her exceptional combat skills and heroism in aerial warfare.

• Dec. 8 Richard Fleischer

  Renowned American film director known for directing classic movies like '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' and 'Soylent Green'. He worked across multiple genres and was a significant figure in mid-20th century cinema.

• 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. 11 Pérez Prado

  Legendary Cuban-Mexican musician known as the 'King of Mambo', who popularized the mambo dance and music genre internationally during the 1950s.

• Dec. 11 Elena Garro

  Prominent Mexican writer who was a key figure in Latin American literature, known for her innovative works in magical realism and her complex personal life.

• Dec. 13 Mark Stevens

  American film actor known for his roles in mid-20th century Hollywood productions, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s.

• Dec. 14 Shirley Jackson

  Influential American writer renowned for her gothic and psychological fiction, including the iconic short story 'The Lottery' and novels like 'The Haunting of Hill House'. Her works are celebrated for their exploration of psychological horror and social critique.

• 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. 15 Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins

  Nobel Prize laureate for their discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material

• 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.

• Dec. 19 Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann

  Renowned German political scientist and communication researcher who developed the influential 'spiral of silence' theory in media studies.

• Dec. 19 Roy Ward Baker

  Prominent English film director known for his work in television and cinema, directing notable productions across multiple genres.

• Dec. 20 Morrie Schwartz

  Renowned sociology professor at Brandeis University, best known for his inspirational book 'Tuesdays with Morrie' which chronicled his life lessons while battling ALS.

• Dec. 23 Dino Risi

  Renowned Italian film director and screenwriter who was a key figure in the Italian comedy genre, particularly known for his neorealist comedies that captured the social dynamics of post-war Italy.

• Dec. 25 Ahmed Ben Bella

  Prominent Algerian revolutionary leader who became the first president of independent Algeria after leading the National Liberation Front in the Algerian War of Independence against France.

• Dec. 28 Nelly Landry

  A French tennis player who won the Roland-Garros women's singles championship in 1948 and was a finalist twice in 1938 and 1949. She became a French citizen after marrying Pierre Landry, a Belgian tennis player.