Famous people and celebrities born in 1917

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1917. 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 1917 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 24 Ernest Borgnine
Legendary American actor with a remarkable six-decade career, winning an Academy Award for 'Marty' in 1955 and starring in iconic TV series like McHale's Navy and Airwolf. He was nominated for an Emmy at 92, showcasing his enduring talent and versatility.
Jan. 26 Louis Zamperini
Louis Zamperini was an extraordinary American athlete and World War II hero, known for his incredible survival story as a prisoner of war and his remarkable resilience. His life was immortalized in the bestselling book 'Unbroken' by Laura Hillenbrand and later adapted into a film directed by Angelina Jolie.
Jan. 29 John Raitt
John Raitt was a prominent Broadway musical star known for his powerful baritone voice and leading roles in classic musicals during the 1940s and 1950s. He was a significant figure in American musical theater, performing in notable productions like 'Carousel' and 'The Pajama Game'. His daughter Bonnie Raitt is also a well-known musician.
Feb. 5 Isuzu Yamada
Renowned Japanese actress known for her significant contributions to Japanese cinema during the mid-20th century, particularly in classic films of the 1940s and 1950s.
Feb. 6 Zsa Zsa Gabor
Zsa Zsa Gabor was a famous Hungarian-American actress, socialite, and celebrity known for her glamorous lifestyle, multiple marriages, and witty personality. She was a prominent Hollywood personality who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout her career.
Feb. 19 Carson McCullers
Carson McCullers was a significant Southern Gothic novelist and writer who explored themes of loneliness, alienation, and human complexity in her groundbreaking works. She is best known for her debut novel 'The Heart is a Lonely Hunter', published when she was just 23 years old. Her writing profoundly influenced 20th-century American literature.
Feb. 25 Brenda Joyce
Brenda Joyce was a prominent American actress during the Golden Age of Hollywood, known for her roles in numerous films throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
March 2 Desi Arnaz
Cuban-American television pioneer, musician, and actor who co-created 'I Love Lucy' and revolutionized television production through Desilu Productions. He was a groundbreaking entertainer who successfully integrated Latin talent into mainstream American entertainment.
March 6 Frankie Howerd
Famous British comedian and actor known for his comedic roles in 'Carry On' films, with a career spanning six decades.
March 12 Googie Withers
British actress known for her roles in classic British films, including the wartime drama '1 Our Aircraft is Lost'.
March 20 Vera Lynn
Singer (anniversary waltz)
April 2 Lou Monte
Italian-American singer known for novelty songs like 'Peppino the Italian Mouse', a popular comedic performer in the mid-20th century who blended humor and music.
April 14 Valerie Hobson
British actress known for her roles in classic films like 'Great Expectations' and 'The 39 Steps', who was a prominent figure in mid-20th century British cinema.
April 15 Hans Conried
American voice actor and character actor known for his distinctive voice in animated shows like 'The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show' and live-action comedies like 'Make Room for Daddy'.
April 16 Barry Nelson
Barry Nelson was an American actor known for being the first actor to play James Bond on American television in 1954. He had a long career in film, television, and theater.
April 25 Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald was a legendary American jazz singer known for her extraordinary vocal range, impeccable scat singing, and profound influence on 20th-century music. She was nicknamed the 'First Lady of Song' and won 13 Grammy Awards during her illustrious career. Her smooth, velvety voice and remarkable improvisational skills made her one of the most celebrated jazz vocalists of all time. [bio]
April 29 Celeste Holm
Renowned American actress who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and was a versatile performer in theater and film. She had a distinguished career spanning Broadway and Hollywood, with notable roles in classic productions like 'Oklahoma!'
May 1 Danielle Darrieux
Renowned French actress who was a prominent screen star from 1930, surviving World War II as a resistance figure. She was internationally famous and continued performing on stage and screen for decades.
May 7 David Tomlinson
British actor best known for his iconic role in Disney's 'Mary Poppins', where he played Mr. Banks. He was a versatile performer in film and television during the mid-20th century.
May 16 George Gaynes
Finnish-American actor best known for his roles in 'Punky Brewster' and 'Police Academy' film series, who had a successful career in television and film.
May 21 Raymond Burr
Raymond Burr was a renowned actor famous for his iconic roles in TV series Perry Mason and Ironside, and was also known for his humanitarian work and advocacy.
May 29 John Fitzgerald Kennedy
35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. A pivotal figure in Cold War politics and civil rights, known for his charismatic leadership and tragic death. [bio]
June 7 Dean Martin
Dean Martin was a legendary Italian-American entertainer who rose to fame as half of the iconic comedy duo with Jerry Lewis. He was a versatile performer known for his smooth singing voice, comedic timing, and later success as a solo artist in music, film, and television. [bio]
June 12 Priscilla Lane
American actress known for her role in the classic comedy 'Arsenic and Old Lace'. She was a prominent Hollywood actress during the 1930s and 1940s.
June 16 Katharine Graham
American publisher (d. 2001).
June 18 Richard Boone
Renowned American actor famous for his iconic role as Paladin in the TV series 'Have Gun, Will Travel'. He was a versatile performer who excelled in action roles and had a distinguished career in television and film.
June 25 Steve Cochran
American film actor known for playing tough, supporting roles in B-movies during the 1940s and 1950s, who began his acting career in summer stock theater in 1939.
June 30 Lena Horne
Pioneering African American actress and singer who broke racial barriers in Hollywood, known for her extraordinary talent, classic beauty, and civil rights activism. She was one of the first Black performers to challenge segregation in the entertainment industry.
June 30 Susan Hayward
Acclaimed Hollywood actress who won an Oscar for her powerful performances, particularly in biographical dramas. She transitioned from modeling to become a prominent film star of the mid-20th century.
July 8 Faye Emerson
American television and film actress who was prominent in the early days of television. She was married twice, first to William Crawford and later to Elliot Roosevelt, son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
July 17 Phyllis Diller
Pioneering American comedian known for her eccentric stage persona, self-deprecating humor, and groundbreaking comedy performances in the 1950s and 1960s. She was a trailblazing female comedian who challenged traditional comedy norms with her unique style and wit.
Aug. 6 Robert Mitchum
Iconic Hollywood actor renowned for his pivotal roles in film noir and as a trailblazing anti-hero. Ranked 23rd by the American Film Institute among greatest screen legends, Mitchum defined a unique style of masculine, brooding performance in mid-20th century cinema.
Aug. 25 Mel Ferrer
American actor known for roles in classic films like 'The Longest Day' and notable for his work in Hollywood during the mid-20th century.
Sept. 5 Hilary Mason
Hilary Mason was a distinguished British character actress known for her distinctive roles in horror and dramatic films, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s.
Sept. 6 John Berry
American-french actor, screenwriter and producer (d. 1999).
Sept. 11 Herbert Lom
Czech-born actor renowned for his comedic role as Chief Inspector Dreyfus in the iconic Pink Panther film series, working alongside Peter Sellers.
Sept. 11 Jessica Mitford
British writer. sometimes called "queen of the muckrakers", she is best known for her sleuthing in print businesses that range from fat farms to funeral homes. her 1963 book, "the american way of death," is her most famous work.
Sept. 18 June Foray
Legendary voice actress who was a pioneer in animation, famously voicing Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Natasha Fatale, and numerous Looney Tunes characters across multiple decades.
Oct. 7 Mila Parély
Mila Parély was a prominent French actress of the mid-20th century, known for her memorable performances in classic French cinema, including Jean Renoir's masterpiece 'La Règle du Jeu' and Jean Cocteau's 'Beauty and the Beast'.
Oct. 13 Laraine Day
Prominent Hollywood actress known for her roles in film noir and classic movies during the 1930s and 1940s, including notable performances in Alfred Hitchcock's films.
Oct. 17 Marsha Hunt
American actress who made her Broadway debut in 1948, appearing in over 60 films. She began her career as a model at 17 and made her screen debut in 'The Virginia Judge' in 1935.
Oct. 20 Jean-Pierre Melville
Influential French film director renowned for his stylish and minimalist crime noir films. He was a key figure in the French New Wave cinema movement, creating iconic movies that significantly impacted modern filmmaking. His works like 'Le Samouraï' are considered masterpieces of the genre.
Oct. 22 Joan Fontaine
Oscar-winning actress known for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock films like 'Rebecca' and 'Suspicion'. She had a complex family relationship with her sister Olivia de Havilland, also a famous actress. Her early life was marked by family challenges and international experiences.
Nov. 2 Ann Rutherford
Ann Rutherford was a Canadian-American actress known for her roles in classic Hollywood films, particularly as Scarlett O'Hara's sister in 'Gone with the Wind'. She was also a television panelist on the show 'Leave It to the Girls'.
Nov. 5 Madeleine Robinson
French actress who made her screen debut in 1934 and won the Venice Film Festival's Best Actress Award in 1959, establishing herself as a notable figure in mid-20th century French cinema.
Nov. 18 Pedro Infante
Pedro Infante was a legendary Mexican actor and singer who defined the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. He starred in over 60 films and recorded approximately 350 songs, becoming a cultural icon in Latin America. His talent was recognized internationally, including winning the Silver Bear Award for Best Actor at the Berlin Film Festival.
Nov. 20 Robert Byrd
Legendary American politician who was the longest-serving senator in U.S. history, serving West Virginia from 1959 to 2010. He held numerous leadership positions and cast over 17,800 votes during his remarkable political career.
Dec. 18 Ossie Davis
Prominent African American actor, playwright, and civil rights activist from Cogdell, Georgia, known for his significant contributions to theater, film, and social justice movements.
Dec. 22 Gene Rayburn
Iconic American television host best known for hosting 'Match Game', a popular game show that defined TV entertainment in the 1960s and 1970s. His charismatic personality and distinctive dimpled smile made him a beloved television personality.
Dec. 31 Suzy Delair
French actress and singer known for her collaboration with director Henri-Georges Clouzot, who was also her companion.