Famous people and celebrities born in June 1917

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in June 1917! 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.

• June 1 William S Knowles

  William S. Knowles was an American chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking work on chirally catalyzed hydrogenation reactions, which revolutionized pharmaceutical synthesis.

• June 2 Heinz Sielmann

  Renowned German wildlife filmmaker and nature photographer who significantly contributed to environmental documentation and conservation awareness through his groundbreaking documentaries.

• June 4 Robert Merrill Brooklyn

  Baritone from New York who performed at the Metropolitan Opera.

• June 4 Robert Merrill

  Renowned American baritone and opera singer who performed at the Metropolitan Opera and was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1993.

• June 6 Kirk Kerkorian

  Kirk Kerkorian was a legendary American business magnate who transformed Las Vegas through his strategic investments in the casino and hotel industry. Despite lacking a formal high school education, he became a billionaire and influential figure in entertainment and real estate. Forbes recognized him as one of America's wealthiest entrepreneurs.

• 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.

• June 7 Gwendolyn Brooks

  Gwendolyn Brooks was a pioneering African American poet who broke significant racial barriers in literature by becoming the first Black poet to win the Pulitzer Prize. Her work powerfully explored the African American experience with profound social and cultural insights.

• June 8 Byron White

  Byron White was a distinguished U.S. Supreme Court Justice who served from 1962 to 1993, known for his intellectual rigor and nuanced opinions on civil rights and constitutional law.

• June 9 Eric Hobsbawm

  Eric Hobsbawm was a renowned British historian and intellectual who made significant contributions to social history and Marxist theory. He was a prominent member of the Communist Party and wrote extensively about the 19th and 20th-century social movements. His most famous works include 'The Age of Revolution' and 'The Age of Extremes'.

• 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 13 Augusto Roa Bastos

  Renowned Paraguayan novelist and intellectual who significantly contributed to Latin American literature, best known for his novel 'I, the Supreme'.

• June 15 John Fenn

  Nobel Prize-winning American chemist who revolutionized molecular analysis techniques.

• June 15 John Bennett Fenn

  Nobel Prize-winning American chemist who made groundbreaking contributions to mass spectrometry and molecular analysis.

• June 15 Bill Martin in Iowa

  Influential Disney Imagineer who played a crucial role in designing Disneyland and Walt Disney World, becoming a Disney Legend in 1994.

• June 16 Katharine Graham

  American publisher (d. 2001).

• June 17 Irving Penn

  Renowned American photographer known for his innovative fashion and portrait photography. He was a significant contributor to Vogue magazine and fine art photography.

• 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 20 Helena Rasiowa

  Renowned Polish mathematician known for her significant contributions to mathematical logic and set theory, particularly in algebraic approaches to logic.

• 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.