Famous people and celebrities born in 1919

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1919. 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 1919 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 1 Rocky Graziano
Rocky Graziano was a famous middleweight boxing champion who later became an actor, known for his tough life story and successful boxing career in the 1940s and 1950s.
Jan. 1 Carole Landis
Carole Landis was a prominent Hollywood actress and pin-up model during World War II, known for her roles in comedies and dramas, who tragically died by suicide at age 29.
Jan. 1 J D Salinger
J.D. Salinger was an iconic American novelist best known for his groundbreaking novel 'The Catcher in the Rye', which profoundly influenced 20th-century literature and youth culture.
Jan. 7 Robert Duncan
Robert Duncan was a significant American poet associated with the San Francisco Renaissance and Black Mountain School of poetry. He was a pioneering figure in experimental and open form poetry, known for his innovative and influential literary contributions. His work 'The Venice Poem' (1948) is considered a notable example of his poetic style.
Jan. 13 Robert Stack
Robert Stack was a versatile American actor known for his Emmy-winning role in 'The Untouchables' and Oscar-nominated performance in 'Written on the Wind'. Beyond acting, he was an accomplished sportsman who set world records in skeet shooting and boat racing before becoming a prominent Hollywood actor.
Jan. 21 Jinx Falkenburg
Jinx Falkenburg was a prominent American actress and model during the mid-20th century, known for her versatile work in films and television.
Jan. 23 Ernie Kovacs
Pioneering television comedian known for his innovative and surreal comedy style, tragically killed in a car accident in West Los Angeles at the age of 42.
Jan. 31 Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson was a groundbreaking baseball player who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, becoming the first African American to play in the modern era. His courage and exceptional athletic skills with the Brooklyn Dodgers transformed American sports and civil rights. Robinson's legacy extends far beyond baseball, symbolizing racial integration and social progress. [bio]
Feb. 5 Red Buttons
Red Buttons was a renowned American comedian, actor, and entertainer known for his versatile performances in film and television. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 'Sayonara' (1957) and was a popular comedian in the mid-20th century.
Feb. 11 Eva Gabor
Hungarian-American actress and television star best known for her role in the popular sitcom 'Green Acres'. She was part of the famous Gabor sisters who became Hollywood icons, known for their glamour and wit.
Feb. 18 Jack Palance
Jack Palance was a renowned American actor famous for his intense performances in Western films and his Oscar-winning role in 'City Slickers'. He was known for his distinctive rugged looks and powerful screen presence.
March 2 Jennifer Jones
Acclaimed American actress who won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1943 for her remarkable portrayal of Bernadette in 'The Song of Bernadette'. She was known for her powerful performances in films like 'Love Letters' and 'Duel in the Sun'.
March 15 John Gregson
British actor known for his roles in various films during the mid-20th century. He appeared in several notable movies and was active in the entertainment industry.
March 18 Nat King Cole
Legendary American jazz pianist, singer, and music icon who revolutionized popular music in the mid-20th century with his smooth vocal style.
March 26 Strother Martin
Iconic character actor known for memorable roles in classic Western films, particularly famous for his distinctive voice and supporting performances alongside Paul Newman in movies like 'Cool Hand Luke'.
April 13 Howard Keel
Howard Keel was a renowned American actor and singer, famous for his roles in Hollywood musicals like 'Oklahoma!' and 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'.
April 18 Virginia O'Brien
American singer and actress known for her distinctive deadpan comedic style in Hollywood musicals during the 1940s, particularly in MGM productions.
May 4 Pete Seeger
Legendary American folk singer, songwriter, and social activist who played a crucial role in the American folk music revival and civil rights movement.
May 8 Lex Barker
American actor famous for portraying Tarzan in multiple films and starring in German Western adaptations of Karl May's novels. He was a prominent Hollywood actor during the 1940s and 1950s.
May 17 Antonio Aguilar
Renowned Mexican actor, screenwriter, and producer who significantly influenced Mexican music and cinema during the mid-20th century.
May 20 George Gobel
George Gobel was a popular American comedian and television personality known for his deadpan humor and self-deprecating style. He was a prominent entertainer in the 1950s and 1960s, frequently appearing on variety shows and comedy programs. His catchphrase 'Well, I'll tell ya...' became widely recognized in American pop culture.
May 23 Betty Garrett
Versatile American actress with a remarkable 60-year career in Broadway musicals, film, and television. She worked with MGM and starred alongside notable actors like Jack Lemmon and Frank Sinatra in various productions.
June 11 Richard Todd
Irish actor known for his roles in classic films like 'Dorian Gray' and 'Yangtze Incident', a notable performer in British cinema during mid-20th century.
June 14 Sam Wanamaker
Sam Wanamaker was a visionary American actor and director who dedicated significant efforts to reconstructing Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London, meticulously recreating the original Elizabethan architectural design and construction methods.
June 14 Gene Barry
Gene Barry was a prominent American actor known for his roles in television and film, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s. He starred in popular TV series like 'Bat Masterson' and 'Burke's Law', establishing himself as a charismatic leading man of his era.
July 7 Jon Pertwee
English actor best known for portraying the Third Doctor in the iconic science fiction series Doctor Who from 1970 to 1974, becoming a beloved figure in British television history.
July 14 Lino Ventura
Renowned French actor famous for detective and crime films, known for his tough-guy roles and distinctive screen presence. He was a prominent figure in French cinema during the mid-20th century, transitioning from a prizefighter to a respected actor.
Aug. 19 Malcolm Forbes
Malcolm Forbes was a prominent American businessman and publisher who led Forbes magazine, transforming it into a globally recognized business and financial publication. He was known for his lavish lifestyle, motorcycle collection, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Aug. 25 George Wallace
Controversial Alabama governor known for his segregationist stance during the Civil Rights era. He was a prominent Democratic politician who served multiple terms and ran for president several times. Despite his divisive political career, he later attempted to reconcile with civil rights leaders.
Aug. 30 Kitty Wells
Kitty Wells was a pioneering country music singer who revolutionized the genre and became the first female country star to achieve widespread commercial success. She was instrumental in breaking gender barriers in country music during the 1950s and 1960s, earning the title 'Queen of Country Music'.
Aug. 30 Maurice Hilleman
Maurice Hilleman was a groundbreaking microbiologist who saved millions of lives through his development of over 40 crucial vaccines. He is considered one of the most important medical researchers of the 20th century, significantly contributing to global public health.
Sept. 2 Marge Champion
Renowned American dancer and choreographer who was a pioneering dance performer with her husband Gower Champion. She was a child prodigy in dance, trained by her father, and became a celebrated dance partner and performer in Hollywood musicals and television.
Sept. 26 Barbara Britton
American actress known for her role in the TV series 'Mr. and Mrs. North', who had a successful career in film and television during the mid-20th century.
Sept. 28 Tom Harmon
Tom Harmon was a notable American football player, sports broadcaster, and actor, best known as the father of actor Mark Harmon. He was a celebrated college football star who later transitioned into media and entertainment.
Oct. 5 Donald Pleasence
Donald Pleasence was a renowned English actor famous for his iconic portrayal of Dr. Sam Loomis in the Halloween horror film series. He was a versatile character actor with a distinctive voice and intense screen presence.
Oct. 11 Jean Vander Pyl
Jean Vander Pyl was a renowned American voice actress best known for her role as Wilma Flintstone in the classic animated series 'The Flintstones'. She had a significant career in voice acting during the golden age of animation.
Oct. 17 Rita Hayworth
Iconic Hollywood actress and dancer of the Golden Age of cinema, famous for films like 'Gilda' and 'Pal Joey'. [bio]
Oct. 22 Doris Lessing
Nobel Prize-winning British writer known for her groundbreaking novels exploring social and political themes. She was a prominent feminist and wrote extensively about race, colonialism, and personal liberation. Her most famous work, 'The Golden Notebook', is considered a landmark feminist novel.
Oct. 26 Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Last Shah of Iran who was overthrown during the Iranian Revolution, modernizing the country but ultimately losing power to widespread popular uprising.
Oct. 29 Félix Marten
Prominent French actor, director, and singer who was active in mid-20th century entertainment, contributing significantly to French performing arts.
Nov. 4 Martin Balsam
Martin Balsam was a renowned American character actor with a distinguished career spanning theater, television, and film. He appeared in iconic movies like 'Twelve Angry Men' and 'Murder on the Orient Express', and was nominated for an Oscar for his role in 'A Thousand Clowns'. His versatility and talent made him a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
Nov. 10 Mikhail Kalashnikov
Renowned Russian weapons designer who created the iconic AK-47 assault rifle, one of the most widely used and recognizable firearms in world history.
Nov. 14 Johnny Desmond
Popular American singer known for his performances on the Hit Parade radio and television show during the mid-20th century.
Nov. 15 Carol Bruce
Carol Bruce was an accomplished American actress and singer known for her work in theater, film, and music during the mid-20th century.
Nov. 20 Phyllis Thaxter
Phyllis Thaxter was a notable American actress who appeared in significant Hollywood films during the mid-20th century, including the war film 'Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo' and the superhero movie 'Superman'.
Nov. 20 Alan Young
Alan Young was a beloved Canadian-American actor famous for his iconic role as Wilbur Post in the classic television comedy series 'Mister Ed', which ran from 1961 to 1966.
Nov. 26 Henri Vidal
French film actor who made his debut with Edith Piaf in Montmartre-sur-Seine (1941) and appeared in 36 films between 1941-1959.
Dec. 8 Julia Robinson
Renowned American mathematician known for her significant contributions to mathematical logic and decision problems, particularly her work on Hilbert's tenth problem.