Famous people and celebrities born in 1920

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1920. 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 1920 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 2 Isaac Asimov
Renowned Russian-American biochemist and science fiction author who wrote over 400 books and significantly influenced science communication and sci-fi literature. He was a prolific writer known for his Foundation series and pioneering works on robotics and artificial intelligence. [bio]
Jan. 4 Robert Lamoureux
Prominent French entertainer who excelled in multiple artistic domains including acting, directing, songwriting, and performing in cabaret and music hall. Known for his charming and energetic screen presence in light comedic films.
Jan. 8 Douglas Wilmer
Renowned English character actor known for his distinguished stage and screen performances, particularly in Shakespearean roles and as Sherlock Holmes.
Jan. 9 Clive Dunn
English actor and comedian best known for his role in the popular BBC sitcom 'Dad's Army', where he played the beloved character Lance Corporal Jack Jones.
Jan. 10 Georges Marchal
French actor and member of the Comédie-Française, who performed extensively in theater between 1941-1948 before transitioning to film roles.
Jan. 20 Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini was a legendary Italian film director renowned for his surreal, imaginative, and visually stunning cinema that revolutionized modern filmmaking. [bio]
Jan. 20 DeForest Kelley
DeForest Kelley was an iconic American actor best known for his memorable role as Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy in the original Star Trek television series and subsequent films.
Jan. 26 Derek Bond
British actor and author who was active on the London stage and in films from 1936 to 1946. He served in the British Grenadier Guards during World War II and was awarded the Military Cross. Bond later became president of British Actors' Equity from 1984 to 1986.
Feb. 18 Bill Cullen
Iconic American television game show host who hosted over 20 different game shows during his long career, becoming a beloved figure in mid-20th century television entertainment.
Feb. 26 Tony Randall
Renowned American comedic actor famous for his Emmy-winning role as Felix Unger in the classic TV series 'The Odd Couple'. He was a versatile performer known for his precise comedic timing and memorable character portrayals.
Feb. 29 Michèle Morgan
Renowned French actress who became an international cinema icon, known for her expressive beauty and memorable roles in classic films like 'Port of Shadows' and 'Joan of Paris'. She was a prominent figure in both French and American cinema during the 1940s.
March 3 James Doohan
Famous Canadian-American actor best known for playing Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott in the original Star Trek series. He was also a World War II veteran who served in the Royal Canadian Artillery.
March 16 Leo McKern
Renowned Australian-English actor known for his distinctive voice and powerful performances in film and television, including roles in 'Rumpole of the Bailey' and 'Help!'.
March 22 Werner Klemperer
German-American actor best known for his iconic comedic role as Colonel Klink in the classic sitcom 'Hogan's Heroes', which ran from 1965 to 1971.
March 22 Ross Martin
American actor known for his role in the TV series 'The Wild Wild West', where he played Artemus Gordon alongside Robert Conrad.
March 25 Patrick Troughton
British actor best known for playing the Second Doctor in the iconic science fiction series Doctor Who from 1966 to 1969, significantly influencing the show's legacy.
April 1 Toshirô Mifune
Toshirô Mifune was a legendary Japanese actor who revolutionized cinema through his powerful performances in iconic samurai films, particularly in collaboration with director Akira Kurosawa. [bio]
April 2 Jack Webb
Jack Webb was a prominent American actor, producer, and director best known for creating and starring in the iconic police procedural TV series 'Dragnet'. He significantly influenced television crime drama in the 1950s and 1960s, with notable roles in films like 'Sunset Boulevard'.
April 16 Barry Nelson
American actor known for his television roles, particularly in 'My Favorite Husband' and as the first actor to play James Bond on American television.
May 11 Denver Pyle
American character actor best known for his roles in 'The Dukes of Hazzard' as Uncle Jesse and in numerous Western films and television series.
May 18 Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II was the head of the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005, known for his pivotal role in ending communist rule in Poland and his extensive global travels as pope. [bio]
May 23 Helen O'Connell
Helen O'Connell was a prominent American big band era singer and actress, known for her performances with Jimmy Dorsey's orchestra during the 1940s.
May 26 Peggy Lee
Legendary jazz and pop singer known for her distinctive voice and versatile career spanning music, film, and television. She was a Grammy-winning artist celebrated by Duke Ellington as 'the queen' and received an Oscar nomination for her acting.
June 15 Alberto Sordi
Iconic Italian actor, director, and screenwriter who was a major figure in Italian cinema during the mid-20th century, known for his comedic roles and satirical portrayals of Italian society.
July 1 Harold Sakata
Harold Sakata was an American professional wrestler known by the ring name 'Tosh Togo' and later became a notable actor, famously playing the iconic henchman Oddjob in the James Bond film 'Goldfinger'.
July 10 David Brinkley
Renowned American TV news correspondent who co-anchored the groundbreaking 'Huntley-Brinkley Report' on NBC from 1956 to 1970. His witty style and partnership with Chet Huntley revolutionized television news broadcasting.
July 11 Yul Brynner
Iconic Hollywood actor known for his distinctive bald head and powerful performances, particularly in 'The King and I'. He was a versatile performer with a fascinating multicultural background spanning Russia, China, and the United States.
July 19 Patricia Medina
Prominent English actress known for her roles in numerous films during the mid-20th century, particularly in British cinema and Hollywood productions.
July 23 Amália Rodrigues
Amália Rodrigues was the legendary 'Queen of Fado', a renowned Portuguese singer and actress who profoundly influenced traditional Portuguese music and culture during the 20th century. She is considered the most important figure in fado music, elevating the genre to international recognition.
July 30 Barbara Laage
French actress who was prominent in cinema during the 1950s, known for her roles in French New Wave films and her contributions to post-war French cinema.
Aug. 6 Ella Raines
Prominent Hollywood actress of the 1940s, known for film noir and western movies, with notable roles in 'Uncle Harry' and 'Impact'.
Aug. 13 Neville Brand
Neville Brand was a prominent American character actor known for his tough-guy roles in films and television, particularly in westerns and crime dramas during the 1950s and 1960s.
Aug. 17 Maureen O'Hara
A legendary Irish-American actress known for her vibrant screen presence in classic Hollywood films, particularly in romantic comedies and westerns. She starred in iconic movies like 'The Quiet Man' and 'Miracle on 34th Street', working with directors like John Ford and becoming a symbol of strong, spirited female characters.
Aug. 18 Shelley Winters
Acclaimed Hollywood actress who won two Academy Awards and was known for powerful dramatic performances in films like 'The Diary of Anne Frank' and 'A Patch of Blue'.
Aug. 22 Ray Bradbury
Renowned American science fiction and fantasy writer, famous for groundbreaking works like 'Fahrenheit 451' and 'The Martian Chronicles'. He significantly influenced modern speculative fiction and was a pivotal figure in 20th-century literature. [bio]
Sept. 1 Richard Farnsworth
American character actor known for memorable roles in films like 'Misery' and 'The Straight Story', with a career spanning several decades in Hollywood.
Sept. 18 Jack Warden
Jack Warden was a renowned American character actor known for his versatile roles in film and television, including memorable performances in 'Twelve Angry Men' and 'Being There'.
Sept. 27 William Conrad
Renowned American actor famous for his roles in television series like 'Cannon' and 'Gunsmoke'. He was a prolific performer in radio, film, and television during the mid-20th century.
Oct. 1 Walter Matthau
Renowned American actor famous for comedy roles, particularly in 'The Odd Couple' with Jack Lemmon. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Billy Wilder's 'The Fortune Cookie' in 1966.
Oct. 17 Montgomery Clift
Montgomery Clift was a groundbreaking American actor known for his intense method acting style and iconic roles in classic films like 'From Here to Eternity' and 'A Place in the Sun'. He was a significant influence on Hollywood acting and was nominated for multiple Academy Awards during his career.
Oct. 18 Melina Mercouri
Renowned Greek actress, singer, and politician who served as the 9th Greek Minister of Culture. She was a prominent cultural figure and passionate advocate for Greek arts and heritage.
Oct. 27 Nanette Fabray
Renowned American comedian, actress, and television performer who was a prominent figure in early television comedy, winning Emmy and Tony Awards for her versatile performances.
Nov. 8 Esther Rolle
Prominent African American actress known for her groundbreaking roles in television, particularly in the sitcom 'Good Times' where she portrayed Florida Evans, a strong matriarch.
Nov. 13 Jack Elam
Iconic Western character actor known for his distinctive menacing stare and roles as villainous thugs in over 60 films. His unique appearance was partly due to losing sight in his left eye during a childhood fight. Transitioned from accounting to become a memorable Hollywood heavy in the 1950s.
Nov. 17 Gemini Ganesan
Prominent Indian actor and director who was a significant figure in South Indian cinema, particularly in Tamil films during the mid-20th century.
Nov. 19 Gene Tierney
Iconic Hollywood actress of the 1940s and 1950s, known for her stunning beauty and memorable performances in film noir classics like 'Laura' and 'Leave Her to Heaven'. She was a major star at 20th Century Fox and received an Oscar nomination for her powerful acting.
Nov. 30 Virginia Mayo
A prominent Hollywood actress known for her roles in film noir and comedies during the Golden Age of cinema, Mayo was a celebrated star who appeared in numerous notable films with actors like Danny Kaye and James Cagney.
Dec. 29 Viveca Lindfors
Renowned Swedish-American actress and theater director who successfully transitioned from Swedish cinema to Hollywood, known for her distinctive facial features and compelling performances across stage and screen.
Dec. 30 Jack Lord
Iconic American television actor best known for starring as Detective Steve McGarrett in the groundbreaking police procedural series 'Hawaii Five-O', which ran for 12 seasons and became a cultural phenomenon.