Famous people and celebrities born in August 1920

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in August 1920! 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.

• Aug. 1 Henrietta Lacks

  Her immortal HeLa cells became a cornerstone of modern medical research, revolutionizing scientific understanding despite the unethical circumstances of their original collection.

• Aug. 1 Sammy Lee

  Pioneering Olympic diving champion who broke racial barriers as the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal for the United States, representing remarkable athletic achievement and cultural significance.

• Aug. 2 Louis Pauwels

  Influential French writer and journalist known for his intellectual contributions to French literature and media during the 20th century.

• Aug. 2 Phyllis James

  Renowned mystery writer known for her compelling crime fiction novels.

• Aug. 2 Pierre Viansson-Ponté

  Prominent French journalist and political commentator who specialized in analyzing the Gaullist era of French politics.

• Aug. 3 P D James

  Renowned British crime novelist famous for her detective series featuring Adam Dalgliesh, a poet and police inspector. She is considered one of the most significant mystery writers of the 20th century.

• Aug. 4 Helen Thomas

  Helen Thomas was a pioneering American journalist renowned for her assertive and direct questioning of US presidents during her long career in the White House Press Corps. She was a trailblazing female journalist who covered the presidencies from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, becoming an iconic figure in political reporting.

• Aug. 5 George Tooker

  George Tooker was a renowned American painter known for his distinctive magic realism style, exploring themes of social alienation and psychological tension in mid-20th century America.

• 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. 8 Jimmy Witherspoon

  Renowned American jump blues singer known for his powerful vocal style and influential contributions to the blues music genre during the mid-20th century.

• Aug. 8 André Bourguignon

  Prominent French psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who made significant contributions to the field of mental health research in France during the mid-20th century.

• Aug. 9 Enzo Biagi

  Prominent Italian journalist, writer, and television personality who was a leading intellectual and media figure in Italy for several decades.

• Aug. 9 Lola Bobesco

  Renowned Romanian-Belgian violinist and music educator who made significant contributions to classical music performance and teaching during the 20th century.

• Aug. 10 Red Holzman

  Legendary NBA coach who led the New York Knicks to two championships in 1970 and 1973, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985. He was also a successful player in the early days of professional basketball.

• Aug. 10 Daniel Cordier

  Prominent French Resistance fighter during World War II who served as secretary to Jean Moulin, a key leader of the Free French Forces. He was a committed militant royalist who played a crucial role in the resistance against Nazi occupation.

• Aug. 11 Mike Douglas

  Renowned American television host and entertainer who pioneered daytime talk shows with 'The Mike Douglas Show', which ran for 20 years and won an Emmy Award.

• Aug. 12 Olympe Bradna

  French-American actress and dancer known for her performances in early 20th-century cinema, bridging European and American entertainment scenes.

• 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. 13 George Shearing

  George Shearing was a renowned blind British jazz pianist and composer, famous for his distinctive piano style and compositions like 'Lullaby of Birdland'.

• Aug. 14 Nehemiah Persoff

  Renowned Israeli-American character actor known for memorable roles in films like 'Yentl' and portraying historical figures such as Al Capone.

• Aug. 16 Charles Bukowski

  Charles Bukowski was a renowned German-American poet, novelist, and screenwriter known for his raw, unfiltered writing style that captured the gritty underbelly of urban life. His semi-autobiographical works like 'Barfly' explored themes of alcoholism, poverty, and human struggle with unflinching honesty. He became a cult literary figure who challenged traditional literary conventions and inspired generations of writers.

• 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]

• Aug. 22 Denton Cooley

  Pioneering American heart surgeon who performed the first complete artificial heart implant and founded the Texas Heart Institute. He was a leading cardiovascular surgeon who made significant contributions to medical science.

• Aug. 24 Alex Colville

  Alex Colville was a renowned Canadian realist painter known for his precise, meticulously composed works that often depicted scenes of everyday life with a sense of psychological tension. His distinctive style bridged modernist and representational art, making him one of Canada's most significant 20th-century artists.

• Aug. 26 Prem Tinsulanonda

  Prominent Thai statesman who served as the 16th Prime Minister of Thailand from 1980 to 1988. He was a key political and military figure who played a significant role in Thailand's modern political landscape.

• Aug. 26 Brant Parker

  American cartoonist best known for creating the popular comic strip 'The Wizard of Id' alongside Johnny Hart.

• Aug. 27 James Molyneaux

  Baron Molyneaux of Killead, a prominent Northern Irish politician and soldier who played a significant role in Ulster Unionist politics during the late 20th century.

• Aug. 29 Charlie Parker

  Charlie Parker was a legendary jazz saxophonist and composer who revolutionized bebop music. Known as 'Bird', he was a pivotal figure in the development of modern jazz and influenced generations of musicians.