Famous people and celebrities born in 1923

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1923. 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 1923 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 1 Valentina Cortese
Renowned Italian actress who had a significant international career spanning Hollywood and European cinema. She was a versatile performer who successfully transitioned between supporting and leading roles in various film genres. Cortese was notably nominated for an Academy Award, highlighting her exceptional talent.
Jan. 8 Larry Storch
American comedian and actor best known for his role in the TV series F Troop, who had a long and successful career in comedy and television.
Jan. 11 Jacqueline Maillan
Jacqueline Maillan was a celebrated French comedian and actress who made significant contributions to French theatre and entertainment during the mid-20th century, known for her exceptional comedic performances and versatile talent.
Jan. 19 Jean Stapleton
Renowned American actress best known for her iconic role as Edith Bunker in the groundbreaking sitcom 'All in the Family'. She was a talented performer who significantly influenced television comedy in the 1970s.
Jan. 26 Anne Jeffreys
American actress known for her roles in 'Dick Tracy', 'Topper', and 'General Hospital', who had a notable career in television and film during the mid-20th century.
Feb. 2 Liz Smith
Renowned American gossip columnist who wrote for major newspapers and published the autobiography 'Natural Blonde' in 2000. She was a prominent entertainment journalist who covered celebrity news for decades.
Feb. 4 Conrad Bain
Canadian-American actor best known for his role in the sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes', who served in the Canadian Army during World War II and later pursued an acting career in New York.
Feb. 12 Franco Zeffirelli
Renowned Italian film and opera director famous for his visually stunning adaptations, particularly his Oscar-nominated 1968 version of 'Romeo and Juliet'. He was a versatile artist who significantly influenced cinema and theater with his distinctive aesthetic approach.
Feb. 20 Rena Vlahopoulou
Prominent Greek singer and actress who was a significant figure in mid-20th century Greek entertainment, known for her contributions to music and cinema.
Feb. 21 Lola Flores
Legendary Spanish singer, dancer, and actress who was a prominent figure in flamenco and Spanish popular music during the mid-20th century.
Feb. 28 Charles Durning
Acclaimed American character actor known for his versatile roles in film and theater, including notable performances in 'Dog Day Afternoon' and 'Tootsie'. A World War II veteran who later became a respected Hollywood performer with multiple Emmy and Tony Award nominations.
March 22 Marcel Marceau
Marcel Marceau was a legendary French pantomime artist who revolutionized the art of silent performance. He created the iconic white-faced clown character 'Bip' and became globally renowned for his expressive mime techniques. Marceau was a cultural ambassador who elevated pantomime to a respected theatrical art form.
April 2 Gloria Henry
American actress best known for her iconic role as the mother in the classic TV series 'Dennis the Menace', which aired from 1959 to 1963.
April 4 Peter Vaughan
Renowned English character actor known for roles in numerous films and television series, including 'Game of Thrones' and 'Porridge'.
April 12 Ann Miller
Renowned Broadway dancer and actress famous for her incredible tap dancing skills, performing 500 taps per hour and starring in 'Sugar Babies' alongside Mickey Rooney. She was a notable performer in Hollywood's golden age, known for her energetic performances and glamorous lifestyle.
April 13 Don Adams
Famous American actor best known for his comedic role as Maxwell Smart in the classic TV series 'Get Smart'. He was a popular comedian and voice actor with a significant television career.
April 17 Lon McCallister
American child actor who transitioned to adult roles, known for films like 'Stage Door Canteen' and 'Home in Indiana'. He briefly interrupted his film career to serve in the army during World War II.
April 21 John Mortimer
Renowned British writer, playwright, and barrister famous for creating the beloved character Rumpole of the Bailey and advocating for civil liberties through his legal and literary work.
April 25 Anita Björk
Renowned Swedish actress known for her powerful performances in mid-20th century cinema, with a significant career in theater and film.
May 4 Eric Sykes
Renowned British comedian, actor, writer, and director who was a significant figure in British comedy during the mid-20th century, known for his distinctive humor and numerous television and film appearances.
May 6 Elizabeth Sellars
Scottish actress known for her role in the play 'The Chalk Garden', a notable theatrical performance of her era.
May 7 Anne Baxter
Acclaimed Hollywood actress who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 'The Razor's Edge' and was nominated for 'All About Eve'. She was also the daughter of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright and starred in over 50 films throughout her career.
May 15 Richard Avedon
Legendary American photographer renowned for transformative fashion and portrait photography. His work revolutionized visual storytelling in 20th-century photography. Captured iconic images of celebrities, politicians, and everyday people. [bio]
May 26 James Arness
Iconic American actor best known for playing Marshal Matt Dillon in the legendary western television series 'Gunsmoke', which ran for 20 years and became one of the most successful TV shows in history.
May 27 Henry Kissinger
Renowned German-American diplomat who served as U.S. Secretary of State under President Nixon, significantly influencing Cold War foreign policy. A Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Harvard professor, he was a key strategic thinker in international relations during the 20th century. [bio]
June 10 Madeleine Lebeau
Madeleine Lebeau was a renowned French actress immortalized by her iconic role as Yvonne in the classic film 'Casablanca', one of the most celebrated movies in cinema history.
July 10 John Bradley
American veteran who raised the US flag at Iwo Jima during World War II, a historic moment symbolizing American military courage.
July 14 Dale Robertson
Prominent American actor known for Western films and television series, particularly 'Tales of Wells Fargo' and 'Iron Horse'.
July 18 Maria Pacôme
Maria Pacôme is a renowned French actress and playwright celebrated for her significant contributions to comedy in French cinema and theater, known for her wit and comedic timing.
July 22 Bob Dole
Prominent American politician who served as a U.S. Senator and was the Republican presidential nominee in 1996, running against Bill Clinton.
July 25 Estelle Getty
Estelle Getty was an Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress best known for her iconic role as Sophia Petrillo on the popular sitcom 'The Golden Girls', which ran from 1985 to 1992.
Aug. 10 Rhonda Fleming
Renowned Hollywood actress of the 1940s and 1950s, known for her striking beauty and memorable roles in classic films. She was a prominent redhead who appeared in numerous movies and was considered a quintessential femme fatale of her era.
Aug. 15 Rose Marie
Rose Marie was a renowned American entertainer who began her career as a child actress and became a popular singer, comedian, and television performer, best known for her role as Sally Rogers on 'The Dick Van Dyke Show'.
Aug. 29 Richard Attenborough
Renowned British actor, film director, and producer famous for his Oscar-winning work in 'Gandhi' and his contributions to cinema and theater. He was a significant figure in the British film industry and served as president of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Sept. 2 Ramón Valdés
Famous Mexican comedian and actor known for his roles in the iconic comedy series 'El Chavo del Ocho', where he played the character 'Professor Jirafales'.
Sept. 7 Peter Lawford
Peter Lawford was a prominent British-American actor who appeared in 57 films and multiple TV series. He was a key member of Frank Sinatra's famous 'Rat Pack' and notably became John F. Kennedy's brother-in-law through his marriage to Patricia Kennedy.
Sept. 11 Betsy Drake
Betsy Drake was a notable English-American actress and writer known for her work in film and literature during the mid-20th century.
Sept. 17 Hank Williams
Legendary country music pioneer who revolutionized the genre with his raw, emotional songwriting and distinctive vocal style. He wrote approximately 125 songs without formal musical training and profoundly influenced modern country music. His short but impactful career established him as one of the most important musicians of the 20th century.
Sept. 28 William Windom
Accomplished American actor known for memorable roles in television series like 'Murder, She Wrote' and 'The Farmer's Daughter', with a career spanning several decades.
Oct. 5 Glynis Johns
Glynis Johns was a renowned British actress famous for her memorable roles in classic films like Mary Poppins and The Court Jester, with a career spanning several decades.
Oct. 10 Donald Sinden
Donald Sinden was a renowned British actor with a distinguished career spanning theater, film, and television, known for his versatile performances and distinctive voice.
Oct. 16 Linda Darnell
Linda Darnell was a prominent Hollywood actress of the 1940s and 1950s, known for her exotic beauty and versatile roles in films like 'Blood and Sand' and 'Forever Amber'. She transitioned from playing virginal heroines to sultry temptresses, becoming a notable star of her era.
Nov. 13 Linda Christian
Mexican-American actress known for her roles in films like Athena and Battle Zone during the mid-20th century.
Nov. 22 Hanna Maron
Renowned Israeli actress with an extraordinary theater career, holding the world record for the longest professional stage performance history.
Nov. 26 Patricia Phoenix
Patricia Phoenix was a renowned Irish actress known for her significant contributions to television and theater, particularly in British drama.
Dec. 2 Maria Callas
Legendary American-Greek soprano and actress, widely considered one of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th century. Known for her extraordinary vocal range and dramatic interpretations, she revolutionized opera performance and became a global cultural icon. [bio]
Dec. 7 Ted Knight
Ted Knight was a versatile American entertainer known for his prominent roles in television comedy. He won two Emmy Awards and starred in iconic sitcoms like 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and 'Too Close for Comfort', becoming a significant figure in 1970s and 1980s television.
Dec. 12 Bob Barker
Bob Barker is an iconic American television host best known for hosting 'The Price is Right' for 35 years, becoming a beloved figure in game show history and winning multiple Emmy Awards. [bio]
Dec. 19 Gordon Jackson
Scottish actor renowned for his iconic role as Hudson in the TV series 'Upstairs, Downstairs', winning an Emmy Award in 1976 and the British Actors of the Year Award in 1974.