Famous people and celebrities born in May 1924

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in May 1924! 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.

May 1 Terry Southern
Terry Southern was a prominent American novelist and screenwriter known for his satirical works, influential in the counterculture movement of the 1960s and contributing to films like 'Dr. Strangelove' and 'Easy Rider'.
May 2 Theodore Bikel
Renowned Austrian-American actor, singer, and film star who was a versatile performer known for his Oscar-nominated role in 'The Defiant Ones'. He had a remarkable international career spanning stage and screen, with significant contributions to theater and film. Bikel was also a notable folk singer and human rights activist.
May 3 Yehuda Amichai
Yehuda Amichai was a renowned Israeli poet widely considered the most influential Hebrew poet of the 20th century, known for his profound and accessible poetry.
May 3 Ken Tyrrell
Ken Tyrrell was a prominent British racing driver and team owner who founded Tyrrell Racing, a significant Formula One team that competed from 1970 to 1998.
May 6 Patricia Helen Kennedy
Member of the prominent Kennedy family, sister of President John F. Kennedy, known for her social and political activism.
May 6 Nestor Basterretxea
Prominent Basque painter and sculptor known for his significant contributions to modern Spanish art, particularly in the Basque avant-garde movement.
May 7 Albert Band
French-American film producer and director known for his work in cinema, who made notable contributions to the entertainment industry.
May 8 Tristan Jones
Renowned Welsh author and sailor famous for his captivating sea adventure books, documenting extraordinary maritime experiences.
May 9 Bulat Okudzhava
Renowned Russian singer-songwriter, poet, and novelist who was a significant figure in the Soviet bardic tradition, known for his poetic and musical contributions.
May 10 Louise Huber
German-Swiss astrologer who co-founded the Swiss School of Astrology in Zurich with her husband. Trained in psycho-synthesis by Roberto Assagioli, she developed the age progression method and was an internationally renowned lecturer who organized the first international astrology conference in 1982.
May 11 Antony Hewish
Renowned British radio astronomer who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1974 for his work in radio astronomy, particularly for the discovery of pulsars.
May 11 Jean Balladur
Prominent French architect renowned for his innovative brutalist concrete designs at La Grande Motte, a pioneering urban development project on the Mediterranean coast in the 1960s.
May 11 Eugene Dynkin
Renowned Russian-American mathematician who made significant contributions to probability theory, algebra, and mathematical statistics. He was a distinguished professor at Cornell University.
May 12 Tony Hancock
Renowned British comedian and actor known for his groundbreaking comedy and influential radio and television performances in the 1950s and 1960s.
May 13 Harry Schwarz
South African lawyer, anti-apartheid activist, and diplomat who served as the 13th South African ambassador to the United States, playing a significant role in challenging the apartheid regime.
May 15 Ursula Thiess
German actress known for her film roles in the 1950s and her marriage to Hollywood actor Robert Taylor. She was a prominent figure in German cinema and experienced personal tragedy with her husband's lung cancer diagnosis.
May 16 Dawda Jawara
First president of Gambia who led the country from independence in 1965 until being deposed in a military coup in 1994.
May 17 Gabriel Bacquier
Renowned French baritone opera singer who made his international debut at the Theatre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, known for his exceptional vocal performances.
May 18 Samson François
Samson François was a renowned French classical pianist celebrated for his exceptional interpretations of Romantic and Impressionist composers like Chopin, Ravel, and Debussy.
May 20 Zelmar Michelini
Prominent Uruguayan journalist and political activist who was assassinated during the military dictatorship, known for his human rights advocacy.
May 21 Peggy Cass
Peggy Cass was a renowned American actress and comedian, best known for her appearances on game shows and television panels. She had a distinctive comedic style and was a popular personality in mid-20th century entertainment.
May 22 Charles Aznavour
Legendary French-Armenian singer, songwriter, and actor known for his distinctive raspy voice and prolific musical career. He composed over 500 songs and appeared in notable films like 'Shoot the Piano Player'. Aznavour was a cultural icon who significantly influenced French and international music.
May 22 Claude Ballif
French classical composer who contributed to contemporary music composition in the mid-20th century.
May 24 Philip Pearlstein
Renowned American realist painter known for his precise, objective figurative paintings and significant contributions to 20th-century art. He was a prominent figure in the New York art scene and influenced contemporary representational painting.
May 26 Mike Bongiorno
Mike Bongiorno was a legendary Italian television host who pioneered quiz shows in Italy during the 1950s. Known as 'il re del quiz' (the quiz king), he was immensely popular and became a cultural icon with his trademark greeting 'Allegria!' (Cheers!). He passed away in Monte Carlo from a heart attack in 2009.
May 27 John Sumner
Prominent English-Australian theatre director who founded a significant Melbourne theatre company and was active in the performing arts scene.
May 30 Norbert Schemansky
Norbert Schemansky was a legendary American weightlifter who won four Olympic medals, including gold in Helsinki 1952, making him one of the most accomplished athletes of his era.
May 31 Patricia Harris
Patricia Harris was a groundbreaking African American politician who served as the first Black woman in the U.S. presidential cabinet, holding key roles in Housing and Urban Development and Health, Education, and Welfare.