Famous people and celebrities born in August 1926
Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in August 1926! 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. 2 Betsy Bloomingdale
Prominent socialite and philanthropist associated with the famous Bloomingdale's department store family. She was known for her influential social circles and fashion sense in mid-20th century America.
- Aug. 4 Tony Bennett
Legendary American singer who defined jazz and pop standards for decades, winning multiple Grammy Awards and known for his timeless hits.
- Aug. 5 Sydney Omarr
Sydney Omarr was a prominent American astrologer and syndicated newspaper columnist who authored numerous books on astrology and became a well-known media personality. He was particularly famous for his annual sun sign predictions and television appearances.
- Aug. 6 Frank Finlay
British character actor known for roles in films like 'Robbery' and 'Lifeforce', with a distinguished career in theater and cinema.
- Aug. 6 Norman Wexler
Influential American screenwriter who wrote notable films like 'Saturday Night Fever' and 'Mandingo', contributing significantly to 1970s cinema.
- Aug. 7 Stan Freberg
Stan Freberg was a renowned American comedian, satirist, and advertising creative who revolutionized comedy and advertising with his innovative humor. He won 21 Clio Awards and was a talented musical parodist who topped pop music charts in the 1950s.
- Aug. 8 Richard Anderson
American actor best known for playing Oscar Goldman in the popular 1970s TV series 'The Six Million Dollar Man' and 'The Bionic Woman'. He was briefly married to a child of actress Norma Shearer.
- Aug. 9 Denis Atkinson
Legendary Barbadian cricketer known for his exceptional batting skills and significant contributions to West Indies cricket during the mid-20th century.
- Aug. 12 John Derek
American actor and director who rose to prominence after his 1944 film debut and was named the 'most popular find of 1949'. He starred in notable films like 'All the King's Men' and 'Rogues of Sherwood Forest'.
- Aug. 12 Aaron Klug
Renowned physicist and Nobel Prize winner known for his groundbreaking work in electron microscopy and structural biology.
- Aug. 13 Fidel Castro
Cuban revolutionary leader who overthrew the Batista regime and led Cuba as a communist state for nearly five decades. He transformed Cuba's political and social landscape through socialist reforms and maintained a contentious relationship with the United States throughout the Cold War.
- Aug. 14 Lina Wertmüller
Pioneering Italian film director known for her provocative and politically charged cinema, first woman nominated for a Best Director Oscar.
- Aug. 14 Alice Ghostley
American actress and comedian known for her roles in television shows like 'Bewitched' and 'Designing Women'.
- Aug. 14 René Goscinny
Legendary French comic book writer and co-founder of Pilote magazine, creator of the iconic 'Asterix' comic series.
- Aug. 15 Konstantinos Stephanopoulos
Konstantinos Stephanopoulos was a prominent Greek conservative politician who served as President of Greece from 1995 to 2005, known for his significant contributions to Greek democracy.
- Aug. 17 Jean Poiret
French director, actor, and screenwriter best known for his groundbreaking play 'La Cage aux Folles', which became a significant work in LGBTQ+ theater and was later adapted into successful films.
- Aug. 17 George Melly
Eccentric British jazz musician, writer, and cultural personality known for his vibrant performances, humorous autobiographies, and significant contributions to British jazz and counterculture.
- Aug. 18 Jiang Zemin
Jiang Zemin was a prominent Chinese politician who served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China from 1989 to 2002.
- Aug. 20 Frank Rosolino
Renowned jazz trombonist known for his innovative bebop style and significant contributions to the jazz music scene in the mid-20th century.
- Aug. 23 Clifford Geertz
Clifford Geertz was a highly influential American anthropologist who revolutionized cultural anthropology through his interpretive approach to understanding human societies. He is best known for his concept of 'thick description' and his groundbreaking studies of Balinese and Javanese cultures.
- Aug. 24 Nancy Spero
Pioneering feminist artist known for her powerful anti-war paintings and significant contributions to the feminist art movement. Her work challenged traditional art world dynamics and highlighted women's perspectives in visual arts.
- Aug. 27 Kristen Nygaard
Kristen Nygaard was a pioneering Norwegian computer scientist who co-developed the influential object-oriented programming language Simula, considered a fundamental precursor to modern programming paradigms.
- Aug. 29 René Depestre
René Depestre is a renowned Haitian poet, novelist, and essayist who significantly contributed to Caribbean literature and political activism through his powerful and socially engaged works.
- Aug. 31 Daryl Gates
Prominent American law enforcement official who served as Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department from 1978 to 1992. He is known for creating the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program and was a controversial figure during the Rodney King era.