Famous people and celebrities born in December 1926

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in December 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.

• Dec. 1 Keith Michell

  Renowned Australian actor famous for portraying Henry VIII in multiple productions, including the acclaimed TV series 'The Six Wives of Henry VIII'.

• Dec. 1 Mother Antonia

  Compassionate American-Mexican nun and humanitarian activist dedicated to serving prisoners and marginalized communities.

• Dec. 5 Adetowun Ogunsheye

  A pioneering Nigerian academic who became the first female professor and university dean in Nigeria, breaking significant gender barriers in higher education during the mid-20th century.

• Dec. 9 Henry Way Kendall

  PHY - American physicist, photographer, and mountaineer, nobel prize laureate (d. 1999)

• Dec. 10 Guitar Slim

  Influential American blues guitarist and singer known for his innovative electric guitar style and hit song 'The Things That I Used to Do', which significantly influenced rock and blues music.

• Dec. 11 Big Mama Thornton

  Influential blues singer and songwriter who was a pioneer in the blues genre and is credited with originally recording 'Hound Dog' before Elvis Presley. She was a significant figure in the development of rhythm and blues and rock and roll music.

• Dec. 12 Étienne-Émile Baulieu

  Renowned French scientist and physician who developed the abortion pill RU-486 and pioneered research on anti-aging hormones. A prominent medical researcher recognized with high French national honors.

• Dec. 13 Carl Erskine

  Carl Erskine was a prominent Major League Baseball pitcher for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1948 to 1959. He was a key player in five National League pennant-winning teams and set a World Series record with 14 strikeouts in a single game during his best season in 1953. Erskine was also notable for pitching two of the seven …

• Dec. 16 James McCracken

  Dramatic tenor with an extraordinary physical presence, known for his 52-inch chest and powerful, precise vocal tone.

• Dec. 17 Stephen Lewis

  Prominent English actor, director, screenwriter, and playwright known for his versatile contributions to theater and film.

• Dec. 17 Patrice Wymore

  American actress known for her acting career and marriage to famous actor Errol Flynn.

• Dec. 17 Allan Cox

  Renowned American geophysicist who made significant contributions to plate tectonics theory and was president of the American Geophysical Union.

• Dec. 19 Bobby Layne

  Legendary NFL quarterback who played 15 seasons and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. Known for his exceptional playing skills and significant impact on professional football.

• Dec. 19 Jeanne Kirkpatrick

  Influential American diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to the United Nations during the Reagan administration. She was a prominent political scientist and foreign policy expert.

• Dec. 20 Geoffrey Howe

  Influential Welsh lawyer and politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, playing a crucial role in British politics during the 1980s.

• Dec. 20 Otto Graf Lambsdorff

  Prominent German lawyer and politician who served as Federal Minister of Economics, playing a significant role in post-war German economic policy.

• Dec. 20 Raymond Dot

  French gymnast who won an Olympic gold medal in the 1948 London Games, representing France in gymnastics.

• Dec. 21 Joe Paterno

  Legendary Penn State football coach who led the team for 46 years and became one of the most successful coaches in college football history, though later controversial due to the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

• Dec. 21 Arnost Lustig

  Duplicate of Arnošt Lustig (ID 241189)

• Dec. 22 Alcides Ghiggia

  Famous Uruguayan footballer known for scoring the decisive goal against Brazil in the 1950 World Cup final, a moment considered one of the most dramatic in soccer history.

• Dec. 23 Robert Bly

  Influential American poet, translator, and key figure in the men's movement who wrote the groundbreaking book 'Iron John', exploring masculine psychology through Jungian and mythological perspectives.

• Dec. 24 Paul Buissonneau

  A prominent francophone theatre director who began his career as a singer with Les Compagnons de la Chanson and performed alongside Édith Piaf before settling in Quebec after a North American tour.

• Dec. 25 Enrique Jorrín

  Enrique Jorrín was a pioneering Cuban musician who developed the cha-cha-chá dance style and was a significant figure in Latin music during the mid-20th century.

• Dec. 26 Earle Brown

  Influential American avant-garde composer known for his innovative work in experimental and contemporary classical music during the mid-20th century.

• Dec. 30 Stan Tracey

  Stan Tracey was a renowned British jazz pianist and composer, widely considered one of the most important figures in British jazz history. He was known for his innovative and distinctive style, influencing generations of jazz musicians in the UK.

• Dec. 31 Billy Snedden

  Billy Snedden was an influential Australian lawyer and politician who served as the 17th Attorney-General of Australia, playing a significant role in the country's legal and political landscape.