Famous people and celebrities born in May 1927

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in May 1927! 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 Laura Betti

  Renowned Italian actress and close friend of Pier Paolo Pasolini, known for her collaborations with major Italian filmmakers like Fellini and Bertolucci. She was also a professional jazz singer before her acting career and created a documentary about Pasolini in 2001.

• May 1 Harry [Harold George Jr] Belafonte in New York City

  Legendary calypso singer from New York City, famous worldwide for hits like 'The Banana Boat Song' and his significant contributions to music and civil rights.

• May 2 Amos Kenan

  Prominent Israeli intellectual who made significant contributions to literature, art, and cultural discourse through his diverse creative works as a columnist, painter, sculptor, playwright, and novelist.

• May 5 Pat Carroll

  Renowned American actress and comedian best known for voicing Ursula in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' and her extensive work in television and theater.

• May 6 Ettore Manni

  Prolific Italian actor who appeared in numerous films during the 1950s and 1960s, contributing significantly to the Italian cinema of his era.

• May 7 Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

  Renowned German-born novelist and screenwriter who won an Academy Award for her screenplays and was a key figure in the Merchant-Ivory film productions. She was a Booker Prize winner and highly respected in both literary and film circles.

• May 9 Manfred Eigen

  Renowned German biophysical chemist who made groundbreaking contributions to understanding chemical reaction dynamics. He was the director of the Max Planck Institute and won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1967 for his pioneering work on ultra-fast chemical reactions.

• May 10 Nayantara Sahgal

  Prominent Indian writer and political activist known for her novels exploring post-colonial India and her family's political legacy, being the niece of Jawaharlal Nehru.

• May 11 Mort Sahl

  Pioneering political comedian who revolutionized satirical comedy in the 1950s, challenging political establishments with sharp, intellectual humor and fearless social commentary.

• May 13 Herbert Ross

  Herbert Ross was an acclaimed American film director and producer known for his work in Hollywood, particularly in dance-themed movies.

• May 13 Clive Barnes

  Clive Barnes was a prominent British-American theater and dance critic who significantly influenced arts journalism and criticism in the 20th century.

• May 16 Nilton Santos

  Legendary Brazilian footballer known as 'The Poet of the Ball', who played as a left-back and is considered one of the greatest defenders in football history.

• May 19 Serge Lang

  Renowned French-American mathematician known for significant contributions to algebraic number theory, known for his influential textbooks and academic work.

• May 20 David Hedison

  Renowned American actor known for his roles in 'Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea' and 'Live and Let Die', who had a significant career in television and film.

• May 20 Bud Grant

  Hall of Fame NFL coach who led the Minnesota Vikings and is considered one of the most successful coaches in NFL history.

• May 22 Michael Constantine

  Renowned Greek-American actor known for his roles in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' and numerous television and film appearances. He had a long and distinguished career spanning several decades.

• May 22 George Olah

  Distinguished Hungarian-American chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking work in carbocation chemistry. A brilliant scientist who made significant contributions to organic chemistry.

• May 22 George Andrew Olah

  CHE - Hungarian-american chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 2017)

• May 23 Dieter Hildebrandt

  Dieter Hildebrandt was a prominent German political cabaret performer and radio personality who significantly influenced satirical entertainment in Germany. He co-founded the influential 'Münchner Lach- und Schießgesellschaft' cabaret venue and was known for his sharp political commentary through comedy. His career spanned several decades, making him a respected figure in German cultural and political satire.

• May 23 Peter Matthiessen

  Peter Matthiessen was a distinguished American novelist, naturalist, and co-founder of The Paris Review, renowned for his literary contributions and environmental writing. He was a National Book Award winner and a significant figure in contemporary American literature. His works often explored themes of nature, wilderness, and cultural anthropology.

• May 26 Jacques Bergerac

  French actor known for his roles in Hollywood films like 'Gigi' and 'Les Girls', who transitioned from acting to become a successful businessman.

• May 26 Robert Ludlum

  Renowned American thriller novelist who created iconic characters like Jason Bourne and wrote numerous bestselling spy novels.

• May 28 Gyorgy Ligeti

  Renowned Hungarian composer of avant-garde classical music, famous for his innovative and experimental compositions.

• May 28 Peter Malkin

  Israeli secret agent famous for his role in capturing Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1960.

• May 30 Clint Walker

  Clint Walker was a prominent American actor best known for his iconic role as Cheyenne Bodie in the popular Western television series 'Cheyenne' during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was also recognized for his muscular physique and towering height, which made him a distinctive figure in Western films.

• May 31 James Eberle

  British Royal Navy admiral who served during the Cold War era and played significant roles in naval strategy and leadership.