Famous people and celebrities born in 1929
We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1929. 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 1929 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.
- Jan. 8 Saeed Jaffrey
Renowned Indian-English actor who had a significant career in film, television, and theater, bridging Indian and Western cinema.
- Jan. 20 Arte Johnson
Renowned American comedian and actor best known for his comedic roles in 'Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In' and numerous comedy films.
- Jan. 31 Jean Simmons
Renowned British actress who rose to international fame in the 1940s and 1950s. She was nominated for Academy Awards for her roles in 'Hamlet' and 'The Happy Ending'. Simmons was a versatile performer who successfully transitioned between British and Hollywood cinema.
- Feb. 20 Amanda Blake
Amanda Blake was an American actress best known for her iconic role as Miss Kitty Russell in the long-running TV western series 'Gunsmoke'. She was a prominent television actress during the 1950s and 1960s.
- March 13 Joseph Mascolo
American actor known for his roles in soap operas, particularly as Stefano DiMera in Days of Our Lives.
- March 22 Yayoi Kusama
Internationally renowned Japanese contemporary artist famous for her immersive polka dot installations, infinity mirror rooms, and avant-garde sculptures that explore themes of infinity, repetition, and psychological experience.
- March 29 Utpal Dutt
Renowned Bangladeshi theater and film actor, director, and playwright who significantly influenced Bengali cultural arts in the 20th century.
- March 30 Richard Dysart
Accomplished American actor known for his distinguished roles in film and television, particularly as Leland McKenzie in the popular legal drama 'L.A. Law' which aired from 1986 to 1994.
- April 1 Milan Kundera
Renowned Czech-French novelist known for his philosophical and existential works. He is a significant literary figure who transcended national boundaries through his writing. Kundera's most famous novels include 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' and 'The Book of Laughter and Forgetting'.
- April 1 Jane Powell
Iconic MGM musical star of the 1940s and 1950s, known for her petite stature and remarkable soprano voice. She was a prominent actress and singer who appeared in numerous Hollywood musicals during the golden age of cinema.
- April 1 Marcel Amont
Versatile French entertainer known for his multifaceted career in entertainment. He has made significant contributions to French popular culture as an actor, singer, and television personality.
- April 5 Nigel Hawthorne
Acclaimed British actor known for his Oscar-nominated performance as King George III in 'The Madness of King George'. He was a late-blooming talent who rose to international recognition in his early 50s, celebrated for his stage and screen performances.
- April 6 Joi Lansing
American actress, model, and nightclub singer known for her beauty and performances in film and television during the 1950s and early 1960s.
- April 8 Jacques Brel
Legendary Belgian-French singer-songwriter who profoundly influenced modern chanson and is considered one of the most significant musical poets of the 20th century. His poetic and emotionally intense songs revolutionized French music and continue to inspire artists worldwide. [bio]
- April 10 Max von Sydow
Max von Sydow was a legendary Swedish-French actor renowned for his versatile and profound performances in international cinema. He collaborated with iconic directors like Ingmar Bergman and appeared in groundbreaking films across multiple decades. His roles in 'The Seventh Seal', 'The Exorcist', and 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' cemented his status as a global acting legend.
- April 17 James Last
Renowned German musician and bandleader famous for his easy listening and instrumental pop music arrangements, who significantly influenced popular music in the 20th century.
- May 23 Ulla Jacobsson
Swedish actress known for her role in the historical war film 'Zulu', which was a significant British epic about the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.
- May 25 Beverly Sills
Beverly Sills was a renowned American soprano and opera singer who became a celebrated performer and later an influential arts administrator at the New York City Opera and Metropolitan Opera. Her exceptional vocal talent, technical precision, and charismatic stage presence made her one of the most prominent opera singers of her generation.
- June 3 Chuck Barris
Chuck Barris was an influential American television producer and host, best known for creating 'The Dating Game' and hosting 'The Gong Show'. He was a pioneering entertainment executive who transformed game show formats in the 1960s and 1970s.
- June 17 James Shigeta
American actor and singer of Asian descent, known for pioneering roles in Hollywood during the mid-20th century.
- June 23 June Carter Cash
Renowned American country music singer, songwriter, and actress best known for her work with Johnny Cash and her significant contributions to country music.
- July 11 Hermann Prey
Hermann Prey was a renowned German lyric baritone, celebrated for his exceptional performances in opera, lieder, and operetta, particularly known for his interpretations of Mozart and Schubert.
- July 13 René Laloux
René Laloux was a pioneering French animator renowned for his groundbreaking science fiction animated films, most notably 'Fantastic Planet' (La Planète Sauvage), which is considered a landmark in animated science fiction cinema.
- July 18 Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Influential blues and rock musician known for his wild stage performances and the iconic song 'I Put a Spell on You', which became a significant influence on rock and roll.
- July 31 Don Murray
Acclaimed American actor and director known for Oscar-nominated performance in 'Bus Stop' and directing notable films like 'The Bachelor Party' and 'A Hatful of Rain'. He made significant contributions to both film and stage during the 1950s and 1960s.
- Aug. 4 Kishore Kumar
Legendary Indian playback singer and actor who revolutionized Bollywood music, known for his versatile voice and comedic acting skills in numerous Hindi films.
- Aug. 13 Pat Harrington
Pat Harrington Jr. was an American actor and screenwriter best known for his role in the popular sitcom 'One Day at a Time'.
- Aug. 23 Vera Miles
Vera Miles was a prominent American actress known for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock films like 'Psycho' and 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance'. She was crowned Miss Kansas in 1948 before launching her successful Hollywood career.
- Sept. 1 Anne Ramsey
Distinctive character actress known for memorable roles in films like 'Throw Momma from the Train' and 'The Goonies', with a unique gravelly voice and comedic talent.
- Sept. 5 Bob Newhart
Legendary American comedian known for his deadpan, stammering comedy style who revolutionized stand-up comedy through his groundbreaking comedy albums in the early 1960s. He won a Grammy for 'The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back' and starred in popular television series. His unique comedic timing made him a comedy icon.
- Sept. 20 Anne Meara
Renowned American comedian, actress, and playwright who was part of the famous comedy duo Stiller and Meara, and mother of actor Ben Stiller. She was a significant figure in comedy and entertainment.
- Sept. 25 Barbara Walters
American broadcaster. she was the first woman to anchor network news. her salary was a staggering one-million dollars annually in 1975. she is an intelligent, successful woman who communicates well with both movie stars and heads of state.
- Sept. 25 Ronnie Barker
Beloved British comedy actor famous for his roles in classic sitcoms like 'The Two Ronnies', 'Porridge', and 'Open All Hours', which became cornerstone programs of British television comedy.
- Oct. 2 Moses Gunn
Prominent African-American stage and film actor who co-founded the Negro Ensemble Company and won a Tony Award in 1976 for his powerful theatrical performances.
- Oct. 6 Bruno Cremer
Renowned French actor best known for portraying Inspector Maigret, Bruno Cremer was a versatile performer who graduated from the Paris Conservatory and appeared in numerous European and American films. His notable works include 'Paris brûle-t-il', 'Noce Blanche', and 'The Sorcerer'.
- Oct. 11 Liselotte Pulver
A prominent Swiss actress who was a major film and television star during the 1950s and 1960s, known for her roles in European cinema and her notable autobiography published in 1990.
- Oct. 29 Joan Plowright
Joan Plowright is a renowned British actress with a distinguished career in theater, film, and television, notably known for her marriage to legendary actor Sir Laurence Olivier and her own significant contributions to performing arts.
- Oct. 31 Bud Spencer
Bud Spencer was a famous Italian actor, filmmaker, and former professional swimmer known for his iconic action-comedy movies with Terence Hill. He starred in over 20 films together with Hill, creating a legendary comedy duo in European cinema. His unique physique and comedic timing made him a beloved international star.
- Nov. 6 June Squibb
June Squibb is an accomplished American actress known for her comedic roles and Oscar-nominated performance in 'Nebraska'.
- Nov. 15 Edward Asner
Edward Asner was a renowned American actor best known for his Emmy-winning role as Lou Grant in 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and its spin-off series. He was a prolific television and film actor with a career spanning several decades.
- Nov. 28 Berry Gordy
Legendary music entrepreneur who founded Motown Records, revolutionizing the music industry and launching the careers of numerous iconic artists like The Jackson 5, Diana Ross, and Marvin Gaye.
- Nov. 30 Dick Clark
Legendary American television host who revolutionized pop music broadcasting through 'American Bandstand' and pioneered multiple game show formats across national networks. He was a cultural icon who introduced generations to popular music and entertainment. Clark's influence on American media and music culture was profound and long-lasting.
- Dec. 1 G. Gordon Liddy
Infamous Watergate conspirator and conservative radio host known for his role in the Nixon administration's political sabotage activities.
- Dec. 10 Dan Blocker
Famous American actor best known for playing Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright in the iconic Western television series Bonanza, which ran from 1959 to 1973.
What happened in 1929?
Discover what the world looked like in 1929: