Famous people and celebrities born in May 1930

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in May 1930! 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 Little Walter
Legendary blues harmonica player and singer who significantly influenced the Chicago blues scene and revolutionized harmonica playing techniques.
May 1 Ollie Matson
Exceptional American football player and Olympic athlete who played professionally from 1952 to 1966, setting multiple records in all-purpose play and touchdown returns. He was a fraternal twin and briefly interrupted his career for military service in the Army.
May 4 Katherine Jackson
Mother of the legendary Jackson musical family, including Michael and Janet Jackson, who played a crucial role in their early musical careers.
May 6 David Carpenter
David Carpenter was a notorious serial killer who terrorized California's parks, committing multiple rapes, robberies, and murders. He was initially imprisoned in 1960 for assaults on women dating back to the late 1940s.
May 6 Mordechai Gur
Mordechai Gur was an Israeli military leader and politician who served as the 10th Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. He played a crucial role in the Six-Day War and Operation Entebbe, later becoming a member of the Knesset.
May 8 Gary Snyder
Renowned Beat Generation poet, environmental activist, and Pulitzer Prize winner who significantly influenced American literature and ecological consciousness through his poetry and Buddhist philosophy.
May 9 Joan Sims
British comedy actress famous for her roles in the iconic 'Carry On' film series, known for her comedic talent and memorable performances in classic British comedy films.
May 10 George E. Smith
Renowned American physicist and Nobel Prize laureate who made significant contributions to scientific research and engineering.
May 11 Edsger W. Dijkstra
Edsger W. Dijkstra was a pioneering Dutch computer scientist who made fundamental contributions to programming languages, algorithms, and distributed computing.
May 11 Stanley Elkin
Stanley Elkin was a prominent American novelist known for his darkly comic and innovative literary works, exploring complex human experiences with wit and depth.
May 12 Manuel Marulanda
Legendary Colombian rebel leader and founder of the FARC guerrilla movement, who played a crucial role in Colombia's long-running internal conflict.
May 13 José Jiménez Lozano
Renowned Spanish journalist and author who made significant contributions to Spanish literature and journalism in the 20th century.
May 14 William James
Prominent American philosopher and psychologist, considered one of the most influential thinkers of the late 19th century. He was a leading proponent of pragmatism and made significant contributions to psychology and philosophy of religion.
May 16 Jasper Johns
Prominent American artist and key figure in the pop art and neo-dadaist movements, famous for his iconic flag and target paintings.
May 16 Friedrich Gulda
Renowned Austrian classical and jazz pianist, known for his innovative and unconventional approach to music performance and composition.
May 17 Betty Carter
Renowned jazz vocalist known for her innovative scat singing and influential interpretations of jazz standards, who significantly impacted vocal jazz during the mid-20th century.
May 18 Fred Saberhagen
Renowned science fiction author known for the 'Book of Swords' series and influential works in speculative fiction.
May 19 Lorraine Hansberry
Groundbreaking African American playwright who wrote 'A Raisin in the Sun', the first Broadway play by a Black woman. Her work was pivotal in representing Black family experiences and challenging racial stereotypes in American theater.
May 21 Malcolm Fraser
Malcolm Fraser was a prominent Australian politician who served as Prime Minister of Australia from 1975 to 1983, leading the Liberal Party during a significant period of the nation's political history.
May 22 Harvey Milk
Harvey Milk was a pioneering LGBTQ+ rights activist and politician who became the first openly gay elected official in California. He served on San Francisco's Board of Supervisors and championed anti-discrimination laws before being tragically assassinated in 1978. His life and activism significantly advanced gay rights in the United States.
May 24 Robert Bateman
Renowned Canadian wildlife artist and ecological author known for his detailed nature paintings and environmental writings. His book 'Thinking Like a Mountain' offers profound insights into conservation and environmental challenges.
May 25 Sonia Rykiel
Iconic French fashion designer known for revolutionizing knitwear and creating comfortable, stylish sweaters. She transformed the fashion industry with her innovative designs and became a symbol of Parisian chic. Her brand became synonymous with elegant, soft, and modern women's clothing.
May 28 Edward Seaga
Prominent Jamaican politician who served as the 5th Prime Minister of Jamaica from 1980 to 1989, known for his significant role in modernizing Jamaica's political landscape and international relations.
May 29 Frank Drake
Frank Drake was a renowned astronomer and astrophysicist who pioneered the scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) and created the famous Drake Equation to estimate the number of communicative civilizations in our galaxy.
May 31 Clint Eastwood
Iconic American actor and filmmaker known for his tough-guy roles in westerns and action movies. He rose to fame through TV's 'Rawhide' and Sergio Leone's spaghetti westerns, later becoming an acclaimed director and Hollywood legend.