Famous people and celebrities born in 1931

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1931. 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 1931 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 17 James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones is a legendary American actor renowned for his distinctive deep voice and iconic roles in Star Wars as Darth Vader and in The Lion King as Mufasa. He is a highly respected performer with a career spanning theater, film, and television.
Jan. 22 Sam Cooke
Legendary African American singer who revolutionized soul music by blending gospel and pop styles. A pivotal figure in the development of modern R&B, he was a pioneering artist who influenced generations of musicians before his untimely death.
Feb. 6 Rip Torn
Rip Torn was an Emmy-winning American actor with a prolific career spanning television and film, known for memorable roles in 'Men in Black', 'The Larry Sanders Show', and numerous stage productions.
Feb. 8 James Dean
Iconic American actor who became a cultural symbol of teenage rebellion in the 1950s. He starred in legendary films like 'Rebel Without a Cause' and 'East of Eden', and tragically died in a car accident at the age of 24. His brief but impactful career made him a lasting Hollywood legend.
Feb. 18 Toni Morrison
Renowned African American novelist who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993 and the Pulitzer Prize for her groundbreaking novel 'Beloved'. She is celebrated for her powerful narratives exploring Black experience in America, including works like 'Song of Solomon' and 'The Bluest Eye'.
Feb. 24 Dominic Chianese
Well-known American actor and singer, famous for his role as Uncle Junior in the critically acclaimed TV series 'The Sopranos'.
March 2 Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev was a transformative Soviet leader who introduced reforms of glasnost and perestroika, ultimately helping end the Cold War and dissolve the Soviet Union. He served as General Secretary of the Communist Party from 1985 to 1991 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990. His policies of political openness and economic restructuring dramatically changed global geopolitics.
March 2 Tom Wolfe
Tom Wolfe was a pioneering American journalist and novelist known for his distinctive white suit and innovative New Journalism style. He wrote influential works like 'The Right Stuff' and 'The Bonfire of the Vanities', capturing the social dynamics of mid-to-late 20th century America.
March 22 William Shatner
Iconic Canadian-American actor best known for his legendary role as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek, spanning television and film for over three decades. He has also starred in notable TV series like T.J. Hooker and Rescue 911, and created the sci-fi detective novel series Tekwar.
March 26 Leonard Nimoy
Iconic American actor best known for portraying Spock in the original Star Trek series from 1965-1967. He was a versatile performer who made significant contributions to television, film, and theater throughout his long career.
May 10 Ettore Scola
Renowned Italian film director and screenwriter who made significant contributions to Italian cinema. He worked as a journalist and scriptwriter before becoming a celebrated director, known for his insightful and satirical films about Italian society.
May 13 Jim Jones
Infamous cult leader who orchestrated the largest mass murder-suicide in modern history, leading over 900 followers to their death in Jonestown, Guyana in 1978.
May 18 Robert Morse
Renowned American actor and singer known for his Broadway performances and roles in television series like 'Mad Men'.
May 28 Carroll Baker
Acclaimed Hollywood actress known for her powerful performances in 'Baby Doll' and 'Giant', who was a prominent figure in 1950s and 1960s cinema.
July 1 Leslie Caron
Renowned French-American actress and dancer who became a Hollywood star in the 1950s, famous for her roles in classic musicals like 'An American in Paris' and 'Gigi'. She was a professional performer from a young age and transitioned from ballet to film with remarkable success.
Aug. 8 Roger Penrose
Renowned British mathematician and theoretical physicist known for groundbreaking work in general relativity, quantum mechanics, and mathematical physics. He is particularly famous for his contributions to understanding black holes and spacetime geometry.
Aug. 23 Barbara Eden
Barbara Eden is an iconic American actress best known for her starring role in the popular 1960s sitcom 'I Dream of Jeannie'. She played the magical genie Jeannie opposite Larry Hagman, becoming a television and pop culture legend.
Aug. 25 Regis Philbin
Legendary American television host known for his long-running talk show with Kathie Lee and for hosting the popular game show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'. He was a charismatic media personality who entertained millions of viewers for decades.
Sept. 12 Ian Holm
Acclaimed British actor renowned for iconic roles in 'The Lord of the Rings' as Bilbo Baggins and in 'Alien' as Ash. He was a distinguished stage and screen performer with numerous awards and a distinguished career spanning decades.
Sept. 17 Anne Bancroft
Anne Bancroft was an acclaimed American actress who won an Oscar for her iconic role in 'The Miracle Worker' and was nominated for her performances in 'The Graduate' and 'The Pumpkin Eater'. She was a versatile performer who excelled in film, theater, and television, winning multiple awards including a Tony and recognition from the British Film Academy.
Sept. 17 Jean-Claude Carrière
Jean-Claude Carrière was a prominent French screenwriter and intellectual, renowned for his extensive collaborations with surrealist filmmaker Luis Buñuel. He wrote screenplays for numerous critically acclaimed films and was considered a significant figure in French cinema. Carrière was also a playwright, novelist, and academic.
Sept. 21 Larry Hagman
Larry Hagman was a renowned American actor famous for his iconic roles in TV series 'Dallas' as J.R. Ewing and 'I Dream of Jeannie'. He was a charismatic television star who became a pop culture legend in the 1980s.
Sept. 29 Anita Ekberg
Iconic Swedish actress and international sex symbol best known for her memorable fountain scene in Federico Fellini's 'La Dolce Vita', which became a defining moment in cinema history.
Sept. 30 Angie Dickinson
Renowned American actress famous for her roles in 'Rio Bravo' and the groundbreaking TV series 'Police Woman'. She was a prominent figure in television and film during the 1960s and 1970s, known for her versatility and screen presence.
Oct. 19 John Le Carre
John le Carré was a renowned British novelist who revolutionized the spy genre with his complex, morally ambiguous espionage narratives. He drew from his own experiences in British intelligence to create seminal works like 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' and 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy'.
Oct. 21 Shammi Kapoor
Legendary Indian actor and filmmaker known as the 'Elvis of Bollywood', who revolutionized dance and style in Hindi cinema during the 1950s and 1960s.
Oct. 31 Dan Rather
Dan Rather is a prominent American broadcast journalist who served as anchor of CBS Evening News for 24 years. He was known for his distinctive reporting style and coverage of major historical events, including the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal.
Nov. 3 Monica Vitti
Renowned Italian actress who was a leading figure in art cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. She starred in iconic films by Michelangelo Antonioni and was known for her sophisticated and nuanced performances. Vitti was not only an actress but also a director and writer.
Nov. 6 Mike Nichols
Renowned American film and theater director known for groundbreaking films like 'The Graduate' and 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?'. He was a highly respected filmmaker who won multiple awards, including an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony.
Dec. 11 Rita Moreno
Legendary Puerto Rican actress and performer who won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award, making her one of the few EGOT winners in entertainment history.