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. 14 Caterina Valente
Renowned Italian-French singer, dancer, and actress who was a popular entertainer in the 1950s and 1960s, known for her multilingual performances and charismatic stage presence.
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. [bio]
Feb. 15 Claire Bloom
Claire Bloom is a renowned English actress with a distinguished career spanning film, television, and stage, known for memorable performances in classics like 'The King's Speech' and 'The Haunting'.
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'. [bio]
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. [bio]
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 20 Hal Linden
Hal Linden is an Emmy Award-winning American actor best known for his starring role in the popular TV sitcom 'Barney Miller'. He is also a talented singer and director with a career spanning several decades.
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. [bio]
March 27 David Janssen
David Janssen was a prominent American actor known for his extensive work in television and film, appearing in over 100 productions. He began his acting career as a child and overcame early personal challenges to become a successful Hollywood star.
April 6 Suchitra Sen
Legendary Bengali actress who was a prominent figure in Indian cinema during the 1950s and 1960s, known for her exceptional acting skills and beauty.
April 8 John Gavin
John Gavin was a prominent Hispanic-American actor and diplomat known for his roles in classic films like 'Spartacus' and 'Romanoff and Juliet'. He served as a naval intelligence officer and was president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1971 to 1973.
May 6 Willie Mays
Willie Mays is a legendary baseball player widely considered one of the greatest players in MLB history. He played center field for the New York and San Francisco Giants, and later for the New York Mets, with an extraordinary 22-year career. Known as the 'Say Hey Kid', he was renowned for his exceptional hitting, fielding, and base-running skills. [bio]
May 7 Teresa Brewer
Renowned American jazz and pop singer who was popular in the 1950s and known for her distinctive vocal style and hit songs.
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.
June 7 Virginia McKenna
British actress and wildlife conservationist best known for her role in the film 'Born Free' and her significant work in animal rights and conservation.
June 14 Marla Gibbs
Marla Gibbs is an Emmy-nominated actress and comedian best known for her iconic roles in popular sitcoms 'The Jeffersons' and '227'. She played memorable characters like Florence Johnston and Mary Jenkins, becoming a significant figure in African American television representation.
June 20 Olympia Dukakis
Acclaimed American actress who won an Academy Award for her role in 'Moonstruck' in 1987, with a distinguished 40-year career spanning stage and screen. She was a critically acclaimed performer with multiple awards, including two Obie Awards for her theatrical performances.
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.
July 4 Stephen Boyd
Irish-born actor known for his iconic roles in epic films like 'Ben-Hur' and 'The Fall of the Roman Empire'. He was a prominent leading man in Hollywood during the late 1950s and 1960s.
July 11 Tab Hunter
Tab Hunter was a prominent Hollywood actor and heartthrob of the 1950s and 1960s, known for his versatile performances in films and later for being an openly gay icon.
Aug. 1 Tom Wilson
Tom Wilson was an American cartoonist famous for creating the beloved comic character Ziggy, which became a popular cultural icon in newspapers and merchandise during the late 20th century.
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.
Aug. 31 Jean Beliveau
Legendary Canadian ice hockey player who spent his entire 20-year NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens, winning 10 Stanley Cups and considered one of the greatest players in hockey history. [bio]
Sept. 4 Mitzi Gaynor
Renowned American actress, singer, and dancer famous for her vibrant performances in classic Hollywood musicals, particularly her iconic role in 'South Pacific'.
Sept. 10 Philip Baker Hall
Renowned character actor known for distinctive roles in films like Boogie Nights and Hard Eight, with a career spanning several decades in film and television.
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. 12 George Jones
Legendary country music singer known as 'The Possum', considered one of the greatest country artists of all time. His emotional, distinctive voice defined the genre for 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. 20 Mickey Mantle
Legendary New York Yankees center fielder who is considered one of the greatest switch-hitters in baseball history. He played his entire 18-year career with the Yankees, winning seven World Series championships. Mantle was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. [bio]
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.
Dec. 28 Martin Milner
American actor best known for his roles in TV series 'Adam-12' and 'Route 66', who had a successful career in television and film during the 1950s and 1960s.