Famous people and celebrities born in January 1931

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in January 1931! 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.

• Jan. 1 Hind Rostom

  Hind Rostom was a legendary Egyptian actress who played pivotal roles during the golden age of Egyptian cinema in the 1950s and 1960s. She was known for her beauty, charisma, and significant contributions to Arab cinema.

• Jan. 4 William Deane

  Distinguished Australian judge and politician who served as the 22nd Governor-General of Australia from 1996 to 2001.

• Jan. 5 Robert Duvall

  Legendary American actor, director, and producer who won an Oscar for 'Tender Mercies' and received multiple nominations. He is renowned for his versatile performances in over 33 movies and numerous stage plays.

• Jan. 5 Gérard Defois

  French Catholic monsignor and academic who served as rector of the Catholic University of Lyon from 1984 to 1990. He was a sociology doctor and theology professor with several published works.

• Jan. 5 Alvin Ailey

  Pioneering African American choreographer who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He revolutionized modern dance by blending African American cultural experiences with contemporary performance styles.

• Jan. 6 E. L. Doctorow

  Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist known for historical fiction works like 'Ragtime' and 'The Book of Daniel', who significantly influenced contemporary American literature.

• Jan. 9 Algis Budrys

  Influential science fiction writer who significantly contributed to the genre's development in the mid-20th century, known for his innovative storytelling and critical works.

• Jan. 10 Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat

  Malaysian cleric and politician who served as the 12th Menteri Besar of Kelantan, a significant political figure in Malaysian Islamic politics.

• 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. 14 Yves Berger

  Prominent French novelist and literary critic who won multiple prestigious literary awards, including the Femina Prize in 1962 and the Medicis Prize in 1994. He served as literary director at Editions Grasset and literary critic at Le Monde.

• 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. 17 Douglas Wilder

  Douglas Wilder is a pioneering African-American politician who made history as the first Black elected governor in the United States, winning the 1989 Virginia gubernatorial election. He briefly ran a presidential campaign in 1992, demonstrating his political significance.

• Jan. 18 Chun Doo-hwan

  Controversial South Korean military general and politician who ruled as president from 1980 to 1988, known for authoritarian leadership and suppressing democratic movements.

• Jan. 19 Robert MacNeil

  Renowned Canadian-American journalist best known for co-anchoring the PBS NewsHour and significantly influencing television news reporting in the late 20th century.

• Jan. 20 David Lee

  David Lee was a renowned Nobel Prize-winning physicist who made groundbreaking discoveries in superfluidity, significantly advancing our understanding of quantum mechanics and low-temperature physics.

• 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.

• Jan. 24 Lars Hörmander

  Renowned Swedish mathematician who made groundbreaking contributions to partial differential equations and mathematical analysis.

• Jan. 25 Harold Lloyd

  American comedian and actor who passed away at 77 years old due to cancer, known for his comedic performances.

• Jan. 25 Dean Jones

  Beloved American actor and singer known for his memorable roles in Disney films, particularly in 'The Love Bug'.

• Jan. 26 Mary Murphy

  American actress known for her roles in films like 'A Man Alone' and television series 'Maggie-Investigators', active in the mid-20th century entertainment industry.

• Jan. 27 Mordecai Richler

  Renowned Canadian novelist and essayist known for sharp satirical works exploring Jewish life in Montreal and critiquing Canadian society.

• Jan. 28 Lucia Bosè

  Renowned Italian actress and beauty queen who won Miss Italy in 1947 and became a prominent figure in Italian cinema during the 1950s. She was married to famous bullfighter Luis Miguel Dominguín and had a significant acting career before and after her marriage.

• Jan. 28 Ezio Flagello

  Distinguished Italian-American operatic bass singer renowned for his exceptional performances in the Italian classical repertoire. He was a respected figure in the world of opera during the mid-20th century.

• Jan. 29 Ferenc Mádl

  Hungarian politician and academic who served as the 2nd President of Hungary from 2000 to 2005, known for his scholarly background and diplomatic contributions.

• Jan. 30 Shirley Hazzard

  Acclaimed Australian-American writer known for her elegant prose and literary works exploring human relationships and international themes.

• Jan. 31 Ernie Banks

  Baseball player