Famous people and celebrities born in May 1931

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in May 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.

• May 2 Martha Grimes

  Renowned American mystery novelist best known for her Richard Jury detective series, which has been critically acclaimed and widely read since the 1980s.

• May 3 Aldo Rossi

  Renowned Italian architect known for significant architectural works like the Bonnefanten Museum in Netherlands and Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa. A key figure in postmodern architecture with international recognition.

• May 4 Gennady Rozhdestvensky

  Renowned Russian conductor and music educator who significantly contributed to classical music performance and education in the Soviet Union and internationally.

• May 5 Greg

  Belgian author and illustrator known for his significant contributions to comic book literature, particularly famous for creating the popular comic series Achille Talon.

• 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 8 Gene Wolfe

  Renowned science fiction and fantasy writer, best known for his complex and critically acclaimed novel 'The Book of the New Sun'.

• May 9 Vance Brand

  NASA astronaut who participated in the historic Apollo-Soyuz mission in 1975 and flew multiple Space Shuttle missions, including Columbia and Challenger. He was a distinguished test pilot and engineer with significant contributions to the US space program.

• 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 17 Marshall Applewhite

  Infamous cult leader of Heaven's Gate who orchestrated a mass suicide in 1997, leading 39 members to take their own lives in a bizarre ritual believing they would be transported to an alien spacecraft.

• May 18 Robert Morse

  Renowned American actor and singer known for his Broadway performances and roles in television series like 'Mad Men'.

• May 19 Trevor Peacock

  Versatile English actor, screenwriter, and songwriter best known for his roles in British television and theater.

• May 21 Fulvia Franco

  Italian beauty queen who won Miss Italy in 1948 and was married to boxer Tiberio Mitri. She was a prominent figure in Italian entertainment during the 1950s and tragically died from liver cirrhosis in 1988.

• May 23 Barbara Barrie

  American actress and author known for her roles in film and television, including the movie 'Breaking Away' and TV series 'Barney Miller'.

• May 24 Michael Lonsdale

  Renowned French actor known for diverse roles in international films like 'Moonraker', 'The Name of the Rose', and 'Of Gods and Men', with a distinguished career spanning multiple genres and languages.

• May 26 Irwin Winkler

  Renowned Hollywood film producer known for producing numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies across several decades.

• May 27 Faten Hamama

  Faten Hamama was a legendary Egyptian actress who significantly influenced Arab cinema during the mid-20th century. She was known for her exceptional acting skills and cultural impact across the Middle East. Her career spanned several decades, making her an iconic figure in Egyptian film history.

• May 27 Philip Kotler

  Philip Kotler is a world-renowned marketing expert and professor who revolutionized marketing theory and practice. He has authored numerous influential books and is considered the 'father of modern marketing'.

• May 27 Bernard Fresson

  Bernard Fresson was a prominent French actor who appeared in over 160 films, known for significant roles in cinema and television. He was notably nominated for a César Award as best supporting actor. His career included memorable performances in films by renowned directors like Roman Polanski.

• 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.

• May 28 Gordon Willis

  Legendary cinematographer known for his innovative work in classic films like 'The Godfather' and 'Annie Hall'.

• May 30 Paola Fendi

  Paola Fendi was a prominent Italian fashion designer who played a crucial role in developing the iconic Fendi brand alongside her sisters. She was instrumental in transforming Fendi from a small fur and leather goods shop in Rome to a global luxury fashion powerhouse.

• May 31 John Robert Schrieffer

  PHY - American physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 2019)