Famous people and celebrities born in 1932
We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1932. 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 1932 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.
- Jan. 3 Dabney Coleman
Prominent American character actor known for comedic and dramatic roles in films like 'Nine to Five', 'Tootsie', and 'War Games'. He won an Emmy Award in 1987 and starred in television shows 'Buffalo Bill' and 'The Slap Maxwell Story'.
- Jan. 5 Umberto Eco
Renowned Italian intellectual, semiotician, novelist, and academic who gained worldwide fame with his historical novel 'The Name of the Rose'. He was a prolific writer, philosopher, and scholar who significantly contributed to literary theory and cultural studies.
- Jan. 22 Piper Laurie
Piper Laurie is a renowned American actress known for her powerful performances in 'The Hustler' and 'Carrie', earning multiple Academy Award nominations throughout her distinguished career.
- Feb. 3 Peggy Ann Garner
American actress known for her roles in classic films, particularly as a child performer. She appeared in notable movies like 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' and worked in theater. She passed away at 53 from cancer.
- Feb. 13 Susan Oliver
Susan Oliver was a prominent American actress known for her extensive television work from the mid-1950s to mid-1970s. She appeared in numerous TV shows including 'Father Knows Best' and 'Night Gallery', and was a regular on 'Days of Our Lives'. She also made significant contributions as a television director.
- Feb. 26 Johnny Cash
Legendary country and rock musician who revolutionized American music with his distinctive deep voice and rebellious persona. He was a pivotal figure in the development of rockabilly and country music, known for his powerful storytelling through songs. His iconic performances at Folsom Prison and San Quentin transformed his career and cultural status. [bio]
- March 4 Miriam Makeba
Legendary South African singer and anti-apartheid activist known as 'Mama Africa', who used her music to fight racial oppression and became an international symbol of resistance.
- March 12 Barbara Feldon
Barbara Feldon is an American actress and comedic performer best known for her iconic role as Agent 99 in the classic spy comedy series 'Get Smart' alongside Don Adams.
- March 18 John Updike
Renowned American novelist and literary craftsman, best known for his 'Rabbit' series and Pulitzer Prize-winning works. He was a prolific writer who explored themes of suburban American life with exceptional prose style.
- April 1 Debbie Reynolds
Iconic Hollywood actress known for her roles in classic films like 'Singin' in the Rain'. She was a versatile performer who successfully transitioned between film, television, and stage throughout her career. Reynolds was also the mother of actress Carrie Fisher.
- April 1 Gordon Jump
Beloved television actor best known for his role as Arthur Carlson in 'WKRP in Cincinnati' and as the Maytag Repairman in iconic television commercials. He was a familiar face in American entertainment from the 1970s to early 2000s.
- April 4 Anthony Perkins
Iconic American actor best known for his haunting portrayal of Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's psychological thriller 'Psycho', which became a landmark performance in cinema history.
- April 4 Clive Davis
Legendary music industry executive who founded Arista Records and J Records, known for discovering and developing numerous successful musical artists across multiple genres.
- April 11 Joel Grey
Renowned American actor, comedian, and dancer who won both Tony and Oscar awards for his iconic performance in 'Cabaret'. He comes from a theatrical family and has significantly influenced stage and film performance.
- April 27 Casey Kasem
Legendary American radio host who created and hosted 'America's Top 40', pioneering music countdown radio and becoming a prominent media personality with Lebanese-American roots.
- April 27 Anouk Aimée
Renowned French actress who made her film debut in 1947, known for her elegance and memorable performances in classic French cinema.
- May 3 Robert Osborne
Robert Osborne was a renowned film historian and host of Turner Classic Movies (TCM), known for his extensive knowledge of cinema history and charismatic presentation style.
- May 8 Sonny Liston
Legendary heavyweight boxer known for his intimidating style and powerful punches, who was world heavyweight champion from 1962 to 1964.
- May 9 Geraldine McEwan
Renowned Scottish actress known for her roles in television and theater, including Miss Marple adaptations. She was a BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Award winner with a distinguished career spanning several decades.
- May 27 Faten Hamama
Iconic Egyptian actress and film producer who was a leading figure in the golden age of Egyptian cinema, known for her powerful performances and significant cultural impact.
- June 4 John Drew Barrymore
American actor from the famous Barrymore theatrical dynasty, known for his acting career and family legacy.
- June 19 Pier Angeli
Italian-American actress who rose to fame in Rome and Hollywood, known for her breakthrough roles in films like 'Teresa' and 'Domani è troppo tardi'. She was a prominent actress in the 1950s Hollywood scene.
- June 19 Marisa Pavan
Italian-American actress and twin sister of Pier Angeli, known for her Oscar-nominated supporting role in 'The Rose Tattoo' (1955). She worked extensively in film and television during the 1950s, with notable appearances in 'Drum Beat' and 'Solomon and Sheba'.
- June 22 Amrish Puri
Legendary Indian actor known for his powerful character roles in Bollywood cinema, particularly memorable as a villain in numerous iconic films.
- June 22 Prunella Scales
Renowned British actress best known for her iconic role as Sybil Fawlty in the classic comedy series 'Fawlty Towers' alongside John Cleese.
- June 27 Anna Moffo
Renowned lyric-coloratura soprano who performed at the Metropolitan Opera for 17 seasons and was known as 'la bellissima'. She hosted an Italian TV show in the 1960s but suffered a vocal breakdown in 1974 that impacted her career.
- June 28 Pat Morita
Pat Morita was a renowned Japanese-American actor best known for his iconic role as Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid film series. He was a beloved character actor who also appeared in the popular TV show Happy Days and starred in his own series Mr. T and Tina.
- July 9 Donald Rumsfeld
Prominent American political figure who served as U.S. Secretary of Defense twice, first under President Ford and later under President George W. Bush. He was a key architect of the Iraq War and played a significant role in U.S. defense policy during the early 2000s.
- July 31 Ted Cassidy
Famous American actor best known for playing Lurch in the original 'The Addams Family' TV series and for his distinctive deep voice in numerous television and film roles.
- Aug. 1 Meena Kumari
Legendary Indian actress known as the 'Tragedy Queen' of Bollywood, who made significant contributions to Hindi cinema during the 1950s and 1960s. She was renowned for her exceptional acting skills and emotional depth in dramatic roles.
- Aug. 11 Fernando Arrabal
Renowned Spanish avant-garde playwright, novelist, and filmmaker who founded the Panic Movement in the 1960s, known for his surrealist and absurdist artistic approach.
- Sept. 3 Eileen Brennan
Eileen Brennan was an accomplished American actress known for her versatile stage and screen performances. She won both an Obie Award and an Emmy Award, with notable roles in films like 'The Sting' and 'Private Benjamin'. Her career spanned theater, television, and cinema, making her a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
- Sept. 9 Sylvia Miles
Acclaimed American actress known for memorable roles in 'Midnight Cowboy' and 'Farewell My Lovely', who was twice Oscar-nominated for her brief but impactful performances.
- Oct. 14 Bernie Siegel
Pioneering medical doctor who revolutionized holistic cancer treatment approaches, emphasizing patient empowerment and mind-body healing techniques. He authored influential books on patient-centered medical care and healing philosophies.
- Oct. 19 Robert Reed
Renowned American television actor best known for playing Mike Brady in the iconic sitcom 'The Brady Bunch'. He had a significant acting career spanning multiple television series including 'The Defenders', 'Mannix', 'Rich Man, Poor Man', and 'Roots'.
- Oct. 20 William Christopher
American actor best known for playing Father Mulcahy in the iconic TV series M*A*S*H, a role that made him widely recognized in television history.
- Oct. 27 Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath was a renowned American poet and novelist whose deeply personal and confessional writing style revolutionized 20th-century literature. Her semi-autobiographical novel 'The Bell Jar' and her powerful poetry collection 'Ariel' explored themes of depression, femininity, and existential despair. Her tragic suicide at age 30 further cemented her legendary status in literary history.
- Oct. 27 Jean-Pierre Cassel
Jean-Pierre Cassel was a versatile French actor and dancer who became a prominent figure in European cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. He collaborated with renowned directors like Luis Buñuel and Claude Chabrol, appearing in iconic films such as 'The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie' and 'Murder on the Orient Express'. He is also the father of famous actor Vincent …
- Oct. 30 Louis Malle
Renowned French film director known for critically acclaimed movies like 'The Lovers', 'Murmur of the Heart', and 'Lacombe, Lucien'. He was twice Oscar-nominated as a screenwriter and made significant contributions to French and American cinema with films such as 'Pretty Baby' and 'Atlantic City'.
- Nov. 8 Stéphane Audran
Renowned French actress known for her collaborations with director Claude Chabrol and her significant role in French New Wave cinema. She was married to Chabrol from 1964 to 1980 and had a son, Thomas Chabrol, born in 1963.
- Nov. 10 Roy Scheider
Roy Scheider was a prominent American actor famous for his iconic roles in 'Jaws' and 'The French Connection', two landmark films of the 1970s. He was known for his intense performances and memorable characters in Hollywood cinema.
- Nov. 15 Petula Clark
Petula Clark is a legendary British pop singer and actress who became an international star in the 1960s, known for her upbeat pop hits and distinctive voice.
- Nov. 20 Richard Dawson
Richard Dawson was a charismatic British-American television host and actor, most famous for hosting the popular game show 'Family Feud' from 1976 to 1985. He was known for his witty interactions with contestants and became a beloved television personality.
- Nov. 22 Robert Vaughn
Robert Vaughn was a renowned American actor best known for his iconic role as Napoleon Solo in the popular spy television series 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' He was an accomplished actor with a career spanning several decades in film and television.
- Dec. 5 Little Richard
Pioneering rock and roll musician known as the 'King of Rock 'n' Roll', famous for his energetic performances and influential music that helped shape the genre. He was a complex artist who alternated between secular music and gospel ministry throughout his career.
- Dec. 7 Ellen Burstyn
Acclaimed American actress known for iconic roles in 'The Exorcist' and 'Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore', winning an Oscar and Tony Award. She was the first woman president of Actors Equity and made significant contributions to film and theater.
- Dec. 14 George Furth
American playwright and actor best known for his collaborations with Neil Simon and his work in musical theater.
- Dec. 20 John Hillerman
John Hillerman was an accomplished American actor known for his memorable roles in television and film, most famously as Higgins in the popular TV series 'Magnum, P.I.' from 1980-1988. He appeared in critically acclaimed films like 'Chinatown', 'The Last Picture Show', and 'Blazing Saddles', and won a Golden Globe Award in 1982.
- Dec. 28 Nichelle Nichols
Pioneering African American actress best known for her groundbreaking role as Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek, who significantly advanced representation of Black women in science fiction television.
What happened in 1932?
Discover what the world looked like in 1932: