Famous people and celebrities born in 1934

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1934. 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 1934 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 20 Tom Baker
Iconic British actor best known for playing the Fourth Doctor in the long-running BBC science fiction series Doctor Who from 1974 to 1981, becoming one of the most recognizable and beloved incarnations of the character.
Jan. 22 Bill Bixby
Versatile American television actor best known for starring in iconic TV series like 'The Incredible Hulk' and 'My Favorite Martian'. He successfully transitioned from acting to directing in the 1990s, including the popular sitcom 'Blossom'.
Jan. 31 James Franciscus
American television and film actor known for roles in 'Mr. Novak' and 'Longstreet', who passed away from emphysema at age 57.
Feb. 11 Tina Louise
Tina Louise is an iconic American actress best known for her glamorous role as Ginger Grant on the classic television sitcom Gilligan's Island, which aired from 1964 to 1967.
Feb. 13 George Segal
Versatile American actor and musician known for Oscar-nominated performance in 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf' and numerous comedic and dramatic film roles. He was also an accomplished banjo player who released a jazz album in 1967.
Feb. 14 Florence Henderson
Iconic American actress and television star best known for her role as Carol Brady in the groundbreaking family sitcom 'The Brady Bunch'. She was a versatile performer who appeared on Broadway, television, and in various entertainment venues throughout her career.
Feb. 17 Alan Bates
Renowned British actor who was a key figure in the British New Wave cinema and theatre. He starred in iconic films like 'Women in Love' and 'Zorba the Greek', and was celebrated for his powerful stage performances.
Feb. 21 Rue McClanahan
Emmy Award-winning actress best known for her iconic role as Blanche Devereaux in the beloved sitcom 'The Golden Girls'. She was a talented performer who brought humor and charm to television comedy in the 1980s.
Feb. 27 Ralph Nader
Renowned American consumer advocate and attorney who revolutionized product safety regulations, leading to landmark consumer protection legislation like the Traffic Safety Act of 1958.
March 11 Sam Donaldson
Prominent American television journalist and news anchor who worked extensively for ABC News, known for his hard-hitting reporting style and coverage of White House politics during multiple presidential administrations.
March 18 Charley Pride
Groundbreaking African American country music singer who became the first Black superstar in the genre, selling over 20 million records and winning multiple Grammy Awards. [bio]
March 25 Gloria Steinem
Pioneering American feminist leader, journalist, and social activist who played a crucial role in the women's rights movement of the 20th century. She co-founded Ms. Magazine and was instrumental in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment.
March 26 Alan Arkin
Acclaimed American actor, director, and writer known for his versatile performances in film. He was nominated for an Oscar in his first screen appearance and won a Golden Globe in 1967. Arkin has appeared in over 50 films including notable works like 'Edward Scissorhands' and 'Glengarry Glen Ross'.
March 31 Richard Chamberlain
Renowned American actor famous for TV series 'Dr. Kildare' and miniseries 'Shogun' and 'The Thornbirds'. He starred in numerous films during the 1960s and 1970s and was also a respected stage performer.
March 31 Shirley Jones
Acclaimed American actress and singer who starred in classic musicals like 'Oklahoma', 'Carousel', and 'The Music Man'. She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 'Elmer Gantry' and was a lead in the popular TV series 'The Partridge Family'.
April 2 Shirley Douglas
Canadian actress and activist from a prominent political family, known for her civil rights involvement and being the mother of actor Kiefer Sutherland. She was the daughter of Tommy Douglas, a significant Canadian political figure.
April 3 Jane Goodall
Pioneering primatologist who revolutionized our understanding of chimpanzees through her groundbreaking 45-year research at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute and is a global advocate for animal welfare and conservation. [bio]
April 7 Ian Richardson
Renowned Scottish actor famous for his iconic portrayal of Francis Urquhart in the BBC's 'House of Cards' trilogy and distinguished Shakespearean stage performer. He was a versatile actor known for his powerful and nuanced performances in both television and theater.
April 18 James Drury
American actor best known for his starring role in the long-running TV western series 'The Virginian', which aired from 1962 to 1971.
April 24 Shirley MacLaine
Acclaimed American actress, writer, and dancer with an extraordinary career spanning over 50 films. She won an Oscar for 'Terms of Endearment' in 1983 and received numerous prestigious awards including five Emmys and five Golden Globes.
May 18 Dwayne Hickman
American actor known for his iconic role in the TV series 'Dobie Gillis' and several notable films in the 1940s and 1950s. He was a prominent child actor who successfully transitioned to teen-oriented movies in the late 1960s before retiring from acting.
June 1 Pat Boone
Iconic American singer and actor who was a major teen idol in the 1950s, selling 18 million records before age 24 and starring in popular films like 'April Love' and 'Journey to the Center of the Earth'.
June 9 Jackie Wilson
Legendary R&B and rock 'n' roll singer known for his extraordinary four-octave vocal range and dynamic performances. He was a pivotal figure in transitioning rhythm and blues to soul music and is considered one of the most influential performers of his era. [bio]
June 15 Guy Bedos
Guy Bedos was a renowned French comedian, actor, and satirist known for his sharp social commentary and influential stand-up comedy performances.
June 16 Eileen Atkins
Renowned British actress with an illustrious career spanning film, television, and stage, known for her versatility and powerful performances.
July 1 Sydney Pollack
Renowned American film director, producer, and actor who directed critically acclaimed films like 'Out of Africa' and 'The Way We Were'. He won multiple awards and was nominated for 43 Academy Awards throughout his career.
July 1 Jean Marsh
British actress and screenwriter best known for her pioneering role in the television series 'Upstairs, Downstairs'. She won an Emmy Award and co-created another notable series, 'The House of Elliott'.
July 20 Aliki Vougiouklaki
Prominent Greek actress and singer who was a major star in Greek cinema during the 1950s and 1960s, known for her comedic roles and significant cultural impact.
July 22 Louise Fletcher
Academy Award-winning actress best known for her iconic role as Nurse Ratched in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest', a performance that earned her an Oscar for Best Actress in 1976.
Aug. 15 Nino Ferrer
Renowned Italian-French pop music singer and songwriter known for his hit 'Agata' in the 1970s. An archeologist by education, he lived in France from 1946 and tragically died by suicide in St. Cyprien in 1998.
Aug. 16 Pierre Richard
Renowned French comedian and film director famous for his comedic performances and collaborations with Victor Lanoux and Gérard Depardieu in films by Francis Veber.
Aug. 18 Vincent Bugliosi
Renowned American attorney famous for prosecuting Charles Manson and his family for their ritualistic murders. He was an exceptional prosecutor with a 105-1 felony case record and a significant figure in criminal law.
Aug. 24 Kenny Baker
Kenny Baker was a renowned English actor best known for portraying R2-D2 in the Star Wars film series. He was a key figure in the original Star Wars trilogy and worked closely with George Lucas.
Sept. 14 Kate Millett
Prominent American feminist scholar, author of 'Sexual Politics', and key figure in second-wave feminism who significantly advanced women's rights discourse through academic and activist work.
Sept. 20 Sophia Loren
Iconic Italian actress and international cinema legend, Sophia Loren is renowned for her extraordinary beauty, talent, and charisma. She dominated European and Hollywood cinema for decades, winning an Academy Award and becoming a symbol of Italian glamour. Her career spans over 50 years, making her one of the most celebrated actresses of the 20th century. [bio]
Sept. 21 María Rubio
Renowned Mexican actress who made significant contributions to television, film, and stage during the mid-20th century.
Sept. 22 Ornella Vanoni
Ornella Vanoni is a renowned Italian singer and actress who has been a prominent figure in Italian music since the 1960s, known for her distinctive interpretative style and emotional depth in pop and jazz genres.
Sept. 25 Jean Sorel
French film actor known for his roles in European cinema during the 1960s and 1970s, particularly in Italian and French productions.
Sept. 28 Brigitte Bardot
Iconic French actress and sex symbol who revolutionized cinema and fashion in the 1950s and 1960s. She became a global star after Roger Vadim's film 'And God Created Woman' and was the highest-paid French actress of her time.
Sept. 28 Wilford Brimley
Beloved American character actor known for distinctive mustache and memorable roles in films like 'Cocoon', 'The Thing', and 'The Natural'. He was also famous for diabetes awareness commercials.
Oct. 18 Inger Stevens
Swedish-American actress known for her role in 'The Farmer's Daughter' TV series. She experienced a challenging childhood marked by insecurity and loneliness. Her career was tragically cut short by her early death at 35.
Oct. 20 Timothy West
Renowned British actor celebrated for portraying historical figures like Churchill and Stalin, with a distinguished career spanning theater and screen since 1956.
Nov. 9 Carl Sagan
Carl Sagan was a renowned American astronomer, astrophysicist, and science communicator who popularized complex scientific concepts for the general public through his groundbreaking TV series 'Cosmos' and numerous influential books.
Nov. 23 Robert Towne
Renowned American screenwriter, best known for his Oscar-winning screenplay for 'Chinatown' and significant contributions to Hollywood cinema.
Dec. 4 Victor French
Victor French was an accomplished American actor and director best known for his role in the popular TV series 'Highway to Heaven'. He passed away in 1989 at the age of 54 from cancer.
Dec. 5 Joan Didion
Renowned American writer known for her influential novels and essays that captured the cultural landscape of California and American society in the late 20th century. She was a key figure in New Journalism and critically acclaimed for her distinctive narrative style. [bio]
Dec. 9 Judi Dench
Acclaimed British actress renowned for her versatile performances in classical theater and film, Dame Judi Dench has won numerous prestigious awards including an Oscar and a Tony Award. She is celebrated for her powerful roles in both dramatic and comedic productions, and was honored with a damehood by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999.
Dec. 28 Maggie Smith
An acclaimed British actress known for her roles in films such as The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Downton Abbey, and the Harry Potter series. She has won multiple awards including two Academy Awards and multiple Emmy and BAFTA awards.
Dec. 29 Ed Flanders
Emmy Award-winning actor best known for his role as Dr. Donald Westphall in the groundbreaking medical drama 'St. Elsewhere'. He tragically died by suicide at age 60, leaving behind a significant legacy in television acting.