Famous people and celebrities born in 1937
We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1937. 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 1937 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.
- Jan. 4 Dyan Cannon
Acclaimed American actress known for her versatile roles in film, television, and Broadway. She received an Oscar nomination in 1969 for her performance in 'Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice', highlighting her significant contribution to cinema.
- Jan. 12 Shirley Eaton
Famous English actress best known for her iconic golden-painted body scene in the James Bond film 'Goldfinger'.
- Jan. 15 Margaret O'Brien
Renowned child actress of the 1940s, famous for her roles in classic films like 'Meet Me in St. Louis' and 'Jane Eyre', who was considered one of the most popular child stars of her era.
- Jan. 30 Vanessa Redgrave
Renowned British actress from a prominent theatrical family, Vanessa Redgrave won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1978 and established herself as a significant talent in film and stage.
- Feb. 1 Garrett Morris
Garrett Morris is an American comedian and actor best known for being an original cast member of Saturday Night Live during its early groundbreaking years in the mid-1970s.
- Feb. 2 Tom Smothers
Iconic American comedian who formed a legendary comedy duo with his brother Dick, known for their groundbreaking TV series 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour' which challenged social norms during the late 1960s.
- Feb. 10 Roberta Flack
Grammy Award-winning singer, pianist, and composer who transitioned from teaching to a legendary music career, known for her soulful interpretations of popular songs.
- Feb. 25 Tom Courtenay
Acclaimed English actor known for his iconic role in 'Doctor Zhivago' and significant contributions to British cinema and theater.
- March 3 Bobby Driscoll
Bobby Driscoll was a prominent child actor in Disney films during the 1940s and 1950s, most famous for voicing Peter Pan and starring in live-action Disney movies. He won a Juvenile Academy Award but tragically died young and struggled with drug addiction.
- March 20 Lois Lowry
Acclaimed American children's book author who won two Newbery Medals for 'Number the Stars' and 'The Giver'. Her works have significantly influenced young adult literature.
- March 20 Jerry Reed
Legendary country western singer, songwriter, and actor known for hit songs and roles in films like 'Smokey and the Bandit'. He was a charismatic performer who successfully crossed between music and acting careers.
- March 30 Warren Beatty
Legendary Hollywood actor and filmmaker known for iconic films like 'Bonnie and Clyde' and 'Reds'. He was a major star of the 1960s and 1970s, winning an Oscar for Best Director and receiving multiple nominations for his groundbreaking work.
- April 5 Colin Powell
Prominent American military leader who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Gulf War, playing a crucial role in U.S. military strategy and later becoming the first African American Secretary of State. [bio]
- April 6 Billy Dee Williams
Billy Dee Williams is an iconic American actor best known for his role as Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise, a character he portrayed in both the original trilogy and more recently in the sequel trilogy.
- April 13 Edward Fox
Renowned English actor known for his roles in numerous films, including the James Bond movie 'Never Say Never Again'.
- April 19 Joseph Estrada
Joseph Estrada is a prominent Filipino politician and former actor who served as the 13th President of the Philippines. His remarkable career spans both entertainment and politics, having starred in over 100 films before transitioning to significant political roles.
- April 19 Elinor Donahue
Elinor Donahue is an American actress who began her entertainment career as a child prodigy. She gained fame through her roles in television shows like 'Father Knows Best' and 'Get a Life', becoming a notable child and teen actress of the mid-20th century.
- April 20 George Takei
Iconic American actor, best known for his groundbreaking role as Lieutenant Sulu in the original Star Trek series and subsequent films. He is also a prominent LGBTQ+ rights activist and social media personality.
- April 22 Jack Nicholson
Legendary Hollywood actor known for iconic roles in films like 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' and 'The Shining'. A five-time Oscar nominee and three-time winner, Nicholson is renowned for his intense, charismatic performances and distinctive acting style. [bio]
- April 27 Sandy Dennis
Sandy Dennis was a renowned American actress who won two Tony Awards and an Oscar for her exceptional stage and film performances, notably in 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf'.
- May 12 George Carlin
Legendary American stand-up comedian known for his groundbreaking social commentary and controversial comedy routines. He was a pioneering figure in comedy who challenged societal norms and was inducted into the Comedy Hall of Fame in 1994. [bio]
- May 12 Susan Hampshire
English actress known for her work in television and theater, with a career spanning several decades.
- May 15 Madeleine Albright
Pioneering diplomat who served as the first female United States Secretary of State, breaking significant gender barriers in American political leadership during the late 1990s.
- May 16 Yvonne Craig
Yvonne Craig was an American actress and dancer best known for her iconic role as Batgirl in the 1960s Batman television series, which made her a pop culture icon of the era.
- May 22 Bharat Gopy
Prominent Malayalam cinema actor who significantly contributed to Indian film art through critically acclaimed performances across multiple decades.
- May 29 Hibari Misora
Legendary Japanese singer and actress who was a major cultural icon in post-war Japan, known for her powerful voice and emotional performances.
- June 1 Morgan Freeman
Legendary American actor known for his distinctive voice and powerful performances, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2005 for 'Million Dollar Baby' and received the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2012. [bio]
- June 1 Colleen McCullough
Acclaimed Australian novelist best known for her international bestseller 'The Thorn Birds', a sweeping family saga that captivated readers worldwide.
- June 2 Sally Kellerman
Renowned American actress famous for her iconic role as 'Hot Lips' Houlihan in the classic film 'M.A.S.H.', who was nominated for an Academy Award in 1970 and had a significant career in film and television.
- June 10 Luciana Paluzzi
Italian actress known for her roles in international cinema, particularly memorable for her appearance in the James Bond film 'Thunderball' (1965) as the femme fatale Fiona Volpe.
- July 6 Ned Beatty
Acclaimed American character actor known for memorable roles in films like 'Deliverance', 'Network', and 'Superman II'. He appeared in over 70 plays before his Hollywood breakthrough and was renowned for his versatile acting abilities.
- July 12 Bill Cosby
Renowned American comedian and actor famous for 'The Cosby Show', a groundbreaking family sitcom that aired from 1984-1992. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002, though later controversies significantly impacted his legacy.
- July 28 Francis Veber
Renowned French comedy screenwriter, director, and playwright known for creating hilarious characters and movies that have been successfully adapted in Hollywood, such as 'La Chèvre' and 'Dinner for Schmucks'.
- Aug. 6 Barbara Windsor
Iconic British actress and comedian famous for her roles in the 'Carry On' film series and her distinctive blonde beehive hairstyle. She was a beloved entertainment figure who significantly influenced British comedy and cinema during the 1960s and 1970s.
- Aug. 8 Dustin Hoffman
Legendary American actor who revolutionized cinema with iconic performances in films like 'The Graduate' and 'Kramer vs. Kramer'. He won two Academy Awards and is considered one of the most influential actors of his generation, known for his transformative method acting. [bio]
- Aug. 16 Lorraine Gary
American actress best known for her roles in the iconic 'Jaws' film series, particularly as Ellen Brody in 'Jaws' and 'Jaws 2'.
- Aug. 20 Andrei Konchalovsky
Renowned Russian film director, screenwriter, and producer known for critically acclaimed films like 'Runaway Train' and 'Paradise'.
- Aug. 24 Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola
Nigerian politician who was a key figure in Nigeria's democratic movement. [bio]
- Sept. 10 Jared Diamond
Jared Diamond is a renowned American geographer, historian, and author who revolutionized understanding of human societal development through his groundbreaking books 'Guns, Germs, and Steel' and 'Collapse', which explore how environmental and geographical factors shape human civilization.
- Oct. 15 Linda Lavin
Renowned American actress, director, and producer best known for her iconic role in the TV series 'Alice'. She has had a distinguished career in television, film, and theater spanning several decades.
- Oct. 30 Claude Lelouch
Claude Lelouch is a renowned French film director, producer, and screenwriter known for his innovative and influential contributions to French cinema. He gained early recognition by winning a prize at the Cannes amateur film festival when he was just 13 years old. Throughout his career, he has produced numerous films and shorts, establishing himself as a significant figure in the …
- Nov. 4 Loretta Swit
Renowned American actress best known for her iconic role as Major Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan in the groundbreaking TV series M*A*S*H. She won two Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actress in 1979 and 1981, solidifying her status as a television legend.
- Nov. 11 Stephen Lewis
Prominent Canadian diplomat and politician who served as the 14th Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, known for his significant international advocacy work.
- Nov. 17 Peter Cook
Legendary British comedian and satirist who revolutionized comedy in the 1960s. He was a key figure in the 'Beyond the Fringe' comedy troupe and formed a famous comedy partnership with Dudley Moore. Cook is widely regarded as one of the most influential comedians of the 20th century. [bio]
- Nov. 21 Marlo Thomas
Marlo Thomas is an acclaimed American actress, feminist activist, and producer best known for her groundbreaking sitcom 'That Girl' and her influential work in women's rights advocacy.
- Nov. 21 Ingrid Pitt
Polish-born British actress renowned for her roles in horror films, particularly in Hammer Horror productions during the 1960s and 1970s.
- Nov. 30 Ridley Scott
Acclaimed English film director and producer known for groundbreaking sci-fi and drama films like Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, and Thelma & Louise, who significantly influenced modern cinema.
- Dec. 8 James MacArthur
American actor best known for his role as Danny Williams in the original Hawaii Five-O television series, which ran from 1968 to 1980. He was the adopted son of actress Helen Hayes and had a successful acting career in film and television.
- Dec. 21 Jane Fonda
Iconic American actress, activist, and cultural icon who has reinvented herself multiple times throughout her career, spanning film, fitness, political activism, and philanthropy. [bio]
- Dec. 31 Anthony Hopkins
Legendary Welsh actor, Oscar winner, and one of the most acclaimed performers of his generation, known for iconic roles in films like 'The Silence of the Lambs' and 'Hannibal'. [bio]
What happened in 1937?
Discover what the world looked like in 1937: