Famous people and celebrities born in 1938

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1938. 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 1938 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 1 Frank Langella
Acclaimed American actor with a distinguished theater and film career, known for memorable roles in 'Dracula' and numerous Broadway productions. He has performed in over 70 plays and received critical acclaim for his versatile acting skills.
Jan. 6 Adriano Celentano
Iconic Italian singer-songwriter, actor, and director who revolutionized Italian pop culture and entertainment since the 1960s, known for his unique musical style and comedic performances.
Jan. 21 Wolfman Jack
Legendary radio disc jockey known for his distinctive gravelly voice and influential role in rock and roll radio broadcasting, famously featured in the film 'American Graffiti'.
Jan. 25 Etta James
Legendary American blues and soul singer renowned for her powerful, emotionally charged voice and iconic hits like 'At Last' and 'I'd Rather Go Blind'. She significantly influenced rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and soul music genres.
Feb. 1 Sherman Hemsley
Sherman Hemsley was a prominent African American actor famous for his iconic role as George Jefferson in the groundbreaking sitcoms 'All in the Family' and 'The Jeffersons', which challenged racial stereotypes in 1970s television.
Feb. 12 Judy Blume
Renowned American children's and young adult novelist who revolutionized adolescent literature by addressing sensitive topics like puberty, sexuality, and personal growth with honesty and compassion.
Feb. 13 Oliver Reed
Iconic British actor known for his powerful screen presence and memorable roles in classic films like 'The Three Musketeers' and 'Women in Love'. He was a prominent figure in British cinema during the 1960s and 1970s, frequently collaborating with director Ken Russell.
Feb. 23 Diane Varsi
Diane Varsi was a talented American actress nominated for an Oscar in 1957 for her breakthrough role in 'Peyton Place'. Despite early promise, she deliberately chose to step away from Hollywood's spotlight, making her a unique figure in cinema history.
Feb. 25 Diane Baker
Diane Baker is an accomplished American actress who was a prominent talent at Twentieth Century Fox during the late 1950s and 1960s. She appeared in numerous films and television productions, bringing sophistication and elegance to her roles. Baker was known for her versatile acting skills and striking screen presence.
Feb. 27 Pascale Petit
French actress known for her marriage to actor Giani Esposito and being the mother of Douchka. She was fascinated by astrology and believed in selecting precise birth moments for her child.
March 4 Paula Prentiss
Renowned American actress known for her comedic roles in Hollywood films during the 1960s and 1970s. She was a versatile performer who experienced a significant health challenge during her career when hospitalized for nine months after a heart attack.
March 25 Hoyt Axton
Hoyt Axton was a renowned American singer-songwriter, actor, and musician known for his contributions to country music and film. He wrote several hit songs and appeared in notable movies, leaving a significant mark on American popular culture.
April 1 Ali MacGraw
Ali MacGraw is an iconic American actress and model who rose to international fame with her breakthrough role in the romantic drama 'Love Story' (1970), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award and became a major Hollywood star of the 1970s.
April 15 Claudia Cardinale
Renowned Italian actress who starred in over 100 movies during a forty-year career, including iconic films like 'The Leopard' and 'Il Bell'Antonio'. She began as an extra in 1957 and became an internationally recognized cinema star.
April 28 Madge Sinclair
Jamaican-born actress known for her roles in television and film, including the TV series 'Roots' where she played Kunta Kinte's mother.
April 30 Gary Collins
American television host and actor who won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1984 for hosting 'Hour Magazine'. He had a varied career in television and film, appearing in movies like 'Airport' and hosting several TV series.
May 10 Marina Vlady
Renowned French actress and international star who won the Cannes Award for Best Actress for her role in 'The Conjugal Bed'. She began her film career at age 10 after ballet training, becoming a prominent figure in European cinema.
May 12 Millie Perkins
American actress best known for her powerful portrayal of Anne Frank in the 1959 film adaptation of the famous Holocaust diary.
May 22 Susan Strasberg
Renowned actress and daughter of acting teacher Lee Strasberg, she made her film debut in 1954 and famously portrayed Anne Frank on stage. Her early career was marked by significant theatrical and film performances.
May 22 Richard Benjamin
American actor and director known for his comedic roles and dark humor, who rose to prominence in the late 1960s and 1970s. He was married to actress Paula Prentiss and directed several notable films.
May 23 Johnny Ball
Johnny Ball is a popular English television presenter known for educational children's programming and making science and mathematics entertaining for young audiences.
May 24 Tommy Chong
Iconic comedian and actor famous for the groundbreaking comedy duo 'Cheech & Chong', known for their counterculture humor and marijuana-themed comedy routines.
June 16 Joyce Carol Oates
New york, united states -- novelist. (garden of earthly delights).
June 21 Ron Ely
Iconic American actor famous for playing Tarzan on television from 1966-1969, known for performing his own dangerous stunts and being incredibly athletic. He was a 6'5" performer who wrestled animals and did his own vine-swinging scenes, becoming one of television's most physically committed actors.
July 4 Bill Withers
Legendary soul and R&B singer known for iconic hits like 'Lean on Me' and 'Ain't No Sunshine'. A Grammy Award-winning artist who significantly influenced popular music in the 1970s.
July 9 Sanjeev Kumar
Sanjeev Kumar was a legendary Bollywood actor renowned for his exceptional versatility and memorable performances in classic Hindi cinema, particularly in iconic films like Sholay and Angoor.
July 9 Brian Dennehy
Brian Dennehy was a prominent American actor known for his powerful performances in film, television, and theater, with notable roles in movies like First Blood and Tommy Boy.
July 18 Paul Verhoeven
Renowned Dutch film director known for iconic sci-fi and action films like RoboCop and Total Recall, with a distinctive provocative and satirical style.
July 20 Natalie Wood
Iconic Hollywood actress who successfully transitioned from child to teenage roles, born to Russian immigrant parents. She became famous for her performances in films like 'Rebel Without a Cause' and was a prominent star of the 1950s and 1960s.
July 22 Terence Stamp
Renowned British actor known for his compelling performances in film, winning Best Actor at Cannes in 1965 and starring in iconic movies like 'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' and 'The Limey'.
July 23 Ronny Cox
American actor known for roles in television series like St. Elsewhere and films, with a notable career in entertainment.
July 29 Peter Jennings
Renowned Canadian-American journalist who anchored ABC World News Tonight, winning 16 Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award for his exceptional reporting and global millennium coverage.
Aug. 8 Connie Stevens
Prominent American actress and singer known for her roles in television shows like Hawaiian Eye and films during the 1960s and 1970s. She was also a successful businesswoman in the entertainment industry.
Aug. 21 Kenny Rogers
Legendary country-western singer and entertainer who rose from humble beginnings in Houston to become a music icon. Known for his distinctive voice and crossover hits, Rogers was a major star in country and pop music with numerous successful albums and films.
Aug. 25 Frederick Forsyth
Renowned British thriller novelist famous for international bestsellers like 'The Day of the Jackal' and 'The Odessa File', known for meticulously researched and gripping espionage narratives.
Aug. 29 Elliott Gould
Versatile American actor known for his distinctive roles in film and television, particularly in the 1970s. He gained prominence in movies like 'M*A*S*H' and 'Bob, Carol, Ted & Alice', showcasing his unique comedic and dramatic talents.
Sept. 1 Alan Dershowitz
Renowned American lawyer, legal scholar, and author known for high-profile cases and influential legal writings. He gained international recognition for successfully defending Claus von Bulow and writing several bestselling books about law and justice.
Sept. 2 Giuliano Gemma
Giuliano Gemma was a prominent Italian actor famous for his iconic roles in Spaghetti Western films during the 1960s and 1970s. He was particularly known for his performances in classic Western movies like 'A Pistol for Ringo' and 'Day of Anger'.
Sept. 17 Paul Benedict
Paul Benedict was an accomplished American character actor known for his distinctive comedic roles, particularly as Harry on the popular sitcom 'The Jeffersons'.
Sept. 23 Romy Schneider
Renowned German-French actress who became an international cinema icon, famous for her roles in European films and her complex personal life. She was a major star in both German and French cinema, known for her beauty and emotional depth.
Oct. 17 Evel Knievel
Legendary American motorcycle stuntman who became a cultural icon through his death-defying motorcycle jumps and spectacular performances. He attempted numerous dangerous stunts, including jumping over buses and canyons, and was known for his fearless approach to extreme sports.
Oct. 22 Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Lloyd is an iconic American actor renowned for his memorable roles as Doc Brown in the 'Back to the Future' trilogy and Reverend Jim Ignatowski in the TV series 'Taxi'. He is a versatile performer known for his eccentric and energetic character portrayals.
Oct. 22 Derek Jacobi
Sir Derek Jacobi is a distinguished British actor celebrated for his exceptional performances in theater, film, and television. He is a highly respected classical actor who has received numerous awards and is known for his remarkable range and naturalistic acting style.
Oct. 28 David Dimbleby
Renowned British television presenter and journalist, known for his long and distinguished career in broadcasting and political commentary.
Nov. 13 Jean Seberg
Iconic American actress known for her breakthrough role in 'Saint Joan' and her memorable performance in Jean-Luc Godard's 'Breathless'. She was a significant figure in French New Wave cinema and was targeted by the FBI for her political activism with the Black Panther Party.
Nov. 27 Pasquale Squitieri
Italian film director known for his controversial relationship with actress Claudia Cardinale. He was involved in legal troubles, including imprisonment for shooting photographers and financial fraud.
Dec. 6 Patrick Bauchau
Belgian actor and psychoanalyst known for his roles in Eric Rohmer's 'La Collectionneuse', James Bond film 'A View to a Kill', and the Ray Charles biopic. He has also appeared in 'Universal Soldier' with Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Dec. 12 Connie Francis
Iconic American pop and rock and roll singer known for her powerful voice and hit songs in the 1950s and 1960s, including 'Where the Boys Are' and 'Lipstick on Your Collar'.
Dec. 16 Liv Ullmann
Renowned Norwegian actress and film director, famous for her collaborations with Ingmar Bergman and her powerful dramatic performances in international cinema. She was a leading figure in European art films during the 1960s and 1970s.
Dec. 29 Jon Voight
Acclaimed American actor known for Oscar-nominated performances in 'Deliverance' and 'Midnight Cowboy', winning an Academy Award for 'Coming Home' in 1978. He has appeared in notable films like 'Heat', 'Mission Impossible', and 'Anaconda'.