Famous people and celebrities born in January 1938
Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in January 1938! 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.
- 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. 1 Gus Trikonis
Versatile American performer who worked as an actor, singer, and dancer, transitioning to directing in 1975. He appeared in notable films like 'West Side Story' and 'Unsinkable Molly Brown'.
- Jan. 1 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'.
- Jan. 1 Eugene Kleiner
Pioneering venture capitalist who co-founded Kleiner Perkins, a legendary Silicon Valley investment firm that played a crucial role in funding many groundbreaking technology companies.
- Jan. 1 Marien Ngouabi
Congolese political leader who served as President of the Republic of the Congo from 1969 to 1977, playing a significant role in the country's post-colonial political landscape.
- Jan. 2 Ian Brady
Infamous Scottish serial killer who, along with Myra Hindley, committed horrific child murders in the 1960s, known as the Moors Murderers. Their sadistic crimes shocked the United Kingdom and became a symbol of pure evil.
- Jan. 2 Robert Smithson
Influential American artist and pioneer of the Land Art movement, known for groundbreaking works like 'Spiral Jetty'. His innovative approach to art and landscape tragically ended with his untimely death in a plane crash.
- Jan. 5 Juan Carlos I
DUPLICATE of Juan Carlos I of Spain entry
- Jan. 5 Juan Carlos I of Spain
Juan Carlos I was the King of Spain from 1975 to 2014, playing a crucial role in Spain's transition from dictatorship to democracy. He was instrumental in preventing a military coup in 1981 and promoting democratic reforms.
- 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. 7 Roland Topor
Roland Topor was a renowned French-Polish Jewish artist, writer, and multidisciplinary creative who significantly influenced avant-garde culture through his surreal cartoons, literature, and multimedia works.
- Jan. 8 Bob Eubanks
Bob Eubanks is a renowned American television host best known for hosting 'The Newlywed Game'. He began his career as a popular disc jockey in California, working at KRLA radio in Los Angeles during the 1960s, before becoming a successful television personality.
- Jan. 10 Donald Knuth
Computer scientist and mathematician famous for 'The Art of Computer Programming' and creating TeX typesetting system. Stanford University professor emeritus.
- Jan. 11 Fischer Black
Renowned American economist who co-developed the Black-Scholes model, a fundamental theory in financial economics for pricing derivatives and options.
- Jan. 11 Arthur Scargill
Prominent British labor union leader who played a pivotal role in the UK miners' strike of 1984-1985, representing the National Union of Mineworkers during a critical period of industrial conflict.
- Jan. 13 Billy Gray
American actor best known for his role in 'Father Knows Best', also a competitive motorcycle racer and inventor.
- Jan. 14 Allen Toussaint
Legendary American singer-songwriter, pianist, and record producer who significantly influenced New Orleans R&B and rock music. He was a pivotal figure in the development of popular music in the 20th century.
- Jan. 15 Chuni Goswami
Legendary Indian footballer and cricketer who was a prominent multi-sport athlete in mid-20th century India, known for his exceptional skills in both football and cricket.
- Jan. 17 John Bellairs
American fantasy and gothic mystery novelist known for works like 'The Chessmen of Doom'.
- Jan. 17 Percy Qoboza
Prominent South African journalist who fought against apartheid and was a significant voice in challenging racial oppression.
- Jan. 18 Curt Flood
Pioneering Major League Baseball player who challenged the reserve clause, significantly impacting players' rights and free agency in professional sports.
- Jan. 19 Phil Everly in Brownie
Famous rock and roll singer from Kentucky, member of the legendary Everly Brothers duo known for hits like 'Wake Up Little Susie'.
- 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. 22 Peter Beard
Renowned photographer and author known for his striking wildlife and African landscape photography, particularly documenting wildlife conservation efforts.
- Jan. 24 Julius Hemphill
Influential American jazz saxophonist and composer known for his innovative work in avant-garde and free jazz. He was a key member of the Black Artists Group and co-founder of the World Saxophone Quartet.
- 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.
- Jan. 25 Vladimir Vysotsky
Iconic Soviet artist who was a multifaceted talent: actor, singer, poet, and cultural phenomenon. His unique artistic style and socially critical lyrics made him a beloved figure in Russian culture, transcending official Soviet narratives.
- Jan. 25 Shotaro Ishinomori
Pioneering Japanese manga artist and creator who significantly influenced the tokusatsu and superhero genres. He created iconic series like Kamen Rider and Super Sentai, which became global pop culture phenomena.
- Jan. 28 Tomas Lindahl
Nobel Prize-winning Swedish-English biologist known for groundbreaking research in DNA repair mechanisms. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2015 for his fundamental work in understanding how cells repair damaged DNA.
- Jan. 31 Beatrix
Queen of the Netherlands from 1980 to 2013, daughter of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard, who was well-educated and earned a law degree from the University of Leiden.