Famous people and celebrities born in 1940

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1940. 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 1940 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 14 Julian Bond
Prominent civil rights leader and politician who served in the Georgia state legislature and as chairman of the NAACP, working to revitalize the organization and advance social justice.
Jan. 22 John Hurt
Acclaimed British actor known for transformative roles in 'The Naked Civil Servant', 'The Elephant Man', and 'Alien'. He was a versatile performer who earned an Oscar nomination and significantly impacted cinema and television.
Jan. 27 James Cromwell
James Cromwell is an acclaimed American actor known for his memorable roles in critically acclaimed films like 'Babe' and 'L.A. Confidential', with a career spanning several decades.
Jan. 28 Carlos Slim
Carlos Slim is a prominent Mexican business magnate and philanthropist who built a vast business empire across multiple industries in Latin America, becoming one of the wealthiest individuals globally. He has significant investments in telecommunications, technology, retail, and finance sectors. His company Grupo Carso and ownership of América Móvil have been key to his economic success. [bio]
Jan. 29 Katharine Ross
Katharine Ross is an acclaimed American actress who rose to prominence in the late 1960s, starring in landmark films like 'The Graduate' and 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'. She was a key figure in the New Hollywood era of cinema, known for her natural beauty and compelling performances.
Feb. 2 David Jason
Beloved British comedy actor known for iconic TV roles in 'Open All Hours' and 'Only Fools and Horses', who received a lifetime achievement award in 1996 for his contributions to television comedy.
Feb. 6 Tom Brokaw
Renowned American broadcast journalist who anchored NBC Nightly News and Today Show, becoming one of the most respected news figures of his generation.
Feb. 17 Vicente Fernández
Vicente Fernández was a legendary Mexican ranchera singer, actor, and businessman known as 'El Rey de la Música Mexicana' (The King of Mexican Music). He was a cultural icon who significantly influenced Latin American music and entertainment for decades. [bio]
Feb. 19 Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson is a legendary Motown singer, songwriter, and record producer who founded the vocal group The Miracles and had a successful solo career, significantly influencing American popular music. [bio]
Feb. 23 Peter Fonda
Iconic American actor, filmmaker, and counterculture figure best known for his role in 'Easy Rider'. He was a key member of the Fonda acting dynasty and an influential figure in 1960s cinema.
Feb. 28 Mario Andretti
Legendary Italian-American racing driver who became one of the most successful and versatile drivers in motorsport history, winning races in Formula One, IndyCar, and NASCAR. [bio]
March 9 Raul Julia
Raul Julia was a renowned Puerto Rican actor who gained international fame for his versatile performances in film and theater, particularly memorable in 'The Addams Family' and the critically acclaimed 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'. [bio]
March 10 Chuck Norris
Legendary martial artist and actor known for his tough-guy roles in action movies like 'Walker, Texas Ranger' and 'Missing in Action'. He popularized martial arts in American cinema and became a global pop culture icon. [bio]
March 21 Solomon Burke
Legendary soul and R&B singer who significantly influenced American music, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 for his groundbreaking contributions to soul music.
March 26 James Caan
Iconic American actor known for his memorable roles in classic films like 'The Godfather', 'Rollerball', and 'Misery'. He was a versatile performer who significantly influenced Hollywood cinema during the 1970s and 1980s.
April 6 Pedro Armendáriz
Renowned Mexican-American actor and film producer known for his significant contributions to Latin American cinema in the mid-20th century.
April 12 Herbie Hancock
Legendary jazz pianist and composer who revolutionized jazz fusion and electronic music. He won multiple Grammy Awards and an Oscar for his groundbreaking film soundtrack. Hancock is considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
April 15 Jeffrey Archer
British politician and bestselling novelist who served in Parliament and wrote internationally acclaimed books like 'Kane and Abel', selling over 30 million copies worldwide.
April 20 James Gammon
Renowned American character actor known for roles in films like 'Major League' and television series such as 'Deadwood'. He had a distinctive gravelly voice and appeared in numerous westerns and dramatic productions.
April 24 Sue Grafton
Renowned American mystery novelist who created the innovative 'Alphabet Series' of detective novels featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone. Her unique alphabetical mystery books became a landmark in contemporary crime fiction, selling over 7.5 million copies and translated into 24 languages.
April 25 Al Pacino
Legendary American actor known for iconic roles in films like 'The Godfather', 'Scarface', and 'Scent of a Woman'. He is one of the most celebrated actors of his generation, with eight Academy Award nominations and one win. Despite playing intense characters, he is known for being a private and introspective individual. [bio]
April 30 Burt Young
American actor and painter best known for his iconic role as Paulie Pennino in the Rocky film series, who was also a talented visual artist.
May 8 Ricky Nelson
Iconic American rock and roll singer, actor, and musician who rose to fame through the TV show 'The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet' and later became a successful rock musician.
May 10 Wayne Dyer
American motivational speaker and author of self-help. his 1976 book, your erroneous areas (1976), was sold in an estimated 35,000,000 copies. it is one the most popular books ever. he was married three more times and had eight kids.
May 17 Adel Imam
Adel Imam is a renowned Egyptian comedian and actor who has been a prominent figure in Middle Eastern cinema and television for decades, known for his satirical comedy and social commentary.
May 26 Levon Helm
Legendary drummer and founding member of The Band, a pioneering rock group known for their influential Americana and roots music. He was a Grammy Award winner and critically acclaimed musician who also appeared in films.
June 1 Rene Auberjonois
Versatile American actor renowned for his distinctive voice and character roles in film, television, and theater, including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Boston Legal.
June 7 Tom Jones
Tom Jones is a legendary Welsh singer known for his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. He rose to international fame in the 1960s and 1970s with hits like 'It's Not Unusual' and 'Delilah'. His career spans decades, making him an iconic figure in popular music.
June 8 Nancy Sinatra
Renowned American singer and daughter of Frank Sinatra, famous for her iconic hit 'These Boots Are Made for Walking'. She had a successful music and film career during the 1960s and 1970s.
June 20 John Mahoney
Renowned English-American actor best known for his role in the TV series 'Frasier' as Martin Crane, a beloved sitcom character. He had a distinguished career in film and theater spanning several decades.
June 22 Abbas Kiarostami
Acclaimed Iranian film director known for his innovative and poetic approach to cinema, particularly in the realm of art house and documentary filmmaking.
June 28 Mohammad Yunus
Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2006, renowned Bangladeshi economist who pioneered microcredit and microfinance, helping millions escape poverty through innovative financial solutions. [bio]
July 7 Ringo Starr
Legendary drummer of The Beatles, known for his distinctive drumming style and charismatic personality. A key member of one of the most influential bands in music history, he also pursued a successful solo career and acted in films.
July 13 Patrick Stewart
Renowned British-American actor famous for his iconic role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. A classically trained Shakespearean actor, he has had a distinguished career in film, television, and theater. Stewart is also known for his roles in X-Men and numerous stage productions. [bio]
July 18 James Brolin
Acclaimed American actor known for his breakthrough role in the TV series 'Marcus Welby, M.D.', where he won an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1970 and a Golden Globe in 1972.
July 18 Joe Torre
Legendary baseball manager who led the New York Yankees to unprecedented success, becoming one of the most respected figures in Major League Baseball history.
July 22 Alex Trebek
Canadian-American game show host who became an iconic television personality as the long-time host of 'Jeopardy!' from 1984 to 2020, beloved by millions of viewers.
Aug. 3 Martin Sheen
Renowned American actor famous for iconic roles in films like 'Apocalypse Now' and TV series 'The West Wing', where he portrayed President Josiah Bartlet. He survived a near-fatal heart attack during the filming of 'Apocalypse Now' and has had a distinguished career spanning several decades.
Sept. 5 Raquel Welch
Iconic Hollywood sex symbol and actress who rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s, known for her stunning beauty and memorable roles in films like 'One Million Years B.C.' and 'Myra Breckenridge'.
Sept. 7 Dario Argento
Renowned Italian film director famous for pioneering the giallo horror genre, known for stylized and graphic horror films like 'Suspiria' and 'Deep Red'.
Oct. 9 John Lennon
British singer, lennon is an icon in popular culture. he became a superstar in the rock 'n roll band, "the beatles", and then went on to a solo career reflecting the turbulent times. the beatles, also known as the "fab four," arrived in america and took the country by storm during the "british invasion." with two million copies of "i …
Oct. 18 Jacques Higelin
Influential French singer-songwriter known for his provocative political views and innovative musical style. He was a significant figure in the French pop and rock scene from the 1970s onwards, challenging musical and social norms.
Oct. 19 Michael Gambon
Renowned Irish-English actor famous for his powerful stage and screen performances, including iconic roles in 'The Singing Detective' and as Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series.
Oct. 24 Martin Campbell
Renowned New Zealand film director known for directing James Bond films 'GoldenEye' and 'Casino Royale', as well as action movies like 'The Mask of Zorro'.
Nov. 4 Marlène Jobert
French actress and film star born in Algeria to a French military father and Jewish mother. She began her stage career in 1963 and appeared in notable films like 'The Thief in Paris' in 1966.
Nov. 15 Sam Waterston
Acclaimed American actor known for his versatile performances in film, television, and stage, including notable roles in 'The Great Gatsby', 'The Killing Fields', and the TV series 'Law & Order'.
Nov. 25 Percy Sledge
Legendary soul singer known for his iconic 1966 hit 'When a Man Loves a Woman', which became a timeless classic of romantic R&B music.
Nov. 27 Bruce Lee
Legendary Chinese-American martial artist and actor who revolutionized action cinema, becoming a global icon of martial arts and cultural representation. His groundbreaking films like 'Enter the Dragon' transformed Hollywood's perception of Asian actors and martial arts movies. [bio]
Dec. 1 Richard Pryor
Groundbreaking African American comedian and actor who revolutionized stand-up comedy with his raw, unfiltered social commentary and groundbreaking humor. He was a pivotal figure in comedy, known for his brutally honest and provocative performances that addressed race, social issues, and personal struggles.