Famous people and celebrities born in October 1940

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in October 1940! 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.

• Oct. 1 Jean-Luc Bideau

  Jean-Luc Bideau is a prominent Swiss actor with a significant career in cinema, having made his film debut in 1965 and established himself as a notable performer in French-language films.

• Oct. 3 Jean Ratelle NHL center (New York Rangers

  NHL center who played for the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins, a key player in professional ice hockey.

• Oct. 3 Jean Ratelle

  Renowned Canadian ice hockey player and coach who had a distinguished career in the National Hockey League, particularly with the New York Rangers.

• Oct. 3 Rolando Rigoli

  Italian Olympic fencer who won a gold medal at the 1972 Monaco Olympics, representing Italy in the prestigious international sporting event.

• Oct. 6 John Warnock

  Co-founder of Adobe Systems, pioneering computer scientist who revolutionized desktop publishing and digital typography.

• 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 … [bio]

• Oct. 11 Christoph Blocher

  Prominent Swiss politician and industrialist who served in the Swiss Federal Council from 2004 to 2007, known for his conservative political stance and significant influence in Swiss politics.

• Oct. 13 Pharoah Sanders

  Legendary jazz saxophonist known for his avant-garde and spiritual jazz performances, who significantly influenced free jazz and collaborated with John Coltrane.

• Oct. 14 Cliff Richard

  Legendary British pop singer and musician with an extraordinary global career spanning decades. He is one of the UK's most successful recording artists, known for his versatile musical style and enduring popularity. Richard has significantly influenced British popular music and entertainment.

• Oct. 15 Peter C. Doherty

  Peter C. Doherty is an Australian immunologist and Nobel Prize laureate who made groundbreaking contributions to understanding the immune system's functioning.

• Oct. 16 Dave DeBusschere

  Legendary NBA player who played for the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks, known for his exceptional skills as a forward and later as a coach.

• 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. 18 Cynthia Weil

  Renowned American songwriter who co-wrote numerous hit songs with her husband Barry Mann. She was a key figure in the Brill Building pop music scene of the 1960s.

• 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. [bio]

• Oct. 20 André Santini

  French politician who served as mayor of Issy-les-Moulineaux in the Hauts-de-Seine department, known for his significant local political career.

• Oct. 21 Natalia Makarova

  Renowned Russian-born prima ballerina who achieved international acclaim through her exceptional performances with the Kirov Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.

• Oct. 21 Geoffrey Boycott

  Legendary English cricketer renowned for his exceptional batting technique and prolific run-scoring, considered one of the most technically proficient batsmen of his era.

• Oct. 21 Manfred Mann

  South African-English keyboard player known for his work with multiple musical groups including Manfred Mann, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, and Manfred Mann Chapter Three.

• Oct. 21 Frankie FitzGerald

  Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist and author known for her influential book 'Fire in the Lake', which significantly impacted public perception of the Vietnam War.

• 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'.

• Oct. 24 F Murray Abraham

  Oscar-winning actor known for his iconic role in 'Amadeus' and performances in numerous films and television series.

• Oct. 24 David Sainsbury

  Baron Sainsbury of Turville, prominent British businessman, politician, and academic with significant contributions to science and technology policy.

• Oct. 24 Jean-Pierre Genet

  French professional cyclist who competed in 13 Tour de France editions, winning three stages and wearing the yellow jersey in 1968.

• Oct. 25 Bobby Knight

  Legendary basketball coach who led Indiana University's basketball program to three NCAA championships and is known for his intense coaching style and remarkable success in college basketball.

• Oct. 27 John Gotti

  Notorious American mafia boss of the Gambino crime family, known as the 'Teflon Don' for his repeated courtroom acquittals. He was a charismatic and flamboyant criminal who dominated New York's organized crime scene in the 1980s.

• Oct. 27 Maxine Hong Kingston

  Acclaimed Chinese-American author and scholar who has significantly contributed to Asian-American literature. Her seminal works like 'The Woman Warrior' explore themes of cultural identity, immigration, and female experience.

• Oct. 29 Connie Mack

  Legendary American baseball player and manager who was a key figure in early 20th-century baseball history.

• Oct. 29 Frida Boccara

  French singer of Italian descent known for her successful music career in the mid-20th century.

• Oct. 31 Pierre-André Wiltzer

  French politician who was a prominent member of the Union for French Democracy and later the Union for a Popular Movement, serving in various governmental roles during the late 20th century.