Famous people and celebrities born in May 1942

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in May 1942! 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.

• May 2 Jacques Rogge

  Belgian surgeon and former Olympic sailor who served as the 8th President of the International Olympic Committee from 2001 to 2013. He was a significant leader in the global sports administration and Olympic movement.

• May 3 Věra Čáslavská

  Legendary Czech gymnast and Olympic champion who was a prominent sports figure, winning multiple Olympic medals and known for her political activism.

• May 4 Nickolas Ashford

  Nickolas Ashford was a renowned American R&B songwriter and performer, famous for forming the iconic musical duo Ashford & Simpson with his wife Valerie Simpson. They wrote numerous hit songs for Motown artists and had successful careers as recording artists themselves.

• May 6 Tammy Wynette

  Legendary country music singer known as the 'First Lady of Country Music', famous for hits like 'Stand by Your Man'.

• May 6 Ariel Dorfman

  Prominent Chilean-American writer, playwright, and human rights activist known for powerful works exploring political oppression and social justice.

• May 8 Benoît Dauga

  Benoît Dauga was a legendary French rugby union player who played as a flanker and was a key figure in the French national team during the 1960s and early 1970s.

• May 8 Norman Lamont

  Norman Lamont is a British Conservative politician who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1990 to 1993 during John Major's government.

• May 9 Tommy Roe

  Tommy Roe is an American pop rock singer-songwriter known for his hit songs in the 1960s, including 'Sheila' and 'Dizzy'.

• May 9 John Ashcroft

  John Ashcroft served as the United States Attorney General under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005, known for his conservative political stance and controversial policies.

• May 10 Jim Calhoun

  Legendary American basketball coach known for his successful tenure at the University of Connecticut, where he led the team to three NCAA national championships.

• May 10 Pascal Lainé

  French novelist and philosopher who has published over twenty novels and written extensively for various media including television, theater, and film. He is an administrator at the Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers (SACD).

• May 11 Pam Clement

  British actress renowned for her iconic role as Pat Butcher in the long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders, where she was a prominent cast member from 1986 to 2012.

• May 12 Ian Dury

  Influential British punk and new wave musician, lead singer of the Blockheads, known for his unique musical style and witty lyrics.

• May 15 Akira Tonomura

  Renowned Japanese physicist who made groundbreaking contributions to electron microscopy and quantum mechanics, significantly advancing scientific understanding.

• May 17 Taj Mahal (musician)

  Grammy Award-winning blues musician renowned for his distinctive voice and exceptional instrumental skills, blending traditional blues with world music influences.

• May 18 Nobby Stiles

  Legendary English footballer who was a key member of Manchester United's European Cup-winning team and England's 1966 World Cup squad, known for his tenacious defensive play.

• May 18 Taj Mahal

  Influential blues musician and Grammy Award winner known for blending traditional blues with world music styles.

• May 19 Gary Kildall

  Pioneering computer scientist who founded Digital Research Inc. and created CP/M, an influential early operating system that predated MS-DOS.

• May 20 Carlos Hathcock

  Legendary United States Marine Corps sniper, known for his exceptional marksmanship during the Vietnam War and his significant influence on military sniping techniques.

• May 20 Raymond Chrétien

  Prominent Canadian diplomat who served as ambassador to the United States, contributing significantly to Canada-US bilateral relations.

• May 21 David Hunt

  Baron Hunt of Wirral, prominent English politician who served as Secretary of State for Wales during his political career.

• May 22 Barbara Parkins

  Canadian actress known for her roles in 'Peyton Place' and the psychological thriller 'Asylum', a prominent television and film actress of the 1960s and 1970s.

• May 22 Ted Kaczynski

  Infamous American domestic terrorist known as the Unabomber, who conducted a nationwide bombing campaign between 1978 and 1995, ultimately arrested in 1996.

• May 26 Levon Helm

  Legendary drummer and vocalist of the iconic rock group The Band, known for his distinctive voice and pivotal role in American roots music. He was a key member of the influential group that backed Bob Dylan and created groundbreaking albums like 'Music from Big Pink'. Helm was also an accomplished actor, appearing in films like 'The Right Stuff'.

• May 28 Stanley B. Prusiner

  American neurologist and biochemist who won the Nobel Prize for discovering prions, infectious protein agents that cause neurodegenerative diseases like mad cow disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

• May 29 Kevin Conway

  Renowned American actor and film director known for his distinctive character roles in film and television. He appeared in numerous notable productions and was respected in the entertainment industry.