Famous people and celebrities born in 1943

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1943. 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 1943 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 8 Charles Murray
Controversial American political scientist and author known for his influential and often disputed works on social policy, intelligence, and social stratification.
Jan. 10 Jim Croce
Iconic American folk rock singer-songwriter known for hits like 'Time in a Bottle' and 'Bad, Bad Leroy Brown', who tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 30 at the peak of his musical career.
Jan. 14 Holland Taylor
Emmy Award-winning actress known for her versatile roles in television, particularly in sitcoms and dramatic series like 'Two and a Half Men' and 'The Practice'.
Jan. 24 Sharon Tate
Iconic Hollywood actress tragically murdered by the Manson Family in 1969. She was a rising star known for her beauty and promising acting career, married to director Roman Polanski. [bio]
Jan. 25 Tobe Hooper
Tobe Hooper was a renowned American film director, screenwriter, and producer best known for directing the groundbreaking horror film 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre'. He was a significant figure in the horror genre who influenced many subsequent filmmakers.
Feb. 3 Blythe Danner
Acclaimed American actress known for her versatile performances in film, television, and theater, and mother of Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
Feb. 5 Michael Mann
Renowned American filmmaker known for his distinctive visual style and influential work in television and film, creating groundbreaking series like 'Starsky and Hutch' and directing critically acclaimed movies.
Feb. 9 Joe Pesci
Renowned American actor famous for his roles in gangster films and comedies. He started performing at a very young age, showcasing remarkable versatility in entertainment. Pesci is best known for his iconic roles in films like 'Goodfellas' and 'Home Alone'.
Feb. 20 Antonio Inoki
Legendary Japanese professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, and politician who significantly influenced professional wrestling and martial arts in Japan.
Feb. 24 George Harrison
Legendary musician and guitarist of The Beatles, one of the most influential rock bands in history. He was also a successful solo artist and pioneering world music advocate. [bio]
March 8 Lynn Redgrave
Lynn Redgrave was a renowned British-American actress from a famous theatrical family, known for her breakthrough role in 'Georgie Girl' and her versatile performances in film and stage.
March 22 George Benson
George Benson is a Grammy Award-winning jazz and R&B musician renowned for his exceptional guitar playing and smooth vocal performances. He has successfully blended jazz, pop, and soul throughout his illustrious career, creating timeless hits like 'This Masquerade' and 'On Broadway'.
March 25 Paul Michael Glaser
Paul Michael Glaser is an American actor best known for his iconic role as Detective David Starsky in the popular 1970s television series 'Starsky & Hutch', which became a significant part of pop culture.
March 26 Bob Woodward
Renowned American investigative journalist who played a pivotal role in uncovering the Watergate scandal through his groundbreaking reporting and book 'All the President's Men', which exposed the Nixon administration's corruption. [bio]
March 28 Conchata Ferrell
Well-known American actress famous for her roles in TV series like Two and a Half Men and L.A. Law, where she played memorable supporting characters.
March 29 Eric Idle
Eric Idle is a renowned British comedian, actor, and writer, best known as a key member of the legendary comedy troupe Monty Python. He was instrumental in creating some of the most iconic comedy sketches and films of the 20th century. Idle was particularly notable for his unique writing and performing style within the group.
March 31 Christopher Walken
Iconic American actor known for his distinctive acting style and memorable performances in films like The Deer Hunter and Pulp Fiction. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and has appeared in over 100 films and TV shows.
April 20 Edie Sedgwick
Iconic Andy Warhol superstar and underground fashion icon of the 1960s, known for her striking appearance and tumultuous lifestyle. She was a central figure in Warhol's Factory scene and appeared in multiple avant-garde films. Her tragic life was marked by substance abuse and early death at age 28.
April 23 Hervé Villechaize
French-American actor best known for his role as Tattoo in the popular TV series 'Fantasy Island' alongside Ricardo Montalbán. He was a distinctive performer who became a pop culture icon in the 1970s and early 1980s.
April 28 Jacques Dutronc
Renowned French singer, songwriter, and guitarist who was a significant figure in French pop music during the 1960s and 1970s. He is known for his distinctive musical style and long-term relationship with singer Françoise Hardy.
May 5 Michael Palin
British comedian, actor, and writer best known as a member of the legendary Monty Python comedy group. He co-created groundbreaking comedy series and later became a renowned travel documentarian. [bio]
May 25 Leslie Uggams
Acclaimed African American singer and actress with a remarkable career spanning decades, known for her Tony Award-winning performance in 'Hallelujah, Baby!' and significant contributions to theater and television.
May 27 Cilla Black
Iconic British singer and television presenter who rose to fame in the 1960s. She was closely associated with the Beatles and Liverpool music scene, becoming a popular entertainer with numerous hit songs and successful TV shows.
May 31 Joe Namath
Legendary NFL quarterback who famously guaranteed and won Super Bowl III with the New York Jets, revolutionizing the sport and becoming a cultural icon of 1960s football.
June 13 Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell is a renowned English actor famous for his groundbreaking performance as Alex DeLarge in Stanley Kubrick's controversial film 'A Clockwork Orange'. He is considered an iconic figure in cinema, particularly in avant-garde and counterculture films of the 1970s.
June 15 Johnny Hallyday
Legendary French rock singer known as the 'French Elvis', who dominated the music scene with over 30 albums and iconic hits like 'Let's Twist Again'. He was renowned for his ability to adapt American and British rock songs for the French market.
June 17 Newt Gingrich
Prominent American politician who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, known for his confrontational political style and significant role in Republican Party leadership during the 1990s. [bio]
June 18 Raffaella Carrà
Raffaella Carrà was a legendary Italian television presenter, singer, and dancer who revolutionized Italian entertainment with her charismatic performances and iconic style, becoming a cultural symbol of the 1970s and 1980s.
July 4 Kurtwood Smith
Kurtwood Smith is an acclaimed American actor known for memorable roles in 'RoboCop' and the popular sitcom 'That '70s Show'.
July 21 Edward Herrmann
Renowned American actor known for roles in 'Gilmore Girls' and numerous films, with a distinguished career spanning television and cinema.
July 26 Mick Jagger
Legendary rock musician and lead singer of The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger is an iconic figure in music history who has significantly influenced rock and pop culture. He is renowned for his distinctive voice, energetic performances, and extensive musical career spanning over six decades. Jagger has also been a notable actor and cultural influencer.
July 28 Bill Bradley
Bill Bradley was an accomplished American politician and former NBA basketball player who served as a Democratic Senator from New Jersey. He was a pioneering voice in tax reform, publishing 'The Fair Tax' and bringing the issue to national prominence in the early 1980s.
Aug. 17 Robert De Niro
Legendary American actor, director, and producer known for iconic roles in films like 'Taxi Driver', 'Raging Bull', and 'Goodfellas'. He won two Academy Awards and is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. [bio]
Sept. 3 Valerie Perrine
Acclaimed American actress known for her award-winning performance in 'Lenny' at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival. She began her career as a Las Vegas dancer before transitioning to Hollywood, becoming a notable film and television actress with a distinctive statuesque appearance.
Sept. 23 Julio Iglesias
Julio Iglesias is a legendary Spanish singer known for romantic ballads, holding the Guinness World Record for selling over 100 million albums globally. He released five multilingual albums annually and is considered one of the most successful international music artists of the 20th century.
Oct. 7 Oliver North
Oliver North was a key figure in the Iran-Contra affair, a controversial political scandal during the Reagan administration involving illegal arms sales and covert support for Nicaraguan rebels. He was a Marine lieutenant colonel who became a central figure in a complex political and legal controversy that challenged US foreign policy and constitutional limits.
Oct. 8 Chevy Chase
Iconic American comedian and actor known for his work on Saturday Night Live and classic comedy films like National Lampoon's Vacation series, Caddyshack, and Fletch. He was a pioneering cast member of SNL and helped define comedy in the 1970s and 1980s.
Oct. 22 Catherine Deneuve
Iconic French actress known for her elegant beauty and remarkable film career, nominated for an Academy Award for her role in 'Indochine'. [bio]
Nov. 6 Sam Shepard
Renowned Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, actor, and director who significantly influenced American theater and cinema. He was a key figure in experimental theater and won multiple awards for his groundbreaking plays.
Nov. 12 Wallace Shawn
Renowned American actor, comedian, and playwright best known for iconic roles in 'The Princess Bride' and as Rex in the 'Toy Story' franchise.
Nov. 17 Lauren Hutton
Iconic American model and actress who revolutionized fashion in the 1960s and 1970s, breaking traditional beauty standards with her distinctive gap-toothed smile and influential runway presence.
Nov. 20 Veronica Hamel
Veronica Hamel is an accomplished American actress and producer, best known for her role in the iconic TV series 'Hill Street Blues'. She had a significant career in television during the 1980s and 1990s.
Nov. 26 Bruce Paltrow
Renowned American film and television producer known for his significant contributions to entertainment, including producing the TV series 'St. Elsewhere' and being the father of actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
Dec. 8 Jim Morrison
Legendary rock musician and lead singer of The Doors, known for his poetic lyrics, charismatic performances, and significant impact on 1960s counterculture.
Dec. 11 John Kerry
John Kerry is an American politician and lawyer who served as a long-time Senator from Massachusetts and later as the 68th United States Secretary of State. He was a prominent Democratic presidential candidate in 2004 and played significant roles in foreign relations and Senate investigations. Kerry is known for his extensive political career and diplomatic service.
Dec. 18 Keith Richards
Legendary guitarist and founding member of The Rolling Stones, who alongside Mick Jagger revolutionized rock music in the 1960s. He is known for his distinctive guitar playing and songwriting that helped define the sound of rock and roll.
Dec. 23 Harry Shearer
Renowned comedian, actor, and voice artist famous for his work on Saturday Night Live, This Is Spinal Tap, and The Simpsons. He is a versatile performer known for his satirical writing and radio hosting.
Dec. 25 Hanna Schygulla
Hanna Schygulla is a renowned German actress who was a key figure in the New German Cinema movement, particularly famous for her iconic collaborations with director Rainer Werner Fassbinder during the 1970s.
Dec. 31 Ben Kingsley
Acclaimed English actor renowned for his Oscar-winning portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi and diverse roles in critically acclaimed films like Schindler's List and Sexy Beast.
Dec. 31 John Denver
Iconic American folk singer and songwriter who dominated the music charts in the mid-1970s, known for hits like 'Rocky Mountain High' and 'Take Me Home, Country Roads'.