Famous people and celebrities born in 1945

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1945. 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 1945 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 10 Rod Stewart
Legendary British rock and pop singer who rose to fame in the 1970s, known for his distinctive raspy voice and hits like 'Maggie May' and 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?'. He was a key member of bands like Faces and has had a successful solo career spanning decades.
Jan. 11 Christine Kaufmann
Acclaimed German-Austrian actress who won the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year in 1961, becoming the first German performer to receive this honor. She was a prominent film actress in European cinema during the 1960s and 1970s.
Jan. 21 Martin Shaw
Renowned British actor famous for starring in the popular TV series 'The Professionals' and for his notable theater work, including playing Hamlet in America during 1969-1970.
Jan. 29 Tom Selleck
Iconic American actor best known for his starring role in 'Magnum P.I.' from 1980-1988. He won an Emmy Award and was named People Magazine's 'Sexiest Man' in 1987, becoming a major television and cultural icon.
Feb. 6 Bob Marley
Legendary Jamaican reggae musician who revolutionized global music through his iconic band The Wailers and solo career. He was a pivotal figure in spreading reggae music worldwide and using music as a platform for social and political messages. His album 'Exodus' is considered one of the most important albums of the 20th century. [bio]
Feb. 7 Pete Postlethwaite
Pete Postlethwaite was a renowned British character actor known for powerful performances in films like 'The Usual Suspects', 'Inception', and 'In the Name of the Father'. He was critically acclaimed for his versatile and intense acting style.
Feb. 9 Mia Farrow
Renowned American actress from a famous Hollywood family, known for her significant roles in film and her personal life. She overcame childhood polio and experienced early family tragedies that profoundly influenced her life journey.
Feb. 12 Maud Adams
Swedish actress and model known for her iconic role in the James Bond film 'Octopussy', where she was the first actress to appear in two Bond films.
Feb. 16 Jeremy Bulloch
English actor best known for portraying Boba Fett in the Star Wars original trilogy and for his roles in various British television series.
Feb. 17 Brenda Fricker
An accomplished Irish actress who won an Academy Award for her powerful performance in 'My Left Foot', portraying the mother of Christy Brown, a painter and writer with cerebral palsy.
Feb. 28 Bubba Smith
Former NFL defensive end for the Baltimore Colts and popular comedic actor best known for his memorable roles in the 'Police Academy' film series, where he played the gentle giant Hightower.
March 1 Dirk Benedict
American actor known for iconic roles in 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'The A-Team', who wrote a compelling memoir about his health journey and macrobiotic lifestyle.
March 24 Curtis Hanson
American film director, screenwriter, and producer known for critically acclaimed movies like 'L.A. Confidential' and 'Wonder Boys'.
March 31 Eric Clapton
Legendary British rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. [bio]
March 31 Gabe Kaplan
American comedian and actor best known for starring in the popular TV sitcom 'Welcome Back, Kotter' during the 1970s.
April 2 Linda Hunt
Acclaimed American actress known for her Oscar-winning role in 'The Year of Living Dangerously', where she portrayed a male character. Despite her small stature at 4'9", she has had a remarkable career in film and theater, with notable roles in movies like 'Silverado' and 'Kindergarten Cop'.
April 13 Tony Dow
American actor best known for playing Wally Cleaver in the iconic family sitcom 'Leave It to Beaver', which became a quintessential representation of 1950s American suburban life.
May 6 Bob Seger
Renowned American rock musician from Detroit who formed the Silver Bullet Band and became a significant figure in heartland rock during the 1970s and 1980s. His music career spanned several decades, with notable hits that captured the spirit of working-class America. [bio]
May 18 Alana Stewart
American actress, model, and author known for her marriages to George Hamilton and Rod Stewart. She is the mother of actor Ashley Hamilton and has written several autobiographical books about her life.
May 19 Pete Townshend
Legendary guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of the iconic rock band The Who. He is renowned for creating the groundbreaking rock opera 'Tommy' in 1969, which won multiple Tony Awards and revolutionized rock music. Townshend is considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
May 24 Priscilla Presley
American actress, businesswoman, and former wife of Elvis Presley. She is best known for her roles in the 'Naked Gun' comedy film series and her successful business ventures.
May 25 Dave Lee Travis
Dave Lee Travis is a prominent British radio DJ who was a key figure on BBC Radio 1 during the 1970s and 1980s, and also hosted the popular music show Top of the Pops.
June 2 Richard Long
Renowned British conceptual artist known for his landscape art, walking-based works, and photography that explores the relationship between humans and nature.
June 11 Adrienne Barbeau
Versatile American actress known for her Broadway role in Grease and television role in Maude, who later expanded her career into writing and authoring three books.
June 20 Anne Murray
Renowned Canadian-American country and pop singer who won multiple Grammy and Juno Awards. She is known for her versatile musical style and crossover success, with ten No. 1 songs and multiple platinum albums.
July 6 Burt Ward
Burt Ward is an iconic American actor best known for playing Robin in the classic 1960s Batman television series, which became a pop culture phenomenon and significantly influenced superhero media.
July 21 Lydia Shum
Prominent Hong Kong actress and comedian known for her comedic roles in film and television, who was a beloved entertainment figure in the region.
July 26 Helen Mirren
Acclaimed British actress renowned for her versatile performances, particularly as Detective Jane Tennison and Queen Elizabeth II. She has won numerous prestigious awards including an Academy Award, Emmy, and Golden Globe. Dame Helen Mirren is considered one of the most respected actresses of her generation.
Aug. 2 Joanna Cassidy
American actress known for her roles in 'Blade Runner' and 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit', with a significant career in film and television.
Aug. 5 Loni Anderson
Renowned American actress famous for her roles in 'WKRP in Cincinnati' and other TV shows during the late 1970s and 1980s. She was known for her blonde beauty and comedic acting skills, appearing in both television series and movies.
Aug. 9 Ken Norton
Legendary heavyweight boxing champion who famously defeated Muhammad Ali and later became a television personality on shows like The Gong Show.
Aug. 14 Steve Martin
Renowned American comedian, actor, writer, and musician known for his unique comedic style, philosophical background, and successful career in entertainment. He rose to fame in the 1970s with his stand-up comedy and became a Hollywood star through memorable films and comedy specials.
Aug. 23 Rita Pavone
Rita Pavone is a renowned Italian pop singer and actress who rose to fame in the 1960s, becoming a cultural icon with her vibrant musical style and charismatic performances.
Aug. 31 Itzhak Perlman
World-renowned Israeli-American violinist and conductor, recognized as one of the most celebrated classical musicians of the 20th century. A polio survivor who became a child prodigy, Perlman has performed at prestigious venues worldwide and won numerous Grammy Awards. He is also known for his humanitarian work and music education efforts.
Sept. 17 Phil Jackson
Legendary NBA player and coach who won multiple championships with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, transforming modern basketball coaching strategies.
Sept. 24 Lou Dobbs
Prominent American television news anchor and conservative political commentator known for his work on CNN and Fox Business Network.
Oct. 19 John Lithgow
Versatile American actor known for his exceptional range in comedy and drama, with a distinguished career spanning stage, film, and television. A Harvard graduate and Fulbright scholar, Lithgow has won multiple Emmy Awards and is also an accomplished children's book author.
Oct. 26 Jaclyn Smith
Jaclyn Smith is an iconic American actress and television star, best known for her groundbreaking role as Kelly Garrett in the original 'Charlie's Angels' television series from 1976 to 1981.
Oct. 30 Henry Winkler
Iconic American actor best known for playing Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli in the legendary TV series 'Happy Days', which ran for over a decade and made him a cultural phenomenon. He is a beloved actor, director, producer, and children's book author.
Oct. 31 Brian Doyle-Murray
American comedy screenwriter and actor, known for his work with Saturday Night Live and as a member of the famous comedy Murray family.
Nov. 3 Gerd Müller
Gerd Müller was a legendary German footballer known as 'Der Bomber' for his extraordinary goal-scoring prowess. He scored 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga matches and was crucial to Bayern Munich's and Germany's success in the 1970s. He is considered one of the greatest strikers in football history. [bio]
Nov. 15 Bob Gunton
Renowned American actor famous for portraying authoritative characters, most notably Warden Samuel Norton in the critically acclaimed film 'The Shawshank Redemption'.
Nov. 21 Goldie Hawn
Goldie Hawn is an iconic American actress and comedian who rose to fame on the comedy show 'Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In' and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 'Cactus Flower'. She became a beloved Hollywood star known for her comedic roles and bubbly personality in films like 'Private Benjamin' and 'Butterflies Are Free'.
Nov. 27 James Avery
James Avery was an iconic American actor best known for his memorable role as Uncle Phil on the popular sitcom 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air', starring alongside Will Smith.
Dec. 1 Bette Midler
Bette Midler is a renowned American entertainer who rose to fame in the 1970s as a dynamic singer, actress, and comedian. Known as the 'Divine Miss M', she achieved critical acclaim through her powerful performances in films like 'The Rose' and her Grammy-winning musical career. Her versatility spans music, film, and comedy, making her an iconic figure in entertainment.
Dec. 2 Penelope Spheeris
Renowned American film director known for documentaries like 'The Decline of Western Civilization' and comedy films such as 'Wayne's World'.
Dec. 6 Shekhar Kapur
Renowned Indian film director, known for critically acclaimed movies like 'Elizabeth' and 'Mr. India'. A prominent figure in Bollywood and international cinema.
Dec. 9 Michael Nouri
Michael Nouri is an accomplished American actor known for his roles in television and film, most notably as the lead in 'Flashdance' (1983). He has appeared in Broadway productions and TV series like 'Search for Tomorrow', establishing a notable career in entertainment.
Dec. 30 Davy Jones
Lead singer of The Monkees, a popular 1960s pop rock band known for hit songs like 'I'm a Believer' and their successful TV show.
Dec. 31 Barbara Carrera
Nicaraguan-born model and actress who gained prominence in Hollywood during the 1970s and 1980s, appearing in numerous films and television series.