Famous people and celebrities born in 1947

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1947. 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 1947 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 8 David Bowie
Legendary British rock musician, singer-songwriter, and cultural icon who revolutionized popular music through innovative sound, theatrical performances, and constant reinvention of his artistic persona. [bio]
Jan. 16 Laura Schlessinger
Prominent American radio personality and relationship counselor known for her conservative advice show and multiple bestselling books about family and parenting.
Jan. 18 Takeshi Kitano
Takeshi Kitano is a renowned Japanese filmmaker, actor, comedian, and artist known for his distinctive avant-garde cinema and influential 'Beat Takeshi' persona in Japanese popular culture.
Jan. 24 Michio Kaku
Renowned theoretical physicist, futurist, and popularizer of science. Author of multiple bestselling books exploring advanced physics, parallel universes, and future technologies.
Jan. 26 Patrick Dewaere
Prominent French actor of the 1970s who became famous for his roles in groundbreaking films like 'Going Places' alongside Gerard Depardieu. He was a talented performer who started in improvisational theater and quickly rose to prominence in French cinema.
Feb. 3 Paul Auster
Acclaimed postmodern novelist and filmmaker known for experimental narratives exploring identity, chance, and metafiction. His New York Trilogy revolutionized contemporary literature by blending detective fiction with philosophical inquiry.
Feb. 4 Dan Quayle
Dan Quayle was the 44th Vice President of the United States under George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1993. Known for his controversial public speaking and gaffes, he became a notable figure in American political humor during his tenure.
Feb. 24 Edward James Olmos
Edward James Olmos is a renowned Mexican-American actor, director, and activist known for powerful performances in films like 'Stand and Deliver' and 'Battlestar Galactica', with significant contributions to Latino representation in media.
Feb. 28 Stephanie Beacham
Stephanie Beacham is a prominent English actress known for her iconic roles in 1980s television series 'Dynasty' and 'The Colbys', where she played sophisticated and glamorous characters that made her a notable figure in primetime soap operas.
March 14 Billy Crystal in Long Beach
Legendary American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and film director, known for his iconic roles in comedy films and his hosting of the Academy Awards. [bio]
March 19 Glenn Close
Acclaimed American actress with a distinguished family background, Glenn Close is a multiple award-winning performer known for her versatile roles in film and theater. Born into a prominent New England family, she decided early on to pursue acting and became one of Hollywood's most respected talents.
March 22 James Patterson
James Patterson is a prolific and bestselling American author renowned for his crime and thriller novels, particularly the famous Alex Cross detective series.
April 8 Robert Kiyosaki
Renowned American entrepreneur, author, and financial educator best known for his bestselling book 'Rich Dad Poor Dad'. He founded Cashflow Technologies and is a prominent speaker on financial literacy and investment strategies.
April 16 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
One of the most dominant basketball players in NBA history, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played 20 seasons and is the league's all-time leading scorer. He was known for his signature 'skyhook' shot and won six NBA championships with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. [bio]
April 18 James Woods
Acclaimed American actor known for playing complex, often villainous characters. He received an Academy Award nomination for his role in 'Salvador' and portrayed a racist killer in 'Ghosts of Mississippi'.
April 21 Iggy Pop
Iconic punk rock musician and frontman of The Stooges, known for his revolutionary stage performances and influential music career spanning several decades. He is considered a pioneer of punk rock and has significantly impacted alternative music genres.
May 4 Richard Jenkins
Acclaimed American actor known for versatile roles in films like 'The Shape of Water' and 'Spotlight', with multiple award nominations.
June 2 Ronnie Wood
Legendary guitarist of The Rolling Stones, known for his exceptional musical talent and long-standing contribution to rock music. [bio]
June 5 Laurie Anderson
Pioneering avant-garde artist known for her innovative multimedia performances, experimental music, and significant contributions to contemporary art and music.
June 6 Robert Englund
Iconic horror actor best known for playing Freddy Krueger in the 'Nightmare on Elm Street' franchise. He transformed from a character actor to a pop culture legend through his memorable horror role. He also made his directorial debut in 1988.
June 18 Bernard Giraudeau
Versatile French artist who transitioned from naval engineering to a successful career in acting, writing, and directing. He was known for his work in film, literature, and as the French narrator of Harry Potter audiobooks.
June 19 Salman Rushdie
Renowned British-Indian novelist who became internationally famous after the controversial publication of 'The Satanic Verses', which led to a fatwa calling for his assassination by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989. He survived multiple assassination attempts and became a global symbol of free speech and literary resistance.
June 25 Jimmie Walker
American comedian and actor best known for his role as J.J. Evans in the popular 1970s sitcom 'Good Times', famous for his catchphrase 'Dy-no-mite!'
July 2 Larry David
Renowned comedian, writer, and creator of the iconic sitcom Seinfeld and the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm. A pioneering figure in comedy known for his unique observational and self-deprecating humor.
July 3 Betty Buckley
Acclaimed Broadway actress and singer best known for her Tony Award-winning performance as Grizabella in 'Cats', whose powerful rendition of 'Memory' made her a legendary musical theatre performer.
July 19 Brian May
A renowned British musician, astrophysicist, and lead guitarist of the legendary rock band Queen. He is known for his distinctive guitar playing and significant contributions to music and science. [bio]
July 30 Arnold Schwarzenegger
Iconic Austrian-American bodybuilder, actor, and politician who became a global superstar. He transformed from a champion bodybuilder to a Hollywood action hero and later served as Governor of California from 2003 to 2011. His remarkable life journey includes success in multiple fields, from fitness to entertainment and public service. [bio]
Aug. 14 Danielle Steel
Prolific American novelist renowned for her romance novels, she is one of the best-selling authors globally with over 800 million books sold worldwide.
Aug. 22 Cindy Williams
Iconic American actress famous for her role as Shirley Feeney in the beloved sitcom 'Laverne & Shirley', which ran from 1976 to 1983. She was a key figure in 1970s and 1980s television comedy, bringing humor and charm to millions of viewers.
Aug. 24 Paulo Coelho
Renowned Brazilian novelist famous for his spiritual and philosophical works, particularly 'The Alchemist', which has been translated into numerous languages and sold millions of copies worldwide.
Aug. 29 Temple Grandin
Renowned American animal behaviorist and autism advocate who revolutionized livestock handling practices and raised global awareness about autism spectrum disorders through her personal experiences and professional work.
Sept. 14 Sam Neill
Acclaimed New Zealand actor known for iconic roles in Jurassic Park, Dead Calm, and The Piano, with a distinguished international film career spanning several decades.
Sept. 21 Stephen King
Stephen King is a prolific American horror novelist and screenwriter who has published over 40 novels, with 26 adapted into films. His breakthrough novel 'Carrie' was published in 1974, and he has sold over 100 million books in 33 languages.
Sept. 25 Cheryl Tiegs
Iconic American supermodel who defined beauty standards in the 1970s and 1980s, known for her natural, wholesome blonde look and numerous magazine covers.
Sept. 27 Meat Loaf
Iconic rock singer known for his theatrical performances and epic album 'Bat Out of Hell'. A larger-than-life performer who blended rock opera with passionate storytelling and incredible vocal range.
Sept. 27 Denis Lawson
Scottish actor renowned for his versatile roles in television and film, most notably as Wedge Antilles in the original Star Wars trilogy. He has had a distinguished career in both screen and stage performances.
Sept. 30 Rula Lenska
British actress known for her television work and adventurous spirit, Rula Lenska made significant contributions to entertainment and conservation. She published a book about her expeditions to Nepal to protect rare elephants, showcasing her commitment beyond acting.
Oct. 4 Julien Clerc
Renowned French singer-songwriter with a significant career in chanson and pop music, known for his artistic and emotional performances.
Oct. 16 David Zucker
David Zucker is a renowned American comedy filmmaker famous for pioneering parody films like 'Airplane!' and 'The Naked Gun' series. He was a key member of the Zucker Brothers comedy team that revolutionized comedy filmmaking in the 1980s and 1990s.
Oct. 17 Michael McKean
Renowned American comedian, actor, and musician best known for his roles in 'Laverne & Shirley', 'This Is Spinal Tap', and 'Better Call Saul'.
Oct. 24 Kevin Kline
Versatile American actor renowned for his exceptional range across comedy, drama, and musical theater. Winner of an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 'A Fish Called Wanda' and two Tony Awards. Known as the 'American Olivier' for his remarkable ability to seamlessly transition between different acting styles.
Oct. 26 Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton is an American lawyer, politician, and former First Lady who served as the 67th United States Secretary of State. She was a pioneering figure in American politics, becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major political party. Her career spans law, public service, and advocacy for women's and children's rights.
Oct. 29 Richard Dreyfuss
Acclaimed American actor known for iconic roles in 'Jaws', 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', and 'The Graduate'. He won an Oscar for Best Actor in 'The Goodbye Girl' in 1977, becoming the youngest recipient at the time.
Dec. 1 Alain Bashung
Renowned French singer, songwriter, and actor who was a significant figure in French contemporary music, known for his poetic lyrics and distinctive musical style.
Dec. 8 Francis Huster
Renowned French film actor, director, and comedian who was a member of the prestigious Comédie-Française. He studied acting with notable mentors and comes from a diverse family background.
Dec. 16 Ben Cross
Ben Cross was a prominent English actor known for his roles in films like 'Chariots of Fire' and stage performances. He had a successful career spanning several decades in theater, film, and television.
Dec. 17 Wes Studi
Prominent Native American actor known for roles in films like 'Dances with Wolves' and 'The Last of the Mohicans', recognized for portraying authentic Native American characters.
Dec. 19 Steven Spielberg
Legendary film director, producer, and screenwriter, widely considered one of the most influential filmmakers in cinematic history. [bio]
Dec. 29 Ted Danson
Renowned American actor best known for his iconic role as Sam Malone in the beloved sitcom 'Cheers', which ran for 11 seasons and became a cultural phenomenon. His portrayal of the charming, womanizing bartender earned him multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Dec. 31 Tim Matheson
Versatile American actor known for comedy and television roles, including 'Animal House' and guest appearances on classic TV shows. He was a founding member of The Groundlings comedy troupe and began acting professionally at a young age.