Famous people and celebrities born in 1949

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1949. 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 1949 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 12 Haruki Murakami
Internationally acclaimed Japanese novelist known for surreal and imaginative works like 'Norwegian Wood' and 'Kafka on the Shore'. His books have been translated into over 50 languages and have won numerous literary awards.
Jan. 14 Lawrence Kasdan
Renowned American screenwriter and film producer known for his significant contributions to iconic film franchises like Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
Jan. 17 Andy Kaufman
Iconic comedian and performance artist known for his surreal, avant-garde comedy style. He gained fame through Saturday Night Live and the sitcom Taxi, blurring lines between comedy and performance art.
Jan. 25 John Belushi
Iconic comedian and actor from Saturday Night Live known for his wild comedy style and memorable film roles in 'Animal House' and 'The Blues Brothers'. His brilliant but tragically short career was marked by exceptional comedic talent and personal struggles with substance abuse.
Feb. 6 Jim Sheridan
Acclaimed Irish film director, screenwriter, and producer known for powerful and emotionally resonant films like 'My Left Foot' and 'In the Name of the Father'.
Feb. 9 Judith Light
Judith Light is an acclaimed American television and stage actress, best known for her Emmy-winning roles in 'Who's the Boss?' and 'Transparent'. She has had a distinguished career spanning several decades in television, film, and theater.
Feb. 20 Ivana Trump
Czechoslovakian-American businesswoman, model, and socialite known for her marriage to Donald Trump and her prominent role in the Trump Organization. She was a successful entrepreneur, author, and fashion model who became a public figure in her own right.
March 16 Victor Garber
Victor Garber is a renowned Canadian actor known for memorable roles in films like Titanic and TV series such as Alias and Legally Blonde. He has established himself as a versatile performer across film, television, and theater.
March 16 Erik Estrada
Erik Estrada is an American actor best known for his iconic role as Officer Frank Poncherello in the popular television series CHiPs, which aired from 1977 to 1983 and made him a household name.
March 22 Fanny Ardant
Renowned French actress known for her powerful performances and often compared to Katharine Hepburn. She gained international recognition through her collaboration with François Truffaut and her memorable roles alongside Gérard Depardieu.
April 4 Lyle Alzado
Professional NFL defensive end who played for the Raiders and Browns, known for his aggressive play and public battle with steroid abuse and brain cancer.
April 15 Alla Pugacheva
Alla Pugacheva is a legendary Russian pop singer known for her powerful voice and significant influence on Soviet and Russian music culture during the 1970s and 1980s.
April 19 Paloma Picasso
Renowned French designer and daughter of Pablo Picasso, famous for her distinctive jewelry, perfume, and fashion accessories. She has built a global brand known for bold, original design and leveraged her artistic family heritage.
April 20 Jessica Lange
Acclaimed American actress who won two Academy Awards, known for her powerful performances in films like 'Tootsie', 'Frances', and 'Blue Sky'. She was the first actress to receive two acting Oscar nominations in the same year in 1982.
April 22 Patti LuPone
Patti LuPone is a renowned Broadway and musical theater actress, celebrated for her powerful performances and iconic roles like Eva Perón in Evita. She has won multiple Tony and Grammy Awards, establishing herself as a legendary performer in American theater.
May 9 Billy Joel
Legendary American singer-songwriter and pianist known for his iconic pop and rock music. He has won multiple Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His unique musical style and hit songs like 'Piano Man' have made him a significant figure in 20th-century popular music.
May 26 Pam Grier
Pam Grier is an iconic African American actress who revolutionized female representation in 1970s blaxploitation cinema, becoming a powerful symbol of strength and empowerment.
May 31 Tom Berenger
Renowned American actor known for his roles in films like 'Platoon' and 'Major League', with a significant career in Hollywood spanning several decades.
June 5 Ken Follett
Ken Follett is a renowned Welsh novelist famous for epic historical fiction like 'The Pillars of the Earth' and 'World Without End', which have been translated into multiple languages and sold millions of copies worldwide.
June 15 Antony Sher
Renowned South African-born British actor and writer celebrated for his exceptional performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company, particularly in Shakespearean roles.
June 20 Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie is a Grammy Award-winning American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer who rose to fame with the Commodores and later as a solo artist. He is known for iconic hits like 'Hello', 'All Night Long', and 'Dancing on the Ceiling'.
June 22 Meryl Streep
Legendary American actress with a record 21 Oscar nominations, known for transformative performances in iconic films like 'Sophie's Choice' and 'The Devil Wears Prada'. She is widely considered the most versatile actress of her generation. [bio]
June 22 Elizabeth Warren
Prominent American politician and former law professor who served as a United States Senator from Massachusetts. She is known for her progressive economic policies and consumer protection advocacy.
June 22 Lindsay Wagner
Iconic American actress best known for her role in the groundbreaking television series 'The Bionic Woman', which made her a pop culture icon of the 1970s.
July 6 Phyllis Hyman
Renowned R&B and jazz singer known for her powerful voice and emotional performances, who tragically died by suicide at age 45.
July 7 Shelley Duvall
Shelley Duvall is an acclaimed American actress known for her distinctive performances in Stanley Kubrick's horror classic 'The Shining' and Robert Altman's musical comedy 'Popeye'. She was a prominent figure in 1970s and 1980s cinema, collaborating with notable directors and creating memorable characters.
July 8 Wolfgang Puck
Wolfgang Puck is a world-renowned Austrian-American celebrity chef who revolutionized fine dining and catering in Hollywood. He is famous for his innovative California cuisine and has catered numerous high-profile events like the Academy Awards. His restaurant empire and culinary brand have made him a global culinary icon.
July 10 Ronnie James Dio
Iconic heavy metal vocalist who fronted bands like Dio, Black Sabbath, and Rainbow, known for his powerful voice and influential career. [bio]
July 24 Michael Richards
Michael Richards is an American actor best known for his iconic role as Cosmo Kramer in the legendary sitcom Seinfeld. His comedic performance became a defining character of 1990s television comedy, earning him widespread recognition and multiple Emmy Awards.
Aug. 11 Eric Carmen
Eric Carmen is an American rock musician, best known as the lead singer of the power pop band Raspberries and for his successful solo career, including the hit song 'All By Myself'.
Aug. 17 Julian Fellowes
Renowned English screenwriter, director, actor, and politician best known for creating the critically acclaimed TV series Downton Abbey and winning an Oscar for screenwriting.
Aug. 21 Loretta Devine
Renowned American actress and singer known for her roles in television series like Grey's Anatomy and films such as Waiting to Exhale. She has won multiple awards including an Emmy Award.
Aug. 25 Martin Amis
Prominent British novelist, essayist, and literary critic known for his postmodern style and satirical works.
Aug. 31 Richard Gere
Iconic Hollywood actor known for romantic leads and humanitarian work. He rose to fame in the 1980s with memorable roles in 'American Gigolo' and 'Pretty Woman'. Gere is also a prominent Buddhist activist and human rights advocate. [bio]
Sept. 10 Bill O'Reilly
Bill O'Reilly is a prominent American conservative political commentator, television host, and author known for his long-running show 'The O'Reilly Factor' on Fox News. He has won multiple Emmy Awards and authored several best-selling books, becoming a significant media personality in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Sept. 19 Ranjit Chowdhry
Versatile Indian actor who successfully worked across Bollywood and Hollywood, known for his character roles and cross-cultural performances.
Sept. 23 Floella Benjamin
Floella Benjamin is a prominent British television presenter, actress, and children's media advocate who has significantly influenced children's programming in the UK.
Sept. 25 Pedro Almodóvar
Acclaimed Spanish film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his distinctive and provocative cinematic style, who has significantly influenced modern European cinema.
Oct. 8 Sigourney Weaver
Acclaimed American actress known for iconic roles in science fiction and drama films like 'Alien', 'Ghostbusters', and 'Gorillas in the Mist'. She has received multiple Oscar and Golden Globe nominations throughout her distinguished career.
Oct. 22 Arsène Wenger
Legendary French football manager who transformed Arsenal FC, known for his innovative tactics, commitment to attractive football, and long-term leadership from 1996 to 2018.
Nov. 10 Ann Reinking
Renowned Broadway dancer, choreographer, and actress best known for her work in 'Chicago' and her significant contributions to musical theater during the 1970s and 1980s.
Nov. 28 Paul Shaffer
Iconic Canadian musician and bandleader best known for his long-standing role as David Letterman's musical director and his work with the Blues Brothers.
Nov. 29 Garry Shandling
Influential American comedian and television pioneer who revolutionized comedy with innovative sitcoms like 'It's Garry Shandling's Show' and 'The Larry Sanders Show', which critically deconstructed the television talk show format.
Dec. 4 Jeff Bridges
Acclaimed American actor from a renowned acting family, who began his career as an infant and later served in the Coast Guard Reserves before fully committing to acting.
Dec. 4 Pamela Stephenson
New Zealand-born comedian, actress, and author who gained international recognition through her groundbreaking work on the iconic British sketch comedy series 'Not the Nine O'Clock News'.
Dec. 14 Dee Wallace
Dee Wallace is an acclaimed American actress best known for her iconic roles in Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Stephen King's horror film Cujo. She has had a significant career in film and television spanning several decades.
Dec. 22 Robin Gibb
Robin Gibb was a famous British-American singer and member of the legendary pop group Bee Gees, known for their significant contribution to disco and pop music in the 1970s and 1980s.
Dec. 22 Maurice Gibb
Maurice Gibb was a British-American musician and founding member of the Bee Gees, a highly successful pop group that wrote over 1,000 songs and significantly influenced global music.