Famous people and celebrities born in January 1955

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in January 1955! 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.

• Jan. 1 Mary Beard

  Renowned British classicist, academic, and television presenter known for her scholarly work on ancient Roman history and popular academic communication.

• Jan. 1 LaMarr Hoyt

  Major League Baseball pitcher who won the American League Cy Young Award in 1983, playing primarily for the Chicago White Sox during the 1980s.

• Jan. 4 Mark Hollis

  Influential English singer-songwriter and founding member of the innovative post-punk and new wave band Talk Talk, known for their groundbreaking experimental music that significantly influenced alternative rock and post-rock genres.

• Jan. 5 Mamata Banerjee

  Mamata Banerjee is a prominent Indian politician who serves as the Chief Minister of West Bengal and is the founder of the All India Trinamool Congress political party. She is known for her grassroots political approach and significant influence in Indian state-level politics.

• Jan. 6 Rowan Atkinson

  Rowan Atkinson is a world-renowned British comedian and actor famous for creating iconic characters like Mr. Bean and Edmund Blackadder. He is considered one of the most influential comedic performers of his generation, known for his exceptional physical comedy and expressive facial humor.

• Jan. 7 Sandra Bernhard in Arizona

  Iconic American comedian, actress, singer, and author known for her sharp wit, provocative performances, and significant role in comedy and pop culture.

• Jan. 8 Mike Reno

  Lead vocalist of the Canadian rock band Loverboy, known for their hit songs in the 1980s and their distinctive sound in the arena rock genre.

• Jan. 9 JK Simmons

  Acclaimed American actor known for his Oscar-winning role in 'Whiplash' and notable performances in films like 'Spider-Man' and 'Oz'.

• Jan. 10 Michael Schenker

  Michael Schenker is a legendary German rock guitarist known for his influential work with UFO, Scorpions, and his own Michael Schenker Group. He is considered one of the most important guitarists in hard rock and heavy metal history.

• Jan. 10 Yasmina Khadra

  Yasmina Khadra is a renowned Algerian novelist and essayist, known for his powerful literary works exploring complex social and political themes in North Africa. He is famous for writing under a female pseudonym and addressing challenging subjects in contemporary Algerian society.

• Jan. 11 Christian Marclay

  Christian Marclay is a renowned contemporary visual artist and experimental musician known for his innovative multimedia works that explore the intersection of sound, visual art, and performance.

• Jan. 13 Jay McInerney

  American socialite and author critic

• Jan. 13 Paul Kelly

  Renowned Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist, widely considered one of the most significant musicians in Australian contemporary music history.

• Jan. 14 Dominique Rocheteau

  Dominique Rocheteau was a legendary French footballer who played as a forward, renowned for his exceptional skills and elegance on the field. He was a key player for AS Saint-Étienne and the French national team during the 1970s and early 1980s, earning the nickname 'The Green Angel'.

• Jan. 15 Thierry Breton

  Prominent French politician and business executive who served as France's Finance Minister and currently works as European Commissioner for Internal Market.

• Jan. 17 Steve Earle

  Renowned American singer-songwriter known for his influential work in country, rock, and folk music, with a significant impact on alternative country and Americana genres.

• Jan. 17 Katalin Karikó

  Nobel Prize laureate for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19

• Jan. 18 Kevin Costner

  Acclaimed Hollywood actor known for iconic films like 'Dances with Wolves', 'Field of Dreams', and 'The Bodyguard'. He is an Oscar-winning director and performer with a significant impact on American cinema in the 1980s and 1990s.

• Jan. 19 Simon Rattle

  Internationally acclaimed British conductor who served as chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic from 2002 to 2018 and is now music director of the London Symphony Orchestra.

• Jan. 21 Jeff Koons

  Jeff Koons is a renowned contemporary American artist famous for his provocative pop art sculptures that transform everyday objects into large-scale, highly polished artworks. His iconic balloon animal sculptures and kitsch-inspired pieces have made him one of the most influential and highest-paid living artists.

• Jan. 22 Thomas David Jones

  Thomas David Jones is an accomplished American astronaut and pilot who has participated in multiple space missions. He is a respected figure in the space exploration community with extensive experience in aerospace.

• Jan. 22 Neil Bush

  Neil Bush is an American businessman known for his controversial role in the Silverado Savings and Loan scandal during the late 1980s. As the third son of President George H.W. Bush, he was involved in a significant financial controversy that cost taxpayers $1.6 billion. He was charged with gross negligence in a $200 million federal lawsuit.

• Jan. 25 Olivier Assayas

  Renowned French film director, screenwriter, and film critic known for his innovative and critically acclaimed cinema.

• Jan. 25 Sílvia Poppovic

  Prominent Brazilian television host and journalist known for her influential talk shows and media presence in Brazil.

• Jan. 26 Eddie Van Halen

  Eddie Van Halen was a legendary Dutch-American guitarist and co-founder of the iconic rock band Van Halen, revolutionizing rock guitar playing with his innovative techniques and electrifying performances. Together with his brother Alex, David Lee Roth, and Michael Anthony, he transformed the rock music landscape in the late 1970s and 1980s. He is widely considered one of the most influential …

• Jan. 27 John G Roberts

  John G. Roberts is the 17th Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, serving since 2005. He is known for his conservative judicial philosophy and has played a pivotal role in numerous landmark Supreme Court decisions.

• Jan. 28 Nicolas Sarkozy

  Nicolas Sarkozy was the President of France from 2007 to 2012, representing the conservative Union for a Popular Movement (UMP). He defeated Ségolène Royal in the 2007 presidential election and was known for his dynamic and controversial political style.

• Jan. 28 Vinod Khosla

  Vinod Khosla is a prominent Indian-American technology entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He co-founded Sun Microsystems and later established Khosla Ventures, becoming a significant investor in clean technology and startup innovations.

• Jan. 29 Eddie Jordan

  Eddie Jordan is a prominent Irish entrepreneur and former Formula One team owner who founded Jordan Grand Prix. He is also well-known as a television personality and motorsport commentator.