Famous people and celebrities born in May 1955
Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in May 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.
- May 2 Donatella Versace
Renowned Italian fashion designer and businesswoman who took over the Versace fashion house after her brother Gianni's tragic murder. She successfully continued the family's fashion legacy and became a prominent figure in the global fashion industry.
- May 6 Tom Bergeron
Tom Bergeron is an American television host known for hosting popular shows like 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'America's Funniest Home Videos'. He began his career as a radio disc jockey and local newspaper editorial cartoonist before becoming a prominent TV personality.
- May 8 Stephen Furst
American actor and director known for his roles in television and film, most famously as Flounder in 'Animal House' and Vir Cotto in 'Babylon 5'.
- May 9 Kevin Peter Hall
Actor known for 'Harry and the Hendersons', who tragically died from AIDS at age 35. He was also notable for his roles in 'Predator' and other films.
- May 9 Tad Coffin
Olympic gold medalist equestrian who made history by becoming the first American rider to win the individual three-day event at just 17 years old in 1976.
- May 10 Rick Steves
Rick Steves is a renowned American travel writer, television personality, and guidebook author who has significantly influenced travel journalism through his popular PBS series 'Rick Steves' Europe'.
- May 10 Mark David Chapman
Mark David Chapman is infamous for murdering John Lennon, the legendary Beatles musician, outside his New York City apartment on December 8, 1980, in an act that shocked the world.
- May 12 Kix Brooks
Renowned country music artist, one half of the legendary duo Brooks & Dunn, who significantly influenced the country music landscape in the 1990s and early 2000s. He has also successfully ventured into wine production and other entrepreneurial endeavors.
- May 14 Big Van Vader
Legendary professional wrestler and former American football player known for his powerful and intimidating persona in wrestling, who passed away in 2018.
- May 16 Debra Winger
Acclaimed American actress known for her powerful performances in 'Urban Cowboy', 'An Officer and a Gentleman', and 'Terms of Endearment', for which she received an Academy Award nomination.
- May 16 Olga Korbut
Legendary Soviet gymnast who revolutionized gymnastics with her innovative techniques and won multiple Olympic gold medals, becoming a global sports icon.
- May 17 Bill Paxton
Renowned American actor and filmmaker known for roles in 'Titanic', 'Aliens', and 'Twister', who directed and starred in numerous films before his untimely death in 2017.
- May 18 Chow Yun-Fat
Renowned Hong Kong actor famous for iconic action films like 'A Better Tomorrow' and 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon', who became an international cinema star in the 1980s and 1990s.
- May 19 James Gosling
James Gosling is a renowned Canadian computer scientist who created the Java programming language, fundamentally transforming software development worldwide. He is often referred to as the 'Father of Java' and has made significant contributions to object-oriented programming. His work at Sun Microsystems revolutionized how developers write cross-platform applications.
- May 20 Anton Corbijn
Renowned Dutch photographer and music video director famous for iconic images of bands like Depeche Mode and U2.
- May 20 Jackie Robinson
Legendary baseball player who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers and becoming a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement.
- May 20 Diego Abatantuono
Prominent Italian actor, comedian, and screenwriter known for his distinctive comedic style in cinema and television.
- May 21 Stan Lynch
Renowned drummer and founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, a significant rock band of the late 20th century. He played a crucial role in the band's musical development and success during his tenure from 1976 to 1994.
- May 23 Luka Bloom
Luka Bloom is an acclaimed Irish folk-rock musician and singer-songwriter, known for his distinctive acoustic style and as the younger brother of famous Irish folk musician Christy Moore.
- May 25 Connie Sellecca
American actress, model, and television producer known for her roles in popular TV series like 'Hotel' and 'The Greatest American Hero'.
- May 25 Rosanne Cash
Acclaimed country music singer-songwriter and daughter of legendary Johnny Cash, known for her influential music career.
- May 25 Alistair Burt
British politician who served as a Conservative Member of Parliament and held various ministerial positions in the UK government.
- May 27 Richard Schiff
American actor, producer, and director best known for his Emmy-winning role as Toby Ziegler in the critically acclaimed TV series 'The West Wing'.
- May 28 Mark Howe
Professional ice hockey player known for playing alongside his legendary father Gordie Howe, a Hockey Hall of Fame member. He continued the family's hockey legacy and was a notable player in his own right.
- May 29 John Hinckley
Infamous attempted assassin who shot President Ronald Reagan and three others in a high-profile assassination attempt on March 30, 1981, in Washington, D.C. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a psychiatric institution.
- May 30 Jake Roberts
Jake Roberts is a legendary professional wrestler known for his innovative DDT finishing move and his influential career in WWE during the 1980s and 1990s.