Famous people and celebrities born in 1956

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1956. 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 1956 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 3 Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson is an acclaimed American-Australian actor and filmmaker known for iconic roles in 'Mad Max' and 'Lethal Weapon'. He has also won multiple awards as a director, including Oscars for 'Braveheart'. His career spans several decades with significant contributions to both acting and filmmaking. [bio]
Jan. 9 Imelda Staunton
Imelda Staunton is an acclaimed British actress known for her powerful performances in film, television, and theater, including her Oscar-nominated role in 'Vera Drake' and her portrayal of Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter film series.
Jan. 20 Bill Maher
Renowned American comedian and political commentator known for his provocative and satirical television shows 'Politically Incorrect' and 'Real Time with Bill Maher'. He won the Cable ACE Award for best cable talk show host in 1995.
Jan. 21 Geena Davis
Acclaimed American actress known for her Oscar-winning role in 'The Accidental Tourist' and her iconic performance in 'Thelma and Louise'. A Mensa member and former fashion model, she graduated from Boston University and has had a diverse and accomplished career in film and television.
Feb. 3 Nathan Lane
Nathan Lane is a renowned American actor and comedian, famous for his Broadway performances and Hollywood roles. He overcame early personal challenges to become a celebrated entertainer known for his comedic talent and versatility.
Feb. 12 Arsenio Hall
Renowned African American comedian and late-night talk show host who rose to prominence in the late 1980s. He starred in iconic comedy films alongside Eddie Murphy and hosted a groundbreaking late-night talk show that was particularly popular among younger audiences.
March 5 Teena Marie
Renowned American R&B singer-songwriter known as the 'Ivory Queen of Soul', who significantly influenced the music industry during the late 1970s and 1980s.
March 7 Bryan Cranston
Emmy Award-winning actor best known for his iconic roles in 'Malcolm in the Middle' and 'Breaking Bad', where he portrayed Walter White. He is widely recognized as one of the most talented actors of his generation, with critically acclaimed performances in television and film. [bio]
March 11 Rob Paulsen
Renowned voice actor known for iconic roles in animated series like Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
March 13 Dana Delany
Emmy Award-winning actress known for her prominent roles in critically acclaimed television series like 'Desperate Housewives' and 'China Beach', with a career spanning several decades in film and television.
March 17 Patti Hansen
Patti Hansen is a renowned American model and actress who rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, famously married to Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. She was a prominent fashion model who worked with top designers and appeared in numerous magazines.
March 20 Naoto Takenaka
Versatile Japanese entertainer known for his work in acting, comedy, music, and film directing, with significant contributions to Japanese popular culture.
April 3 Miguel Bosé
Renowned Spanish/Italian singer, actor, and musician born in Panama to actress Lucia Borloni and bullfighter Luis Miguel González Lucas. A prominent figure in Latin American entertainment with a successful international career.
April 7 Christopher Darden
American attorney who was a key prosecution lawyer in the infamous O.J. Simpson murder trial, a landmark legal case that captivated the United States in 1995.
April 12 Andy Garcia
Cuban-American actor, director, and producer known for roles in 'The Godfather Part III', 'Ocean's Eleven', and 'When a Man Loves a Woman'.
April 18 Eric Roberts
Eric Roberts is an acclaimed American actor known for his powerful performances in films like 'The Dark Knight' and 'Runaway Train', and for being the brother of actress Julia Roberts.
April 25 Dominique Blanc
Renowned French stage and film actress who won four César Awards and was a favorite of director Patrice Chéreau. She has performed in numerous prestigious theater productions, including Goldoni's 'La Locandiera' at Paris Theatre de l'Atelier.
April 27 Kevin McNally
Kevin McNally is a renowned English actor and screenwriter, best known for his roles in film and television, particularly as Joshamee Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
May 1 Catherine Frot
Renowned French film and theatre actress who won the César Award in 1996 for Best Supporting Actress. She has been nominated multiple times for the César Award and is known for her versatile performances in French cinema.
May 10 Paige O'Hara
Best known as the voice actress for Disney's Belle in 'Beauty and the Beast', Paige O'Hara is a renowned Broadway performer and singer who significantly contributed to animated film history.
May 17 Sugar Ray Leonard
Sugar Ray Leonard is a legendary professional boxer who was an Olympic gold medalist and won world titles in multiple weight classes, revolutionizing boxing with his exceptional speed and charismatic style. [bio]
May 17 Bob Saget
Bob Saget was a beloved American comedian and actor, best known for his role as Danny Tanner on 'Full House' and as the original host of 'America's Funniest Home Videos'.
June 25 Anthony Bourdain
Renowned chef, author, and television personality who revolutionized culinary travel documentaries through his iconic shows 'No Reservations' and 'Parts Unknown', exploring global cultures through food and storytelling. [bio]
June 26 Véronique Genest
French actress and television star famous for her leading role in the long-running police drama 'Julie Lescaut', which was a significant part of French television from 1992 to 2013.
July 1 Alan Ruck
Well-known American actor famous for his roles in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' and the TV series 'Succession'.
July 3 Montel Williams
Prominent American television talk show host who won an Emmy and publicly shared his battle with multiple sclerosis, raising awareness about the condition through his personal experiences.
July 9 Tom Hanks
Acclaimed Hollywood actor and two-time Oscar winner known for transformative roles in 'Philadelphia' and 'Forrest Gump'. He is considered one of the most beloved and versatile actors of his generation, with a career spanning multiple decades and genres. [bio]
July 10 Alok Nath
Prominent Indian actor and politician known for his extensive work in Bollywood and his political career with the Bharatiya Janata Party. He has been a significant figure in Indian cinema and politics.
July 12 Mel Harris
American actress known for her role in the popular TV series 'thirtysomething', portraying Hope Murdoch Steadman.
July 31 Michael Biehn
An accomplished American actor known for his roles in iconic films like 'The Terminator', 'Aliens', and 'Tombstone', with a notable career in Hollywood.
Aug. 5 Maureen McCormick
Maureen McCormick is an iconic American actress best known for her portrayal of Marcia Brady in the classic 1970s sitcom 'The Brady Bunch', which made her a household name and pop culture symbol.
Aug. 14 Jackée Harry
Emmy Award-winning actress known for her roles in '227' and 'Sister, Sister', a prominent African American television personality with a vibrant comedic style.
Aug. 20 Joan Allen
Acclaimed American actress known for versatile performances in film and theater, including notable roles in 'The Bourne' series and 'Nixon'.
Aug. 21 Kim Cattrall
Kim Cattrall is a renowned English-Canadian actress best known for her iconic role as Samantha Jones in HBO's groundbreaking series Sex and the City, which significantly influenced pop culture in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Aug. 28 Luis Guzmán
Renowned Puerto Rican-American actor known for his distinctive character roles in numerous films and television series, particularly in comedic and dramatic genres.
Sept. 12 Leslie Cheung
Iconic Hong Kong singer and actor who was a major cultural figure in Asian entertainment, known for his versatility and groundbreaking performances in film and music.
Sept. 16 David Copperfield
Legendary American magician renowned for his spectacular live performances and television specials, consistently ranked among the world's top entertainers by Forbes.
Sept. 18 Chris Hedges
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author, and activist known for critical works on war, media, and social issues. He has written extensively on politics, religion, and American culture, challenging mainstream narratives.
Sept. 26 Linda Hamilton
Linda Hamilton is a renowned American actress best known for her iconic role as Sarah Connor in the Terminator film series, a character that revolutionized female action heroes in cinema.
Oct. 4 Christoph Waltz
Christoph Waltz is an acclaimed Austrian-German actor who won two Academy Awards for his remarkable performances in Quentin Tarantino's films. He is particularly renowned for his captivating roles in 'Inglourious Basterds' and 'Django Unchained', where he portrayed complex and memorable characters.
Oct. 18 Martina Navratilova
Legendary Czech-American tennis player who dominated women's tennis in the 1970s and 1980s. She won 167 titles, including nine Wimbledon singles championships, and is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time. [bio]
Oct. 19 Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol is a prominent Bollywood actor known for his powerful action roles and intense performances in Indian cinema.
Oct. 20 Danny Boyle
Acclaimed British film director known for directing films like 'Trainspotting', '28 Days Later', and the Oscar-winning 'Slumdog Millionaire'. He is a prominent figure in contemporary British cinema.
Oct. 21 Carrie Fisher
Iconic American actress, writer, and mental health advocate best known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise. She was a talented screenwriter and humorist who openly discussed her struggles with bipolar disorder and addiction. [bio]
Oct. 23 Dwight Yoakam
Renowned country western singer and actor who pioneered a unique musical style by blending traditional country with alternative rock influences. He gained prominence by performing in Los Angeles' punk scene after being rejected by Nashville producers. Yoakam has released multiple successful albums and acted in several films.
Nov. 3 Gary Ross
Acclaimed American filmmaker known for directing and writing films like 'Pleasantville', 'Seabiscuit', and 'The Hunger Games'.
Nov. 20 Bo Derek
American actress and sex symbol who rose to international fame after her iconic role in the movie '10' (1979), which established her as a major Hollywood beauty and pin-up star of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Dec. 2 Steven Bauer
Cuban-American actor best known for his iconic role as Manny Ray in the classic crime film 'Scarface' alongside Al Pacino, and for his performances in numerous films throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Dec. 7 Larry Bird
Legendary NBA basketball player for the Boston Celtics, known for his exceptional skills as a forward. Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player who revolutionized the game with his versatility and basketball intelligence. [bio]