Famous people and celebrities born in 1961

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1961. 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 1961 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

• Jan. 13 Julia Louis-Dreyfus

  American comedianne, actress who was a star in the no.1 series "seinfeld" (1990-98). their "show about nothing" was a huge success with their quirky group of self-involved new yorkers. in 2002, she began her own series called "watching ellie", which was produced by brad hall, her husband for 15 years.

• Jan. 24 Nastassja Kinski

  German actress, well-known family member, the 1981 golden globe award winner for her role as the star in "tess of the d'urbervilles" was won by her. richard avedon's 1982 photograph of her, "woman with snake", became the no. the poster that was the #1 selling in america was richard avedon's 1982 photograph of her called "woman with snake". other films …

• Jan. 26 Wayne Gretzky

  Canadian-american hockey player named athlete of year 01/09/1982. he was also nicknamed "the great gretzky". he played between 1979 and 1999 for the edmonton oilers and los angeles kings, st. louis blues (briefly), and the new york rangers.

• Feb. 11 Rajat Kapoor

  Renowned Indian actor known for his versatile roles in Bollywood films.

• Feb. 13 Henry Rollins

  American comedian, actor, and musician (black flag).

• April 3 Eddie Murphy

  American actor. he signed with saturday night live in 1997 at the age of 19. murphy was ranked no.78 on empire's list of "the top 100 movie stars of all time" in october 1997. he was paid $17 million for his role in doctor dolittle over the next years.

• April 11 Vincent Gallo

  American actor, director, and musician, known for his controversial and avant-garde work.

• May 6 George Clooney

  American actor who has been nominated for several annual best-dressed and most stylish, most eligible, and sexiest men alive lists. clooney is a good-looking man. he's also known for being polite, courteous and well-mannered. julianna margulies is clooney's friend and ex-er costar. she says, "george is a grownup with a child's heart."

• May 13 Dennis Rodman

  American basketball player, an american athlete. he had already won two championship rings and was on his way to winning his second consecutive rebounding title in 1993. he was a participant in two all-star games, and twice was named the nba defensive player-of-the-year. he was extremely popular in detroit and loved the attention that he received. he had it all: …

• May 14 Tim Roth

  British actor of irish heritage (his father, "na(c), smith", was born in new-york). he stars in "grace" with nicole kidman. directed by olivier dahan (2014).

• June 14 Boy George

  British singer, lead singer of the rock band "culture club." he was a transvestite who lived a bizarre lifestyle and never wore make-up in public. boy george was a flawless skinned, with a flair for hair, crazy couture, and free-form gender-bending. he seemed like the least likely rock star. his group rose to the top in 51 countries thanks to …

• June 25 Ricky Gervais

  English comedian, actor, director, producer and singer

• July 23 Woody Harrelson

  Woody harrelson is an american actor known for his roles in tv shows like cheers and films like natural born killers and the hunger games series.

• July 30 Laurence Fishburne

  Laurence fishburne is an american actor known for his roles in the matrix trilogy, apocalypse now, and boyz n the hood.

• Aug. 4 Barack Obama

  American president elected in 2008. lawyer and civil rights activist.

• Aug. 25 Billy Ray Cyrus

  Billy ray cyrus is an american singer and actor, best known for his hit single 'achy breaky heart' and for his role as robby stewart on the disney channel series 'hannah montana'.

• Aug. 27 Tom Ford

  Ford, an american fashion designer and entrepreneur, started his career as an actor. he then studied interior architecture at parsons school of design. ford went on to hold positions at perry ellis, cathy hardwick. he was hired by gucci's creative director in 1990. ford was made creative director in 1994 after gucci was bought by a bahrain-based investment company. ford …

• Sept. 3 Eugenio Derbez

  Eugenio derbez is a mexican actor, comedian, and filmmaker known for his work in film and television, including the hit movie 'instructions not included'.

• Sept. 11 Virginia Madsen

  Virginia madsen is a renowned american actress known for her roles in popular films such as sideways and candyman.

• Sept. 12 Mylène Farmer

  Canadian-french actress and singer-songwriter

• Sept. 18 James Gandolfini

  James gandolfini was an american actor best known for his role as tony soprano in the television series the sopranos.

• Sept. 25 Heather Locklear

  American perky, sexy blonde tv actress who rose to fame. she was a part of two prime-time series at the same time, as stacy, a gentle character in "t.j. hooker", 1982-1987, and sammy jo, a nasty character on "dynasty", 1981-1989. on september 20, 1995, her nighttime soap "melrose place", aired one hundred episodes.

• Sept. 27 Andy Lau

  Andy lau is a highly acclaimed hong kong singer and actor known for his versatile performances in both music and film.

• Oct. 11 Jodi Benson

  Jodi benson is an american actress best known for providing the voice of ariel in disney's the little mermaid.

• Oct. 26 Dylan McDermott

  American actor, best known for his role on "the practice," mcdermottaeur (tm)'s first starring part in a series. mcdermottaeur (tm)'s small-screen success has not made him a movie star by 2001, but his presence on the small screen is becoming more prominent.

• Nov. 4 Ralph Macchio

  Ralph macchio is an american actor best known for his role as daniel larusso in the karate kid film series.

• Nov. 19 Meg Ryan

  America's favorite perky and adorable screen actress. ryan got her first break in the famous "when harry met sally” restaurant scene, where she imitated a woman pretending to have an orgasm. her other hits include "sleepless in seattle," and "addicted to love." she also starred in "city of angels," and "you've got mail," where her friend, tom hanks, was filming …

• Nov. 24 Arundhati Roy

  Arundhati roy is an indian activist and author known for her novel 'the god of small things', which won the man booker prize in 1997.

• Nov. 29 Tom Sizemore

  Tom sizemore is an american actor and producer known for his roles in popular films such as saving private ryan and black hawk down.

• Dec. 25 Ingrid Betancourt

  Colombian-born politician, kidnap victim, she is the mother to two children.