Famous people and celebrities born in 1978

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1978. 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 1978 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 1 Vidya Balan
Vidya Balan is a critically acclaimed Bollywood actress known for breaking stereotypes and delivering powerful performances in female-led films like 'Dirty Picture' and 'Kahaani'.
Jan. 5 January Jones
January Jones is an acclaimed American actress best known for her iconic role as Betty Draper in the critically acclaimed television series Mad Men, which aired from 2007 to 2015.
Jan. 16 Vijay Sethupathi
Vijay Sethupathi is a prominent Tamil cinema actor renowned for his versatile acting skills and ability to portray complex characters across multiple genres. He has won several awards and is considered one of the most talented actors in contemporary South Indian cinema.
Jan. 20 Omar Sy
Renowned French actor famous for his breakthrough role in 'Intouchables', winning the César Award for Best Actor. He gained popularity through comedy shows with Fred Testot and has since become an internationally recognized film star.
Feb. 7 Ashton Kutcher
Prominent American actor, producer, and entrepreneur known for his roles in 'That '70s Show' and 'Two and a Half Men'. He has successfully transitioned between comedy and dramatic roles while also being a notable tech investor.
Feb. 14 Danai Gurira
Zimbabwean-American actress known for her powerful roles in 'The Walking Dead' and Marvel's 'Black Panther', acclaimed for her stage and screen performances.
Feb. 21 Kumail Nanjiani
Kumail Nanjiani is a prominent Pakistani-American comedian, actor, and writer who gained widespread recognition for his autobiographical romantic comedy 'The Big Sick' and his role in HBO's 'Silicon Valley'.
March 1 Jensen Ackles
Jensen Ackles is a prominent American actor best known for his lead role as Dean Winchester in the long-running supernatural drama series 'Supernatural'. He has also appeared in films and other television shows, gaining significant popularity among fans of the genre.
March 22 Rani Mukerji
Prominent Bollywood actress known for critically acclaimed performances in films like 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and 'Black', she is considered one of the most talented actresses of her generation.
April 16 Lara Dutta
Prominent Bollywood actress and former Miss Universe who has starred in numerous successful films across multiple languages.
April 19 James Franco
James Franco is a versatile American actor, filmmaker, and academic known for his diverse roles in Hollywood films like '127 Hours', 'Pineapple Express', and the Spider-Man franchise. He has also directed several independent films and taught film classes at universities.
April 26 Stana Katic
Stana Katic is a Canadian-American actress best known for her starring role as Detective Kate Beckett in the popular TV series Castle, which ran from 2009 to 2016.
May 10 Kenan Thompson
Kenan Thompson is a renowned comedian and actor, best known for his long-standing role on Saturday Night Live (SNL) and as a prominent cast member since 2003. He is the longest-tenured cast member in SNL history and has also starred in numerous comedy films and television shows.
May 11 Laetitia Casta
Renowned French model and actress from Corsica, discovered on the beach and known for her roles in films like 'Asterix' and her portrayal of iconic French actresses Brigitte Bardot and Arletty.
May 12 Jason Biggs
Jason Biggs is an American actor known for his breakthrough roles in comedy films like 'American Pie'. He began his career early, appearing in national commercials at age 5 and making his Broadway debut as a teenager.
June 4 Robin Taylor
Robin Taylor is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot (The Penguin) in the popular TV series Gotham, which aired from 2014 to 2019. He received critical acclaim for his unique and compelling interpretation of the iconic Batman villain.
June 7 Bill Hader
Bill Hader is a renowned American comedian, actor, writer, and director best known for his memorable stint on Saturday Night Live and critically acclaimed roles in comedy films like 'Trainwreck' and 'Superbad'.
June 8 Maria Menounos
American television personality and journalist who gained prominence through her work with Entertainment Tonight and her early career in school broadcasting. She has also explored filmmaking and entertainment media.
June 19 Zoe Saldana
Zoe Saldana is a prominent American actress known for her leading roles in major sci-fi franchises like Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Star Trek, establishing herself as a versatile and internationally recognized performer.
June 28 Ji-won Ha
Ji-won Ha is a prominent South Korean actress known for her versatile performances in popular Korean dramas and films, establishing herself as a respected figure in the Korean entertainment industry.
July 13 Michelle Rodriguez
Michelle Rodriguez is a prominent American actress known for her dynamic roles in action films, particularly in the 'Fast and Furious' franchise and James Cameron's 'Avatar'. She has established herself as a strong female lead in high-energy action movies.
July 21 Aashish Chaudhary
Indian actor known for his work in Hindi cinema and television, with a notable career in Bollywood.
July 21 Josh Hartnett
Prominent American actor known for leading roles in blockbuster films like Pearl Harbor and Black Hawk Down during the early 2000s.
Aug. 4 Kurt Busch
Professional NASCAR driver known for his successful racing career in the Cup Series.
Aug. 18 Andy Samberg
Andy Samberg is a prominent American comedian, actor, and writer best known for his work on 'Saturday Night Live' and as a member of the comedy group The Lonely Island. He has also starred in the popular comedy series 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' and created numerous viral comedy sketches and music videos.
Aug. 22 James Corden
James Corden is a prominent British comedian, actor, and television host who gained international fame through his work on 'The Late Late Show' and various comedy projects. He is known for his energetic performances and popular 'Carpool Karaoke' segment.
Aug. 24 Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was a legendary NBA basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers, widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2020. [bio]
Sept. 23 Anthony Mackie
Anthony Mackie is a prominent American actor best known for his role as Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including films like Captain America and Avengers series.
Oct. 2 Ayumi Hamasaki
Renowned Japanese pop singer, actress, and record producer who is considered one of the most successful and influential artists in Japanese music history.
Oct. 3 Shannyn Sossamon
Versatile American artist known for her roles in films like 'A Knight's Tale' and 'Wayward Pines', with talents spanning acting, dancing, and music.
Oct. 30 Matthew Morrison
Matthew Morrison is an American actor, singer, and dancer, best known for his role as Will Schuester on the popular television show Glee, which aired from 2009 to 2015.
Nov. 1 Manju Warrier
Manju Warrier is a prominent Malayalam cinema actress and classical dancer known for her significant contributions to Indian film industry.
Nov. 17 Rachel McAdams
Rachel McAdams is a renowned Canadian actress known for her versatile roles in popular films like Mean Girls, The Notebook, and Spotlight, which have established her as a prominent Hollywood talent. [bio]
Nov. 17 Tom Ellis
Tom Ellis is a charismatic British actor best known for his iconic role as Lucifer Morningstar in the popular TV series Lucifer, which significantly boosted his international recognition.
Nov. 22 Mélanie Doutey
French actress from a family of filmmakers, known for her roles in French cinema and television.
Nov. 23 Kayvan Novak
British actor and comedian known for comedic roles in TV shows like 'Fonejacker' and 'Facejacker', and films such as 'Four Lions'.
Nov. 24 Katherine Heigl
Katherine Heigl is a prominent American actress known for her breakthrough role in Grey's Anatomy and successful romantic comedy films like 'Knocked Up' and '27 Dresses'. She gained significant popularity in the late 2000s and early 2010s as a leading Hollywood actress.
Nov. 29 Lauren German
Popular American actress known for starring roles in TV series 'Lucifer' and 'Chicago Fire'.
Nov. 30 Gael García Bernal
Gael García Bernal is an internationally acclaimed Mexican actor known for critically acclaimed films like 'Y Tu Mamá También' and 'The Motorcycle Diaries'. He is also a director and producer with significant contributions to Latin American cinema.
Nov. 30 Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken is an American pop singer who gained national fame as the runner-up on American Idol in 2003. He has released multiple albums and become a notable performer and television personality.
Nov. 30 Robert Kirkman
Robert Kirkman is a renowned comic book writer and creator, best known for creating 'The Walking Dead' franchise which became a massive global television and comic book success.
Dec. 2 Nelly Furtado
Grammy Award-winning Portuguese-Canadian pop singer known for her versatile musical style and international hits like 'I'm Like a Bird' and 'Promiscuous'.
Dec. 7 Shiri Appleby
Shiri Appleby is an accomplished American actress, director, and producer best known for her starring roles in the science fiction series 'Roswell' and the critically acclaimed drama 'UnREAL'.
Dec. 8 Ian Somerhalder
American actor, model, and director best known for his iconic roles in 'Lost' and 'The Vampire Diaries', particularly as Damon Salvatore.
Dec. 9 Jesse Metcalfe
American actor known for roles in television series like 'Desperate Housewives' and 'Dallas', with a successful career in acting and music.
Dec. 18 Katie Holmes
Prominent American actress known for her breakthrough role in 'Dawson's Creek' and subsequent film career. She gained significant media attention through her marriage to Tom Cruise and has established herself as a versatile performer in Hollywood.
Dec. 28 John Legend
Grammy-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and actor known for his soulful music and social activism. He has won multiple awards including Academy, Grammy, and Tony Awards. [bio]
Dec. 30 Tyrese Gibson
Versatile entertainer known for his successful career in music, acting, and producing. He gained widespread recognition through his roles in the Fast and Furious franchise and multiple R&B albums. Gibson has successfully transitioned between music, film, and television industries.