Famous people and celebrities born on May 23

Welcome to our celebration of remarkable individuals born on May 23! On this day, we recognize the birth of various influential celebrities who have left their mark on the world. From acclaimed actors and musicians to groundbreaking athletes and leaders, explore the lives and achievements of those who share this special birthday. Join us in honoring these stars and discovering the impact they've made across diverse fields.

  • Douglas Fairbanks
    1883 Douglas Fairbanks

    American actor, known for his role as a hero film star in the '20s and '40s. they were the stars of hollywood's glamorous society, thanks to his marriage with mary pickford 1920-1935. douglas jr., his only son, was his third marriage.

  • 1907 Laurence Olivier

    A legendary British actor, director, and producer widely considered one of the greatest actors of the 20th century.

  • 1908 John Bardeen

    Groundbreaking American physicist who co-invented the transistor and developed the theory of superconductivity. He was a two-time Nobel Prize winner in Physics, making significant contributions to solid-state physics and electronics.

  • Artie Shaw
    1910 Artie Shaw

    Renowned American jazz clarinetist, composer, and bandleader who was a pivotal figure in the swing era of the 1930s and 1940s. He was known for his innovative musical style and hit recordings like 'Begin the Beguine'.

  • 1917 Edward Norton Lorenz

    Pioneering meteorologist who developed chaos theory and the butterfly effect, fundamentally transforming our understanding of complex dynamic systems.

  • Betty Garrett
    1919 Betty Garrett

    Versatile American actress with a remarkable 60-year career in Broadway musicals, film, and television. She worked with MGM and starred alongside notable actors like Jack Lemmon and Frank Sinatra in various productions.

  • Helen O'Connell
    1920 Helen O'Connell

    Helen O'Connell was a prominent American big band era singer and actress, known for her performances with Jimmy Dorsey's orchestra during the 1940s.

  • 1925 Joshua Lederberg

    Joshua Lederberg was a renowned American microbiologist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1958 for groundbreaking research in bacterial genetics. His work with Edward Tatum revolutionized understanding of genetic recombination in bacteria. He was a pivotal figure in microbiology and genetics research.

  • Rosemary Clooney
    1928 Rosemary Clooney

    Renowned American singer and actress who rose to prominence in the 1950s, known for her warm, enchanting voice and versatile musical performances across various genres including ballads, show tunes, and novelty numbers.

  • Ulla Jacobsson
    1929 Ulla Jacobsson

    Swedish actress known for her role in the historical war film 'Zulu', which was a significant British epic about the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.

  • 1930 Harvey Milk

    Groundbreaking American politician and gay rights activist who became the first openly gay elected official in California, assassinated in 1978.

  • Barbara Barrie
    1931 Barbara Barrie

    American actress and author known for her roles in film and television, including the movie 'Breaking Away' and TV series 'Barney Miller'.

  • Joan Collins
    1933 Joan Collins

    Iconic British actress known for her glamorous roles in film and television, particularly her memorable performance as Alexis Carrington in the popular 1980s soap opera 'Dynasty'. She was a sex symbol and star of numerous films, often playing seductive and powerful characters.

  • 1934 Robert Moog

    Pioneering electronic engineer who revolutionized music by inventing the Moog synthesizer, fundamentally transforming electronic music production and sound design in the 20th century.

  • 1935 Leonardo Del Vecchio

    Prominent Italian entrepreneur and founder of Luxottica, one of the world's largest eyewear companies. A significant figure in global business and manufacturing.

  • Johnny Ball
    1938 Johnny Ball

    Johnny Ball is a popular English television presenter known for educational children's programming and making science and mathematics entertaining for young audiences.

  • 1951 Anatoly Karpov

    Legendary Russian chess grandmaster who dominated world chess during the late 20th century. He was world champion from 1975 to 1985 and is considered one of the greatest chess players in history. His rivalry with Garry Kasparov defined an entire era of competitive chess.

  • Deborah Adair
    1952 Deborah Adair

    American actress known for her roles in television soap operas 'Days of Our Lives' and 'Tracey Dynasty'.

  • 1954 Marvin Hagler

    Legendary middleweight boxing champion who dominated the sport from 1976 to 1987, known for his incredible fighting skills and memorable bout with Sugar Ray Leonard.

  • Drew Carey
    1958 Drew Carey

    American comedian, actor, and writer best known for 'The Drew Carey Show' and hosting 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'. His sitcom was a popular prime-time comedy that showcased his blue-collar humor and unique comedic style.

  • Bob Mortimer
    1959 Bob Mortimer

    British comedian, writer, and television personality known for panel shows and comedy partnerships with Vic Reeves.

  • Linden Ashby
    1960 Linden Ashby

    Linden Ashby is an American actor best known for his roles in television series like 'Melrose Place' and films such as 'Mortal Kombat'. He has had a steady career in both TV and film since the late 1980s.

  • Karen Duffy
    1961 Karen Duffy

    Karen Duffy is an American actress, model, and MTV VJ known for her distinctive voice and appearances in films like 'Dumb and Dumber'. She has also been an advocate for multiple sclerosis awareness after her own diagnosis.

  • Tom Tykwer
    1965 Tom Tykwer

    Renowned German filmmaker known for innovative and artistic films like 'Run Lola Run' and 'Cloud Atlas', working as a director, producer, screenwriter, and composer.

  • 1967 Phil Selway

    Phil Selway is the drummer of the critically acclaimed rock band Radiohead, known for his precise and innovative percussion style. He has been a core member of the band since its formation in the late 1980s, contributing to their groundbreaking musical evolution.

  • 1970 Naomi Campbell

    Internationally renowned supermodel, actress, and activist known for her groundbreaking work in the fashion industry and humanitarian efforts.

  • 1972 Rubens Barrichello

    Rubens Barrichello is a legendary Brazilian Formula One driver who competed in a record 322 Grands Prix, establishing himself as one of the most experienced drivers in motorsport history.

  • 1974 Jewel (singer)

    Jewel is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1990s with her folk-pop album 'Pieces of You', featuring hit singles like 'Who Will Save Your Soul' and 'You Were Meant for Me'.

  • 1987 Novak Djokovic

    Serbian professional tennis player widely considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, holding numerous Grand Slam titles and world records.

  • Gavin Free
    1988 Gavin Free

    YouTube personality and content creator known for his work with Rooster Teeth and The Slow Mo Guys.

What Is special about May 23?

Discover what makes May 23 a memorable date