Famous people and celebrities born in 1938

We celebrate the remarkable individuals born in 1938. 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 1938 and honor the stars who continue to shine brightly today.

Jan. 1 Frank Langella
Frank Langella is an acclaimed American stage and film actor known for his commanding presence and prolific career, especially noted for portraying complex and often villainous roles. He has won a Tony Award and received multiple Academy Award nominations, making him a respected figure in the performing arts. [bio]
Jan. 6 Adriano Celentano
Adriano Celentano is an Italian singer, songwriter, actor, and filmmaker, widely considered one of the most influential figures in Italian music and entertainment since the late 1950s. Known for his charismatic stage presence, innovative style, and prolific career, Celentano has released multiple hit songs and albums, starring in numerous films and television programs throughout his extensive career. [bio]
Jan. 13 Billy Gray
Billy Gray is an American actor best known for his role as Bud Anderson on the television series 'Father Knows Best.' His acting career began in his childhood, and he appeared in several notable films and television programs throughout the 1950s and 1960s. [bio]
Jan. 21 Wolfman Jack
Wolfman Jack was a legendary American disc jockey known for his gravelly voice and energetic on-air persona, which made him a cultural icon during the 1960s and 1970s. [bio]
Jan. 25 Etta James
Etta James was an acclaimed American singer whose powerful, versatile voice spanned multiple genres, including blues, R&B, soul, rock and roll, jazz, and gospel. She is best known for her hits such as 'At Last,' 'Tell Mama,' and 'I'd Rather Go Blind.' James is considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century, celebrated for her passionate delivery … [bio]
Feb. 1 Sherman Hemsley
Sherman Hemsley was an American actor best known for his portrayal of George Jefferson on the television sitcoms 'All in the Family' and its spin-off 'The Jeffersons.' He was recognized for his comedic timing and distinctive voice, becoming a pop culture icon during the 1970s and 1980s. [bio]
Feb. 11 Bobby Pickett
Bobby Pickett was an American singer, songwriter, and actor best known for co-writing and performing the 1962 novelty song "Monster Mash." The song became a perennial Halloween favorite and remains his signature work. [bio]
Feb. 12 Judy Blume
Judy Blume is a renowned American author best known for her influential and candid children's, young adult, and adult fiction. Her books have sold over 85 million copies worldwide, addressing themes such as adolescence, family, and self-discovery. [bio]
Feb. 13 Oliver Reed
Oliver Reed was a British actor known for his intense screen presence and for starring in a range of popular films from the 1960s through the 1990s. He gained recognition for roles in movies such as 'Oliver!', 'Women in Love', and 'Gladiator.' Reed was also known for his off-screen charisma, reputation as a hellraiser, and candid personality. [bio]
Feb. 24 James Farentino
James Farentino was an American actor known for his roles in film, television, and stage. His career spanned several decades from the 1960s to the 1990s, with appearances in both drama and comedy genres. [bio]
March 4 Paula Prentiss
Paula Prentiss is an American actress best known for her role in the 1960s comedy "Where the Boys Are" and for her performances in several film and television comedies throughout the 1960s and 1970s. [bio]
April 1 Ali MacGraw
Ali MacGraw is an American actress, model, author, and animal rights activist, best known for her roles in iconic films of the 1970s such as 'Love Story' and 'Goodbye, Columbus.' She rose to international fame for her performance in 'Love Story,' which earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe Award. [bio]
April 7 David Sanborn
David Sanborn was an acclaimed American alto saxophonist, recognized for his influential role in contemporary jazz, smooth jazz, and pop music. He was celebrated for his expressive tone and his ability to bridge genres, working with a wide range of notable artists throughout his career. [bio]
April 15 Claudia Cardinale
Claudia Cardinale is an acclaimed Italian and Tunisian-born actress widely recognized for her roles in European and Hollywood cinema, especially during the 1960s and 1970s. Renowned for her beauty and acting talent, Cardinale is best known for her performances in iconic films such as 'The Leopard' (1963), '8½' (1963), and 'Once Upon a Time in the West' (1968). [bio]
April 28 Madge Sinclair
Madge Sinclair was a Jamaican-born American actress known for her dynamic performances across film, television, and voice acting. She is particularly remembered for her roles in 'Coming to America' and as the voice of Sarabi in Disney's 'The Lion King.' Sinclair was celebrated for her dignified portrayals and became a pioneering Black actress in both television and cinema. [bio]
April 30 Gary Collins
Gary Collins was an American actor and television host, best known for his roles in television series and as the host of the talk show 'Hour Magazine.' [bio]
May 12 Millie Perkins
Millie Perkins is an American actress, best known for her debut role as Anne Frank in "The Diary of Anne Frank" (1959). Her career spans film, television, and modeling, and she worked extensively throughout the 1960s and beyond. [bio]
May 22 Richard Benjamin
Richard Benjamin is an American actor and film director known for his work in both television and film. He gained fame in the 1960s and 1970s for performances in movies such as 'Goodbye, Columbus' and 'Westworld,' and later moved into directing, earning acclaim for films like 'My Favorite Year.' [bio]
May 23 Johnny Ball
Johnny Ball is a British television presenter, writer, and mathematician best known for his work in popularizing mathematics and science among children through his television programs from the 1970s to the 1990s. [bio]
May 24 Tommy Chong
Tommy Chong is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, writer, director, musician, and cannabis rights activist best known as one half of the iconic comedy duo Cheech & Chong. He is renowned for his roles in a series of comedy albums and films throughout the 1970s and 1980s, as well as for his appearances on the television show 'That '70s Show.' [bio]
June 16 Joyce Carol Oates
Joyce Carol Oates is an acclaimed American novelist, short story writer, and essayist, known for her prolific output and exploration of themes such as violence, identity, and the American experience. She has written over 60 novels and numerous collections of short stories, plays, and essays. Oates has received significant literary recognition, including the National Book Award and multiple nominations for … [bio]
June 21 Ron Ely
Ron Ely is an American actor and novelist, best known for playing the title character in the 1960s television series 'Tarzan.' He became a pop culture icon for his physical portrayal of the famous jungle hero, contributing to the show's international popularity. [bio]
July 4 Bill Withers
Bill Withers was an influential American singer-songwriter and musician best known for a series of soulful hits in the 1970s and 1980s, including 'Ain't No Sunshine,' 'Lean on Me,' and 'Lovely Day.' His emotionally resonant style and straightforward lyrics made him a pivotal figure in the soul and R&B genres. [bio]
July 9 Brian Dennehy
Brian Dennehy was an acclaimed American actor known for his work in film, television, and theater. He gained fame for his powerful performances in dramatic roles and was a two-time Tony Award winner. [bio]
July 9 Sanjeev Kumar
Sanjeev Kumar was a renowned Indian film actor best known for his versatility and powerful performances in Hindi cinema. Active primarily during the 1960s to the early 1980s, he established himself as one of India's most respected actors, taking on a wide range of roles in classic films such as 'Sholay', 'Koshish', and 'Aandhi'. [bio]
July 18 Paul Verhoeven
Paul Verhoeven is a renowned Dutch film director, screenwriter, and producer known for blending graphic violence, satire, and social commentary in his films. He has directed both Dutch and Hollywood films, achieving international recognition for his explicit and provocative storytelling style. [bio]
July 20 Natalie Wood
Natalie Wood was a prominent American actress who achieved success as a child, teenage, and adult performer. She is best known for her roles in classic films such as 'Rebel Without a Cause,' 'West Side Story,' and 'Splendor in the Grass.' Her career spanned over four decades until her untimely and controversial death in 1981. [bio]
July 22 Terence Stamp
Terence Stamp is an acclaimed English actor known for his powerful performances across film, television, and stage over a career spanning six decades. He gained international recognition in the 1960s and is celebrated for both his film and theatrical roles. [bio]
July 29 Peter Jennings
Peter Jennings was a Canadian-American journalist and longtime anchor of ABC World News Tonight. He was known for his calm demeanor and thorough reporting, becoming one of America's most recognizable and respected news anchors. [bio]
Aug. 15 Stephen Breyer
Stephen Breyer is an American lawyer, legal scholar, and former associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1994, Breyer served on the Court until his retirement in 2022. He is known for his pragmatic and moderate approach to constitutional law and his focus on interpreting laws in ways that aim to … [bio]
Aug. 19 Diana Muldaur
Diana Muldaur is an American actress best known for her roles in television and film, especially her appearances in 'Star Trek: The Original Series,' 'Star Trek: The Next Generation,' and her Emmy-nominated run on 'L.A. Law.' [bio]
Aug. 21 Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers was an American singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer, widely recognized for his contributions to country and pop music. His distinctive voice and storytelling style made him a cross-genre success, and he is best known for hits such as 'The Gambler', 'Lucille', and 'Islands in the Stream'. [bio]
Aug. 25 Frederick Forsyth
Frederick Forsyth is a British author and journalist best known for his thriller novels such as 'The Day of the Jackal,' 'The Odessa File,' and 'The Dogs of War.' His works are characterized by meticulous research, intricate plots, and a focus on international intrigue. [bio]
Aug. 25 David Canary
David Canary was an American actor best known for his roles in television soap operas, particularly for playing twins Adam and Stuart Chandler on 'All My Children.' Renowned for his versatility and compelling performances, Canary enjoyed a long career spanning stage, television, and film. [bio]
Aug. 29 Elliott Gould
Elliott Gould is an American actor known for his work in film and television since the 1960s. He became a notable figure in Hollywood with roles in major films such as 'MASH' and 'Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice', and has maintained a lengthy career spanning several decades. [bio]
Sept. 1 Alan Dershowitz
Alan Dershowitz is an American lawyer, legal scholar, and author, best known for his work in U.S. constitutional law and his role as a defense attorney in several high-profile legal cases. [bio]
Sept. 17 Paul Benedict
Paul Benedict was an American actor and director, best known for his distinctive stage and screen roles, particularly as Harry Bentley, the English neighbor on the television sitcom 'The Jeffersons.' [bio]
Sept. 23 Romy Schneider
Romy Schneider was a renowned Austrian-born actress best known for her roles in European cinema, particularly in German and French films. She gained international fame for her performance as Empress Elisabeth of Austria in the 'Sissi' trilogy and later worked with renowned directors such as Luchino Visconti and Claude Sautet. [bio]
Sept. 26 Jonathan Goldsmith
Jonathan Goldsmith is an American actor best known for portraying 'The Most Interesting Man in the World' in a long-running ad campaign for Dos Equis beer. He has also appeared in a variety of films and television shows throughout his career, especially popular TV series during the 1970s and 1980s. [bio]
Oct. 17 Evel Knievel
Evel Knievel was an American stunt performer and entertainer, recognized worldwide for his daring motorcycle jumps and fearless persona during the 1960s and 1970s. [bio]
Oct. 18 Dawn Wells
Dawn Wells was an American actress best known for her role as Mary Ann Summers on the classic television sitcom 'Gilligan's Island.' She built a career in television, film, and theater, and became a beloved figure in American pop culture. [bio]
Oct. 22 Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Lloyd is an acclaimed American actor and voice actor, best known for his eccentric and memorable roles in film and television. He rose to particular fame for portraying Emmett 'Doc' Brown in the 'Back to the Future' trilogy and Reverend Jim Ignatowski on the TV sitcom 'Taxi.' [bio]
Oct. 22 Derek Jacobi
Derek Jacobi is an esteemed English actor and director, recognized for his extensive work in theatre, television, and film. Renowned for his classical stage performances, especially with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Jacobi’s distinguished career is marked by his versatile roles across various media. [bio]
Oct. 28 David Dimbleby
David Dimbleby is a prominent British journalist and television presenter known for his long association with the BBC, particularly as the host of political programs and election night coverage. [bio]
Nov. 13 Jean Seberg
Jean Seberg was an American actress best known for her starring role in the French New Wave film 'Breathless' (À bout de souffle), as well as her Hollywood debut in 'Saint Joan'. Her combination of American charm and European sensibility made her an iconic figure in international cinema during the 1960s. [bio]
Dec. 12 Connie Francis
Connie Francis is an American singer and actress who gained international fame in the late 1950s and 1960s. She is best known for her hit songs like 'Who's Sorry Now?' and is widely regarded as one of the most successful female pop singers of her era. [bio]
Dec. 16 Liv Ullmann
Liv Ullmann is a renowned Norwegian actress and film director, best known for her work with Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. She is recognized as one of the leading actresses of European cinema, particularly in the 1960s and 70s. [bio]
Dec. 18 Roger Mosley
Roger Mosley was an American actor, director, and writer, best known for his role as helicopter pilot Theodore 'T.C.' Calvin on the hit television series 'Magnum, P.I.' He had a prolific career in film and television, spanning several decades. [bio]
Dec. 29 Jon Voight
Jon Voight is an acclaimed American actor known for his distinguished career in film and television, with numerous accolades including an Academy Award and several Golden Globe Awards. He has been recognized for his versatile performances in a wide range of roles over several decades. [bio]
Dec. 29 Barbara Steele
Barbara Steele is an English actress and film producer best known for her iconic roles in European horror films of the 1960s, particularly Italian gothic horror cinema. She gained a cult following for her performances in movies such as 'Black Sunday' and is considered a classic Scream Queen of genre cinema. [bio]