Famous people and celebrities born on February 28

Welcome to our celebration of remarkable individuals born on February 28! 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.

• 1882 Geraldine Farrar

  Geraldine Farrar was a prominent American soprano opera singer and actress, highly celebrated in the early 20th century for her vocal prowess and captivating stage presence. She achieved significant fame performing at the Metropolitan Opera and starred in several silent films. [bio]

• 1901 Linus Pauling

  Linus Pauling was a highly influential American chemist, biochemist, and peace activist. He remains one of the most important scientists of the 20th century, recognized for his groundbreaking work in chemical bonding and molecular biology. Pauling is distinguished as one of the only individuals to ever receive two unshared Nobel Prizes: the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1954) for his research … [bio]

• 1903 Vincente Minnelli

  Vincente Minnelli was an acclaimed American film director, especially known for his work in the musical and melodrama genres during Hollywood's Golden Age. He was the father of actress and singer Liza Minnelli. [bio]

• 1910 Vincente Minnelli Chicago Illinois

  Renowned Hollywood film director famous for musicals like 'An American in Paris' and 'Gigi', who significantly influenced cinema's golden...

• 1915 Zero Mostel

  Zero Mostel was an American actor, comedian, and singer, renowned for his versatile stage and film performances, particularly on Broadway and in Hollywood. He became widely recognized for his comedic talents and his dynamic presence in both drama and musical theatre. [bio]

• 1923 Charles Durning

  Charles Durning was an acclaimed American actor known for his prolific career in film, television, and theater spanning more than five decades. Renowned for his versatility and distinctive character roles, he appeared in numerous iconic films and received multiple prestigious award nominations. [bio]

• 1926 Svetlana Alliluyeva

  Svetlana Alliluyeva, also known as Lana Peters, was the youngest child and only daughter of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Her life traversed the tumultuous era of the Soviet Union, marked by her dramatic defection to the West in 1967 and subsequent years spent in various countries including the United States, India, and the United Kingdom. She became known for her … [bio]

• 1928 Stanley Baker

  Stanley Baker was a prominent Welsh actor and film producer, acclaimed for his tough, intense screen presence and memorable roles in British cinema during the 1950s and 1960s. He is best known for starring in and producing the classic war film 'Zulu' (1964). [bio]

• 1931 Gavin MacLeod

  Gavin MacLeod was an American actor best known for his roles as Captain Merrill Stubing on 'The Love Boat' and Murray Slaughter on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show.' His distinctive performances made him an enduring presence on American television throughout the 1970s and 1980s. [bio]

• 1939 Tommy Tune

  Legendary Broadway performer who is a nine-time Tony Award winner, uniquely honored in acting, directing, choreography, and dance...

• 1940 Mario Andretti

  Mario Andretti is an Italian-born American former racing driver widely regarded as one of the most successful Americans in the history of motorsport. He is one of only two drivers to have won races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship, and NASCAR. Andretti won the 1978 Formula One World Championship, four IndyCar championships, and the Daytona 500, among many … [bio]

• 1945 Bubba Smith

  Bubba Smith was an American professional football player and actor. He gained fame as an NFL defensive end before transitioning into acting, where he became best known for his roles in the 'Police Academy' film series. [bio]

• 1947 Stephanie Beacham

  Stephanie Beacham is an English actress best known for her roles in television series such as 'The Colbys' and 'Dynasty,' as well as her appearances in British television and film. She has had a prolific career spanning film, stage, and television since the 1960s. [bio]

• 1948 Bernadette Peters

  Bernadette Peters is an American actress, singer, and children's book author, widely recognized for her work on Broadway and in film and television. Known for her distinctive voice and critically acclaimed performances, she has become one of the most celebrated interpreters of Stephen Sondheim’s musicals. [bio]

• 1948 Mercedes Ruehl

  Mercedes Ruehl is an award-winning American actress known for her work in film, television, and theater. She achieved widespread recognition for her role in 'The Fisher King', which earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. [bio]

• 1948 Mike Figgis

  Mike Figgis is an English film director, screenwriter, and composer, best known for directing the acclaimed film 'Leaving Las Vegas' (1995), for which he received Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. [bio]

• 1948 Steven Chu

  Nobel Prize-winning physicist who served as the United States Secretary of Energy from 2009 to 2013.

• 1953 Paul Krugman

  Paul Krugman is an influential American economist, professor, and author best known for his analysis of international trade, economic geography, and macroeconomic policy. He has made significant contributions to economic theory and is a prolific writer on economic and political issues. [bio]

• 1955 Gilbert Gottfried

  Gilbert Gottfried was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and voice actor known for his distinctive loud, grating voice and offbeat sense of humor. He became famous for his stand-up routines, roles in films and television, and extensive voice work in animated features. [bio]

• 1960 Dorothy Stratten

  Dorothy Stratten was a Canadian model, actress, and Playboy Playmate, who rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She is best known as Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for August 1979 and Playmate of the Year for 1980. Her promising career was tragically cut short when she was murdered at the age of 20. [bio]

• 1960 Richard Ramirez

  Notorious serial killer known as 'The Night Stalker' who terrorized California with a series of brutal murders and sexual assaults during...

• 1961 Rae Dawn Chong

  Rae Dawn Chong is a Canadian-American actress known for her work in film and television. She gained prominence in the 1980s for roles in notable films such as 'Quest for Fire' and 'Commando.' [bio]

• 1965 Colum McCann

  Colum McCann is an Irish writer best known for his novels, short stories, and his contributions to contemporary literature. He received international acclaim with works such as "Let the Great World Spin," which won the 2009 National Book Award for Fiction. McCann is noted for his lyrical prose style and for exploring themes of identity, history, and interconnected human experiences. [bio]

• 1969 Robert Leonard

  American actor best known for his role as Neil Perry in the 1989 film 'Dead Poets Society', delivering a critically acclaimed performance as...

• 1972 Rory Cochrane

  Rory Cochrane is an American actor best known for his roles in movies such as 'Dazed and Confused,' 'Empire Records,' and the television series 'CSI: Miami.' [bio]

• 1976 Ali Larter

  Ali Larter is an American actress and model, best known for her roles in the horror films 'Final Destination' and 'Resident Evil', as well as her portrayal of Niki Sanders and Tracy Strauss on the NBC science fiction drama series 'Heroes'. [bio]

• 1978 Geoffrey Arend

  Geoffrey Arend is an American actor recognized for his versatile performances in television and film, notably in series such as 'Madam Secretary' and the movie '500 Days of Summer.' [bio]

• 1982 Natalia Vodianova

  Natalia Vodianova is a Russian supermodel, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, widely recognized for her successful international modeling career and her extensive charitable work. [bio]

• 1987 Stephanie Sigman

  Stephanie Sigman is a Mexican-American actress, best known for her roles in the film 'Miss Bala' (2011) and as Estrella in the James Bond film 'Spectre' (2015). She has also starred in television series such as 'Narcos' and 'S.W.A.T.' [bio]

• 1991 Sarah Bolger

  Sarah Bolger is an Irish actress best known for her roles in acclaimed films and television series, including 'In America', 'The Tudors', and 'Once Upon a Time'. She has been recognized for her performances from a young age and continues to work in the entertainment industry. [bio]