Famous people and celebrities born on January 29

Welcome to our celebration of remarkable individuals born on January 29! 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.

• 1843 William McKinley

  William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States, serving from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. He is known for leading the nation to victory in the Spanish–American War, raising protective tariffs to promote American industry, and maintaining the gold standard. [bio]

• 1880 W.C. Fields

  W.C. Fields was an influential American comedian, actor, juggler, and writer, renowned for his distinctive persona and witty, sardonic humor on both stage and screen. He became a prominent figure in vaudeville and transitioned to film, where his unique comedic style left a lasting impact on American entertainment. [bio]

• 1913 Victor Mature

  Victor Mature was an American film, stage, and television actor, best known for his roles in classic Hollywood movies of the 1940s and 1950s, including 'Samson and Delilah,' 'My Darling Clementine,' and 'Kiss of Death.' [bio]

• 1917 John Raitt

  John Raitt was an American actor and singer best known for his performances in musical theater, particularly for originating leading roles in classic Broadway productions such as 'Carousel,' 'The Pajama Game,' and 'Oklahoma!'. [bio]

• 1918 John Forsythe

  John Forsythe was an American actor and producer, best known for his roles in television series such as "Bachelor Father," "Charlie's Angels" (as the voice of Charles Townsend), and "Dynasty" (as Blake Carrington). Forsythe's career spanned more than six decades, earning him distinction in both television and film. [bio]

• 1926 Abdus Salam

  Abdus Salam was a pioneering Pakistani theoretical physicist renowned for his significant role in the development of the electroweak unification theory, which forms part of the Standard Model of particle physics. In 1979, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, along with Sheldon Glashow and Steven Weinberg, for their contributions to the theory predicting the unification of the weak … [bio]

• 1933 Sacha Distel

  Sacha Distel was a renowned French singer, guitarist, and composer, known for his smooth vocals and charm. He gained international fame for his popular songs in both French and English, and became a celebrated entertainer in France and the UK. [bio]

• 1939 Germaine Greer

  Germaine Greer is an Australian writer, academic, and journalist, regarded as a major feminist voice of the late 20th century. She is best known for her book 'The Female Eunuch' (1970), which became a key text in the feminist movement. [bio]

• 1940 Katharine Ross

  Katharine Ross is an acclaimed American actress best known for her roles in iconic films of the 1960s and 1970s, including 'The Graduate', 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid', and 'The Stepford Wives'. She has received numerous accolades for her performances and is recognized as one of the notable actresses of her era. [bio]

• 1941 Maggie Kirkpatrick

  Maggie Kirkpatrick is an Australian actress best known for her role as Joan 'The Freak' Ferguson in the iconic television series 'Prisoner' (also known as 'Prisoner: Cell Block H'). She has had a prolific career in Australian television, theatre, and film, spanning several decades. [bio]

• 1942 Claudine Longet

  Claudine Longet is a French-American singer, actress, and recording artist, best known for her 1960s music career and her marriage to singer Andy Williams. She also gained notoriety for her involvement in a high-profile criminal case in the 1970s. [bio]

• 1944 Susana Giménez

  Susana Giménez is an Argentine television host, actress, model, and businesswoman, widely regarded as one of the most prominent figures in the entertainment industry in Latin America. She is best known for her long-running television talk show 'Susana Giménez,' which has made her a household name in Spanish-speaking countries. [bio]

• 1945 Tom Selleck

  Tom Selleck is an American actor and film producer, famously known for his role as Thomas Magnum in the television series 'Magnum, P.I.' He has enjoyed a decades-long career in television and film, including notable performances in the 'Jesse Stone' film series and on the long-running drama 'Blue Bloods.' Selleck is recognized for his mustachioed, charismatic screen presence. [bio]

• 1948 Marc Singer

  Marc Singer is a Canadian-American actor best known for his roles in the cult classic film 'The Beastmaster' and the popular television series 'V.' He has had a prolific career in both film and television, spanning several decades. [bio]

• 1954 Oprah Winfrey

  Oprah Winfrey is an iconic American media executive, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist. She gained fame as the host of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show', which ran nationally for 25 years and became the highest-rated television talk show in history. Winfrey is noted for her influence on the media landscape, her inspirational personal story overcoming poverty and adversity, and … [bio]

• 1954 Terry Kinney

  Terry Kinney is an American actor, theater director, and a founding member of the renowned Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. He is widely recognized for his work on stage as well as his roles in television and film, particularly for his portrayal of Tim McManus on the HBO series 'Oz.' [bio]

• 1960 Greg Louganis

  Greg Louganis is an American Olympic diver, widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport's history. He is known for winning gold medals in both the 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform events at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games, a rare feat in diving. Louganis is also recognized for his advocacy work as an openly gay athlete and … [bio]

• 1962 Nicholas Turturro

  Nicholas Turturro is an American actor known for his roles in television series such as 'NYPD Blue' and films including 'Do the Right Thing' and 'The Longest Yard.' He is recognized for playing law enforcement officers and for his frequent collaborations with director Spike Lee. [bio]

• 1968 Edward Burns

  Edward Burns is an American actor, film producer, writer, and director best known for his roles in independent films such as 'The Brothers McMullen' and 'She's the One', as well as acting in major productions like 'Saving Private Ryan'. [bio]

• 1970 Paul Ryan

  Paul Ryan is an American politician and former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. He represented Wisconsin's 1st congressional district from 1999 to 2019 and served as Speaker from October 2015 to January 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Ryan was also Mitt Romney's running mate in the 2012 presidential election, serving as the Republican nominee for Vice … [bio]

• 1970 Heather Graham

  Heather Graham is an American actress known for her roles in popular films such as 'Boogie Nights,' 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,' and 'Drugstore Cowboy.' Active since the late 1980s, she is recognized for her versatile performances in both independent and mainstream movies. [bio]

• 1971 Clare Balding

  Clare Balding is a prominent British broadcaster, journalist, and author, widely recognized for her work in sports television and radio. She has presented coverage for numerous Olympic and Paralympic Games, horse racing events, and a variety of other sports programs in the UK. [bio]

• 1975 Sara Gilbert

  Sara Gilbert is an American actress, director, and producer best known for her role as Darlene Conner on the long-running sitcom 'Roseanne' and its spin-off 'The Conners.' She has also co-created and co-hosted the daytime talk show 'The Talk.' Gilbert's performance and creative input have earned her critical acclaim and several award nominations. [bio]

• 1975 Kelly Packard

  Kelly Packard is an American actress and television personality, best known for her roles on the television series 'Baywatch' and 'California Dreams.' [bio]

• 1977 Justin Hartley

  Justin Hartley is an American actor best known for his roles on television, particularly as Kevin Pearson in the acclaimed NBC drama series 'This Is Us.' He has also appeared in notable shows such as 'Smallville,' 'The Young and the Restless,' and 'Revenge.' [bio]

• 1979 Andrew Keegan

  Andrew Keegan is an American actor best known for his roles in several popular films and television series during the late 1990s and early 2000s, including '10 Things I Hate About You' and 'Party of Five.' [bio]

• 1980 Jason James Richter

  Jason James Richter is an American actor and musician best known for his role as Jesse in the 1993 family film 'Free Willy' and its sequels. [bio]

• 1981 Elijah Wood

  Elijah Wood is an acclaimed American actor best known for portraying Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. He began his career as a child actor and has gone on to perform in a diverse array of film and television roles, earning recognition for his versatility and longevity in the industry. [bio]

• 1982 Adam Lambert

  Adam Lambert is an American singer, songwriter, and actor best known for his powerful vocals and theatrical performance style. He gained fame as the runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol in 2009 and has since established a successful solo career while also serving as the lead vocalist for the legendary rock band Queen in their ongoing tours as … [bio]

• 1989 François Civil

  François Civil is a French actor known for his roles in French cinema and television. He has gained prominence for his performances in both dramatic and action roles, establishing himself as a leading talent in the French entertainment industry. [bio]