Famous people and celebrities born on May 15

Welcome to our celebration of remarkable individuals born on May 15! 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.

• 1856 L. Frank Baum

  L. Frank Baum was an American author best known for writing 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' and its sequels. His imaginative works have become classics of children's literature and have inspired numerous stage and screen adaptations. [bio]

• 1881 Julian Eltinge

  Julian Eltinge was an American stage and film actor renowned for his work as a female impersonator during the early 20th century. His performances brought widespread acclaim and contributed significantly to the popularity of drag on the American vaudeville circuit and in early cinema. [bio]

• 1905 Joseph Cotten

  Joseph Cotten was a prominent American film, stage, and television actor known for his roles in classic movies during the 1940s and 1950s. He was widely recognized for his collaborations with Orson Welles and his performances in influential films such as 'Citizen Kane' and 'The Third Man.' [bio]

• 1907 Ayub Khan

  Ayub Khan was a Pakistani army general who became the second President of Pakistan, serving from 1958 to 1969. He was instrumental in Pakistan's political and military history, overseeing both military rule and significant industrial and economic development in the country during his administration. [bio]

• 1909 James Mason

  James Mason was a distinguished English actor, known for his deep voice, suave demeanor, and roles in numerous acclaimed films from the 1940s through the 1980s. He gained fame for both leading and supporting roles in British and Hollywood cinema and is recognized for his versatility and longevity in the industry. [bio]

• 1910 Constance Cummings

  Constance Cummings was an American-born British actress renowned for her prolific career in film, theatre, and television spanning over six decades. She appeared in more than 40 films on both sides of the Atlantic and was celebrated for her versatility and depth as a performer. [bio]

• 1915 Paul Samuelson

  Legendary American economist who won the Nobel Prize and profoundly influenced modern economic theory.

• 1918 Joseph Wiseman

  Joseph Wiseman was a Canadian-American actor best known for his role as the villain Dr. Julius No in the first James Bond film, 'Dr. No' (1962). Over his career, he appeared in numerous films, television series, and stage productions, earning recognition for his versatility and distinctive presence. [bio]

• 1923 Richard Avedon

  Richard Avedon was a legendary American photographer, celebrated for his influential fashion and portrait photography. His innovative techniques and distinct visual style helped shape modern photographic portraiture. Avedon's work appeared in major publications and he photographed a wide array of cultural icons, political figures, and everyday people, leaving a lasting impact on visual storytelling in the 20th century. [bio]

• 1923 Doris Dowling

  Doris Dowling was an American film, television, and stage actress best known for her work during the 1940s and 1950s, notably starring in 'The Lost Weekend' and 'Bitter Rice.' Her career spanned both the United States and Italy, where she achieved fame in postwar cinema. [bio]

• 1924 Ursula Thiess

  Ursula Thiess was a German-born American actress and model who achieved success in Hollywood during the 1950s, known for her elegance and striking looks. She appeared in several films, often starring alongside prominent actors of the era, and was especially recognized as the wife of actor Robert Taylor. [bio]

• 1936 Anna Maria Alberghetti

  Anna Maria Alberghetti is an Italian-American singer and actress best known for her work in musical theatre, film, and television. Born in Italy, she was a child prodigy who gained fame in the United States and won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in 'Carnival!'. [bio]

• 1937 Madeleine Albright

  Madeleine Albright was an American diplomat and political scientist who served as the first female United States Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001, under President Bill Clinton. She was known for her strong advocacy of democracy and human rights and played a significant role in shaping U.S. foreign policy in the late 20th century. [bio]

• 1940 Lainie Kazan

  Lainie Kazan is an American actress and singer recognized for her roles in musical theater, television, and film. She gained major fame for her performance in the Broadway production of 'Funny Girl' and as Maria Portokalos in the 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' film series. [bio]

• 1951 Frank Wilczek

  Renowned American theoretical physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking work in quantum chromodynamics.

• 1952 Chazz Palminteri

  Chazz Palminteri is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, and playwright, best known for his work on the film 'A Bronx Tale,' which he wrote and starred in, based on his own one-man show. His career spans film, television, and theater, and he has been recognized for his portrayals of robust Italian-American characters. [bio]

• 1961 Daniel Giménez Cacho

  Daniel Giménez Cacho is a renowned Spanish-born Mexican actor, recognized for his extensive film, television, and theater work in Latin America and Spain. He is acclaimed for his compelling performances and collaborations with prominent directors, becoming one of the most respected actors in Mexican cinema. [bio]

• 1961 Katrin Cartlidge

  Katrin Cartlidge was a highly regarded English actress, celebrated for her compelling and versatile performances in independent and arthouse films during the 1990s and early 2000s. [bio]

• 1966 Greg Wise

  Greg Wise is a British actor and producer, known for his roles in film, television, and theatre. He has appeared in several notable productions including the period drama 'Sense and Sensibility' and the Netflix series 'The Crown.' Wise is also recognised as the husband of actress Emma Thompson. [bio]

• 1967 Madhuri Dixit

  Madhuri Dixit is a highly acclaimed Indian actress and television personality, best known for her work in Hindi cinema since the late 1980s. Renowned for her acting skills, graceful dance performances, and radiant screen presence, she became one of Bollywood's leading actresses, with a career spanning multiple decades. [bio]

• 1967 John Smoltz

  John Smoltz is a Hall of Fame MLB pitcher who spent most of his illustrious career with the Atlanta Braves.

• 1969 Emmitt Smith

  Legendary NFL running back who played primarily for the Dallas Cowboys, winning three Super Bowls and becoming the league's all-time leading...

• 1975 Ray Lewis

  Hall of Fame NFL linebacker who played his entire 17-year career with the Baltimore Ravens, widely considered one of the greatest defensive...

• 1981 Jamie-Lynn Sigler

  Jamie-Lynn Sigler is an American actress best known for her role as Meadow Soprano on the acclaimed HBO series 'The Sopranos.' With a career spanning television, film, and stage, Sigler is recognized for her diverse acting abilities and contributions to entertainment. [bio]

• 1982 Alexandra Breckenridge

  Alexandra Breckenridge is an American actress best known for her roles in television series such as 'Virgin River,' 'This Is Us,' and 'American Horror Story.' She has also appeared in several films and is recognized for her voice acting work on 'Family Guy.' [bio]

• 1982 Tatsuya Fujiwara

  Tatsuya Fujiwara is a Japanese actor best known for his leading roles in the films 'Battle Royale' and the 'Death Note' live-action series. He has established a distinguished career in film, television, and theater, and is recognized for his versatile acting and memorable performances across various genres. [bio]

• 1984 Samantha Noble

  Samantha Noble is an Australian actress known for her work in film and television, particularly within the thriller and horror genres. [bio]

• 1987 Andy Murray

  Andy Murray is a British professional tennis player who is considered one of the greatest in the sport's history. He is best known for his Grand Slam victories and for being the first British man in 77 years to win the Wimbledon singles title in 2013. [bio]

• 1990 Sophie Cookson

  Sophie Cookson is an English actress best known for her breakout role as secret agent Roxanne 'Roxy' Morton in the action spy film 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' (2014) and its sequel. She has also appeared in acclaimed works such as 'The Trial of Christine Keeler,' 'Red Joan,' and Netflix's 'Gypsy.' [bio]