Famous people and celebrities born on May 19

Welcome to our celebration of remarkable individuals born on May 19! 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.

• 1881 Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

  Founder of the Republic of Turkey and a key figure in modernizing the country.

• 1905 Natalie Kingston

  Natalie Kingston was an American actress who gained fame in the silent film era and into the early sound era. She is best known for her roles in comedies, particularly as the female lead in the 1928 'Tarzan the Mighty' film serial. [bio]

• 1909 Fred Perry

  Fred Perry was a legendary British tennis player who dominated the sport in the 1930s, becoming the first player to achieve the Grand Slam...

• 1924 Nathalie Nattier

  Nathalie Nattier was a French actress best known for her work in French cinema during the 1940s and 1950s. She was recognized for her performances in films such as 'Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne' and 'Les Enfants Terribles.' [bio]

• 1925 Malcolm X

  Malcolm X was an influential African American civil rights leader, renowned for his powerful advocacy for Black empowerment and racial justice in the United States. After a troubled early life, he became a prominent spokesperson for the Nation of Islam, where he preached Black self-sufficiency and challenged mainstream civil rights strategies. In 1964, he broke with the Nation of Islam, … [bio]

• 1925 Pol Pot

  Pol Pot was a brutal Cambodian dictator who led the Khmer Rouge regime, responsible for the Cambodian Genocide that killed approximately two...

• 1932 Alma Cogan

  Alma Cogan was an English singer known for her effervescent personality and distinctive voice, earning her the nickname 'The Girl with the Laugh in Her Voice.' She was one of the most successful female vocalists in the UK during the 1950s and early 1960s, with several chart-topping hits. [bio]

• 1933 Edward de Bono

  Renowned Maltese physician, psychologist, and author famous for pioneering lateral thinking and creativity techniques.

• 1934 Jim Lehrer

  Renowned American journalist, news anchor, and author who co-founded and co-anchored the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour on PBS for many years.

• 1939 Nancy Kwan

  Nancy Kwan is a Hong Kong-born American actress and dancer best known for her roles in groundbreaking films such as 'The World of Suzie Wong' (1960) and 'Flower Drum Song' (1961), which helped pave the way for wider recognition of Asian actors in Hollywood. [bio]

• 1941 Nora Ephron

  Nora Ephron was an acclaimed American journalist, essayist, playwright, screenwriter, novelist, producer, and director, best known for her sharp wit and influential romantic comedies. [bio]

• 1945 Pete Townshend

  Pete Townshend is an English musician, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist and principal songwriter for the legendary rock band The Who. Recognized for his innovative guitar style, powerful songwriting, and energetic stage presence, Townshend is considered one of rock music's most influential figures. [bio]

• 1946 André the Giant

  André the Giant was a French professional wrestler and actor, known for his enormous size due to acromegaly. He achieved worldwide fame in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), and became an iconic figure in pop culture, notably for his role as Fezzik in the film 'The Princess Bride.' [bio]

• 1946 Michele Placido

  Michele Placido is an acclaimed Italian actor and director, widely recognized for his roles in film and television, particularly for his portrayal of police inspector Corrado Cattani in the popular Italian TV series 'La piovra.' He has also earned international accolades as a director and remains a prominent figure in Italian cinema. [bio]

• 1948 Grace Jones

  Grace Jones is a Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, model, and actress known for her distinctive androgynous appearance, bold fashion, and eclectic and innovative music style that blends disco, reggae, funk, and new wave. Rising to prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s, she became an influential figure in pop culture and music. [bio]

• 1955 James Gosling

  James Gosling is a renowned Canadian computer scientist who created the Java programming language, fundamentally transforming software...

• 1959 Nicole Brown Simpson

  Nicole Brown Simpson was the ex-wife of NFL player O.J.

• 1967 Geraldine Somerville

  Geraldine Somerville is an Irish actress best known for her roles in the British TV series "Cracker" and as Lily Potter in the "Harry Potter" film series. Her work spans television, film, and stage, showcasing her versatility and talent within the industry. [bio]

• 1968 Jesse Peretz

  Jesse Peretz is an American film and television director, producer, and musician, known for his work on popular TV series such as 'Girls', 'Orange Is the New Black', and for directing films including 'Our Idiot Brother'. He was also an original member and bassist of the alternative rock band The Lemonheads. [bio]

• 1968 Kyle Eastwood

  Kyle Eastwood is an American jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader, known for his prolific work in jazz and for composing soundtracks for several motion pictures, often collaborating with his father, Clint Eastwood. [bio]

• 1969 Thomas Vinterberg

  Thomas Vinterberg is a renowned Danish film director, screenwriter, and co-founder of the Dogme 95 movement. He is best known internationally for his films "The Celebration" (Festen) and "Another Round" (Druk), the latter winning the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. [bio]

• 1970 Jason Gray-Stanford

  Jason Gray-Stanford is a Canadian actor best known for his role as Lieutenant Randy Disher in the television series 'Monk'. He has also appeared in various films and television series, and provided voice work for animated series. [bio]

• 1972 Claudia Karvan

  Claudia Karvan is an acclaimed Australian actress, producer, and writer, best known for her roles in television series such as 'The Secret Life of Us,' 'Love My Way,' and 'Doctor Doctor.' She is recognized as one of Australia's leading performers with a career spanning over three decades. [bio]

• 1973 Dario Franchitti

  Dario Franchitti is a Scottish former racing driver who is best known for his success in American open-wheel racing, including winning the Indianapolis 500 three times and four IndyCar Series championships. [bio]

• 1976 Kevin Garnett

  Kevin Garnett is a retired American professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history. Renowned for his intensity, versatility, and defensive prowess, he enjoyed a decorated 21-season career, primarily with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics. [bio]

• 1979 Sanoe Lake

  Sanoe Lake is an American actress, model, and surfer best known for her role in the film 'Blue Crush' (2002). She gained recognition in the early 2000s for both her acting and her work as a model, particularly within surf culture. [bio]

• 1981 Georges St-Pierre

  Georges St-Pierre is a legendary Canadian mixed martial artist who dominated the UFC welterweight division, widely considered one of the...

• 1982 Rebecca Hall

  Rebecca Hall is an English actress and filmmaker known for her versatile performances in film, television, and theatre. She gained recognition for her roles in movies such as 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona,' 'The Town,' 'Christine,' and also directed the acclaimed film 'Passing.' [bio]

• 1985 Jon Kortajarena

  Jon Kortajarena is a Spanish model and actor renowned internationally for his work with top fashion brands and his roles in film and television. [bio]

• 1992 Sam Smith (singer)

  Sam Smith is a Grammy-winning British singer-songwriter known for their powerful soulful voice and chart-topping hits like 'Stay With Me'...