Famous people and celebrities born on May 21

Welcome to our celebration of remarkable individuals born on May 21! 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.

• 1904 Fats Waller

  Fats Waller was an influential American jazz pianist, organist, composer, and comedic entertainer, widely recognized for his innovations in stride piano and contributions to the development of early jazz. [bio]

• 1913 William Reddington Hewlett

  Co-founder of Hewlett-Packard (HP), a pioneering technology company that played a crucial role in the development of Silicon Valley and...

• 1915 Moshe Dayan

  Legendary Israeli military leader and defense minister, known for his strategic prowess during the Six-Day War and distinctive eye patch.

• 1916 Harold Robbins

  Renowned American novelist known for his bestselling fiction works that have sold over 750 million copies worldwide in 32 languages.

• 1917 Raymond Burr

  Raymond Burr was a Canadian-American actor best known for his roles in television drama series, notably as Perry Mason in 'Perry Mason' and Robert T. Ironside in 'Ironside'. Over his extensive career, he became an iconic figure in legal and crime dramas, acclaimed for his commanding screen presence. [bio]

• 1921 Andrei Sakharov

  Renowned Soviet nuclear physicist who became a prominent human rights activist and dissident, critically challenging the Soviet regime's...

• 1926 Kay Kendall

  Kay Kendall was an acclaimed English actress and comedienne, best known for her roles in British comedies during the 1950s. She gained fame for her sparkling screen presence and comic timing, becoming one of the most popular film stars of her era before her untimely death at 32. [bio]

• 1930 Malcolm Fraser

  Malcolm Fraser was a prominent Australian politician who served as Prime Minister of Australia from 1975 to 1983, leading the Liberal Party...

• 1933 Maurice André

  Renowned French classical trumpet player who significantly elevated the trumpet's status as a solo classical instrument during the 20th...

• 1934 Bengt I. Samuelsson

  Renowned Swedish biochemist and Nobel Prize laureate who made significant contributions to medical research.

• 1936 Gunter Blobel

  Renowned cell biologist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1999 for his groundbreaking research on protein targeting and...

• 1941 Ronald Isley

  Ronald Isley is a legendary R&B singer and founding member of the Isley Brothers, a groundbreaking musical group that significantly...

• 1947 Jonathan Hyde

  Jonathan Hyde is an Australian-born British actor known for his roles in several major films, including "Titanic", "Jumanji", and "The Mummy". [bio]

• 1951 Al Franken

  Al Franken is an American comedian, writer, political commentator, and former U.S. Senator. He gained fame as a writer and performer on 'Saturday Night Live' and later transitioned into politics, serving as a United States Senator from Minnesota from 2009 to 2018. [bio]

• 1952 Mr T

  Mr.

• 1953 Nora Aunor

  Nora Aunor is a renowned Filipino actress, recording artist, and film producer, celebrated for her significant contributions to Philippine cinema and music. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential and critically acclaimed performers in the Philippines, known as the 'Superstar' for her extensive and award-winning career spanning several decades. [bio]

• 1957 Judge Reinhold

  Judge Reinhold is an American actor best known for his roles in popular films such as 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High,' 'Beverly Hills Cop' series, and 'The Santa Clause' trilogy. With a career spanning over four decades, Reinhold has become recognizable for his comedic talent and appearances in several hit movies of the 1980s and 1990s. [bio]

• 1959 Nick Cassavetes

  Nick Cassavetes is an American actor, director, and screenwriter known for his work in both film and television. He is notable for directing popular films such as 'The Notebook' and comes from a family of celebrated filmmakers. [bio]

• 1960 Mohanlal

  Mohanlal is a legendary Indian actor and producer widely regarded as one of the most influential performers in Malayalam cinema, known for...

• 1960 Jeffrey Dahmer

  Jeffrey Dahmer was a notorious American serial killer who murdered and dismembered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991.

• 1968 Julie Vega

  Julie Vega was a Filipino child actress, singer, and commercial model, widely recognized for her leading role in the television drama 'Anna Liza.' [bio]

• 1972 Notorious BIG

  Christopher Wallace, better known by his stage name Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, was a pioneering American rapper. He emerged as one of the most influential East Coast hip-hop artists of the 1990s, known for his distinctive flow, vivid storytelling, and contribution to the genre's mainstream popularity. His albums 'Ready to Die' and the posthumously released 'Life After Death' are … [bio]

• 1974 Fairuza Balk

  Fairuza Balk is an American actress and musician best known for her roles in cult films such as 'The Craft', 'American History X', and 'Return to Oz'. Renowned for her distinctive presence and often alternative or Gothic roles, Balk developed a devoted following in the 1990s. [bio]

• 1980 Gotye

  Gotye is a Belgian-Australian musician who gained international fame with his Grammy-winning hit song 'Somebody That I Used to Know', which...

• 1981 Josh Hamilton

  Josh Hamilton is a retired American professional baseball outfielder, best known for his time in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Texas Rangers, where he achieved MVP honors and contributed to the team's back-to-back World Series appearances. [bio]

• 1983 N. T. Rama Rao, Jr.

  N.

• 1985 Mutya Buena

  Mutya Buena is an English singer and songwriter best known as a founding member of the successful girl group Sugababes. She has also released solo material and collaborated with various artists across genres. [bio]

• 1985 Chris Froome

  Professional cyclist from Kenya-born British who won multiple Tour de France titles and is considered one of the most successful cyclists of...

• 1994 Tom Daley

  Tom Daley is a British diver and Olympic gold medalist, known for his achievements in competitive diving and for his advocacy within the LGBTQ+ community. [bio]

• 1996 Josh Allen

  Quarterback for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL, known for his strong arm and athletic playing style.