Famous Birthdays on January 5

Birthdays 1 - 200 of 264

• 1209 Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall, born in Winchester Castle (d. 1272)
• 1548 Francisco Suarez, Spanish theologian, born in Granada, Spain (d. 1617)
• 1560 William Cobbold, British organist and composer (Chapel Royal), born in the UK (d. 1639)

• 1587 Xu Xiake, Chinese geographer, born in Jiangsu, China (d. 1641)
• 1592 Shah Jahan, 5th Mughal Emperor of India (1628-58) who built the Taj Mahal for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, born in Lahore, Mughal Empire (d. 1666)
• 1596 Henry Lawes, English composer, born in Dinton, England (d. 1662)
• 1614 Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria, born in Wiener Neustadt, Austria (d. 1662)
• 1661 Jacob Balthasar Schutz, German composer, born in the Free Imperial City of Nuremberg, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1700)
• 1666 Guru Gobind Singh, Tenth Guru of Sikhism, founder and General of Khalsa Army, social reformist and poet, born in Patna Sahib (d. 1708)
• 1667 Antonio Lotti, Italian Baroque composer, born in Venice, Republic of Venice (d. 1740)
• 1667 Simon Fraser, 12th baron Lovat, Scottish Jacobite among those defeated at Culloden (last man beheaded in England), (d. 1747)
• 1679 Pietro Filippo Scarlotti, Italian composer, born in Rome, Papal States (d. 1750)
• 1696 Giuseppe Galli-Bibiena, Italian architect and painter, born in Parma, Duchy of Parma and Piacenza (now Italy) (d. 1757)
• 1717 William Wildman Shute Barrington, British statesman, born in Becket, Massachusetts (d. 1793)
• 1729 Paulus Constantijn la Fargue, Dutch cartoonist and painter, born in The Hague, Netherlands (d. 1782)
• 1759 Jacques Cathelineau, French royalist & army leader, born in Le Pin-en-Mauges, France (d. 1793)

• 1762 Constanze Mozart, wife of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, born in Zell im Wiesental, Germany (d. 1842)
• 1769 Jean Baptiste Say, French economist (Political Economics), born in Lyon, France (d. 1832)
• 1773 Pieter Fontijn, Dutch painter and drawer, born in Dordrecht, Netherlands (d. 1839)
• 1778 Fortunato Santini, Italian priest and composer, born in Rome, Papal States (d. 1861)
• 1779 Stephen Decatur, American naval hero (War of 1812), born in Sinepuxent, Maryland (d. 1820)
• 1779 Zebulon Pike, American brigadier general and explorer (Pike's Peak), born in Lamington, New Jersey (d. 1813)
• 1788 Kaspar Ett, German organist and composer, born in Eresing, Electorate of Bavaria, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1847)
• 1806 André Henri Constant van Hasselt, Belgian poet (La Belgium), born in Maastricht, Meuse-Inférieure (d. 1874)
• 1810 Auguste Mermet, French opera composer, born in Brussels, Belgium (d. 1889)
• 1811 Cyrus Hamlin, American educator/missionary (est Robert College, Turkey), born in Waterford, Maine (d. 1900)
• 1813 Thomas Neville Waul, Brigadier General (Confederate Army), born in Sumter County, South Carolina (d. 1903)
• 1822 Joseph Brevard Kershaw, Major General (Confederate Army), born in Camden, South Carolina (d. 1894)
• 1823 William Rockstro [Rackstraw], English musicologist, arranger, and composer, born in North Cheam, Surrey, England (d. 1895)
• 1828 August Valentine Kautz, German-American Brevet Major General (Union Army), born in Baden, Germany (d. 1895)
• 1829 Sir Roger Tichborne, missing U.K. heir who was the subject of the longest criminal trial in British history (d. c.1854)

• 1834 William John Wills, English explorer of Australia, member of the Burke and Wills expedition, born in Totnes, United Kingdom (d. 1861)
• 1835 Friedrich Richard Faltin, Finnish composer, born in Gdańsk, Poland (d. 1918)
• 1835 Hendrik van Rijgersma, Dutch naturalist and physician, born in Lemmer, Netherlands (d. 1877)
• 1838 Camille Jordan, French mathematician, born in Lyon, France (d. 1922)
• 1840 John Doby Kennedy, Brigadier General (Confederate Army), born in Camden, South Carolina (d. 1896)
• 1846 Rudolf Christoph Eucken, German idealist philosopher (Nobel 1908), born in Aurich, Germany (d. 1926)
• 1848 Khristo Botev, Bulgarian poet and nationalist revolutionary, born in Kalofer, Bulgaria (d. 1876)
• 1848 Same Steele, Canadian soldier, born in Purbrook, Canada West (d. 1919)
• 1850 Theodoor Verstraete, Flemish painter and etcher, born in Ghent, Belgium (d. 1907)

• 1858 Gustaf af Geijerstam, Swedish author (Boken om Lillebror), born in Hed socken (d. 1909)
• 1859 DeWitt Bristol Brace, inventor (spectrophotometer), born in Wilson, New York (d. 1905)
• 1861 Heinrich Gottlieb Noren, Austrian violinist and composer (Kaleidoscope), born in Graz, Austria (d. 1928)
• 1864 Bob Caruthers, American baseball pitcher/outfielder (American Association wins & ERA leader 1885, wins leader 1880; St. Louis Browns, Brooklyn Bridegrooms), born in Memphis, Tennessee (d. 1911)
• 1865 Julio Garavito Armero, Colombian astronomer, born in Bogotá, Colombia (d. 1920)
• 1871 Frederick Converse, American composer (The Pipe of Desire), born in Newton, Massachusetts (d. 1940)

• 1879 Hans Eppinger, Austrian physician, born in Prague, Czech Republic (d. 1946)
• 1880 Nikolai Medtner, Russian pianist and composer (Skazi), born in Moscow, Russia (d. 1951)
• 1881 Nikolay Andreyevich Roslavets, Russian composer, born in Surazh, Russia (d. 1944)
• 1882 Herbert Bayard Swope, U.S. journalist who coined the term "Cold War", born in St. Louis, Missouri (d. 1958)
• 1885 Humbert Wolfe, Italian-born British poet, born in Milan, Italy (d. 1940)
• 1888 George "Rube" Foster, American baseball pitcher (World Series 1915, 16; no-hitter 1916; Boston Red Sox), born in Lehigh, Oklahoma (d. 1976)
• 1889 Albert van Dalsum, Dutch actor and director (Wilton's Zoo; Little Rascal), born in Nieuwer-Amstel, Noord-Holland, Netherlands (d. 1971)
• 1890 Cora Witherspoon, American actress (Quality Street The Bank Dick), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 1957)
• 1892 Anne Morrison Chapin, American playwright, actress, (The Wild Westcotts), and screenwriter (The Sailor Takes A Wife), born in Shoals, Indiana (d. 1967)
• 1892 Francesca Bertini, Italian actress (Odette, Assunta Spina), born in Florence, Tuscany, Italy (d. 1985)
• 1893 Friedrich Blume, German musicologist (Das Rassenproblem in der Musik), born in Schlüchtern, Germany (d. 1975)
• 1893 Paramahansa Yogananda, Indian guru (Autobiography of a Yogi), born in Gorakhpur, India (d. 1952)
• 1893 Zoltán Böszörmény, Hungarian Nazi politician, born in Budapest, Hungary (d. unknown)
• 1895 Elizabeth Cotten, American folk and blues guitarist and songwriter ("Freight Train"), born in Carrboro, North Carolina (d. 1987)
• 1895 Jeannette Piccard, American high-altitude balloonist & Episcopal priest, born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1981)
• 1896 Hendrik Algra, Dutch teacher, journalist, historian, and politician (ARP), born in Hurdegaryp, Netherlands (d. 1982)
• 1897 Jack Wagner, American actor (The Razor's Edge, Under Two Flags, Jive Junction), born in Cleveland, Ohio (d. 1965)
• 1897 Theo Mackeben, German pianist and composer (Lady Fanny, Bel Ami), born in Starogard Gdański, Poland (d. 1953)
• 1900 Paula Ludwig, Austrian-German poet, born in Vorarlberg, Austria (d. 1974)
• 1900 Yves Tanguy, French surrealist painter, born in Paris, France (d. 1955)
• 1901 Henri Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves, French officer/resistance fighter, born in Verrières-le-Buisson, France (d. 1941)
• 1901 Mario Scelba, Italian politician (Prime Minister 1954-55), born in Caltagirone, Italy (d. 1991)
• 1902 Dorothea "Stella" Gibbons, English author (Cold Comfort Farm), born in London (d. 1989)
• 1902 Pierre Palla, Dutch pianist and organist, born in Venlo, Netherlands (d. 1968)
• 1903 Harold Gatty, Australian aviator, navigator with Wiley Post, born in Campbell Town, Australia (d. 1957)
• 1903 Leighton Lucas, English composer and conductor, born in London, England (d. 1982)
• 1904 Erica Morini, Austrian concert violinist, born in Vienna, Austria (d. 1995)
• 1904 Jeane Dixon [Lydia Pinckert], American celebrity psychic and astrologer (A Gift of Prophecy), born in Medford, Wisconsin (d. 1997)
• 1906 Kathleen Kenyon, English archaeologist, 1st person to place date on remains of Jericho, born in London (d. 1978)
• 1907 Anton Ingolic, Slavic author (After Splavih, After Prelomu), born in Spodnja Polskava, Slovenia (d. 1992)
• 1907 Volmari Iso-Hollo, Finnish athlete (Olympic gold 3,000m steeplechase 1936), born in Ylöjärvi, Finland (d. 1969)
• 1907 Willi Soukop, sculptor and member of Royal Academy of Arts, born in Vienna, Austria (d. 1995)
• 1908 George Dolenz [Jure Dolenc], Italian actor (Scared Stiff, Count of Monte Cristo), born in Trieste, Austria-Hungary (d. 1963)
• 1909 Simon Harcourt Nowell-Smith, British bibliophile (d. 1996)
• 1909 Stephen Cole Kleene, American mathematician (Regular Expressions), born in Hartford, Connecticut (d. 1994)
• 1910 Ed Widseth, American College Football Hall of Fame tackle (University of Minnesota; Pro Bowl 1938; NY Giants), born in Gonvick, Minnesota (d. 1998)
• 1910 Hugh Brannum, American actor and singer (Captain Kangaroo - "Mr. Green Jeans"; The Fred Waring Show - "Lumpy"), born in Sandwich, Illinois (d. 1987)
• 1910 Jack Lovelock, New Zealand athlete (Olympic gold 1,500m 1936), born in Crushington, New Zealand (d. 1949)
• 1911 Jean-Pierre Aumont, French actor (Lili, Cat & Mouse, Happy Hooker), born in Paris, France (d. 2001)
• 1912 Frank Pace Jr., US Secretary of Army (1950-53), born in Little Rock, Arkansas (d. 1988)
• 1913 Jack Haig [John Cecil Coppin], English actor ('Allo, Allo!), born in London, England (d. 1989)

• 1914 Nicolas de Staël, French-Russian painter, born in Saint Petersburg, Russia (d. 1955)
• 1915 Arthur H. Robinson, Canadian-born cartographer, born in Montreal, Quebec (d. 2004)
• 1915 Mabel Leigh, British potter (Shorter and Son), born in Coatesville, Indiana (d. 1971)
• 1915 Uta Graf, German-American soprano and teacher, born in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; (d. 1995)
• 1917 Francis L. Kellogg, U.S. diplomat and prominent socialite, born in New York City (d. 2006)

• 1917 Reginald Smith Brindle, British composer, born in Cuerden, Lancashire, England (d. 2003)
• 1917 Wieland Wagner, German opera director, born in Bayreuth, Germany (d. 1966)
• 1918 Dal Richards, Canadian musician, bandmaster and composer (discovered Michael Bublé), born in Vancouver, British Columbia (d. 2015) [1]
• 1919 Severino Gazzelloni, Italian flautist, born in Roccasecca, Italy (d. 1992)
• 1920 Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Italian pianist, born in Brescia, Italy (d. 1995)
• 1920 Mohammad Aslam Khokhar, Pakistani cricketer (Pak bat scored 16 & 18 in only test), born in Lahore, Pakistan (d. 2011)

• 1921 Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg (1964-2000), born in Berg Castle, Luxembourg (d. 2019)
• 1922 Admiral Sir Anthony Synnot, Chief of the Australian Defence Force, born in Corowa, Australia (d. 2001)
• 1923 (Patrick) "Buddy" Attaway, American country and Cajun fiddler, and songwriter ("I'm Sitting On Top Of The World"), born in Shreveport, Louisiana (d. 1968)
• 1923 Harvey Lembeck, American stage and screen actor (The Phil Silvers Show; Stalag 17; Beach Party films), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 1982)
• 1923 Robert L. Bernstein, American publisher (Random House), born in New York City (d. 2019)
• 1923 Sam Phillips, American record producer and founder of Sun Records (launched Elvis Presley's career), born in Florence, Alabama (d. 2003)
• 1924 Dr Gilbert Bogle, New Zealand-Australian scientist who died in the Bogle-Chandler case, born in Wanganui, New Zealand (d. 1963)
• 1925 Wolf Morris, English actor (Decoy), born in Portsmouth, United Kingdom (d. 1996)
• 1926 Claude (Buddy) Young, American NFL running back (Yankees, Texans, Colts), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1983)
• 1926 Hosea Williams, American activist, born in Attapulgus, Georgia (d. 2000)
• 1926 Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam, Singaporean opposition leader and former Secretary-General of Singapore's Worker's Party, born in Jaffna, British Ceylon (d. 2008)
• 1926 Robert Earle, American TV host (GE College Bowl), born in Baldwin, New York (d. 2019)
• 1926 William De Witt Snodgrass, American poet under the pseudonym S. S. Gardons, born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania (d. 2009)
• 1928 Imtiaz Ahmed, Pakistani cricketer (Pakistan wicket-keeper in 41 Tests 1952-62), born in Lahore, Pakistan (d. 2016)
• 1928 Qian Qichen, Chinese diplomat and vice premier, born in Tianjin (d. 2017)

• 1928 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, 4th President and 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan, born in Ratodero Taluka, Pakistan (d. 1979)
• 1929 Wilbert Harrison, American R&B singer ("Kansas City"; "Let's Work Together"), born in Charlotte, North Carolina (d. 1994)
• 1930 Edward Galven Givens Jr., Major USAF/astronaut, born in Quanah, Texas (d. 1967)
• 1930 Frederick Charles Tillis, American composer (In the Spirt and the Flesh; Secrets of the African Baobob), jazz saxophonist, music educator (University of Massachusetts, 1970-97), and poet, born in Galveston, Texas (d. 2020)
• 1930 Richard Hayes, American actor and singer (Name That Tune), born in Passaic, New Jersey (d. 2014)
• 1931 Alfred Brendel, Austrian pianist, born in Loučná nad Desnou, Czech Republic
• 1931 Alvin Ailey, African-American dancer and choreographer (American Dance Theater), born in Rogers, Texas (d. 1989)
• 1931 Joan Coxsedge, Australian politician, born in Ballarat, Australia
• 1931 John McVay, American football coach (NY Giants 1976-78) and executive (AD Uni of Dayton 1972, 73; GM SF 49ers 1998-99), born in Bellaire, Ohio (d. 2022)

• 1931 Walt Davis, American athlete (Olympic gold high jump 1952) and basketball center (NBA C'ship 1956, 58; Philadelphia Warriors, St. Louis Hawks), born in Beaumont, Texas (d. 2020)
• 1932 (Laten) Johnny Adams, American blues, jazz and gospel singer (Reconsider Me), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 1998)

• 1932 Umberto Eco, Italian philosopher and author (Name of the Rose), born in Alessandria, Piedmont (d. 2016)
• 1934 Eddy Pieters Graafland, Dutch soccer goalkeeper (47 caps; Ajax; European Cup 1970, Feyenoord), born in Amsterdam, Netherlands (d. 2020)
• 1934 Phil Ramone [Rabinowitz], American 14-time Grammy Award-winning music producer (Burt Bacharach; Paul Simon; Billy Joel; Tony Bennett), and studio owner (co-founded A&R Recording), born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 2013)
• 1934 William Bendeck, Bolivian rally driver, born in Bolivia (d. 1971)
• 1935 Nancy Johnson, American politician (Rep-R-CT, 1983-2007), born in Chicago, Illinois
• 1936 Florence King, American humorist, born in Washington, D.C. (d. 2016)
• 1936 Margarita Sierra, Spanish-American actress (Surfside 6 - "Cha Cha"), born in Madrid, Spain (d. 1963)
• 1936 Terry Lineen, New Zealand rugby union centre (12 caps; Auckland), born in Auckland, New Zealand (d. 2020)
• 1938 Jim Otto, American Pro Football HOF center (AFL C'ship 1967; 9 × First-team All-AFL & AFL All-Star; 3 x Pro Bowl; Oakland Raiders), born in Wausau, Wisconsin (d. 2024)

• 1938 Leo Avery, Abbot of Quarr Abbey, born in Wakefield, United Kingdom (d. 1996)
• 1938 Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Kenyan writer, born in Kamirithu, British Kenya
• 1938 Piet Kruiver, Dutch soccer star, born in Koog aan de Zaan, Netherlands (d. 1989)
• 1939 Bridget Parker, British equestrian 3 day event (Olympic gold 1972)
• 1939 Peter Struycken, Dutch artist, born in The Hague, Netherlands
• 1940 Athol Guy, Australian folk-pop bassist and singer (The Seekers - "Georgy Girl"), born in Colac, Australia
• 1940 Michael O'Donoghue, American writer and performer (Saturday Night Live, Scrooged), born in Sauquoit, New York (d. 1994)
• 1940 Michael Rose, British army officer, born in British India
• 1940 Yuri Ershov, Russian mathematician, born in Novosibirsk, Russia
• 1941 Bob Cunis, New Zealand cricket fast bowler (20 Tests, 51 wickets, BB 6/76; Auckland, Northern Districts CA), born in Whangarei, New Zealand (d. 2008)

• 1941 Grady Thomas, American rock vocalist (Parliaments, Funkadelic, Maggot Brain), born in Newark, New Jersey

• 1941 Mansur Ali Khan, Indian cricketer (Nawab of Pataudi, Indian batsman and capt), born in Bhopal, India (d. 2011)
• 1942 Charlie Rose, American TV host (CBS This Morning), born in Henderson, North Carolina
• 1942 Cliff Potts, American television and film actor (Ted-Lou Grant), born in Glendale, California
• 1942 Dany Sava [Danielle Savalle], French actress (Moon Pilot), born in Paris, France
• 1942 Jan Leeming, English television presenter and newsreader, born in Dartford, United Kingdom
• 1942 Maurizio Pollini, Italian classical pianist, born in Milan, Italy (d. 2024) [1]
• 1942 Terenci Moix, Spanish writer, born in Barcelona, Spain (d. 2003)
• 1944 Felix Arons, Dutch director and actor (Waaldrecht), born in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands (d. 1992)
• 1945 Roger Spottiswoode, Canadian-British film director, born in Ottawa, Canada
• 1945 Sam Wyche, American NFL coach (Cincinnati Bengals 1984-91; Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1992-95; introduced no-huddle offence), born in Atlanta, Georgia (d. 2020)

• 1947 Mercury Morris, American football player, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• 1947 Mike DeWine, American politician, senator-R-Ohio (1995-2007), Governor of Ohio (2019-), born in Springfield, Ohio
• 1947 Ted Lange, American actor (Isaac-Love Boat, Mr T & Tina), born in Oakland, California
• 1948 Parthasarathy Sharma, Indian cricket batsman (5 Tests, 1 x 50), born in Alwar, India (d. 2010)
• 1948 Rob Quist, American country and bluegrass singer-songwriter, guitarist and banjo player (Mission Mountain Wood Band), born in Cut Bank, Montana
• 1948 Thom Mooney, American rock drummer (Nazz - "Open My Eyes", "Hello It's Me), born in Altoona, Pennsylvania
• 1949 George Brown, American R&B and funk drummer (Kool & the Gang - "Celebration"), born in Jersey City, New Jersey (d. 2023) [1]
• 1949 Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez, American operatic soprano, and actress (Diva), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 2024) [1]
• 1950 Charlie Richmond, Canadian entrepreneur, born in Pomona, California
• 1950 Chris Stein, American rock guitarist and co-founder of Blondie ("Heart of Glass"; "Call Me"), born in Brooklyn, New York
• 1950 Ioan Petru Culianu, Romanian historian, born in Iași, Romania (d. 1991)
• 1950 John Manley, Canadian politician, born in Ottawa, Canada
• 1951 Steve Arnold, English footballer, born in Willesden, London
• 1953 George Tenet, American CIA director, born in New York City
• 1953 Mike Rann, Australian politician, born in Sidcup, United Kingdom
• 1953 Pamela Sue Martin, American actress (Nancy Drew: Dynasty - "Fallon"), born in Westport, Connecticut
• 1953 Steve Archer, American singer (The Archers), born in Mojave, California
• 1954 Bryan Hitt, American rock drummer (REO Speedwagon - "Keep on Loving You"), born in Center, Texas
• 1955 Mamata Banerjee, Indian politician (Chief Minister of West Bengal 2011-), born in Calcutta, India
• 1956 Chen Kenichi [Ken'ichi Azuma], Japanese celebrity chef, "The Szechuan Sage" (Iron Chef Chinese), born in Tokyo, Japan
• 1956 Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German politician (President of Germany 2017-), born in Detmold, West Germany
• 1957 Elizabeth Mrema, Tanzanian environmental leader (UN Environment Program), born in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
• 1957 Kevin Hastings, Australian rugby league footballer, born in Surry Hills, Australia
• 1957 Vincent Calloway, American trumpet player (Midnight Star - "No Parking On The Dance Floor"; "Operator"), born in Cincinnati, Ohio
• 1958 Ezra Moseley, Barbadian cricket fast bowler (2 Tests; 9 ODIs, West Indies; Barbados; Glamorgan), born in Waldrons Village, Christ Church, Barbados (d. 2021)
• 1959 Clancy Brown, American film, television, and voice actor (Carnivàle, Billions), born in Urbana, Ohio
• 1960 Glenn Strömberg, Swedish footballer, born in Lundby, Gothenburg, Sweden
• 1960 Philip Thornalley, English songwriter, producer, and bassist (The Cure; Johnny Hates Jazz; Bryan Adams), born in Worlington, Suffolk, England
• 1960 Steve Jones, British aviator (Red Bull Air Race World Series)
• 1961 Iris DeMent, American country singer ("Our Town"), born in Paragould, Arizona
• 1961 Piotr Baron, Polish jazz saxophonist and composer (Salve Regina; Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus), born in Wrocław, Poland
• 1962 Brendon Kuruppu, Sri Lankan cricketer (Sri Lankan batsman, 201* debut v NZ 1987), born in Colombo, Sri Lanka
• 1962 Danny Jackson, American baseball pitcher (Royals/Phillies/Cardinals), born in San Antonio, Texas

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• Year of the Rabbit
  2023
• Year of the Dragon
  2024
• Year of the Snake
  2025
• Year of the Horse
  2026
• Year of the Goat/Sheep
  2027
• Year of the Monkey
  2028