Famous Birthdays on January 6

Birthdays 1 - 200 of 295

• 255 Marcellus I, Roman Catholic Pope (308-09), and saint, born in Rome (d. 309)

• 1486 Martin Agricola [Sohr], German Renaissance composer, cantor, and music theorist, born in Świebodzin, Bohemian Silesia (now Poland) (d. 1556)
• 1488 Helius Eobanus Hessus, German poet (Silvae), born in Haina, Germany (d. 1540)
• 1525 Caspar Peucer, German reformer, born in Bautzen, Germany (d. 1602)
• 1561 Thomas Fincke, Danish mathematician, born in Flensburg, Germany (d. 1656)

• 1587 Gaspar de Guzman, Count of Olivares, Premier of Spain (1621-43), born in Rome, Italy (d. 1645)
• 1595 Claude Favre de Vaugelas, Savoyard grammarian and man of letters, born in Meximieux, Duchy of Savoy (d. 1650)
• 1602 Carl von Rabenhaupt, Bohemian Hussite nobleman, born in Bohemia (d. 1675)
• 1617 Christoffer Gabel, Danish statesman, born in Glückstadt, Denmark (d. 1673)
• 1655 Eleonore-Magdalena of Neuburg, Holy Roman Empire Empress, born in Düsseldorf, Germany (d. 1720)
• 1655 Jakob Bernoulli, Swiss mathematician, born in Basel, Switzerland (d. 1705)
• 1673 James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos, English aristocrat, eponym of Handel's Chandos Anthems, born in Herefordshire, England (d. 1744)
• 1683 François de Lacroix, French priest, composer, maitre de musique (Paris Sainte-Chapelle, 1726-45), born in Senlis, France (d. 1759)
• 1692 Rynoldus Popma van Oevering, Dutch composer, born in Wergea, Netherlands (d. 1781)
• 1695 Giuseppe Sammartini, Italian oboe virtuoso and late Baroque/early classical composer who served the court of the Prince of Wales, born in Milan, Duchy of Milan (d. 1750)
• 1702 Jose Melchior de Nebra Blascu, Spanish composer, born in Calatayud, Spain (d. 1768)
• 1714 Percivall Pott, English physician, born in London (d. 1788)
• 1728 Charles Joseph Sohier, French violinist and composer, born in Lille, France (d. 1759)
• 1728 Domingos dos Reis Quita, Portuguese playwright & poet, born in Lisbon, Portugal (d. 1770)
• 1732 Matija A Reljkovic, Habsburg military officer & Croatian writer (Satir iliti divji covic), born in Davor, Croatia (d. 1798)
• 1745 Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier, French inventor and pioneer balloonist (Montgolfière-style hot air balloon), born in Annonay, France (d. 1799)
• 1776 Ferdinand von Schill, Prussian officer & rebel, born in Bannewitz, Germany (d. 1809)
• 1778 Thomas Lincoln, American farmer, carpenter, and father President Abraham Lincoln, born in Linville Creek, Virginia (d. 1851)
• 1791 José Melchor Gomis, Spanish Romantic composer, born in Ontinyent, Spain (d. 1836)
• 1793 James Madison Porter, American politician, born in Norristown, Pennsylvania (d. 1862)
• 1794 Kaspar Masek, Czech-Slovenian composer, born in Prague, Kingdom of Bohemia (d. 1873)
• 1795 Anselme Payen, French chemist, born in Paris, France (d. 1871)
• 1798 Ferdinand Simon Gassner, Austrian composer and music writer, born in Vienna, Austria (d. 1851)
• 1799 Jedediah Smith, American fur trader and explorer, born in Tioga County, New York (d. 1831)
• 1802 Ion Heliade-Radulescu, Romanian writer (Gramatica), born in Târgoviște, Romania (d. 1872)
• 1803 Henri Herz, Austrian pianist and composer, born in Vienna, Austria (d. 1888)
• 1807 Joseph Holt, American lawyer, politician and Brevet Major General (Union Army), born in Breckinridge County, Kentucky (d. 1894)
• 1807 Jozef Maximilián Petzval, Slovak inventor, born in Spišská Belá, Slovakia (d. 1891)
• 1807 Ludwig Erk, German composer and folk song collector, born in Wetzlar (d. 1883)
• 1808 Joseph Pitty Couthouy, American naval officer, born in Boston, Massachusetts (d. 1864)
• 1811 Charles Sumner, American leading Reconstruction senator, born in Boston, Massachusetts (d. 1874)
• 1812 Melchora Aquino, Filipino revolutionary hero, born in Caloocan, Philippines (d. 1919)
• 1819 Baldassare Verazzi, Italian painter, born in Caprezzo, Italy (d. 1886)

• 1826 Herman Grimm, German writer and novelist (Ralph Waldo Emerson), born in Kassel, Hesse (d. 1901)
• 1827 John Calvin Brown, Major General (Confederate Army), born in Giles County, Tennessee (d. 1889)
• 1827 John Wesley Frazer, Brigadier General (Confederate Army), born in Hardin County, Tennessee (d. 1906)
• 1829 Kanagaki Robun [Bunzo Nozaki], Japanese humorist/gesaku-author, born in Edo, Japan (d. 1894)
• 1832 Gustave Doré, French painter and sculptor, born in Strasbourg, France (d. 1883)
• 1838 Max Bruch, German composer (Kol Nidre), born in Cologne, Kingdom of Prussia (d. 1920)
• 1842 Clarence King, American geologist & mountaineer, born in Newport, Rhode Island (d. 1901)
• 1850 (Franz) Xaver Scharwenka, German pianist, educator, and composer (Mataswintha), born in Samter, Grand Duchy of Posen, Kingdom of Prussia (now Szamotuły, Poland) (d. 1924)
• 1850 Eduard Bernstein, German Marxist (New Era), born in Schöneberg, Prussia (d. 1932)
• 1854 Sherlock Holmes, British fictional detective (as created by Arthur Conan Doyle) (d. 1891) date of death disputed
• 1856 Giuseppe Martucci, Italian composer, born in Capua, Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (d. 1909)
• 1857 Hugh Mahon, Irish-born Australian politician, born in Killurin, Republic of Ireland (d. 1931)
• 1857 William E. Russell, 37th Governor of Massachusetts, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts (d. 1896)
• 1859 Samuel Alexander, English philosopher (Moral Order & Progress), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 1938)
• 1861 George Exton Lloyd, Anglican bishop and theologian, born in London (d. 1940)
• 1861 Victor Horta, Belgium architect, founder of Art Nouveau movement (Hôtel Tassel), born in Ghent, Belgium (d. 1947)

• 1867 Georges Martin Witkowski, French conductor and composer, born in Mostaganem, Algeria (d. 1943)
• 1868 Vittorio Monti, Italian violinist, mandolin player, conductor, and composer (Csárdás), born in Naples, Kingdom of Italy (d. 1922)
• 1870 Gustav Bauer, Chancellor of Germany, born in Ozyorsk, Russia (d. 1944)
• 1872 Alexander Scriabin, Russian composer (Prometheus) and pianist, born in Moscow, Russia (d. 1915)
• 1873 Karl Straube, German organist and conductor, born in Berlin, Germany (d. 1950)
• 1874 Fred Niblo, American film actor, director, and producer (Ben-Hur, The Mark of Zorro), born in York, Nebraska (d. 1948)
• 1878 Carl Sandburg, American poet and biographer of Lincoln (The People, Yes), born in Galesburg, Illinois (d. 1967)
• 1878 Dame Adeline Genée, Danish-British ballerina, born in Aarhus, Denmark (d. 1970)
• 1880 Tom Mix [Thomas Hezikiah Mix], American silent screen cowboy actor (Dick Turpin), born in Mix Run, Pennsylvania (d. 1940)
• 1880 Yuliya Veysberg, Russian music critic and composer, born in Orenburg, Russia (d. 1942)
• 1882 Aleksandra Ekster, Russian painter, born in Białystok, Poland (d. 1949)
• 1882 Fan S. Noli, Albanian bishop, born in İbriktepe, Turkey (d. 1965)
• 1882 Samuel Rayburn, American politician (US Representative (D) from Texas, 1913-61; Speaker of the House for 17 years), born in Kingston, Tennessee (d. 1961)
• 1883 Khalil Gibran, Lebanese-American poet (The Prophet; Broken Wings; Sand and Foam), painter, and philosopher, born in Bsharri, Mount Lebanon, Ottoman Syria (d. 1931)
• 1884 Harry Pace, American music label owner (Black Swan - 1st major label founded by a Black American), born in Covington, Georgia (d. 1943)
• 1889 Alan Mara Bateman, Canadian geologist (Yale professor), born in Kingston, Canada (d. 1971)
• 1891 Ted McDonald, Australian cricket fast bowler (11 Tests, 43 wickets, BB 5/32; Tasmania, Victoria, Lancashire CCC), born in Launceston, Australia (d. 1937)
• 1892 Ludwig Berger, German film director and cinematographer (The Thief of Bagdad), born in Mainz (d. 1969)
• 1895 Tom Fadden, American stage and screen character actor (It's a Wonderful Life; Broken Arrow; Cimarron City), born in Bayard, Iowa (d. 1980)
• 1896 Abram Nicholas Pritzker, American businessman (Hyatt Hotels, McCall's magazine), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1986)
• 1896 Freerk Siemon Wolters, Dutch resistance fighter, born in Zuidwolde, Netherlands (d. 1945)
• 1897 Billy Greene, American actor (Single Room Furnished, One Man's Family), born in New York City (d. 1973)
• 1898 Charles E. Pont, French-born Swiss-American artist, born in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, France (d. 1971)
• 1898 Jan Filip Boon, Flemish journalist and editor (De Standaard 1929-39), born in Halle, Belgium (d. 1960)
• 1899 Phyllis Haver, American silent screen actress (What Price Glory), born in Douglass, Kansas (d. 1960)
• 1899 Sophie-Carmen "Sonia" Eckhardt-Gramatté, Russian-Canadian pianist and composer, born in Moscow, Russia (d. 1974) [1]
• 1900 Pierre-Octave Ferroud, French composer (Sarabande, Jeunesse), born in Chasselay, Rhône, France (d. 1936)
• 1900 Queen Maria of Yugoslavia [Maria of Romania], Queen consort of Yugoslavia (1922-34), born in Gotha, German Empire (d. 1961)
• 1901 Patrick Aherne, British actor (Green Dolphin Street, Rocketship X-M, The Court Jester), born in King's Norton, Worcestershire, England (d. 1970)
• 1902 Helmut Poppendick, Nazi physician, born in Hude, Germany (d. 1994)
• 1902 Mark Brunswick, American composer, born in New York City (d. 1971)
• 1903 Boris Blacher, German composer (Orchester-Ornament), born in Yingkou, China (d. 1975)
• 1903 Francis L. Sullivan, British actor (Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, Missing Rembrandt), born in London, England (d. 1956)
• 1903 Maurice Abravanel, American classical music conductor, born in Thessaloniki, Greece (d. 1993)
• 1903 Stanley Smith, American actor and singer (King of Jazz; Soup to Nuts; Good News), born in Kansas City, Missouri (d. 1974)
• 1905 Eric Frank Russell, British sci-fi author (Hugo, Deep Space, Dark Tides), born in Sandhurst, Berkshire (d. 1978)
• 1906 Benedict Vilakazi, South African Zulu poet and educator (Zulu-English Dictionary), born in KwaDukuza, Natal (d. 1947)
• 1906 Jaap Wagemaker, Dutch sculptor, born in Haarlem, Netherlands (d. 1972)
• 1907 David Fleay, Australian naturalist, born in Ballarat, Victoria (d. 1993)
• 1908 Menachem Avidom, Israeli composer, born in Stanislaviv, Austria-Hungary (d. 1995)
• 1909 Joop Moesman, Dutch surrealist painter (Rumor), born in Utrecht, Netherlands (d. 1988)
• 1910 Wright Morris, American novelist and photographer, born in Central City, Nebraska (d. 1998)
• 1911 Billy Sands, American actor (Phil Silvers Show, McHale's Navy), born in Bergen, New York (d. 1984)
• 1911 Eduardo Frei Montalva, Chilean political leader (President 1964-70), born in Santiago, Chile (d. 1982)
• 1911 Ivan Barrow, Jamaican cricket wicketkeeper (11 Tests; first West Indian Test century-maker in England), born in Morant Bay, Jamaica (d. 1979)
• 1911 Joey Adams [Joseph Abramowitz], American comedian, actor and columnist (ABC's Back That Fact), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 1999)
• 1911 Nikolai Afanasyevich Kryuchkov, Soviet film actor (Telegram, Town People), born in Moscow, Russia (d. 1994)
• 1911 Yannis Papaioannou, Greek composer and teacher, born in Kavala, Greece (d. 1989)

• 1912 Jacques Cesar Ellul, French philosopher and sociologist, born in Bordeaux, France (d. 1994)
• 1913 Edward Gierek, Polish communist politician, born in Porąbka, Poland (d. 2001)

• 1913 Tom Brown, American actor (Buck Privates Come Home, In Old Chicago), born in New York City (d. 1990)
• 1915 Alan Watts, British-American philosopher (Book on the Taboo), born in Chislehurst, United Kingdom (d. 1973)
• 1915 Don Edwards, American politician and civil rights champion (Rep-D-CA, 1963-94), born in San Jose, California (d. 2015)
• 1915 John C. Lilly, U.S. psychoanalyst and writer, born in Saint Paul, Minnesota (d. 2001)
• 1916 David Bruce [Marden Andrew McBroom], American actor (The Mad Ghoul, Flying Tigers), born in Kankakee, Illinois (d. 1976)
• 1916 Philip Bezanson, American composer, born in Athol, Massachusetts (d. 1975)
• 1916 Vincent Serventy, Australian writer and conservationist, born in Armadale, Australia (d. 2007)
• 1917 Koo Chen-fu, Taiwanese businessman and diplomat, born in Taichung, Taiwan (d. 2005)
• 1918 Buddy Weed, American pianist (Penthouse Party), born in Ossining, New York (d. 1997)
• 1920 Doris Stokes, British psychic medium, born in Grantham, United Kingdom (d. 1987)
• 1920 Earl Kim, Korean-American composer, born in Dinuba, California (d. 1998)
• 1920 Early Wynn, Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher (Cy Young Award 1959 Chicago WS; MLB wins leader 1954, 59; 9 x MLB All Star; Cleveland Indians), born in Hartford, Alabama (d. 1999)
• 1920 John Maynard Smith, English biologist, born in London (d. 2004)

• 1921 Lou Harris, American pollster (Lou Harris Poll), born in New Haven, Connecticut (d. 2016)
• 1922 Finn Einar Mortensen, Norwegian composer, born in Oslo, Norway (d. 1983)
• 1923 Jacobo Timerman, Soviet-born Argentine writer, born in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (d. 1999)
• 1923 Leah Chase 'Queen of Creole Cuisine', New Orleans chef and author, born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 2019)
• 1924 Earl Scruggs, American bluegrass banjo player (Flatt & Scruggs - "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"; "Ballad of Jed Clampett"), born in Flint Hill, North Carolina (d. 2012)
• 1925 John Z. DeLorean, American automaker (DeLorean), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 2005)
• 1926 Dick Rathmann, American auto racer (first Indy pole-sitter to complete no laps), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2000)
• 1926 Kid Gavilan, Cuban boxer, born in Berrocal, Spain (d. 2003)
• 1926 Miklós "Mickey" Hargitay, Hungarian-American actor, bodybuilder and the 1955 Mr. Universe, born in Budapest, Hungary (d. 2006)
• 1926 Pat Flaherty, American auto racer (Indianapolis 500, 1956), born in Glendale, California (d. 2002)
• 1926 Ralph Branca, American baseball pitcher (MLB All-Star 1947–49; pitched “Shot Heard Round the World”), born in Mount Vernon, New York (d. 2016)
• 1927 Jesse Leonard Steinfeld, 11th US Surgeon General (1969-73), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (d. 2014)
• 1928 Capucine [Germaine Lefebvre], French actress and fashion model (Pink Panther, What's New Pussycat?), born in Saint-Raphaël, Var, France (d. 1990)
• 1928 George H. Ross, American businessman, born in Brooklyn, New York
• 1929 Babrak Karmal, Afghani politician installed as President after Soviet invasion, born in Afghanistan (d. 1996)
• 1930 (Wilbert) Billy Davis, American tennis player (11 x American Tennis Association Titles; mentor to Arthur Ashe), born in New York City (d. 2021)
• 1930 Denis Pitts, English journalist, filmmaker, and novelist (Rogue Hercules), (d. 1994)
• 1930 Victor "Vic" Tayback, American actor (Mel Sharples-"Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore "), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 1990)
• 1931 E. L. Doctorow, American author (Ragtime; Billy Bathgate), born in The Bronx, New York (d. 2015)
• 1931 Graeme Hole, Australian cricket batsman (18 Tests, 6 x 50; NSW CA), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 1990)
• 1931 P. J. Kavanagh [Patrick Joeseph], British poet, actor and journalist (The Perfect Stranger), born in Worthing, Sussex (d. 2015)
• 1932 Stuart A. Rice, American chemist, born in New York City
• 1933 Emil Steinberger, Swiss comedian, born in Lucerne, Switzerland
• 1933 Fred L. Turner, American businessman (CEO of McDonalds, 1977-2004), born in Des Moines, Iowa (d. 2013)
• 1934 Bobby Lord, American country singer (Ozark Jubilee), born in Sanford, Florida (d. 2008)
• 1934 Harry M. Miller, Australian entrepreneur, born in Auckland, New Zealand (d. 2018)
• 1934 Sylvia Syms, English actress (Asylum, Moonraker, Shirley Valentine), born in Woolwich, London (d. 2023) [1]
• 1934 Tassos Papadopoulos, Cypriot politician and barrister (President, 2003–2008), born in Nicosia, Cyprus (d. 2008)
• 1935 Margarita Gomez-Acebo y Cejuela, Tsaritsa of Bulgaria, born in Madrid, Spain
• 1935 Nino Tempo [Antonino LoTempio], American session saxophonist and pop vocalist ("Deep Purple"; "Sister James"), born in Niagara Falls, New York
• 1935 Paul Wilson, American doo-wop baritone singer (Flamingos, 1953-64 - "I Only Have Eyes For You"; "Lovers Never Say Goodbye"), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1988)

• 1936 Ebo Taylor, Ghanaian highlife and Afrobeat musician and composer, born in Cape Coast, Gold Coast
• 1936 Julio Maria Sanguinetti Cairolo, Uruguayan politician (President, 1985-90, 1995-2000), born in Montevideo, Uruguay
• 1936 Rubén Amaro, Sr., Mexican baseball player (Philadelphia Phillies), born in Nuevo Laredo (d. 2017)
• 1937 Doris Troy [Higginsen], American R&B singer and songwriter ("Just One Look"), born in the Bronx, New York (d. 2004)
• 1937 Lou Holtz, American football coach (NJ Jets), born in Follansbee, West Virginia
• 1937 Luigi Arienti, Italian track cyclist (Olympic gold men's team pursuit 1960), born in San Carlo de Desio, Italy (d. 2024)
• 1937 Paolo Conte, Italian singer, born in Asti, Italy
• 1938 Adriano Celentano, Italian singer and actor, born in Greco
• 1938 Mario Rodríguez Cobos (aka Silo), Argentine writer and spiritual leader, born in Mendoza, Argentina (d. 2010)
• 1938 Prof Adrienne Clarke, Australian botanist, born in Melbourne, Australia
• 1939 Murray Rose, Australian Olympic swimmer (4x oly gold), born in Birmingham, United Kingdom (d. 2012)
• 1940 Ed Zschau, American politician (Rep-R-CA, 1983- ), born in Omaha, Nebraska
• 1940 Laudir de Oliveira, Brazilian percussionist (Sérgio Mendes; Chicago, 1973-81), born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (d. 2017)
• 1940 Penny Lernoux, American journalist, born in California (d. 1989)
• 1940 Van McCoy, American musician and songwriter ("The Hustle"), born in Englewood, New Jersey (d. 1979)
• 1943 Barry Altschul, American hard bop and free jazz drummer (Paul Bley, Chick Corea, Anthony Braxton), born in New York City
• 1943 Osvaldo Soriano, Argentine journalist and writer, born in Mar del Plata, Argentina (d. 1997)
• 1943 Terry Venables, British soccer midfielder (2 caps; Chelsea, Tottenham, QPR, Crystal Palace) and manager (Crystal Palace, QPR, Barcelona, Tottenham, England, Australia, Leeds United), born in Dagenham, England (d. 2023)
• 1944 Bonnie Franklin, American actress (Ann-1 Day at a Time), born in Santa Monica, California (d. 2013)
• 1944 Henry Kravis, American businessman and author (The Money Machine), born in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• 1944 Rolf M. Zinkernagel, Swiss immunologist and Nobel laureate, born in Riehen, Switzerland
• 1945 Allen Appel, American novelist, born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
• 1945 Barry John, Welsh rugby union fly-half (25 Tests Wales, 5 British & Irish Lions; Cefneithin RFC, Llanelli RFC, Cardiff RFC, Barbarian FC), born in Cefneithin, Wales (d. 2024)
• 1945 Barry Lopez, American author (Of Wolves & Men), born in Port Chester, New York
• 1945 Pepé Le Pew, Warner Bros. cartoon character created by Chuck Jones and Michael Maltese (Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series), first debuts in "Odor-able Kitty"
• 1946 Harold Jackson, NFL wide receiver (LA, New Engl), born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

• 1947 Ian Millar, Canadian dressage rider (World Cup 1988, 89, Olympics 1996), born in Halifax, NS, Canada
• 1947 Jacques Bolognesi, French jazz trombonist and accordion player (Hermetotico), born in Gap, France
• 1947 Sandy Denny, English singer-songwriter (Fairport Convention - "If You Gotta Go"), born in London (d. 1978)
• 1948 Bob Wise, American politician (Governor of West Virginia 2001-05, Rep-D-WV, 1983-2001), born in Washington, D.C.
• 1948 Dayle Hadlee, New Zealand cricket fast bowler (brother of Richard; 26 Tests, 71 wickets, 1 x 50; Canterbury), born in Christchurch, Canterbury
• 1948 Guy Gardner, US Air Force officer & astronaut (STS 27, STS 35), born in Altavista, Virginia
• 1949 Chris Laurence, British classical, jazz and session double bassist, born in London
• 1949 Mike Boit, Kenyan 800m runner (Olympic bronze 1972), born in Eldoret, Kenya
• 1950 Louis Freeh, American attorney & FBI director, born in Jersey City, New Jersey
• 1951 Don Gullett, American MLB baseball pitcher, 1970-78 (3 x World Series Champion - Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees), born in Lynn, Kentucky (d. 2024)
• 1951 Kim Wilson, American musician (Fabulous Thunderbirds), born in Detroit, Michigan
• 1952 Armelia McQueen, American actress, born in Montgomery County, North Carolina
• 1952 Frank Sivero, Italian-born American actor, born in Siculiana, Italy
• 1952 Larry Booker (Moondog Spot), American pro wrestler (WWF Tag Team champion 1981), born in Louisiana, United States (d. 2003)
• 1953 Malcolm Young, Scottish guitarist (AC/DC - "Highway to Hell"), born in Glasgow, Scotland (d. 2017)
• 1954 Anthony Minghella, English director and screenwriter (The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley), born in London (d. 2008)
• 1954 Hans Robert Hiegel, German architect, born in Kaiserslautern, Germany

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