- Jan 3 Thelma Schoonmaker, actress/editor (Casino, Cape Fear, Good Fellas)
- Jan 4 Anthony "Skooter" Teague, American screen and stage actor (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; No, No, Nanette), born in Jacksboro, Texas (d. 1989)
- Jan 5 Michael O'Donoghue, American writer and performer (Saturday Night Live, Scrooged), born in Sauquoit, New York (d. 1994)
- Jan 9 Jimmy Boyd, American singer ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"), and actor (Bachelor Father - "Howard"), born in Jayess, Mississippi (d. 2009)
- Jan 19 Mike Reid, English comedian (d. 2007)
- Jan 20 Krishnam Raju, Indian actor and politician, born in Mogalthur, India
- Jan 22 John Hurt, English actor (Elephant Man, Alien, Midnight Express), born in Chesterfield (d. 2017)
- Jan 26 Harold Lederman, American boxing judge, analyst (HBO), born in New York City (d. 2019)
- Jan 27 James Cromwell, American actor (Babe, The Green Mile), born in Los Angeles, California
- Jan 29 Katharine Ross, American actress (Graduate, Francesca-Colbys), born in Hollywood, California
- Jan 31 Stuart Margolin, American Emmy Award-winning actor (The Rockford Files - "Angel"; Love American Style), and director, born in Davenport, Iowa (d. 2022) [1]
About January 1940
How Old? 84 years old
Generation: Silent Generation
Leap Year: Yes
Actors
Actresses
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TV Stars