Discover the most famous people born in 1959. The list includes people like Ving Rhames, Kevin Spacey, Simon Cowell, Magic Johnson, Bryan Adams and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include political leaders, composers, journalists and comedians born in 1959. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom, Australia & Canada and many more countries.
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Birthdate: 14th August
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Lansing, Michigan, United States
Magic Johnson, the now retired American basketball player was one of the most powerful players of the 1980s and led NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers to five championships during his thirteen years career. His real name is Earvin Johnson and he earned his nickname Magic during his high school days. He retired after testing positive for HIV and currently heads Magic Johnson Enterprises.
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Emma Thompson(British Actress, Screenwriter and the Only Person to Win Academy Awards for Both Acting & Writing)
Birthdate: 15th April
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Paddington, London, England
One of the most celebrated British actresses, Emma Thompson has received plaudits for her work in films, television and stage. Her film credits include Howards End, The Remains of the Day as well as Sense and Sensibility which she also wrote. Her television appearances include miniseries Angels in America. The award winning actress is also an author, activist and comedian.
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Simon Cowell(Television Personality, Entrepreneur and Creator of 'The X Factor' and 'Got Talent' Franchises)
Birthdate: 7th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Lambeth, London, England
Simon Cowell is a television personality, entrepreneur and record executive. He has judged some of the most popular shows on British television like talent competition series Pop Idol, The X Factor UK and Britain's Got Talent. He has also judged the American television talent competition series American Idol, The X Factor US and America's Got Talent.
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Sade(Frontwoman of the Soul Band Sade)
Birthdate: 16th January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Ibadan, Nigeria
Nigerian-British singer Helen Folasade Adu, or Sade Adu, often blends Afro-Cuban tunes with soul and smooth jazz in her music. The Grammy Award winner had initially studied fashion designing and been a model. The founder of the band Sade, she has released iconic tracks such as No Ordinary Love.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: 19th November
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
One of the most revered and decorated actresses of her generation, Allison Janney is famous for playing C. J. Cregg, a role which is regarded as one of the greatest female characters in the history of American television. Also known for her work as an activist, Allison campaigns for issues like addiction recovery, mental health, women's rights, and gay rights.
Birthdate: 23rd October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Downey, California, United States
Five-time Grammy-winning artist Al Yankovic, or “Weird Al,” is known for his parodies of popular tracks and his trademark accordion. His hits include Eat It and Like a Surgeon, parodies of hits by Michael Jackson and Madonna, respectively. He has appeared in The Weird Al Show and written children's books.
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Hugh Laurie(Known for His Role Dr. Gregory House on the TV series ‘House’)
Birthdate: 11th June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
A Guinness record holder for the most-watched leading man on TV, three-time Golden Globe-winner and two-time SAG Award-winner Hugh Laurie has also dabbled in blues music and written a novel. From starting his career with sketch comedy, to winning the OBE and CBE, the actor/comedian has come a long way.
Birthdate: 20th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Died: June 26, 1997
Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwoʻole began his career as part of the Makaha Sons. He later went solo with the albums Ka 'Ano'I and Facing Future and also lent his support to the Hawaiian independence movement. His ever-increasing weight caused him chronic issues and eventually led to his death at 38.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: 17th April
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Handsworth, Sheffield, England
Sean Bean is an English actor known for his Yorkshire accent. Often described as surprisingly shy and a man of few words, Sean Bean is a down to earth person. Since he often portrays villainous characters that are killed violently, Sean has gained notoriety on the internet and is a subject of many internet memes.
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Maggie Baird(Actress and Screenwriter Known for Her TV Series ‘Another World’)
Birthdate: 30th March
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Fruita, Colorado, United States
Maggie Baird is an American actress, screenwriter, and voice artist. As a member and teacher atThe Groundlings, Baird has contributed immensely to the success of the popular sketch comedy and improvisational troupe and school. Perhaps, Maggie Baird's biggest contribution to the world is her children Billie Eilish and Finneas; both Eilish and Finneas are successful singer-songwriters.
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Bryan Adams(Best Selling Pop, Pop-Rock Singer-Songwriter Of All Time)
Birthdate: 5th November
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kingston, Canada
Canadian rock guitarist and singer Bryan Adams, known for his cult classics Everything I Do and Summer of '69, has won 20 Juno Awards and a Grammy. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee is also an avid animal rights activist and a professional photographer who has held several exhibitions.
Birthdate: 19th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Frankfurt, Germany
Died: June 12, 1994
Nicole Brown Simpson was the ex-wife of O. J. Simpson. Her murder led to one of the most famous criminal trials of all time, the O. J. Simpson murder case. After her murder, The Nicole Brown Charitable Foundation was established in her memory. Her story inspired several movies, such as the 1995 TV movie The O. J. Simpson Story.
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Vincent D Onofrio(Best Known as Detective Robert Goren TV Series in 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent')
Birthdate: 30th June
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Bensonhurst, New York, United States
Vincent D'Onofrio is an American actor, director, and producer. Apart from playing important roles in popular films, such as Men in Black and Jurassic World, Vincent D'Onofrio is also renowned for his work off-stage. He is credited with co-founding the RiverRun International Film Festival, which continues to showcase best movies offered from the international and independent industry.
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Val Kilmer(Known for Playing Real-Life Figures in Movies)
Birthdate: 31st December
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
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Marie Osmond(Singer, Actor, Television actor, Songwriter)
Birthdate: 13th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Ogden
Marie Osmond is an American singer, talk show host, author, actress, and philanthropist. A multi-talented individual, Osmond has been equally successful as a singer and actress. She is also credited with co-founding a non-profit organization called Children's Miracle Network which aims at improving the lives of children by raising money for children's hospitals across North America.
Birthdate: 12th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Harlem, New York City, New York, United States
Ving Rhames, mostly seen as the villain in films such as Con Air and Pulp Fiction, won a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of real-life boxing promoter Don King in Don King: Only in America. He is also known as Luther Stickell from the Mission: Impossible franchise.
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Charlie Murphy(Best Known as a Writer & Cast Member of the Sketch-Comedy Series 'Chappelle's Show')
Birthdate: 12th July
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: April 12, 2017
Charlie Murphy, older brother of Eddie Murphy, is best remembered for his sketch-comedy series Chappelle's Show and for his performance as Vic in Black Jesus. He also voiced Big Kid on the children’s show Thugaboo. He also starred in movies such as CB4 and co-wrote Vampire in Brooklyn.
Birthdate: 29th August
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Santa Rosa, California, United States
Rebecca De Mornay is best known for her MTV Movie Award-winning performance as Peyton Flanders in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. Fans also loved her as Dorothy Walker in the series Jessica Jones, as Wendy Torrance in the miniseries The Shining, and as Lana in the film Risky Business.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: 21st December
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: September 21, 1998
Legendary American sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner is still regarded as the fastest woman in the world. Her world records in both the 100m and 200m categories have still not been broken. The three-time Olympic gold medal winner was also known for her six-inch nails and her unconventional outfits.
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Carlo Ancelotti(Italian Former Professional Footballer Regarded as One of the Greatest Managers of All Time)
Birthdate: 10th June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Reggiolo, Italy
Carlo Ancelotti had humble beginnings as a midfielder in Italian club football. He was part of the Italian national squad in two World Cups and one UEFA Euro, and is one of three managers who have won the UEFA Champions League thrice, twice with Milan and once with Real Madrid.
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Susanna Hoffs(Singer-songwriter best known as a co-founder of the Bangles)
Birthdate: 17th January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
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Jason Alexander(Actor)
Birthdate: 23rd September
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: 27th April
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Two-time Grammy-winning artist Sheena Easton first gained attention on The Big Time. With the singles Modern Girl and 9 to 5, she became the second female to feature twice on the same Top Ten chart. Easton is the only artist with a top 5 hit on all Billboard singles charts.
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Lawrence Taylor(Former American football Outside linebacker)
Birthdate: 4th February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Williamsburg, Virginia, United States
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Randy Travis(Country Singer Known for His Album 'Storms of Life' & Single 'Three Wooden Crosses')
Birthdate: 4th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Marshville, North Carolina, United States
Randy Travis is a country music singer and songwriter. He is widely regarded as an important figure in country music history and his debut studio album Storms of Life played a major role in the neotraditional country movement. Randy Travis has sold more than 25 million records and has several prestigious awards under his belt.
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Marcia Gay Harden(Actress)
Birthdate: 14th August
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: La Jolla, California, United States
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Sarah Ferguson(Author, Producer and Former Wife of Prince Andrew, Duke of York)
Birthdate: 15th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Marylebone, London, England
Sarah Ferguson is one of the members of the British royal family. She started working with several charity organizations after marrying Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Even after her divorce, she has continued working with organizations like the American Cancer Society. In 2020, she set up her own foundation called Sarah's Trust.
Birthdate: 22nd February
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Yakima, Washington, United States
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: 21st May
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Nicholas Cassavetes, son of actor Gena Rowlands and actor-director John Cassavetes, had initially tried his luck in basketball, but his sports career ended due to an injury. He later appeared in films such as Face/Off and The Astronaut's Wife. He also directed films such as The Notebook.
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Clancy Brown(Known for His Negative Roles)
Birthdate: 5th January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Urbana, Ohio, United States
Best known for his villainous roles, American actor Clancy Brown is the son of renowned publisher and politician Clarence J. "Bud" Brown Jr. He soared to fame with his performance as Captain Byron Hadley in The Shawshank Redemption. He also voiced Mr. Krabs in the Nickelodeon animated series Spongebob Squarepants.
Birthdate: 21st April
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Blackpool, England
English singer-songwriter and musician Robert Smith gained fame as a co-founder and member of the rock band, The Cure. He was also the lead guitarist for the band, Siouxsie and the Banshees, for a few years. He became an influential figure in the goth subculture in the 1980s and was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Vanity (Singer)(Lead Singer of The Female Trio 'Vanity 6' Known for Their Hit Song "Nasty Girl")
Birthdate: 4th January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Niagara Falls, Canada
Died: February 15, 2016
Canadian entertainer Denise Katherine Matthews, better known by her pseudonym, Vanity, initially gained fame as part of the girl group Vanity 6, which delivered hits such as Nasty Girl. She also released solo albums and starred in films such as Action Jackson. She died of kidney failure at 57.
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Ryan Stiles(Best Known for his TV Show 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?')
Birthdate: 22nd April
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States
Ryan Stiles is an American-Canadian comedian and actor. Stiles, whose forte is improvisational comedy, is known for his work in the TV series Whose Line Is It Anyway? Also known for his charity work, Stiles has been working hard to raise fund for children with burn injuries. Since 2009, he has raised over $500,000 for a foundation called the Burned Children Recovery Center.
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Morrissey(Frontman of Rock Band the 'Smiths')
Birthdate: 22nd May
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Davyhulme, Urmston, England
Morrissey, frontman of the 1980s’ rock band The Smiths, is known for his anti-establishment lyrics and themes such as isolation. He has dabbled in music journalism and has had a successful solo career, too. A cultural icon, he is an animal rights activist and has a huge gay fan base.
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Patricia Clarkson(Actress)
Birthdate: 29th December
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Birthdate: 6th December
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Sapporo
Died: July 11, 2015
Former Nintendo president and CEO Satoru Iwata had started developing games while in school. He was the first Nintendo president not related to the Yamauchi family and revolutionized the gaming industry by focusing on a blue ocean strategy and introducing products such as the DS dual-screen console and targeting non-gamers.
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David Hyde Pierce(Best Known for Starring as Psychiatrist 'Dr. Niles Crane' on the NBC Sitcom 'Frasier')
Birthdate: 3rd April
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Saratoga Springs, New York, United States
Actor David Hyde Pierce is best known for his role as psychiatrist Dr. Niles Crane in the NBC sitcom Frasier, for which he received four Primetime Emmy Awards. Active in the entertainment industry for almost four decades, he has acted in many stage productions, TV shows, and films. He is openly gay and is married to producer Brian Hargrove.
Birthdate: 21st October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Koide, Japan
While tragic hero characters shot him to fame, the Japanese actor is recognized by global audience for his roles in The Last Samurai and Godzilla. Having started his career as a stage actor, Ken Watanabe is known for playing Samurai roles in Japanese films. He was also cast in the lead role in The King and I staged on Broadway.
Birthdate: 22nd March
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Loma Linda, California
Matthew Modine is best known for his Golden Globe-nominated roles in And the Band Played On and What the Deaf Man Heard. Fans also loved him as Sullivan Groff in Weeds and as Dr. Brenner in Stranger Things. He is associated with a pro-bike organization named Bicycle for a Day.
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John C McGinley(Actor and Filmmaker Known for His Role as 'Dr. Perry Cox' in the TV Series ‘Scrubs’)
Birthdate: 3rd August
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
John C. McGinley is best known as Perry Cox from Scrubs and as Bob Slydell from Office Space. He has also been part of films such as Two Tickets to Paradise. His son Max’s battle with Down syndrome inspired him to work with organizations that spread awareness about the condition.
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Nina Hartley(Actress)
Birthdate: 11th March
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Berkeley, California, USA
Birthdate: 28th November
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Portland, Maine, United States
Judd Nelson is an American actor known for playing important roles in popular films, such as The Breakfast Club, New Jack City, and St. Elmo's Fire. Although he left Haverford College during his sophomore year, he did not give up on acting, which he studied under Stella Adler. Also an author, Nelson has written four books, including The Power of Speech.
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John McEnroe(Former American Professional Tennis Player Known for His Shot-making and Volleying Skills)
Birthdate: 16th February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Wiesbaden, Germany
Widely regarded as one of the greatest American tennis players of all time, John McEnroe helped the US team win five Davis Cup titles. McEnroe is also known for his confrontational on-court behavior. His infamous bad temper on court was parodied in satirical TV programs, such as Spitting Image and Not the Nine O'Clock News.
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Linda Blair(Actress)
Birthdate: 22nd January
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Birthdate: 27th June
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Loretta Morgan, daughter of country singer George Morgan, began her career as a singer at age 13. She is known for her best-selling platinum-certified album Reflections: Greatest Hits and her Billboard-charting songs such as Five Minutes and What Part of No. She was also inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
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Sam Raimi(Known for the cult horror comedy Evil Dead films and the original Spider-Man trilogy)
Birthdate: 23rd October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Royal Oak, Michigan, United States
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Wim Hof(Extreme Athlete Known for His Ability to Withstand Low Temperatures)
Birthdate: 20th April
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Sittard, Limburg, Netherlands
Wim Hof, or The Iceman, is a Dutch extreme athlete and motivational speaker who holds a Guinness record for the fastest half-marathon completed barefoot on ice/snow. He has also devised the Wim Hof Method, which helps one gain control over one’s body through extreme cold tolerance.
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Catherine Keener(Actress)
Birthdate: 23rd March
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Miami, Florida, United States
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Mackenzie Phillips(Actress and Singer Known for Her Role as ‘Carol Morrison’ in the Film ‘American Graffiti’)
Birthdate: 10th November
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Alexandria, Virginia, United States
Mackenzie Phillips made her acting debut at 12, with American Graffiti. Fans loved her in the series One Day at a Time and So Weird. She has struggled with drug issues and has appeared on Celebrity Rehab. She also confessed to being raped by her father, in her memoir.
Birthdate: 30th April
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Leaside, Toronto, Canada
Stephen Harper is a Canadian politician and economist. From 2006 to 2015, Harper served as the prime minister of Canada. In 2019, he was made the Companion of the Order of Canada for his service to the nation and for his illustrious career in politics.
