Famous Birthdays on May 17

Birthdays 1 - 200 of 249

• 1155 Jien, Japanese poet and historian, born in Kyoto (d. 1225)
• 1443 Edmund, Earl of Rutland, brother of Kings Edward IV of England and Richard III of England, born in Rouen, Normandy (d. 1460)
• 1451 Engelbert II, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg-Dietz and viceroy of Luxembourg, born in Breda, Netherlands (d. 1504)

• 1551 Martin Delrio, Flemish theologian and occultist, born in Antwerp (d. 1608)
• 1628 Ferdinand Charles, Archduke of Austria and Regent of the Tyrol, born in Innsbruck, Austria (d. 1662)

• 1706 Andreas Felix von Oefele, German historian and librarian, born in Munich (d. 1780)
• 1718 Robert Darcy, 4th Earl of Holderness, English diplomat and politician (d. 1778)
• 1732 Francesco Pasquale Ricci, Italian composer, born in Como, Duchy of Milan, Habsburg Empire (d. 1817)
• 1741 John Penn, American attorney (signed US Declaration of Independence), born in Port Royal, Caroline County, Virginia (d. 1788)
• 1743 Seth Warner, American revolutionary leader, born in Roxbury, Connecticut (d. 1784)

• 1758 John St Aubyn, British fossil collector, born in Golden Square, London (d. 1839)
• 1768 Caroline of Brunswick, Queen Consort of King George IV (1820-21), born in Brunswick, Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1821)
• 1768 Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey, English general, born in London (d. 1854)
• 1794 Anna Brownell Jameson, Anglo-Irish historian and writer (Loves of the Poets), born in Dublin, Ireland (d. 1860)
• 1796 Martinus Niewindt, Dutch Bishop of Curacao (advocate for fair treatment and abolition of slavery), born in Amsterdam (d. 1860)
• 1800 Carl Friedrich Zöllner, German composer, born in Mittelhausen, Electorate of Saxony (d. 1860)
• 1803 Robert Smith Surtees, British novelist (Jorrocks’s Jaunts and Jollities), born in The Riding, England (d. 1864)
• 1804 Ottho Gerhard Heldring, Dutch preacher and reformer (Heldring Institutions), born in Zevenaar, Netherlands (d. 1876)
• 1808 Charles-Louis-Adolphe Vogel, French composer (Les trois couleurs), born in Lille, France (d. 1892)
• 1812 Joseph Warren Revere, American Brigadier General (Union Army), born in Boston, Massachusetts (d. 1880)
• 1819 Johann Nepomuk Kafka, Bohemian pianist and composer, born in Neustadt an der Mettau, Kingdom of Bohemia (d. 1886)
• 1821 Sebastian Kneipp, Bavarian priest and naturopathist (known for "Kneipp Cure" form of hydrotherapy), born in Stephansried, Germany (d. 1897)
• 1823 Charlotte Sainton-Dolby, English contralto and composer, born in London (d. 1885)
• 1836 Sir Norman Lockyer, English physicist, co-founder of helium gas, founder and editor of "Nature" magazine, born in Rugby, Warwickshire (d. 1920)
• 1836 Virginie Loveling, Flemish writer (Sophie) and poet, born in Nevele, East Flanders, Belgium (d. 1923)
• 1836 Wilhelm Steinitz, Austrian World Chess Champion (1866-94), born in Prague, Bohemia, Austrian Empire (d. 1900)
• 1844 Julius Wellhausen, German biblical scholar (analysis of the structure and dating of the Pentateuch), born in Hamelin, Hanover, Germany (d. 1918)
• 1846 Edmund Bishop, English Roman Catholic historian and Secretary of Thomas Carlyle, born in Totnes, England (d. 1917)
• 1850 Antonio Scontrino, Italian composer, born in Trapani, Sicily, The Kingdom of Two Sicilies (d. 1922)
• 1860 Austin Lane Crothers, American politician (Governor of Maryland, 1908-12), born in Conowingo, Maryland (d. 1912)
• 1866 Erik Satie, French composer (Gymnopédies), born in Honfleur, Normandy (d. 1925)
• 1867 Gerrit Mannoury, Dutch mathematician and philosopher, born in Wormerveer, Netherlands (d. 1956)
• 1868 Horace Elgin Dodge, American automobile manufacturing pioneer (co-founder of Dodge Brothers Company), born in Niles, Michigan (d. 1920)
• 1871 Henk Bremmer, Dutch art historian (Modern Kunstwerken), born in Leiden, Netherlands (d. 1956)
• 1873 Dorothy M. Richardson, English novelist (Pilgrimage), born in Abington, Berkshire (d. 1957)
• 1873 Henri Barbusse, French novelist (Le Feu), born in Asnieres, France (d. 1935)
• 1876 Alban Collignon, Belgian sport journalist, born in Mechelen, Belgium (d. 1955)
• 1880 Pascual de Rogatis, Argentine composer (Huemac; Estampas Argentinas), born in Teora, Kingdom of Italy (d. 1980)

• 1888 Selmer Jackson, American actor (The Grapes of Wrath, Life & Legend of Wyatt Earp), born in Lake Mills, Iowa (d. 1971)
• 1888 Tich Freeman, English cricket leg-spin bowler (12 Tests, 66 wickets; Kent CCC), born in Lewisham, England (d. 1965)
• 1889 Alfonso Reyes, Mexican writer (Simpatías y diferencias) and diplomat (Higenia Cruel), born in Monterrey, Mexico (d. 1959)
• 1890 Philip James, American composer, and conductor (New Jersey Symphony, 1922-29; Bamberger Little Symphony, 1929-36), and educator (NYU, 1934-56), born in Jersey City, New Jersey (d. 1975)
• 1891 Princess Alexandra, 2nd Duchess of Fife, granddaughter of King Edward VII and great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria, born in East Sheen Lodge, Richmond, England (d. 1959)
• 1893 Frederick McKinley Jones, American inventor (developments in refrigeration), born in Cincinnati, Ohio (d. 1961)
• 1896 Brasílio Itiberê da Cunha Luz, Brazilian composer, born in Curitiba, State of Paraná, Brazil (d. 1967)
• 1896 Hannah Tillich, German-American writer (Harbor Mouse) and wife of Paul Tillich, born in Rotenburg an der Fulda, Germany (d. 1988)
• 1897 Odd Hassel, Norwegian chemist (Nobel 1969 - the study of the three-dimensional geometric structure of molecules), born in Kristiana, Norway (d. 1981)
• 1898 A. J. Casson, Canadian painter (member of Group of Seven), born in Toronto, Ontario (d. 1992)
• 1899 Ralf Harolde, American actor (Framed, Smart Money, Tip-off), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (d. 1974)
• 1900 Nicolai Berezowsky, Russian-American composer, born in St. Petersburg, Russia (d. 1953)
• 1901 Werner Egk, German composer (Die Zaubergeige), born in Donauwörth, Germany (d. 1983)
• 1902 John Vincent, American composer, born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1977)
• 1902 Maurice Kusell, American film choreographer (Puttin' On the Ritz), born in Champaign, Illinois (d. 1992)
• 1903 Douglas Packard, British Lieutenant General (d. 2000)

• 1904 Jean Gabin, French actor (Moulin Rouge, La Grande Illusion), born in Paris, France (d. 1976)
• 1905 John Patrick, American screenwriter and playwright (Pulitzer Prize 1954), born in Louisville, Kentucky (d. 1995)
• 1906 Eric Mensforth, British pioneer in the development of the helicopter in Britain, born in Stretford, Manchester (d. 2000)
• 1906 Horace McMahon, American actor (Detective Story, Martin Kane Private Eye), born in South Norwalk, Connecticut (d. 1971)
• 1906 Zinka Milanov (née Kunc), Croatian soprano (Ljubljana Opera, 1927-34; NY Metropolitan Opera, 1937-66), born in Zagreb, Croatia (d. 1989)
• 1907 Charles Cawley, British chief scientist and Minister of Power (1959-67) (d. 2000)
• 1907 Ilona Elek, Hungarian fencer (Olympic gold 1936, 48), born in Budapest, Hungary (d. 1988)
• 1908 Sigismund Toduţă, Romanian composer, born in Simeria, Romania (d. 1991)
• 1909 Edward Playfair, British senior civil servant, born in London (d. 1999)
• 1909 Karl Schäfer, Austrian figure skater (Olympic gold 1932, 36), born in Vienna, Austria (d. 1976)
• 1909 Magda Schneider, German actress (Eva, Going Gay, Be Mine Tonight), born in Bavaria, German (d. 1996)
• 1911 Lisa Fonssagrives, Swedish supermodel, born in Västra Götaland County, Sweden (d. 1992)
• 1911 Maureen O'Sullivan, Irish actress (Tarzan, Pride & Prejudice, Hannah and Her Sisters), born in Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland (d. 1998)
• 1912 Archibald Cox, American lawyer and special prosecutor (Watergate), born in Plainfield, New Jersey (d. 2004)
• 1912 Clarence "Ace" Parker, American NFL quarterback (Brooklyn, Boston Yanks), born in Portsmouth, Virginia (d. 2013)
• 1912 Sándor Végh, Hungarian-French violinist teacher and conductor, born in Kolozsvár, Transylvania, Austria-Hungary (d. 1997)
• 1913 Desmond Barel Hirshfield, Lord Hirshfield, British chartered accountant, born in Birmingham (d. 1993)
• 1913 Hans Ruesch, Swiss racing driver (d. 2007)
• 1914 Guido Masanetz, German composer (In Frisco ist der Teufel Los), born in Friedeck, Austria-Hungary (d. 2015)
• 1915 Gus Viseur, Belgian-French jazz button accordionist, born in Lessines, Belgium (d. 1974)
• 1916 Cornelis A. Eman, Aruban politician (chairman State of Aruba Peoples Party) (d. 1967)
• 1916 John Hinde, English pioneering color photographer (color postcards, documented circus life), born in Somerset (d. 1997) [1]
• 1918 (Märta) Birgit Nilsson, Swedish operatic soprano (Elektra; Salome), born in Västra Karup, Skåne, Sweden (d. 2005)
• 1919 Antonio Aguilar [Barraza], Mexican singer, producer and actor (Emiliano Zapata) who popularized the Mexican equestrian sport la charrería, born in Villanueva, Zacatecas, Mexico (d. 2007)
• 1919 Merle Miller, American biographer (d. 1986)
• 1920 Harriet Van Horne, American columnist and panelist (Leave it to Girls), born in Syracuse, New York (d. 1998)
• 1920 Lydia Wideman, Finnish cross country skier (first female cross-country Olympic medalist, gold 10k 1952), born in Vippula, Finland (d. 2019)
• 1921 Bob Merrill, American composer and lyricist (People, Mambo Italiano), born in Atlantic City, New Jersey (d. 1998)
• 1921 Dennis Brain, British classical horn player (Serenade), born in London, England (d. 1957)
• 1923 Michael Beetham, British Marshall of the RAF (Falklands War), born in London, England (d. 2015)
• 1923 Peter Mennin [Mennini], American composer (Moby Dick; The Cycle), and educator (Juilliard, 1962-83), born in Erie, Pennsylvania (d. 1983)
• 1924 Francis Tombs, Lord Tombs, British engineer and businessman (CEO of Rolls Royce), born in Walsall, England (d. 2020) [1]
• 1924 Frantisek Kovaricek, Czech composer (Ukradeny mesic (The Stolen Moon)), born in Liteniny, Czechoslovakia (d. 2003)
• 1926 Cicely Berry, British theatre director (Royal Shakespeare Company) and voice coach, born in Berkhamsted, England (d. 2018) [1]
• 1926 David Ogilvy, Earl of Airlie, Scottish peer, Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth, born in Westminster, England (d. 2023)
• 1926 Geoffrey Caston, British academic administrator (University of Oxford, 1972-79; Vice-Chancellor of University of the South Pacific, 1983-92), born in London (d. 2018)
• 1926 Tenniel Evans, British actor and clergyman (10 Rillington Place, My Brother's Keeper), born in Nairobi, Kenya (d. 2009)
• 1928 Donald Cameron Watt, British historian (How War Came: The Immediate Origins of the Second World War, 1938–1939), born in Rugby, England (d. 2014)
• 1929 George Weinberg, American psychotherapist (coined "homophobia"), born in Manhattan, New York (d. 2017)
• 1929 John Davies, Australian swimmer (Olympic gold 200m breaststroke 1952; WR 200m breaststroke 2:34.4 1952), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2020)
• 1929 Raymond Hide, British geophysicist (geomagnetism, meteorology, geodesy and oceanography), born in London (d. 2016)
• 1931 Marshall Applewhite, American cult leader (Heaven's Gate), born in Spur, Texas (d. 1997)
• 1931 Stan Albeck, American basketball coach (Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls), born in Chenoa, Illinois (d. 2021)
• 1931 [Walter] Dewey Redman, American jazz saxophonist, born in Fort Worth, Texas (d. 2006)
• 1932 Colin Hope, British industrialist (Turner and Newall), born in Birkenhead (d. 2015)
• 1932 Peter Burge, Australian cricket batsman (42 Tests, 4 x 100, HS 181; Queensland CA), born in Brisbane, Australia (d. 2001)
• 1932 Rodric Braithwaite, British ambassador to USSR
• 1934 Abe Terry, English rugby league front rower (11 Tests; Challenge Cup 1961 St. Helens RLFC [216 games]), born in St. Helens, England (d. 2024)
• 1934 Earl Morrall, American NFL quarterback (Super Bowl 1970, 72, 73; Pro Bowl 1957, 68; First-team All-Pro 1968, 72; NFL MVP 1968; Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins), born in Muskegon, Michigan (d. 2014)
• 1935 Dennis Potter, British TV dramatist (The Singing Detective, Karaoke, Midnight Movie), born in Gloucestershire, England (d. 1994)
• 1935 Ivan Slone, world-famous watchmaker

• 1936 Guy Camberabero, French rugby union flyhalf (14 Tests 110 points; ROC La Voulte Sportif, US Tyrosse RUC), born in Saubion, France (d. 2023)
• 1936 Lars Gustafsson, Swedish poet and novelist (The Death of a Beekeeper, The Cracks in the Wall), born in Västerås, Sweden (d. 2016)
• 1936 Philippe Boesmans, Belgian pianist, and composer (Upon La-Mi; Reigen), born in Tongeren, Belgium (d. 2022)
• 1937 Hazel R. O'Leary, United States Secretary of Energy
• 1938 Don Dolan, actor (Guy Lewis- General Hospital), born in Staten Island, New York
• 1938 Jason Bernard, actor (Judge-Liar Liar)
• 1938 Pervis Jackson, American pop and R&B singer (The Spinners, 1954-2008 - "Games People Play"), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 2008)
• 1938 Trinus Riemersma, Dutch-Frisian writer (Conquest of Leeuwarden)
• 1939 Gary Paulsen, American author of young adult literature, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota (d. 2021)
• 1939 Wim de Bie, Dutch comedian, satirist, and writer (van Kooten & de Bie - The Simplistic Covenant), born in The Hague, Netherlands (d. 2023)

• 1941 Ben Nelson. American politician
• 1941 David Cope, American composer, born in San Francisco, California
• 1941 Grace Zabriskie, American actress
• 1941 Malcolm Hale, American pop musician (Spanky and Our Gang), born in Butte, Montana (d. 1968)
• 1942 Caroline Charles, fashion designer
• 1942 Myles Brand, American sports administrator (4th NCAA President), born in Brooklyn, NY (d. 2009)
• 1942 Taj Mahal [Henry Saint Clair Fredericks, Jr.], American singer-songwriter (Real Thing), born in Harlem, New York
• 1943 Johnny Warren, Australian Footballer (d. 2004)
• 1943 Rui Rodrigues, Portuguese soccer centre-back (12 caps; Académica, Benfica, Vitória Guimarães), born in Lourenço Marques, Portuguese Mozambique (d.2024)
• 1944 Arif Butt, Pakistani cricket pace bowler (3 Tests, 14 wickets; Lahore, Pakistan Railways), born in Lahore, Pakistan (d. 2007)
• 1944 Jesse Winchester, American-Canadian musician and songwriter ("Yankee Lady"; "Say What"), born in Bossier City, Louisiana (d. 2014)
• 1945 Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Indian cricketer (brilliant Indian leggie 1964-79), born in Mysore, Karnataka
• 1945 D A S Pennefather, Maj-General/Commandant (General Royal Marines)
• 1945 George Miller, American politician (Rep-D-CA, 1975-2015), born in Richmond, California
• 1946 F. Paul Wilson, American horror and sci-fi novelist (Repairman Jack), and medical doctor, born in Jersey City, New Jersey
• 1946 Sinaida Turchina, USSR, team handball (Olympic gold 1976)
• 1946 Udo Lindenberg, German drummer, singer, and composer, born in Gronau, Westphalia, Germany
• 1947 John Traicos, cricketer (in Egypt South Africa 1970, Zimbabwe 1992-93)
• 1948 Dick Gaughan, Scottish folk, rock, and Celtic music singer-songwriter, and guitarist, born in Glasgow, Scotland
• 1949 Andrew Latimer, English musician (Camel), born in Guildford, England
• 1949 Bill Bruford, PhD, British rock and jazz drummer (Yes; King Crimson; Genesis (touring only); Earthworks), born in Sevenoaks, Kent, England
• 1949 Keith [James Keefer], American pop singer ("98.6"), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• 1949 Timothy Cordy, British director (Town/Country Planning Association)
• 1950 Alan Johnson, British politician (Member of Parliament, 1997-2017; Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, 2010-11; Home Secretary, 2009-10), born in London, England
• 1950 Algirdas Martinaitis, Lithuanian classical composer (Cantus ad futurum), born in Paserbentys, Lithuania
• 1950 Howard Ashman, American playwright and lyricist (Little Shop of Horrors: The Little Mermaid), born in Baltimore, Maryland (d. 1991)
• 1950 Janez Drnovšek, Slovenian politician
• 1951 Simon Hughes, British politician and government minister (SD)
• 1952 Howard Hampton, Canadian politician
• 1952 Jody Pijper, Dutch pop singer, born in Ter Aar, Netherlands
• 1952 Norv Turner, American football coach (Super Bowl 1992, 93 OC Dallas Cowboys; HC Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders, SD Chargers), born in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
• 1953 George Johnson, American funk and R&B guitarist and vocalist (Brothers Johnson), born in Los Angeles, California
• 1953 Kathleen Sullivan, American newscaster (ABC-TV, CBS Morning Show), born in Pasadena, California
• 1953 Nicholas Bacon, premier baronet of England
• 1953 Yoko Shimada, Japanese actress (Mariko in the miniseries Shōgun) and author (Kir Royal), born in Kumamota, Japan (d. 2022) [1]
• 1954 John Iles, British stage and screen actor (The Bill -"Dashwood"), born in Ripon, North Yorkshire, England
• 1954 Michael Roberts, South African jockey (British flat racing champion 1992), born in Cape Town, South Africa
• 1955 Bill Paxton, American actor (True Lies; Twister; Big Love), born in Fort Worth, Texas (d. 2017)
• 1955 David Townsend, American session and touring R&B guitarist (Isley Brothers; Port Authority; Surface - "Shower Me With Your Love"), and songwriter, born in Inglewood, California (d. 2005)

• 1956 Dave Sim, Canadian cartoonist
• 1956 Sue Carpenter, TV presenter/journalist

• 1957 Elli Paspala, Greek jazz and standards singer, born in New York City
• 1957 Pascual Pérez, Dominican baseball pitcher (MLB All Star 1983; Atlanta Braves), born in San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic (d. 2012)
• 1958 Vincent Henar, Suriname bassist (Fra Fra Sound), born in Paramaribo, Suriname
• 1959 Jim Nantz, American sportscaster, born in Charlotte, North Carolina
• 1959 Paul Di'anno [Andrews], Brazilian-British rock singer (Iron Maiden, 1981-84), born in Chingford, London, England
• 1960 Fiona Hutchison, American actress (One Life to Live, Guiding Light), born in Miami, Florida
• 1960 Lou DiBella, American boxing promoter

• 1962 Ferenc Krausz, Hungarian-Austrian physicist (2023 Nobel prize for Physics for attosecond pulses of light), born in Mór, Hungary [1]
• 1962 Lise Lyng Falkenberg, Danish writer
• 1962 Scott Case, American NFL player (Dallas Cowboys), born in Waynoka, Oklahoma
• 1962 Steven Honigberg, American classical cellist (National Symphony Orchestra; Potomac String Quartet), born in Chicago, Illinois
• 1962 Tracey Bryn, American alt-rock vocalist (Voice of the Beehive - "Don't Call Me Baby; "I Think I Love You"), born in Encino, California
• 1963 Jon Koncak, NBA center (Orlando Magic)
• 1963 Page McConnell, American songwriter and keyboardist (Phish), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• 1964 Menno Oosting, Dutch tennis player (d. 1999)
• 1965 Jeremy Vine, British radio and TV presenter (Eggheads), born in Epsom, England
• 1965 Richard Baumhammers, American spree killer

• 1966 Danny Manning, American basketball forward (NBA All-Star 1993, 94; NBA Sixth Man of the Year 1998; Phoenix Suns), born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
• 1966 Mark Kratzmann, Australian tennis player (#1 junior player in 1984), born in Windera, Queensland
• 1966 Qusay Hussein, Iraqi politician, military leader, and second son of Saddam Hussein, born in Baghdad, Iraq (d. 2003)
• 1967 Cameron Bancroft, Canadian actor (Beverly Hills 90210; Little House on the Prairie), born in Winnipeg, Manitoba
• 1967 Debbie Dutch, American actress (Hell's Paradox), born in Titusville, New Jersey
• 1968 Dave Abbruzzese, American drummer (Pearl Jam), born in Stamford, Connecticut
• 1968 Tim Grunhard, NFL center (KC Chiefs)
• 1969 Alan Doyle, Canadian musician (Great Big Sea), and actor, born in Petty Harbour, Newfoundland
• 1969 Paige Turco, American actress (Melanie-Guiding Light), born in Boston, Massachusetts
• 1969 Ryan Anthony, American trumpet player (Canadian Brass, 2000-03; Dallas Symphony, 2006-20), born in Whittier, California (d. 2020)
• 1969 Thom Filicia, American interior designer and TV personality (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), born in Syracuse, New York
• 1970 Giovanna Trillini, Italian fencer (2 x Olympic gold foil 1992), born in Iesi, Italy
• 1970 Hubert Davis, American basketball guard (Dallas Mavericks, NY Knicks) and coach (Uni of North Carolina), born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
• 1970 Jordan Knight, American singer-songwriter (New Kids on the Block), born in Worcester, Massachusetts
• 1970 Matt Lindland, American mixed martial arts fighter

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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