Discover the most famous people born in 1926. The list includes people like Marilyn Monroe, Hugh Hefner, Fidel Castro, Michel Foucault, David Attenborough and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include political leaders, poets, physicists and directors born in 1926. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom, India & Germany and many more countries.
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Birthdate: 21st April
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Mayfair, London, England
Died: September 8, 2022
The Queen of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms, Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning British monarch in history. The first child of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother , she ascended to the throne in 1952. Despite the media criticism of the royal family, she continued to be a popular figure in the UK.
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Marilyn Monroe(American Actress Who Became One of the Most Popular Sex Symbols of the 1950s and Early 1960s)
Birthdate: 1st June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: August 4, 1962
A legendary American actress, model, comedienne and singer, Marilyn Monroe emerged as a major sex symbol in Hollywood in the 1950s and early 1960s. Amongst the most successful actresses of her time, she also won critical acclaim for her acting in movies like Some Like It Hot. Her personal and professional life, though from the beginning, were marked by hardships, struggles and controversies.
Birthdate: 8th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Isleworth, England
Widely regarded as a national treasure in the United Kingdom, Sir David Attenborough is the only person to have received BAFTAs for TV shows meant for different television sets, such as black and white, color, 3D, HD, and 4K. In 2002, he was mentioned in BBC's 100 Greatest Britons list.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: 28th June
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Mel Brooks is the director of iconic comedy films and spoofs like The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, High Anxiety and Spaceballs. He is also an actor and a writer and has written for many films. He has received many awards and accolades and won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the film. The Producers, in 1969.
Recommended Lists:5
Chuck Berry(One of the Most Influential “Rock 'n' Roll” Performers in Music History)
Birthdate: 18th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Died: March 18, 2017
Chuck Berry was an American singer-songwriter. Referred to as the Father of Rock and Roll, Berry is credited with pioneering rock and roll music. He is also credited with influencing the attitude with which the rock music lifestyle is usually associated. Also revered for his guitaring skills, Berry is often included in lists like the Greatest Artists of All Time.
Birthdate: 1st June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Mount Airy
Died: July 3, 2012
Known for his Southern accent and friendly demeanor, Andy Griffith initially wished to become a preacher. Fans loved him in The Andy Griffith Show, A Face in the Crowd, and Matlock. He won a Grammy for his country album I Love to Tell the Story and was a staunch Democrat.
Recommended Lists:7
Miles Davis(Trumpeter and one of the Most Prominent Figures in the History of Jazz)
Birthdate: 26th May
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Alton, Illinois, United States
Died: September 28, 1991
Jazz trumpeter and composer Miles Davis was a pioneer in the bepop and jazz fusion genres. His work also had electronic, African, and Spanish influences. His album Kind of Blue sold 5 million copies in the U.S. and was termed a national treasure by the House of Representatives, years later.
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Harper Lee(American Author Best Known for Her Novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’)
Birthdate: 28th April
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Monroeville, Alabama, United States
Died: February 19, 2016
Harper Lee was an American novelist who wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning classic To Kill a Mockingbird. Despite publishing only two books, Lee was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contribution to literature, such was her impact in the world of literature. A friend of Truman Capote, Lee has been portrayed by popular actresses in Capote's biographical films.
Recommended Lists:9
Jerry Lewis(Comedian, Actor and One of the Most Significant American Cultural Figures of All Time)
Birthdate: 16th March
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States
Died: August 20, 2017
One half of the popular American comedy duo Martin & Lewis, Jerry Lewis was nicknamed The King of Comedy for his comedic skills. Also a filmmaker, Jerry Lewis helped develop video assist and went on to popularize the system, which is widely used today. Also a humanitarian, Lewis worked closely with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, raising awareness about muscular dystrophy.
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Leslie Nielsen(Actor and Comedian Known for His Films: ‘Forbidden Planet’, ‘The Poseidon Adventure’ and ‘Airplane!’)
Birthdate: 11th February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Regina, Canada
Died: November 28, 2010
Leslie Nielsen was a Canadian actor who played more than 220 characters, appearing in over 150 television programs and 100 films in a career that spanned 60 years. In the latter part of his career, he gained recognition as a comedian and went on to become one of the most popular Canadian comedians of his generation.
Recommended Lists:11
Tony Bennett(American Popular Retired Singer Best Known for His Album ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco')
Birthdate: 3rd August
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Tony Bennett is an American painter and singer. He is credited with founding the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, popular performing arts high school. A famous and critically praised concert performer and recording artist, Tony Bennett has sold more than 50 million records worldwide.
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Don Rickles(Stand-up Comedian Who Was Known for His Insult Comedy)
Birthdate: 8th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Queens, New York, United States
Died: April 6, 2017
Don Rickles was an American actor, author, and stand-up comedian. Nicknamed The Merchant of Venom, Don Rickles specialized in insult comedy. Apart from appearing in several talk and variety shows as a guest, Rickles had his own sitcom titled The Don Rickles Show. After his death, many celebrities including Tom Hanks, Martin Scorsese, and Robert De Niro paid their tributes.
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John Coltrane(One of the Most Influential Saxophonists in Music History)
Birthdate: 23rd September
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: HaHamlet, North Carolina, United States
Died: July 17, 1967
Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane is remembered for his significant influence on modern jazz. He was initially part of the Navy band and eventually collaborated with musicians such as Miles Davis. He won a Pulitzer Prize and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and was canonized by the African Orthodox Church.
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Cloris Leachman(Actress and Comedienne Known for Role as ‘Phyllis Lindstrom’ in the TV Sitcom ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’)
Birthdate: 30th April
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Died: January 27, 2021
Cloris Leachman is an actress and comedian. One of the most decorated American actresses of all time, Cloris Leachman has won several prestigious awards in an illustrious career spanning more than seven decades; she is the most awarded actress in the history of Emmy Awards, along with Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She has also received an Oscar and a Golden Globe Award.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: 3rd April
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Mitchell, Indiana, United States
Died: January 27, 1967
Gus Grissom was the second U.S. astronaut to fly into space. The Distinguished Flying Cross-winner had fought in World War II and the Korean War before being part of Mercury-Redstone 4 and Project Gemini. He died during a pre-launch test of the Apollo 1 mission, along with two colleagues.
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Fred Gwynne(Best Known for His Roles in the 1960s Sitcoms: ‘Car 54, Where Are You?’ and 'The Munsters')
Birthdate: 10th July
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: July 2, 1993
Best known for his towering height, Fred Gwynne was the perfect choice for the role of Herman Munster in The Munsters. The actor and singer was a Harvard alumnus. He excelled in swimming and had also served the U.S. Navy. He later also wrote and illustrated popular children’s books.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: 9th April
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: September 27, 2017
As the founder of Playboy magazine, Hugh Hefner changed the way people viewed nudity. Known for his enviable lifestyle, he resided in luxury mansions along with his Playboy Playmates. Also a well-known philanthropist, Hefner made significant donations to various causes. He also supported freedom of expression and sexual liberation.
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Harry Dean Stanton(Actor, Musician and Singer Known for His Films: ‘Cool Hand Luke’, ‘Kelly's Heroes’ and ‘Dillinger’)
Birthdate: 14th July
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: West Irvine, Kentucky, United States
Died: September 15, 2017
Harry Dean Stanton was an American musician, singer, and actor. A self-made man, Stanton established himself as an actor by playing supporting roles in popular films, such as The Godfather Part II and Alien. A lovable person, Harry Dean Stanton was celebrated by singer Deborah Harry and the music band Pop Will Eat Itself.
Recommended Lists:19
Paul Lynde(Comedian and Actor Known for His Role as ‘Uncle Arthur’ in the TV Series ‘Bewitched’)
Birthdate: 13th June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Mount Vernon, Ohio, United States
Died: January 10, 1982
Paul Lynde was an American comedian, actor, game show panelist, and voice artist. Lynde was much-loved and admired by his peers and often featured in lists, such as the most-liked TV stars. Throughout his life, Lynde was rumored to be homosexual and was popular among the homosexual community. In 2020, it was revealed that Lynde's biopic was in the making.
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Peter Graves(Best Known for His Role as ‘Jim Phelps’ in the TV Series ‘Mission: Impossible’)
Birthdate: 18th March
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Died: March 14, 2010
Peter Graves won a Golden Globe for playing Jim Phelps in the series Mission: Impossible and its revival. Fans also loved him as Captain Clarence Oveur in the movie Airplane! and its sequel. He won an Emmy for hosting the show Biography and also narrated the interactive video-game film Darkstar.
Recommended Lists:21
Alfredo Di Stéfano(Argentine Professional Footballer and Coach Who Played as a Forward)
Birthdate: 4th July
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Barracas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Died: July 7, 2014
Alfredo Di Stéfano was an Argentine-born Spanish football player and coach. Counted among the greatest football players of all time, Di Stéfano is remembered for his association with Real Madrid, where he played a major role in the club's domination of La Liga and the European Cup during the 1950s. In 2004, he was included in Pele’s FIFA 100 list.
Birthdate: 30th November
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: January 17, 2003
Richard Crenna is best remembered as Luke McCoy from the series The Real McCoys. He played Sam Trautman in the Rambo franchise and delivered an Emmy-winning role in The Rape of Richard Beck. Fans also loved him in the film The Flamingo Kid and the series Slattery's People.
Recommended Lists:23
Julie London(Singer, Actress)
Birthdate: 26th September
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Santa Rosa, California, United States
Died: October 18, 2000
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Jeffrey Hunter(Actor Known for His 1965 Role as 'Captain Christopher Pike' in the Original Pilot Episode of 'Star Trek')
Birthdate: 25th November
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Died: May 27, 1969
Jeffrey Hunter was an American actor and producer who contributed immensely to the film and TV industries in the USA. He achieved popularity for his lead roles in the 1950s. Jeffrey Hunter is best remembered for his performances in films like King of Kings and The Searchers.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: 6th January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary
Died: September 14, 2006
Former Mr.Universe, Mickey Hargitay made his way into showbiz with Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Husband of actress Jayne Mansfield, he was also a proficient football player. He earned the Joe Weider Lifetime Achievement Award; he was the first one to recieve that honor. During World War II, he was an underground fighter.
Birthdate: 3rd May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Schenectady, New York, United States
Died: June 1, 2014
Recommended Lists:27
Patricia Neal(A major star of the 1950s and 60s, she was the recipient of an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and two British Academy Film Awards)
Birthdate: 20th January
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Packard, Kentucky, United States
Died: August 8, 2010
Birthdate: 25th May
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Nelson, Georgia, United States
Died: January 27, 1994
Recommended Lists:29
Allen Ginsberg(Best Known for His Poem ‘Howl’, Which is One of the Most Significant Products of the 'Beat Movement')
Birthdate: 3rd June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States
Died: April 5, 1997
Allen Ginsberg, a Beat Generation poet, is best remembered for his 1956 poem Howl, which criticized U.S. capitalism and described homosexual acts, and was thus banned. He earned the National Book Award for The Fall of America and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Cosmopolitan Greetings: Poems 1986–1992.
Birthdate: 8th January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Franklinton, North Carolina, United States
Died: October 22, 2009
Birthdate: 12th August
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: May 22, 1998
John Derek, known for his stunning good looks, launched his last wife, Bo Derek, in Hollywood. He appeared in films such as All the King's Men and had also served in World War II. He directed Bo in Tarzan, the Ape Man and even photographed her for Playboy.
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Jean Peters(Actress)
Birthdate: 15th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Canton, Ohio, USA
Died: October 13, 2000
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Bing Russell(Actor and Owner of the ‘Portland Mavericks’)
Birthdate: 5th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Brattleboro, Vermont, United States
Died: April 8, 2003
Bing Russell was an American actor whose career spanned nearly 40 years. Perhaps Bing Russell's biggest contribution to the American entertainment industry is his son Kurt Russell. Also a baseball enthusiast, Russell owned the Portland Mavericks, a professional baseball team, which was featured in a 2014 documentary titled The Battered Bastards of Baseball.
Birthdate: 22nd April
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Died: August 5, 2018
Birthdate: 30th March
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Pjätteryd, Sweden
Died: January 27, 2018
In 2004, Swedish business tycoon and IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad stunned everyone to beat Bill Gates in the race for world’s wealthiest person. He showed his entrepreneurial streak as a kid when he made profits from selling matches. He founded IKEAwith a cash reward he got from his father.
Birthdate: 9th June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kensett, Arkansas, United States
Georgia Holt is a retired American actress, singer-songwriter, and former model. After beginning her career as a child singer, Holt started appearing on popular TV shows which increased her popularity. In 2013, Georgia Holt became the subject of a documentary titled Dear Mom, Love Cher, which also featured her famous daughter Cher.
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George Martin(English Record Producer and Composer Best Known for His Associations with the Rock Band 'The Beatles')
Birthdate: 3rd January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Highbury, London, England
Died: March 8, 2016
George Martin was an English composer, conductor, arranger, record producer, and audio engineer. Due to his involvement on each of the Beatles' albums, Martin was often referred to as the Fifth Beatle. In 1996, George Martin was made a Knight Bachelor for his contribution to the music industry. Apart from being a musician, Martin also contributed to several charitable causes.
Birthdate: 30th January
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Zvorkovo, Russia
Died: August 19, 1998
Vasili Arkhipov was a Soviet Navy officer who played a crucial role in the Cuban Missile Crisis. He prevented a Soviet nuclear strike, which could’ve easily caused an all-out nuclear war. He refused to authorize the use of nuclear torpedoes, for which he was posthumously honored with the Future of Life Award by the Future of Life Institute in 2017.
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Richard Anderson(Actor)
Birthdate: 8th August
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Long Branch, New Jersey, USA
Died: August 31, 2017
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James Best(Actor, Artist, Acting Coach and Singer-Songwriter)
Birthdate: 26th July
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Powderly, Kentucky, United States
Died: April 6, 2015
James Best is remembered for his portrayal of Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in the series The Dukes of Hazzard and its subsequent TV movie versions. He also served the U.S. army in World War II. He had also been a university professor, an acting coach, and a singer.
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Betsy Palmer(Actress)
Birthdate: 1st November
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: East Chicago, Indiana, USA
Died: May 29, 2015
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Zig Ziglar(Writer)
Birthdate: 6th November
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Coffee County, Alabama, United States
Died: November 28, 2012
Birthdate: 20th February
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: September 28, 2002
Birthdate: 22nd February
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Islington, London, England
Died: April 15, 1988
Kenneth Williams was an English actor. Although he suffered from depression throughout his life, Kenneth Williams continued playing comedy roles for which he was fondly regarded in the British entertainment industry. In 2006, Welsh actor Michael Sheen played Kenneth Williams in the television play Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa, which was inspired by his life and work.
Birthdate: 17th August
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Yangzhou, Jiangsu
Died: November 30, 2022
Chinese politician, Jiang Zemin, served as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party from 1989 to 2002. Qualified as an engineer, he joined the Chinese Communist Party when he was in college. Rising through the ranks, he eventually became a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Minister of Electronic Industries.
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Beverly Garland(Actress)
Birthdate: 17th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Santa Cruz, California, USA
Died: December 5, 2008
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Robert Clary(Best Known for His Role in the Sitcom 'Hogan's Heroes')
Birthdate: 1st March
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Paris, France
Robert Clary is a French-American actor, artist, singer, author, and lecturer. He is known for his portrayal of Corporal Louis LeBeau in the American television sitcom, Hogan's Heroes. A Holocaust survivor, Clary often speaks about the perils faced by him during the Second World War. Robert Clary has also released a memoir titled From the Holocaust to Hogan's Heroes.
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Margot Frank(Second World War victim)
Birthdate: 16th February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany
Died: March 9, 1945
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James Lipton(actor, screenwriter, poet, television presenter)
Birthdate: 19th September
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Detroit
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Richard Jaeckel(Actor)
Birthdate: 10th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Long Beach, Long Island, New York, USA
Died: June 4, 1997
