Famous people born on December 27th
December 27 brings together an unusually wide-ranging mix of scientific trailblazers, screen icons, sharp-tongued commentators, and influential political figures. The date spans centuries of achievement, from foundational discoveries that reshaped astronomy and medicine to performances and writing that defined modern culture. Whether your interests run to laboratories, stages, newsrooms, or city halls, this birthday roster has something compelling.
Notable highlights
- Louis Pasteur (1822) - Helped revolutionize public health through germ theory, pasteurization, and pioneering work on vaccines.
- Johannes Kepler (1571) - Formulated the laws of planetary motion, providing a mathematical backbone for modern astronomy.
- Marlene Dietrich (1901) - Became a defining Hollywood and cabaret star whose image and style reshaped 20th-century celebrity.
- Gerard Depardieu (1948) - Built an expansive film career spanning French cinema classics and international productions.
- Oscar Levant (1906) - Combined virtuoso piano talent with razor-edged wit, bridging concert stages and classic-era film.
- William Masters (1915) - Co-led groundbreaking clinical research on human sexuality that changed medical understanding and public discourse.
- Thomas Menino (1942) - Served as Boston's longest-tenured mayor, identified closely with neighborhood-focused governance and urban revival.
- Sarah Vowell (1969) - Known for witty, research-rich storytelling that makes American history feel personal and current.
- Scotty Moore (1931) - Crafted the guitar sound behind Elvis Presley's early recordings, influencing rock's foundational style.
On this day
- 1831 - Charles Darwin embarks on the HMS Beagle, beginning the voyage that helped shape evolutionary science.
- 1904 - The first New York City subway line opens, marking a major leap in urban mass transit.
- 1945 - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is formally established, becoming a central institution in global finance.
- 2007 - Benazir Bhutto is assassinated in Rawalpindi, an event that shocks Pakistan and reverberates worldwide.