Famous people born on December 31st
December 31 is a surprisingly eclectic birthday, bringing together boundary-pushing artists, screen legends, influential public figures, and voices that helped shape modern music and literature. The date spans centuries of creativity and civic impact, from classical poetry and publishing to contemporary film, fashion, and activism. It is a lineup defined by reinvention, craft, and cultural reach.
Notable highlights
- Henri Matisse (1869) - A leading modernist who helped redefine color and form, from Fauvist paintings to his late paper cut-outs.
- Simon Wiesenthal (1908) - The famed Nazi hunter whose postwar documentation efforts aided the pursuit of war-crimes accountability.
- Anthony Hopkins (1937) - An Oscar-winning actor celebrated for meticulous character work across stage-trained drama and blockbuster films.
- Ben Kingsley (1943) - A transformative performer whose career ranges from historical epics to contemporary thrillers with equal intensity.
- John Denver (1943) - A defining singer-songwriter of the 1970s whose warm, melodic anthems became modern American standards.
- Diane von Furstenberg (1946) - The designer who popularized the wrap dress, turning a simple silhouette into a global fashion staple.
- Nicholas Sparks (1965) - A bestselling novelist known for emotionally driven romances that frequently became major film adaptations.
- Donna Summer (1948) - The "Queen of Disco", whose club-era hits and pioneering productions helped shape modern dance-pop.
- George C. Marshall (1880) - The U.S. Army general and statesman behind the Marshall Plan, a cornerstone of Europe's postwar recovery.
- Gong Li (1965) - An internationally acclaimed actress whose performances helped elevate Chinese cinema on the world stage.
On this day
- 1879 - Thomas Edison demonstrated the first practical incandescent light bulb, a milestone in everyday electrification.
- 1929 - The First "New Year's Eve" celebration was held in Times Square, cementing the annual countdown tradition in New York City.
- 1991 - The Soviet Union officially dissolved, ending the state and reshaping global politics at the close of the 20th century.