Famous people born on December 6th
December 6 brings together an unusually wide-ranging set of birthdays, spanning sharp-edged comedy, influential music, political leadership, and landmark work in literature and scholarship. The date highlights figures who shaped popular culture as well as those whose impact is felt most strongly in academia, science, and the arts. From Grammy-winning sounds to enduring books and public service, the day reflects both creativity and civic life across centuries.
Notable highlights
- Steven Wright (1955) - Known for deadpan one-liners and surreal observations that helped define modern stand-up minimalism.
- Andrew Cuomo (1957) - Served as Governor of New York and became a national figure during high-profile statewide crises.
- Dave Brubeck (1920) - Jazz pianist whose adventurous time signatures helped make "Take Five" an enduring crossover classic.
- Ira Gershwin (1896) - Lyricist behind many of the Great American Songbook's most quoted lines, frequently collaborating with George Gershwin.
- Alicia Machado (1976) - Venezuelan actress and TV personality who won Miss Universe and later built a long-running media career.
- Peter Buck (1956) - R.E.M. co-founder whose ringing guitar style became a signature of alternative rock's rise.
- Arthur Golden (1956) - Author of "Memoirs of a Geisha", a global bestseller that sparked wide interest in geisha culture and historical fiction.
- Alfred Eisenstaedt (1898) - Photojournalist celebrated for iconic candid images, including the famed V-J Day kiss in Times Square.
- George Porter (1920) - Nobel Prize-winning chemist recognized for pioneering work in flash photolysis and fast reaction studies.
- Evelyn Underhill (1875) - Influential writer on Christian mysticism whose works introduced spiritual classics to modern readers.
On this day
- 1865 - The Thirteenth Amendment is ratified in the United States, abolishing slavery.
- 1917 - Finland declares independence from Russia.
- 1926 - France's luxury ocean liner SS Normandie is launched, later becoming one of the era's most famous ships.
- 1989 - The Montreal Protocol enters into force, creating a landmark global framework to protect the ozone layer.