Famous people born on February 16th
February 16 gathers a notably wide-ranging set of birthdays, spanning literature and history, music and film, sport and public life. The date features influential chroniclers of the past alongside boundary-pushing performers and designers who helped define modern entertainment. From bestselling novelists to Olympic champions, these birthdays reflect an uncommon mix of intellect, artistry, and competitive brilliance.
Notable highlights
- John McEnroe (1959) - A tennis icon known for fierce precision and a playing style that reshaped expectations of on-court intensity.
- Ice T (1958) - A pioneering figure who bridged rap and rock audiences and later became a long-running presence in television drama.
- Valentino Rossi (1979) - One of motorcycling's defining champions, celebrated for charisma, tactical racing, and longevity at the top level.
- LeVar Burton (1957) - A beloved educator-entertainer whose work helped generations associate reading with curiosity and adventure.
- Christopher Eccleston (1964) - An acclaimed actor recognized for intense, grounded performances across stage, film, and prestige television.
- Roberta Williams (1953) - A formative game designer who helped popularize story-driven adventure games and interactive narrative.
- George F. Kennan (1904) - A key American strategist and historian whose ideas shaped Cold War diplomacy and policy debate.
- Aharon Appelfeld (1932) - A major postwar novelist whose spare, haunting fiction explored memory, survival, and Jewish life in Europe.
- Richard Ford (1944) - A leading voice in American fiction, known for clear-eyed realism and psychologically rich storytelling.
- Sonny Bono (1935) - A pop-culture figure who moved from hitmaking to public office, illustrating an unusually broad second act.
On this day
- 1918 - Lithuania declares independence, laying the foundation for its modern statehood.
- 1923 - Howard Carter opens King Tutankhamun's burial chamber to the public, accelerating worldwide fascination with ancient Egypt.
- 1959 - Fidel Castro is sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba following the Cuban Revolution.
- 2005 - The Kyoto Protocol takes effect, committing participating nations to targets for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.