Famous people born on February 26th
February 26 is a remarkably wide-ranging birthday roster, linking global literature and philosophy with country and soul music, screen comedy, business innovation, and modern political leadership. Spanning the Renaissance to the present, the date gathers voices that shaped language, entertainment, and public life. It is a day defined by big personalities and enduring cultural footprints across continents.
Notable highlights
- Victor Hugo (1802) - The French novelist and poet behind "Les Miserables" helped define Romantic literature and championed social justice themes.
- Johnny Cash (1932) - The "Man in Black" blended country, gospel, and rockabilly, turning storytelling songs into cultural touchstones.
- Erykah Badu (1971) - A leading voice of neo-soul, she reshaped R&B in the late 1990s with a signature mix of jazz phrasing and experimental edge.
- Christopher Marlowe (1564) - A pivotal Elizabethan dramatist, he elevated blank verse on the English stage and influenced Shakespeare-era theater.
- Levi Strauss (1829) - The entrepreneur associated with durable denim workwear helped popularize jeans as a practical staple that became global fashion.
- Tex Avery (1908) - The animator pushed cartoon timing and slapstick to new extremes, shaping the fast, self-aware style of classic American animation.
- Tony Randall (1920) - Known for sharp comedic performances, he became a defining television presence through sophisticated, character-driven humor.
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan (1954) - A central figure in contemporary Turkish politics, he has played a major role in shaping the country's domestic and foreign policy direction.
- Helen Clark (1950) - New Zealand's former prime minister later led major international development efforts, emphasizing governance and public health.
- John Harvey Kellogg (1852) - A prominent health reformer and businessman, he helped popularize breakfast cereals and the idea of diet-centered wellness.
On this day
- 1815 - Napoleon Bonaparte escapes from exile on Elba, setting in motion the dramatic Hundred Days return to power.
- 1935 - Adolf Hitler orders the creation of the Luftwaffe, openly violating the Treaty of Versailles and accelerating German rearmament.
- 1993 - A truck bomb detonates at the World Trade Center in New York City, killing six people and injuring many more.
- 2012 - Trayvon Martin is shot and killed in Sanford, Florida, an event that became a major flashpoint in U.S. debates on race and justice.