Famous people born on February 29th

February 29 is a rare birthday that appears only in leap years, but its roster of notable figures is anything but scarce. The date gathers a striking mix of motivational voices, musical innovators, political leaders, and acclaimed artists. Together, these lives reflect how talent can surface across centuries and disciplines, even on the calendar's most elusive day.

Notable highlights

• Tony Robbins (1960) - The bestselling author and speaker popularized modern life-coaching at mass scale through seminars, books, and media.
• Gioachino Rossini (1792) - A giant of Italian opera, he became famous for sparkling comic works and the enduring "William Tell" overture.
• Saul Williams (1972) - A poet-turned-musician whose work fuses spoken word, hip-hop, and political commentary into genre-bending albums and performances.
• Balthus (1908) - The enigmatic painter built a distinctive figurative style that defied many 20th-century trends toward abstraction.
• Howard Nemerov (1920) - A Pulitzer Prize-winning poet known for crisp, witty lines that bring philosophical questions into everyday scenes.
• Morarji Desai (1896) - India's prime minister during a pivotal post-independence era, recognized for his austerity and reform-minded governance.
• Dennis Farina (1944) - A former Chicago police officer who became a familiar screen presence, especially through roles in crime dramas.
• Dinah Shore (1916) - A major mid-century American entertainer whose singing and television hosting helped define the variety-show era.
• Ja Rule (1976) - A chart-dominating rapper who helped shape early-2000s pop-rap with melodic hooks and high-profile collaborations.
• Pope Paul III (1468) - The Renaissance pontiff who launched key Catholic Counter-Reformation efforts, including convening the Council of Trent.

On this day

• 1504 - Christopher Columbus uses a predicted lunar eclipse in Jamaica to impress local communities and secure needed provisions for his crew.
• 1940 - Hattie McDaniel becomes the first Black performer to win an Academy Award, honored for her role in "Gone with the Wind."
• 1988 - In Seoul, South Korea begins a series of reforms and preparations ahead of hosting the 1988 Summer Olympics later that year.
• 1996 - The United States and France announce a plan to help resolve a long-running dispute over nuclear testing and environmental concerns in the Pacific.