Famous people born on January 16th
January 16 brings together a striking mix of performers, writers, innovators, and public figures whose work spans stage and screen, sports, science, and politics. The day features major voices in music and theater alongside influential poets and dramatists, plus notable explorers of both creative and literal frontiers. From pop stardom to conservation breakthroughs, these birthdays reflect wide-ranging cultural impact.
Notable highlights
- Aaliyah (1979) - Helped redefine late-1990s R&B with sleek, futuristic production and a quietly powerful vocal style.
- Dizzy Dean (1910) - A dominant 1930s pitcher whose swagger and storytelling made him a baseball folk hero as well as a champion.
- Ethel Merman (1908) - Broadway powerhouse celebrated for a brassy, unmistakable belt that anchored multiple classic musicals.
- John Carpenter (1948) - Director-composer whose minimalist scores and tense visuals shaped modern horror, especially through "Halloween" aesthetics.
- Dian Fossey (1932) - Primatologist whose fieldwork brought global attention to mountain gorillas and the ethics of wildlife protection.
- Kate Moss (1974) - Fashion icon whose 1990s presence influenced runway style and the visual language of modern modeling.
- Garth Ennis (1970) - Comic writer known for sharp satire and boundary-pushing storytelling in mainstream and creator-owned series.
- Anatoli Boukreev (1958) - Elite mountaineer remembered for high-altitude skill and for pivotal rescues during the 1996 Everest disaster.
- Vittorio Alfieri (1749) - Italian dramatist whose tragedies emphasized freedom, civic virtue, and the struggle against tyranny.
- Johannes Rau (1931) - German statesman who served as President of Germany, associated with civic engagement and postwar democratic culture.
On this day
- 1547 - Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) is crowned the first Tsar of Russia in Moscow.
- 1919 - The 18th Amendment is ratified in the United States, establishing Prohibition.
- 1979 - The Shah of Iran leaves Iran, a key turning point leading to the Iranian Revolution.
- 1991 - Coalition forces begin Operation Desert Storm with air strikes against Iraq in the Gulf War.