Famous people born on January 28th
January 28 gathers an eclectic set of birthdays spanning literature, visual art, film, music, politics, and public life. The date pairs boundary-pushing modernists with widely loved entertainers and influential thinkers. From avant-garde creativity to mass-audience storytelling, these lives reflect how many different paths can lead to cultural impact.
Notable highlights
- Susan Sontag (1933) - A defining American essayist whose books challenged how people think about art, illness, and politics.
- Jose Marti (1853) - Cuban writer and independence leader whose speeches and poetry helped shape a national liberation movement.
- Colette (1873) - French novelist celebrated for candid, sensuous prose and groundbreaking portrayals of women's inner lives.
- Jackson Pollock (1912) - Abstract Expressionist who transformed painting with energetic drip techniques and a new sense of scale.
- Claes Oldenburg (1929) - Pop sculptor famous for monumental everyday objects that blur humor, commerce, and public space.
- Alan Alda (1936) - Actor and director whose work on "M*A*S*H" made him a signature figure of modern TV comedy-drama.
- Elijah Wood (1981) - Actor best known for bringing Frodo Baggins to life in "The Lord of the Rings" film trilogy.
- Sarah McLachlan (1968) - Singer-songwriter with a crystalline voice who helped expand the mainstream audience for adult alternative pop.
- Frank Darabont (1959) - Director and screenwriter behind acclaimed adaptations including "The Shawshank Redemption."
- Arthur Rubinstein (1887) - Legendary pianist revered for poetic interpretations, especially in Chopin and the Romantic repertoire.
On this day
- 1547 - Edward VI becomes King of England following the death of Henry VIII.
- 1813 - Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" is published in the United Kingdom.
- 1871 - The Siege of Paris ends during the Franco-Prussian War, paving the way for France's eventual surrender.
- 1986 - The Space Shuttle Challenger breaks apart shortly after launch, killing all seven crew members.