Famous people born on July 15th
July 15 brings together an unusually wide-ranging set of birthdays, spanning philosophy, literature, politics, journalism, music, and film. The date features influential thinkers who reshaped how people read texts and images, alongside artists and performers with enduring popular impact. From public leaders and publishers to actors and musicians, the roster reflects both cultural innovation and public life across continents.
Notable highlights
- Walter Benjamin (1892) - A foundational cultural critic whose ideas on modernity, art, and media continue to shape literary and critical theory.
- Iris Murdoch (1919) - Novelist and philosopher celebrated for morally complex fiction, including the Booker-winning The Sea, the Sea.
- Jacques Derrida (1930) - French philosopher best known for developing deconstruction, transforming literary criticism and continental philosophy.
- Arianna Huffington (1950) - Media entrepreneur who co-founded The Huffington Post, helping define the modern digital-news era.
- Linda Ronstadt (1946) - Genre-crossing singer whose work bridged rock, country, and Latin influences, becoming one of the defining voices of her generation.
- Forest Whitaker (1961) - Academy Award-winning actor recognized for immersive, empathetic performances, notably his portrayal of Idi Amin.
- Jesse Ventura (1952) - Former professional wrestler who became a major political outsider success as Governor of Minnesota.
- Lord Northcliffe (1865) - Newspaper pioneer who helped shape mass-market journalism and the modern British press through titles like the Daily Mail.
- Adam Savage (1967) - Maker and science communicator best known from MythBusters, bringing hands-on experimentation to mainstream TV.
- Diane Kruger (1976) - Actress and former model acclaimed for roles in international cinema and prestige television.
On this day
- 1099 - The Crusaders capture Jerusalem during the First Crusade, a pivotal moment in medieval Mediterranean history.
- 1799 - The Rosetta Stone is discovered in Egypt, later becoming key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.
- 1916 - Boeing is incorporated (as the Pacific Aero Products Co.), marking an early milestone in U.S. aviation manufacturing.
- 1975 - The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project launches preparations culminating in the first joint U.S.-Soviet crewed space mission.