Famous people born on July 19th

July 19 has produced an unusually eclectic mix of cultural innovators, public servants, and headline-making figures. The date spans centuries, linking foundational artists with modern film, music, and political leadership. From stage and screen to tennis courts and boardrooms, these birthdays reflect how influence can take many forms.

Notable highlights

• Kathleen Turner (1954) - A defining voice and presence of 1980s cinema, she later expanded into acclaimed stage work and narration.
• Brian May (1947) - Queen's guitarist helped shape arena rock with layered harmonies and also became known for his work in astrophysics advocacy.
• Anatole Broyard (1920) - A sharp, personal essay style made him one of America's most influential late-20th-century literary critics.
• Edgar Degas (1834) - A master of movement and modern life, he reinvented how dancers and everyday scenes could be framed and studied.
• Atom Egoyan (1960) - Known for intricate storytelling, his films often explore memory, identity, and the consequences of secrecy.
• George McGovern (1922) - A major voice in U.S. politics whose 1972 presidential run became a landmark moment in modern campaign history.
• Howard Schultz (1953) - Helped transform Starbucks into a global brand, popularizing the "third place" idea between home and work.
• Ilie Nastase (1946) - One of tennis's early showmen, he combined elite talent with charisma that helped broaden the sport's audience.
• Lizzie Andrew Borden (1860) - Her name became embedded in American folklore through one of the country's most notorious unresolved true-crime narratives.
• Anthony Edwards (1962) - Widely recognized for long-running TV success, he balanced mainstream roles with notable independent film choices.

On this day

• 1848 - The Seneca Falls Convention begins in New York, a pivotal early gathering in the U.S. women's rights movement.
• 1903 - The first Tour de France starts, launching what becomes the sport's most famous cycling race.
• 1980 - The Moscow Summer Olympics open amid a major boycott, turning the Games into a flashpoint of Cold War politics.
• 1989 - United Airlines Flight 232 makes an emergency landing in Sioux City, Iowa, in a dramatic crash-landing that results in many survivors.