Famous people born on July 21st
July 21 is a remarkably wide-ranging birthday on the calendar, spanning ancient statecraft, modern literature, and some of the most recognizable faces in comedy and film. The date brings together innovators who reshaped how we think about media, storytelling, and leadership, alongside public servants and athletes who left visible marks on their eras. With 30 notable births, the lineup offers a strong mix of enduring cultural icons and influential behind-the-scenes figures.
Notable highlights
- Robin Williams (1952) - A shape-shifting comic actor whose improvisational energy powered classics like "Good Will Hunting" and "Dead Poets Society".
- Ernest Hemingway (1899) - Helped define 20th-century prose with a spare style forged from journalism, war reporting, and hard-traveled experience.
- Alexander the Great (356 BC) - Built an empire stretching from Greece to India, accelerating cultural exchange across the Hellenistic world.
- Marshall McLuhan (1911) - Coined "the medium is the message", anticipating how communication technologies reshape society and perception.
- Cat Stevens (1948) - Singer-songwriter behind enduring folk-pop standards whose career arc includes a prominent spiritual and philanthropic turn.
- Norman Jewison (1926) - Directed socially engaged, crowd-reaching films, including "In the Heat of the Night", that bridged entertainment and debate.
- Brandi Chastain (1968) - A defining figure of U.S. women's soccer, celebrated for leadership and big-moment composure on the world stage.
- Jim Clyburn (1940) - A major force in modern U.S. congressional politics, known for coalition-building and influence within party leadership.
- Josh Hartnett (1978) - Broke out in late-1990s and 2000s cinema, later steering his career toward selective, character-driven roles.
- Michael Connelly (1956) - Creator of the Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller worlds, blending newsroom realism with long-form crime storytelling.
On this day
- 356 BC - The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is destroyed by arson.
- 1798 - The Battle of the Nile begins as Horatio Nelson's fleet moves against French forces in Aboukir Bay.
- 1861 - The First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas), the first major battle of the American Civil War, is fought in Virginia.
- 1969 - Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the Moon, marking humanity's first steps on another world.