Famous people born on May 17th
May 17 brings together a notably wide-ranging roster of creators, thinkers, and public figures. The date spans pioneering scientists and economists, influential political and religious leaders, and performers who reshaped music, film, and sport. With 33 notable birthdays to explore, it is a day that highlights both experimental innovation and mass-cultural impact.
Notable highlights
- Heston Blumenthal (1966) - A chef known for pioneering modernist techniques and sensory-driven dining, helping redefine fine cuisine for a new era.
- Alan Kay (1940) - A computing visionary associated with object-oriented ideas and the Dynabook concept, anticipating today's personal and educational devices.
- Wilhelm Steinitz (1836) - The first official World Chess Champion, credited with establishing positional principles that became the foundation of modern chess strategy.
- Trent Reznor (1965) - The creative force behind Nine Inch Nails, noted for merging industrial rock with meticulous studio craft and later composing acclaimed film scores.
- Enya (1961) - An Irish singer whose layered vocal production created a signature ambient-pop sound with global crossover reach.
- Sugar Ray Leonard (1956) - A boxing icon celebrated for speed, charisma, and tactical brilliance across multiple weight classes.
- Bill Paxton (1955) - A versatile actor who moved effortlessly between blockbuster action, drama, and comedy, becoming a memorable presence across decades of film and TV.
- Erik Satie (1866) - A French composer whose spare, witty minimalism influenced later modern music and challenged Romantic-era expectations.
- Craig Ferguson (1962) - A comedian and host known for improvisational interviews and a distinctively offbeat late-night style.
- Ayatollah Khomeini (1900) - A central figure in Iran's 1979 revolution, whose leadership reshaped the country's political and religious landscape.
On this day
- 1792 - The New York Stock Exchange is founded when brokers sign the Buttonwood Agreement in New York City.
- 1939 - Britain issues the White Paper limiting Jewish immigration to Mandatory Palestine, a major policy shift amid rising tensions.
- 1973 - U.S. Senate hearings begin in the Watergate scandal, bringing televised testimony into homes nationwide.
- 1990 - The World Health Organization removes homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases.