Famous people born on May 25th
May 25 brings together an impressively wide-ranging set of birthdays, spanning philosophy, stage and screen, comedy, literature, journalism, science, athletics, and public life. The date is notable for thinkers who shaped national conversations, performers who defined eras of popular culture, and innovators whose work resonated far beyond their fields. With 43 notable births on this day, May 25 offers a rich cross-section of creative and intellectual history.
Notable highlights
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803) - A central voice of American Transcendentalism whose essays championed self-reliance and individual conscience.
- Beverly Sills (1929) - The celebrated American soprano who helped broaden U.S. enthusiasm for opera and later led major arts institutions.
- Mike Myers (1963) - The comedic force behind enduring characters and franchises, blending sharp satire with broad pop-culture parody.
- Ian Mckellen (1939) - A towering stage-and-screen actor renowned for Shakespearean work and iconic modern fantasy roles.
- Frank Oz (1944) - A defining puppeteer and filmmaker whose character performances helped shape modern family entertainment.
- Robert Ludlum (1927) - The thriller novelist whose intricate conspiracies and pacing influenced generations of espionage fiction.
- Theodore Roethke (1908) - A major American poet noted for lyrical intensity and nature-driven imagery rooted in personal experience.
- Jonny Wilkinson (1979) - England rugby legend remembered for precision kicking and high-pressure performances on the biggest stages.
On this day
- 1085 - Alfonso VI of Leon and Castile captured Toledo, a turning point in the Iberian Peninsula during the Reconquista.
- 1720 - The first Grand Lodge of Ireland was established, one of the earliest organized Masonic bodies.
- 1961 - U.S. President John F. Kennedy announced the goal of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth.
- 1977 - Star Wars premiered in the United States, reshaping blockbuster cinema and popular culture.