Famous people born on November 22nd
November 22 gathers an unusually wide-ranging roster of innovators, performers, and public figures across literature, politics, sport, and screen. The date bridges 19th-century realism and modern pop culture, with major names who reshaped how we read, lead, compete, and entertain. From statecraft to stand-up, these birthdays reflect both enduring influence and surprising variety.
Notable highlights
- Charles de Gaulle (1890) - Led Free France in World War II and later founded the French Fifth Republic, defining modern French political identity.
- Billie Jean King (1943) - A transformative champion whose on-court dominance and advocacy helped revolutionize gender equality in professional sports.
- George Eliot (1819) - The pen name of Mary Ann Evans, she elevated the English novel with psychological realism and moral complexity.
- Rodney Dangerfield (1921) - Turned self-deprecation into a signature comedic voice, influencing generations of stand-ups and screen comedians.
- Andre Gide (1869) - Nobel-winning writer whose work and public stances pushed boundaries in modern French literature and thought.
- Mark Ruffalo (1967) - Acclaimed actor known for emotionally grounded performances across indie dramas and global blockbusters.
- Scarlett Johansson (1984) - One of her era's defining film stars, blending art-house credibility with franchise-scale reach.
- Benjamin Britten (1913) - A pivotal 20th-century composer who revived English opera and expanded modern choral and orchestral repertoire.
- Rasmus Lerdorf (1968) - Created PHP, a foundational web language that helped power early dynamic websites and modern web development.
On this day
- 1963 - U.S. President John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, a turning point that profoundly shaped American politics and culture.
- 1975 - Juan Carlos I is proclaimed King of Spain, ushering in a transition that led toward constitutional democracy after Franco.
- 1990 - Margaret Thatcher resigns as U.K. prime minister, ending an era-defining tenure in British and global politics.
- 2005 - Angela Merkel becomes Germany's first female chancellor, beginning a long period of leadership in European affairs.