Famous people born on October 4th
October 4 brings together a notably wide-ranging set of birthdays, spanning presidents and politicians, stage and screen stars, genre-defining novelists, and innovators in science, architecture, and social thought. The date is especially rich in voices that shaped public debate, from civil rights and activism to media and cultural criticism. It is also a strong day for music, with artists who helped define pop, jazz, and socially engaged performance. Altogether, the lineup reflects both mainstream fame and deep, lasting influence.
Notable highlights
- Rutherford B. Hayes (1822) - The 19th U.S. President whose contested 1876 election reshaped the post-Civil War political landscape.
- Charlton Heston (1923) - A larger-than-life film star whose epic roles made him a symbol of classic Hollywood spectacle.
- Alvin Toffler (1928) - The futurist author of Future Shock who popularized the idea that rapid change can overwhelm societies and individuals.
- Richard Rorty (1931) - A major American philosopher who challenged traditional ideas of objective truth in modern culture.
- Christopher Alexander (1936) - An architectural theorist whose “pattern language” influenced not only design but also software and systems thinking.
- Anne Rice (1941) - The novelist who revitalized modern vampire fiction with the gothic world of The Vampire Chronicles.
- Susan Sarandon (1946) - An Academy Award-winning actress celebrated for fearless performances and decades of public advocacy.
- Jon Secada (1962) - A Grammy-winning singer-songwriter known for crossover pop hits and bilingual success.
- Liev Schreiber (1967) - An acclaimed actor recognized for intense dramatic work on stage, film, and television.
- Ilhan Omar (1982) - A prominent U.S. congresswoman known for outspoken positions and a high-profile role in national debates.
On this day
- 1957 - The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, opening the Space Age.
- 1965 - Pope Paul VI addressed the United Nations in New York, urging peace and international cooperation.
- 1970 - Janis Joplin died at age 27, a defining loss in the era of late-1960s rock music.
- 1993 - A major battle in Mogadishu, Somalia (later known as “Black Hawk Down”), brought intense global attention to the UN mission there.