Famous people born on September 26th
September 26 has produced an unusually wide-ranging roster of influential figures, spanning poetry, philosophy, religion, politics, popular music, and elite sport. The date brings together landmark thinkers who reshaped modern ideas and performers who defined entire eras of culture and competition. From avant-garde art and economic theory to bestselling fiction and global leadership, these birthdays reflect remarkable breadth.
Notable highlights
- T. S. Eliot (1888) - A defining modernist whose "The Waste Land" helped reset the possibilities of 20th-century poetry and criticism.
- Pope Paul VI (1897) - Guided the Catholic Church through the implementation of the Second Vatican Council during a period of sweeping global change.
- Martin Heidegger (1889) - A central figure in existential and phenomenological thought, best known for "Being and Time" and its influence across the humanities.
- Andrea Dworkin (1946) - A fierce, consequential feminist critic whose writings on pornography and power ignited enduring public debate.
- Serena Williams (1981) - One of tennis's most dominant champions, celebrated for her power, longevity, and impact on the sport worldwide.
- Theodore Gericault (1791) - A leading French Romantic painter whose "The Raft of the Medusa" became an icon of dramatic realism and political critique.
- Manmohan Singh (1932) - An economist-turned-statesman who served as Prime Minister of India and is closely associated with major economic reforms.
- Bryan Ferry (1945) - The suave, art-pop frontman of Roxy Music whose style helped shape the sound and image of modern British pop.
- Linda Hamilton (1956) - Known for redefining the action-hero archetype through her role as Sarah Connor in the "Terminator" franchise.
- Jack LaLanne (1914) - A pioneering fitness educator who brought exercise culture into mainstream living rooms for decades.
On this day
- 1960 - The first televised U.S. presidential debate airs, featuring John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
- 1983 - Stanislav Petrov helps avert escalation after the Soviet early-warning system falsely indicates incoming U.S. missiles.
- 1991 - The U.S. Senate confirms Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court.
- 2008 - The FBI arrests Wall Street financier Bernard Madoff, days before his scheme becomes publicly known.