Famous Birthdays on August 12

Christian III (1503-1559)

King of Denmark (1534-59) and Norway (1537-59), born in Gottorf Castle, Schleswig, Denmark

1566 Isabella Clara Eugenia, Sovereign of the Netherlands (1598-1621), born in Palacio de Valsaín, Segovia, Spain (d. 1633)
1592 William Count of Nassau-Siegen, Dutch Field Marshall (Governor of Emmerich, Heusden and Sluis), born in Dillenburg (d. 1642)
1604 Tokugawa Iemitsu, Japanese shogun (d. 1651)
1626 Giovanni Legrenzi, Venetian Baroque organist and composer, born in Clusone, Republic of Venice (now Italy), (d. 1690)
1644 Georg Christoph Leuttner, German ecclesiastical composer, born in Tölz, Bavaria (d. undoubtedly)
1644 Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber, Bohemian-Austrian violinist and composer, baptized in Wartenberg (d. 1704)
1647 Johann Heinrich Acker, German writer (d. 1719)
1686 John Balguy, English philosopher (d. 1748)
1696 Maurice Greene, English composer, born in London (d. 1755)
1720 Konrad Ekhof [Hans Konrad Dieterich Eckhof], German actor and director, born in Hamburg, Germany (d. 1778)
1744 Rowland Hill, English preacher who advocated for the smallpox vaccine, born in Hawkstone Park, England (d. 1833)
1751 Johann Baptist Lasser, German composer, born in Steinkirchen, Electorate of Bavaria (now Germany) (d. 1805)
1753 Thomas Bewick, English wood-engraver and illustrator (A History of British Birds, Aesop's Fables), born in Mickley, England (d. 1828)
1762 George IV, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover (1820-30), born in St James's Palace, London (d. 1830)
1774 Robert Southey, English writer (The Story of the Three Bears), Poet Laureate (1813-43) and biographer (Nelson), born in Bristol, England (d. 1843)
1778 Francis Horner, Scottish political economist and politician (1810 Bullion Report), born in Edinburgh, Scotland (d. 1817)
1781 Robert Mills, American engineer and architect (Washington Monument on the National Mall), born in Charleston, South Carolina (d. 1855) [1]
1819 Daniel Davidson Bidwell, American Brigadier General (Union Army), born in Buffalo, New York (d. 1864)
1820 Oliver Mowat, Canadian lawyer and politician (Premier of Ontario 1872-96, a founder of the Canadian Confederation), born in Kingston, Upper Canada (d. 1903) [1]
1825 Frederick Ouseley, British organist, composer (The Martyrdom of St Polycarp), musicologist, and Anglican priest, born in London, England (d. 1889)
1829 John Horace Forney, Major General (Confederate Army), (d. 1902)
1832 Hely Hutchinson Almond, Scottish classics scholar and early rugby umpire and advocate (Loretto School), born in Glasgow, Scotland (d. 1903)
1833 William Price Sanders, American Brigadier General (Union Army), born in Frankfort, Kentucky (d. 1863)
1838 Joseph Barnby, British conductor, composer, and music educator, born in York, England (d. 1896)
1848 Macellus Emants, Dutch writer and poet (Along the Nile), born in Voorburg, Netherlands (d. 1923)
1849 Abbott Handerson Thayer, American painter and naturalist (paintings of angels), born in Boston, Massachusetts (d. 1921) [1]
1852 Fr. Michael J. McGivney, Irish-American Catholic priest, and founder the Knights of Columbus fraternal organization, born in Waterbury, Connecticut (d. 1890)
1853 Jean Louis Nicodé, Prussian pianist and composer (Das Meer; Gloria!), born in Jeżyce (now Poznań), Poland (d. 1919)
1854 Alfred Gilbert, English sculptor and goldsmith (Eros statue in Piccadilly), born in London, England (d. 1934)
1856 "Diamond Jim" Brady, American financier (d. 1917)
1859 Katharine Lee Bates, American author (America the Beautiful), born in Falmouth, Massachusetts (d. 1929)
1866 Jacinto Benavente y Martínez, Spanish playwright (Nobel Prize for Literature 1922), born in Madrid, Spain (d. 1954) [1]
1867 Edith Hamilton, American classicist (Mythology), born in Dresden, Saxony (d. 1963)
1868 Frederic Thesiger, 1st Viscount Chelmsford, 22nd Governor of New South Wales (1908-13) and Viceroy of British India (1916-21), born in London, England (d. 1933)
1872 Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein (d. 1956)
1875 (Héctor) Ettore Panizza, Argentinian composer (Aurora; Bizancio). and opera conductor, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina (d. 1967)
1875 Mezio Agostini, Italian composer, born in Fano, Kingdom of Italy (d. 1944)
1876 Mary Roberts Rinehart, American mystery writer (The Circular Staircase), born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania (d. 1958)
1880 Christy Mathewson, American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher (World Series 1905, 21; Triple Crown 1905, 08; NL wins leader 1905, 07, 08, 10; 2 x no-hitters; NY Giants), born in Factoryville, Pennsylvania (d. 1925)
1880 Marguerite "John" Radclyffe-Hall, English poet and author (The Well of Loneliness), born in Bournemouth, England (d. 1943)

Cecil B. DeMille (1881-1959)

American filmmaker (The Ten Commandments), born in Ashfield, Massachusetts

1881 Václav Vačkář, Czech composer, known for his marches, conductor, and musicologist, born in Dobřejovice, Bohemia (now Czech Republic) (d. 1954)
1883 Jan Schouten, Dutch co-founder of Daily Trouw (illegal resistance newspaper WWII) (d. 1963)
1883 Marion Lorne [MacDougall] American stage and Emmy Award-winning screen actress (Bewitched - "Aunt Clara"; Mister Peepers - "Mrs. Gurney"; The Graduate), born in West Pittston, Pennsylvania (d. 1968)
1883 Pauline Frederick, American actress (Thank You, Mr. Moto), born in Boston, Massachusetts (d. 1938)
1884 Frank Swinnerton, English novelist and critic (Summer Storm, Sanctuary), born in London, England (d. 1982)
1885 Alexander Albrecht, Slovak composer, born in Arad, Hungarian Kingdom (now Romainia) (d. 1958)
1885 Jean Cabannes, French physicist (d. 1959)
1886 Sir Keith Murdoch, Australian journalist and newspaper owner (d. 1952)

Erwin Schrödinger (1887-1961)

Austrian physicist and Nobel Laureate (wave mechanics), born in Vienna, Austria

1888 Willem Vogt, Dutch radio pioneer (1st major Dutch radio broadcaster AVRO), born in Den Helder, Netherlands (d. 1973)
1889 Zerna Sharp, American writer and educator (Dick and Jane) (d. 1981)
1890 Al Goodman, Russian-American orchestra leader (NBC Comedy Hour), born in Nikopol, Russia (d. 1972)
1891 John McDermott, American golfer (US Open 1911, 12), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 1971)
1892 Ray Schalk, American Baseball Hall of Fame catcher (World Series 1917; Chicago White Sox) and manager (Chicago White Sox 1927-28), born in Harvel, Illinois (d. 1970)
1893 Alfred Lunt, American Broadway actor (The Guardsman, Sally of the Sawdust), born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (d. 1977)
1893 Howard Smith, American actor (Kiss of Death, Call Northside 777), born in Attleboro, Massachusetts (d. 1968)
1897 Manuel Blancafort, Spanish-Catalan pianist and composer, born in La Garriga, Spain (d. 1987)
1897 Otto Struve, Russian-American astronomer (discoveries in stellar spectroscopy at Yerkes observatory), born in Dorpat, Russian Empire (d. 1963)
1897 Ramón González Barrón, Spanish composer, born in Villanueva del Campo, Spain (d. 1987)
1898 Oscar Homolka, Hungarian actor (Sabotage, The Seven Year Itch, Ball of Fire, I Remember Mama), born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary (d. 1978)
1899 Alfred Kantorowicz, German-Jewish historian and journalist (Spanish Diary), norn in Berlin, Germany (d. 1979)
1899 Ben Sealey, West Indian cricketer (d. 1963)
1900 Ignacio Prieto [Arrizubieta], Spanish composer, born in Gijón, Spain (d. 1980)

Alexei Nikolaevich (1904-1918)

Last Tsarevich of Russia and son of Tsar Nicholas II, born in St. Petersburg, Russian Empire

1904 Frank Ervin, American harness racer (Hambletonian 1959, 66) (d. 1991)
1904 Kay Campbell [Catherine Hibben], American actress (All My Children), born in Kansas City, Missouri (d. 1985)
1906 Harry Hopman, Australian tennis player, coach (Davis Cup captain 1939-67, won 16), born in Sydney, New South Wales (d. 1985)
1906 Tedd Pierce, American cartoon screenwriter and voice actor (Warner Brothers), born in Quogue, New York (d. 1972)
1907 Gladys Bentley, American blues singer, performer and drag king pioneer during the Harlem Renaissance, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 1960) [1]
1907 Joe Besser, American actor and comedian (The Three Stooges, Let's Make Love, Africa Screams), born in St. Louis, Missouri (d. 1988)
1907 Miguel Torga [Adolfo Correia da Rocha], Portuguese writer (O Quarto Dia da Criação do Mundo), born in São Martinho de Anta, Portugal (d. 1995)
1908 David Renton, British politician (one of the final National Liberal MPs), born in Dartford, England (d. 2007)
1910 Heinrich Sutermeister, Swiss opera composer (Romeo und Julia; Raskolnikov; Das Flaschenteufel), born in Feuerthalen, Switzerland (d. 1995)

Jane Wyatt (1910-2006)

American actress (Father Knows Best, Star Trek), born in Mahwah, New Jersey

1910 Norah Phillips, Baroness Phillips, British politician (1st female Whip - UK House of Lords), (d. 1992)
1910 Yusof bin Ishak, first President of Singapore (d. 1970)

Cantinflas (1911-1993)

Mexican actor (Around World in 80 Days, Pepe), born in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico

1912 Margaret Scriven, English tennis player (French C'ships 1933-34), born in Leeds, West Yorkshire (d. 2001)
1912 Samuel Fuller, American screenwriter and director (Shock Corridor, The Big Red One), born in Worcester, Massachusetts (d. 1997)
1913 Kurt Kaszner [Serwicher], Austrian actor (Kiss Me Kate, Lili, Casino Royale), born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary (d. 1979)
1913 Richard Bare, American TV and film director (Green Acres), born in Turlock, California (d. 2015)
1914 Gerd Buchdahl, German philosopher (d. 2001)
1914 Jan Bakker, Dutch WWII resistance fighter and journalist (Parool), born in Giethoorn, Netherlands (d. 1994)
1914 Ruth Lowe, Canadian pianist and composer ("I'll Never Smile Again"), born in Toronto, Ontario (d. 1981)
1915 Alex Wojciechowicz, American College/Pro Football HOF center, linebacker (Fordham Uni; NFL C'ship 1948, 49; First-team All-Pro 1939, 44; NFL 1940s All-Decade Team; Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles), born in South River, New Jersey (d. 1992)
1915 Michael Kidd, American choreographer and dancer, born in NYC, New York (d. 2007)
1917 Marjorie Reynolds [Goodspeed], American actress and dancer (Holiday Inn, Life of Riley), born in Buhl, Idaho (d. 1997)

Guy Gibson (1918-1944)

British aviator who led the Dambusters Raid (Victoria Cross), born in Simla, India

1918 Margaret Burbidge, British-American astronomer & educator (faint object spectrograph of the Hubble Space), born in Davenport, England (d. 2020) [1]
1918 Sid Bernstein, music producer and concert promoter (Beatles; Rolling Stones), born in NYC, New York (d. 2013)
1919 Vikram Sarabhai, Indian physicist (d. 1971)
1920 Percy Mayfield, American singer (Please Send Me Someone to Love), born in Minden, Louisiana (d. 1984)
1920 Peter West, British sports broadcaster (BBC; editor Playfair Cricket Annual), born in Cranbrook, England (d. 2003)
1922 Fulton Mackay, Scottish actor and playwright (Porridge), born in Paisley (d. 1987)
1923 John Holt, West Indian cricket batsman (17 Tests, 1066 runs at 36.75; 2 x 100s), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 1997)
1924 Derek Shackleton, England cricket fast bowler (7 Tests, 18 wickets, BB 4/72; Hampshire CCC, MCC), born in Todmorden, England (d. 2007)
1924 Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Pakistani military officer and politician (President of Pakistan 1978-88) (d. 1988)
1925 Dale Bumpers, American politician (Sen-D Arkansas, 1975-99), born in Charleston, Arkansas (d. 2016)
1925 Earl Coleman, American jazz singer, born in Port Huron, Michigan (d. 1995)
1925 George Wetherill, American scientist, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 2006)
1925 Norris McWhirter, English author (founded Guinness Book of World Records), born in Winchmore Hill, England (d. 2004)
1925 Ross McWhirter, English author (founded Guinness Book of World Records), born in Winchmore Hill, England (d. 1975)
1925 Sybil Michelow, South-African contralto and composer, born in Johannesburg (d. 2013)
1926 Joe Jones, American R&B singer (d. 2005)
1926 John Derek, American actor, director and photographer (Knock on Any Door, All the King's Men, Rogues of Sherwood Forest), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 1998)
1926 Wallace Markfield, American writer (d. 2002)
1927 Porter Wagoner, American country singer, discovered Dolly Parton ("Y'All Come"; "A Satisfied Mind"), born in West Plains, Missouri (d. 2007)
1928 Bob Buhl, American baseball pitcher (MLB All-Star 1960, 60²; World Series 1957 Milwaukee Braves; Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies), born in Saginaw, Michigan (d. 2001)
1928 Charles Blackman, Australian figurative artist (Heide circle), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2018)
1929 (Alvis) "Buck" Owens, American "Bakersfield Sound" country singer-songwriter ("Under Your Spell Again"), bandleader (The Buckaroos - "Act Naturally"), and TV personality (Hee Haw), born in Sherman, Texas (d. 2006)
1929 Charles Moore, American 400m hurdler (Olympic gold & silver 1952), born in Coatsville, Pennsylvania (d. 2020)
1929 Joji Yuasa, Japanese composer, born in Kōriyama, Fukushima

George Soros (93 years old)

1930 Hungarian-American investor and political activist (Open Society Foundation), born in Budapest, Hungary

1930 Jack Scarbath, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Uni of Maryland; Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers), born in Baltimore, Maryland (d. 2020)
1930 Jacques Tits, Belgian mathematician
1930 Ronald Herron, English architect (Archigram), born in London, England
1931 William Goldman, American screenwriter and author (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 2018)
1932 Charlie O'Donnell, American radio and game show announcer (American Bandstand; Wheel of Fortune, 1975-80, & 1989-2010), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 2010) [1]
1932 Sergei Slonimsky, Russian composer and pianist (d. 2020)
1932 Sirikit, Queen of Thailand, consort and Regent of Rama IX, born in Bangkok, Siam
1933 Parnelli Jones, American auto racer (Indianapolis 500, 1963) and team owner (Indy 500, 1970–71; USAC National Championships, 1970-72), born in Texarkana, Arkansas
1934 Robin Nicholson, English metallurgist, born in Warwickshire, England
1935 John Cazale, American stage and screen character actor (The Godfather; Dog Day Afternoon; The Deer Hunter), born in Revere, Massachusetts (d. 1978)
1935 Karl Mickel, German writer, born in Dresden, Germany (d. 2000)
1936 Geoff Hamilton, English gardener and journalist (BBC Gardener's World), born in London, England (d. 1996)
1936 Gerard Masson, French composer, born in Paris, France
1936 Hans Haacke, German artist (Right to Life, Dripper Boxes), born in Cologne, Germany
1936 John Poindexter, American naval officer (national security advisor under Reagan, Iran-Contra affair), born in Odon, Indiana
1937 Roy Gaines, American electric and Texas blues and session guitarist, singer, and songwriter ("A Hell of a Night"), born in Waskom, Texas (d. 2021)
1937 Walter Dean Myers, African-American author, born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, (d. 2014)
1938 Jean-Paul L'Allier, Canadian politician (Mayor of Quebec City), born in Hudson, Quebec (d. 2016)
1938 Lionel Morgan, Australian rugby league winger (3 Tests; first Indigenous Australian to play in a recognised RL Test), born in Tweed Heads, Australia (d. 2023)
1939 George Hamilton, American actor (Love at First Bite), born in Memphis, Tennessee
1939 Pam Ryan-Kilborn, Australian hurdler (Olympic silver 1968)
1939 Roy Romanow, Canadian politician (Premier of Saskatchewan 1991-2001), born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
1939 Sushil Koirala, Nepalese politician, Prime Minister of Nepal (2014-2015), born in Biratnagar, Morang (d. 2016)
1940 Alexander Yossifov, Bulgarian conductor and composer (Back To The Beginning), born in Sofia, Bulgaria (d. 2016)
1940 Eddie Barlow, South African cricketer (South African all-rounder)
1940 Michael Brunson, English journalist, newscaster and actor (Never Say Die), born in Norwich, England
1940 Rod Bernard, American "swamp pop" singer ("Allons Danser Colinda"), born in Opelousas, Louisiana. (d. 2020)
1941 Craig Douglas [Terence Perkins], British pop singer ("Only Sixteen"), born in Newport, England
1941 Deborah Walley, American actress (Mothers-in-Law, Beach Blanket), born in Bridgeport, Connecticut
1941 Jennifer Warren, American actress (Slap Shot, Fatal Beauty, Mutant), born in NYC, New York
1941 Réjean Ducharme, Quebec novelist and playwright
1943 Lesley Duncan (Cox), British session singer (Pink Floyd; Jesus Christ Superstar), and singer-songwriter ("Love Song"; "Sing Children Sing"), born in Stockton-On-Tees, England (d. 2010)
1944 Francesco Morini, Italian soccer defender (11 caps; Sampdoria, Juventus), born in San Giuliano Terme, Italy (d. 2021)
1944 Peter Hofmann, German tenor
1945 Ron Mael, American songwriter, composer and record producer (Sparks), born in Culver City, California
1947 Sam Rosen, American sportscaster
1948 Graham J. Zellick, British vice-chancellor of the University of London
1949 Anthony Akerman, South African film director and playwright, born in Durban, South Africa
1949 Fernando Collor de Mello, Brazilian politician (President of Brazil (1990-92), born in Rio Janeiro, Brazil
1949 Mark Knopfler, British singer-songwriter, guitarist (Dire Straits - "Walk Of Life"; "Sultans Of Swing"; The Notting Hillbillies), and film score composer (Local Hero; Princess Bride), born in Glasgow, Scotland
1949 Panagiotis Chinofotis, Greek politician
1950 Jim Beaver, American actor (Supernatural; Deadwood), writer, and film historian, born in Laramie, Wyoming
1950 Kid Creole [August Darnell], American musician and actor (Obsession A Taste of Fear), born in The Bronx, New York
1950 Simon Groom, British television presenter (Blue Peter, 1978-86), and producer (Angels & Devils; The Flying Scotsman), born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England
1951 Charles E Brady Jr, Pinehurst NC, Cmdr USN/astronaut (STS 78)
1951 Hector Rodriguez, Cuban judoka (Olympic gold 1976)
1951 Willie Horton, American murderer and rapist (who became subject of intertest during 1988 presidential election), born in Chesterfield, South Carolina
1952 Charles Whiting, English Formula 1 Race Director (Safety Delegate, Starter, head F1 Technical Dep't), born in Sevenoaks, Kent (d. 2019)
1952 Chen Kaige, Chinese film director (Farewell My Concubine), born in Beijing, China
1953 Peter Ostroushko, American fiddler, mandolin player, and composer (A Prairie Home Companion), born in Minneapolis, Minnesota (d. 2021)

François Hollande (69 years old)

1954 French politician (24th President of France 2012-17), born in Rouen, France

1954 Pat Metheny, American jazz and fusion guitarist ("As Wichita Falls, So Falls Wichita"), born in Lee's Summit, Missouri
1954 Sam J. Jones [Samuel Gerald], American actor (Flash Gordon, Code Red), born in Chicago, Illinois
1955 Ann M. Martin, American author
1955 Heintje [Hendrik Simons], Dutch singer (Mama)
1956 Bruce Greenwood, Canadian actor (Thirteen Days), born in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec
1956 Sidath Wettimuny, Sri Lanka cricket batsman (23 Tests, 2 x 100, HS 190; Sri Lanka's first Test century [157] 1982), born in Colombo, Sri Lanka
1957 Amanda Redman, British stage and screen actress (At Home with the Braithwaithes; New Tricks; The Good Karma Hospital (2017–present), borne in Brighton, Sussex, England
1959 Lynette Woodard, (Olympic gold 1984, Harlem Globetrotter), born in Wichita, Kansas
1960 Laurent Fignon, French road cyclist (Tour de France 1983, 84; Giro d'Italia 1989; FICP World #1 1989), born in Paris, France (d. 2010)
1960 Morty Skaget [Morty Black, Norwegian heavy metal musician (TNT, JORN), born in Trondheim, Norway
1961 Lawrence Hayward, English musician (Felt, Denim, Go Kart Mozart)
1961 Mark Priest, New Zealand cricketer
1961 Roy Hay, British guitarist (Culture Club - "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me")
1962 Miss Cleo [Youree Dell Harris], American psychic (Psychic Readers Network), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2016)
1963 Sir Mix A Lot [Anthony Ray], American rapper (Baby Got Back), born in Auburn, Washington
1965 Barry Manuel, American baseball pitcher (Montreal Expos), born in Mamou, Louisiana
1965 Peter Krause, American actor and director (Six Feet Under), born in Alexandria, Minnesota
1966 Dean Hartgraves, American baseball pitcher (Houston Astros), born in Bakersfield, California
1966 Greg Manusky, American NFL coach (Denver Broncos) and linebacker (KC Chiefs), born in Dallas, Pennsylvania
1966 Vladimir Fedotov, Russian soccer manager (FC Ural Yekaterinburg, FC Orenburg, PFC Sochi, CSKA Moscow) and utility (FC Ural Yekaterinburg 264 games), born in Mikhaylovsk, Russia
1967 Andrew Glover, American NFL tight end (Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings), born in Gonzales, Louisiana
1967 Andrey Plotnikov, Russian race walker
1967 Andy Hui, Hong Kong actor and singer
1967 Regilio Tuur, Dutch boxer
1967 Tom Holkenborg, Dutch composer (A Little Less Conversation remix), born in Lichtenvoorde, Netherlands
1968 Andras Jones, American actor
1969 Aga Muhlach, Filipino actor
1969 Lincoln Coleman, NFL running back (Atlanta Falcons)
1969 Stuart Williams, West Indian cricketer (31 Tests, 1 x 100, HS 128; Leeward Islands, Nevis), born in Charlestown, Nevis
1969 Tanita Tikaram, British pop-folk singer-songwriter ("Twist in My Sobriety"), born in Münster, West Germany
1970 Alison Inverarity, Australian high jumper (Olympic 8th 1992, 96)
1970 Anthony Swofford, American marine and novelist (Jarhead), born in Fairfield, California
1970 Charles Mesure, British actor
1970 Jim Schlossnagle, American baseball coach ( Texas A&M Aggies), born in Hagerstown, Maryland