Famous People Born On April 2nd

Michael Fassbender is a critically-acclaimed Irish-German actor best known for playing a sex addict in the psychological erotic drama film Shame. Apart from being an actor, Michael is also a well-known racing driver; he started his auto racing career in 2017 and currently races for Proton Competition in the European Le Mans Series.

American singer Marvin Gaye is one of the most successful black artists ever and his albums have sold in millions. His success reached great heights with the 1972 song What's Going On. The 1982 single Sexual Healing was the biggest hit of his career and was a chartbuster. He was tragically shot dead by his father after a family altercation.

Also known as Charles the Great, Charlemagne ruled as the king of the Franks, king of the Lombards, and emperor of the Romans at different time periods. Not surprisingly, he had a major impact during the Early Middle Ages as he went about uniting the majority of central and western Europe, for which he is called the Father of Europe.

Alec Guinness went from being an ad copywriter, to a Shakespearean stage actor, to delivering an Academy Award-winning performance as Colonel Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai. He was part of the Royal Naval Reserve during World War II and received the knighthood for his contribution to arts.

Christopher Meloni is an American actor known for contributing to the success of TV series, such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. An ardent supporter of the LGBT community, Meloni was honored by the Human Rights Campaign with the Equality Award in 2006. Meloni also donates to various non-profit organizations like Feed the Children and Smile Train.

Roselyn Sánchez is a Puerto Rican singer, dancer, songwriter, actress, model, producer, and writer. She is best known for playing Elena Delgado in the popular police procedural drama TV series Without a Trace, for which she received the 2008 ALMA Award. Roselyn Sánchez also works with organizations like Fundación de Niños San Jorge, which helps sick children from poor families.

Actor and dancer Buddy Ebsen is best remembered for playing Jed Clampett in the CBS television sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies. In a career spanning seven decades, he appeared in numerous films and TV shows, playing versatile roles. Beginning his career as a dancer, he soon ventured into acting. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Emmylou Harris is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. Apart from being a bandleader, a solo artist, and an interpreter of other artists' works, Harris is also an activist; since 1999, she has been conducting Concerts for a Landmine Free World, an annual benefit tour. She is also an ardent supporter of animal rights organizations, such as PETA.

Actor, director, and screenwriter Clark Gregg joined the show business after a series of odd jobs. He co-founded the off-Broadway Atlantic Theater Company at the beginning of his career in entertainment and proceeded to join films. He gained international fame for playing Agent Phil Coulson in many Marvel Cinematic Universe films in the 2010s.

Bethany Joy Lenz is an American filmmaker, singer-songwriter, and actress best known for playing Haley James Scott on the popular drama television series One Tree Hill. As a musician, Lenz is credited with forming the now-defunct folk musical duo Everly. Also known for her philanthropic activities, Bethany Joy Lenz has been actively supporting the non-profit human rights organization, Love146.

Emile Zola was a French novelist, journalist, and playwright. He played a key role in the development of theatrical naturalism and was a well-known practitioner of the literary school of naturalism. He was also a political journalist and was influential in the political liberalization of France. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature twice.

Ajay Devgn, a two-time National Award winner, has also been honored with the Padma Shri. The son of stuntman Veeru Devgan, he began his career with the blockbuster hit Phool Aur Kaante. He later delivered stellar performances in films such as Dilwale and Zakhm, and now owns a production company.

Max Ernst was a German painter, graphic artist, sculptor, and poet. A pioneer of the Dada movement, Ernst played an important role in popularizing surrealism during the early-20th century. He is also credited with inventing a couple of techniques, namely frottage and grattage. In 2005, the Max Ernst Museum was opened in his honor in Brühl, Germany.

Diane Cilento is one of the earliest Australian actresses to make it big in the British film industry. Although her popularity increased after marrying the famous James Bond actor Sean Connery, her film career went downhill and she could never really revive her career. In 2001, she was honored with the Centenary Medal for service to the arts.

Linford Christie is a Jamaican-born British former sprinter who won gold medals in the 100 meters at the Olympic Games, the World Championships, the European Championships, and the Commonwealth Games. He is one of the most highly decorated British athletes of all time. He was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1993. 

Ekaterine "Kato" Svanidze, a shy girl from a poor Georgian family, was the first of Joseph Stalin’s two wives. Stalin, then 24, fell in love with a 16-year-old Kato while studying together at the Tiflis Spiritual Seminary. She died a year after the birth of their son, Yakov.

Shawn Roberts is a Canadian actor best known for his performance in zombie films. In 2012, he won the Rising Star Award at the Canada International Film Festival for his performance in the film, A Little Bit Zombie. Also known for his muscular physique, Roberts was named the Most Attractive Canadian Actor at the 2017 Culture Beat Awards..

Retired Moroccan-Dutch footballer Ibrahim Afellay played as an attacking midfielder/winger. Starting his senior career with PSV Eindhoven, he later had successful stints with Barcelona and Olympiacos. He was also part of the Dutch squad that became the runner-up at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Sergey Kovalev is a Russian boxer who has held several world championships in the light heavyweight category. From 2014 to 2016, he held the IBF and WBA (Undisputed) titles. Between 2013 and 2019, he held the WBO title three times. Kovalev is renowned for his extraordinary punching power. In 2019, The Ring magazine named him the world's second-best light heavyweight.

A black man, Rodney King became a victim of police brutality by the Los Angeles Police Department in 1991. He was brutally beaten up by a group of police officers when he was trying to evade getting arrested for drunk driving. His case made international news and caused a public furor. King died of accidental drowning in 2012.