Famous People Born On December 17th

German composer and pianist, Ludwig van Beethoven, remains one of the most admired composers in the history of Western music even two centuries after his death. Born into a musical family, he was initially tutored by his father. He found success early as a pianist and went on to become an admired composer despite suffering from hearing-impairment.

Before assuming office as a senator of the Phillippines, Manny Pacquiao was already known as a globally renowned boxer. Known to his fans as PacMan, he is the only boxer to have won world championships from the 1990s to the 2020s. BoxRec named him the world’s seventh-active boxer in 2020.

Named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2017, actress Sarah Paulson has been appearing in theater productions, TV shows, and films since the mid-1990s. She has appeared in both comedic and dramatic roles and has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Primetime Emmy Award.

Canadian actor Katheryn Winnick is best known for her multiple award-nominated performance as Lagertha in Vikings. Fans also loved her as Hannah Burley in Bones and as Christine "C.G." Gavin in Wu Assassins. She has guest-starred in numerous projects and has also appeared in many short films.

The quintessential action heroine of Hollywood, Milla Jovovich was rightly called the reigning queen of kick-butt by VH1 in 2006. Milla Jovovich is synonymous with the Resident Evil film series as the series revolves around its central character Alice, played by Milla. The Resident Evil film franchise is the highest-grossing movie series to be adapted from video games.

Mainly known for his comic roles, Canadian actor Eugene Levy has had a career spanning over six decades, with Splash, Father of the Bride, Waiting for Guffman, American Pie and American Pie 2 being some of his memorable films. He has also acted in television and found success with the hit series, Schitt's Creek. He is also a writer and director.

Pope Francis is the sovereign of the Vatican City and head of the Catholic Church. He is the first Jesuit pope and first non-European pope since Pope Gregory III. Often praised for having a comparatively less formal approach, Pope Francis is popular for his humility, international visibility, and concern for the poor.

Bill Pullman was persuaded by his students to try his hand at acting while working as an adjunct professor at the School of Film and Photography of the Montana State University. He then started working with theater companies and eventually became a film actor. He is also a creative writer and serves on the Alfred University's Board of Trustees.

Security guard and law enforcement officer, Richard A. Jewell, came to limelight for alerting the police prior to the Centennial Olympic Park bombing in 1996. Initially hailed as a hero, he later became a suspect in the case. His name was cleared after Eric Rudolph eventually confessed to that bombing. Jewell died of severe illness in 2007.  

Paul Rodgers is a British singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter. Over the years, Rodgers has performed with popular bands like Bad Company, Free, and Queen. Rodgers, who has influenced several notable rock singers, was honored with the prestigious Ivor Novello Award in 2011. He has also been named in Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

Chuck Liddell is a retired mixed martial artist. He participated in 23 fights in the UFC and is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. He is widely credited with bringing MMA into mainstream American entertainment. He was featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine in 2007. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2009. 

Jaimee Foxworth is an American model, actress, and former pornographic actress. Foxworth is best known for playing Judy Winslow in the popular TV series, Family Matters. Also a musician, Foxworth is credited with forming S.H.E., an R&B musical group, with her two sisters. Over the years, Jaimee Foxworth has also battled depression and substance abuse.

Laurie Holden is an American-Canadian model, actress, and producer. She is best known for her portrayal of Andrea in the popular horror television series The Walking Dead, for which she received the 2012 Satellite Award and 2013 Saturn Award. Also known for her human rights activism and charity work, Laurie Holden works closely with organizations that campaign against human trafficking.

Duff Goldman is an American pâtissier, cookbook author, and television personality. The executive chef of Charm City Cakes shop, Goldman's work has been featured on several cooking television shows like Iron Chef America, Duff's Happy Fun Bake Time, and Food Network Challenge. Duff Goldman has made cakes for influential personalities like Barack Obama, Sir Roger Moore, and Tom Clancy.

Sean Patrick Thomas is an American actor best known for playing Derek Reynolds in the teen dance film, Save the Last Dance. Also known for his work in TV, Thomas has played important roles in series like The District and Ringer.

Swiss footballer Yann Sommer is best known as the goalkeeper for Borussia Mönchengladbach. He has also been part of the 2 FIFA World Cups and 2 UEFA European Championships for Switzerland. Starting his career with youth teams such as Basel, he later became one of the greatest Bundesliga goalkeepers.

Prince Rupert of the Rhine was a German-English admiral, army officer, colonial governor, and scientist. Renowned for his energy and quick-thinking, Rupert made long-lasting and impressive contributions to the doctrine and development of the Royal Navy. He is also credited with shaping modern Canada's political geography. 

At age 12, Craig Kielburger and his brother read about a child laborer of his age who was murdered in Pakistan for protesting against child labor in his country, and the duo immediately stepped into action. Their organization Free the Children led to the formation of the WE Movement.  

Best known as Reuben Kincaid from the musical sitcom The Partridge Family, Canadian-born American actor Dave Madden later also gained fame as Earl Hicks in Alice. Once part of the US Air Force, he had also served in Libya, where he once performed a magic show for Idris, the Libyan ruler.

Marissa Ribisi is an American actress who started acting at the age of nine. She then went on to act in films like Dazed and Confused before co-writing the 1998 romantic comedy drama film Some Girl, in which she played Claire. Also an entrepreneur, Ribisi launched a fashion line called Whitley Kros in 2007 after joining hands with Sophia Banks.

Tommy Steele is an English singer, actor, sculptor, and writer. Widely regarded as an important entertainer, Steele is considered Britain's first rock and roll star and teen idol. His rise to stardom was dramatized in the 1957 film The Tommy Steele Story, where he appeared as himself. Tommy Steele remains an active performer to this day.  

Paula Radcliffe is a retired distance runner, credited with winning the London Marathon and the New York Marathon three times each. Born into an athletic family, she emerged as a running talent by the time she was in her teens, winning the world junior cross-country title at the age of nineteen, eventually. She held the Women's World Marathon Record from 2003 to 2019.

Canadian statesman and politician Mackenzie King OM CMG PC, was the 10th prime minister of Canada. He held the position for three non-consecutive terms with a total of over 21 years in office and emerged as the longest-serving prime minister in the history of Canada. He remained instrumental in laying the foundations of the Canadian welfare state.

Stefania Liberakakis is a Greek-Dutch singer, YouTuber, and voice actress. She is best known for her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021 where she represented Greece with the song Last Dance; Stefania finished tenth in the contest. Stefania Liberakakis has also voiced important characters in the Dutch version of films like Dolittle and Wonder Park.