Famous People Born In 1915

Discover the most famous people born in 1915. The list includes people like Augusto Pinochet, Frank Sinatra, Orson Welles, Billie Holiday, Arthur Miller and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include political leaders, journalists, soldiers and spiritual & religious leaders born in 1915. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom, India & Germany and many more countries.
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 1 
Frank Sinatra
(One of The World's Best-selling Music Artists of All Time)
Frank Sinatra
98
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: 12th December
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Hoboken, New Jersey, United States
Died: May 14, 1998

Amongst the most popular singers of the 20th century and one of the bestselling artists of all time, Frank Sinatra began his musical career singing with bands and later established his successful solo career with albums like The Voice of Frank Sinatra. Also an award winning actor, he featured in movies like From Here to Eternity and The Manchurian Candidate.

 2 
Orson Welles
(One of the Greatest Filmmakers of All Time and Director of 'Citizen Kane')
Orson Welles
36
Birthdate: 6th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States
Died: October 10, 1985

American filmmaker, Orson Welles, acted in and directed the 1941 film, Citizen Kane, which is considered to be one the greatest movies ever made. Though hailed as a genius, many of his films didn’t work at the box office. The Stranger, Macbeth, Chimes at Midnight, Touch of Evil and The Trial are some of the other films that he directed.

 3 
Arthur Miller
(Playwright Best Known for His Plays “All My Sons,” “Death of a Salesman” and “The Crucible”)
Arthur Miller
16
Birthdate: 17th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York City, United States
Died: February 10, 2005

Arthur Miller was an American essayist and playwright. Miller is credited with creating popular plays, such as Death of a Salesman, which is widely regarded as one of the best American plays of the 20th century. Thanks to his illustrious career, which spanned more than 70 years, Arthur Miller is regarded as one of the 20th century's greatest dramatists.

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 4 
Ingrid Bergman
(One of the Most Influential Screen Figures in Cinematic History)
Ingrid Bergman
64
Listed In: Actresses
Birthdate: 29th August
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Died: August 29, 1982

One of the greatest Swedish actresses ever, Ingrid Bergman is the only Triple Crown winner with three Academy Awards under her belt. Such is her impact that her character Ilsa Lund, which she portrayed in Casablanca, inspired the character of Ilsa Faust in the Mission Impossible franchise. An actress with a deep sense of freedom, Bergman voiced her views against racial segregation.

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 5 
Alan Watts
(English Writer Who Interpreted and Popularised Japanese, Chinese and Hindu Philosophy for Western Audience)
Alan Watts
22
Listed In: Philosophers
Birthdate: 6th January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Chislehurst, Kent, England
Died: November 16, 1973

Alan Watts was a British writer, philosopher, and speaker. He is credited with popularizing Hinduism, Taoism, and Buddhism in the Western world. A prolific writer, Alan Watts wrote one of Buddhism's first bestselling books, The Way of Zen. He also explored psychedelics and human consciousness in his works, such as The Joyous Cosmology and The New Alchemy.

 6 
Edith Piaf
(French Singer and One of Country's Most Widely Known International Stars)
Edith Piaf
42
Listed In: Pop Singers
Birthdate: 19th December
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: October 11, 1963
France’s legendary singer and actor Édith Piaf, or the “Little Sparrow,” is best remembered for her iconic Grammy Hall of Fame-inducted song La Vie en Rose and the classic Non, je ne regrette rien. Raised by the prostitutes of her grandmother’s brothel, she began her life as a street singer.
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 7 
Anthony Quinn
(Best Known for His Roles in the films 'Viva Zapata!' and 'Lust for Life')
Anthony Quinn
45
Birthdate: 21st April
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Chihuahua, Mexico
Died: June 3, 2001
Mexican-American actor Anthony Quinn is best remembered for his Academy Award-winning roles in Viva Zapata! and Lust for Life. He also delivered stellar performances in the films Zorba the Greek, Wild Is the Wind, and The Guns of Navarone. He had exhibited his artwork and also written two memoirs.
 8 
Lorne Greene
(Actor, Radio Personality and Singer Known for His Role as ‘Ben Cartwright’ in TV Series ‘Bonanza’)
Lorne Greene
59
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 12th February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Ottawa, Canada
Died: September 11, 1987

Canadian actor, radio personality, and singer, Lorne Greene, is remembered for his appearance in the original science-fiction TV series, Battlestar Galactica. As a young man, he studied to become a chemical engineer. However, he quit engineering for a career in entertainment. He was successful both as a radio personality and an actor in a career spanning almost five decades.

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 9 
Harry Morgan
(Prolific Character Actor Who Starred in More Than 100 Films)
Harry Morgan
20
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 10th April
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Died: December 7, 2011

Harry Morgan was an American actor who appeared in over 100 films in a career that spanned six decades. Apart from contributing to the success of several films, Morgan also appeared in many TV series; for his performance in the series M*A*S*H, Morgan received an Emmy. In 2006, he was made an inductee of the Hall of Great Western Performers.

 10 
Billie Holiday
(One of the Greatest Jazz Singers from the 1930s to the 1950s)
Billie Holiday
147
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: 7th April
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: July 17, 1959
Jazz legend Billie Holiday had a tumultuous childhood and ended up in prison due to prostitution. Upon her release, at 14, she started singing using her pseudonym and performed at sold-out Carnegie Hall shows. Nicknamed Lady Day, she was riddled with alcohol and drug issues. She won four posthumous Grammys.
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 11 
Barbara Billingsley
(Best Known for Her Role as ‘June Cleaver’ in the TV Series ‘Leave It to Beaver’)
Barbara Billingsley
4
Listed In: Actresses
Birthdate: 22nd December
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: October 16, 2010
Barbara Billingsley gained recognition with TV series such as The Brothers and then soared to fame with the role of June Cleaver in Leave It to Beaver and its sequel, The New Leave It to Beaver. She also voiced Nanny in the animated series Muppet Babies.
 12 
Les Paul
(Jazz Guitarist: One of the Pioneers of the Solid-body Electric Guitar)
Les Paul
7
Listed In: Guitarists
Birthdate: 9th June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States
Died: August 12, 2009

Jazz and country guitarist Les Paul developed his version of the solid-body electric guitar, which he named the Log. He is also credited with pioneering innovations such as multitrack recording, the eight-track tape recorder, and overdubbing. He won the Special Merit/Technical Grammy Award for his achievements.

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 13 
Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.
(United States Naval Aviator and Eldest Son of Joseph P. Kennedy SR and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy)
Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.
12
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 25th July
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Hull, Massachusetts, United States
Died: August 12, 1944

Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. was a US Navy lieutenant. The eldest of the famous Kennedy siblings, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. was groomed by his father from a very young age to become the president of the United States. After his death during World War II at age 29, John F. Kennedy took it upon himself to materialize his father's dreams.

 14 
William Hopper
(Actor)
William Hopper
4
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 26th January
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
Died: March 6, 1970
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 15 
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
(Gospel Singer-Songwriter and Guitarist Known for Using Heavy Distortion on Her Electric Guitar)
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
10
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: 20th March
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Cotton Plant, Arkansas, United States
Died: October 9, 1973

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was an American recording artist, guitarist, and singer-songwriter. Characterized by a mixture of electric guitar and spiritual lyrics, Tharpe's music played an influential role in the development of rock and roll. Her music influenced several rock-and-roll musicians like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Chuck Berry. She is often referred to as the Godmother of rock and roll.

 16 
Paul Tibbets
6
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 23rd February
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Quincy, Illinois, United States
Died: November 1, 2007
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 17 
General Aung San
(Politician)
General Aung San
20
Birthdate: 13th February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Died: July 19, 1947
Revered as a hero and as the Father of the Nation in Burma (now Myanmar), Aung San was instrumental in his country’s fight for independence from the British. The founder of the Myanmar Armed Forces, San was unfortunately assassinated a few months before Burma achieved independence.
 18 
Moshe Dayan
(Israeli Military & Political Leader)
Moshe Dayan
12
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 20th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Degania Alef, Israel
Died: October 16, 1981

Born to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, military leader/politician Moshe Dayan, grew up to be an revered for his exploits against Israel’s Arab neighbors. His invasion of the Sinai peninsula is etched in his memoir, Diary of the Sinai Campaign. Following his death, his eye patch was sold on eBay for US$75,000.

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 19 
Ann Sheridan
(Actress)
Ann Sheridan
2
Birthdate: 21st February
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Denton, Texas, USA
Died: January 21, 1967
 20 
David Stirling
(Officer)
David Stirling
2
Listed In: Military Leaders
Birthdate: 15th November
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Lecropt, Perthshire, Scotland
Died: November 4, 1990

Scottish-born British Army officer David Stirling was known for his exploits in World War II, during which he formed and led the British Special Air Service (SAS). Following the war, he focused on combating racism in colonial Africa and even formed a foundation for animal conservation. He was knighted for his achievements.

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 21 
Bob Kane
(Comic Book Writer)
Bob Kane
4
Birthdate: 24th October
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: November 3, 1998

Bob Kane was an American animator, comic book writer, and artist. He is credited with co-creating the world-renowned DC Comics character Batman. He is also credited with co-creating the popular animated series Cool McCool. In 1977, Bob Kane was honored with the prestigious Inkpot Award. In 1996, he was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame.

 22 
Zero Mostel
(Actor)
Zero Mostel
4
Birthdate: 28th February
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Died: September 8, 1977
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 23 
Thomas Merton
(Writer & theologian was ordained to the Catholic priesthood and given the name "Father Louis".)
Thomas Merton
13
Listed In: Theologians
Birthdate: 31st January
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Prades, France
Died: December 10, 1968

American Trappist monk and theologian Thomas Merton was ordained a priest and named Father Louis. He was a member of the monastery Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani. He is remembered for his bestselling autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, and for his study of Eastern religions such as Buddhism.

 24 
John Dehner
5
Birthdate: 23rd November
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Staten Island, New York, United States
Died: February 4, 1992
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 25 
Sargent Shriver
(American Politician and United States Ambassador to France (1968–1970))
Sargent Shriver
5
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 9th November
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Westminster, Maryland, United States
Died: January 18, 2011
Sargent Shriver was part of the Kennedy family, as the husband of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of President John F. Kennedy. He was part of the U.S. Navy and also worked as an assistant editor at Newsweek. He developed many anti-poverty programs and was the Democratic vice-presidential nominee in 1972.
 26 
Norman Wisdom
6
Birthdate: 4th February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Marylebone, London, England
Died: October 4, 2010
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 27 
Sidney Luft
(American Businessman and Third Husband of Actress and Singer Judy Garland)
Sidney Luft
2
Birthdate: 2nd November
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: September 15, 2005
Producer Sidney Luft is remembered for his marriages to Hollywood stars, such as Judy Garland and Lynn Bari. He produced many notable films, such as the 1954 movie A Star is Born, featuring Garland. He had also been a boxer and a Canadian Air Force pilot in the past.
 28 
Saul Bellow
(Writer)
Saul Bellow
3
Listed In: Novelists
Birthdate: 10th June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Lachine, Montreal, Canada
Died: April 5, 2005
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 29 
Magda Gabor
(Hungarian-American Actress and Socialite)
Magda Gabor
7
Listed In: Actresses
Birthdate: 11th June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary
Died: June 6, 1997

The elder sister of Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor, Magda Gabor was an actor who had appeared in the film Modern Girls and on a few TV shows. She was rumored to be the mistress of the Portuguese ambassador to Hungary and had later married 6 times.

 30 
Pat Buttram
8
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 19th June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Addison, Alabama, United States
Died: January 8, 1994
 31 
Gary Merrill
1
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 2nd August
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Died: March 5, 1990
 32 
Paddy Mayne
(One of Britain's Most Highly Decorated Soldiers in Second World War)
Paddy Mayne
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 11th January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Newtownards, County Down, Ireland
Died: December 14, 1955

Paddy Mayne was not just a British Army lieutenant colonel but also a legendary rugby player who had represented both Ireland and the British Lions. He was also known for his reckless behavior, including his drunken brawls. He was part of a huge debate after being denied the Victoria Cross.

 33 
Edmond O'Brien
(American Actor Who Mainly Played Character Roles)
Edmond O'Brien
2
Birthdate: 10th September
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: May 9, 1985

Edmond O'Brien was an American film director and actor. During his illustrious career, that spanned almost four decades, O'Brien recieved several prestigious awards like an Academy Award and Golden Globe Awards. He also has a couple of stars on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 34 
Lennard Pearce
4
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 9th February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Paddington, London, England
Died: December 15, 1984
 35 
Alice Faye
(Actress)
Alice Faye
5
Birthdate: 5th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
Died: May 9, 1998
 36 
Frank Cady
(Actor)
Frank Cady
0
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 8th September
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Susanville, California, U.S.
Died: June 8, 2012
 37 
William Talman
(Actor)
William Talman
2
Birthdate: 4th February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Died: August 30, 1968
 38 
Willie Dixon
(Singer-songwriter, Jazz musician, Record producer)
Willie Dixon
3
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: 1st July
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Vicksburg
Died: January 29, 1992
 39 
Stu Hart
(Canadian Amateur and Professional Wrestler Best Known for Founding and Handling Stampede Wrestling)
Stu Hart
2
Birthdate: 3rd May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died: October 16, 2003
 40 
Khushwant Singh
(Novelist, Lawyer, Journalist & Politician)
Khushwant Singh
44
Birthdate: 2nd February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Hadali, British India (now in Khushab District, Punjab, Pakistan)
Died: March 20, 1999

Known for his bestselling book Train to Pakistan, Khushwant Singh was a reputed lawyer, politician, and journalist. He was also known for his widely popular column With Malice towards One and All, which was featured in many Indian newspapers. His post-colonial writings mirrored his wit and sarcasm.

 41 
John Lilly
(Physician, Neuroscientist, Psychoanalyst and Inventor of 'Isolation Tank')
John Lilly
3
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: 6th January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
Died: September 30, 2001

Born to rich Catholic parents, John Lilly spent his childhood treating science as a hobby. While studying medicine, he performed gruelling medical experiments on himself. He later invented isolating floatation tanks, studied bottlenose dolphins, and researched on psychedelic drug-induced near-death experiences. He also explored yoga and human consciousness.

 42 
Priscilla Lane
(Actress)
Priscilla Lane
1
Listed In: Actresses
Birthdate: 12th June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Indianola, Iowa, United States
Died: April 4, 1995
 43 
Virginia Admiral
(American Painter and Poet)
Virginia Admiral
1
Listed In: Poets
Birthdate: 4th February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: The Dalles, Oregon, United States
Died: July 27, 2000
 44 
Barnard Hughes
(Actor)
Barnard Hughes
2
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 16th July
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Bedford Hills, New York, US
Died: July 11, 2006
 45 
Ewan MacColl
(Folk Singer-Songwriter Known for His Songs: 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', 'Dirty Old Town')
Ewan MacColl
3
Listed In: Folk Singers
Birthdate: 25th January
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Broughton, Salford, Lancashire, England
Died: October 22, 1989

British folk singer-songwriter, folk song-collector, political activist, and actor Ewan MacColl, was a leading figure of the 1960s British folk revival. He is noted for writing songs like The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Dirty Old Town. He was also involved in trade unionism and socialist politics as a steadfast communist and wrote several left-wing political songs.

 46 
Frederick Henry Ball
(Studio executive, Brother of Lucille Ball)
Frederick Henry Ball
2
Listed In: Family Members
Birthdate: 17th July
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Jamestown, New York, United States
Died: February 5, 2007
 47 
Arthur Lowe
(Actor)
Arthur Lowe
1
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 22nd September
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Hayfield, Derbyshire, England, UK
Died: April 15, 1982
 48 
Randolph Apperson Hearst
(Business People)
Randolph Apperson Hearst
3
Birthdate: 2nd December
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York, United States
Died: December 18, 2000
 49 
Eddie Bracken
(Actor)
Eddie Bracken
8
Birthdate: 7th February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Astoria, Queens, New York (state) New York, U.S.
Died: November 14, 2002
 50 
Sir Arthur Lewis
(Economist)
Sir Arthur Lewis
1
Listed In: Economists
Birthdate: 23rd January
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Castries, Saint Lucia
Died: June 15, 1991