Famous People Born In 1918

Discover the most famous people born in 1918. The list includes people like Nelson Mandela, Richard Feynman, Ingmar Bergman, Rita Hayworth, Nicolae Ceau?escu and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include political leaders, soldiers, chemists and physicists born in 1918. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom, India & Germany and many more countries.
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 1 
Nelson Mandela
(Anti-Apartheid Activist Who Served as the First President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999)
Nelson Mandela
87
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 18th July
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Mvezo, South Africa
Died: December 5, 2013
Revered as the Father of the Nation by the South Africans, Nelson Mandela was a statesman who rose to become the country’s first black head of state. He reconciled a nation divided along racial lines and dismantled the legacy of apartheid.
 2 
Katherine Johnson
(Mathematician and One of the First African-American Women to Work as a NASA Scientist)
Katherine Johnson
87
Listed In: Mathematicians
Birthdate: 26th August
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, United States
Died: February 24, 2020
Katherine Johnson was a physicist and mathematician, remembered as the first African-American female NASA scientist. Her calculations helped launch the space missions of Alan Shepard and John Glenn. She was crucial to the Apollo program and won a Congressional Gold Medal and a Presidential Medal of Freedom for her achievements.
 3 
Rita Hayworth
(American Actress, Dancer, Producer and One of the Most Glamorous Screen Idols of the 1940s)
Rita Hayworth
21
Listed In: Actresses
Birthdate: 17th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: May 14, 1987

Rita Hayworth was one of the most glamorous Hollywood actresses of the 1930s and 1940s. Her filmography includes 61 films among which the most notable ones are The Strawberry BlondeGilda and Cover Girl. The personal life of the actress, who was also known as the Love Goddess, was marked by a series of failed marriages.

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 4 
Richard Feynman
(One of the Joint Winners of Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965)
Richard Feynman
24
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 11th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: February 15, 1988

Theoretical physicist Richard Feynman won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965, along with Julian Schwinger and Shin'ichirō Tomonaga, for his research on quantum electrodynamics. He also contributed to the development of the atomic bomb. Feyman made it to Physics World’s list of the 10 greatest physicists of all time.

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 5 
Sam Walton
(Businessman)
Sam Walton
40
Listed In: Retailers
Birthdate: 29th March
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kingfisher, Oklahoma
Died: April 5, 1992
Sam Walton, founder of the retail chain Walmart and Sam's Club, was the richest man in the U.S. at one point. He made Walmart the world’s largest private employer. One of Time’s 100 most influential people of the 20th Century, he had also earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
 6 
Ted Williams
(One of the Greatest Hitters in Baseball History)
Ted Williams
8
Listed In: Baseball Players
Birthdate: 30th August
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: San Diego, California, United States
Died: July 5, 2002

Ted Williams was an American baseball player who spent his entire 19-year MLB career with the Boston Red Sox. A nineteen-time All-Star and two-time Triple Crown winner, Ted Williams is widely considered one of the greatest hitters in the history of baseball. In 1991, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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 7 
Richard Winters
(United States Army Officer and a Decorated War Veteran)
Richard Winters
16
Listed In: Military Leaders
Birthdate: 21st January
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New Holland, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: January 2, 2011
Richard Winters is best remembered for his act of parachuting into Normandy on D-Day. He was recalled to the army from the inactive list during the Korean War. Following his retirement, he started selling Hershey Company by-products to animal-feed manufacturers and also taught at the U.S. Military Academy.
 8 
William Holden
(One of the Greatest Male Stars of Classical Hollywood Cinema)
William Holden
13
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 17th April
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: O'Fallon, Illinois, United States
Died: November 12, 1981

William Holden is best known for his Academy Award-winning performance in Stalag 17 and his Emmy-winning role in the TV film The Blue Knight. He also appeared in the films Sunset Boulevard and The Bridge on the River Kwai, and on Lux Radio Theatre. He was also a wildlife conservationist.

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 9 
Leonard Bernstein
(Composer Whose Best-Known Work is the Broadway Musical 'West Side Story')
Leonard Bernstein
27
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: 25th August
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Lawrence, Massachusetts, United States
Died: October 14, 1990

Leonard Bernstein was an American composer, music educator, conductor, pianist, author, and humanitarian. One of the most important cultural personalities of 20th century America, Bernstein influenced many generations of musicians. He is also credited with mentoring famous conductors like John Mauceri, Herbert Blomstedt, Alexander Frey, Marin Alsop, and Edo de Waart among many others.

 10 
Rosemary Kennedy
(Sister of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy)
Rosemary Kennedy
19
Listed In: Family Members
Birthdate: 13th September
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Brookline, Massachusetts, United States
Died: January 7, 2005
Rosemary Kennedy was the eldest daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and sister of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy. A botched lobotomy conducted on her, to control her violent mood swings, rendered her unable to speak properly and paralyzed. Her family did not meet her for 20 years.
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 11 
Ingmar Bergman
(One of the Most Talented and Influential Filmmakers of All Time)
Ingmar Bergman
28
Birthdate: 14th July
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Uppsala, Uppland, Sweden
Died: July 30, 2007

Ingmar Bergman was a Swedish filmmaker and screenwriter. Widely regarded as one of the most influential and accomplished filmmakers of all time, Ingmar Bergman continues to serve as an inspiration for filmmakers like Woody Allen. His work has also influenced other prominent directors like Martin Scorsese, Thomas Vinterberg, and Richard Ayoade.

 12 
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
(Novelist & Writer Best Known for His Work 'The Gulag Archipelago')
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
14
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: 11th December
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kislovodsk, Russia
Died: August 3, 2008

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was a Russian novelist, philosopher, historian, and political prisoner. An outspoken critic of Communism and the Soviet Union, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn helped raise awareness of the Gulag, a government agency that oversaw forced labor camps set up in accordance with Vladimir Lenin's order. His non-fiction text The Gulag Archipelago was a highly influential work and sold millions of copies.

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 13 
Betty Ford
(Former First Lady of the United States)
Betty Ford
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 8th April
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: July 8, 2011

Betty Ford served as the First Lady of the US from 1974 to 1977. One of the most popular First Ladies in history, Ford was a passionate supporter of abortion rights and worked towards raising breast cancer awareness. She commented on topics like sex, drugs, abortion, and equal pay. In 1991, she was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

 14 
Anwar Sadat
(Former President of Egypt)
Anwar Sadat
18
Listed In: Presidents
Birthdate: 25th December
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mit Abu al-Kum
Died: October 6, 1981
Anwar Sadat served as the president and prime minister of Egypt till his assassination in 1981. He was part of the Free Officers, a group that overthrew King Farouk. He became the first Muslim Nobel laureate, after winning the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty.
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 15 
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
(1st President of the United Arab Emirates)
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
18
Listed In: Presidents
Birthdate: 6th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Died: November 2, 2004
 16 
Mike Wallace
(Journalist, TV Presenter, Host)
Mike Wallace
13
Birthdate: 9th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Brookline, Massachusetts, United States
Died: April 7, 2012

A popular American journalist and media personality, Mike Wallace is credited with bringing important information to the household of several Americans during his illustrious career that spanned nearly 70 years; he interviewed prominent personalities like Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Ayn Rand, and Salvador Dalí among others. His life and career inspired several films and he was portrayed by popular actors.

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 17 
Bobby Riggs
(World No.1 Tennis Amateur in 1939 and World No.1 Professional in 1946 & 1947)
Bobby Riggs
4
Listed In: Tennis Players
Birthdate: 25th February
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Pasadena, California, United States
Died: October 25, 1995
 18 
Nipsey Russell
(Stand-up Comedian)
Nipsey Russell
9
Birthdate: 15th September
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia
Died: October 2, 2005
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 19 
Howard Cosell
(Journalist)
Howard Cosell
10
Birthdate: 25th March
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Winston-Salem
Died: April 23, 1995
 20 
Ben Johnson
(Stuntman)
Ben Johnson
10
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 13th June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Foraker, Oklahoma, United States
Died: April 8, 1996
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 21 
Art Carney
(Actor and Comedian Best Known for His Role as ‘Ed Norton’ in the TV Sitcom ‘The Honeymooners’)
Art Carney
4
Birthdate: 4th November
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Mount Vernon, New York, United States
Died: November 9, 2003

Art Carney is best remembered for his Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winning role of Harry Coombes in the film Harry and Tonto. The six-time Emmy-winning actor had also gained fame as Ed Norton in the sitcom The Honeymooners. He had suffered a leg injury while serving at World War II.

 22 
John Forsythe
5
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 29th January
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New Jersey
Died: April 1, 2010

Actor, producer, narrator, and drama teacher, John Forsythe, began his six-decade-long career in the entertainment industry in the 1940s. Initially a small-time actor, he built a strong reputation as a character actor over the years and branched out into teaching and production as well. He also appeared as a panelist on numerous game shows.

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 23 
Bruce Kingsbury
(Victoria Cross Winner)
Bruce Kingsbury
21
Listed In: Soldiers
Birthdate: 8th January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Melbourne
Died: August 29, 1942

Bruce Kingsbury was an Australian soldier best remembered for his efforts during the Second World War. Kingsbury lost his life while counter-attacking the Japanese forces during the Battle of Isurava. Kingsbury's counter-attack proved beneficial for the Australians and his bravery during the battle was honored with the Victoria Cross. 

 24 
Joey Bishop
(Entertainer)
Joey Bishop
1
Birthdate: 3rd February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: The Bronx, New York, USA
Died: October 17, 2007
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 25 
Paul Harvey
(Radio Broadcaster)
Paul Harvey
3
Birthdate: 4th September
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Tulsa
Died: February 28, 2009
 26 
Ida Lupino
(Actress)
Ida Lupino
8
Birthdate: 4th February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Camberwell, London, England, UK
Died: August 3, 1995
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 27 
Spike Milligan
(Actor, Comedian and Cast Member of the British Radio Comedy Programme ‘The Goon Show’)
Spike Milligan
3
Birthdate: 16th April
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India
Died: February 27, 2002

Spike Milligan was a British-Irish actor, writer, poet, comedian, and playwright. He is credited with co-creating and writing the popular radio comedy program, The Goon Show. His comic novel Puckoon has been adapted into a film and stage play. In August 1999, BBC conducted a poll, according to which Spike was voted the funniest person of the last millennium.

 28 
Patty Andrews
(Singer)
Patty Andrews
12
Listed In: Jazz Singers
Birthdate: 16th February
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Mound, Minnesota, United States
Died: January 13, 2013
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 29 
Teresa Wright
(Actress)
Teresa Wright
2
Listed In: Actresses
Birthdate: 27th October
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Harlem, New York, United States
Died: March 6, 2005

Teresa Wright was an American actress best remembered for her portrayal of Carol Beldon in the 1942 romantic war drama film Mrs. Miniver, which earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Teresa Wright worked with top directors like Alfred Hitchcock, who admired her professionalism.

 30 
Audra Lindley
(Actress)
Audra Lindley
4
Listed In: Actresses
Birthdate: 24th September
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: October 16, 1997
 31 
Robert Preston
(Former Actor best known for his role as Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man on the Broadway stage in 1957)
Robert Preston
0
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 8th June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Died: March 21, 1987
 32 
Anne Gwynne
(Actress)
Anne Gwynne
3
Listed In: Actresses
Birthdate: 10th December
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Waco, Texas, United States
Died: March 31, 2003
 33 
Robert Walker
(Actor)
Robert Walker
2
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 13th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Died: August 28, 1951
 34 
Lewis Nixon
(Was a United States Army officer who, during World War II)
Lewis Nixon
2
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 30th September
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: January 11, 1995
 35 
Pearl Bailey
(Actress)
Pearl Bailey
3
Birthdate: 29th March
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Newport News, Virginia, USA
Died: August 17, 1990
 36 
Mary Kay Ash
(Businesswoman)
Mary Kay Ash
12
Listed In: Business Women
Birthdate: 12th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Hot Wells, Cypress, Texas, United States
Died: November 22, 2001
 37 
Efrem Zimbalist Jr
4
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 30th November
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Died: May 2, 2014
 38 
Cameron Mitchell
(Actor)
Cameron Mitchell
3
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 4th November
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Dallastown, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: July 6, 1994
 39 
Jack Paar
(Actor)
Jack Paar
5
Birthdate: 1st May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Canton, Ohio, United States
Died: January 27, 2004
 40 
Pee Wee Reese
(Baseball player)
Pee Wee Reese
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: 23rd July
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ekron
Died: August 14, 1999
 41 
Bobby Troup
(Singer-songwriter, Pianist, Actor, Songwriter, Jazz musician, Officer)
Bobby Troup
3
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: 18th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Harrisburg
Died: February 7, 1999
 42 
Bob Feller
(Baseball player)
Bob Feller
1
Listed In: Baseball Players
Birthdate: 3rd November
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Van Meter, Iowa, United States
Died: December 15, 2010
 43 
Helmut Schmidt
(Politician)
Helmut Schmidt
4
Birthdate: 23rd December
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Hamburg, Germany
Died: November 10, 2015

Helmut Schmidt, who had once been the chancellor of Germany, was also an avid art connoisseur and a talented pianist. The SPD member had also been associated with the DIE ZEIT magazine and is remembered for his efficient management of the Hamburg storm flood as the police senator of Hamburg.

 44 
Kurt Waldheim
(Fourth Secretary-General of the United Nations )
Kurt Waldheim
8
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 21st December
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Sankt Andrä-Wördern, Austria
Died: June 14, 2007

While he claimed he studied at the University of Vienna during World War II, documents recovered later suggested that Kurt Waldheim was in fact part of the German army in the Balkans. Waldheim later became the president of Austria and the secretary-general of the United Nations.

 45 
Jerome Robbins
(Dance Choreographer)
Jerome Robbins
1
Birthdate: 11th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Manhattan
Died: July 29, 1998
 46 
E. Howard Hunt
(American Intelligence Officer Who Served in the CIA)
E. Howard Hunt
3
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 9th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Hamburg, New York, United States
Died: January 23, 2007

E. Howard Hunt was an American author and intelligence officer. He is best remembered for his service in the Central Intelligence Agency from 1949 to 1970, during which he served as an officer. E. Howard Hunt was part of the White House Special Investigations Unit during the presidency of Richard Nixon.

 47 
Eddy Arnold
(American Country Music Singer Who Performed for Six Decades)
Eddy Arnold
2
Birthdate: 15th May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Henderson, Tennessee, United States
Died: May 8, 2008

A country music legend, Eddy Arnold had 28 number one singles in his kitty. His father’s death forced him to quit school and work on his family farm at age 11. A Grand Ole Opry member, he soared to fame with tracks such as Make the World Go Away.

 48 
Mickey Spillane
(Novelist)
Mickey Spillane
2
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: 9th March
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York City, New York (state) New York, United States
Died: July 17, 2006
 49 
James Daly
(Actor)
James Daly
1
Listed In: Actors
Birthdate: 23rd October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died: July 3, 1978
 50 
Robert Wadlow
(Tallest Person Ever Known)
Robert Wadlow
15
Birthdate: 22nd February
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Alton, Illinois, United States
Died: July 15, 1940

Also known as the Giant of Illinois and the Alton Giant, Robert Wadlow was the tallest person in recorded history, having reached 2.72 m (8 ft 11.1 in) in height at the time of his death, at the age of 22. His continued growth was due to a medical condition that results in a high level of human growth hormone.