Famous People Born In 1932

Johnny Cash, the American singer, songwriter and actor, was known for sorrow, moral suffering and redemption themes in his music. His genre was country, rock and roll, blues, folk and gospel sounds and he is one of the best-selling artists of all time. Cash had issues with drinking and drug abuse. Later he was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease.

Considered an incandescent beauty, Elizabeth Taylor was a very popular and successful actor and her legacy is an everlasting one. She shone in movies like A Place in the Sun, Giant, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cleopatra, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Butterfield 8 in the 1950s and 60s. Recipient of two Oscars, she married eight times.

Loretta Lynn is an American singer known for her groundbreaking contribution to country music. In a career spanning six decades, she has released multiple gold albums and has won Grammy Award thrice. Apart from being the most decorated female country singer, Loretta is also the only female Academy of Country Music (ACM) Artist of the Decade (the 1970s).

John Williams is an American composer, pianist, trombonist, and conductor. Widely considered the greatest film composer ever, John Williams has played a significant role in the American film industry by composing music for films, such as the Jurassic Park films, Star Wars saga, the Indiana Jones films, and Schindler's List. He has also influenced several other composers like Marcus Paus.

Debbie Reynolds was a famous American actress and singer whose career spanned nearly seven decades. Also a well-known humanitarian, Debbie served as president of a charitable organization called The Thalians. Debbie was also a businesswoman; the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, which she founded in 1979, still operates today. She also owned a hotel and casino in Las Vegas.

American actor, voice actor, and comedian, Pat Morita first gained recognition with drama series Happy Days, though it was his inspiring performance as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid film series that really skyrocketed his fame. The Asian-American actor was also known for his TV movie Amos and animated movie Mulan and Mulan II where he voiced the Chinese Emperor.

Sylvia Plath was an American short-story writer, novelist, and poet. Plath is credited with popularizing confessional poetry and won a posthumous Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. Sylvia Plath achieved popularity and critical acclaim despite suffering from clinical depression for the most part of her adult life. Her story inspired the 2003 film Sylvia in which she was portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow.

Patsy Cline was an American singer widely regarded as one of 20th century's most influential, celebrated, and respected vocalists. Her singing style helped influence several artists and musical genres. She also helped define the Nashville Sound style associated with country music. She has been a major influence on artists, such as Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Linda Ronstadt, and Dottie West.

English-American actor and comedian, Richard Dawson, is best known for playing Corporal Peter Newkirk in the TV series Hogan's Heroes. He grew up during World War II and had a difficult childhood. As a young man, he began his career as a stand-up comedian and started getting acting roles as well. He also gained fame as a game show host.

Peter O'Toole was a British actor who became popular as a Shakespearean actor with the English Stage Company and at the Bristol Old Vic. O'Toole, who holds the record for receiving the most number of Oscar nominations for acting without a win, has appeared on several greatest actors list in England and Ireland.

Folk singer and ukulele artist Herbert Butros Khaury, better known as Tiny Tim, is remembered for his hits such as Tiptoe Through the Tulips. His album For All My Little Friends was nominated for a Grammy Award. He earned a star outside the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue.

Ellen Burstyn is an American actress who is renowned for portraying complicated women on films, TV series, and stage plays, Burstyn has won various awards and achievements, including the Triple Crown of Acting. An inspiration to aspiring actresses, Burstyn was made a Michigan Women's Hall of Fame inductee in 1997. In 2013, she was made an American Theatre Hall of Fame inductee.

Petula Clark is an English singer, composer, and actress. She achieved immense popularity in the USA, for which she is often referred to as the First Lady of the British Invasion. Over the years, Petula Clark has sold over 68 million records worldwide. Some of her best known songs include Downtown, I Couldn't Live Without Your Love, and My Love.

Majel Barrett was an American actress best known for playing Christine Chapel in Star Trek: The Original Series. She also played important roles in the subsequent Star Trek series like The Next Generation. She became known as the First Lady of Star Trek due to her association with Star Trek and her marriage to the creator of Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry.

Martin D. Ginsburg was one of the most successful tax attorneys and the husband of U.S Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Apart from serving as a lawyer, Martin also taught at several prestigious law schools, such as New York University Law School, Columbia Law School, and Harvard Law School. After representing business magnate Ross Perot in a case, the two became good friends.

William Christopher was an American comedian and actor remembered for playing important roles in popular TV series, such as M*A*S*H, AfterMASH, and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Also known for his charity work, Christopher devoted his free time to the National Autistic Society, a British charity for autistic people. In 1985, he co-wrote Mixed Blessings, a memoir about raising his autistic son.

Actress Piper Laurie is best known for her role in the film The Hustler, for which she received an Academy Award nomination. In a career spanning seven decades, she has appeared in numerous award-winning films and TV shows. She is also a sculptor working in marble and clay. She is a recipient of  “The Spirit of Hope Award.”

John Drew Barrymore was an American actor who hailed from the famous Barrymore family of actors, which includes his daughter Drew Barrymore and his half-sister Diana Barrymore. For his contributions to the American television industry, John Drew Barrymore was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Italian novelist Umberto Eco is best remembered for his novels The Name of the Rose and Foucault's Pendulum. He also taught at the University of Bologna and had released quite a few children’s books and translations. He was also known for his work on semiotics and medieval studies.

After studying journalism, John Hillerman spent some time working as of the Air Force and then spent 15 years as a minor stage actor. Starting his Hollywood journey with small supporting roles, he later soared to fame as Jonathan Quayle Higgins III in the crime drama series Magnum, P.I.

Businessman Lamar Hunt was a major promoter of American football, soccer, tennis, basketball, and ice hockey in the United States. He was the principal founder of the Major League Soccer (MLS) and American Football League (AFL). He was also the co-founder of World Championship Tennis. In 1982, he was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. 

Designer Halston began his career designing hats for American milliner Lilly Daché. He is primarily remembered for pioneering cashmere, or Ultrasued, in the mid-1970s. Known for his party-loving personality, he popularized the halter dress for women. He was also known for his homosexual relationship with Victor Hugo.

Susan Oliver was an American actress, aviator, and television director. She achieved popularity after appearing in popular TV series like Star Trek. Susan Oliver also achieved fame as an aviator; in 1967, she became only the fourth woman to fly a single-engined airplane solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Joel Grey is an American actor, dancer, singer, photographer, and director. He is best known for his portrayal of the Master of Ceremonies in the popular musical Cabaret, for which he won the 1967 Tony Award. He then reprised his role in the 1972 film adaptation, winning an Academy Award and a British Academy Film Award for his performance.

Dhirubhai Ambani was an Indian business tycoon. He is credited with founding Reliance Industries, which is currently the largest company in the country in terms of revenue. Dhirubhai Ambani's life and career inspired the 2007 drama film Guru, in which his character was portrayed by Abhishek Bachchan.

Miriam Makeba was a South African singer, actress, songwriter, civil rights activist, and United Nations goodwill ambassador. One of the first African musicians to make an impact on the international stage, Makeba is credited with popularizing Afropop genres. She also advocated against apartheid through music and played a major role in the civil rights movement.

Eileen Brennan was an American actress who was active in Hollywood for six decades. She appeared in numerous stage productions, films, and TV shows. Beginning her career while attending university, she first appeared in stage productions. Eventually, she started acting in films and TV shows as well. She usually played sympathetic, supporting characters. She received one Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

The 13th Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh became the first Sikh in office when he took office in 2004. A prominent economist and academic, he held several key posts in the Government of India in the 1970s and 1980s. Known for his humility, he  has been described by the media as "one of the world's most revered leaders."

Born to Indian descendants in Trinidad, V. S. Naipaul grew up to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. The author of iconic novels such as Half a Life and A House for Mr. Biswas, Naipaul was also knighted. His realistic depiction of developing countries and their miseries won hearts worldwide.

Andrei Tarkovsky was a Soviet and Russian writer, theatre director, filmmaker, and film theorist. Renowned for making movies that explored metaphysical and spiritual themes, Tarkovsky is often regarded as one of the most influential and greatest directors in the history of world cinema. The recipient of many prestigious awards, Andrei Tarkovsky's work continues to influence several filmmakers around the world.

Indian track and field legend Milkha Singh, also known as "The Flying Sikh,” was orphaned during the Partition of India. The former army man won four Asian Games gold medals. He also competed in the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Summer Olympics, finishing fourth in the 400-meter event in 1960.

Born to Polish immigrants, Canadian actor John Vernon made waves in Hollywood with his roles of figures of authority, such as doctors and academics, in films. Known for films such as Animal House and Dirty Harry, he had also lent his voice to many series and video games.