Famous March Birthdays: From History-Makers to Pop Culture Icons
The month of March is a much-welcomed month in the calendar year. One of the primary reasons we love this month is because it means the frost of winter will be melting away soon and the first signs of spring are in the air. It means we “spring forward” to longer days and warmer weather. It marks the climax of the movie awards season, the beginning of baseball season, and the madness of the college basketball season. There is so much to celebrate in the month of March, not least of which includes some of history and pop culture’s most notable and inspiring figures who just so happen to have been born in the third month of the year.
Did you know that Lady Gaga shares the same birthday as Reba McEntire? And that the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg was born on the same day as President Andrew Jackson? From historic leaders and activists to groundbreaking scientists, innovators, entertainers, and beyond, here are some of the most famous people who were born in the month of March.
March 1
Read More »March 2
The beloved children’s author, Dr. Seuss, was born on March 2, 1904. Dr. Seuss is best known for his classic books such as Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Additionally, Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Premier of the Soviet Union, was born on this day. Gorbachev was an essential part of bringing an end to the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
March 3
Two notable birthdays in March came on March 3rd, which delivered the birth of Alexander Graham Bell, who gave the world the invention of the telephone. Alexander Graham Bell was also famous for his work with the deaf and for helping to develop a way for people who are hearing impaired to communicate. Additionally, on March 3rd, the world welcomed the birth of Jackie Joiner-Kersee, an Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest athletes of a generation.
March 4
Famed football coach Knute Rockne was born on March 4th. As a coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Rockne famously led his team to six National Championships and revolutionized the sport of football. Additionally, the uproarious comedy actress Catherine O’Hara was born on this day. O’Hara is known for her roles in films such as Home Alone and Best In Show, and television shows like Schitt’s Creek.
March 5
Andy Gibb was an English singer, songwriter, and teen idol. Born on March 5, he was the younger brother of the trio in the Bee Gees and had a career as a solo artist beginning in 1975. He was known for his romantic ballads, such as “I Just Want to Be Your Everything” and “Shadow Dancing.” March 5th is also the birthday of perhaps the most well-known of the Renaissance painters, Michelangelo. His most famous and recognizable sculpture is the Statue of David and his paintings include The Creation of Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
March 6
Former chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan, was born on March 6. Greenspan served as the chairman from 1987 to 2006 and was most notably known for his strong economic policies. Sharing a birthday with Greenspan is NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal is not only one of the most celebrated basketball players of all time, but he also evolved into quite the successful businessman and actor.
March 7
Long-time NBC weatherman Willard Scott was born on this day. Willard Scott began his journalism career delivering the forecast on The Today Show in 1980 and left a lasting impression as one of America’s most beloved weathermen. Additionally, March 7 welcomed the Hall of Fame tennis player Ivan Lendl who dominated the court in the ’80s.
March 8
Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek was born on March 8. After finishing Dawson’s Creek, Van Der Beek went on to appear in a variety of movie roles, including Varsity Blues and Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23. Also born on March 8th — and occasionally drawing confusion with Van Der Beek — is another big screen heartthrob Freddie Prinze Jr who is best known for his role in She’s All That and the Scooby Doo movies.
March 9
The world welcomed the birth of world chess champion and infamous recluse Bobby Fischer. Fischer is considered one of the greatest chess players of all time and his 1972 win against Boris Spassky is regarded as one of the most famous chess matches ever. Not many chess players become the inspiration of a feature film, but Bobby Fischer is one of them. Also born on March 9th was Yuri Gagarin, the first person in space. Yuri Gagarin was a Russian cosmonaut who made history when he became the first human to travel in space. His legacy is celebrated by Russians on Cosmonautics Day.
March 10
Martial artist and pop culture icon Chuck Norris was born on March 10th. As a martial artist, Norris won numerous championships and went on to star in dozens of action movies. He is best known for his role as Cordell Walker in the television series Walker, Texas Ranger. Additionally, Carrie Underwood, the country music star, was born on this day. She has won seven Grammy Awards and is one of the most successful and best-selling artists of a generation. Also sharing a birthday on this day is John Hamm, the actor known for his role as Don Draper in AMC’s Mad Men.
March 11
Rupert Murdoch was born on March 11. As one of the world’s most successful media moguls, Murdoch owns a majority stake in the Fox Corporation and was formerly the executive chairman of 21st Century Fox. Also, March 11 is the birthday of actor Terrance Howard who has taken on a variety of roles throughout his career. His most memorable role is probably the one he played in the movie Hustle & Flow, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award.
March 12
James Taylor, the American singer-songwriter, was born on March 12. Taylor is known for his hits “Fire and Rain”, “You’ve Got a Friend”, and “Carolina in My Mind.” He has won five Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Additionally, on this day, Jack Kerouac, the Beat Generation poet and novelist was born. Kerouac is most notably known for his novel On the Road which has been described as a defining work of the postwar literary era.
March 13
Rapper and artist Common was born on March 13. Common has won multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for his collaboration with Erykah Badu and Best Rap Album for his album Be. Also born on March 13th is actor and director William H. Macy. Macy is widely known for his role in the film Fargo and the television series Shameless, and he has been nominated for numerous awards.
March 14
We wouldn’t have the Theory of Relatively without one of the most famous March birthdays. Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Germany. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential physicists of all time and received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921. Also born on March 14th is professional basketball superstar Steph Curry. Curry is considered the greatest shooter in NBA history and holds numerous records.
March 15
As historic March birthdays go, Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Andrew Jackson — two pinnacles of the United States’ political and judicial history — were born on March 15. Ginsburg, who served on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1993 until her death in 2020, was a pioneer for women’s rights and an advocate for gender equality. Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, served from 1829 to 1937 and is credited with leaving his mark on American democracy.
March 16
Pioneer comedian Jerry Lewis was born on March 16. Lewis is best known for his collaborations with Dean Martin in the 1950s and his starring role in The Nutty Professor. Flavor Flav was also born on this day. He is best known as the hype man of the rap group Public Enemy and for his role in VH1’s The Flavor of Love.
March 17
St. Patrick’s Day is the birthday of actors Kurt Russell and Gary Sinise. Russell is best known for his roles in films like Escape From New York, Tombstone, and The Hateful Eight. Senise is most famously known as Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump.
March 18
Adam Levine and Queen Latifah share the same birthday. Levine is the lead singer of Maroon 5 and has also been a judge for NBC’s The Voice. Latifah is an award-winning actress, singer, and talk show host. Her notable works include the movies Chicago and Hairspray.
March 19
Celebrated actors Glenn Close and Bruce Willis were both born on March 19. Close is an Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated actress, known for her roles in Fatal Attraction, The Big Chill, and Dangerous Liaisons. Bruce Willis is known for his roles in Die Hard, The Sixth Sense, and Pulp Fiction. Also born on this day was Wyatt Earp, the famous Old West lawman most well-known for his involvement in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (see Kurt Russell, March 17).
March 20
On March 20, Fred Rogers a.k.a. Mr. Rogers, was born. Rogers was the beloved host of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood and dedicated his life to educating children on the power of kindness and friendship. Also born on this day is Spike Lee, the Academy Award-nominated director, and actor. Lee is best known for his films Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X. Both men have made lasting impacts on their respective industries and have been celebrated for their work.
March 21
On March 21, iconic actors Gary Oldman and Timothy Dalton were born. Oldman is an Academy Award-winning actor known for his roles in films like The Dark Knight and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Dalton is best known for his portrayal of James Bond in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill.
March 22
Broadway sensation Andrew Lloyd Webber and author James Patterson were both born on March 22. Webber is one of the most popular composers in musical theater history, having written hits like Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, and Evita. Patterson is one of the bestselling authors in the world, having written books such as Along Came a Spider, Kiss the Girls, and the Women’s Murder Club series. Also born on this day is the beloved actress Reese Witherspoon. Witherspoon is best known for her roles in Legally Blonde and the movie adaptation of Wild.
March 23
Chaka Khan, an influential funk and R&B singer, was born on March 23. Khan is best known for her hits “I’m Every Woman”, “Ain’t Nobody”, and “I Feel for You.” Also born on March 23 was the legendary and influential film director Akira Kurosawa who directed films like Seven Samurai and Yojimbo.
March 24
Wrestling superstar The Undertaker shares a birthday with Peyton Manning and Jessica Chastain. The Undertaker, whose real name is Mark Calaway, has been a professional wrestler for over 30 years and is one of the most popular wrestlers in WWE history. Manning is a former NFL quarterback who won two Super Bowls during his career and was an 11-time Pro Bowler. Chastain is an Academy Award-nominated actress best known for her roles in Zero Dark Thirty and The Help.
March 25
Aretha Franklin, Elton John, and Sarah Jessica Parker were all born on March 25. Icons in their own right, Franklin was a legendary singer known for her hits like “Respect” and “Chain of Fools”. Elton John is one of the best-selling musicians of all time, with hits like “Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man”. Parker is an Emmy Award-winning actress known for her lead role in HBO’s Sex and the City.
March 26
Stephen Tyler and Diana Ross were both born on March 26. Tyler is the lead singer of Aerosmith and has had hits like “Dream On” and “Walk This Way.” Ross is a legendary R&B singer who has had hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “I’m Coming Out.”
March 27
Film auteur Quentin Tarantino and pop superstar Fergie both share celebrity birthdays in March. Tarantino is a two-time Academy Award winner known for his films like Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, and Reservoir Dogs. Fergie is a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter known for her hits like “Glamorous” and “Fergalicious.”
March 28
Lady Gaga and Reba McEntire were born on March 28. Gaga is a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter who has had hits like “Bad Romance” and “Poker Face.” McEntire is a legendary country singer who has had hits like “Fancy” and “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.”
March 29
Amy Sedaris and UFC standout Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone share the same late-March birthday. Sedaris is an Emmy Award-nominated actress and comedian known for her roles in Strangers with Candy and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Cerrone is a professional mixed martial artist and former UFC Lightweight Champion.
March 30
Another great iconic artist ranks among the most famous birthdays in March. Vincent Van Gogh, the renowned painter, was born on March 30. Van Gogh had a profound impact on the world of art and is known for his bold colors and post-impressionist style. Also born on this day are acclaimed singer Celine Dion and guitarist Eric Clapton. Dion is a Grammy Award-winning singer who has had hits like “My Heart Will Go On” and “Because You Loved Me.” Clapton is a legendary musician and singer-songwriter who has had hits like “Layla” and “Tears in Heaven”.
March 31
Celebrated actor Christopher Walken and former Vice President Al Gore were born on the last day of March. Walken is an Oscar-winning actor known for his roles in films like The Deer Hunter and Sleepy Hollow. Al Gore is a former Vice President of the United States, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his efforts to raise awareness of climate change.
Celebrate Notable Birthdays in March
These are just a few of the most notable birthdays that occur in March. Whether you are a fan of sports, music, film, television or politics, there is something to celebrate in March. So take the time this month to reflect on the accomplishments of these amazing people and appreciate their impact on the world.
