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As you might know, tomorrow is February 12th. It’s also the 199th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth. It’s also the 149th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s “The Origin of Species.” It’s also the 199th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.
So many things to celebrate tomorrow; where to start?
How about we just concentrate on the wonderful coincidence that Darwin and Lincoln share the same birthday AND year!
I share a birthday with my mother, Bruce Lee and Jimi Hendrix. Not the same year, obviously, just the same day. Every time I go out to a restaurant to celebrate my birthday, it seems someone else is there doing the same thing, stealing my thunder, and often my piece of free birthday cake. An actuary friend explained that if you got 23 people together in a room, there’s a 50-50 chance of at least one coincidental birthday.
After the jump, you’ll find a complete breakdown for those who are curious to see the math involved. But first, with whom do you share a birthday? We’d love to know, especially if it’s the same day AND year.
To figure out the exact probability of finding two people with the same birthday in a given group, it turns out to be easier to ask the opposite question: what is the probability that NO two will share a birthday, i.e., that they will all have different birthdays? With just two people, the probability that they have different birthdays is 364/365, or about .997. If a third person joins them, the probability that this new person has a different birthday from those two (i.e., the probability that all three will have different birthdays) is (364/365) x (363/365), about .992. With a fourth person, the probability that all four have different birthdays is (364/365) x (363/365) x (362/365), which comes out at around .983. And so on. The answers to these multiplications get steadily smaller. When a twenty-third person enters the room, the final fraction that you multiply by is 343/365, and the answer you get drops below .5 for the first time, being approximately .493. This is the probability that all 23 people have a different birthday. So, the probability that at least two people share a birthday is 1 – .493 = .507, just greater than 1/2.
Statistics courtesy of Math Guy over at NPR.
Comments (135)
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I share a birthday with my older sister. I was born on her 3rd birthday. What’s more, I was born on my due date. The doctor told her September 12th, but she didn’t believe him because she already had my sister. Lo and behold, there I was on my due date and my sister’s 3rd birthday present.
posted by Tricia on 2-11-2008 at 11:22 am
I’ve got a bit of a rogue’s gallery: Ed Gein, Paul Reubens, and Harry Reems, to name a few.
8/27
posted by Luk on 2-11-2008 at 11:27 am
I’m ashamed to say, I share a birthday (not year) with Bill Clinton.
posted by Kelly on 2-11-2008 at 11:32 am
USA Today and I were both born on 9/15/1982.
posted by Ira on 2-11-2008 at 11:41 am
I share a birthday with Jim Morrison and also the same day John Lennon was killed.
posted by Daniel on 2-11-2008 at 11:43 am
Jon Bon Jovi and Michelangelo. One’s living on a prayer, the other’s painting for prayers.
posted by Irene on 2-11-2008 at 11:44 am
My name is Kristin Gately and I share a birthday with a girl named Kristin Gailey. And we lived in the same town.
posted by Kristin Gately on 2-11-2008 at 11:45 am
I share July 8th with Kevin Bacon, along with three or four of my co-workers.
posted by Pete on 2-11-2008 at 11:45 am
I don’t think my birthday is on the same day as anyone famous, but I do have a few friends over the years who share the same birthday.
However, I remember a news story a few years ago, but not the details, where a family had 10-12 children and they were all born on the same day…. I must do research!
posted by Amy on 2-11-2008 at 11:48 am
I share a birthday with Hillary Clinton (to my shame); I was supposed to be born on my mother’s birthday but I was 15 days late, and have been trying to make up for it ever since.
posted by kitsana_d on 2-11-2008 at 11:50 am
I share a birthday with Harry Truman and Ricky Nelson.
Also, my birthday is the only day of the year that can be pronounced in one syllable. May-eighth.
posted by Bill T. on 2-11-2008 at 11:52 am
I share a birthday (Dec 27) with Marlene Dietrich and Gerard Depardieu but not the same year. I was lucky enough to meet a guy who shares the same birthday, same year, and almost the same moment of birth as me. We are very good friends and love each other to death.
Also I’m pregnant and due on David Hasselhoff’s birthday, July 17. (I’m WAY too excited about that because i LOVE the Hoff).
And Luk, my son shares your birthday!
posted by stef on 2-11-2008 at 11:56 am
I share a birthday with People magazine…and very few celebrities.
posted by Amauriel on 2-11-2008 at 12:00 pm
I share birthday with Anne Frank (June 12).
posted by Sarah on 2-11-2008 at 12:01 pm
Tom Cruise and Franz Kafka…in good company.
July 3
posted by Dan on 2-11-2008 at 12:01 pm
I share a birthday with my sister-in-law (brother’s wife). One year I called first to wish her a happy birthday. My brother answered and said she wasn’t there. I told him I was calling to wish her a happy birthday and he said ok, I’ll tell her and then he HUNG UP. What a guy…
Also share with Jon Stewart, Anna Nichole Smith, and Paul Shaffer.
posted by Fran on 2-11-2008 at 12:03 pm
I share the exact same birth date (11/21/1969) with Ken Griffey, Jr. Ken and I share our birthday with Goldie Hawn, Troy Aikman, Bjork, Nicollette Sheridan and Voltaire. I guess it’s a good day for blonde actresses, athletes and people with one name.
posted by David on 2-11-2008 at 12:05 pm
Don Ho and I share the same birthday. I’m still young, so no famous people yet with the same year as me.
posted by Mary on 2-11-2008 at 12:06 pm
Tobey Maguire, Vera Wang, and J.J. Abrams! 6/27. w00t.
My birthday is also the day Djibouti gained independence from France.
posted by David on 2-11-2008 at 12:11 pm
My B-day is 9/26. I share a birthday with T.S. Eliot, Olivia Newton-John and Linda Hamilton. Also I was born on the same day and year as Melissa Sue Anderson, and that girl that sings in that group Everything But the Girl. And the Beverly Hilbillies debuted on the day I was born. Not sure, but I think that’s Donna “Ellie May” Douglas’ birthday too.
posted by Kelly on 2-11-2008 at 12:19 pm
I share mine with a bizarre group:
Dolph Lundgren
Michael Dukakis
Adam Ant
Charles Bronson
Dennis Miller
Terrence McNally
Phil Simms
Shadoe Stevens
Anna Wintour
posted by QT314159265 on 2-11-2008 at 12:23 pm
I share July 8 with Pete (#8 above). There were 4 of us in my senior class (of 266 students) all born on July 8 – all female, all blue eyed and blonde.
posted by Lynne on 2-11-2008 at 12:32 pm
My birthday (Aug 17) is shared with several friends, plus Davey Crockett, Mae West, Ted Hughes, VS Naipaul, Robert De Niro, and Sean Penn. It is also the day that the steamboat Clermont began its journey up the Hudson (1807) and Fort Sumpter got bombarded during the Civil War (1863). Oh, and Hurricane Camille killed over 200 people as well. :-(
posted by nutmeag on 2-11-2008 at 12:38 pm
I share a birthday Feb. 7th with
Sinclair Lewis
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Charles Dickens
Frederick Douglass
John Deere
posted by JaneM on 2-11-2008 at 12:38 pm
December 21st with Ray Romano, Kiefer Sutherland, Andy Dick and Julie Delpy (all different years). Actually, there isn’t anyone listed currently on IMDb.com with a 21/21/1988 birthday.
posted by Laura on 2-11-2008 at 12:41 pm
Dave Matthews, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Page… also, it was the date that Mississippi seceded from the US. Woohoo for January 9th!
posted by Sarah on 2-11-2008 at 12:43 pm
8/6/1976.
Me and flippin’ Punky Brewster, yo! Soliel Moon Frye, we were meant to be twin sisters…
posted by Smaje on 2-11-2008 at 12:43 pm
Check out THIS crew:
Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)
Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart)
Erno Rubik
Pinky Nelson (astronaut)
Michael Spinks
Cheech Marin
Spud Webb
Bob Crane
Cameron Crowe
Jack Kemp
X-Pac
and Julius Caesar
posted by Cory on 2-11-2008 at 12:50 pm
My birthday is 5/13/1981. I shared it with a floor mate from my first year at college. And that was the day that Pope John Paul II was shot!
posted by Mavis on 2-11-2008 at 12:51 pm
I share a birthday with my favorite illustrator, Edward Gorey, as well as George Washington, Drew Barrymore, Luis Bunuel, Ted Kennedy, James Blunt, and Robert Wadlow, the tallest recorded man. None on the day and year, though the “5th Beatle” died on the exact day I was born….
posted by frumpiefox on 2-11-2008 at 12:52 pm
I googled my birthday (March 31) and learned that I share my birthday with Ewan McGregor. Yummy.
And Al Gore. Not so much.
And Christopher Walken. Yummy.
And Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi, and recipient of probably the most unfortunate name ever.
posted by Pearl on 2-11-2008 at 12:53 pm
Jenna Jameson and I are the exact same age (same day, same year). Jet Li shares the same day. How would that be for a group to talk to at a cocktail party (no pun intended)?
posted by Mike on 2-11-2008 at 12:54 pm
I share 9/25 with
William Faulkner, Phil Rizzuto, Barbara Walters, Shel Silverstein, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones,
Christopher Reeve,Heather Locklear, Will Smith, Matt Hasselbeck, and T.I.
I share the same day and year with a hockey player- Matt Carle
An odd bit of information, my due date was my mother’s birthday and the day my brother was born (9/13). My brother’s due date was my birthday.
posted by Kristin on 2-11-2008 at 12:57 pm
I share a birthday with Hitler, and Joey Lawrence (of “Blossom” fame), although not the same year with either.
In my family, though, shared birthdays are common. My brother and grandma on 12/23, my cousin and grandpa on 6/16, and my dad and his great-aunt on 3/29 (which is also the day one cousin is getting married this year). My other cousin and I are only one day apart.
posted by triskellita on 2-11-2008 at 12:58 pm
i share my birthday with my dad. i have personally known 5 people with my exact same birthday, and i constantly hear from other people about their friends and relatives with my birthday. however, nobody famous was ever born on march 10. it is, however, the birthday of the first ever phone call.
posted by tami on 2-11-2008 at 12:58 pm
Seems like we’ve been asked to comment about this before…
Nevertheless, I share a birthday with Oprah, Tom Selleck and Heather Graham. Also:
Terri, my neighbor when I was little Nathan, a boy with whom I graduated high school
Dr. Kim, my dentist when we lived in Hawaii
And, 2 other girls I’ve known through the years, one at my first job and the other while joining a gym. She was the only one I know of on the same year.
posted by Melanie on 2-11-2008 at 12:59 pm
.. i didn’t mean to say ‘however’ twice…
posted by tami on 2-11-2008 at 12:59 pm
April 30 – shared with Willie Nelson, Cloris Leachman and Michael Waltrip, to name a few.
Also, depending on how you define it, the birthday of the World Wide Web in 1993.
posted by Bre on 2-11-2008 at 1:00 pm
My birthday is tomorrow, with the greats mentioned above!
posted by Amanda on 2-11-2008 at 1:01 pm
To Tami,
Perhaps you have heard of:
Carrie Underwood
Sharon Stone
James Earl Ray
Chuck Norris
Prince Edward
or Osama Bin Laden
They were all born on March 10 as well. I happened to be looking up my own birthday on famousbirthdays.com so I looked at March 10 for you.
posted by Melanie on 2-11-2008 at 1:09 pm
I share mine with quite a motley crew (although not with anyone actually in Motley Crue. Sad.)
Orson Welles
Willie Mays
Jimmie Dale Gilmore
Tony Blair
Rudolph Valentino
Bob Seger
and
George Clooney
AND the Hindenburg disaster.
May 6th is a very weird day.
posted by JHop on 2-11-2008 at 1:14 pm
Buzz Aldrin, Bill Maher, George Burns, David Lynch.
But I was day off from Baby Spice (1976).
posted by Anm on 2-11-2008 at 1:24 pm
Only a few people born on May 15th that I’d like to mention:
L. Frank Baum – wrote The Wizard of Oz (Emerald City? Birthstone reference, maybe?).
Wavy Gravy – activist and “Some damn hippy.”
Ahmet Zappa – musician and Frank Zappa’s son.
Abraham Zapruder – filmed JFK’s assassination.
posted by bas on 2-11-2008 at 1:25 pm
Oh yeah, and me!!
posted by bas on 2-11-2008 at 1:27 pm
Louise Brown, the world’s first test tube baby, was born the same month I was — July, 1978. I share my birthdate, but not year, with a few others:
John Quincy Adams, E.B. White, Yul Brynner, Giorgio Armana, Leon Spinks, and the ultimate in junk food convenience:
7-Eleven
posted by Kristen on 2-11-2008 at 1:28 pm
I share my birthday – Dec 7 – with many musicians and sports people. Unfortunatley I am neither musically nor athletically gifted.
Aaron Carter
Edd Hall – same year (announcer for Jay Leno)
Tom Waits
Harry Chapin
Louis Prima
Johnny Bench
Terrell Owens
Larry Bird – 1 year older than me.
Madame Tussaud
The bombing of Pearl Harbor was 17 years earlier. When I was young, many people would say “Oh, Pearl Harbor Day”. Now no one ever mentions it.
posted by Sue on 2-11-2008 at 1:35 pm
My birthday happens to be today and I share it with greats such as Thomas Edison and Leslie Nielsen.
posted by Chris on 2-11-2008 at 1:37 pm
I was born on my brother’s 5th birthday. Then the brother that falls in between us married a girl with the same birthday. So we’ve told my younger brother that he’ll have to marry a girl with that birthday to have one in each marriage.
Also, the same day that Lennon was shot and that the US declared war on Japan after Pearl Harbor.
posted by cousin on 2-11-2008 at 1:38 pm
I share a birthday with tree celebritys that I know of. Dan Castellanetta, Richard Dryfuss, and Wynona Ryde. 10/29
posted by Gilbert on 2-11-2008 at 1:39 pm
Just to flesh things out a bit more:
Concorde (first commercial flight)
Roller Coaster (by patent date)
Cray-1 (released in the same year/month, but I can’t find a specific date)
posted by Anm on 2-11-2008 at 1:40 pm
I share a birthday with frumpiefox above.
That means I share a birthday with George Washington. I have a son named Lincoln that was a scheduled birth. I tried to pick 2/12 (Abe’s b-day) but they made me wait 5 more days. I have a daughter named Reagan born on Rush Limbaugh’s birthday. We used to have a dog named Cheney that was born on Bill Clinton’s birthday, but he bit my son and we had to get rid of him. LOL
posted by Karen on 2-11-2008 at 1:40 pm
I share my birthday with my wife, who is 4 hours older than me. (No, even though we live in the South, we’re not related.)
I don’t know which famous people share my b-day (Apr 14), but I know that Linoln was shot on that day, and the Titanic hit the iceberg that day as well. Happy thoughts.
posted by Steve on 2-11-2008 at 1:42 pm
Ludacris, Harry Connick Jr, Moby, Kristy McNichol, Barry White, DH Lawrence and O Henry and I were all born on 9/11.
posted by Jenny on 2-11-2008 at 1:44 pm
April 19
I was born in 1983. My cousin in 1979. Maria Sharapova, Hayden Christensen, Al Unser Jr., Dudley Moore, Ashley Judd, Jesse James (Mr. Sandra Bullock, not the other one).
A zillion awful random things happened too…Revolutionary War started, The Waco Incident, Oklahoma City Bombing.
posted by wonderkimmie on 2-11-2008 at 1:45 pm
March 3…shared with James Doohan and Jessica Biel. While Scotty has beamed himself up, I can still ask Jessica if she’d like to have a tandem party?!?
posted by Johnny Cat on 2-11-2008 at 1:47 pm
April 26th: Interesting indeed
-Marcus Aurelius
-Muhammad (as in the prophet, not Ali)
-William Shakespear
-John James Audubon
-I.M. Pei
-Carol Burnett
-Jet Li
-Melania Trump
-T-boz (from TLC)
-Jessica Lee Rose a.k.a. Lonely Girl of YouTube fame
Pretty sweet actually. I’ve never met anyone personally who shared my Birthday..ever, pretty strange actually.
posted by Stephanie on 2-11-2008 at 1:50 pm
According to famousbirthdays dot com, I share an exact birthday (same day, same year) with Josh Groban (2/27/1981) and the same day (not the same year) with a few others including: Chelsea Clinton (1980), Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas (1971), Ralph Nader (1934), Elizabeth Taylor (1932), Ariel Sharon (1928) – PM of Israel, John Steinbeck (1902), Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807). Interesting case of characters…
posted by soph on 2-11-2008 at 2:02 pm
Augusty 22nd.
I share a birthday with Dorothy Parker!
posted by Alice on 2-11-2008 at 2:10 pm
I share a birthday with:
my niece, Sydney
David Letterman
David Cassidy
Shannen Doherty
Claire Danes
Tiny Tim
Amy Ray (Indigo Girls)
Art Alexakis (Everclear)
Vince Gill
Andy Garcia
Tom Clancy
Ed O’Neill
Herbie Hancock (Grammy Winner!!)
Beverly Cleary
Henry Clay
And Mahaviri, the Indian founder of Jainism. Interesting.
To get all those folks in one room would be very amusing.
posted by Rachel on 2-11-2008 at 2:16 pm
I share a birthday (day, month, and year) with the author, Alice Walker.
posted by Dail on 2-11-2008 at 2:18 pm
I share my birthday, May 7, 1969, with ex-porn star, Tracy Lords. I think, however, that our birthday is one of the FEW things we have in common.
posted by Ann on 2-11-2008 at 2:21 pm
10/17/66 – I debuted the same day as a trivia (?) game…Hollywood Squares.
Also notable that day:
Eminem
Alan Jackson
Dolph Lundgren
posted by karen on 2-11-2008 at 2:24 pm
November 30th, a wonderful birthday that I share with Winston Churchill, Mark Twain and Jonathan Swift. They’re all a little older than me though.
posted by Liz on 2-11-2008 at 2:24 pm
May 27, 1985
The first is obvious: my twin sister, Lindsay.
Also our friend Kate, and my Ex-boyfriend Jon.
and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt.
posted by WarTiger on 2-11-2008 at 2:35 pm
I have always been very proud of the fact that I share a birthday with Mr. Rogers.
posted by Joanna on 2-11-2008 at 2:36 pm
Euripedes, Augustus Caeser and teh Founding of Nintendo Koppai. Obviously not the same as my birth year.
posted by John on 2-11-2008 at 2:41 pm
I share March 29th with John Major, Eric Idle, and Jennifer Capriati (same year, a city apart).
posted by Derek on 2-11-2008 at 2:42 pm
I share Aug 9th with
Gillian Anderson
Deion Sanders
Whitney Houston
Sam Elliott
I also know 2 other people with my birthday!
posted by Gwen on 2-11-2008 at 2:51 pm
Same day and year as Prince William (June 21st, 82)
posted by Juliet on 2-11-2008 at 2:54 pm
June 23
Alfred Kinsey (the “sexologist”)
King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
June Carter Cash (country singer)
Ted Shackleford (Knots Landing–showing my age here..lol)
Clarence Thomas, U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Randy Jackson, (American Idol)
Joss Whedon, (Buffy, Angel, comic books, the Office)
Selma Blair (hellboy, legally blond)
Zinedine Zidane(soccer player-you know the whole headbutt episode)
Brandon Stokley, (Denver Broncos)
LaDainian Tomlinson, (San Diego Chargers)
also, June 23, 1683: William Penn signs friendship treaty with Lenni Lenape Indians in Pennsylvania
posted by Sheri on 2-11-2008 at 2:57 pm
I share my birthday (this Friday) with Brandon Boyd (Incubus), Omarosa, Alex Borstein, the late Chris Farley, Jane Seymour, Matt Groening and – by far the coolest – Galileo.
Apparently, I share a day and year (1981) with Jenna from Survivor (Australian Outback, maybe — I’ve never watched). So Feb. 15 is a good day for scientists and reality show contestants.
posted by Lindsey on 2-11-2008 at 2:59 pm
I share a birthday with Fran (#16). Probably not the same year, though. By the way, that day is November 28.
posted by cmk on 2-11-2008 at 2:59 pm
Christopher Guest is pretty spectacular.
5 February.
posted by Zoe on 2-11-2008 at 3:16 pm
May 10th is a great birthday. Me, Bono, Sid Vicious, Young MC (of Bust a Move fame), Kenan Thompson, Chris Berman, Pat Sommerall, Dario Franchitti, Helio Castroneves, two Secretaries of Treasury (in the 1800s) William Windom and John Sherman. But like every good day, a few will spoil it. Both Mark David Chapman and John Wilkes Booth were also born on my day. And some years, I have to share with Mother’s Day.
-stephanie
posted by SM on 2-11-2008 at 3:17 pm
I share a birthday with a variety of other folks: Adam Ant, Roseanne, Charles Bronson, Ken Berry, Jeremy Brett, Kate Capshaw, Larry Holmes, Bronko Nagurski, Phil Simms, Michael Dukakis and my former Congresswoman, Lynn Woolsey.
posted by Adrienne on 2-11-2008 at 3:18 pm
11/21 (my birthday) has already been mentioned, but it is also the birthday of New Yorker editor Tina Brown.
posted by jzimm on 2-11-2008 at 3:18 pm
My birthday is December 25. It’s also the birthday (different years) of Rod Serling and Sissy Spacek. And, while I’d love to include Jesus, I believe his real birthday is some other date. Alas. Any other Christmas babies out there?
posted by Lori L. on 2-11-2008 at 3:23 pm
I share my birthday with (yawn) Louise Lasser, Meschach Taylor and Joel Grey. I think Charles Evans Hughes, former Supreme Court Justice, as well. How exciting.
My mother shares her birthday AND YEAR with Keith Richards. She looks nothing like him!
posted by Eric on 2-11-2008 at 3:30 pm
Hi cmk. Probably not. I’m an oldie (1963).
posted by Fran on 2-11-2008 at 3:40 pm
I share mine with:
Audrey Hepburn
Pia Zadora
Randy Travis
Helloise
Lance Bass (hehe)
I’ve only met one person with the same birthday/year but its a pretty cool story.
I was born on an Army base in Seoul, South Korea to my American soldier parents. 10 years later we were living in Iowa (hence my nickname) where my father grew up and I met a girl in my class with the same birthday/year as me. The neat thing was she was a ntive Korean and had been born in Seoul too. She had been adopted by an Iowa family. That was pretty cool.
posted by Hawkeyegirl on 2-11-2008 at 3:44 pm
Fun!!
My hubby’s birthday is 2/12!! :)
I share a January 23rd birthday with quite a colorful list of characters:
Ryan Reynolds
Tiffany Amber-Kelly Kapowski-Theissen
Brendan Shanahan
Mariska Hargitay
Weird Al
Richard Dean Anderson
Manet, and
Herbie, er I mean, John Hancock.
Two notable shows debuted on that date too.
“A-Team” in ‘83 and “Seinfeld” in ‘91. :D
posted by mrs.djs on 2-11-2008 at 3:48 pm
I was born on the 105th birthday of the lightbulb. (10/21/1984)
I share my birthday with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Alfred Nobel, Sir Georg Solti, Dizzy Gillespie, Celia Cruz, Benjamin Netanyahu, Carrie Fisher (my boyfriend shares his birthday with George Lucas), and my grandma.
posted by Liz on 2-11-2008 at 3:51 pm
I share mine with such diverse people as J. S. Bach and Kevin Federline.
March 21
posted by Ed on 2-11-2008 at 4:03 pm
I’m a little young to have anyone famous share the same day/year, and the only currently famous person I share my birthday with is Dustin Hoffman.
posted by S on 2-11-2008 at 4:12 pm
I share the day and year with Stephen King. I wrote a theme paper on Savaronola in high school and didn’t notice that we shared the same birth day. I only found out about that a couple of years ago. I thought he was a very interesting guy.
posted by Margaret on 2-11-2008 at 4:12 pm
The most notable figure with whom I share a birthday is Miss Cellania. Not sure if it’s the same year or not; she’s not very forthcoming with that kind of information (and neither am I!)
posted by Dave on 2-11-2008 at 4:22 pm
My birthday is tomorrow! Along with good ol’ Abe and Charles, there’s Judy Blume and Christina Ricci (same day as mine but two years before).
posted by Annie on 2-11-2008 at 4:42 pm
In just a few days, we can all celebrate the birthdays of these famous (and not-so famous) people (from youngest to oldest):
Me!
My brother’s girlfriend
Robbie Williams
Peter Gabriel
Stockard Channing
Jerry Springer
Peter Tork
George Segal
Kim Novak
Chuck Yeager
Tennessee Ernie Ford
Grant Wood
Bess Truman
L.L. Bean
All Feb. 13
Thanks to whoever posted famous birthdays website… I share more than I knew.
posted by Anne on 2-11-2008 at 4:44 pm
Lenny Kravitz, Sally Ride, Peggy Lee, and Mary Shelley’s mommy.
Yay?
posted by Mandie on 2-11-2008 at 4:50 pm
My b-day is July 14, whom I share with:
Woody Guthrie,
Ingmar Bergman,
Rosey Grier,
President Ford,
Vincent Pastore,
Harry Dean Stanton,
Tim Hudson, Atlanta Braves pitcher,
Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island,
William Hanna of Hanna/Barbera,
and WWE commentator Joey Styles.
None of these people share the same year as me though.
posted by Ed on 2-11-2008 at 4:53 pm
July 12
I share my birthday with: Julius Caeser, George Washington Carver, Oscar Hammerstein (we have the same hometown), and Bill Cosby.
Events: The infamous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr 1804, the formation of the Confederation of the Rhine 1806, US Congress approves the Medal of Honor 1862, Battle of Prokhoravkha (The largest tank engagement of all time) 1942, Kiribati and Sao Tome and Pricape declare independence 1975 and 1979, Canada legalizes gay marrige 2002, War breaks out between Israel and Hezbollah
posted by John P on 2-11-2008 at 4:55 pm
Strange. No November 10ths on this list, yet I share the day with a second cousin and a high school classmate.
Martin Luther (the original) and a bunch of actresses – Ellen Pompeo, Brittany Murphy, Heather Matarazzo – were also born on this date.
Though I’d rather associate myself with the deaths, among them Ken Kesey (2001) and Norman Mailer (2007).
posted by K on 2-11-2008 at 4:59 pm
Cool! Today’s my birthday and I share this birthday with Thomas Edison (obviously not the same year though- how old would I have to be?!?!). :)
posted by Ash on 2-11-2008 at 5:01 pm
David, who was born on 11/21, shares his birthday not only with Ken Griffey Jr but also with Stan Musial–who was born in the same town as Ken Griffey, also (Donora PA).
As for me, I share a birthday and year (5/15/53) with the great third baseman George Brett.
posted by Karl Weber on 2-11-2008 at 5:07 pm
I share my B-day with Gabrielle Carteris who was Andrea on 90210 (January 2).
She is actually 47 this year not the 33 that her 90210 counterpart would be.
I coincidentally am 33 this year… I so should have been the geek on 90210!
posted by Stuffanie on 2-11-2008 at 5:09 pm
I was born on August 31
Famous people:
Caligula
Commodus
James Coburn
Richard Gere
Debbie (excuse me, DEBORAH) Gibson
No famous people were born on the same day/same year, but Princess Diana died on my birthday (my sweet 16, nonetheless)
posted by Melodye on 2-11-2008 at 5:21 pm
Not too many famous but a really good one: Hugh Hefner. Not the same year. Mine’s better than Hugh’s: 1969!!!
posted by John on 2-11-2008 at 5:39 pm
I’m sure ive shared this before, but Feb 17th:
Billie Joe Armstrong
Michael Jackson
Bonnie Wright (ginny from the hp movies)
shes only few years apart
other celebrities id rather not name
random kid at my school, i dont really talk to him but we were talking about this after school once and we noticed we were naming some of the same people
My favorite student teacher from 8th grade
posted by Maxiebob on 2-11-2008 at 5:48 pm
July 12
I share my birthday with my twin brother (same year) and Bill Cosby (not the same year).
posted by Tanner on 2-11-2008 at 5:57 pm
Salvador Dalí and Louis Farrakhan.
Strange companions.
Douglas Adams died on my birthday, which made me cry.
[Bob Marley and John Herschel did too. Die, not cry, that is.]
posted by Aemi on 2-11-2008 at 6:00 pm
wow, you can learn alot googling your birthday. I have always known that I shared a birthday with Ronald Reagan and Axel Rose (talk about diversity), but I also learned about: Natalie Cole, Bob Marley, Mike Farrell-I knew I liked him for a reason, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Babe Ruth, Tom Brokaw, and Rip Torn.
Interesting, if i do say so myself.
posted by Kim on 2-11-2008 at 6:02 pm
also 08/27:
Lyndon B Johnson
Mother Teresa
George Hegel
Cecil Forester
Robert Richardson
Tom Ford
We’re everywher, even got a bond girl, a serial killer, and the captain from “Police Academy.”
*I personally ignore the fact that Pee Wee Herman (Paul Ruebens) and Howie Mandel share my day… mostly Howie Mandel
posted by Ally on 2-11-2008 at 6:07 pm
Truman Capote
Elie Weisel
and Charles Richter (father of the Richter Scale) died on the exact day I was born (which is ironic because I intern as a seismologist)
posted by Danica on 2-11-2008 at 6:09 pm
The only one I know for May 22 is Morrisey. And Naomi Campbell, I think.
But it is the day of the supposed attack on NYC in Cloverfield. Happy birthday to us!
posted by Courtney on 2-11-2008 at 6:46 pm
I share 10/29 with Gilbert (#49 above). I’ve always found it interesting that it’s the anniversary of “Black Tuesday” — the 1929 stock market crash. Also Joseph Goebbles’ birthday. Not that those should be celebrated…
My sister’s three kids were born on Christmas Day, the day of my sister’s wedding anniversary, and Pearl Harbor day, respectively.
posted by Denise on 2-11-2008 at 6:47 pm
May 23 — Me and Drew Carey. And a high school friend’s dad, who was kind of a jerk.
My grandpa shares a birthday with three of my ex-boyfriends — apparently I’m drawn to Aquarians born on Jan 29.
posted by Jane on 2-11-2008 at 7:20 pm
I was born on the day Queen Elizabeth II was coronated!
HA! Beat that!
posted by Moon on 2-11-2008 at 7:25 pm
Linus Pauling and Daniel Handler have most graciously allowed me to share a birthday (2/28) with them. Pretty cool, as Mr. Handler is a favorite author of mine. :)
posted by Rebecca on 2-11-2008 at 7:31 pm
I share my birthday 6/11 (same year) with José Reyes. I also share the day with: Shia Lebeouf, Gene Wilder, Hugh Laurie, Joe Montana and Jacques Cousteau.
It was also the day Timothy McVeigh was executed for his role in the OKC bombing (2001)and the same day Ronald Reagen’s funeral was held(2004).
posted by Amanda on 2-11-2008 at 7:41 pm
I share a birthday with my mother-in-law. Let the passive-aggressive games begin.
posted by Karen on 2-11-2008 at 7:53 pm
May 29th
Bob Hope, JFK, Melanie Brown, Melissa Etheridge, Adrian Paul, Annette Bening, LaToya Jackson, Danny Elfman, Anthony Geary (Luke on General Hospital), Al Unser, Patrick Henry. Also an actress that was on the soap Loving, but I can’t remember her name.
I went to high school with a girl that shared my birthday.
My dad & my maternal grandfather had the same birthday thirty years apart, & my cousin married a guy with that birthday as well. My best friend shares her birthday with her dad. My brother was born on my grandparents anniversry, & he & his daughter are one day apart.My boyfriend & his mom are just two days apart. When my cousin was pregnant with her 2nd, the due date was my birthday but she was born a week later. I also have another cousin who shares her birthday with her daughter. OK, I think I’m done.
posted by Julie on 2-11-2008 at 8:55 pm
My birthday is on Halloween. I have a first cousin who was born on Halloween and my brother was born 364 days after me. Every year we are the same age for one day. I have known many Halloween babies over the years. I finally counted back 9 months-yup, Valentine’s Day!
posted by little witch on 2-11-2008 at 9:34 pm
Any May 1st birthdays out there? My cousin and I have the same birthday, but she’s five years younger than me.
In my family, May is a popular month to be born in, apparently. My brother and I were both born in May, and so were at least five of my cousins. One of my cousins also got married on my birthday.
posted by Janel on 2-11-2008 at 9:49 pm
I was born on Nov 10th as well K . . . .
You failed to mention the late Roy Scheider who was born on that day.
posted by dan on 2-11-2008 at 10:09 pm
I first heard of this greater than 50% probability of matching birthdays in, of all places, my grade 7 French class. The teacher mentioned the phenomenon, and to test it she went through the class until she found a match. I was one of the matching people. The girl was a year older I suspect, because I was accelerated.
I share a birth date with:
. Chelsea Clinton(I think all the Clintons are covereed);
. Howard Hessman(Dr. Johnny Fever);
. Adam Baldwin and Grant Show are my age;
. Ralph Nader;
. Elizabeth Taylor(I was born on her 30th);
. Henry Longfellow;
and lots of others (gotta love IMDB)
posted by Randy MacDonald on 2-11-2008 at 10:35 pm
March 2nd,
I share my birthday with Dr. Seuss himself.
And both my dad and my sister share the same birthday, which makes party and present time a little tough.
posted by heather on 2-11-2008 at 10:43 pm
According to Wiki on December, 17:
The Wright Brothers made their first powered and heavier-than-air flight.
Birthdays:
Cal Ripken, Sr., 1935
Eugene Levy, 1946
Bill Pullman, 1953
Me, 1974
posted by Jerry on 2-12-2008 at 6:37 am
I share a birthday with my brother and my father. It was not planned. my brother was early and I was a week late. We also share the same b-day with Bob Dylan. May 24
posted by Matt Salerius on 2-12-2008 at 8:04 am
I share May 18, 1946 with Reggie Jackson.
Some other events occurring on that date:
Napoleon proclaimed emperor 1804
Dracula published 1897
Apollo 10 launched 1969
Mt. St. Helens erupts 1980
posted by Ellen on 2-12-2008 at 8:45 am
not that I even know this person -
A J Wood, born in Pittsburgh, soccer forward, 1996 Olympics gold
but they share my birthdate (8/17, only 14 years earlier) and my birthplace!
posted by Sarah on 2-12-2008 at 9:15 am
Aug 23: I share this date, but not the year with:
Ivan V, 1740, Emperor of Russia
King Louis XVI of France, 1754
Gene Kelly, 1912, Actor and Dancer
Vera Miles, 1930, Actress
Barbara Eden, 1934, Actress
Lee Majors, 1940, Actor
Keith Moon, 1947, Drummer
Shelly Long, 1949, Actress
Kobe Bryant, 1978, MBA guard
posted by Owen on 2-12-2008 at 10:09 am
Ben Stiller is my birthday buddy! (but not year)
posted by Brittany on 2-12-2008 at 11:56 am
You also share a birthday with my boyfriend and his dad, David!
My boyfriend’s brother, my best friend, and 2 other people share a birthday with me, along with Pierre Renoir, Zeppo Marx, and Tea Leoni. There’s an odd assortment!
posted by Kelli K. on 2-12-2008 at 12:28 pm
Gene Rodenberry died on my birthday 10/24 which may be a constant reminder to my mom, a diehard trekkie, that his work lives on even after our final frontier into the undiscovered country searching for spock all the while fearing the wrath of khan on our voyage home. But I digress.
posted by Jon Kenny on 2-12-2008 at 12:34 pm
For the longest time, the only September 8th celebrity who’d come up in the USA Weekend magazine whenever my birthday rolled around was Sid Caesar, and for someone born in the late 70s, that’s not all that cool. Nowadays, I also get David Arquette, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and Pink (who was born the same day and year as I was, coincidentally also the same day that actress Jean Seberg died).
Also born on September 8th but no longer with us: Patsy Cline and Peter Sellers, who both significantly up the cool quotient of the day.
posted by Jess on 2-12-2008 at 12:44 pm
June 8th
Shared with Jerry Stiller, Joan Rivers, and Frank Lloyd Wright.
posted by MW on 2-12-2008 at 2:35 pm
I share my birthday, January 24th, with two people of semi-stardom: Raviv Ullman (the cutie from Phil of the Future) and Edith Wharton (of Ethan Frome fame).
Interestingly, I have absolutely nothing in common with either of these people, besides the fact that a) I am human and b) I am female, in Wharton’s case.
posted by Allison on 2-12-2008 at 4:37 pm
No one on the same year but on the same day:
January 30
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Dick Martin
Gene Hackman
Borris Spassky
Dick Cheney
Phil Collins
posted by Jack on 2-12-2008 at 7:16 pm
April 4, 1979
Exact same date as Heath Ledger.
Also, Jaime Lynn Spears (different year, obviously.)
posted by Cassidy on 2-12-2008 at 7:45 pm
I share a B-Dawn with Ed #83 and also
Matthew Broderick
Rosie O’Donnell
Timothy Dalton
Gary Oldman
The only person I share the actual Date 3-21-65, would be Wakana Yamazaki who does voices for Japanese cartoons like YuGiOh! & Pokémon and video games.
posted by CropTillDawn on 2-13-2008 at 1:15 am
No one in the same year but:
Buddy Holly
Grandma Moses
Corbin Bernsen (LA Law)
Gloria Gaynor
Warren Zevon died on the day.
posted by Tdave on 2-13-2008 at 1:48 am
Barbara Bush
Sylvester Stallone
A guy I used to work for
posted by eroe777 on 2-13-2008 at 7:05 am
On 10/10:
Jim Rome
Chris Penn
Daniel Pearl
Mario Lopez
Brett Farve
Verdi
Kirsty MacColl
On my exact birthday: Jodi Lyn O’Keefe
posted by Julia on 2-13-2008 at 5:45 pm
April 15th:
Seth Rogen
Emma Thompson
Emma Watson
And the great Leonardo DaVinci
posted by Misty on 2-21-2008 at 10:16 am
I share a birthday (3/22)-not the year, with Reese Witherspoon, Marcel Marceau and a host of other people I’ve never heard of. Oh, and David, a student in my class this year. Other than the aforementioned student, I’ve never actually met anyone who shared a birthday with me. The day before, the day after, but never the day of. (case in point, 2 people posted entries in this blog for March 21st, none for the 22nd.)However, I was born on 3/22/82 which just kind of rolls off your tongue- so I guess that’s kind of cool?
posted by greenstrawberries on 2-25-2008 at 6:05 am