Most Famous People Born in August
August may signal the end of summer, but it stands out for another reason: a surprising number of famous figures were born this month. The roster includes actors, musicians, athletes, and even a president. Here is a list of famous people born in August.
Barack Obama: August 4, 1961
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Barack Obama, born in Honolulu, was raised between Hawaii and Indonesia before heading to Columbia and Harvard. He became the first Black president of the Harvard Law Review, taught constitutional law, and served in the Illinois and U.S. Senate. In 2008, he made history as the 44th U.S. president.
Ben Affleck: August 15, 1972
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He grew up in Massachusetts with a teacher mom and a social worker dad. He hit TV screens at 12 and co-wrote Good Will Hunting with childhood buddy Matt Damon. That Oscar win kickstarted a film career that includes directing Argo, playing Batman, and yes—being the other guy who also dated J.Lo.
Dustin Hoffman: August 8, 1937
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Back in ’67, a shy, method-trained actor from L.A. shook up Hollywood with The Graduate. He studied at the Actors Studio, worked odd jobs in NYC, and shared rooms with Robert Duvall. Two Oscars, dozens of hits like Rain Man and Tootsie, and a lifelong knack for layered roles made him a screen legend.
Anna Kendrick: August 9, 1985
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Anna snagged a Tony nod at 12 from Portland kid to Broadway and never slowed down. Up in the Air earned her an Oscar nomination, Pitch Perfect made her a pop-culture staple, and she even directed in 2023.
Gillian Anderson: August 9, 1968
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Anderson’s career took off in the ’90s as Dana Scully on The X-Files. She’s since moved easily between TV and stage, from Shakespeare to The Crown, from comedies to serious drama. She’s played everything from British royalty to therapists, always bringing something different.
Antonio Banderas: August 10, 1960
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A foot injury at 14 ended his soccer dreams, and so he took up acting instead. It worked out pretty well and he became Almodóvar’s muse in Spain, then landed Desperado and Zorro in Hollywood. He directed and voiced Puss in Boots and even launched an arts academy in Málaga.
Kylie Jenner: August 10, 1997
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Jenner grew up in the glare of reality TV, but she made her mark with Kylie Cosmetics, launching her first products as a teenager. Social media fueled her rise and turned her business into a major name in beauty. She balances running companies with raising a family, all before thirty.
Chris Hemsworth: August 11, 1983
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Hemsworth started out on Australian television before landing the role of Thor and breaking into Hollywood. He grew up in Victoria, splitting time between Melbourne and Phillip Island. Beyond the Marvel blockbusters, he’s known for action roles in films like Rush and Extraction.
Sebastian Stan: August 13, 1982
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Stan moved from Romania to the U.S. as a child and later studied acting in New Jersey. His career shifted gears when he landed the role of Bucky Barnes in the Marvel films, a part that grew with each installment. Offscreen, he’s taken on everything from playing Tommy Lee to supporting a range of children’s charities.
Mila Kunis: August 14, 1983
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Acting wasn’t the original plan when Mila arrived in Los Angeles as a seven-year-old who didn’t speak English. She adjusted quickly, and by her teens, she was cast in That ’70s Show. A knack for comedy and timing led to voice work on Family Guy and big-screen roles that jump from Black Swan to Ted
Halle Berry: August 14, 1966
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She started with beauty pageants, hit Hollywood in Boomerang, and made history with her Monster’s Ball Oscar win. Born in Cleveland and raised by her mom, Halle transitioned from model to major movie star. With an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and an eye for action flicks, she’s glam, grounded, and a screen powerhouse.
Joe Jonas: August 15, 1989
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Joe rode the Disney wave from boy band fame to Camp Rock heartthrob with his brothers, went solo with Fastlife, and reinvented cool with DNCE’s Cake by the Ocean. Arizona-born and musically raised, he’s also dabbled in fashion, variety shows, and dad life. The Jonas Brothers still sing and swoon hearts.
James Cameron: August 16, 1954
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Cameron dropped out of college and drove trucks while chasing movie dreams. The Terminator put him on the map, and Titanic and Avatar shattered box office records. Obsessed with tech and deep-sea exploration, he’s as much an inventor as he is a filmmaker. He was born in Canada and raised in California.
Jennifer Lawrence: August 15, 1990
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She grew up on a Kentucky horse farm, skipped high school, and snagged an Oscar by 22. With The Hunger Games, Silver Linings Playbook, and zero filter in interviews, she’s relatable, hilarious, and seriously talented. She’s also a mom now, but still the girl who tripped at the awards and laughed about it.
Madonna: August 16, 1958
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Madonna left Michigan for New York with little money and big ambition. Her early hits quickly set her apart, but it was her ability to reinvent herself that kept her in the spotlight. Beyond music, she’s shaped style, sparked controversy, and pushed boundaries in nearly every direction, all while balancing family, film, and philanthropy.
Taika Waititi: August 16, 1975
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He’s the guy who made Hitler funny in Jojo Rabbit and turned Thor into a comedic icon. Born in Wellington with Māori and Jewish roots, he started in comedy, jumped into directing, and became Hollywood’s quirky darling. He writes, acts, produces, and somehow makes awkward lovable. Even named one of TIME’s 100.
Robert De Niro: August 17, 1943
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Robert grew up in New York’s Greenwich Village with artist parents and made his stage debut at 10. He trained with Stella Adler, dropped out of high school, and transformed for every role. After Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, his method of acting became legendary. He also co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival.
Sean Penn: August 17, 1960
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Penn’s childhood included homemade movies with friends like Emilio Estevez. Hollywood came early, with roles in Taps and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. His acting range brought two Oscars, but his off-screen work gets as much attention—whether it’s hands-on disaster relief in Haiti or taking strong, sometimes controversial, stands on world issues.
Edward Norton: August 18, 1969
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He studied history at Yale, grew up with activist parents, and nearly went into business before choosing acting. Edward crushed his first film role in Primal Fear and never looked back. He’s known for Fight Club, American History X, and his environmental work. He speaks fluent Japanese with no big deal.
Bill Clinton: August 19, 1946
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Bill was born in Arkansas and raised on Elvis and saxophone solos; he made it to Yale Law and met Hillary. He became governor and then the 42nd U.S. President. His time in office saw big economic growth, NAFTA, and some unforgettable scandals. He’s also a Grammy winner and runs a global foundation.
Amy Adams: August 20, 1974
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Italy was home for Adams as a baby, but Colorado shaped her childhood. Ballet was her first discipline, though acting took over after high school. She paid her dues in dinner theater, then broke through with Junebug and its first Oscar nod. Roles in Enchanted, Arrival, and beyond have kept her name in the awards mix year after year.
Andrew Garfield: August 20, 1983
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Garfield split his childhood between Los Angeles and Surrey, England. He started out in theater before films like The Social Network put him in the spotlight. As Spider-Man, a WWII medic, and a struggling composer in Tick, Tick… Boom!, he’s tackled every genre without getting boxed in.
Usain Bolt: August 21, 1986
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Bolt’s first passion was cricket, not sprinting. Growing up in rural Jamaica, he only switched tracks when a coach saw how fast he was. The rest is sports history: world records, eight Olympic golds, and a nickname that stuck. Even after retirement, nobody’s matched his speed—or his presence on the track.
Kristen Wiig: August 22, 1973
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Wiig’s route went from New York to Arizona to Los Angeles, with improv setting the stage for everything after. She caught a break on Saturday Night Live, but Bridesmaids put her name on the marquee. Her work jumps between sharp comedy and quieter indie films, always anchored by a dry sense of humor.
Rupert Grint: August 24, 1988
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Rupert Grint rapped his way into the role of Ron Weasley with zero acting experience and became part of a global phenomenon. After the Harry Potter films wrapped, he stepped into indie projects and theater. He’s a low-key guy who now has a daughter and still manages to keep that ginger magic alive.
Blake Lively: August 25, 1987
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Acting wasn’t the original plan for Lively, even with a family in the business. One audition led to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, which led to Gossip Girl and instant recognition. Now she balances films, four kids, and a couple of beverage brands, plus an eye for design that shows up both on and off screen.
Rachel Bilson – August 25, 1981
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Los Angeles was always home for Bilson, whose family worked in the industry. She became widely recognized as Summer Roberts on The O.C., a role that defined early 2000s television for many. Later, she moved on to Hart of Dixie and took on projects in fashion and design. Bilson balances her career with raising a daughter.
Donnie Yen – August 27, 1963
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Yen grew up learning martial arts from his mother and split his early years between China and Boston. His breakthrough came in Hong Kong cinema, especially with the Ip Man series. Hollywood followed with roles in Rogue One and Mulan. Yen also directs and choreographs, and regularly appears in public service roles in China.
Cameron Diaz – August 30, 1972
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Diaz went from teen model to big-screen breakout in The Mask with no acting experience. Her film run includes hits like There’s Something About Mary and Shrek. She later took a break from acting, launched wellness brands, and wrote a book. Now she’s back in action with a Netflix comeback on the way.
Bebe Rexha – August 30, 1989
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Bebe won a songwriting award before high school ended. She wrote The Monster for Eminem and Rihanna and then built a solo career with hits like Meant to Be. Bebe blends pop with country, dance, and rock and has opened up about PCOS while advocating for body positivity.