While the Fourth of July is most famous for being the date on which 13 colonies declared their independence from England and eventually formed the United States, this legendary party day also happens to be the birthday for a long list of celebrities, singers, athletes, and otherwise historic figures. Here's a look at some of the well-known people, past and present, who have an extra reason to celebrate this federal holiday.
It seems somehow appropriate to start by recognizing a president born on the nation's birthday — in fact, the only president to be born on the holiday: Calvin Coolidge, the nation's 30th president, born in 1872 in a tiny hamlet in Vermont. (Though only one president was born on the holiday, three of the first five presidents died on July 4: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe all passed away on Independence Day. In fact, Jefferson and Adams died the very same year — 1826. Monroe died in 1831.)
Legendary in her era, Eva Marie Saint starred on Broadway and television and in movies. She was born in 1924 in Newark, New Jersey. Some of her most famous roles included starring in "On the Waterfront" (for which she won an Academy Award) and in Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest."
Longtime owner of the New York Yankees George Michael Steinbrenner was born in 1930 near Cleveland. Part of a wealthy shipping family, Steinbrenner eventually joined the business himself, growing it until he was able to create an investment division that bought the Yankees for $10 million.
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A journalist turned sensationalist TV talk show host who is also an attorney, Geraldo Rivera was born in 1943 in Brooklyn as Gerald Michael Riviera though his parents' surname was Rivera. In an autobiography, "Exposing Myself," the journalist said his mother, who was of Russian-Jewish ancestry, was trying to shield him and her other children from discrimination by misspelling their surname on the birth certificates, as they were products of a mixed marriage.
American singer, songwriter, and musician Bill Withers was born in Slab Fork, West Virginia in 1938. His hits include such well-known songs as "Lean on Me," "Ain't No Sunshine," and "Just the Two of Us." He was the subject of the 2009 documentary film "Still Bill." Withers died in March 2020.
Literary giant Nathanial Hawthorne was born in 1804. Most famous for "The Scarlet Letter," the author is also a descendant of one of the leading figures in the Salem witch trials: His great-great-grandfather, John Hathorne, was a judge during the infamous trials known for convicting detainees hastily and refusing to reconsider verdicts even after major witnesses had recanted testimony. Hawthorne was so ashamed of his ancestor's role in the trials that he decided to add a "w" to his last name to distance himself from the family history.
Though younger generations may not remember her, Landers, who was born Esther Pauline "Eppie" Lederer in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1918, was famous for her advice column back when newspapers were still a major force in the United States. Her column, "Ask Ann Landers," was syndicated in more than 1,000 newspapers over 50 years.
Ann Landers had a twin sister, Pauline Esther Phillips, who also penned a legendary advice column! (Hers was known as "Dear Abby.") The sisters attended the same college and held a joint marriage ceremony — followed by their not speaking for years because they were rivals in the advice business.
Daughter of President Barack Obama, Malia is one of the modern-day Fourth of July babies, born in 1998. Now 23 and a Harvard graduate working in Hollywood, the former president’s eldest daughter is fond of celebrating her big day in chic Hamptons hot spots.
Those who have seen Tom Cruise's 1989 movie "Born on the Fourth of July" may recognize this name — Vietnam veteran and antiwar activist Ron Kovic is the man Cruise portrayed. He was born in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, in 1946, and later went on to join the Marines. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1965 and during his second tour of duty in 1968 was struck by enemy fire and left paralyzed from the chest down. Kovic's autobiography was adapted into Oliver Stone's film, which won two Academy Awards.
One of the most successful playwrights in American history, Neil Simon was born in 1927 in the Bronx, New York. The long list of Broadway productions written by Simon (many made into movies) famously includes Tony-award-winning "The Odd Couple," as well as "The Star-Spangled Girl," "Plaza Suite," and "Last of the Red Hot Lovers." Simon also wrote a trilogy of autobiographical plays that included "Brighton Beach Memoirs," "Biloxi Blues," and "Broadway Bound." ("Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "Biloxi Blues" were made into movies.)
A legendary Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, Rube Goldberg was born in San Francisco in 1883. He was perhaps most famous for the cartoon character Professor Lucifer Gorgonzola Butts, who came up with overly complicated contraptions to complete very simple jobs. Goldberg is one of the few people whose name became an adjective; Merriam-Webster defines "Rube Goldberg" as "accomplishing by complex means what seemingly could be done simply."
Celebrity chef and food writer Andrew Zimmern was born in New York in 1961. He's hosted such shows such as "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern" and "Bizarre Foods America." Zimmern won his first James Beard Award in 2010.
While few people may know her name, Henrietta Swan Leavitt, born in 1868 in Lancaster, Massachusetts, was a successful astronomer in her day. She graduated from Radcliffe and worked at the Harvard College Observatory examining photographic plates to measure and catalog the brightness of stars. Leavitt made a discovery that allowed astronomers to measure the distance between Earth and faraway galaxies.
Reality TV star Mike Sorrentino (aka "The Situation" from MTV's "Jersey Shore") was born in 1981. This July 4 baby went on to amass quite a fortune — racking up $5 million in 2010 alone from endorsements and reality TV work. He also racked up federal charges and pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. After serving his time in federal prison, he was released in September 2019.
A billionaire who earned herself a very bad name for being so mean, Leona Helmsley was born in 1920 and went on to become a hotel operator and real estate investor in New York City. The daughter of a Brooklyn hatmaker, she married real estate developer Harry Helmsley in 1982. Later, she would cast herself in ad campaigns for Helmsley Palace Hotel as the nitpicking monarch.
He may not be a household name today, but Stephen Foster was not only born on the nation’s birthday but seen as the "father of American music." Foster, born in 1826, wrote more than 200 songs including "Oh! Susanna" and "Camptown Races." Though his life seemed so promising, given all of his success with music, Foster died in the charity ward of New York's Bellevue Hospital at just 37. Publishers, as it turns out, pocketed most of the money from his work.
Cinematographer John Leonetti’s work includes such films as "The Conjuring," "The Mask," and "Insidious: Chapter 2." Born in 1956 in California, Leonetti got his start in showbiz working for the motion picture business started by his father, Frank Leonetti — whose own credits include gaffing for such films such as "The Wizard of Oz" and "Singin' in the Rain."
Though early childhood records indicate Meyer Lansky was born Aug. 28, 1902, Meyer Lansky's family always celebrated his birthday on July 4 and recognized his birthday as July 4, 1902. Lansky was famous for being "the Mob's accountant," and ran with a legendary pack of gangsters that included Charles "Lucky" Luciano and Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel. Lansky was considered to be one of the most important figures in the development of organized crime in New York, nationwide, and worldwide in the 20th century. His family immigrated to this country from Russia in 1911.
A former NFL quarterback who arrived on the scene playing for the Arizona Cardinals in 2002, Josh McCown was born in 1979, in Jacksonville, Texas. His career included playing for the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He comes from a football family: He is the older brother of fellow NFL quarterback Luke McCown, who also retired in 2018.
Pam Shriver was born in Baltimore in 1962 and became a five-time Wimbledon doubles champion and a 1988 Olympic gold medalist. Shriver and Martina Navratilova won 79 double titles, including 20 Grand Slams. Altogether, Shriver won 21 singles and 112 doubles titles.
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Another well-known sports industry figure, Al Davis, born in 1929 in Brockton, Massachusetts, owned the Oakland Raiders from 1966 until 2011. He also served as a commissioner of the American Football League and was instrumental in the AFL's merger with the National Football League.
Actress Gloria Stuart was born on a dining room table in Santa Monica, California, in 1910. She put on plays in her home as a young girl and was the star of her senior class play at Santa Monica High School in 1927 before starring in several Hollywood movies. She won a Screen Actors Guild Award and an Oscar nomination for her performance as Old Rose in "Titanic."
Born in Los Angeles in 1980 as Carrie Nile, this July 4 baby is most famous for such shows as "Bravo After Hours with Carrie Keagan," "Big Morning Buzz Live," and appeared on "The Apprentice" in 2004. Keagan is also well-known for conducting funny, naughty interviews with Hollywood's elite, which have earned more than 2 billion views online and resulted in her nickname "Barbara Walters on Acid."
Fans of Christian rock bands will likely recognize Michael Harrison Sweet, born in 1963 in Whittier, California — co-founder, writer, lead guitarist, lead vocalist, and frontman for Stryper. His additional claim to fame is serving as co-lead vocalist and guitarist for Boston from 2007 to 2011.
An actor and producer known for his roles in "Star Trek Into Darkness" and "Last Action Hero," Lee Reherman was born in Kentucky in 1966. Reherman, who attended Cornell University, also earned an MBA from UCLA and a Ph.D. in economics. Before becoming an actor he tried out for the Miami Dolphins, but did not make the team. Reherman died in 2016.
An up-and-coming actor and producer, Mo McRae was born in Los Angeles in 1982. His credits to date include "Wild" (2014), as well as Lee Daniels' "The Butler" (2013) and the 2018 film "The First Purge." McRae is known for his recurring role as Tyler in the FX series "Sons of Anarchy."
Remember the band Slaughter? Okay, maybe you don't. Mark Allen Slaughter was one of the founders of the rock band and a voice actor (including as the voice of "Freakazoid" on the 1990s cartoon "Animaniacs") and composer.
Becki Newton, born in 1978 in New Haven, Connecticut, played Amanda Tanen on TV's "Ugly Betty" and Quinn Garvey in another hit, "How I Met Your Mother." Newton also appeared in a slew of nationally broadcast commercials and in guest roles on such shows as "Cold Case" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
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An American rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer, Post Malone was born Austin Richard Post in Syracuse, New York, in 1995. In 2015, he released his single "White Iverson," a song that made the Billboard Hot 100 and was later certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Born in Brooklyn in 1981, Safaree Samuels is a rapper, songwriter, actor, and TV personality perhaps best known as one of the members of the VH1 reality show "Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood." He has also served as hype man for rapper and artist Nicki Minaj and worked on some of her albums as co-executive producer.
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