Is April 21st your birthday? Was someone special to you born on April 21st? With whom will you choose to celebrate this excellent occasion?
If today is your birthday, then you are in excellent company.
(If someone you love is celebrating another year today, why not forward this list to the birthday boy or girl? Click SHARE at the bottom of this page to email the entire article with your “Happy Birthday” message.)
April 21st was the birth date of several notable (or even notorious) individuals. Here they are:
April 21st Birthdays: Famous Artists
French film director Marcel Camus (Black Orpheus) was born on April 21, 1912.
Lodovico Carracci, Italian Baroque painter (The Agony in the Garden, The Assumption of the Virgin, Bargellini Madonna, A Group of Angels with Flowers and Vases, A Group of Angels with Wreaths and Books, The Marriage of the Virgin, The Martyrdom of St. Ursula, Reclining Faun, St. Francis in Meditation, St. Sebastian Thrown into the Cloaca Maxima and Susannah and the Elders), was born on April 21, 1555.
John Cameron Mitchell, American film director (Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Shortbus) and actor (Band of the Hand, Book of Love, Just Along for the Ride, Misplaced, My Father’s Son: The Legacy of Alcoholism, One More Saturday Night and Party Girl), was born on April 21, 1963.
British fashion photographer Ronald William (Norman Parkinson) Smith (Vogue Magazine) was born on April 21, 1913. Norman Parkinson’s published works included Norman Parkinson, Norman Parkinson: Portraits in Fashion, Sisters Under the Skin and Would You Let Your Daughter.
Randall Thompson, American operatic and choral music composer (Alleluia, The Nativity According to St. Luke, The Peaceable Kingdom, Solomon and Balkis and The Testament of Freedom), was born on April 21, 1899.
Dutch-Flemish painter Petrus Van Schendel (An Evening Delight, Evening Market Scene, The Fishmarket on the Groenmarkt, The Main Square in The Hague in the Evening andA Summer Evening by Lamp and by Moonlight) was born on April 21, 1806.
April 21st Birthdays: Famous Athletes
American professional baseball player Alonza Benjamin (Al Bumbry) Bumbrey was born on April 21, 1947. Al Bumbry played for the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres.
Jacques Caron, Canadian professional hockey player (Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks) and coach (Hartford Whalers and New Jersey Devils), was born on April 21, 1940.
Bob Cleary, American hockey player and Olympic gold medalist (1960), was born on April 21, 1936.
British swimmer Samantha Druce was born on April 21, 1971. In 1983, at age 12, Samantha Druce became the youngest woman ever to have swum the English Channel.
Reginald Stephen (Reg) Fleming, Canadian professional hockey player, was born on April 21, 1936. Known as the Ruffian, Reg Fleming played for the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cougars, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.
Louis Hostin, French weightlifter and Olympic gold medalist (1932 and 1936), was born on April 21, 1908.
Julius Korir, Kenyan equestrian (steeplechase) and Olympic gold medalist (1984), was born on April 21, 1960.
Danyon Joseph Loader, New Zealand swimmer and Olympic gold medalist (1996), was born on April 21, 1975.
Joseph Vincent (Joe) McCarthy, American professional baseball player and coach (New York Yankees), was born on April 21, 1887. Joe McCarthy played for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees.
American professional football player Antonio Ramiro (Tony) Romo (Dallas Cowboys) was born on April 21, 1980.
Carnell Lamar (Cadillac) Williams, American professional football player (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) was born on April 21, 1982.
April 21st Birthdays: Famous Authors and Journalists
Charlotte Bronte, British novelist (Jane Eyre, The Professor, Shirley and Villette), was born on April 21, 1816. Charlotte Bronte’s sisters included authors Anne Bronte and Emily Bronte. Charlotte Bronte also wrote under the pseudonym Currer Bell.
American psychologist and author James Clayton (Jim) Dobson was born on April 21, 1936. Founder of Focus on the Family, Jim Dobson has published dozens of books, including Bringing Up Boys: Practical Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Men, Dare to Discipline, Emotions: Can You Trust Them, Life on the Edge, Parenting Isn’t for Cowards: Dealing Confidently With the Frustrations of Child-Rearing, Preparing for Adolescence, The Strong-Willed Child, Temper Your Child’s Tantrums and When God Doesn’t Make Sense.
Reginald Heber, British poet, hymnist and author (Europe: Lines on the Present War, A Journey through India and Palestine: a Poem), was born on April 21, 1783. Reginald Heber’s best known hymns include “Bread of the World,” “Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning,” “By Cool Siloam’s Shady Rill,” “From Greenland’s Icy Mountains” and “Holy Holy Holy.”
American humorist and author Henry Wheeler (Josh Billings) Shaw was born on April 21, 1818. Josh Billings wrote Everybody’s Friend, Farmers’ Allminax, Josh Billings’ Sayings and Josh Billings’ Trump Kards.
Aiden Wilson (A. W. Tozer), American Protestant pastor and author, was born on April 21, 1897. A. W. Tozer wrote many books, including The Divine Conquest, The Knowledge of the Holy, Paths to Power, The Pursuit of Godand The Root of Righteousness.
April 21st Birthdays: Famous Business Leaders
German toymaker and teacher Friedrich Froebel was born on April 21, 1782. Friedrich Froebel has been credited with the invention of wooden toy blocks and the formation of the first kindergarten.
April 21st Birthdays: Famous Performers
American country music singer and songwriter Carl Belew (“Am I That Easy to Forget,” “Crystal Chandeliers,” “Little Miss Heartache,” “Lonely Street,” “Stop the World and Let Me Off,” “That’s When I See the Blues in Your Pretty Brown Eyes,” “Welcome Back to My World” and “What’s He Doing in My World”) was born on April 21, 1931. Carl Belew’s songs have been recorded by Rex Allen, Jr., Eddy Arnold, Patsy Cline, Skeeter Davis, Don Gibson, Engelbert Humperdinck, Waylon Jennings, Johnnie & Jack, Susan Raye, Jim Reeves, Debbie Reynolds, Leon Russell, Gene Vincent, Andy Williams and other artists.
Paul Carrack, British rock pianist, singer and songwriter (Ace, Mike and the Mechanics, Noise to Go, Roxy Music and Squeeze), was born on April 21, 1951.
American country music and pop singer and songwriter Paul Davis was born on April 21, 1948. Paul Davis’ most popular songs included “65 Love Affair,” “Boogie Woogie Man,” “Cool Night,” “Do Right,” “I Go Crazy,” “I Just Wanna Keep It Together,” “I Won’t Take Less Than Your Love,” “A Little Bit of Soap,” “Love or Let Me Be Lonely,” “Ride ‘Em Cowboy,” “Superstar,” “Sweet Life” and “You’re Still New to Me.” Susan Collins, Marie Osmond, Paul Overstreet, Tanya Tucker and other artists have performed with Paul Davis.
Michael Franti, American hip hop, reggae and folk singer and songwriter (Spearhead), was born on April 21, 1966.
American comedian, television personality (60 Minutes II and The Charles Grodin Show) and actor Charles Grodin was born on April 21, 1935. Charles Grodin has appeared in Beethoven I, Beethoven II, Catch-22, Clifford, Dave, The Great Muppet Caper, The Heartbreak Kid, Heaven Can Wait, It Runs in the Family, King Kong, Midnight Run, Rosemary’s Baby and Seems Like Old Times.
Glen Hansard, Irish rock guitarist, singer (The Frames), songwriter, actor (Once) and Academy Award winner (2007), was born on April 21, 1970.
American actor and television personality Anthony Salvatore (Tony Danza) Iadanza was born on April 21, 1951. Tony Danza has appeared in Angels in the Outfield, Baby Talk, Family Law, Going Ape, The Hollywood Knights, Hudson Street, She’s Out of Control, Taxi, The Tony Danza Show and Who’s the Boss.
Patti LuPone, American singer and actress (1941, City by the Sea, Driving Miss Daisy, Just Looking, King of the Gypsies, LBJ, Life Goes On, Oz, The Song Spinner, Summer of Sam, The Victim and Witness), was born on April 21, 1949.
American actress Rosalie Anderson (Andie) MacDowell was born on April 21, 1958. Andie MacDowell has appeared in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Green Card, Greystroke: The Legend of Tarzan Lord of the Apes, Groundhog Day, Multiplicity, The Player, Sex Lies and Videotape, Short Cuts, St. Elmo’s Fire and Unstrung Heroes.
Ernie Maresca, American pop singer (The Regents) and songwriter, was born on April 21, 1939. Ernie Maresca’s most popular songs included “Barbara Ann,” “Donna the Prima Donna,” “Lovers Who Wander,” “No One Knows,” “Party Girl,” “Runaround Sue,” “Shout Shout – Knock Yourself Out,” “The Wanderer” and “Whenever a Teenager Cries.” The Beach Boys, The Belmonts, Bernadette Carroll, Dion di Mucci, Reparata and the Delrons and other artists recorded songs written by Ernie Maresca.
American comedienne (with Mike Nichols), actress and film director Elaine Berlin May was born on April 21, 1932. Daughter of actors Ida Berlin and Jack Berlin, Elaine May appeared in California Suite and A New Leaf. Elaine May directed The Heartbreak Kid, Ishtar, Mikey and Nicky and A New Leaf.
James Andrew McAvoy, Scottish actor, was born on April 21, 1979. James McAvoy has appeared in Atonement, Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune, Gnomeo and Juliet, The Last King of Scotland, Shameless and Wanted. James McAvoy married actress Anne-Marie Duff.
American punk and grunge rock singer and songwriter James Newell (Iggy Pop) Osterburg was born on April 21, 1947. Iggy Pop has been called The Godfather of Punk and The Rock Iguana. Performing with The Iguanas, The Psychedelic Stooges, The Stooges and solo, Iggy Pop has had several popular songs, including “Candy,” “I’m Bored,” “Lust for Life,” “The Passenger” and “Real Wild Child.
Mexican-Irish actor and Academy Award winner (1952 and 1956) Antonio (Anthony Quinn) Quinones was born on April 21, 1915. Anthony Quinn appeared in The Guns of Navarone, Hercules, The Inheritance, Last Action Hero, Lawrence of Arabia, Lust for Life, The Old Man and the Sea, La Strada, Viva Zapata, A Walk in the Clouds, Wild Is the Wind and Zorba the Greek.
Robert Smith, British rock guitarist, singer and songwriter (The Cure), was born on April 21, 1959.
American comedienne, television personality (MADtv), voice-over artist (Family Guy, Kim Possible, The Penguins of Madagascar, The Secret Saturdays and Slacker Cats) and actress (Chelsea Daniels of the Diamond, The King of Queens, Meet the Robinsons, Rita Rocks and Scrubs) Nicole Julianne Sullivan was born on April 21, 1970.
Michael Timmins, Canadian rock and country music guitarist and songwriter (Cowboy Junkies), was born on April 21, 1959.
American jazz and pop singer and songwriter Louis (Don Cornell) Varlaro was born on April 21, 1919. Don Cornell performed with Sammy Kaye, Red Nichols and other artists. The best known Don Cornell songs include “The Bible Tells Me So,” “Heart of My Heart,” ” Hold My Hand,” “I’ll Walk Alone,” “I’m Yours,” “It Isn’t Fair,” “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing,” “Most of All” and “This is the Beginning of the End.”
Clara Ward, American Gospel singer, was born on April 21, 1924. Daughter to Gospel singer Gertrude Ward, Clara Ward performed with The Clara Ward Gospel Troupe, The Clara Ward Specials, The Famous Ward Singers, The Gertrude Ward Singers and The Ward Trio.
American operatic baritone Leonard Warren was born on April 21, 1911.
John Weider, British rock bassist (Family), was born on April 21, 1947.
April 21st Birthdays: Famous Scientists
Scottish-American naturalist and conservationist John Muir was born on April 21, 1838. John Muir’s published works included John of the Mountains, The Mountains of California, Steep Trails and The Story of My Boyhood and Youth.
April 21st Birthdays: Famous World (and Other) Leaders
Russian Empress Catherine the Great was born on April 21, 1729.
British Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor) was born on April 21, 1926. Daughter to British King George VI, Elizabeth II is mother to Prince Charles of Wales, Prince Edward, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne.
Hans Hedtoft, Premier of Denmark, was born on April 21, 1903.
Do you know any others who are celebrating birthdays on April 21st?
If you know additional notable people (including yourself) who may be celebrating a birthday on April 21st, please indicate so in a comment below. Thank you!
Happy Birthday, April 21st.
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