Happy birthday to John Cleese, Kelly Osbourne, and Simon Le Bon! October 27 brings another round of star power, and we’re
marking the occasion by celebrating 10 familiar faces born on this day.
Dive in for quick facts and links to each celebrity’s profile, and tell us if you share your day with any of these stars in the comments below.
#1 Actor and Comedian John Cleese, 87
Celebrated for his razor-sharp wit and slapstick mastery, British comic actor John Cleese co-founded the legendary comedy troupe Monty Python. He gained global fame through Fawlty Towers and earned an Oscar nomination for writing the hit film A Fish Called Wanda.
Outside of acting, he authored books on psychology and co-founded Video Arts to produce corporate training videos.
Little-known fact:
He was already six feet tall by the age of twelve, making him an easy target for school bullies.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
#2 Television Personality Kelly Osbourne, 42
Rising to fame on her family’s groundbreaking reality television series, British television personality Kelly Osbourne captured international attention with her sharp humor and unvarnished honesty. She went on to score a UK number-one single with “Changes”, co-host Fashion Police for five seasons, and compete on Dancing with the Stars.
Little-known fact:
Her duet of “Changes” with her father made them the first father-daughter duo to top the UK chart in thirty-six years.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
#3 Singer and Songwriter Simon Le Bon, 68
Flamboyant stage presence and soaring vocals defined British singer Simon Le Bon, who gained worldwide fame as the frontman of synth-pop legends Duran Duran. His chart-topping singles like “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Rio” earned multiple Grammy Awards and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Offstage, he is a passionate ocean sailor.
Little-known fact:
During a 1985 yacht race, his sailboat capsized and trapped him underwater for forty minutes before rescue divers saved the entire crew.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
#4 Actor and Director Roberto Benigni, 74
Famed for his energetic slapstick and emotional depth, Italian actor and director Roberto Benigni won international acclaim with his Oscar winning masterpiece Life Is Beautiful. He directed and starred in several popular Italian comedies while touring globally with poetic stage performances.
Off screen, he enjoys classical poetry.
Little-known fact:
During the 1999 Academy Awards ceremony, he famously jumped over theatre seats to reach the stage after winning Best Foreign Language Film.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
#5 Singer and Songwriter Mariah the Scientist, 29
Blending raw emotional transparency with modern R&B melodies, American singer-songwriter Mariah the Scientist gained widespread recognition through her reflective discography. She earned critical acclaim with projects like Master and To Be Eaten Alive while building a global fanbase through energetic live tours.
Before pursuing music full time, she studied biology in college.
Little-known fact:
Before launching her music career, she attended college on a biology scholarship with plans to become a pediatric anesthesiologist.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
#6 Author Fran Lebowitz, 76
Renowned for her razor-sharp wit and iconic New York sensibility, American author and public speaker Fran Lebowitz captivated readers with her bestselling essay collections. She later reached global streaming audiences starring in the Netflix docuseries Pretend It’s a City and the documentary Public Speaking.
Off camera, she is famous for avoiding modern technology.
Little-known fact:
She famously lives without a smartphone, computer, typewriter, or microwave oven, preferring to write entirely by hand.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
#7 Actor Robert Picardo, 73
Celebrated for his razor-sharp wit and intellect, American actor Robert Picardo gained fame playing the Emergency Medical Hologram on Star Trek: Voyager. His distinguished career spans acclaimed roles in China Beach and The Wonder Years alongside extensive work in stage and voice acting.
Off screen, he advocates passionately for space exploration.
Little-known fact:
Before pursuing acting at Yale University, Robert Picardo was enrolled as a pre-med student aiming to become a real-life medical doctor.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
#8 Actor Patrick Fugit, 44
Renowned for his earnest screen portrayals, American actor Patrick Fugit captured international attention with his breakout performance in Almost Famous. He went on to deliver compelling roles in indie favorites like Wristcutters: A Love Story and high-profile projects such as Gone Girl and Love & Death.
Off screen, he is a dedicated musician and avid skateboarder.
Little-known fact:
When auditioning for Almost Famous, he initially believed Led Zeppelin was a single person rather than a famous rock band.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
#9 Actress and Model Marla Maples, 63
Gaining national fame as a Georgia-born performer, American actress and television host Marla Maples built a versatile career across Broadway, film, and television. She starred in the Broadway musical hit The Will Rogers Follies, appeared in feature films like Executive Decision, competed on Dancing with the Stars, and advocates for holistic health.
Little-known fact:
Before moving to New York, she was a high school basketball star and was crowned homecoming queen in Georgia.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
#10 Singer and Songwriter Lee Greenwood, 84
Known for his powerful patriotic anthems and distinct vocal grit, American country music singer Lee Greenwood built an enduring legacy across decades of performances. He earned a Grammy Award and charted seven No. 1 country hits, including his iconic anthem “God Bless the U.S.A.”.
Offstage, he has served on the National Council on the Arts.
Little-known fact:
Before achieving country music stardom, Lee Greenwood spent nearly two decades performing in Nevada casinos and working as a blackjack dealer.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
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