Born 1930

Gene Hackman (1930–2025), Oscar-winning star of The French Connection

Gene Hackman was an Oscar-winning actor and novelist who starred in films including “The French Connection,” “Mississippi Burning,” and “Unforgiven.”

Osamu Suzuki (1930–2024), chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation

Osamu Suzuki was the longtime head of Suzuki Motor Corp., serving at various times as its CEO, chairman, and president until his retirement in 2021, and helping turn the company from a small Japanese manufacturer into a global giant. 

Rodessa Barrett Porter (1930–2024), gospel music great

Rodessa Barrett Porter was the last surviving member of the beloved gospel trio The Barrett Sisters.

Fred R. Harris (1930–2024), former Oklahoma senator

Fred R. Harris was a former U.S. senator from Oklahoma who once chaired the Democratic National Committee and twice sought a presidential nomination.

Gena Rowlands (1930–2024), A Woman Under the Influence star

Gena Rowlands was an actress known for roles in such films as “A Woman Under the Influence” (1974) and “Gloria” (1980), both of which earned her Academy Award nominations for Best Actress.

Mitzi McCall (1930–2024), comedian and Seinfeld actress

Mitzi McCall was an actress and comedian known for roles on such TV shows as “Seinfeld,” “Life Goes On,” and “Alright Already,” and for her appearance on an iconic episode of “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

Edna O’Brien (1930–2024), Irish author of The Country Girls

Edna O’Brien was an Irish author whose acclaimed books included her groundbreaking 1960 debut novel, “The Country Girls.” 

Al Ruddy (1930–2024), Oscar-winning Godfather producer

Al Ruddy was an Oscar-winning producer who won acclaim for “The Godfather” and “Million Dollar Baby.” He also co-created the TV shows “Hogan’s Heroes” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.” 

Faith Ringgold (1930–2024), artist known for quilts 

Faith Ringgold was an artist and author known for her quilts, paintings and children’s books depicting Black American life.

John Barth (1930–2024), The Sot-Weed Factor novelist

John Barth was an author known for postmodern novels like “The Sot-Weed Factor” and “Giles Goat-Boy.”

Esther Coopersmith (1930–2024), diplomat and host to powerful people 

Esther Coopersmith was an unofficial Washington D.C. diplomat who for more than 70 years organized events for political power players all across the world.

Thomas Stafford (1930–2024), NASA commander on mission with Soviets 

Thomas Stafford was a NASA astronaut who served as commander in the 1975 Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP), the first joint mission between the U.S. and Soviet space programs.

Jackie Loughery (1930–2024), first Miss USA

Jackie Loughery was the winner of the first ever Miss USA pageant in 1952 and went on to an acting career.

Roy Calne (1930–2024), pioneering organ transplant surgeon

Roy Calne was a British surgeon who specialized in organ transplants, working with the teams who conducted the first liver transplant, intestinal transplant, and several pioneering combined transplants.

Francoise Bornet (1930–2023), woman from the Paris kiss photo

Francoise Bornet became an enduring symbol of romance when she and her then boyfriend, Jacques Carteaud, were featured in “The Kiss by the Hí´tel de Ville,” a 1950 photograph by Robert Doisneau that has become a staple of posters, postcards, and home décor.  

Jack Axelrod (1930–2023), General Hospital mob boss Victor Jerome

Jack Axelrod was an actor who was best known for playing mob boss Victor Jerome in the daytime soap General Hospital in the 1980s.

Edmundo Desnoes (1930–2023), author of Memorias del subdesarrollo 

Edmundo Desnoes was the author of the novel “Memorias del subdesarrollo,” which was adapted into an acclaimed film.

Sandra Day O’Connor (1930–2023), first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court

Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Frances Sternhagen (1930–2023), Tony-winning star of stage and screen

Frances Sternhagen was an award-winning actress on stage and screen who won Tony Awards for her work in “The Good Doctor” and “The Heiress,” as well as Emmy Award nominations for her recurring roles on “Cheers” and “Sex and the City.” 

Elaine Devry (1930–2023), The Atomic Kid actress

Elaine Devry was an actress who appeared in such films as “The Atomic Kid” and “A Guide for the Married Man,” and was briefly married to Mickey Rooney in the 1950s.

Richard Davis (1930–2023), bassist for Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen 

Richard Davis was a jazz bassist and session musician who recorded with Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Dolphy, and many others.

Marilyn Lillie Lovell (1930–2023), wife of astronaut Jim Lovell

Marilyn Lillie Lovell was the wife of NASA astronaut Jim Lovell and an active member of the Astronaut Wives Club.

Richard O. Simpson (1930–2023), U.S.'s first consumer safety chief

Richard O. Simpson was an American businessman and entrepreneur who became the first chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Mary Ann Hoberman (1930–2023), award-winning children’s author

Mary Ann Hoberman was a poet and National Book Award winner for her 1978 children’s book “A House Is a House for Me.” 

Sue Johanson (1930–2023), TV host and sex educator 

Sue Johanson was a Canadian sex educator known for her popular TV show, “Sunday Night Sex Show.”

Carmen Sevilla (1930–2023), Golden Age of Hollywood star

Carmen Sevilla, a Spanish-born actress from the Golden Age of Hollywood, portrayed characters in major epics like “King of Kings” and “Antony and Cleopatra.” 

Brett Hadley (1930–2023), The Young and the Restless actor 

Brett Hadley was an actor best known for playing police detective Carl Williams on the soap opera “The Young and the Restless.”

John Romita Sr. (1930–2023), iconic Marvel Comics artist 

John Romita Sr., long-time Marvel Comicsartist, was best known for his iconic work on Spider-Man, as well as for co-creating characters such as Mary Jane Watson, Wolverine, and The Punisher.

Pat Robertson (1930–2023), televangelist who hosted The 700 Club

Pat Robertson was a former Southern Baptist minister and political commentator who founded the Christian Broadcasting Network and hosted its flagship show, “The 700 Club,” since 1966.

Barry Newman (1930–2023), actor known for Vanishing Point 

Barry Newman was an Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actor best known for his roles in the film “Vanishing Point” and the TV series “Petrocelli.” 

Roger Craig (1930–2023), former MLB pitcher and coach 

Roger Craig was a former MLB pitcher, coach, and manager who was part of four World Championship teams and whose advocacy for the split-finger fastball helped popularize the pitch.

Tom Hornbein (1930–2023), first to ascend Mount Everest’s West Ridge

Tom Hornbein was one of the team of mountaineers who made the first ascent up Mount Everest’s treacherous West Ridge in 1963. 

Dick Groat (1930–2023), World Series champ with Pirates, Cardinals 

Dick Groat was a baseball and basketball player who won two World Series, with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Ahmad Jamal (1930–2023), innovative jazz pianist

Ahmad Jamal was a jazz pianist and bandleader known for his minimalist style and for songs including “Poinciana.” 

Mary Quant (1930–2023), pioneering miniskirt designer

Dame Mary Quant was a British fashion designer who pioneered 1960s styles including the miniskirt and hotpants.

Walter “Darcelle XV” Cole (1930–2023), world’s oldest drag performer

Walter Cole was a drag queen better known by his stage name, Darcelle XV , certified the world’s oldest working drag performer by Guinness World Records in 2016.

Rolly Crump (1930–2023), Disneyland designer

Rolly Crump was a Disney animator who played a large part in the design of Disneyland, including the iconic It’s a Small World ride.

Pat McCormick (1930–2023), Olympic gold medal-winning diver

Four-time Olympic gold-winning diver Pat McCormick was so dominant, she won two medals in the 1956 games just five months after giving birth to her son, Tim. She was among the most dominant competitors in her field, winning 26 titles in an 11-year span, including two undefeated seasons. When not competing, she pursued adventure where she could, including mountain climbing, traveling the Amazon, and piloting planes.

Ricou Browning (1930–2023), Creature from the Black Lagoon’s Gill-man

Ricou Browning was an actor, stuntman, screenwriter, and director who played the Gill-man in the classic horror film “Creature from the Black Lagoon.”

Gordon Pinsent (1930–2023), prolific Canadian actor

Gordon Pinsent was a Canadian actor known for movies and TV shows including “Away from Her” and “The Red Green Show.”

Lupe Serrano (1930–2023), ballerina who danced with Nureyev

Lupe Serrano was a prima ballerina with the renowned American Ballet Theatre.

Helen Slayton-Hughes (1930–2022), Ethel Beavers on “Parks and Recreation”

Helen Slayton-Hughes was an actress best known for playing court stenographer Ethel Beavers on the NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation.”

Jim Stewart (1930–2022), Stax Records co-founder

Jim Stewart was a record producer who co-founded the iconic Memphis label Stax Records.

Austin Stoker (1930–2022), “Assault on Precinct 13” star

Austin Stoker was an actor who starred in movies including John Carpenter’s “Assault on Precinct 13.”

Bill Pearl (1930–2022), legendary bodybuilder

Bill Pearl was a legendary golden age bodybuilder who won the Mr. Universe title four times.  

Jean-Luc Godard (1930–2022), director and pioneer of the French New Wave film movement

Jean-Luc Godard was a French director who pioneered post-war French cinema by establishing the French New Wave film movement.

Moon Landrieu (1930–2022), former New Orleans mayor who advocated integration

Moon Landrieu  was the former mayor of New Orleans who was a strong advocate for civil rights during his tenure in the 1970s.   

Frank Drake (1930–2022), pioneer in the search for extraterrestrial life

Frank Drake was the first scientist to use radio astronomy to search for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence.

Mable John (1930–2022), first woman signed to Motown Records

Mable John was a blues singer who became the first woman solo artist signed to Motown Records.