Born 1940

Roy Ayers (1940–2025), influential musician and composer

Roy Ayers was a musician and composer whose work on the vibraphone helped push the boundaries of jazz, soul, and funk through works like his 1976 classic, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.” 

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (1940–2025), Native American artist

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith was a Native American artist, activist, and curator who used her work to explore Native American identity and the United States’ history of oppressing indigenous people.

Bill McCartney (1940–2025), founder of the Promise Keepers 

Bill McCartney was a longtime football coach for the Colorado Buffaloes, leading the team to three straight Big Eight Conference titles, while forming the Promise Keepers ministry at the same time. 

Arthur Blessitt (1940–2025), pastor who traveled with a cross 

Arthur Blessitt was a Christian preacher who went on a record-breaking pilgrimage that saw him carrying a large cross through nearly every nation on Earth.

Anita Bryant (1940–2024), singer and anti-gay activist

Anita Bryant was a beauty queen and singer of the 1950s and ‘60s whose career was derailed by her high-profile crusade against LGBTQ rights.

Michael Cole (1940–2024), The Mod Squad actor

Michael Cole was an actor best known for playing Pete Cochran in the 1960s and ‘70s crime drama, “The Mod Squad,” and a 64-episode stint on “General Hospital.” 

Thom Christopher (1940–2024), One Life to Live star

Thom Christopher was an actor and soap opera star best known for his long runs on “One Life to Live” and “Loving,” as well as for playing Hawk on “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.” 

Joe Zuger (1940–2024), Canadian football veteran

Joe Zuger was a veteran Canadian football player best known for his 10 seasons playing for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and his later years as the team’s general manager.

Michael Villella (1940–2024), villain from The Slumber Party Massacre

Michael Villella was an actor best known as the drill-wielding villain from the 1982 cult-classic horror film, “The Slumber Party Massacre.”

Theodore B. Olson (1940–2024), lawyer who fought for gay marriage

Theodore B. Olson was a conservative lawyer who served under former presidents George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, best known for helping Bush secure the 2000 election and for arguing for gays’ right to marry.0

Phil Lesh (1940–2024), Grateful Dead bassist

Phil Lesh was a founding member of the Grateful Dead and remained the band’s bassist for its entire 30-year career.

Thelma Mothershed Wair (1940–2024), Little Rock Nine member

Thelma Mothershed Wair was the oldest of the Little Rock Nine, a group of Black students who integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957, prompting one of the most important civil rights clashes in American history. 

Pat Fischer (1940–2024), NFL cornerback

Pat Fischer was a cornerback for the St. Louis Cardinals and then-Washington Redskins, known as “Mouse” for his unusually small size.

Luis Tiant (1940–2024), Boston Red Sox great

Luis Tiant was a Major League Baseball pitcher known for his distinctive windup and his years playing for the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians.

Tommy Cash (1940–2024), country singer and brother of Johnny Cash

Tommy Cash was a country musician who enjoyed 11 Top 40 country hits, including three straight in the Top 10. He was the brother of country icon .

Pat Williams (1940–2024), co-founder of the Orlando Magic

Pat Williams was a longtime basketball executive who helped lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a championship and eventually became co-founder of the Orlando Magic.

Monte Kiffin (1940–2024), innovative NFL defensive coordinator 

Monte Kiffin was an NFL coach for more than 50 years known as an innovative defensive coordinator and creator of the widely imitated “Tampa 2” defense.

Ray St. Germain (1940–2024), well-known Winnipeg musician and TV host

Ray St. Germain was a popular Canadian musician and longtime host of Canadian television shows “Time for Living” and “Big Sky Country.” 

Mark James (1940–2024), songwriter of Hooked on a Feeling

Mark James was a songwriter who wrote a string of major hits performed by artists like Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson, including “Hooked on a Feeling,” “Suspicious Minds,” and “Always On My Mind.”

Chet Walker (1940–2024), Hall of Fame NBA forward

Chet Walker was a 13-year veteran of the NBA, a Hall of Fame forward, and a seven-time All-Star who played with the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls.

Zack Norman (1940–2024), Romancing the Stone actor 

Zack Norman was an actor, comedian, and producer who played an antiquities smuggler in “Romancing the Stone.” 

Roman Gabriel (1940–2024), Rams, Eagles quarterback 

Roman Gabriel was a quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles in the 1960s and ‘70s.

Roberto Cavalli (1940–2024), maximalist fashion designer

Roberto Cavalli was an Italian fashion designer known for his bold prints and inventive styles.

Ira von Fürstenberg (1940–2024), princess, socialite, and actress

Ira von Fürstenberg was an Italian princess and mid-century style icon who had a film career in the 1960s and ‘70s.

Robie Harris (1940–2024), frequently challenged children’s author 

Robie Harris was a children’s author whose books were often the target of challenges and bans.

Dick Traum (1940–2024), champion of disabled athletes 

Dick Traum was a disabled athlete, entrepreneur, and advocate whose organization, Achilles International, pushed athletic events to provide wider access and resources to competitors with disabilities.

Lance Larson (1940–2024), Olympic champ and record-holding swimmer

Lance Larson was an Olympic champion swimmer who was ultimately awarded a silver medal instead of gold in what is considered one of the most controversial calls in modern swimming history.

Ed Budde (1940–2023), Kansas City Chiefs icon

Ed Budde was a longtime guard for the Kansas City Chiefs who played in the first ever Super Bowl, was a multiple time All-Star and Pro Bowl pick, and whose son, Brad, was also a first round draftee with the Chiefs.

John Nichols (1940–2023), The Milagro Beanfield War author 

John Nichols was a New Mexico author known for “The Milagro Beanfield War.” 

Bobby Knight (1940–2023), legendary Indiana Hoosiers coach

Bobby Knight was a longtime basketball coach for the Indiana Hoosiers who became a college sports legend both for his remarkable winning record and for his notorious temper.

Burt Young (1940–2023), played Paulie in the Rocky series

Burt Young was an Oscar-nominated movie and television actor best known for playing Paulie, Rocky’s best friend and brother-in-law in the “Rocky” film series.

Ivor Robson (1940–2023), golf’s Voice of the Open 

Ivor Robson was a golf announcer best known for his long association with the British Open. 

Terry Dischinger (1940–2023), Hall of Fame basketball player 

Terry Dischinger was a College Basketball Hall of Fame player, three-time NBA All Star, and Olympic gold medal winner who became a patent-holding orthodontist.

Michael Gambon (1940–2023), played Dumbledore in Harry Potter

Sir Michael Gambon was an Irish-English actor best known worldwide for playing Professor Dumbledore in six of the “Harry Potter” films, from 2004 to 2011.

Larry Chance (1940–2023), doo-wop band leader of the Earls 

Larry Chance was a doo-wop singer and band leader whose band, Larry Chance and the Earls, had a series of minor hits in the 1960s and later became a fan favorite in the oldies revival scene.

Jim Tom Hedrick (1940–2023), star of Moonshiners

Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick was a respected Appalachian distiller and fan favorite on the Discovery Channel’s reality television series, “Moonshiners.” 

Jonathan Sheppard (1940–2023), Hall of Fame horse trainer 

Jonathan Sheppard was a thoroughbred trainer whose horses had more steeplechase victories than any other trainer’s in U.S. history.

John Warnock (1940–2023), tech giant and co-creator of the PDF 

John Warnock was a computer scientist and tech businessman who co-founded Adobe Systems, makers of software mainstays like Illustrator, Photoshop, and the ubiquitous PDF file format.

Ray Hildebrand (1940–2023), Paul & Paula singer 

Ray Hildebrand was a singer and songwriter better known as “Paul” in the 1960s pop duo Paul & Paula, who had a hit with “Hey Paula.”

Sharon Farrell (1940–2023), actress on The Young and the Restless

Sharon Farrell was an actress best known for her roles in the films “It’s Alive,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “The Stunt Man,” and “Marlowe,” as well as her seven-year run as Florence Webster on “The Young and the Restless.” 

Adrian Street (1940–2023), flamboyant pro wrestler 

Adrian Street was a professional wrestler known for his flamboyant glam persona.

Carlin Glynn (1940–2023), singer and Sixteen Candles actress

Carlin Glynn was a Tony Award-winning singer and actress with appearances in “Sixteen Candles,” “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” and others. She was also the mother of actress Mary Stuart Masterson. 

Astrud Gilberto (1940–2023), The Girl from Ipanema singer    

Astrud Gilberto was a Brazilian bossa nova singer known for the 1964 hit song “The Girl from Ipanema,” recorded with jazz saxophonist Stan Getz.

Cynthia Weil (1940–2023), You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling songwriter 

Cynthia Weil was a songwriter who co-wrote songs including “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” and “Somewhere Out There.” 

Terry McDermott (1940–2023), Olympic gold medal-winning speed skater

Terry McDermott was a speed skater who won a gold medal in the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.

Pete Brown (1940–2023), poet and co-writer of rock classics

Pete Brown was an English poet and lyricist who collaborated with music acts like Cream and Jack Bruce, co-writing rock classics such as “White Room” and “Sunshine of Your Love.”

Ginnie Newhart (1940–2023), longtime wife of Bob Newhart

Ginnie Newhart was comedian and actor Bob Newhart’s wife for 60 years, and she is credited with the idea for the iconic series finale to “Newhart.”

Carol Locatell (1940–2023), Friday the 13th: A New Beginning star

Carol Locatell was an actress who stole the show in her scenes as Ethel in “Friday the 13th: A New Beginning.”

Leo D. Sullivan (1940–2023), Soul Train, Fat Albert animator 

Leo D. Sullivan was a pioneering Black animator whose credits included the intro to “Soul Train.”