Born 1944

Peter Jason (1944–2025), Deadwood actor

Peter Jason was a prolific character actor best known for playing Con Stapleton in “Deadwood,” and for his many appearances in the films of director John Carpenter.

Kultida Woods (1944–2025), Tiger Woods’ mother

Kultida Woods was the mother of golf legend Tiger Woods, known for being one of his most prominent supporters and for urging him to adopt red as his Sunday color.

Mike Brewer (1944–2024), One Toke Over the Line singer

Mike Brewer was half of the folk-rock duo Brewer & Shipley, best known for their 1971 hit song, “One Toke Over the Line.” 

Rodney Jenkins (1944–2024), acclaimed horse jumper

Rodney Jenkins was one of the most celebrated equestrians of his time, a Hall of Fame show horse jumper who later had a successful career as a racehorse trainer.

Jim Abrahams (1944–2024), Airplane! filmmaker

Jim Abrahams was part of the Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker (ZAZ) filmmaking team, known for such comedies as “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun.”  

Tommy Hart (1944–2024), 49ers defensive end 

Tommy Hart was an NFL defensive end in the 1960s through ‘80s, most notably for the San Francisco 49ers.

Teri Garr (1944–2024), Oscar nominee for Tootsie

Teri Garr was an actress known for roles in such movies as “Tootsie,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Mr. Mom,” and many more.

Rudy May (1944–2024), Angels, Yankees pitcher

Rudy May was a left-handed pitcher for such Major League Baseball teams as the California Angels and New York Yankees from the 1960s through ‘80s.0

Ed Kranepool (1944–2024), 18-year New York Mets veteran

Ed Kranepool was a career New York Met and 18-year veteran of the team, being on hand from their first year and playing through its initial failures and successes.

Will Jennings (1944–2024), Oscar-winning My Heart Will Go On lyricist

Will Jennings was a lyricist who won Academy Awards for “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion and “Up Where We Belong” by and Jennifer Warnes.

Kim Johnson (1944–2024), Survivor: Africa runner-up

Kim Johnson was a noted runner-up in “Survivor: Africa,” the 2001 third season of the popular reality competition TV show.

Sandy Posey (1944–2024), Born a Woman singer

Sandy Posey was a singer known for 1960s hits like “Born a Woman” and “Single Girl.” 

Nguyá»…n Phíº Trọng (1944–2024), former president of Vietnam

Nguyá»…n Phíº Trọng was the president of Vietnam from 2018 to 2021 and the long-serving general secretary of the country’s ruling Communist Party.

Renauld White (1944–2024), Guiding Light actor and pioneering model

Renauld White was a barrier-breaking model who also starred on “Guiding Light” in the 1980s as William Reynolds.

Kinky Friedman (1944–2024), singer, humorist, and provocateur

Kinky Friedman was a singer, humorist, columnist, and all-around provocateur who led the band The Texas Jewboys and once ran for governor of Texas.

Françoise Hardy (1944–2024), French ballad singer and actress

Françoise Hardy was a French singer, actress, and model whose penchant for thoughtful ballads made her a star of the 1960s.

Bernard Hill (1944–2024), King Theoden in The Lord of the Rings

Bernard Hill was an English actor known for roles in two films, both of which won 11 Oscars: He played King Theoden in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and Captain Edward Smith in “Titanic.” 

Vernor Vinge (1944–2024), cyberspace pioneering sci-fi author 

Vernor Vinge was a five-time Hugo Award-winning science fiction author, among the first to envision cyberspace and who warned about technology and AI reaching a point beyond human control.

Jim McAndrew (1944–2024), New York Mets pitcher 

Jim McAndrew was a pitcher with the 1969 World Series-winning New York Mets.

Pamela Salem (1944–2024), Miss Moneypenny in Never Say Never Again

Pamela Salem was a British actress best known for her work alongside in “The First Great Train Robbery” and the unofficial James Bond film “Never Say Never Again,” and for her appearances on the TV science fiction show “Doctor Who.”

Helena Rojo (1944–2024), Mexican actress in telenovelas 

Helena Rojo was a Mexican actress who starred in several telenovelas and in such movies as Werner Herzog’s “Aguirre, the Wrath of God.”

Toni Stern (1944–2024), lyricist for Carole King

Toni Stern was a lyricist who worked with Carole King to write such songs as the No. 1 hit “It’s Too Late.” 

Mike Martin (1944–2024), winningest coach in NCAA history

Mike Martin was the longtime coach of the Florida State Seminoles baseball team and the winningest coach in NCAA history, racking up over 2,000 victories during his career. 

Tom Shales (1944–2024), Pulitzer-winning TV critic

Tom Shales was a Pulitzer Prize-winning television critic who spent over 30 years with the Washington Post and was known for his sharp wit and cutting insights.

Bud Harrelson (1944–2024), New York Mets Hall of Famer 

Bud Harrelson was a shortstop, coach and manager for the New York Mets who won two World Series with the team, one as a player and one as a coach.

Larry Collins (1944–2024), rockabilly guitar great 

Larry Collins was a West Coast musician and songwriter known for his aggressive rockabilly style and for co-penning songs like “Delta Dawn” and “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma.” 

Sandra Reaves-Phillips (1944–2023), Lean on Me actress and singer

Sandra Reaves-Phillips was an actress and singer for both stage and screen, and who appeared in such films as “Lean on Me” and “Round Midnight.” 

Richard Kerr (1944–2023), co-writer of Mandy, Looks Like We Made It

Richard Kerr was a singer and songwriter who collaborated with Barry Manilow on such hit songs as “Mandy,” “Somewhere in the Night,” and “Looks Like We Made It,” as well as Dionne Warwick on “I’ll Never Love This Way Again.”   

Denny Laine (1944–2023), cofounder of Wings and the Moody Blues

Denny Laine was an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist who cofounded Wings and the Moody Blues.

Walt Garrison (1944–2023), Dallas Cowboys fullback 

Walt Garrison was a star fullback for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s and ‘70s who would go on to be inducted into both the Texas Cowboys Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Bob Sheridan (1944–2023), commentator who was the Voice of Boxing

“Colonel” Bob Sheridan was a boxing and MMA commentator who broadcast more than 10,000 fights for radio and television and was called the “Voice of Boxing.” 

Katherine Anderson Schaffner (1944–2023), Marvelettes co-founder

Katherine Anderson Schaffner was a singer with the Marvelettes, known for such hits as “Please Mr. Postman.” 

Mylon LeFevre (1944–2023), singer for Mylon and Broken Heart

Mylon LeFevre was a Gospel Music Hall of Fame Christian rock singer who is best known for his work with Mylon and Broken Heart. 

Sir Ian Wilmut (1944–2023), Dolly the cloned sheep co-creator

Professor Sir Ian Wilmut was a British embryologist who led the Roslin Institute team at the University of Edinburgh that cloned Dolly the sheep in 1996.

Terry Funk (1944–2023), professional wrestling legend

Terry Funk was a professional wrestler who helped pioneer a more "hardcore” style of wrestling during a career that spanned more than 50 years.

Talina Fernández (1944–2023), television host and presenter

Talina Fernández was an actress and television presenter best known for hosting a wide array of shows on Mexican TV, including awards shows, telethons, and reality TV productions.

Julie Garwood (1944–2023), bestselling romance novelist 

Julie Garwood was a bestselling author known for historical and suspense romance novels.

George Evans (1944–2023), former mayor of Selma, Alabama

George Evans was an elected official in Selma, Alabama, who was the city’s first Black city council president, first Black school board superintendent in Dallas County, and was a two-time mayor of Selma. 

Ed Flanagan (1944–2023), Pro Bowl center for the Detroit Lions 

Ed Flanagan was a center for the Detroit Lions. He was chosen for four Pro Bowls and is a member of the Lions’ all-time team.

Len Goodman (1944–2023), Dancing with the Stars judge 

Len Goodman was a ballroom dancer and instructor best known for his long tenure as a judge on “Dancing with the Stars” and “Strictly Come Dancing.” 

Bob “Bushwhacker Butch” Miller (1944–2023), wrestling hall of famer

Bob Miller was a professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Bushwhacker Butch .

David Lindley (1944–2023), guitarist for Jackson Browne

David Lindley was a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist who worked with an array of major musicians, including Jackson Browne, Dolly Parton, , Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, and many others. His skills at a wide range of instruments, including guitar, banjo, violin, mandolin, and others, made him a prized session and touring musician. He also had a respected career as a solo artist.

Helen Washington (1944–2023), dancer with Isaac Hayes

Helen Washington was a dancer known for her shaved head and her iconic work with on tour and in memorable photos.

Richard Belzer (1944–2023), Law & Order: SVU costar 

Richard Belzer was an American comedian and actor best known for his role as detective John Munch in “Homicide: Life on the Streets” and “Law & Order: SVU.”    

Polo Polo (1944–2023), Mexican comedian

Polo Polo was one of Mexico’s most popular comedians, with an international following.

Sal Bando (1944–2023), World Series champ with the Oakland A’s

Sal Bando was a third baseman for the Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers in the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.

Denny Doyle (1944–2022), Boston Red Sox second baseman

Denny Doyle was a second baseman with the Philadelphia Phillies, California Angels, and Boston Red Sox.

Jeff Beck (1944–2023), influential guitarist with the Yardbirds and the Jeff Beck Group

Jeff Beck was one of the greatest guitarists in rock music history, known for his work with the Yardbirds and the Jeff Beck Group, and as a solo artist.

Dino Danelli (1944–2022), drummer for The Rascals 

Dino Danelli was a drummer and founding member of the rock/soul band The Rascals, known for their hit “Good Lovin.”