Born 1946

Robert John (1946–2025), Sad Eyes singer

Robert John was a singer and songwriter best known for his 1979 hit, “Sad Eyes,” and his version of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” from 1971.

Gary Mage (1946–2025), Hall of Fame bowler

Gary Mage was a Hall of Fame bowler who excelled in the 1960s and ‘70s, then went on to form the PBA Northwest Region, which he oversaw until 2020. 

Marianne Faithfull (1946–2025), As Tears Go By singer

Marianne Faithfull was a singer and actress who became a pop icon in the 1960s thanks to a string of successful singles and movies, as well as a romance with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.

David Lynch (1946–2025), creator of Twin Peaks

David Lynch was an acclaimed surrealist director best known for challenging works like “Eraserhead,” “Mulholland Drive,” and “Blue Velvet,” as well as the cult hit television show “Twin Peaks.” 

Greg Gumbel (1946–2024), CBS sportscasting great

Greg Gumbel was a longtime sportscaster best known for his work for CBS on “The NFL Today” and for his coverage of Super Bowls and March Madness.

Alfa Anderson (1946–2024), legend of disco with Chic

Alfa Anderson was a singer best known for her work with the disco icons Chic, who created enduring dance hits with songs like “Le Freak” and “Good Times.” 

Jodi Rell (1946–2024), former governor of Connecticut

M. Jodi Rell was the governor of Connecticut from 2004 to 2011.

Colin Petersen (1946–2024), original Bee Gees drummer

Colin Petersen was a child actor, musician and record producer best known as the original drummer for pop legends the Bee Gees.

Tim Johnson (1946–2024), longtime U.S. senator from South Dakota

Tim Johnson was a longtime U.S. senator from South Dakota who was the last Democrat to win statewide election in the state.

Greg Landry (1946–2024), Detroit Lions Pro Bowl QB

Greg Landry was a quarterback for the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Colts, and Chicago Bears in the 1960s through ‘80s.

Ron Hale (1946–2024), longtime Ryan’s Hope, General Hospital actor

Ron Hale was an Emmy-nominated actor best known for his long tenure on the daytime soaps “Ryan’s Hope” and “General Hospital.” 

Frankie Beverly (1946–2024), R&B singer and founder of Maze

Frankie Beverly was the frontman for the soul/funk band Maze, known for hits like “Can’t Get Over You” and “Back in Stride.” 

Bob Tischler (1946–2024), former head writer on Saturday Night Live

Bob Tischler was a television writer and producer who produced four comedy albums before becoming the “Saturday Night Live” head writer in the early 1980s, helping champion Eddie Murphy’s rise to stardom.

Cheng Pei-Pei (1946–2024), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star

Cheng Pei-Pei was a Chinese-born actress and martial artist best known for her performances in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Come Drink with Me.” 

Joe Egan (1946–2024), Stuck in the Middle with You singer 

Joe Egan was a singer, songwriter and founding member of Stealers Wheel, best known for co-writing and singing the song, “Stuck in the Middle with You.” 

Alan Scarfe (1946–2024), actor known for villainous roles

Alan Scarfe was a British Canadian actor known for his villainous roles in movies like “Lethal Weapon III” and “Double Impact,” as well as for his long run on the TV show, “Seven Days.” 

Samm-Art Williams (1946–2024), playwright known for Home

Samm-Art Williams was an actor, writer, and producer who worked on shows like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and “Martin” whose Tony Award-nominated 1979 play, “Home,” is returning to Broadway this summer.

Susan Backlinie (1946–2024), first shark attack victim in Jaws

Susan Backlinie was an actress and stunt performer best known for playing Chrissie Watkins, the first person attacked by a shark in the 1975 blockbuster film, “Jaws.”

James Gregory (1946–2024), “Funniest Man in America” comedian

James Gregory was a standup comedian known by his fans as the “Funniest Man in America.” 

Jerry Savelle (1946–2024), author and televangelist

Jerry Savelle was an author and televangelist who wrote over 70 books, spoke in over 3,000 churches and preached “prosperity gospel,” which says giving to religious causes will bring wealth back to the donor.

Paul Alexander (1946–2024), spent over 70 years in an iron lung 

Paul Alexander survived polio as a child and as a result was placed in an iron lung in 1952, in which he remained almost entirely confined for the rest of his life. 

David Mixner (1946–2024), gay rights activist and author 

David Mixner was a gay rights activist and author who cofounded the LGBTQ+ Victory fund and broke ways with President Bill Clinton over his “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. 

Aston Barrett (1946–2024), bassist for Bob Marley & the Wailers

Aston “Family Man” Barrett was the bandleader and bass player for and the Wailers and helped create the reggae sound.

Melinda Wilson (1946–2024), wife of Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson

Melinda Wilson was a talent manager and the second wife of the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, helping Wilson sever ties with his controversial psychologist and business partner, Eugene Landy.0

Nerene Virgin (1946–2024), star of Today’s Special 

Nerene Virgin was a Canadian actress and journalist who starred in the 1980s children’s TV show “Today’s Special.”

David Emge (1946–2024), played Flyboy in Dawn of the Dead 

David Emge was an actor best known for playing Stephen “Flyboy” Andrews in the horror classic “Dawn of the Dead.”

Jo-El Sonnier (1946–2024), Grammy-winning Cajun musician

Jo-El Sonnier was a Cajun and country singer-songwriter known for “No More One More Time” and “Tear-Stained Letter.” 

Bobby “Bingo” Smith (1946–2023), Cleveland Cavaliers all-time great

Bobby “Bingo” Smith was an all-time great for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers who was part of the Miracle of Richfield squad and had his number retired.

Dusty Street (1946–2023), pioneering female rock DJ 

Dusty Street was one of the first women to work as a rock and roll DJ, most famously at Los Angeles’ KROQ-FM.

Roland Griffiths (1946–2023), psychedelic-assisted therapies pioneer 

Roland Griffiths was a psychopharmacologist and psychedelics researcher who helped pioneer the study of psychedelic-assisted therapy for depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD.

Suzanne Somers (1946–2023), Three’s Company star

Suzanne Somers was an actress best known for her starring role as Chrissy Snow on the 1970s and ‘80s sitcom “Three’s Company.”

Lou Deprijck (1946–2023), í‡a Plane Pour Moi singer

Lou Deprijck was a Belgian singer and producer who wrote and sang the 1978 Plastic Bertrand hit “í‡a plane pour moi.” 

Sarah Young (1946–2023), Jesus Calling devotional author 

Sarah Young was the author of the bestselling daily devotional “Jesus Calling.”

Jimmy Buffett (1946–2023), Margaritaville singer

Jimmy Buffett was a singer and songwriter known for such laid-back hits as “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”

Bobby Eli (1946–2023), Philadelphia musician, producer, and songwriter

Bobby Eli was a Philadelphia musician, producer, and songwriter known for his work with the studio band MFSB, as well as with artists like The Jacksons, , Jay-Z, and Elton John.

Randy Meisner (1946–2023), founding member of The Eagles

Randy Meisner was a founding member of the Eagles, who played bass and sang lead vocals on such songs as “Take It to the Limit.”

Nick Benedict (1946–2023), All My Children actor 

Nick Benedict was an actor known for roles in such soap operas as “Days of Our Lives” and “All My Children.” 

Jane Birkin (1946–2023), singer, actress, and model

Jane Birkin was a prolific British and French actress and singer, as well as the inspiration for the sought-after Birkin Bag from Hermès, one of the most exclusive accessories in fashion.

André Watts (1946–2023), Hall of Fame classical pianist 

André Watts was a Hall of Fame, award-winning pianist known for performing with orchestras across the world since the age of 16, including more than 100 shows with the New York Philharmonic.0

George Tickner (1946–2023), founding guitarist in Journey 

George Tickner was a guitarist and songwriter who co-founded Journey.

Firouz Naderi (1946–2023), NASA Mars mission director 

Firouz Naderi was a scientist with NASA who led several missions to Mars.

Jim Hines (1946–2023), Olympic track and field champion 

Jim Hines was an Olympic champion in track and field who became the first person to run the 100-meter dash in under 10 seconds.

Seán Keane (1946–2023), fiddle player for The Chieftains 

Seán Keane was a fiddle player for the Irish folk band The Chieftains and a virtuoso musician who helped keep the traditional musical legacy of his native Ireland alive.

Keith Reid (1946–2023), founding member of Procol Harum 

Best known for penning the lyrics to “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” Keith Reid was a founding member of the English rock band Procol Harum and its sole lyricist through 2003. Reid’s position was an unusual one: he did not play or perform with them on stage or in the studio. Rather, he was an observer duringrecording sessions and performances, writing all of Procol Harum’s song lyrics with the exception ofthe 2017 album, Novum. Reidalso wrote for other musicians, including John Farnham’s 1986 hit, “You’re the Voice.”

David Harris (1946–2023), Vietnam War draft resistance activist

David Harris was an activist and journalist who led the movement against the Vietnam War draft.

Ted Bell (1946–2023), author of Alex Hawke spy novels

Ted Bell was a novelist best known for his best-selling Alex Hawke series.

Dean Daughtry (1946–2023), Atlanta Rhythm Section co-founder

Dean Daughtry was the keyboardist and a founding member of the southern rock band Atlanta Rhythm Section.

Nate Colbert (1946–2023), San Diego Padres all-time home run leader

Nate Colbert was a three-time All-Star for the San Diego Padres in the 1960s and ‘70s and remains the franchise’s home run leader.

Alexander Gorshkov (1946–2022), first Olympic champion in ice dance

Alexander Gorshkov was a Russian figure skater who won gold the first time ice dance was an Olympic event, at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.