Born 1949

George Foreman (1949–2025), heavyweight boxing champion

George Foreman was the two-time heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist who later parlayed his fame into a successful entrepreneurial career.

Dennis Bryon (1949–2024), Bee Gees drummer on disco hits 

Dennis Bryon was a Welsh drummer best known as a member of the Bee Gees during their massive 1970s disco stardom.

Dorothy Allison (1949–2024), award-winning feminist author 

Dorothy Allison was an award-winning author whose stories about class struggles, feminism, and being queer in the South earned her widespread acclaim, especially her novel, “Bastard Out of Carolina.” 

Elwood Edwards (1949–2024), voice of AOL’s “You’ve got mail” message

Elwood Edwards was a graphics supervisor and production manager for local TV stations who was thrust into distinction when he became the voice of AOL and its iconic “You’ve got mail” greeting.000

David Harris (1949–2024), played Cochise in The Warriors

David Harris was an actor best known for his performance as gang member Cochise in the cult classic 1979 film “The Warriors.” 

Tina McElroy Ansa (1949–2024), author explored the Black experience

Tina McElroy Ansa was an award-winning author best known for works like “Baby of the Family” and “Ugly Ways,” which explored the Black experience in the American South.

Greg Kihn (1949–2024), Jeopardy singer and songwriter

Greg Kihn was a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who led the Greg Kihn Band, known for such ‘80s power pop hits as “Jeopardy” and “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em).”

Shelley Duvall (1949–2024), star of The Shining, Faerie Tale Theatre

Shelly Duvall was an actress known for standing out in the horror classic, “The Shining,” as well as for playing Olive Oyl in “Popeye,” supporting work in Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall,” and her role in the Robert Altman favorite, “Nashville.” 

Doug Sheehan (1949–2024), Knots Landing, General Hospital actor

Doug Sheehan was an actor known for his roles on television shows like “Knots Landing,” “General Hospital,” “Clueless,” and “Day by Day.” 

Ian Gelder (1949–2024), Game of Thrones actor 

Ian Gelder was a British actor best known for his performances in “Game of Thrones,” “Torchwood: Children of Earth,” and “Doctor Who.” 

Christopher Durang (1949–2024), Tony-winning comedic playwright

Christopher Durang was a Tony Award-winning, Pulitzer-finalist playwright known for “Miss Witherspoon” and “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.”

Eric Carmen (1949–2024), singer of Hungry Eyes, All by Myself 

Eric Carmen was a singer and musician first known as the lead singer of the Raspberries before finding success as a solo artist with such big hits as “Hungry Eyes” and “All by Myself.” 

Wilhelmenia Fernandez (1949–2024), acclaimed operatic soprano

Wilhelmenia Fernandez was an operatic soprano who toured the world and starred in the cult classic 1981 film “Diva.” 

Sebastián Piñera (1949–2024), former Chilean president 

Sebastián Piñera was a prominent Chilean businessman and billionaire who served two terms as President, including a period of rapid economic growth for the country.

Joe Madison (1949–2024), The Black Eagle radio host 

Joe Madison was a civil rights activist who hosted the SiriusXM radio talk show “Joe Madison the Black Eagle.” 

Cari Beauchamp (1949–2023), feminist Hollywood historian

Cari Beauchamp was an author and Hollywood historian whose works, such as “Without Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Powerful Women of Early Hollywood,” often spotlighted the overlooked influence of women on the film industry.

John Delendick (1949–2023), FDNY chaplain on 9/11

Rev. Monsignor John Delendick was a Catholic chaplain with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) who comforted firefighters and their families at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks.

George “Funky” Brown (1949–2023), Kool & the Gang drummer  

George “Funky” Brown was the founding and longtime drummer of Kool & the Gang, as well as one of the band’s primary songwriters.

Shirley Jo Finney (1949–2023), Wilma star and theatre director

Shirley Jo Finney was an actress who starred in the TV movie “Wilma” and worked widely in regional theatre as a director.

Arnold Díaz (1949–2023), Shame on You consumer watchdog

Arnold Díaz was a reporter and consumer watchdog whose news segments “Shame on You,” “Shame Shame Shame,” and “What a Shame” made him an icon in the New York City news scene and the bane of bad businesses everywhere.

Rich Stubler (1949–2023), former Canadian Football League coach 

Rich Stubler was a longtime coach in the Canadian Football League (CFL), known for his defensive genius that resulted in five Grey Cup wins over the course of his career.

Josephine Chaplin (1949–2023), actress and Charlie Chaplin’s daughter 

Josephine Chaplin was an actress with roles in “The Canterbury Tales” and “Escape to the Sun,” as well as the daughter of actor and filmmaker . 

Pamela Blair (1949–2023), actress in A Chorus Line, Loving 

Pamela Blair was an actress, singer, and dancer who originated the role of Val in “A Chorus Line” on Broadway and appeared on such soap operas as “Loving.” 

George Winston (1949–2023), Grammy-winning pianist 

George Winston was a pianist known for his solo instrumental recordings, such as “Autumn” and “December.” 

Marlene Clark (1949–2023), Sanford and Son actress 

Marlene Clark was an actress who starred in “Ganja & Hess” and played Lamont’s fiancée on “Sanford and Son.” 

Martin Amis (1949–2023), award-winning British author 

Martin Amis was a British author who wrote bleak yet humorous novels such as 1984’s “Money,” 1989’s “London Fields,” and 1995’s “The Information.” 

Vida Blue (1949–2023), Cy Young Award-winning pitcher

Vida Blue was a pitcher for the Oakland Athletics’ who helped lead the team to three consecutive World Series championships in the 1970s, winning the American League Cy Young and Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in the process.

Larry “Gator” Rivers (1949–2023), Harlem Globetrotters dribbling star 

Larry “Gator” Rivers was a longtime member of the Harlem Globetrotters known for his dribbling skills.

Cliff Fish (1949–2023), Paper Lace bass player 

Cliff Fish was the bass player for the British band Paper Lace, known for their No. 1 hit “The Night Chicago Died.”

Marisol Malaret (1949–2023), first Puerto Rican Miss Universe

Marisol Malaret was the first Miss Universe from Puerto Rico and the first from the Caribbean islands, who held the crown in 1970.

Bobbi Ercoline (1949–2023), pictured on famous Woodstock album

Bobbi Ercoline became a symbol of a generation when she and her then-boyfriend were pictured on the Woodstock soundtrack album cover, embracing while wrapped in a blanket.

Sara Lane (1949–2023), actress in The Virginian

Sara Lane was an actress best known for playing Elizabeth Grainger on “The Virginian.”

Linda Kasabian (1949–2023), key witness against Manson Family

Linda Kasabian was a Manson Family follower who helped put Charles Manson behind bars as a key witness for the prosecution.

Tom Verlaine (1949–2023), songwriter, guitarist and Television co-founder

Tom Verlaine was a singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the frontman for the New York-based 1970s punk band, Television.

Chris Ford (1949–2023), Boston Celtics great

Chris Ford was a basketball player with the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons who scored the first three-point shot in NBA history.

Jeff Cook (1949–2022), guitarist and fiddler for Alabama

Jeff Cook was a co-founder of the wildly popular country band Alabama, playing guitar, fiddle, and keyboards as well as singing backing vocals.

Ray Guy (1949–2022), Raiders Hall of Fame punter  

Ray Guy was a legendary Hall of Fame punter for the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders who is the only primary punter inducted into the Hall of Fame.  

Noel Duggan (1949–2022), founding member of Irish band Clannad 

Noel Duggan was an Irish musician who was a founding member of the family folk band Clannad.

Judy Tenuta (1949–2022), standup comedy’s “Love Goddess”

Judy Tenuta was a comedian and actress who played the accordion in her act and called herself “The Love Goddess.”

Gary Gaines (1949–2022), “Friday Night Lights” coach 

Gary Gaines was the legendary Texas high school football coach who was the subject of the book and movie “Friday Night Lights.”

Ivana Trump (1949–2022), Donald Trump’s first wife

Ivana Trump was a businesswoman and the first wife of former President Donald Trump, as well as the mother of his children, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric Trump.

Alan White (1949–2022), longtime drummer for the band Yes  

Alan White was the legendary drummer for the classic progressive rock band Yes.

Jerry verDorn (1949–2022), “Guiding Light,” “One Life to Live” star

Jerry verDorn was an actor who starred as Ross Marler in “Guiding Light” and Clint Buchanan in “One Life to Live.”

Larry Sellers (1949–2021), "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" actor

Larry Sellers was an actor of Osage, Cherokee, and Lakota ancestry who was best known for playing Cloud Dancing on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman."

Will Ryan (1949–2021), “The Land Before Time” voice actor

Will Ryan was a voice actor known for roles in movies including “The Land Before Time” and TV shows including “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.”

Neal Conan (1949–2021), longtime host of NPR’s “Talk of the Nation”

Neal Conan was a radio personality who was the longtime host of the National Public Radio (NPR) show “Talk of the Nation.”

Richard Trumka (1949–2021), longtime AFL-CIO president

Richard Trumka was a labor leader who was the longtime president of the powerful union, the AFL-CIO.

Dusty Hill (1949–2021), ZZ Top bassist

Dusty Hill was the longtime bassist for the legendary rock band ZZ Top.

Paul Orndorff (1949–2021), pro wrestling’s “Mr. Wonderful”

Paul Orndorff was a pro wrestler known as “Mr. Wonderful,” known for his WWF feud with Hulk Hogan.