Born 1950

David Johansen (1950–2025), New York Dolls frontman

David Johansen was the frontman for the glammy proto-punk band the New York Dolls, who ended up being one of the most influential of the era, and also had a solo career under the name Buster Poindexter. 

Dale Wilson (1950–2025), Dragon Ball Z, X-Men: Evolution voice actor

Dale Wilson was a voice actor best known for his work in the global hit series “Dragon Ball Z,” as well as animation like “Bionicle: Mask of Light,” “X-Men: Evolution,” and “Transformers” series.

John Marsden (1950–2024), Tomorrow, When the War Began author

John Marsden was an Australian author and educator best known for his 1993 young adult novel “Tomorrow, When the War Began.” 

Lynda Obst (1950–2024), film producer who boosted women

Lynda Obst was a film producer who helped boost women’s role in Hollywood, best known for movies like “Sleepless in Seattle,” “Interstellar,” “Flashdance,” and “Adventures in Babysitting.”

Sheila Jackson Lee (1950–2024), 30-year congresswoman from Texas

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee was a 30-year congresswoman from Texas best known for her advocacy of progressive causes.

Chris Cannon (1950–2024), U.S. Representative from Utah

Chris Cannon was a politician who represented Utah as a Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2009.

Golden Richards (1950–2024), won a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys

Golden Richards was a former NFL wide receiver who caught a touchdown pass for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1978 Super Bowl.

Steve Miller (1950–2024), sci-fi author known for Liaden universe 

Steve Miller was a science fiction author who, with his wife, Sharon Lee, wrote dozens of books and stories set in the Liaden universe.

Steven Wise (1950–2024), legal scholar and animal rights advocate

Steven Wise was a legal scholar, educator, and fierce proponent of animal rights who founded the Nonhuman Rights Project.

Damo Suzuki (1950–2024), singer for avant garde Krautrock band Can

Damo Suzuki was a singer and musician best known for his 1970s tenure with the influential Krautrock band Can, appearing on three of their most widely praised records: “Tago Mago,” “Ege Bamyası,” and “Future Days.”

Terry Beasley (1950–2024), record-setting Auburn receiver

Terry Beasley was a record-setting receiver for the Auburn Tigers, a College Football Hall of Fame inductee, and a former San Francisco 49er.

Gary Graham (1950–2024), star of Alien Nation, Star Trek: Enterprise

Gary Graham was an actor best known for co-starring on the television series “Alien Nation,” along with a half-dozen “Alien Nation” TV movies, as well as for his appearances on “Star Trek: Enterprise” as Soval, the Vulcan ambassador to Earth.

George McGinnis (1950–2023), Hall of Fame basketball great

George McGinnis was an ABA and NBA basketball player who led the Pacers to two ABA titles and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Neville Garrick (1950–2023), Bob Marley’s art director 

Neville Garrick was a Jamaican graphic artist who created album covers and other artwork for stars of reggae, including . 

Curtis Fowlkes (1950–2023), co-leader of the Jazz Passengers 

Curtis Fowlkes was a jazz trombonist and singer who pushed the boundaries of avant-garde jazz as part of the Jazz Passengers.

Douglas Lenat (1950–2023), pioneer in AI development 

Douglas Lenat was a computer scientist and artificial intelligence developer who worked on systems to allow AIs to use “common sense” when parsing data.0

John Fielder (1950–2023), celebrated Colorado landscape photographer

John Fielder was a photographer known for his images of Colorado’s natural beauty.

Randy Fullmer (1950–2023), Who Framed Roger Rabbit animator

Randy Fullmer was an animator and producer on such Disney films as “The Emperor’s New Groove” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” 

Michel Cí´té (1950–2023), prominent Québécois actor

Michel Cí´té was a French-Canadian actor who starred in such movies as “C.R.A.Z.Y.” and “Cruising Bar.” 

Rev. Timothy Keller (1950–2023), pastor and bestselling author

Rev. Timothy Keller was the well-known pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, New York, as well as the author of bestselling books of Christianity and faith.

Linda Lewis (1950–2023), It’s in His Kiss singer 

Linda Lewis was a British singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose hits included “It’s in His Kiss.”

Ron “Patch” Hamilton (1950–2023), Patch the Pirate singer and songwriter

Ron “Patch” Hamilton was a singer and songwriter who created the “Patch the Pirate” series of Christian recordings for children.

Sal Piro (1950–2023), “Rocky Horror Picture Show” fan club founder

Sal Piro was the founder of the fan club for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and a major figure in creating the movie’s cult classic status.

Keith Beaton (1950–2023), singer with Blue Magic

Keith Beaton was a singer with the Philadelphia soul group Blue Magic, known for hits including “Sideshow.”

Franco Harris (1950–2022), Steelers great caught the “Immaculate Reception” 

Franco Harris was a Hall of Fame running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers known for catching the “Immaculate Reception.”

Sue Thomas (1950–2022), pioneering FBI lip-reader

Sue Thomas was the first deaf person to work with the FBI as a lip-reader and inspired the TV show “Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye.”

Garry Roberts (1950–2022), Boomtown Rats guitarist  

Garry Roberts was a founding member and the lead guitarist for the Irish rock band the Boomtown Rats.

Max Maven (1950–2022), mentalist and magician

Max Maven was a mentalist and magician who worked with notable performers including David Copperfield and Penn & Teller.

Dave Butz (1950–2022), legendary Washington defensive lineman  

Dave Butz was a legendary defensive lineman for Washington who helped the franchise win two Super Bowls.   

Robin Sylvester (1950–2022), RatDog bassist 

Robin Sylvester was a longtime bass player with the jam band RatDog which was formed by original Grateful Dead member Bob Weir.

Robbie Coltrane (1950–2022), played Hagrid in “Harry Potter” series

Robbie Coltrane was a Scottish actor who played the loveable half-giant Hagrid in the “Harry Potter” film series.

John Hartman (1950–2021), Doobie Brothers drummer

John Hartman was the founding drummer for the Doobie Brothers, who played on hits including “Black Water” and “Listen to the Music.”

Nicholas Evans (1950–2022), “The Horse Whisperer” author  

Nicholas Evans was a British author who wrote the bestselling novel “The Horse Whisperer.” 

Dave Smith (1950–2022), synthesizer pioneer

Dave Smith was an engineer known as the “Father of MIDI” for his innovations in electronic instruments.

Andrew Woolfolk (1950–2022), Earth, Wind & Fire saxophonist

Andrew Woolfolk was the longtime saxophonist for Earth, Wind & Fire.

William Hurt (1950–2022), Oscar-winning actor for “Kiss of the Spider Woman”

William Hurt was an actor who won an Academy Award for his performance in “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and starred in many other movies including “Body Heat,” “The Big Chill,” and “Children of a Lesser God.”

Camille Saviola (1950–2021), actress known for “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”

Camille Saviola was an actress known for roles on TV shows including “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “Entourage.”

Freddie Fu (1950–2021), pioneer in knee surgery

Dr. Freddie Fu was an orthopaedic surgeon who pioneered new techniques for more successful ACL repair surgery.

Sam Cunningham (1950–2021), NFL star who inspired college football integration

Sam Cunningham was a football player who helped break down racial barriers at the University of Southern California before excelling with the New England Patriots.

Markie Post (1950–2021), “Night Court” star

Markie Post was an actress known for roles in “Night Court,” “The Fall Guy,” and “Hearts Afire.”

Robby Steinhardt (1950–2021), violinist and singer with Kansas

Robby Steinhardt was the violinist and co-lead singer for the classic rock band Kansas.

Leroy Jones (1950–2021), Chargers defensive end

Leroy Jones was a defensive end with the San Diego Chargers in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Jamie O'Hara (1950–2021), country singer-songwriter

Jamie O'Hara was a country music singer-songwriter who won a Grammy for writing The Judds' hit song "Grandpa (Tell Me Bout the Good Old Days)."

Paul Westphal (1950–2021), Basketball Hall of Famer

Paul Westphal was a five-time NBA All-Star who later became a head coach.

Matt Blair (1950–2020), former Vikings star linebacker

Matt Blair was a former outside linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings and a six-time Pro Bowl selection.

Thomas Jefferson Byrd (1950–2020), actor known for Spike Lee films

Thomas Jefferson Byrd was an actor known for roles in Spike Lee films including “Clockers” and “Get on the Bus.”

Ken Robinson (1950–2020), the most-viewed TED Talker

Sir Ken Robinson was an educator whose 2006 TED Talk on encouraging creativity in students was viewed more times than any other TED Talk in history.

James Harris (1950–2020), WWE wrestler known as Kamala

James Harris was a former professional wrestler who went by the ring name Kamala and was billed as “The Ugandan Giant.”

Emitt Rhodes (1950–2020), power pop pioneer

Emitt Rhodes was a beloved power pop pioneer with a strong cult following whose song styling was compared to Paul McCartney.