Actors With October Birthdays
By the time October rolls around, fall is well under way. Leaves are dropping and jumpers are back in the closet. Many will be looking forward to Halloween, but some will also be planning their birthday celebrations. You might expect all famous actors to throw big parties with their A-list pals, and that is true of some. But many others like something much simpler, like a romantic dinner with their partner. Here are some famous actors who enjoy their birthdays in October.
Zach Galifianakis – October 1
Zach Galifianakis will turn 52 years old on October 1, 2021. The offbeat comedian was born in 1969, the year of the Apollo 11 moon landings. After roles in "Into the Wild" and "What Happens in Vegas," Galifianakis landed a part in "The Hangover," which brought his eccentric humor to a much wider audience.
"The Hangover" became a great success, earning $465 million at the worldwide box office. Since then, Galifianakis has starred in numerous films such as "Due Date," "Birdman," and two "Hangover" sequels. Also, his Funny Or Die talk show "Between Two Ferns," on which the comedian interviews a wide range of figures in his signature dry, awkward style, became a popular cult webseries that spawned its own movie. If you've already seen all of the episodes of the original "Between Two Ferns," you can get more of Galifianakis' humor in the blooper reels.
Julie Andrews – October 1
An icon of stage and screen, Julie Andrews will turn 86 years old in 2021 on October 1. Andrews grew up in London, where she sang with her stepfather in a music hall act. Her powerful voice led to a starring role in "Starlight Roof," which was staged at the London Hippodrome in 1946. She would make her Broadway debut eight years later with "The Boy Friend," introducing Andrews to an American audience.
In 1964, Andrews appeared as the titular character in "Mary Poppins," one of her most iconic roles. Just one year later, Andrews played Maria von Trapp in "The Sound of Music," which is among Hollywood's most enduring musicals. Whether new generations fell in love with her in "The Princess Diaries" or older generations grew up hearing her sing, countless fans of all ages are grateful for her life.
Lorraine Bracco – October 2
Lorraine Bracco is known for starring in what the New Yorker terms "America's fictional mobster ecosystem." This includes roles in both "Goodfellas" and "The Sopranos" — respectively, that of Karen Hill, wife of mobster Henry Hill, and Dr. Jennifer Melfi, psychiatrist to mobster Tony Soprano. Born in 1954, Bracco will turn 67 years old on October 2, 2021.
A daughter of an Italian father, Bracco has strong ties to Italy. In 2020, Bracco starred in HGTV show "My Big Italian Adventure," which followed the actress' purchase of a Sicilian home for just €1. The bargain price was dependent on Bracco putting down a $5,000 deposit as well as committing to at least $15,000 in renovations. Her efforts created a charming home.
Clive Owen – October 3
Born in 1964, British actor Clive Owen will turn 57 years old on October 3. A RADA graduate, Owen is a cool and insouciant leading man known for roles in "Closer," "Sin City," and "Children of Men." Owen also starred in "Croupier," a little-seen noir set among London's nightlife.
During an interview with ABC for "Gemini Man" in October 2019, Owen revealed that on his birthday that year, "I was actually doing press for this movie in LA, so I went out to dinner with friends." He doesn't hit a press junket on his special day every year, but an episode of "Impeachment: American Crime Story" (where Owen plays President Bill Clinton) was scheduled to air just two days after his 57th birthday in 2021.
Susan Sarandon – October 4
Known for "Thelma and Louise," "Dead Man Walking," and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," Susan Sarandon will turn 75 years old on October 4, 2021. She was born in 1946, just three days after the Nuremberg Trials concluded on October 1.
It's unclear whether Sarandon has a favorite birthday activity, but she does have advice for happiness that works at any age: "To stay young and healthy, you need to weed out toxic things — and toxic people! Oh, and laugh and have sex — if you're lucky enough to find that — those are really important, too."
Dakota Johnson – October 4
Daughter of legendary actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, the "Fifty Shades of Grey" star will turn 32 years old on October 4, 2021. Dakota Johnson was born in 1989, just as her father's iconic show "Miami Vice" was nearing its finale.
Before her star turn as Anastasia Steele, Johnson had roles in "The Social Network" and "21 Jump Street." Since the "Fifty Shades" trilogy, the actress has featured in everything from the captivating remake of the classic horror film "Suspiria" to comedy-dramas like "The Peanut Butter Falcon."
On Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2018, Johnson spoke about her "family-oriented" birthday party, which had "a lot of kids' stuff, lots of piñatas" — eight of them, to be exact.
Guy Pearce – October 5
"LA Confidential" star Guy Pearce will turn 54 years old on October 5, 2021. He was born in England in 1967, moving to Australia when he was three years old.
Pearce's acting career began in "Neighbours," the Australian soap opera. Eight years later, he had his first major role in "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," in which he played a drag queen.
A shy man with a disdain for a celebrity, Pearce isn't one for throwing big birthday parties. However, he will show up for old friends, as he did for fellow Melbournian Kylie Minogue's 50th birthday bash.
Elisabeth Shue – October 6
Born in 1963, Elisabeth Shue will turn 58 years old on October 6, 2021. The Delaware-born actress rose to prominence in the 1980s with roles in "THe Karate Kid," "Cocktail," and the second and third films of the "Back to the Future" franchise.
However, it is her turn in "Leaving Las Vegas" for which she is best known. As Sera, a Las Vegas sex worker, Shue was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role, which she lost to fellow October baby Susan Sarandon.
Earlier in the year of her 58th birthday, she initiated a recurring appearance on "Cobra Kai" as a former love interest of Johnny Lawrence.
Sigourney Weaver – October 8
Born in 1949, Sigourney Weaver will turn 72 years old on October 8. A graduate of Stanford and Yale, Weaver became a science fiction icon when she starred in "Alien," assuming the role of Ellen Ripley. She would reprise the character in "Aliens," "Alien 3," and "Alien: Resurrection."
As a child, Weaver struggled with confidence issues, but her transformation — including a name change — has been stunning. In 2021 as she approached her 72nd year, we loved her as much as ever.
Matt Damon – October 8
The "Good Will Hunting" star will turn 51 years old on October 8, 2021. Born in 1970, Damon left Harvard University in 1990 to pursue acting even though he was just 12 credits shy of graduating. Since then, he has become one of the most respected actors in the world.
Damon has a long record of eventful birthdays ranging from boozy parties to political messaging. For his 40th birthday in October 2010, Damon uploaded a YouTube plea in support of the Working Families Party. Two years later, Damon and Tom Cruise got spanked together during Damon's London birthday bash. He had a more conventional celebration for his 44th, though, attending a birthday dinner at Madeo in Los Angeles.
Hugh Jackman – October 12
The "Logan" star will turn 53 years old on October 12, 2021. Born in 1968, Jackman's first major acting job was "Correlli," an Australian TV show starring Deborra-Lee Furness, whom Jackman would marry in 1996.
For his 50th birthday in 2018, Jackman's A-list bash at Urban Zen Center seemed to be a raucous affair. Jackman recalled, "At one point, every woman in the party was on top of this table ... It was one of those parties where your kids are like, 'This is the most embarrassing thing I've ever seen.'" Hopefully that's as embarrassing as his birthdays get!
Tim Robbins – October 16
Star of "The Shawshank Redemption" and "Mystic River," Tim Robbins will turn 63 on October 16. He was born in 1958, 30 years before his breakout role as Nuke LaLoosh in "Bull Durham" in 1988. On the set of that film, Robbins met Susan Sarandon (who seems to run into fellow October babies often), with whom he had a relationship for 21 years.
Robbins has had unique experiences hosting parties: Donald Trump once tried to join a private party Robbins was throwing for a friend, but Robbins turned him away, recalling that Trump was "always trying to ingratiate himself with people." We don't know who will celebrate Robbins' birthdays with him in 2021 and beyond, but it's unlikely to be an open invitation.
Angela Lansbury – October 16
Angela Lansbury will turn 96 years old on October 16, 2021. Born in 1925, Lansbury has maintained an eight-decade career, starring in everything from 1944's "Gaslight," which is an origin of the modern term "gaslighting," to 1991's "Beauty in the Beast."
Lansbury is best known for her leading role in "Murder, She Wrote," which ran from 1984 to 1996. Reflecting on her 95th birthday in 2020, Lansbury said, "What a fortunate life I've had ... I feel fortunate indeed to be able to celebrate my 95th birthday with my dearest family."
Zac Efron – October 18
The Disney alumnus-turned-leading man Zac Efron will turn 34 on October 18, 2021. Born in 1987, Efron became a household name with Disney's "High School Musical" franchise, which began in 2006 when Efron was 19 years old.
Since then, the actor has taken on a wide range of projects, starring opposite Robert De Niro in the comedy "Dirty Grandpa" and playing serial killer Ted Bundy in "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile."
For his 33rd birthday, Efron threw a well-attended party in Australia's Byron Bay. With reports that he plans to make a permanent home in Australia, perhaps he'll celebrate future birthdays in the same place.
Jon Favreau – October 19
Described by The Guardian as both a "dishevelled actor guy" and a "consummate professional," Jon Favreau will turn 55 on October 19, 2021. The indie star-turned-"Iron Man" director was born in 1966 and spent his youth in Queens.
It's unclear if Favreau has any special birthday pastimes, but he did make an important deal with comedian Bill Burr at someone else's birthday party. The two apparently hit it off at Mike Binder's bash, leading Favreau to offer Burr the "Mandalorian" role of Migs Mayfield, which he smartly accepted despite reservations like, "I don't know Jon. I've teased Star Wars people a lot."
John Lithgow – October 20
A screen veteran known for playing villains, John Lithgow will turn 76 years old on October 19. He was born in 1945, the son of an actress and a theatre producer. After theatre roles in the 1970s, Lithgow appeared in several films including "The World According to Garp," for which he was nominated for an Academy Award.
Speaking to Stephen Colbert in October 2019, Lithgow detailed his most recent birthday, when he had "a nice romantic lunch with my wife and then I took her off to see her first look at Bombshell, a film in which I play Roger Ailes."
John Krasinski – October 20
Born in 1979, John Krasinski will turn 42 on October 20, 2021. Before thrilling ventures like "A Quiet Place" and "Jack Ryan," Krasinski was best known as Jim Halpert on "The Office."
According to People, Krasinski's daughter forgot his 40th birthday. In an Instagram post, he said that if any of his followers also forgot his birthday, they should send him a monetary gift that would be donated to Family Reach, a charity that helps patients plan and pay for cancer treatment. Will he pick another charity in future years? More importantly, will his daughter remember his birthday? We hope so.
Viggo Mortensen – October 20
Born in Waterton, New York in 1958, Viggo Mortensen will turn 63 on October 20, 2021. Described by the New York Times as an "unlikely leading man," Mortensen has had a very successful career in everything from "The Lord of the Rings" to "Green Book."
Mortensen may prefer low-key activities for his own birthday, but he has been known to be quite the prankster at other people's events. According to actor Dominic Monaghan, "Viggo conducted a long-running head-butting prank ... He almost knocked me out at my birthday party with a head butt. It continues to this day."
Jeff Goldblum – October 22
Born in 1952, Pennsylvania native Jeff Goldblum will turn 69 on October 22, 2021. The eccentric actor's first role was "Freak #1" in the controversial vigilante drama "Death Wish." Since then, Goldblum's career has been a balance of comedies, dramas, and blockbusters, from "Jurassic Park" and its sequels to multiple Wes Anderson movies.
In a conversation with Conan O'Brien, Goldblum said he while he appreciates people thinking of him on his birthday, he is often embarrassed by birthday celebrations, especially when on set. However, we do know his wife Emilie gave him a party for his 60th birthday.
Christopher Lloyd – October 22
Best known for playing Dr. Emmett Brown in "Back to the Future," Christopher Lloyd will turn 83 years old on October 22, 2021. Born in 1938, Lloyd began acting aged 14 and appeared in 200 plays before moving to cinema, debuting in the 1975 classic "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."
On October 22, 2016, Lloyd was treated to a spontaneous rendition of "Happy Birthday" during a visit to the Armageddon Expo in Auckland, New Zealand. We hope he'll be sung this song again every year — whether by a convention crowd or just close friends and family.
Bob Odenkirk – October 22
Born in 1962, Bob Odenkirk will turn 59 years old on October 22, 2021. Since his first film role as "Concert Nerd" in 1992's "Wayne's World 2," Odenkirk has become a beloved actor known for "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul."
It's not clear how Odenkirk celebrates his birthday with wife Naomi and children Nate and Erin, but he did get involved in Bryan Cranston's "Super Sweet 60" skit on Jimmy Kimmel Live, playing "Bryan's BFF" who gives him questionable fashion advice.
Margaret Qualley – October 23
Born in Kalispell, Montana in 1994, Maragaret Qualley will turn 27 years old on October 23, 2021. Daughter of actress Andie MacDowell, Qualley has had a string of roles in films such as "The Nice Guys," "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," and "My Salinger Year."
Though she doesn't appear to celebrate her birthday in sequins and boas anymore, mother MacDowell posted a throwback photo of Qualley as a child for her 24th birthday that suggests Qualley's star power was present from a young age.
Ryan Reynolds – October 23
A native of Vancouver, Ryan Reynolds was born in 1976 and will turn 45 on October 23, 2021. In the 2000s and early 2010s, Reynolds had starring roles in films such as "The Amityville Horror," "Definitely, Maybe," and "Green Lantern," a role he has spent years mocking. In 2016, Reynolds played the titular character in "Deadpool," which is perhaps his most career-defining performance so far.
For his 40th birthday, Reynolds and wife Blake Lively had dinner at O Ya in New York City. In a Instagram post, Lively wrote, "@_o_ya_ We fell in love at your restaurant in Boston. We stay in love at your restaurant in NY. Thank you for the BEST food and memories!"
Emilia Clarke – October 23
"Game of Thrones" star Emilia Clarke was born in 1986 and will turn 35 on October 23, 2021. A graduate of Drama Centre London, Clarke played Daenerys Targaryen from 2011 to 2019, becoming famous as the "Mother of Dragons."
Ever the joker, fellow October 23 birthday Ryan Reynolds quipped on Twitter in 2020, "So sorry. I moved her birthday this year. It was feeling a little crowded for me." That year, Clarke celebrated her 34th birthday by jumping out of a plane – the only way to "match the profound existential terror of another birthday."
Rita Wilson – October 26
Born in 1956, Rita Wilson will turn 65 years old on October 26, 2021. Known for films such as "Sleepless in Seattle" and "Mamma Mia," Wilson met Tom Hanks on the set of "Bosom Buddies," an ABC sitcom from the early 1980s. They married in 1988 and had two children.
In 2016, Rita Wilson celebrated her birthday on David Geffen's mega-yacht "Rising Sun" in the Sea of Cortez, joined by her husband and couple Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa.
Julia Roberts – October 28
Born in Smyrna, Georgia in 1967, Julia Roberts will turn 54 years old on October 28, 2021. Among the most famous actresses of the last 30 years, Roberts is best known for "Pretty Woman," "Notting Hill," and "Erin Brockovich."
In 2019, Roberts celebrated her 52nd birthday with an outdoorsy trip, posting on a photo on her Instagram with the caption, "52. Yeehaw." However old she gets, she still seems to be young at heart.
Joaquin Phoenix – October 28
Best known for his roles in "Gladiator," "Walk the Line," and "Joker," Joaquin Phoenix will turn 47 years old in 2021 on October 28. He was born in 1974 and had an unusual childhood, according the Guardian, who described Phoenix and his siblings as "archetypal flower children."
Phoenix is an eccentric personality who is rarely forthcoming about his personal life — in fact, he is better known for his offbeat and sometimes downright awkward interviews. So it's safe to say his birthday celebrations are likely private.
Winona Ryder – October 29
Born Winona Horowitz in 1971, Winona Ryder will turn 50 years old on October 29, 2021. Before her role in "Stranger Things," Ryder starred in "Heathers," "Edward Scissorhands," and "Girl, Interrupted."
After big fame in the 1990s and some struggles with mental health, Ryder appeared in a steady stream of films including "Star Trek" and "The Iceman" before becoming a series regular on the hit Netflix show "Stranger Things." That role proved that Ryder's acting remains a gift to us all.
Henry Winkler – October 30
Born in Manhattan in 1945, Henry Winkler will turn 76 years old on October 30. He is best known for his iconic portrayal the Fonz in the sitcom "Happy Days," but has also had roles in everything from "Scream" to "The Waterboy." He even appeared in a slew of projects in both film and television leading up to his 76th birthday in 2021, so his career seems far from over.
In 2020, Winkler's grandson Ace surprised him by dressing up as the Fonz the day after Winkler's 75th birthday — Halloween.