Henri Matisse
1869 – 1954French artist and leader of the Fauvism movement known for his bold use of color and innovative contributions to modern art.
Famous Birthdays on December 31
13 notable people were born on December 31.
December 31 is the birth date of 13 notable individuals from various backgrounds, including the arts, politics, and sports. Prominent figures born on this day include French artist Henri Matisse (1869), Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum (1898), Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1935), Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins (1937), and Scottish football manager Alex Ferguson (1941). These individuals have made contributions in visual arts, music, leadership, cinema, and athletics.
19th Century2 people
Umm Kulthum
1898 – 1975Legendary Egyptian singer known as "The Star of the East" who dominated Arabic music for over four decades with her powerful voice and emotional performances.
20th Century11 people
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
1935King of Saudi Arabia since 2015 and father of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, overseeing the Vision 2030 reform program.
Psy
1977South Korean rapper and singer who achieved global fame with his viral hit "Gangnam Style," which became the first YouTube video to reach one billion views.
Junot Díaz
1968Dominican-American author who won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.
Anthony Hopkins
1937Welsh actor who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for playing Hannibal Lecter in 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991).
Alex Ferguson
1941Football manager who led Manchester United for 26 years (1986-2013), winning 13 Premier League titles and 2 UEFA Champions League trophies.
Gong Li
1965Chinese actress who gained international fame starring in Zhang Yimou's films including Red Sorghum and Raise the Red Lantern during the 1990s. She became one of the first Chinese actors to achieve global recognition and has appeared in both Asian and Hollywood productions.
Edvin Kanka Ćudić
1988Bosnian human rights activist, journalist, and martial artist who advocates for LGBTI+ rights and social justice causes.
Barbara Carrera
1945Nicaraguan-American actress and model who appeared in films including Bond movie 'Never Say Never Again' and TV series 'Dallas.' She was born in 1945.
Aliaksandra Herasimenia
1985Olympic swimmer who won silver medals at the 2012 Olympics and became an opposition activist following the 2020 Belarusian protests.
swimmerBelarus
Amir Karić
1973Slovenian midfielder who played for various clubs in Slovenia and neighboring countries during his professional career. He earned caps for Slovenia's national team and later moved into football coaching and management roles.
Ahmad Mohammad Hasher Al Maktoum
1963Olympic sport shooter who won the UAE's first Olympic medal, a gold in double trap shooting at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
sport shooterUnited Arab Emirates
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on December 31?
Anthony Hopkins, the Oscar-winning Welsh actor famous for his role as Hannibal Lecter, is considered the most famous person born on December 31. Other notable births on this date include French artist Henri Matisse and Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum.
What celebrities have birthdays on New Year's Eve?
Several celebrities have birthdays on December 31, including Anthony Hopkins, soccer manager Alex Ferguson, and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. This date also includes the birth of artist Henri Matisse and singer Umm Kulthum.
Are there any famous artists born on December 31?
Henri Matisse, the French artist known for leading the Fauvism movement, was born on December 31, 1869. Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, often called the 'Star of the East' and one of the most celebrated Arabic singers, was born on this date in 1898.