Bhumibol Adulyadej
1927 – 2016King of Thailand from 1946 to 2016, the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history who was also an accomplished jazz musician and composer.
Famous Birthdays on December 5
12 notable people were born on December 5.
December 5 marks the birth date of several influential figures. Spanish playwright Lope de Vega was born in 1562, Bolivian president Andrés de Santa Cruz in 1792, and American animator Walt Disney in 1901. Other notable individuals born on this date include Polish pianist and composer Władysław Szpilman (1911) and Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle (1925). These individuals come from varied fields such as literature, entertainment, politics, and music.
20th Century10 people
Walt Disney
1901 – 1966American animator, producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor and entrepreneur, founder of The Walt Disney Company (1901–1966)
Władysław Szpilman
1911 – 2000Polish pianist and composer whose wartime survival in Nazi-occupied Warsaw was chronicled in Roman Polanski's Academy Award-winning film 'The Pianist.'
Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum
1985Daughter of Dubai's ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who gained international attention after attempting to flee Dubai and seeking asylum.
Anastasio Somoza Debayle
1925 – 1980Nicaraguan dictator who ruled as President from 1967-1972 and 1974-1979 as part of the Somoza family dynasty. He was overthrown by the Sandinista revolution and assassinated in exile in 1980.
politicianNicaragua
Ondrej Duda
1994Slovak midfielder who plays for Serie A club Hellas Verona and has been capped over 50 times for the Slovak national team.
association football playerSlovakia
Rosalía Arteaga Serrano
1956Lawyer and writer who became Ecuador's first female president in 1997, serving briefly for six months, and later pursued an international academic career.
Rustam Kasimdzhanov
1979FIDE World Chess Champion in 2004 and accomplished chess author who has written several instructional chess books. He also works as a chess trainer and has coached world-class players.
Ján Mucha
1982Slovak goalkeeper who earned over 20 caps for the national team and played for clubs across Europe including Everton and Legia Warsaw. He later moved into coaching after retiring from playing.
Jügderdemidiin Gürragchaa
1947Mongolia's first and only cosmonaut, who flew aboard Soyuz 39 to the Salyut 6 space station in March 1981.
16th Century1 person
Lope de Vega
1562 – 1635Spanish Golden Age playwright and poet who wrote over 1,800 plays including "Fuenteovejuna" and helped establish the Spanish national theater.
18th Century1 person
Andrés de Santa Cruz
1792 – 1865Military leader and statesman who served as President of Bolivia and created the Peru-Bolivian Confederation from 1836 to 1839.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on December 5?
Walt Disney, the animator and founder of The Walt Disney Company, was born on December 5, 1901. He created Mickey Mouse and numerous animated films, becoming a global icon in entertainment.
What famous musicians or artists were born on December 5?
Władysław Szpilman, the Polish pianist and composer whose wartime survival story inspired the film 'The Pianist,' was born on December 5, 1911. Spanish playwright and poet Lope de Vega, a significant figure in Spanish Golden Age literature, was also born on this date in 1562.
Are there any political leaders born on December 5?
Yes, Andrés de Santa Cruz, who was President of Bolivia and of Peru-Bolivia, was born in 1792. Anastasio Somoza Debayle, the former dictator of Nicaragua, was born in 1925.