Eugene Wigner
1902 – 1995Hungarian-American theoretical physicist who won the 1963 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on atomic nuclei and elementary particles, particularly his discovery of fundamental symmetry principles.
Famous Birthdays on November 17
12 notable people were born on November 17.
November 17 is the birth date of several notable figures in science, literature, film, and architecture. Nobel Prize-winning physicist Eugene Wigner was born in 1902, celebrated film director Martin Scorsese in 1942, and influential architect Rem Koolhaas in 1944. Mongolian poet Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj, born in 1906, and Kang Kek Iew, a former Khmer Rouge prison chief born in 1942, also share this date.
20th Century12 people
Cyril Ramaphosa
1952Current president of South Africa since 2018, previously known as a prominent trade union leader and businessman. He led the African National Congress's return to power with promises to fight corruption and revitalize the economy.
Rachel McAdams
1978Canadian actress known for roles in "Mean Girls", "The Notebook", and "Spotlight".
Nani
1986Portuguese winger who played for Manchester United and the Portugal national team, known for his pace and crossing ability.
association football playerPortugal
Rem Koolhaas
1944Dutch architect and urban theorist who founded OMA and designed iconic buildings including the Seattle Central Library and CCTV Headquarters in Beijing.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune
1945Current President of Algeria since December 2019, elected following the resignation of Abdelaziz Bouteflika amid nationwide protests.
politicianAlgeria
Kang Kek Iew
1942 – 2020Khmer Rouge commander who ran the notorious S-21 prison in Phnom Penh where over 14,000 people were tortured and killed. He was convicted of crimes against humanity in 2010.
Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj
1906 – 1937Mongolian writer and poet who is considered the founder of modern Mongolian literature and wrote the national anthem of Mongolia.
Nguyễn Tấn Dũng
1949Vietnamese politician who served as Prime Minister of Vietnam from 2006 to 2016, overseeing a period of significant economic growth and modernization.
Runa Laila
1952Bangladeshi playback singer who gained fame across South Asia for her versatile voice in Bengali, Urdu, and Hindi cinema during the 1970s and 1980s.
singerBangladesh
Edivaldo Hermoza
1985Professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and has represented Bolivia's national team in international competitions.
association football playerBolivia
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on November 17?
Martin Scorsese, the filmmaker behind classics like Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, and The Departed, is perhaps the most famous person born on November 17, 1942. His career has earned him numerous Academy Awards and established him as a leading director in cinema.
What celebrities have November 17 birthdays?
Celebrities born on November 17 include director Martin Scorsese (1942) and Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas (1944). Nobel Prize-winning physicist Eugene Wigner (1902) and Mongolian poet Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj (1906) were also born on this date.
Are there any Nobel Prize winners born on November 17?
Yes, Eugene Wigner was born on November 17, 1902, and won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1963 for contributions to the theory of atomic nuclei and elementary particles. He was a Hungarian-American theoretical physicist with advances in quantum mechanics and nuclear physics.