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As the clock winds down on one year and opens another, a cluster of well-known names mark their birthdays alongside the New Year festivities. From Hollywood legends to chart-topping artists and Olympic champions, these celebrities share the holiday spotlight with candles and confetti.
Celebrities born on New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31)
- Hunter Schafer — Born Dec. 31, 1998. The Euphoria star turns 27 and is a familiar face to young-adult TV audiences.
- Sir Anthony Hopkins — Born Dec. 31, 1937. The celebrated Welsh actor remains active in his craft at 88.
- Paul Westerberg — The Replacements frontman marks another year on Dec. 31, turning 66.
- Nicholas Sparks — The novelist behind The Notebook was born on Dec. 31, 1965.
- Sir Ben Kingsley — The acclaimed British actor celebrates his birthday on New Year’s Eve, turning 82.
- Bebe Neuwirth — The stage and screen performer celebrates Dec. 31 as she turns 67.
- Andrew Taggart — One half of The Chainsmokers, Taggart marks his birthday on Dec. 31 and turns 36.
- Andy Summers — The Police guitarist celebrates his Dec. 31 birthday and turns 83.
- Psy — The South Korean artist of “Gangnam Style” fame celebrates Dec. 31 and steps into his 48th year.
- Donna Summer — Born Dec. 31, 1948. The Queen of Disco was born on New Year’s Eve and died in 2012.
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Stars who ring in birthdays on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1)
- Ice Spice — Born Jan. 1, 2000. The rapper celebrates her birthday on the first day of the year.
- Elin Nordegren — The model and public figure marks Jan. 1 as her birthday and turns 46.
- Frank Langella — The veteran stage and screen actor will be 88 on Jan. 1.
- Grandmaster Flash — Born Jan. 1, 1958. The pioneering hip-hop DJ shares the New Year birthday slot.
Holiday-born celebrities who passed away
- Val Kilmer — Born Dec. 31, 1959. The Top Gun actor died on April 1, 2025, of pneumonia.
- Lance Reddick — The late actor would have celebrated his birthday on Dec. 31, turning 63.
- Donna Summer — Born Dec. 31, 1948. The singer died on May 17, 2012, following a battle with lung cancer.
Quick-hit facts for fans and searchers
- Why these dates matter: New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day birthdays attract extra attention during holiday coverage.
- Generational range: The list spans performers born in the 1930s through 2000, across film, music, sports, and literature.
- How people celebrate: Many of these stars receive public shout-outs from fans and media as the ball drops.
Complete roster of holiday-born names to watch
- Hunter Schafer
- Ice Spice
- Sir Anthony Hopkins
- Gabby Douglas
- Val Kilmer
- Elin Nordegren
- Psy
- Paul Westerberg
- Nicholas Sparks
- Sir Ben Kingsley
- Lance Reddick
- Bebe Neuwirth
- Andrew Taggart
- Andy Summers
- Frank Langella
- Grandmaster Flash
- Donna Summer
