Famous People Born in New York City

New York City has been the birthplace of many influential figures. Explore a curated list of notable individuals born in New York City — from living celebrities to historical personalities who have shaped their fields. Each profile includes birthplace details and an interactive map to help you explore their origins geographically.

Famous People Born by City

New York City Manhattan

🗺️ Birthplaces in New York City

24 Famous People born in New York City

Djuna Barnes (Writer) - New York City, New York, USA (June 12th, 1892)

American modernist novelist and journalist noted for experimental prose and New York literary circles.

Timothée Chalamet (Actor) - Manhattan, New York City, United States (December 27th, 1995)

American-French actor who has appeared in films such as Call Me by Your Name, Dune, and Little Women.

Richard Feynman (scientist) - New York City, USA (May 11th, 1918)

Physicist known for quantum electrodynamics and popular science writing.

Jane Fonda (Actress, Artist) - New York City, New York, USA (December 21st, 1937)

American actress, producer, and activist who has won two Academy Awards and is known for her influential film career and decades of political and social advocacy.

Helen Frankenthaler (Painter) - New York City, New York, USA (December 12th, 1928)

American abstract expressionist painter who pioneered the 'soak-stain' technique.

Maya Hawke (Actress, Artist) - New York City, United States (July 8th, 1998)

American actress, singer, and model best known for her roles in the television series Stranger Things and films such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Do Revenge.

Mary Higgins Clark (Writer) - New York City, United States (December 24th, 1927)

American author renowned for her suspense novels, earning the nickname “the Queen of Suspense” for her bestselling crime and mystery books.

Grace Hopper (scientist) - New York City, USA (December 9th, 1906)

Computer scientist who developed early compilers.

Washington Irving (Writer) - New York City, USA (April 3rd, 1783)

American writer known for short stories like Rip Van Winkle.

Henry James (Writer) - New York City, USA (April 15th, 1843)

American-British novelist known for psychological realism.

Lisa Ko (Novelist) - New York City, New York, USA (1975)

American novelist exploring migration and identity.

Cindy Lauper (Actress, Artist, Musician, Singer) - New York City, United States (June 22nd, 1953)

American singer, songwriter, and actress, best known for her pop music career including the hit song Girls Just Want to Have Fun and the album She’s So Unusual.

Lucy Liu (Actor, Producer) - New York City, USA (December 2nd, 1968)

American actress known for action and comedy roles.

Maria Callas (Singer) - New York City, New York, USA (December 2nd, 1923)

American-born Greek soprano known for operatic mastery.

Freida McFadden (Writer) - New York City, United States (May 1st, 1980)

American thriller author and practicing physician specializing in brain injury.

Herman Melville (Writer) - New York City, USA (August 1st, 1819)

American novelist known for Moby-Dick.

Arthur Miller (Playwright, Writer) - New York City, USA (October 17th, 1915)

American playwright renowned for drama addressing ethics and the American Dream.

Viggo Mortensen (Actor, Producer) - New York City, USA (October 20th, 1958)

American-Danish actor known for a wide range of roles including The Lord of the Rings.

Yunus Musah (Soccer player) - New York City, New York, United States (November 29th, 2002)

American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder, known for his versatility, ball-carrying ability, and contributions to both AC Milan and the United States national team.

Norman Rockwell (Illustrator, Painter) - New York City, New York, USA (February 3rd, 1894)

American painter and illustrator known for iconic depictions of American life for The Saturday Evening Post.

Theodore Roosevelt (Political leader, writer) - New York City, New York, USA (October 27th, 1858)

Twenty-sixth President of the United States and progressive reformer; known for conservation and “speak softly”.

Edith Warton (Writer) - New York City, New York, USA (January 24th, 1862)

American novelist included for influence on 20th‑century American realism.

Colson Whitehead (Novelist) - New York City, New York, USA (November 6th, 1969)

American novelist, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner.

Elizabeth Wurtzel (Journalist, Writer) - New York City, United States (July 31st, 1967)

American writer, journalist, and lawyer known for the confessional memoir Prozac Nation, which she published at the age of 27.