- Many stars were born on New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve
- From actors to singers, there are a lot of them
- Singer Ice Spice is one of many born on NYD
New Year’s Eve has passed and New Year’s Day is here. We are almost at the point of a new year – and with it comes new beginnings, bottles of champagne, celebrations, and for some, birthdays. Just before the new year on New Year’s Eve. Alternatively, just after the year begins on New Year’s Day.
We’re not sure how we’d feel about having a birthday just before the party on 31 December but a birthday on the 1st day of the year could be refreshing. Imagine having a birthday just after Christmas – more presents, more cake – and fireworks (If you’re born on New Year’s Day).
Read more: Top 10 movies set at New Year
According to USA Today, it is very uncommon to have your birthday on 1 January. Well, there is another advantage to being a New Year’s baby then. However, if you’re curious about who in the land of celebs happens to have a rare birthday on either of these days, here are our countdowns for some of the most well known.
Anthony Hopkins – 31 December
Anthony Hopkins is one of Hollywood’s most legendary actors. Hopkins was born on Dec 31, 1937, in Margam, Wales. His most prolific role arguably was as serial killer Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal retrospectively. Indeed, it is fitting he was born on New Year’s Eve.
The actor has even been knighted and is referred to as ‘Sir’ Anthony Hopkins as his full title. Fancy. In his career, the 87-year-old has been in over 90 movies. He has achieved a lot, winning two Academy Awards, two BAFTAs, and an Oliver Award. Additionally, he has also reportedly won 55 of his 145 award nominations.
Grandmaster Flash – 1 January
Grandmaster Flash, is an American rapper who was born on 1 January 1958. Flash, or Joseph Robert Saddler, is one of the revolutionaries of hip-hop and is also known for his DJ skills. Saddler founded Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, and he and the group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Yeah, this man doesn’t need New Year’s Day good luck.
Randomly, Flash made other huge contributions to music, he invented the slip mat, a circular piece of material that sits on a turntable which prevents scratches on vinyls and is used for DJs when scratching records. You go, Flash! Flash is a legend of New Year’s Day.
Val Kilmer – 31 December
Another actor on our list is Val Kilmer. An American legend, Kilmer was born on 31 December 1959. He started off on stage but became famous for playing Tom Kazansky in Top Gun and later in Top Gun: Maverick.
Kilmer is a New Year’s Eve baby but is a notable achiever throughout the year. Other prominent films Kilmer has starred in include Batman Forever and voicing Moses and God in The Prince Of Egypt. In 2021, his documentary, Val, came out on Amazon MGM. Kilmer’s extensive acting career spans over four decades.
Ice Spice – 1 January
You thought she was feeling you? Well, the American rapper was feeling arriving on Earth on 1 January 2000. Something is so amazing about being born on the first day of the year, let alone a new millennium. She is a New Year’s Day baby and a new millennium baby.
The 25-year-old, real name Isis Naija Gaston, gained fame in 2022 with her song Munch (Feelin’ U) which went viral on TikTok. Since then, she has become known for other songs such as Deli and having a controversial fling with UK rapper Central Cee. Regardless, being born on the first day of the first of a new month, year, and millennium is iconic behavior.
Donna Summer – 31 December
Legendary Queen Of Disco Donna Summer was born on 31 December 1948. Summer was a legendary singer who pioneered disco music in the 1970s. Hits by Summer include Hot Stuff and Last Dance. The disco queen was a 1970s baddie who gave us life with her dance-worthy hits.
Recently Hot Stuff has had a resurgence in viral moments, including the season 3 Sex and The City episode where Carrie Bradshaw and the gang dance in a club to the song. Summer died in 2012, but her legacy remains.
Betsy Ross – 1 January
If you’re not American, you might not know Betsy Ross. Ross is famous for a remarkable achievement: she is accredited with creating the second official American flag, stars and stripes, and all.
Ross was born on January 1, 1752. She also helped George Washington finalize the design for the flag. However, the evidence that Ross 100 per cent made the flag is under debate. Regardless, Ross is a cultural and patriotic icon of American culture and history. During the American Revolution, she made flags for the Pennsylvania Navy and continued to make flags for the remainder of her life.
