You ever notice how certain calendar dates just seem to hog all the talent? May 9 is exactly like that. It’s not just another spring day; it’s a heavy-hitter in the world of fame. We’re talking about the guy who basically defined the New York singer-songwriter sound, the woman who jumped from a gritty indie film to leading a Star Wars series, and the internet’s favorite rom-com heartthrob.
Honestly, the range is wild. If you were born on this day, you share a cake-cutting tradition with rock legends, Oscar winners, and even the guy who invented the lie detector.
The Heavy Hitters: Celebrity Birthdays May 9
When most people think about celebrity birthdays May 9, one name usually drowns out the rest: Billy Joel. Born in 1949 in the Bronx, the "Piano Man" himself is the anchor for this date. It’s kinda crazy to think he almost didn’t graduate high school because he was too busy playing late-night gigs to make it to his 8:00 AM exams. He once told his teachers that if he wasn't going to Columbia University, he was going to Columbia Records. He wasn’t kidding.
But Joel isn't the only one.
Rosario Dawson, born in 1979, is another massive May 9 powerhouse. She was literally discovered sitting on her front porch in Manhattan when she was 15. A photographer saw her, thought she had "the look," and next thing you know, she’s starring in the controversial 1995 film Kids. Now? She’s Ahsoka Tano. That is a career arc most actors would kill for.
Then you've got the younger generation. Noah Centineo (1996) became an overnight sensation thanks to Netflix. If you spent any time on the internet around 2018, you couldn't escape his face. He gained like a million Instagram followers in 24 hours after To All the Boys I've Loved Before dropped.
A Quick Look at the May 9 Roll Call
- Billy Joel (1949): 23-time Grammy nominee and the fourth best-selling solo artist in U.S. history.
- Candice Bergen (1946): The legendary Murphy Brown star. Fun fact: her fictional character actually shares her May 9 birthday.
- Dave Gahan (1962): The baritone voice of Depeche Mode.
- Ghostface Killah (1970): Wu-Tang Clan royalty.
- John Corbett (1961): You know him as Aidan from Sex and the City or the guy from My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
- James L. Brooks (1940): The genius behind The Simpsons and Terms of Endearment.
Why May 9 Matters Beyond the Red Carpet
It’s not just actors and musicians. May 9 has this weird connection to people who changed how we see the world—literally.
Howard Carter, the British archaeologist who discovered King Tut’s tomb in 1922, was born on this day in 1874. Think about that for a second. The man who gave us the most famous image of Ancient Egypt shares a birthday with the guy who sang "Uptown Girl." History is weird like that.
Then there’s William Moulton Marston (1893). This guy was a psychologist who helped invent the polygraph (the lie detector). But his real claim to fame? He created Wonder Woman. He wanted a superhero who would conquer with love rather than fists, which is a pretty cool legacy for a May 9 baby.
The Mystery of the May 9 "Vibe"
Is there something in the water? If you look at the personalities born on this day, there’s a recurring theme of grit.
Take Billy Joel. Before he was a superstar, he was a boxer. He won 22 out of 24 amateur bouts before a broken nose convinced him to stick to the keys. Rosario Dawson didn't go the traditional child-star route; she stayed grounded in activism and indie film before hitting the big franchises. Even Mike Wallace (1918), the legendary 60 Minutes journalist, was known for a "take no prisoners" interviewing style that basically invented modern investigative TV.
📖 Related: Queen Elizabeth in 1960: The Year the Monarchy Almost Lost Its Way
There’s a certain "I’ll do it my way" energy that seems to tie these people together. They aren't just famous; they're influential. They change the medium they work in.
Surprising Names You Might Have Missed
- Amy Hill (1953): A character actress you've seen in everything from Magnum P.I. to 50 First Dates.
- Steve Yzerman (1965): Hockey Hall of Famer and Detroit Red Wings legend.
- Ezra Klein (1984): Co-founder of Vox and major political journalist.
- J.M. Barrie (1860): The author of Peter Pan. He literally gave us the boy who wouldn't grow up.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Date
People often assume May 9 is just another Taurus day. While that’s true, it’s also the day the U.S. legalized the birth control pill (1960) and the day Friday the 13th was first released in theaters (1980). It’s a day of breakthroughs and culture shifts.
If you're celebrating a birthday on May 9, you're in the company of people who aren't afraid of the spotlight but also aren't afraid of the work. It’s a "performer’s birthday." Whether it’s Ghostface Killah’s stream-of-consciousness rap or Glenda Jackson’s Oscar-winning performances (and later her career in British politics), these people don't just sit still.
How to Celebrate Your May 9 Connection
If you share a birthday with these icons, or you're just a fan of someone on this list, there are actually cool ways to lean into the May 9 energy.
Host a "Piano Man" Karaoke Session You can't talk about celebrity birthdays May 9 without mentioning Billy Joel’s discography. Put on The Stranger and see if you can hit the high notes in "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant."
Marathon the Classics Watch Ahsoka for Rosario Dawson, then flip over to Murphy Brown for a dose of Candice Bergen’s wit. If you're feeling adventurous, watch The Gold Retrievers, which was a very young Noah Centineo’s film debut in 2009.
Visit a Museum (Virtually or Otherwise) In honor of Howard Carter, look up the digital archives of the Tutankhamun exhibit. It’s a great way to acknowledge the "discovery" side of this date.
Write Your Own Story Since J.M. Barrie was born today, maybe it’s the day you finally start that creative project. There's clearly some creative luck in the air on May 9.
To really get the most out of your May 9 trivia, try looking up what else happened in the year your favorite May 9 celebrity was born. You’ll find that many of these stars rose to fame during massive cultural turning points, which probably helped shape their unique styles. Whether you’re a fan of 80s rock, modern sci-fi, or classic journalism, this date has a little something for everyone. Keep an eye on the rising stars born on this day—history suggests they’re probably going to do something big.