Join the New God to celebrate and honor our legends and trailblazing personalities born today, May 15, on our famous people’s birthday. Like any other day, the famous person born today has contributed and left a lasting legacy and impression in their various fields of endeavor.
The list for today includes Frank Baum, Pierre Curie, James Mason, Peter Shaffer, Madeleine Albright, Trini Lopez, Brian Eno, Mike Oldfield, Zara Phillips, and more. To learn more about the famous people born today, may 15, please scroll down and read this article.
Who Are The Famous People’s Born Today: May 15?
Please scroll down through the article to discover and learn about the famous people born today: May 15
Frank Baum will have been 168 years old today.
Frank Baum was a renowned American author best known for creating the beloved “Wizard of Oz” series. He was born on May 15, 1856, in Chittenango, New York, United States, to Benjamin Ward Baum and Cynthia Ann, making him one of the famous people born on May 15.
Baum was homeschooled alongside his siblings until he was 12 and spent two years at Peekskill Military Academy. He showed an early interest in writing and storytelling, and by the age of 17, Frank established The Stamp Collector, a second amateur journal.
Frank Baum’s career was diverse and multifaceted. He also worked as a poultry breeder, a theater producer, a theater manager, a newspaper editor, and a playwright before finding success as a writer. His first children’s book, “Mother Goose in Prose,” was published in 1897, followed by “Father Goose, His Book” in 1899, which became a children’s bestseller book.
Baum’s most famous work, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” was published in 1900 and quickly became a literary sensation. The book spawned a series of sequels, including “The Marvelous Land of Oz,” “Ozma of Oz,” and “The Emerald City of Oz,” and more.
Frank Baum authored 41 other novels, over 200 poems, 83 short stories, and 42 scripts. His “Wizard of Oz” series has sold millions of copies worldwide and has been translated into countless languages. The books have inspired numerous adaptations, including stage plays, musicals, films, and television shows. Frank Baum married Maud Gage in 1882, with whom he had four sons.
He passed away on May 5, 1919, at the age of 62, after slipping into a coma after suffering from a stroke.
Quick Fact About Frank Baum
- Frank Baum was the seventh of the nine children of Benjamin Ward Baum and Cynthia Ann.
- His famous work is creating the “Wizard of Oz” series.
- He died at the age of 62.
- Frank spent two years at Peekskill Military Academy.
Pierre Curie will have been 165 years old today.
Pierre Curie was a renowned French physicist and Nobel laureate. He was born in Paris, France, on May 15, 1859, to Eugène Curie and Sophie-Claire Curie. Alongside his wife, Marie Skłodowska Curie, and Henri Becquerel, he made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of radioactivity. He died at the age of 46 on April 19, 1906.
Pierre Curie showed an early aptitude for mathematics and science. He attended the Sorbonne (University of Paris) in Paris, receiving a master’s degree in physical science by age 18. Curie then continued his studies, completing his doctorate in 1895 with a thesis on the magnetization of iron at low temperatures, which is now known as Curie’s law.
After completing his education, Pierre Curie embarked on a career in scientific research. He began studying the properties of magnetism and electricity, conducting experiments to explore their relationship. In 1880, he joined the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Paris as a lecturer and became a Professor of physics.
In 1895, Curie made a pivotal discovery when he and his wife, Marie, detected radioactivity in uranium ore. This groundbreaking finding laid the foundation for their subsequent research into radioactive elements, leading to the discovery of new elements such as radium and polonium.
In 1903, Pierre Curie, Marie Skłodowska, and Henri Becquerel were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking work on radioactivity. In 1905, Curie was also elected to the French Academy of Sciences, further cementing his status as one of the leading scientists of his time.
Pierre Curie married Marie Skłodowska, later known as Marie Curie, in 1895. The couple shared a deep passion for science and collaborated closely on their research into radioactivity. They had two daughters, Irène and Ève, who had successful careers in science and literature.
Quick Fact About Pierre Curie
- Pierre Curie earned his master’s degree at the age of 18.
- He is known for his works on radioactivity, Curie’s law, Curie’s principle, Curie constant, Curie temperature, and Curie–Weiss law.
- He died at the age of 46 and had two children.
- He was an atheist.
Peter Shaffer will have been 98 years old today.
Sir Peter Levin Shaffer was a male playwright, screenwriter, and novelist known for his contributions to the theater world. He was openly gay and was in a relationship with Paul Giovanni, the musician and composer of “The Wicker Man,” during the 1970s.
Shaffer’s career began with his play “The Salt Land,” which premiered on ITV on November 8, 1955. Encouraged by its success, he continued writing and gained recognition as a playwright in 1958 with “Five Finger Exercise.” This play, directed by John Gielgud, opened in London and won the Evening Standard Drama Award.
Throughout his career, Shaffer authored numerous books, including “The Private Ear” and “The Public Eye.” His works received critical acclaim, with “Five Finger Exercise” winning the Evening Standard Drama Award and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award. His play “Equus” also succeeded, earning the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award and the Tony Award for Best Play.
Born on May 15, 1926, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, Sir Peter Levin Shaffer passed away on June 6, 2016, in Cork, Ireland. He held British nationality and was born under the star sign Taurus. Shaffer was previously married to Robert Leonard, who sadly died in 1990.
Shaffer’s educational background included the Hall School in Hampstead and St Paul’s School in London. He later received a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he pursued a degree in history.
Facts about Peter Shafer
- Peter Levin Shaffer was a renowned British playwright, screenwriter, and novelist.
- He was born in Liverpool, United Kingdom, on May 15, 1926.
- Shaffer gained recognition for his play “Five Finger Exercise,” which won the Evening Standard Drama Award in 1958.
- He wrote the screenplay adaptation of “Equus,” which was nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar in 1978.
- He passed away on June 6, 2016, in Cork, Ireland, at the age of 90.
Madeleine Albright will have been 87 years old.
Marie Jana Körbelová, known by her other name Madeleine Jana Korbel Albright, was a prominent female diplomat and political scientist. She was born in Prague, Czechia (formerly Czechoslovakia) on May 15, 1937, . Albright became a U.S. citizen in 1957 and was affiliated with the Democratic Party.
She passed away from cancer in Washington, D.C., on March 23, 2022, at the age of 84. Albright’s early career included organizing a fund-raising dinner for U.S. Senator Ed Muskie’s presidential campaign 1972. She later served as Muskie’s chief legislative assistant and joined the National Security Council as the congressional liaison during Jimmy Carter’s presidency.
In 1993, President Bill Clinton appointed her as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a Cabinet-level position. During her tenure, she criticized U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali for his perceived disengagement and neglect of the genocide in Rwanda.
Albright held honorary degrees from various prestigious institutions, including Brandeis University, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of Washington. She married Joseph Albright from 1959 to 1983 and had three children, including Alice P. Albright.
Known for her strong and influential presence in international affairs, Albright left an indelible mark on diplomatic relations. Her contributions were widely recognized, and she received tributes from several political figures, including U.S. presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Facts about Madeleine Albright
- She passed away on March 23, 2022, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 84 after battling cancer.
- She was a member of the Democratic Party.
- Albright served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 1993 to 1997.
- She had a rocky relationship with U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali and criticized him for his handling of the Rwandan genocide.
- She held honorary degrees from several institutions, including Brandeis University, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of Washington.
James Mason Will have been 115 years old.
James Neville Mason, a British actor, was born on May 15, 1909, in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. He died on July 27, 1984, in Lausanne, Switzerland, at 76. Neville survived a heart attack in 1959 but ultimately succumbed to another heart attack in 1984. He was cremated, and his entire estate was left to his second wife, Clarissa Kaye, although his two children challenged his will.
Before gaining fame, Mason made his stage debut in 1931 in the production of “The Rascal” in Aldershot. He later joined the Old Vic Theatre in London, where he worked under the guidance of Tyrone Guthrie. During his time there, he appeared in notable productions such as ““Henry VIII,” The Cherry Orchard,” “Measure for Measure,” “Love for Love,” “The Tempest,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” “Twelfth Night,” and “Macbeth.”
Mason starred in British films like “The Seventh Veil” (1945) and “The Wicked Lady” (1945). His performance in “Odd Man Out” (1947) earned the first-ever BAFTA Award for Best British Film.
Throughout his career, Mason appeared in numerous films, including “The Assisi Underground,” “The Shooting Party,” “Dr. Fischer of Geneva,” “Alexandre,” “Yellowbeard,” “Socrates,” “The Verdict,” “A Dangerous Summer,” and many more. His career spanned from 1931 to 1984, showcasing his versatility and enduring presence in the film industry.
Mason was married twice. His first wife was Pamela Mason, with whom he was married from 1941 to 1964. He later married Clarissa Kaye in 1971, and they remained together until his death. He had two children, Morgan Mason and Portland Mason.
James Neville Mason was born under the star sign Taurus and belonged to the white ethnicity. He received his education at Peterhouse, Cambridge.
Facts about James Mason
- James Neville Mason was a British actor known for his versatile performances.
- He was born in Huddersfield, United Kingdom on May 15, 1909.
- Mason had a career in acting that spanned from 1931 to 1984.
- He survived a heart attack in 1959.
- Mason died at the age of 76, due to another heart attack.on July 27, 1984, in Lausanne, Switzerland,
- Before gaining recognition, Mason made his stage debut in 1931 in “The Rascal” production in Aldershot.
- Mason was the top box-office attraction in the UK in 1944 and 1945.
More Famous People’s Birthday Today: May 15.
Jane Seymour is 73 years old today.
Birth Year: 1951
Place of Birth: Uxbridge, United Kingdom
Profession: Actress
Trini Lopez will have been 87 years old today.
Birth Year: 1937
Place of Birth: Dallas, Texas, United States
Profession: Singer, guitarist, and actor.
Brian Eno is 76 years old today.
Birth Year: 1948
Place of Birth: Melton, United Kingdom
Profession: Musician and songwriter
Mike Oldfield is 71 years old today.
Birth Year: 1953
Place of Birth: Reading, United Kingdom
Profession: Musician, songwriter, and producer
Zara Phillips is 43 years old today.
Birth Year: 1981
Place of Birth: St Mary’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Profession: Equestrian, an Olympian and a socialite
