On Today’s Famous People’s Birthday, April 26, we celebrate and honor famous people born on this particular day, including Frederick Law Olmstead, Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, I.M. Pei, David Coleman, Jack Douglas, Duane Eddy, Koo Stark, and more. These famous personalities, with their diverse fields of endeavor, have left an indelible mark on the World. Their legacies and achievements continue to inspire generations and generations yet unborn, a testament to their enduring impact.
Join The Ne News God Team to discover and explore the famous people born today: April 26. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about these famous figures.
Who Are The Famous People’s Born Today: April 26?
Today, we joyfully celebrate the birthdays of famous people who have significantly shaped their respective fields. Scroll down with excitement to discover and explore the famous people born on this day, April 26:
Frederick Law Olmsted will have been 202 years old today.

Frederick Law Olmsted is one of the famous people and personalities born on April 26. He was a celebrated American landscape architect, journalist, social critic, and public administrator. Frederick Law Olmsted was born to John Olmsted, father, and Charlotte Law Olmsted, mother, on April 26, 1822, in Hartford, Connecticut, United States. He died at the age of 81 on August 28, 1903.
His career trajectory significantly changed when he discovered his passion for landscape architecture after an early career in journalism. This revelation was not sudden but was born out of his experiences and observations during his extensive travels through Europe and his deep appreciation for the natural world.
Olmsted was appointed Central Park commissioner in New York City, a position defining his career and legacy. Alongside his collaborator, architect Calvert Vaux, Olmsted designed Central Park. He later became the director of Central Park.
Olmsted’s success with Central Park was just the beginning. His visionary designs transformed the urban landscape of America, with commissions for other parks and public spaces pouring in. He went on to design some of the most iconic urban parks in America, including Prospect Park in Brooklyn, Cadwalader Park in Trenton, New Jersey, the Emerald Necklace in Boston, Grand Necklace of Parks in Milwaukee, and the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, leaving a lasting legacy that we can all appreciate.
Frederick Law Olmsted’s legacy extends far beyond his projects. His writings, including “Walks and Talks of an American Farmer in England” and “Public Parks and the Enlargement of Towns,” continue to resonate and inspire landscape architects, urban planners, and environmentalists worldwide, underscoring the profound impact of his intellectual contributions.
He was married to Mary Cleveland Perkins, and they had five children.
Quick Fact About Frederick Law Olmsted
- Frederick Law Olmsted started his professional career as a journalist.
- His most famous work is New York Central City Park.
- He died at the age of 81 and had five children.
- He later became the director of Central Park.
Gertrude “Ma” Rainey will have been 138 years old today.

Ma Rainey was a renowned American blues singer and one of the earliest known professional blues performers. She was born in Columbus, Georgia, United States on April 26, 1886. Rainey is often referred to as the “Mother of the Blues.” Her powerful voice, commanding stage presence, and pioneering contributions to the genre paved the way for future generations of blues and jazz artists.
Rainey’s performing career began at 12 when she participated in a talent show in Columbus, Georgia. She later began performing as a First African Baptist Church member in minstrel shows.
In 1904, Rainey’s life took a significant turn when she married fellow performer Will ‘Pa’ Rainey. Together, they formed the Alabama Fun Makers Company, a partnership that enriched their personal lives and left an indelible mark on the music industry.
Rainey’s big break came in 1923 when she signed a recording contract with Paramount Records, one of the leading labels for African American blues and jazz artists. Throughout her recording career, Rainey released over 100 songs, including hits such as “Bo-Weevil Blues,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Moonshine Blues,” “Soon This Morning,” and “See See Rider Blues.”
She collaborated with and paved the way for future artists like Thomas Dorsey, Tampa Red, Bessie Smith, and Louis Armstrong. Ma Rainey was married once to “Pa” Rainey, but they separated in 1916. passed away on December 22, 1939, at the age of 53.
During his impressive career, Ma Rainey won several honors, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Blues Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Quick Fact About Gertrude “Ma” Rainey
- Ma Rainey’s real name is Gertrude Pridgett.
- She started performing at 12 as a contestant in a talent show.
- His most notable hits include “Bo-Weevil Blues,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Moonshine Blues,” “Soon This Morning,” and “See See Rider Blues.”
- She died at the age of 53.
I. M. Pei will have been 107 years old today.

I. M. Pei was a celebrated Chinese-American architect famous for his groundbreaking designs and innovative approach to architecture worldwide. He was born on April 26, 1917, and passed away on May 16, 2019, at the age of 102.
Pei pursued his dream of becoming an architect when he enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania. However, he transferred to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and later to the Harvard Graduate School of Design. His education was interrupted by World War II, during which Pei served on the National Defense Research Committee. Still, he returned to complete his studies and embark on his architectural career after World War II and the Pacific War.
In his early career years, Pei worked for the New York City-based architectural firm Webb & Knapp, where he gained valuable experience and developed his skills as a designer. In 1955, he founded his firm, I.M. Pei & Associates, later known as Pei Cobb Freed & Partners.
Throughout his career, Pei designed a wide range of iconic buildings and structures around the world, including the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, John Hancock Tower, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar.
Pei’s contributions to the field of architecture were not only significant but also globally recognized. His innovative designs earned him numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1983 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, in 1992.
I. M. Pei married Eileen Loo in 1942, and they stayed married until she died in 2014. they had four children.
Quick Fact About I. M. Pei
- I. M. Pei full name is Ieoh Ming Pei.
- He served in the National Defense Research Committee during the Second World War.
- His net worth was $150 million.
- He had four children.
David Coleman will have been 98 years old today.

David Coleman was an iconic British sports commentator and television presenter. He was born on April 26, 1926, in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, England. Coleman passed away on December 21, 2013, at 87.
Coleman’s passion for sports ignited at a tender age, and he displayed exceptional prowess as an athlete, particularly in athletics. However, an injury dashed his dreams of pursuing athletics professionally. Yet, this setback didn’t deter him. Instead, it propelled him towards a new path—a career as a sports journalist and commentator.
His career as a journalist started as a reporter at Stockport Express. By the age of 22, David Coleman became the editor of the Cheshire County Express. He joined the BBC in 1954 as a news assistant and sports editor.
His career took a significant turn when he assumed the role of the host for the BBC’s sports program, “Grandstand,” in 1958. This was a role he would hold with distinction for over two decades, leaving an indelible mark on the world of sports broadcasting.
In addition to his work on “Grandstand,” Coleman also hosted several other popular sports programs, including “Sportsnight” and “A Question of Sport.”
Coleman’s career highlights include covering 11 Olympic Games, 6 FIFA World Cup tournaments, and 8 Commonwealth Games. Throughout his career, Coleman received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to sports journalism, including the Royal Television Society’s Judges’ Award For Sport. He was appointed Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in 1993 for his broadcasting services.
David Coleman married Barbara Manning in 1952, and they had six children. He continued to work in sports broadcasting until his retirement in 2000 after the Sports 2000 Summer Olympics.
Quick Fact About David Coleman
- David Coleman’s full name is David Robert Coleman.
- He became the first broadcaster to be presented with an Olympic Order
- He died at the age of 87.
- Coleman covered 11 Olympic Games, 6 FIFA World Cup tournaments, and 8 Commonwealth Games.
- He retired in 2000 after the Sports 2000 Summer Olympics.
More Famous People’s Birthday Today: April 26.
Duane Eddy is 86 years old today.

Birth Year: 1938
Place of Birth: Corning, New York, U.S.
Profession: Rock and roll guitarist
Koo Stark is 68 years old today.

Birth Year: 1956
Place of Birth: New York City, U.S.
Profession: Photographer and actress
Channing Tatum is 44 years old today.

Birth Year: 1980
Place of Birth: Cullman, Alabama, U.S.
Profession: Actor
Melania Trump is 54 years old today.

Birth Year: 1970
Place of Birth: Novo Mesto, SR Slovenia, SFR Yugoslavia
Profession: Former model and first lady of the United States