Famous October Birthdays
Former host of MTV's hit "Wild 'N Out" Nick Cannon made a name for himself in television, movies and with several hit songs. He and his R&B diva wife welcomed twins in April.
The 39th president, Jimmy Carter served a single term and was hurt politically by the Iran hostage crisis. Since he left office, he was awarded the Nobel Peace prize and founded the Carter Center with his wife, Rosalynn.
British actor John Cleese got his start with the offbeat comedy troupe Monty Python and starred in all four movies based on their show. On TV he also played the hotel manager Basil Fawlty in "Fawlty Towers" and the quirky Lyle Finster in the hit comedy "Will & Grace."
Former first lady Hilary Rodham Clinton was a U.S. senator before becoming the current secretary of state and made an unsuccessful run for the presidency. She published her autobiography in 2003, "Living History."
The so-called king of mean, Simon Cowell spent nine seasons on "American Idol" hurling insults at contestants and helping a few lucky winners realize their dreams. You can catch him on his new show to see if his sharp tongue still cuts as deep.
Joan Cusack built her successful career with memorable supporting roles, including several with her younger brother. Her unique voice was lent to Jessie the cowgirl in "Toy Story 2" and "Toy Story 3."
Retirement flip-flopper Brett Favre spent 19 years as an NFL quarterback, most notably with the Green Bay Packers, before finally deciding to leave the league after the 2010 season.He has appeared in several commercials, a few poking fun at his on-again, off-again retirement plans.
Billionaire Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1976. An avid philanthropist, he created the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with his wife and signed the Giving Pledge with fellow billionaires Warren Buffett and Mark Zuckerberg.
Tough as nails former prosecutor Nancy Grace reports on high-profile court cases on her legal and current events TV show, "Nancy Grace".Her coverage of the Casey Anthony trial earned high ratings.
NBA All-Star Grant Hill plays for the Phoenix Suns and was part of the 1996 Olympic team that won gold in Atlanta. An avid African-American art collector, he sponsored an exhibition tour of his collection.
Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield's 44 wins and career longevity earned him a nickname. He had part of his ear bitten off in one of his most famous fights.
Australian actor Hugh Jackman is well known as an action star and as a romantic leading man.
He is a three-time Tony Awards host as well as an award winner
Country crooner Alan Jackson's traditional country sound has earned him a loyal following. His newly released collaboration on "As She's Walking Away" with the Zac Brown Band earned the pair a Grammy Award.
Reality-TV star Kim Kardashian is best known for her involvement in her family's show, "Keeping up With the Kardashians," but she is involved in a variety of business interests, including her clothing and perfume lines. She married NBA star Kris Humphries in August.
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Kline has enjoyed a long career in a wide spectrum of movies, from "Sophie's Choice" to "Soapdish." He has two children with his wife, actress Phoebe Cates
A star of the hit comedy "The Office", Jim Krasinski has appeared in "It's Complicated" and most recently "Something Borrowed." He married British actress Emily Blunt in 2010
Character actor Christopher Lloyd is best known for his role as Doc Brown in the "Back to the Future" trilogy and as Jim Ignatowski on "Taxi." He recently lent his unique voice to animated films such as "The Tale of Despereaux."
After securing fame with her iconic role as Laverne DeFazio on the hit television show "Laverne and Shirley," Penny Marshall turned to the opposite side of the camera. She is a successful director who has done blockbusters such as "A League of Their Own" and has been a producer on films such as "Cinderella Man."
Blues-rock singer John Mayer has produced numerous hit albums,
and his music has earned him seven Grammy Awards. His high-profile romances and breakups have earned him a reputation as a womanizer.
Best known as the matriarch of the Osbourne family, Sharon Osbourne stepped into the spotlight with her family's reality show, "The Osbournes". She has become a permanent fixture on the small screen as a judge on the U.K.'s "The X Factor" and on "America's Got Talent," as well as a co-host on a popular daytime talk show
British heartthrob Clive Owen impressed audiences with his string of supporting roles before cleaning up on the awards circuit for his leading role in "Closer." His new movie, "Intruders," debuted at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival. Watch the trailer.
The well-known daughter of former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, Bristol Palin gained her own fame with her high-profile teenage pregnancy and subsequent work advocating teen abstinence. Her popularity rose with her third-place finish on "Dancing With the Stars"
Journalist Jane Pauley is best known as a former co-host on the "Today" show and "Dateline NBC." She went public with her battle with bipolar disorder in her autobiography and is involved with the Jane Pauley Community Health Program.
Pop princess Katy Perry found fame with her first hit single and has stayed on top of the charts with the songs that followed . She married comedian Russell Brand in October 2010
Gothic fiction writer Anne Rice is best known for her stories involving vampires, most notably in her "Vampire Chronicles" series. Though she no longer lives in her original hometown , the city is the background for many of her novels.
"Live With Regis and Kelly" co-host Kelly Ripa met her husband while on the soap opera "All My Children." She and co-host Regis Philbin, who will soon leave the show, won a Daytime Emmy Award in June.
"Heathers" star Winona Ryder landed in a courtroom facing shoplifting charges in 2001. After a career hiatus, she made a successful return to the big screen in "Black Swan," which earned her a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award. Watch the trailer from her most recent film.
Oscar-nominated actress Elisabeth Shue made a name for herself in girl-next-door roles beginning with her breakout performance in "The Karate Kid." She is married to Academy Award-winning director Davis Guggenheim
Rock icon Grace Slick was lead singer and one of the songwriters for Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship and Starship. She continues to work as an artist, but she's traded her singing and songwriting for a paintbrush
The United Kingdom's first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher earned her nickname for her tough stances against trade unions and the Soviet Union. She talks about her time in office in her autobiography, "The Downing Street Years"
R&B superstar and actor Usher is a seven-time Grammy Award winner and best-selling recording artist . He is part owner of an NBA team
