The following is an overview of events in 1981 in film, including the highest-grossing films, award ceremonies and festivals, a list of films released and notable deaths.

Highest-grossing films (U.S.)

The top ten films released in 1981 by box office gross in North America are as follows:

Events

* January 20 – Former

Governor of California The governor of California is the head of government of the U.S. state of California. The Governor (United States), governor is the commander-in-chief of the California National Guard and the California State Guard. Established in the Constit ...

and

film actor An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. ...

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party a ...

is inaugurated president. * March 30 – The

53rd Academy Awards The 53rd Academy Awards ceremony, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored films released in 1980 and took place on March 31, 1981, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, beginning at 7:00 p ...

are postponed due to the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan earlier that day. They are held the following day with a message from the

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

recorded for the ceremony prior to the assassination attempt. * May 16 –

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, commonly shortened to MGM or MGM Studios) is an American Film production, film and television production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered ...

acquires beleaguered concurrent

United Artists United Artists (UA) is an American film production and film distribution, distribution company owned by Amazon MGM Studios. In its original operating period, it was founded in February 1919 by Charlie Chaplin, D. W. Griffith, Mary Pickford an ...

. UA was humiliated by the astronomical losses on the $40,000,000 movie '' Heaven's Gate'', a major factor in the decision of owner Transamerica to sell it. * June 8 –

Marvin Davis Marvin H. Davis (August 31, 1925 – September 25, 2004) was an American industrialist. He made his fortunes as the chair of Davis Petroleum and at one time owned 20th Century Fox, the Pebble Beach Corporation, the Beverly Hills Hotel, and the ...

acquires

20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc., formerly 20th Century Fox, is an American film studio, film production and Film distributor, distribution company owned by the Walt Disney Studios (division), Walt Disney Studios, the film studios division of the ...

for $720 million. * June 12 – ''

Raiders of the Lost Ark ''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' is a 1981 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Lawrence Kasdan, based on a story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman. Set in 1936, the film stars Harrison Ford as Indiana ...

'' is released by

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation, commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount, is an American film production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the flagship namesake subsidiary of Paramount ...

. It became Paramount's highest-grossing film of all time and set a major standard for many action-adventure movies to date and spawned four sequels. * August 21 – ''

An American Werewolf in London ''An American Werewolf in London'' is a 1981 comedy horror film written and directed by John Landis. An international co-production of the United Kingdom and the United States, the film stars David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne and ...

'' is released and becomes a landmark in Visual Effects and Makeup. * October 1 – MGM president and chief operating officer

David Begelman David Begelman (August 26, 1921 – August 7, 1995) was an American film producer, film executive and talent agent who was involved in a studio embezzlement scandal in the 1970s. Life and career Begelman was born to a Jewish family in New Yor ...

becomes chairman and chief executive officer of United Artists. * November 1 –

United International Pictures United International Pictures (UIP) is a joint venture of Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures that distributes their films outside the United States and Canada. UIP also had international distribution rights to certain Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (M ...

is created to handle international distribution of films for

MGM Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, commonly shortened to MGM or MGM Studios) is an American Film production, film and television production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered ...

Universal Pictures Universal City Studios LLC, doing business as Universal Pictures (also known as Universal Studios or simply Universal), is an American filmmaking, film production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered at the 10 Universal Ci ...

and

to replace

Cinema International Corporation Cinema International Corporation (CIC) was a film distribution company started by Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures in the early 1970s to distribute the two studios' films outside the United States – it even operated in Canada before it ...

following MGM's acquisition of UA. * November 25 –

Norman Lear Norman Milton Lear (July 27, 1922December 5, 2023) was an American screenwriter and producer who produced, wrote, created, or developed over 100 shows. Lear created and produced numerous popular 1970s sitcoms, including ''All in the Family'' (1 ...

and his partner

Jerry Perenchio Andrew Jerrold Perenchio (December 20, 1930 – May 23, 2017) was an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He was at one time the chairman and chief executive officer of Univision. Early life Perenchio was the grandson of Italian ...

agree to buy

Avco Embassy Embassy Pictures Corporation (also and later known as Avco Embassy Pictures as well as Embassy Films Associates) was an American independent film Production company, production and Film distributor, distribution company, which was active from 1 ...

for $25 million. * November 29 – Actress

Natalie Wood Natalie Wood (née Zacharenko; July 20, 1938 – November 29, 1981) was an American actress. She began acting at age four and co-starred at age eight in ''Miracle on 34th Street'' (1947). As a teenager, she was nominated for an Academy Award f ...

drowns in a boating accident off Santa Catalina Island.

Awards

Palme d'Or The (; ) is the highest prize awarded to the director of the Best Feature Film of the Official Competition at the Cannes Film Festival. It was introduced in 1955 by the festival's organizing committee. Previously, from 1939 to 1954, the festiv ...

(Cannes Film Festival): :''

Man of Iron ''Man of Iron'' () is a 1981 film directed by Andrzej Wajda. It depicts the Solidarity labour movement and its first success in persuading the Polish government to recognize workers' right to an independent union. The film continues the story ...

'' (Człowiek z żelaza), directed by

Andrzej Wajda Andrzej Witold Wajda (; 6 March 1926 – 9 October 2016) was a Polish film and theatre director. Recipient of an Honorary Oscar, the Palme d'Or, as well as Honorary Golden Lion and Honorary Golden Bear Awards, he was a prominent member of the "P ...

, Poland

Golden Lion The Golden Lion () is the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival. The prize was introduced in 1949 by the organizing committee and is regarded as one of the film industry's most prestigious and distinguished prizes. In 1970, a ...

(Venice Film Festival): :''

Marianne and Juliane ''Marianne and Juliane'' (; lit. "The Leaden Time" or "Leaden Times"), also called ''The German Sisters'' in the United Kingdom, is a 1981 West German film directed by Margarethe von Trotta. The screenplay is a fictionalized account of the true liv ...

'' (''Die Bleierne Zeit''), directed by

Margarethe von Trotta Margarethe von Trotta (; born 21 February 1942)Hans Helmut Prinzler, ''Chronik des deutschen Films, 1895–1994'' (Stuttgart and Weimar: Verlag J. B. Metzler, 1995), p. 149. is a German film director, screenwriter, and actress. She has been ref ...

, W. Germany

Golden Bear The Golden Bear () is the highest prize awarded for the best film at the Berlin International Film Festival and is, along with the Palme d'Or and the Golden Lion, the most important international film festival award. The bear is the heraldic an ...

(Berlin Film Festival): :'' Faster, Faster'' (''Deprisa, deprisa'' / ''Vivre vite''), directed by

Carlos Saura Carlos Saura Atarés (4 January 1932 – 10 February 2023) was a Spanish film director, photographer and writer. With Luis Buñuel and Pedro Almodóvar, he is considered to be among Spain's great filmmakers. He had a long and prolific career th ...

, Spain / France

1981 films

By country/region

List of American films of 1981 This is a list of American films released in 1981. Box office The highest-grossing American films released in 1981, by domestic box office gross revenue, are as follows: January–March April–June July–September October� ...

* List of Argentine films of 1981 * List of Australian films of 1981 * List of Bangladeshi films of 1981 *

List of British films of 1981 A list of films produced in the United Kingdom in 1981 (see 1981 in film): 1981 See also *1981 in British music *1981 in British radio *1981 in British television *1981 in the United Kingdom References External links

* {{DEFAULTSOR ...

* List of Canadian films of 1981 * List of French films of 1981 *

List of Hong Kong films of 1981 A list of films produced in British Hong Kong, Hong Kong in 1981: 1981 References External links List of Hong Kong films released in 1981* Hong Kong films of 1981 aHKcinemamagic.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hong Kong Films Of 1981 Lists of ...

* List of Indian films of 1981 ** List of Hindi films of 1981 **

List of Kannada films of 1981 The following is a list of films produced in the Kannada film industry in India in 1981, presented in alphabetical order. See also * Kannada films of 1980 * Kannada films of 1982 References {{DEFAULTSORT:Kannada Films Of 1981 1981 ...

** List of Malayalam films of 1981 ** List of Marathi films of 1981 ** List of Tamil films of 1981 ** List of Telugu films of 1981 * List of Japanese films of 1981 * List of Mexican films of 1981 * List of Pakistani films of 1981 *

List of South Korean films of 1981 A list of films produced in South Korea in 1981 in film, 1981: References External links *1981 in South Korea * 1980–1989
at www.koreanfilm.org {{1981 films Lists of South Korean films by year, 1981 Lists of 1981 films by country, So ...

* List of Soviet films of 1981 *

List of Spanish films of 1981 A list of films produced in Spain in 1981 (see 1981 in film The following is an overview of events in 1981 in film, including the highest-grossing films, award ceremonies and festivals, a list of films released and notable deaths. Highest-gr ...

By genre/medium

* List of action films of 1981 * List of animated feature films of 1981 * List of avant-garde films of 1981 * List of comedy films of 1981 * List of drama films of 1981 * List of horror films of 1981 * List of science fiction films of 1981 * List of thriller films of 1981 * List of western films of 1981

Births

* January 1 -

Eden Riegel Eden Sonja Jane Riegel (born January 1, 1981) is an American actress. She portrayed Bianca Montgomery in the daytime drama ''All My Children'', and propelled the character into a gay icon, as well as a popular figure within the medium. Nominat ...

, American actress * January 6 **

Betty Gabriel Betty Gabriel (born January 6, 1981) is an American actress. For her work in horror films, particularly Blumhouse films, Gabriel has been established as a scream queen. She has been nominated for two Black Reel Awards, an NAACP Image Award and a ...

, American actress **

Rinko Kikuchi is a Japanese actress, and was the first Japanese actress to be nominated for an Academy Award in 50 years, for her work in '' Babel'' (2006). Kikuchi's other notable films include '' Norwegian Wood'' (2010), which screened in competition ...

, Japanese actress and director **

Jérémie Renier (; born 6 January 1981) is a Belgian actor. His film debut was in 1992 at the age of 11 in a small Belgian film entitled "Les sept péchés capitaux (The Seven Deadly Sins)". He became better known to worldwide audiences in '' Brotherhood of ...

, Belgian actor * January 8 – Genevieve Cortese, American actress * January 15 -

Pitbull Pit bull is an umbrella term for several types of dog believed to have descended from bull and terriers. In the United States, the term is usually considered to include the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American B ...

, American rapper and actor * January 17 ** Scott Mechlowicz, American actor ** Diogo Morgado, Portuguese actor * January 18 -

Antje Traue Antje Traue (; born 18 January 1981) is a German actress. She started performing in plays as a sixteen-year-old in 1997, made her first screen appearance in the 2000 German film ''Verlorene Kinder'', and appeared in her first English-language ro ...

, German actress * January 20 **

Daniel Cudmore Daniel Cudmore is a Canadian actor, stuntman, and former professional rugby union player. He is best known for his roles as the superhero Peter Rasputin / Colossus in the ''X-Men'' film series, and as the Volturi Felix in ''The Twilight Saga' ...

, Canadian actor ** Crystal Lowe, Canadian actress and director * January 21 ** Amanda Aday, American actress **

Izabella Miko Izabella Miko (born Izabella Anna Mikołajczak; 21 January 1981) is a Polish actress, dancer, film producer, and environmental activist. She is best known for starring in the film ''Coyote Ugly'' and the music videos " Mr. Brightside" and " Mis ...

, Polish actress and dancer ** David F. Sandberg, Swedish filmmaker * January 22 ** O. T. Fagbenle, British actor, writer and director **

Willa Ford Amanda Lee Williford (born January 22, 1981), known by her stage name Willa Ford, is an American interior designer and former singer, songwriter, television personality, film actress, dancer, and model. She released her debut album, '' Willa Wa ...

, American singer, songwriter, model, television personality and actress **

Beverley Mitchell Beverley Ann Mitchell (born January 22, 1981) is an American actress and singer. She portrayed Lucy Camden on the television The WB/The CW series '' 7th Heaven''. Early life In 1999, Mitchell graduated from Chaminade College Preparatory Scho ...

, American actress * January 23 -

Julia Jones Julia Jones (born January 23, 1981) is an American actress. She may be best known for playing Leah Clearwater in '' The Twilight Saga'' film series and Angela Bishop in the television series '' Dexter: New Blood''. Early life and education Jul ...

, American actress * January 24 –

Carrie Coon Carrie Alexandra Coon (born January 24, 1981) is an American actress. Known for her portrayals of complex characters on stage and screen, she has received a Critics' Choice Television Award, as well as nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards a ...

, American actress * January 25 -

Charlie Bewley Charles Martin Bewley (born 25 January 1981) is an English actor and producer best known for his role as the vampire The Volturi, Demetri in ''The Twilight Saga (film series), The Twilight Saga'' films, Galen Vaughn on ''The Vampire Diaries'' ( ...

, English actor and producer * January 28 **

Gen Hoshino is a Japanese singer-songwriter, musician, actor, and writer. Career Music From its formation in 2000 until its disbandment in 2015, Hoshino led the instrumental band Sakerock, where he played marimba and guitar. They released over ten albums. ...

, Japanese actor and singer **

Elijah Wood Elijah Jordan Wood (born January 28, 1981) is an American actor and producer. Wood made his film debut with a minor part in ''Back to the Future Part II'' (1989) at the age of eight and achieved recognition in the early 1990s as a child acto ...

, American actor * January 29 -

Tenoch Huerta José Tenoch Huerta Mejía (; born January 29, 1981) is a Mexican actor. He has appeared in a number of movies in Latin America and Spain, starring in both feature films, short films, and '' Narcos: Mexico'', credited as Tenoch Huerta. He is f ...

, Mexican actor * January 30 –

Chieko Higuchi is a Japanese actress and voice actress from Mitaka, Tokyo. She is in the two-person group "Whoops!!" with Maaya Sakamoto. Career Higuchi made her debut in 1996, before she had finished high school, in '' Mizuiro Jidai'', voicing the character ...

, Japanese voice actress * January 31 –

Justin Timberlake Justin Randall Timberlake (born January 31, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and dancer. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Prince of Pop", ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard'' honored him as the b ...

, American singer and actor * February 2 - Emily Rose, American actress * February 5 **

Lee Eon Lee Eon (; 5 February 1981 – 21 August 2008) was a South Korean actor and model best known for his performance in the Korean television series ''Coffee Prince (2007 TV series), Coffee Prince''. Early life and career Lee Eon was born Park San ...

, South Korean actor and model (d.

2008 2008 was designated as: *International Year of Languages *International Year of Planet Earth *International Year of the Potato *International Year of Sanitation The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...

) **

Sara Foster Sara Foster (born February 5, 1981) is an American actress, producer and socialite. Early life Sara Michael Foster was born on born February 5, 1981 in Angels Camp, California, Los Angeles, California to record producer David Foster and form ...

, American actress **

Nora Zehetner Nora Angela Zehetner (born February 5, 1981) is an American film and television actress. Early life Zehetner was born in El Paso, Texas, the daughter of Nancy Lynne (née Nelson) and John Carol Zehetner. She attended elementary school in Richar ...

, American actress * February 8 –

Jim Parrack Jim Parrack (born February 8, 1981) is an American actor best known for his role as List of True Blood characters#Hoyt Fortenberry, Hoyt Fortenberry in HBO series ''True Blood''. He has also appeared in the film ''Battle: Los Angeles'' and as "Sl ...

, American actor * February 9 –

Tom Hiddleston Thomas William Hiddleston (born 9 February 1981) is a British actor. He gained international fame portraying Loki (Marvel Cinematic Universe), Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), beginning with ''Thor (film), Thor'' in 2011 and incl ...

, English actor * February 10 **

Uzo Aduba Uzoamaka Nwanneka "Uzo" Aduba () (; born February 10, 1981) is an American actress. She gained wide recognition for her role as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren on the Netflix original series ''Orange Is the New Black'' (2013–2019), for which she w ...

, American actress **

Stephanie Beatriz Stephanie Beatriz Bischoff Alvizuri (born February 10, 1981) is an American actress. She is known for playing Detective Rosa Diaz in the Fox/ NBC comedy series ''Brooklyn Nine-Nine'' (2013–2021), Quiet in the Peacock action-comedy series '' ...

, Argentine actress * February 11 ** Sonia Rolland, French-Rwandan actress **

Kelly Rowland Kelendria Trene Rowland (born February 11, 1981) is an American singer, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the world's List of best-selling girl groups, best-selling gir ...

, American singer and actress * February 12 **

Jesse Hutch Jesse Hutchakowski (born February 12, 1981), known professionally as Jesse Hutch, is a Canadian and American actor. He spends his time traveling between the USA and Canada. He worked on the television show ''American Dreams'' as Jimmy Riley, roma ...

, Canadian actor **

Lauri Lagle Lauri Lagle (born 12 February 1981) is an Estonian stage and film actor, screenwriter, stage producer, director and playwright. Early life Lauri Lagle was born in Tallinn, where he attended school. He graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music ...

, Estonian actor, director and screenwriter * February 14 -

Patrick Heusinger Patrick Heusinger (born February 14, 1981) is an American actor. He is known for his recurring roles as James Schuller / Lord Marcus Beaton on the second season of The CW teen drama series ''Gossip Girl'' (2008), Adam Pierce on the USA Network ...

, American actor * February 17 – **

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Joseph Leonard Gordon-Levitt (; born February 17, 1981) is an American actor. He has received various accolades, including nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for his leading perform ...

, American actor **

Paris Hilton Paris Whitney Hilton (born February 17, 1981) is an American media personality, businesswoman, and socialite. Hilton was born in New York City and raised there partially; shuttling between Los Angeles and New York City; she is a great-grandda ...

, American media personality, singer and actress * February 19 –

Beth Ditto Mary Beth Patterson (born February 19, 1981), known by her stage name Beth Ditto, is an American singer and songwriter most notable for her work with the indie rock band Gossip. Her voice has been compared to Etta James, Janis Joplin and Tina ...

, American singer-songwriter * February 20 -

Majandra Delfino Maria Alejandra Delfino ( ), known professionally as Majandra Delfino, is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Maria DeLuca on ''Roswell (TV series), Roswell'', and as Andi on the CBS sitcom ''Friends with Better Li ...

, American actress and singer * February 22 – Elodie Yung, French actress * February 23 **

Josh Gad Joshua Ilan Gad (born February 23, 1981) is an American actor. He is known for voicing Olaf in the '' Frozen'' franchise and playing Elder Arnold Cunningham in the Broadway musical ''The Book of Mormon''. For his role as Olaf, Gad won two Annie ...

, American actor and comedian **

Mai Nakahara is a Japanese voice actress and singer associated with I'm Enterprise. She played Rena Ryūgū in ''Higurashi When They Cry'', Nagisa Furukawa in ''Clannad'', Seele Vollerei in ''Honkai Impact 3rd'', Seele in '' Honkai: Star Rail'', and Akagi ...

, Japanese voice actress * February 25 -

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo Manuel García-Rulfo Lapuente (born February 25, 1981) is a Mexico, Mexican actor. He is known for his starring role as lawyer Mickey Haller in the television legal drama series The Lincoln Lawyer (TV series), ''The Lincoln Lawyer'' since 2022. H ...

, Mexican actor * February 26 -

Demetrius Grosse Demetrius Grosse (born February 26, 1981) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Rock in the film ''Straight Outta Compton'', Emmett Yawners in the Cinemax television series ''Banshee,'' Errol in the FX television series '' Just ...

, American actor and producer * February 27 -

Josh Groban Joshua Winslow Groban (born February 27, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. His first four solo albums have been certified multi-platinum, and he was charted in 2007 as the number-one best selling artist in the United States, ...

, American singer-songwriter and actor * March 2 ** Amos Crawley, Canadian actor **

Bryce Dallas Howard Bryce Dallas Howard (born March 2, 1981) is an American actress and director. The eldest child of filmmaker Ron Howard, she studied acting at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. While portraying Characters in As You Like It#Rosali ...

, American actress * March 3 **

Austin Highsmith Garces Austin Highsmith Garces, also credited as Austin Highsmith (born March 3, 1981), is an American actress. Garces played Phoebe in '' Dolphin Tale'' as well as the sequel, '' Dolphin Tale 2'' and Garces later co-wrote a Lifetime film based on the s ...

, American actress **

Eugene Eugene may refer to: People and fictional characters * Eugene (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the given name * Gene Eugene, stage name of Canadian born actor, record producer, engineer, composer and musi ...

, South Korean actress and singer * March 5 - Hanna Alström, Swedish actress * March 6 –

Ellen Muth Ellen Muth (; born March 6, 1981) is a retired American actress best known for her role as Georgia "George" Lass in Showtime's series ''Dead Like Me'' (2003–2004 series, 2009 film). Early life Muth was born in Milford, Connecticut, to Eric ...

, American actress * March 11 **

David Anders David Anders Holt (born March 11, 1981), known professionally as David Anders, is an American television and stage actor. He is best known for his roles as Julian Sark on '' Alias'', as Adam Monroe on '' Heroes'', as John Gilbert in the TV serie ...

, American actor **

Matthias Schweighöfer Matthias Schweighöfer (; born 11 March 1981) is a German actor and filmmaker known for his work in several German and American film productions. He is best known for his role as Lieutenant Franz Herber in the 2008 film ''Valkyrie''. In 2021, Sch ...

, German actor and filmmaker * March 17 -

Nicky Jam Nick Rivera Caminero (born March 17, 1981), known professionally as Nicky Jam, is an American singer. He is best known for hits such as " X", " Travesuras", " El Perdón", " Hasta el Amanecer", and " El Amante"; the latter three are from his 20 ...

, American singer and actor * March 18 -

Chris Geere Christopher William Geere (born 18 March 1981) is an English actor. He is known for playing the lead role of Jimmy Shive-Overly in the FX and FXX dark comedy series ''You're the Worst'' (2014), Roger Clifford in the 2019 film '' Detective Pik ...

, English actor * March 20 - Jake Hoffman, American actor and writer * March 21 -

Rini Bell Rini Bell is an American actress. Career Bell has been in movies such as '' Ghost World'', ''The Terminal'', '' Bring It On'', ''Road Trip'', Baja Beach Bums, and '' Jarhead''. She had a recurring role on ''Gilmore Girls'' playing Lulu, a local t ...

, American actress * March 22 -

Tiffany Dupont Tiffany Dupont (born March 22, 1981) is an American actress, known for playing the lead character, Hadassah, a Jewish girl who will become the Biblical Esther, Queen of Persia, in the Hollywood film ''One Night with the King''. From 2007 to 2009 ...

, American actress * March 23 -

Luciana Carro Luciana Carro (born March 23, 1981) is a Canadian actress best known for her appearances on the television series ''Battlestar Galactica'', ''Caprica'', and ''Falling Skies'' and in movies such as '' Two for the Money'' and '' Dr. Dolittle 3''. ...

, Canadian actress * March 24 -

Philip Winchester Philip Winchester is an American actor. He is known for his roles in '' The Patriot'', ''The Hi-Line'', '' LD 50 Lethal Dose'', '' Thunderbirds'', '' CSI: Miami'', ''King Lear'', '' Strike Back'', '' Flyboys'', '' In My Sleep'', ''The Heart of t ...

, American actor * March 27 -

Quim Gutiérrez Joaquim "Quim" Gutiérrez Ylla (; born 27 March 1981) is a Spanish actor. He won the Goya Award for Best New Actor for his performance in '' Dark Blue Almost Black'' (2006). Life and career Joaquim Gutiérrez Ylla was born in Barcelona on 27 ...

, Spanish actor * March 28 –

Julia Stiles Julia O'Hara Stiles (born March 28, 1981) is an American actress. Stiles began acting at the age of 11 as part of New York's La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. Her film debut was a small role at age 15 in '' I Love You, I Love You Not'' (1996), ...

, American actress * March 29 **

Alexander Fehling Alexander Fehling is a German film and stage actor. He is best known for portraying Master Sgt. Wilhelm in the 2009 Quentin Tarantino World War II film '' Inglourious Basterds'', and as Jonas Hollander season 5 in the Showtime original series ' ...

, German actor ** Alain Moussi, Canadian/Gabonese actor and stuntman * March 30 -

Katy Mixon Katy Mixon (born March 30, 1981) is an American actress and model. She began her career playing supporting roles in films such as '' The Quiet'' (2005), ''Four Christmases'' (2008), and '' State of Play'' (2009), before landing the female leading ...

, American actress * March 31 –

Ryōko Shintani is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Kanazawa, Ishikawa.Doi, Hitoshi.Shintani Ryouko. ''Seiyuu Database''. July 30, 2010Archivedby WebCite July 31, 2010.Nakagami, Yoshikattsu; Yoshida, Moichi; Onitsuka, Kanako; Nishimoto, Keiko. "Voice Actr ...

, Japanese voice actress * April 1 -

Hannah Spearritt Hannah Louise Spearritt (born 1 April 1981)Gregory, Andy (2002) ''International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002'', Europa, , p. 478 is an English singer and actress. She is an original member of the pop group S Club. Spearritt is known for play ...

, English actress and singer * April 8 -

Taylor Kitsch Taylor Kitsch (born April 8, 1981) is a Canadian actor. He is known for portraying Tim Riggins in the NBC television series '' Friday Night Lights'' (2006–2011). He has also worked in films such as '' X-Men Origins: Wolverine'' (2009), ''Bat ...

, Canadian actor and model * April 10 **

Laura Bell Bundy Laura Ashley Bell Bundy-Hinkle (born April 10, 1981) is an American actress and singer. Her career started as a child, when her mother entered her in beauty pageants, where she would sing as a talent. After recognizing her singing ability, her m ...

, American actress **

Michael Pitt Michael Carmen Pitt (born April 10, 1981) is an American actor, model, and musician. In film, he has appeared in ''Hedwig and the Angry Inch (film), Hedwig and the Angry Inch'' (2001), ''Bully (2001 film), Bully'' (2001), ''Murder by Numbers'' ...

, American actor * April 13 –

Courtney Peldon Courtney Peldon is an American television and film actress. Early life and education Peldon was born in New York City, New York. Her younger sister Ashley is also an actress. Both she and Ashley became involved in the entertainment industry as ...

, American actress * April 17 -

Charlie Hofheimer Charles Nathan Hofheimer (born April 17, 1981) is an American actor. Beginning his career as a child actor, Hofheimer made his film debut in ''Lassie (1994 film), Lassie'' (1994), subsequently appearing in ''Boys (1996 film), Boys'' (1996) and '' ...

, American actor * April 19 **

Hayden Christensen Hayden Christensen (born April 19, 1981) is a Canadian actor. He gained recognition for his portrayal of Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader in the ''Star Wars'' media franchise. He first appeared in the prequel trilogy films, '' Star Wars: Episod ...

, Canadian actor **

Catalina Sandino Moreno Catalina Sandino Moreno (born 19 April 1981) is a Colombian actress, most notable for receiving a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress, as well as sharing the Silver Bear with Charlize Theron, for her performance as lead role in '' ...

, Colombian actress * April 23 –

Gemma Whelan Gemma Elizabeth Whelan (born 1981) is an English actress and comedian known for portraying Yara Greyjoy in the HBO fantasy-drama series ''Game of Thrones'' and as her stand-up character Chastity Butterworth. She also plays Kate in all 4 series ...

, English actress * April 26 ** Mariana Ximenes, Brazilian actress **

Luke Ford Luke Ford (born 26 March 1981) is a Canadian-Australian actor. His career began in television in 2000 and his first film role was in 2006 before being cast in '' The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor'' in 2008. Ford's regular television roles ...

, Canadian-Australian actor **

Amit Shah Amitbhai Anilchandra Shah (born 22 October 1964) is an Indian politician who is currently serving as the 32nd Ministry of Home Affairs (India), Minister of Home Affairs since May 2019 and the 1st Ministry of Co-operation, Minister of Co-operat ...

, English actor * April 28 **

Jessica Alba Jessica Marie Alba ( ; born April 28, 1981) is an American actress and businesswoman. She began her acting career at age 13 in ''Camp Nowhere'', followed up by ''The Secret World of Alex Mack'' (both 1994), and rose to prominence at age 19 as ...

, American actress ** Toby Leonard Moore, Australian actor **

Catherine Reitman Catherine Marcelle Reitman (; born April 28, 1981) is a Canadian-American actress, producer, and writer. She is the creator, executive producer, writer, and star of the Netflix/CBC Television sitcom '' Workin' Moms'' (2017−2023). Early life ...

, Canadian-American actress, producer and writer * April 29 - Alex Vincent, American actor and writer * April 30 **

Kunal Nayyar Kunal Nayyar (, ; born 30 April 1981) is an actor. He gained recognition with his portrayal of Raj Koothrappali on the CBS sitcom ''The Big Bang Theory'' (2007–2019), and voiced Vijay on the Nickelodeon animated sitcom '' Sanjay and Craig'' ( ...

, British actor **

Emma Pierson Emma Jane Pierson (born 30 April 1981) is an English actress. Her appearances in television programmes include the role of Anna Thornton-Wilton in the BBC television drama ''Hotel Babylon (BBC series), Hotel Babylon'', and ''SunTrap'', ''Day ...

, English actress **

Rose Rollins Rose Rollins is an American actress. She is known for her role as Tasha Williams in the Showtime drama series, ''The L Word'' (2007–09) and as Valerie Anderson in the ABC crime drama series, '' The Catch'' (2016–17). Early life Rollins was ...

, American actress * May 2 –

Rina Satō is a Japanese voice actress with hundreds of television and video game productions, many multi-year, and is active in film and as a singer as well. She won the Best Lead Actress Award at the 8th Seiyu Awards. Satō has been appearing since 200 ...

, Japanese voice actress * May 3 –

Natalie Tong Natalie Tong Sze-Wing (born 3 May 1981) is a Hong Kong actress and model previously contracted to TVB. Life and career 1982-1999 Early days Natalie Tong Sze-Wing (originally known as Tong Si-Ying) was born and raised in British Hong Kong to an ...

, Hong Kong actress and model * May 5 **

Danielle Fishel Danielle Christine Fishel ( ; born May 5, 1981) is an American actress and director. She began her career in theater, appearing in community productions of ''The Wizard of Oz'' and ''Peter Pan''. She made her debut as an actress shortly after, m ...

, American actress **

Farid Kamil Farid Kamil Zahari (born 5 May 1981) is a Malaysian actor, director and screenwriter. He is a well-known male model turned actor who has made a big reputation of himself as one of Malaysia's most famous actors since Rosyam Nor in the 1990s fo ...

, Malaysian actor and film director * May 10 – Qurrat Ann Kadwani, American actress * May 11 ** JP Karliak, American actor, voice actor and comedian **

Austin O'Brien Austin Taylor O'Brien (born May 11, 1981) is an American actor and photographer. He is known for playing the co-lead Danny Madigan in the Arnold Schwarzenegger film ''Last Action Hero'', followed by his turn into romance as Nick Zsigmond in '' ...

, American actor * May 12 –

Rami Malek Rami Said Malek (; , ; born May 12, 1981) is an American actor. He is known for portraying computer hacker Elliot Alderson in the USA Network television series '' Mr. Robot'' (2015–2019), for which he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Ou ...

, American actor * May 13 -

Ryan Piers Williams Ryan Piers Williams (born May 13, 1981) is an American actor, director, and writer. Early life Williams was raised in El Paso, Texas, where he attended J. M. Hanks High School. From age 13 he wanted to be a director and took theater and video p ...

, American actor, director and writer * May 15 –

Jamie-Lynn Sigler Jamie-Lynn Sigler (born May 15, 1981) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Meadow Soprano on the HBO series ''The Sopranos'' from 1999 to 2007. Early life Sigler was born in Jericho, New York, on May 15, 1981, the daughter ...

, American actress * May 16 - Joseph Morgan, English actor * May 18 -

Allen Leech Allen Leech (born 18 May 1981) is an Irish actor. He is widely known for his roles as Tom Branson in the ITV period drama ''Downton Abbey'' (2010–2015) and Paul Prenter in the biopic ''Bohemian Rhapsody'' (2018). Leech made his professiona ...

, Irish actor * May 28 –

Laura Bailey Laura Bailey (born May 28, 1981) is an American voice actress. She made her voice acting debut as Trunks (Dragon Ball), Kid Trunks in the Funimation dub of ''Dragon Ball Z'' and has since voiced List of Gunslinger Girl characters#First Generati ...

, American voice actress * May 29 **

Justin Chon Justin Jitae Chon (born May 29, 1981) is a South Korean-American actor and filmmaker. He has directed three films, Gook (film), ''Gook'' (2017), ''Ms. Purple'' (2019), and ''Blue Bayou (film), Blue Bayou'' (2021). He is also known for portrayin ...

, American actor, director and YouTube personality **

Anders Holm Anders Holm (born May 29, 1981) is an American comedian and actor. He is one of the stars and creators of the Comedy Central show ''Workaholics'' and starred in the short-lived NBC series ''Champions''. He, along with fellow ''Workaholics'' crea ...

, American actor, comedian, writer and producer * June 1 **

Johnny Pemberton John DeJarnette Pemberton III (born June 1, 1981) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his roles as the titular ''Son of Zorn'' in the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox sitcom, Thaddeus in the Amazon Prime Video, Prime Video drama ...

, American actor, comedian and podcaster **

Amy Schumer Amy Beth Schumer (born June 1, 1981) is an American stand-up comedian, actress, writer, producer, and director. Schumer ventured into comedy in the early 2000s before appearing as a contestant on the fifth season of the NBC reality competition ...

, American comedian and actress * June 4 – T.J. Miller, American actor, stand-up comedian, producer and writer * June 7 –

Larisa Oleynik Larisa Romanovna Oleynik (; born June 7, 1981) is an American actress. Oleynik began her career as a child actor, first appearing onstage as young Cosette in a national touring production of ''Les Misérables'' (1989–1991). She was subseque ...

, American actress * June 9 –

Natalie Portman Natalie Hershlag{{efn, Some Hebrew sources claim that her birth name was "Neta-Lee Hershleg" ({{langx, he, נטע-לי הרשלג) and later, her first name was Americanized to "Natalie". {{Cite news , last=Shamir , first=Oron , date=August ...

, Israeli-American actress * June 10 – Jonathan Bennett, American actor * June 12 ** Jeremy Howard, American actor ** Malachi Pearson, American actor * June 13 – Chris Evans, American actor * June 14 –

Chauncey Leopardi Chauncey Leopardi (born June 14, 1981) is an American actor known for playing Michael "Squints" Palledorous in the 1993 film '' The Sandlot'' and Alan White in the 1999 series ''Freaks and Geeks''. Career Leopardi has been in films since he was f ...

, American actor * June 20 –

Alisan Porter Alisan Leigh Porter (born June 20, 1981) is an American pop, rock & country singer, actress, and dancer. As a child, Porter made acting appearances in '' Parenthood'', '' Stella'' and '' I Love You to Death''. Her breakout role came in 1991, wh ...

, American former actress * June 23 - Joe Taslim, Indonesian actor and martial artist * June 26 -

Jimmy Ray Bennett Jimmy Ray Bennett (born June 26) is an American actor. He is best known as the voice of Floyd Hebert in the 2013 video game ''Grand Theft Auto V'' and in television for the roles of Nathan Brooks in the Amazon Studios drama '' Hand of God'' and a ...

, American actor * June 28 -

Jon Watts Jonathan Watts (born June 28, 1981) is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. He is best known for directing the Spider-Man in film, ''Spider-Man'' films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): ''Spider-Man: Homecoming, Homec ...

, American filmmaker * June 30 ** Tom Burke, English actor ** Anna Slotky, American former actress * July 1 - Amanda Lucas, American retired professional mixed martial artist and actress * July 3 -

Rebecca Honig Rebecca Honig is an American voice actress, who works on the properties of 4Kids Entertainment and Central Park Media. She is also credited as Becca, Rebecca Miriam, Rebecca Handler, and Margeaux Hartman. Filmography Animation roles * ''12 Tiny ...

, American voice actress * July 4 -

Tahar Rahim Tahar Rahim (born 4 July 1981) is a French actor. His breakthrough performance was in the 2009 French film '' A Prophet'', for which he won the César Award for Best Actor and Most Promising Actor. He then starred as FBI agent Ali Soufan in t ...

, French actor * July 5 -

Ryan Hansen Ryan Hansen (born July 5, 1981) is an American actor. He is best known for starring as Dick Casablancas on the noir drama series ''Veronica Mars'' (2004–2007, 2019), as Kyle Bradway on the Starz comedy series '' Party Down'' (2009–2010, 2023 ...

, American actor and comedian * July 13 **

Fran Kranz Francis Elliott Kranz is an American actor and film director. He is known for his portrayal of Topher Brink in the science fiction drama series ''Dollhouse''. Kranz had prominent roles in the films ''The Cabin in the Woods'' and ''Much Ado About ...

, American actor and director **

Michael Mando Michael Mando (born July 13, 1981) is a Canadian actor. He played Nacho Varga on the AMC series ''Better Call Saul'' (2015–2022), Vaas Montenegro in the video game franchise '' Far Cry'' (2012, 2021), Vic Schmidt in the sci-fi series ''Orpha ...

, Canadian actor * July 17 -

Michiel Huisman Michiel Huisman (born 18 July 1981) is a Dutch actor, musician and singer-songwriter born in Amstelveen, recognized for his roles in Dutch and international film and television projects. Huisman's music career began as the singer and guitarist ...

, Dutch actor * July 21 ** Davide Perino, Italian actor and voice actor **

Romeo Santos Anthony "Romeo" Santos (born July 21, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who is best known as the frontman and lead vocalist of the Bachata (music), bachata group Aventura (band), Aventura. In 2002, the song "Obsesión ...

, American singer-songwriter and actor * July 22 -

Josh Lawson Josh Lawson is an Australian actor best known for his role as Doug Guggenheim in '' House of Lies'', Tate in '' Superstore'' and as Kano in the 2021 film ''Mortal Kombat''. Early life Lawson grew up in Brisbane, and attended St Joseph's Coll ...

, Australian actor and filmmaker * July 24 **

Mohammed Amer Mohammed Mustafa Amer (; born July 24, 1981) is a Palestinian-American stand-up comedian and actor. He is known for his Netflix comedy special ''Mo Amer: The Vagabond'' and as a member of the comedy trio Allah Made Me Funny. Amer also appeared ...

, Palestinian-American stand-up comedian and actor **

Summer Glau Summer Glau (; born July 24, 1981) is an American actress best known for her roles in science fiction and fantasy television series: as River Tam in '' Firefly'' (2002) and its continuation film '' Serenity'' (2005), as Tess Doerner in '' The ...

, American actress **

Lauren Miller Rogen Lauren Anne Miller Rogen ( Miller; born July 24, 1982) is an American actress, comedian, screenwriter, and director. She has appeared in the films '' Superbad'' (2007), '' Zack and Miri Make a Porno'' (2008), and '' 50/50'' (2011). In 2012, she ...

, American actress, comedian, screenwriter and director * July 28 -

Neil Casey Neil Casey (born July 28, 1981) is an American actor, writer, and comedian. Casey served as a writer for the NBC sketch comedy series ''Saturday Night Live'' from 2012 to 2013, and the Comedy Central series '' Inside Amy Schumer'' in 2014, receiv ...

, American actor, writer and comedian * July 30 – Lisa Wilhoit, American actress * July 31 -

Eric Lively Eric Lawrence Brown (born born July 31, 1981), known professionally as Eric Lively, is an American actor. He played the role of Andy Evans in '' Speak'' (2004), Carey Bell in '' So Weird'' (1999–2001), and Mark Wayland in ''The L Word'' (200 ...

, American former actor * August 1 –

Taylor Fry Taylor McQuiston Fry (born August 1, 1981) is a former American child actress. On film, Fry appeared in roles in ''Die Hard'', ''North (1994 film), North'', and ''A Little Princess (1995 film), A Little Princess''. On television, she has starring ...

, American former child actress * August 3 –

Travis Willingham Travis Willingham is an American voice actor known for his character portrayals in video games and English anime Dubbing, dubs. His notable roles include Roy Mustang in the ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' franchise, Cleo in ''Glass Fleet'', Ginko in ''L ...

, American voice actor * August 4 **

Marques Houston Marques Barrett Houston (born August 4, 1981) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. Houston began his singing career in 1990, performing with IMx, and found popularity as an actor for his portrayal of Roger Evans in the tee ...

, American singer and actor **

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (; born Rachel Meghan Markle, August 4, 1981) is an American member of the British royal family, media personality, entrepreneur, and former actress. She is married to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, the younger son ...

, American former actress and model ** Valerie LaPointe, American storyboard artist and director **

Abigail Spencer Abigail Leigh Spencer (born August 4, 1981) is an American actress. She began her career playing Rebecca Tyree on the ABC daytime television soap opera ''All My Children'' (1999–2001) before going on to star in the Lifetime crime drama serie ...

, American actress * August 5 - Jesse Williams, American actor, director and producer * August 6 –

Leslie Odom Jr. Leslie Lloyd Odom Jr. (; born August 6, 1981) is an American actor, singer and songwriter. He made his acting debut on Broadway in 1998 and first gained recognition for his portrayal of Aaron Burr in the musical ''Hamilton'', which earned him ...

, American actor * August 8 **

Tongayi Chirisa Tongayi Arnold Chirisa is a Zimbabwean actor and singer known for playing Man Friday on NBC's ''Crusoe (TV series), Crusoe'' television series, Father Nicholas on ''The Jim Gaffigan Show'', Hekule on Leon Schuster's ''Mr. Bones 2: Back from the ...

, Zimbabwean actor and singer **

Meagan Good Meagan Monique Good (born August 8, 1981) is an American actress and model. She first gained critical attention for her role in the film '' Eve's Bayou'' (1997) prior to landing the role of Nina in the Nickelodeon sitcom '' Cousin Skeeter'' (199 ...

, American actress * August 10 -

Jon Prescott Jon Prescott (born August 10, 1981) is an American actor. Early life He was born in Mountain View, California, but raised near Portland, Oregon. Prescott has two brothers, and a sister. He attended Emerson College in Boston. After college he ...

, American actor * August 20 – Ben Barnes, English actor * August 22 **

Ross Marquand Roscoe Wayne Marquand (born August 22, 1981) is an American actor and impressionist. He has played Aaron on the television series '' The Walking Dead'' (2015–2022), Red Skull and Ultron in various projects connected to the Marvel Cinematic Univ ...

, American impressionist, actor and producer **

Takumi Saito is a Japanese actor and filmmaker. He directs films under his birthname, , spelled differently in Kanji but pronounced the same. Early life and work Saito was born on August 22, 1981, in Minato, Tokyo. Saitoh's father worked in the film in ...

, Japanese actor * August 24 –

Chad Michael Murray Chad Michael Murray (born August 24, 1981) is an American actor, writer, and former model. He played the lead role of Lucas Scott in The WB/ CW teen drama series '' One Tree Hill'' (2003–09, 2012), and recurring roles as Tristin DuGray on '' ...

, American actor * August 25 –

Rachel Bilson Rachel Sarah Bilson (born August 25, 1981) is an American actress. Born to a Californian show-business family, Bilson made her television debut in 2003, and then landed the role of Summer Roberts on the prime-time drama series '' The O.C.'' Bi ...

, American actress * August 27 **

Patrick J. Adams Patrick Johannes Adams (born August 27, 1981) is a Canadian-American actor. He is known for playing Mike Ross, a college dropout turned unlicensed lawyer, in the USA Network legal drama series '' Suits'' (2011–2019). His performance earned hi ...

, Canadian actor **

Sugar Lyn Beard Stephanie "Sugar" Lyn Beard (born August 27, 1981) is a Canadian actress and radio personality. She co-hosted '' The Zone'' on YTV from 2001 to 2007. Early life Stephanie Lyn Beard was born in the Scarborough district of Toronto on August 27, 1 ...

, Canadian actress and radio personality * August 29 -

Émilie Dequenne Émilie Dequenne (; 29 August 1981 – 16 March 2025) was a Belgian actress. She first gained recognition for her role in the Dardenne brothers' film '' Rosetta'' (1999), which earned her the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress. The fi ...

, Belgian actress (d.

2025 So far, the year has seen the continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudanese civil war, and the Gaza war. Internal crises in Bangladesh post-resignation v ...

) * September 1 **

Michael Adamthwaite Michael David Adamthwaite (born September 1, 1981) is a Canadian actor. He is credited with providing the voice for many characters in various anime series. He is also known for portraying the Jaffa (Stargate), Jaffa List of recurring alien charac ...

, Canadian actor **

Boyd Holbrook Robert Boyd Holbrook (born September 1, 1981) is an American actor. He has starred in the Netflix series ''Narcos'' (2015–2016) as DEA agent Steve Murphy and '' The Sandman'' (2022–) as the Corinthian, as well as in the History miniseries ...

, American actor * September 3 -

Evgeniya Brik Evgeniya Brik (, Khirivskaya (Хиривская), 3 September 1981 – 10 February 2022) was a Russian film and theater actress. She gained popularity with such films and television series as '' Stilyagi (2008)'', '' The Geographer Drank His G ...

, Russian actress (d. 2022) * September 4 –

Beyoncé Knowles Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. With a career spanning over three decades, she has established herself as one of the most culturally significant figu ...

, American singer and actress * September 8 –

Jonathan Taylor Thomas Jonathan Taylor Thomas (; born September 8, 1981) is an American actor and director. He is known for portraying Randy Taylor on ''Home Improvement'' and voicing young Simba in Disney's 1994 animated feature film ''The Lion King'' and Pinocchio ...

, American actor * September 9 -

Julie Gonzalo Julieta Susana Gonzalo (; born September 9, 1981) is an American and Argentine actress. On television, she has played Parker Lee on ''Veronica Mars'' (2006–2007; 2019), Maggie Dekker on ''Eli Stone'' (2008–2009), Pamela Rebecca Barnes on the ...

, Argentine-American actress * September 12 **

Jennifer Hudson Jennifer Kate Hudson (born September 12, 1981), also known by her nickname J.Hud, is an American singer, actress, producer, and talk show host. Having received List of awards and nominations received by Jennifer Hudson, numerous accolades for ...

, American singer and actress ** Elle LaMont, American actress * September 14 -

Miyavi , better known by his stage name MIYAVI (雅, ''Miyabi'', stylized in all caps), is a Japanese guitarist, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor known for his finger- slapping style of playing a guitar. He has been active since 1999, f ...

, Japanese guitarist, singer-songwriter and actor * September 15 -

Ben Schwartz Benjamin Joseph Schwartz (born September 15, 1981) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his recurring role as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on the NBC sitcom '' Parks and Recreation'', his starring role as Clyde Oberholt on the Sh ...

, American actor, voice actor, comedian, improviser, writer, director and producer * September 16 **

Fan Bingbing Fan Bingbing (, born 16 September 1981) is a Chinese actress. After gaining recognition for the costume drama '' My Fair Princess'' (1998–1999), Fan's breakthrough came with Feng Xiaogang's blockbuster '' Cell Phone'' (2003), which won her th ...

, Chinese actress, model, producer and singer **

Alexis Bledel Kimberly Alexis Bledel ( ; born September 16, 1981) is an American Actor, actress and Model (person), model. She is best known for her roles as Rory Gilmore on the television series ''Gilmore Girls'' (2000–2007) and Emily Malek in ''The Handm ...

, American actress * September 17 -

Griff Furst Griff Furst (born September 17, 1981, in Van Nuys, California) is an American actor, film producer, and film director. Furst has appeared in over a hundred television and film productions. In 2011 a ''Variety'' article singled him out with ...

, American actor, producer and director * September 18 - Jennifer Tisdale, American actress and singer * September 22 -

Ashley Eckstein Ashley Eckstein (; born September 22, 1981) is an American actress and fashion designer. She is the founder of the fashion label Her Universe. She is best known for voicing the role of Ahsoka Tano throughout the ''Star Wars'' franchise, beginni ...

, American actress * September 23 –

Misti Traya Misti Traya is a former American actress. She landed her first prime time television series regular role playing 15-year-old Allison Reeves in The WB's comedy ''Living with Fran''. She is the daughter of actress Kiersten Warren. Life and career ...

, American actress * September 26 –

Christina Milian Christina Milian ( , Flores; born September 26, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Following a number of minor television and film roles in the late nineties, Milian made her recording debut on American rapper Ja Rule's 20 ...

, American singer and actress * September 29 –

Shay Astar Shay Astar (born September 29, 1981) is an American actress, singer, and songwriter best known for portraying the teenage feminist August Leffler, a semi-regular character on the sitcom ''3rd Rock from the Sun''. Career Astar played Elizabet ...

, American singer and actress * September 30 – Ashleigh Aston Moore, American-Canadian former child actress (d. 2007) * October 1 –

Rupert Friend Rupert William Anthony Friend (born October 1981) is a British actor. He first gained recognition for his roles in ''The Libertine (2004 film), The Libertine'' (2004) and ''Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont'' (2005), both of which won him awards for ...

, English actor * October 3 **

Seth Gabel Seth Gabel (born October 3, 1981) is an American actor. He is known for his roles of agent Lincoln Lee on Fox's television series ''Fringe'', Cotton Mather on WGN America's series '' Salem'', and Adrian Moore on the FX series ''Nip/Tuck''. He ...

, American actor **

Giselle Itié Giselle Itié Ramos (born October 3, 1981) is a Mexican-Brazilian actress. In 2001, she started her career as an actress in a Brazilian telenovela. In 2009, she debuted as protagonist in the telenovela '' Bela, a Feia'', the Brazilian version fo ...

, Mexican-born Brazilian actress * October 9 –

Zachery Ty Bryan Zachery Tyler Bryan (born October 9, 1981) is an American actor and film producer. He is best known for his role as Brad Taylor on the ABC sitcom ''Home Improvement''. He also appeared in the films '' First Kid'' and '' The Fast and the Furiou ...

, American actor * October 12 **

Tom Guiry Thomas John Guiry (born October 12, 1981) is an American actor. He is best known for his lead performance as Scott "Scotty" Smalls in the coming-of-age film ''The Sandlot,'' which was filmed when he was 12, and his role in NBC crime drama ''The Bl ...

, American actor ** Brian J. Smith, American actor * October 17 -

Liam Garrigan Liam Garrigan (born 1981) is an English actor. As a youth, he attended classes at Kingston upon Hull's Northern Theatre Company and was a student at Wyke College, Kingston upon Hull. His first television role was in 2003 as Characters of Holby ...

, English actor * October 18 – Graham Moore, American screenwriter * October 22 –

Michael Fishman Michael Aaron Fishman (born October 22, 1981) is an American actor, writer, and producer known for playing D.J. Conner on the long-running series ''Roseanne'' and its spin-off show ''The Conners''. Early life Fishman was born in Los Angeles Cou ...

, American actor * October 23 - Jackie Long, American actor, writer, musician, director and producer * October 30 **

Fiona Dourif Fiona Christianne Dourif (born October 30, 1981) is an American actress and producer. She is best known for her starring role as Nica Pierce in the '' Child's Play'' franchise, including the horror film '' Curse of Chucky'' (2013), its sequel ...

, American actress and producer **

Steve Peacocke Stephen Peacocke (born 30 October 1981) is an Australian actor, who appeared in theatre productions and portrayed minor roles in television dramas and films, including '' Suburban Mayhem'' and '' All Saints.'' Peacocke rose to prominence for hi ...

, Australian actor **

Shaun Sipos Shaun Sipos (born October 30, 1981) is a Canadian actor, known for playing Jack on the series '' Complete Savages'' (2004–2005), David Breck on '' Melrose Place'' (2009–2010), Eric Daniels on ''Life Unexpected'' (2010–2011), Aaron Whitmor ...

, Canadian actor * November 1 - Matt Jones, American actor, voice artist, comedian, rapper and singer * November 2 -

Katharine Isabelle Katharine Isobel Murray (born 2 November 1981), known professionally as Katharine Isabelle, is a Canadian actress. She has been described as a scream queen due to her roles in various horror films. She started her acting career in 1989, playing a ...

, Canadian actress * November 6 –

Lee Dong-wook Lee Dong-wook (; born 6 November 1981) is a South Korean actor and presenter. He is best known for his leading roles in the television dramas '' My Girl'' (2005), '' Scent of a Woman'' (2011), '' The Fugitive of Joseon'' (2013), ''Hotel King'' ...

, South Korean actor * November 7 - Lotta Losten, Swedish actress * November 9 – Scottie Thompson, American actress * November 10 –

Perla Liberatori Perla Liberatori (born November 10, 1981) is an Italian voice actress and dubbing director. Biography Niece of actors Francesca and Marco Guadagno, Liberatori's career began when she was 5 years old. In 1995 she acted alongside Massimo Dapporto ...

, Italian voice actress * November 14 -

Vanessa Bayer Vanessa Bayer (born November 14, 1981) is an American actress and comedian. She was a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series ''Saturday Night Live'' from 2010 to 2017, for which she was nominated for an Emmy. She co-created, co-executive pr ...

, American actress and comedian * November 15 -

Sammy Sheik Sammy Sheik (Arabic: سامي الشيخ; born November 15, 1981) is an Egyptian-American actor. He is best known for playing the role of "Mustafa" in Clint Eastwood's 2014 war drama film ''American Sniper''. Career Sheik was cast to play Al Ja ...

, Egyptian-American actor * November 16 –

Caitlin Glass Caitlin Tiffany Glass (born November 16, 1981) is an American voice actress, dubbing director, and script writer who provides voices for English versions of Japanese anime series and video games. Biography Caitlin Tiffany Glass was born on No ...

, American voice actress * November 17 -

Bojana Novakovic Bojana Novakovic (, sr-Latn, Bojana Novaković) is an Australian actress. She is known for starring in the police procedural television series ''Instinct'' (2018–2019). In film, she has appeared in '' Drag Me to Hell'' (2009), ''Edge of Dark ...

, Serbian-Australian actress * November 18 **

Nasim Pedrad Nasim Pedrad (; born November 18, 1981) is an American actress and comedian. She was a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy and variety series ''Saturday Night Live'' from 2009 to 2014. She later went on to star in the Fox sitcoms '' Mulaney'' ( ...

, Iranian-American actress and comedian **

Christina Vidal Christina Vidal is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her roles in films such as '' Life with Mikey'', '' Brink!'', '' Freaky Friday'', '' See No Evil'' & on '' Taina'', Gina Perrello on '' Code Black'', & Detective Valeria Cha ...

, American actress and singer * November 20 –

Andrea Riseborough Andrea Louise Riseborough (born 20 November 1981) is an English actress. She made her film debut with a small part in ''Venus'' (2006), and has since appeared in more prominent roles in '' Brighton Rock'' (2010), '' W.E.'' (2011), '' Shadow Dan ...

, English actress * November 23 - John Lavelle, American actor and playwright * November 30 - Jake Szymanski, American actor, writer, director and producer * December 2 –

Britney Spears Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is an American singer. Often referred to as the "Princess of Pop", she has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making her one of the world's best-selling music artists. Cultural impact of Brit ...

, American singer and actress * December 3 ** Maddy Curley, American actress **

Liza Lapira Liza Lapira (born December 3, 1981) is an American actress. She played Kianna in the 2008 film '' 21'', Special Agent Michelle Lee in the CBS police procedural series ''NCIS'', and Ivy, Topher Brink's assistant, in '' Dollhouse''. Lapira has also ...

, American actress * December 5 **

Adan Canto Adan Canto (5 December 1981 – 8 January 2024) was a Mexican actor. He portrayed Sunspot (comics), Sunspot in the 2014 superhero film ''X-Men: Days of Future Past'', Paul Torres on the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox drama series ''The Following'' ...

, Mexican actor (d.

2024 The year saw the list of ongoing armed conflicts, continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Myanmar civil war (2021–present), Myanmar civil war, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudane ...

) **

Lydia Leonard Lydia Leonard (born 5 December 1981) is a British actress. She starred in the stage adaptation of Hilary Mantel's ''Bring Up the Bodies''. On television, she is known for her roles in the BBC Two sitcom '' Quacks'' (2017) and the Amazon Prime s ...

, British actress * December 8 -

Dov Tiefenbach Dov Yosef Tiefenbach (born December 8, 1981) is a Canadian actor and musician. Life and career Tiefenbach was born on December 8, 1981, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is of Jewish background. He began his acting career at the age of 12, startin ...

, Canadian actor and musician * December 13 –

Amy Lee Amy Lynn Lee (born December 13, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She is the co-founder, lead vocalist, lead songwriter, and keyboardist of the rock band Evanescence. A classically trained pianist, Lee began writing music at ...

, American singer-songwriter (

Evanescence Evanescence is an American Rock music, rock band founded in 1994 by singer and keyboardist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody in Little Rock, Arkansas. After releasing independent extended play, EPs and a Origin (Evanescence demo album), demo ...

) * December 15 **

Brendan Fletcher Brendan Fletcher (born December 15, 1981) is a Canadian actor. He first gained recognition as a child actor, being nominated for a Gemini Award for his acting debut in the made-for-television film ''Little Criminals'' and winning a Leo Award ...

, Canadian actor, screenwriter and producer **

Victoria Summer Victoria Summer (born 15 December 1981) is a British actress, singer, and producer. She began her career in West End musicals in London, with her first musical at the Almeida Theatre in ''Brighton Rock'', directed by Michael Attenborough. Summe ...

, English actress, model and singer * December 16 –

Krysten Ritter Krysten Alyce Ritter (born December 16, 1981) is an American actress. After an early modeling stint, she appeared on the UPN noir mystery series ''Veronica Mars'' (2005–2006) and the CW comedy drama series ''Gilmore Girls'' (2006–2007). He ...

, American actress * December 22 -

Nicolas Vaporidis Nicolas Vaporidis (; born 22 December 1981) is an Italian actor. Biography Vaporidis was born in Rome to an Italian mother and a Greek father. He obtained a classical diploma in Rome in 2000, then enrolled in a communication sciences program. He ...

, Italian actor * December 27 **

Emilie de Ravin Emilie de Ravin (; born 27 December 1981) is an Australian actress. She first gained recognition for playing Tess Harding on The WB's science fiction television series ''Roswell (TV series), Roswell'' (2000–2002). She went on to portray Clai ...

, Australian actress **

Jay Ellis Wendell Ramone "Jay" Ellis Jr. (born December 27, 1981) is an American actor. In 2013, Ellis received his first major role on BET's series '' The Game''. His role as Martin "Lawrence" Walker in the HBO series '' Insecure'' (2016-2021), earned h ...

, American actor * December 28 –

Sienna Miller Sienna Rose Diana Miller (born 28 December 1981) is an American-British actress. Born in New York City and raised in London, she began her career as a photography model, appearing in the pages of Italian '' Vogue'' and for the 2003 Pirelli Cale ...

, English actress * December 29 -

Charlotte Riley Charlotte Frances Riley (born 29 December 1981) is an English actress. She is known for her roles as Sarah Hurst in '' Easy Virtue'' (2008) and as Catherine Earnshaw in ITV's adaptation of ''Wuthering Heights'' (2009). Early life and educatio ...

, English actress * December 30 **

Gina Beck Gina Beck (born on 30th December 1981 in Buckinghamshire) is a British stage actress and singer, mainly known for playing major roles in various West End musicals. She played the characters of Miss Honey in the Royal Shakespeare Company's produc ...

, British actress and singer **

Leila Farzad Leila Effat Farzad is a British actress. She is known for her role as Naomi Jones in the Sky Atlantic series ''I Hate Suzie'' (2020–2022), which earned her a British Academy Television Award nomination. Early life and education Leila Effat F ...

, British actress

Deaths

Film debuts

Notes

References

External links

List of 1981 films
at

IMDb IMDb, historically known as the Internet Movie Database, is an online database of information related to films, television series, podcasts, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and biograp ...

1981 Domestic Grosses
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Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo is an American website that tracks box-office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. The site was founded in 1998 by Brandon Gray, and was bought in 2008 by IMDb, which itself is owned by Amazon. History Brandon Gray ...

List of 1981 deaths
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List of 1981 births
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{{DEFAULTSORT:1981 In Film Film by year