December Celebrity Birthdays

December 1: Bette Midler

Born on December 1, 1945, the Divine Miss M is known as much for her flamboyant personality as for her talent in music, acting, and singing. Two of Bette Midler's songs, Wind Beneath My Wings and The Rose, were named on 2004's "100 Years of the Greatest Songs."

December 2: Britney Spears

Perhaps her 25th birthday will mark a new beginning for Britney Spears, as the last few years have been wrought with drama, sadness, and even a few "waldrobe malfunctions." Despite the rough patch, fans of Britney Jean Spears believe the pop star's upcoming divorce and her post-baby weight loss mark the start of a strong return to superstardom.

December 4: Tyra Banks

Born December 4, 1973, Tyra Lynne Banks grew up believing she was ugly. Mocked for being too skinny and having a big forehead, the December celebrity birthday girl has admitted that she suffered from low self-esteem. Who would have guessed she would one day be a wildy successful supermodel and talk show host?

December 18: Brad Pitt and Katie Holmes

Brad Pitt

Superdad Brad Pitt shares his birthday with the new Mrs. Tom Cruise. While William Bradley Pitt was born on December 18, 1963, Kate Noelle Holmes was born in 1978.

While most people first noticed sexy Pitt in Thelma and Louise, he actually had roles in Head of the Class, Growing Pains, and Another World prior to that career launching movie.

Everyone remembers Katie Holmes as girl-next-girl Joey on the teen drama Dawson's Creek. Holmes was able to parlay her television success onto the big screen with roles in Teaching Mrs. Tingle, Wonder Boys, The Gift, and Thank You For Smoking.

Today, both stars are enjoying domestic bliss, Brad with Angelina Jolie and their ever-expanding brood, and Katie Holmes with Tom and the kids.

December 21: Samuel L. Jackson

Award winning actor Samuel Leroy Jackson was born in Washington, DC, in 1948. Jackson attended college in the racially turbulent South and took part in civil rights demonstrations. He later went on to achieve acclaim in such cult favorites as Pulp Fiction, Shaft, Star Wars, and Snakes on a Plane.

December 24: Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin

Bon-bon shaking Ricky Martin was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Christmas Eve in 1971. Martin started his career with the boy band Menudo. He later found solo success with hits like Livin' La Vida Loca, Maria, She Bangs, and The Cup of Life.

December 26: Jared Leto

Jared Joseph Leto was born December 26, 1971, in Louisiana. He is an actor and musician, but it is his colorful love life and his propensity for eyeliner that keep him in the tabloids. The 30 Seconds to Mars singer has been linked to Lindsay Lohan, Scarlett Johannson, and Cameron Diaz.

December 28: Denzel Washington

From his start in a made-for-television movie in 1975, Denzel Jermaine Washington Jr. has become one of the most sought-after and highly respected actors in Hollywood. Starring roles in Malcolm X, Crimson Tide, The Hurricane, and Inside Man ensured him a place in movie history. His longtime marriage to Pauletta Pearson Washington earns him a reputation as a bonafide family man.

December 29: Jude Law

Jude Law

Although his tempestuous offscreen relationship with actress Sienna Miller has frequently overshadowed his onscreen success, this December celebrity birthday boy is an Academy Award nominated actor. Law's performances in Road to Perdition, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and Cold Mountain catapulted him to stardom. David Jude Heyworth Law was born December 29, 1972.

December 31: Sir Anthony Hopkins

Born December 31, 1937, Philip Anthony Hopkins spent much of his early years painting and drawing. A chance meeting with Richard Burton gave him the boost he needed to pursue acting. The world is enternally grateful to Burton, as Hopkins has given spectacular performances in movies such as Silence of the Lambs, Amistad, Remains of the Day, and The Elephant Man. Welsh-born Sir Anthony Hopkins was named a Knight Bachelor in 1993, but he's always been royalty to us.

Other December Celebrity Birthdays

• December 1: Richard Pryor, Woody Allen
• December 3: Ozzy Osbourne
• December 8: Kim Basinger
• December 19: Alyssa Milano
• December 30: Julianne Moore