Top 10 Celebrities Born In 1961
 

Rae Dawn Chong is not a household name. Nevertheless, she finds herself on our list of the top 10 celebrities born in 1961. This is primarily because of her unforgettable work as the heroic Cro-magnon woman who teaches a hopeless group of not-too-bright, Neanderthals how to make (rather than carry) fire. Other than a few small parts in unexceptional films, (Commando, Far Out Man), Rae has not done a whole lot lately. Nevertheless, one can hold out hope for a Quest for Fire remake.

Forest Whitaker is a rare commodity: an actor who has successfully transitioned from character man to leading man. His protean ability is renowned, having played everything from Idi Amin, to Charlie Parker. His big breakthrough came in 1986, when, at the age of 25, he appeared as a troubled soldier in Oliver Stone’s, Vietnam War drama Platoon. In the same year he appeared in Scorscese’s The Color of Money and since this time, has been one of the most successful and critically acclaimed actors of his generation.

Wayne Gretsky’s nickname says it all: The Great One. He is unanimously considered to have been the greatest hockey player of all times. Not only is he the only man in the history of the NHL to score over 200 points in a single season, but he did it 4 times! His jersey number (99) has been officially retired by every single team in professional hockey. He was by far the highest paid player of his generation and became the face of the NHL for most of his career.

Kim Deal is the bass player and founding member of the highly regarded and influential punk/indie band The Pixies. Her later work as the leader of the band The Breeders, whose 1993 album Last Splash, went platinum (selling over one million units) cemented her name in the annals of rock and roll.

Peter Jackson the Kiwi, film director and mastermind of the three-part epic: Lord Of The Rings, is perhaps the most famous and well respected film director of this or any other generation.

Don Mattingly was simply the best baseball player in the worst years the storied New York Yankee franchise has ever endured. The 14 year period in which Don Mattingly played for the Yankees is the only 14 year stretch of time in the team’s entire history in which they did not appear in a World Series game. But this was no fault of his. As if his legendary hitting skills were not enough, Mattingly’s nearly flawless defensive abilities made him the greatest 1st baseman of his time. The only thing preventing him from a first round induction into baseball’s hall of fame is the fact that his career was cut short by back injuries.

George Clooney is the leading man’s leading man. Cut from the same dark, ruggedly handsome mold as legendary actor Clark Gable, Clooney has proven to be one of the most successful and adventurous actors in the modern film industry.

Barak Obama is, according to a recent survey, the most famous man on earth. Of course this comes with the job. As President of the United States of America, he’ll be famous for years to come.

Meg Ryan was, quite simply, America’s leading heartthrob of the 1990s. She enjoyed her greatest successes in some of that decade’s biggest block-busters: When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and City Of Angels. The fact that these films grossed well over 800 million dollars was in no small part due to Ms. Ryan’s down home sex-appeal, and irresistible charm.