12 Notable Personalities Born on February 29

Leap day babies hold the title for the rarest birthdays, being born on February 29—a date that only appears once every four years during a leap year. Instead of marking their birthdays annually, these individuals celebrate their special day only once every 1461 days.

Those born on February 29 make up less than 0.1 percent of the global population. Within this exclusive group, a select few have risen to fame as entertainers, leaders, and athletes. From Al Rosen to Ja Rule, here are 10 of the most prominent figures born on this unique date.

1. Ja Rule

Born on February 29, 1976, in New York City, Ja Rule is technically turning 12 in 2024, despite being 48 years old. For his 10th birthday celebration in 2016, he launched his Las Vegas residency at the Foxtail Nightclub.

2. Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins, born on February 29, 1960, is renowned as a motivational speaker and the writer of Awaken the Giant Within. As a famous leap day baby, he will turn 64 in 2024, though it’s only his 16th actual birthday—a delayed celebration of his sweet 16.

3. Peter Scanavino

Peter Scanavino, born on February 29, 1980, rose to fame for his role as Dominick "Sonny" Carisi, Jr. on Law and Order: SVU. In 2024, the 44-year-old actor will celebrate his 11th birthday on leap day.

4. Mark Foster

On February 29, 2024, Mark Foster will reach a significant milestone. The musician, born on a leap day in 1984, will turn 40 and celebrate his actual birthday for only the 10th time. He is best known as the lead singer of Foster the People.

5. Morarji Desai

Born on February 29, 1896, Morarji Desai, the former prime minister of India, passed away on April 10, 1995. Although he lived to 99, he celebrated only 24 actual birthdays. Since his birth coincided with Holi, Desai opted to observe his birthday on this Indian festival rather than waiting for leap day.

6. Dinah Shore

Dinah Shore rose to fame as a celebrated singer and TV star in the 1940s and 1950s. Born on February 29, 1916, she was a well-known leap day baby. She passed away in 1994 at the age of 77, having celebrated only 19 actual birthdays.

7. Gioacchino Rossini

The renowned opera The Barber of Seville was created by a leap day baby, Gioacchino Rossini. Born on February 29, 1792, in Italy, Rossini displayed remarkable talent early in life. His prolific career included masterpieces like William Tell and Cinderella, contributing to his legacy of 39 operas. He passed away in 1868, coincidentally another leap year.

8. Pope Paul III

Among the 266 popes in Catholic history, Pope Paul III stands out as the only known leap day baby, born on February 29, 1486. He is remembered as the last Renaissance pope. Although the Gregorian calendar, which refined leap years, was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, leap years were already recognized during Paul III’s era.

9. Alex Rocco

Alex Rocco, famous for his role as Moe Greene in The Godfather (1972), enjoyed a diverse acting career. He earned a 1990 Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy for The Famous Teddy Z and voiced characters in The Simpsons. Born on February 29, 1936, he passed away in 2015.

10. Al Rosen

Al Rosen, a Cleveland third baseman for 10 years, cemented his status as an MLB legend. In 1953, he earned the American League MVP title with 43 home runs and 145 RBI. Remarkably, despite living to 91, he celebrated only 22 birthdays, having been born on February 29, 1924. He passed away in 2015.

11. Jack Lousma

On February 29, 2024, Jack Lousma will celebrate his 88th birthday, though it will only be his 22nd actual birthday. The NASA astronaut logged over 1600 hours in space, where the effects of relativity mean people age slower than on Earth, adding an intriguing twist to his age.

12. Cameron Ward

Cam Ward, the NHL’s most renowned leap year baby, was born on February 29, 1984. He spent the majority of his career as a goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes before retiring in 2019. In 2024, the athlete will mark his 10th actual birthday, despite being 40 years old.