Arts & Entertainment:
* J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973): English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known for his fantasy novels *The Hobbit* and *The Lord of the Rings*.
* Marcel Proust (1871-1922): French novelist known for his monumental work *Remembrance of Things Past*.
* Al Jolson (1886-1950): American singer, actor, and comedian, known for his blackface performances.
* Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957): American actor, one of the most iconic stars of classic Hollywood cinema.
* Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962): American actress, model, and singer, considered a major sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s.
* Elvis Presley (1935-1977): American singer, actor, and musician, considered one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century.
* Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021): American composer and lyricist, known for groundbreaking musicals like *West Side Story*, *Sweeney Todd*, and *Into the Woods*.
* Muhammad Ali (1942-2016): American boxer, considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.
* Rowan Atkinson (1955-): English comedian and actor, best known for his character Mr. Bean.
* Ben Stiller (1965-): American actor, comedian, director, and producer.
* Zooey Deschanel (1980-): American actress, singer, and songwriter.
Politics & History:
* Paul Revere (1734-1818): American silversmith, a patriot who rode through the night to warn of the approaching British troops.
* Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968): American Baptist minister and activist, a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement.
* Pope John Paul II (1920-2005): Head of the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005, a major figure in 20th-century history.
* Dalai Lama (1935-): Tibetan spiritual leader and the 14th Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Science & Technology:
* Isaac Newton (1643-1727): English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, alchemist, and theologian.
* James Watt (1736-1819): Scottish inventor, engineer, and chemist, known for his improvements to the steam engine.
* Louis Braille (1809-1852): French educator and inventor of the Braille reading and writing system for the blind.
Sports:
* Michael Jordan (1963-): American former professional basketball player, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time.
* Wayne Gretzky (1961-): Canadian former professional ice hockey player, considered the greatest hockey player of all time.
* Tiger Woods (1975-): American professional golfer, one of the most successful golfers in history.
Other:
* Elizabeth I (1533-1603): Queen of England from 1558 to 1603, the longest-reigning monarch in English history.
* William Penn (1644-1718): English Quaker, founder of the Province of Pennsylvania.
* J.S. Bach (1685-1750): German composer, considered one of the greatest composers of all time.
* Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519): Italian painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer.
This is just a small sample of the many notable people born on January 1st. This list includes figures from various fields, showcasing the diverse talent and achievements of those born on this particular date.