Hollywood Actors You Didn’t Know Were Cancer

Cancer season runs from June 21 to July 22, and plenty of Hollywood’s biggest names fall under this water sign. Below are male actors born during that window, along with key career milestones, birthplace details, and notable roles that made them household names. Dates are included so you can double-check the zodiac, and the credits highlight the breadth of their work across film and television. Use it as a quick reference the next time you’re connecting birthdays to star power.

Tom Cruise

Born July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New York, Tom Cruise became one of the world’s highest-grossing stars through franchises like ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Mission: Impossible’. He earned three Academy Award nominations for ‘Born on the Fourth of July’, ‘Jerry Maguire’, and ‘Magnolia’. Cruise also served as producer on multiple projects, including many entries in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ series. His films have consistently opened at number one domestically and internationally across several decades.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks was born July 9, 1956, in Concord, California, and is a two-time Academy Award winner for ‘Philadelphia’ and ‘Forrest Gump’. He has also starred in hits like ‘Saving Private Ryan’, ‘Cast Away’, and provided the voice of Woody in ‘Toy Story’. Hanks has produced and directed for film and television, including the miniseries ‘Band of Brothers’. In 2016, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contributions to the arts.

Sylvester Stallone

Born July 6, 1946, in New York City, Sylvester Stallone wrote and starred in ‘Rocky’, which won Best Picture at the 1977 Academy Awards. He also led the ‘Rambo’ franchise and returned to the ‘Rocky’ universe with ‘Creed’, earning another Oscar nomination. Stallone has directed multiple features, including entries in the ‘Rocky’ and ‘The Expendables’ series. His films have cumulatively grossed billions worldwide.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch was born July 19, 1976, in London, England, and earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Imitation Game’. He portrays Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in ‘Doctor Strange’, ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, ‘Avengers: Endgame’, and ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’. On television, he received widespread recognition for ‘Sherlock’. Cumberbatch has also performed extensively on stage, including ‘Hamlet’ in London.

Harrison Ford

Born July 13, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, Harrison Ford is known worldwide for ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’. He has also starred in acclaimed films like ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Witness’, and ‘The Fugitive’. ‘Witness’ earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Ford’s career spans more than five decades with multiple box-office successes across genres.

Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel was born July 18, 1967, in Alameda County, California, and is best known for the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise. He voiced Groot in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and its sequels and led action titles like ‘xXx’ and ‘The Chronicles of Riddick’. Diesel also produces many of his films through his company One Race Films. His projects have established long-running franchises with international appeal.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams, born July 21, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, won an Academy Award for ‘Good Will Hunting’. He headlined popular films such as ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’, ‘Dead Poets Society’, ‘Aladdin’, and ‘Jumanji’. Williams first gained national attention on television with ‘Mork & Mindy’. His body of work includes stand-up, dramatic roles, and voice acting across film and TV.

Patrick Stewart

Born July 13, 1940, in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, England, Patrick Stewart is widely recognized for ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ and its follow-ups, including ‘Star Trek: Picard’. He also portrays Professor X in multiple ‘X-Men’ films. Stewart’s career began in classical theatre, notably with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He has been honored with numerous awards and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010.

Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker was born July 15, 1961, in Longview, Texas, and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for ‘The Last King of Scotland’. His filmography includes ‘Bird’, ‘Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai’, ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’, and ‘Black Panther’. Whitaker is also a producer and humanitarian, founding the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative. He has received recognition from major film festivals and organizations for both artistic and humanitarian work.

Willem Dafoe

Born July 22, 1955, in Appleton, Wisconsin, Willem Dafoe has four Academy Award nominations for roles in films like ‘Platoon’, ‘Shadow of the Vampire’, ‘The Florida Project’, and ‘At Eternity’s Gate’. He appeared as Norman Osborn/Green Goblin in ‘Spider-Man’ and returned to the role in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’. Dafoe has collaborated with directors such as Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson, and Lars von Trier. His career includes extensive stage work with experimental theatre groups.

Tobey Maguire

Tobey Maguire was born June 27, 1975, in Santa Monica, California, and headlined the ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy directed by Sam Raimi. He has also appeared in films like ‘Seabiscuit’, ‘The Cider House Rules’, and ‘Brothers’. Maguire has producing credits, including ‘Pawn Sacrifice’ and ‘Brittany Runs a Marathon’. He reprised Peter Parker in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’.

John Cusack

Born June 28, 1966, in Evanston, Illinois, John Cusack starred in ‘Say Anything’, ‘Grosse Pointe Blank’, and ‘High Fidelity’. His dramatic work includes ‘Being John Malkovich’, ‘The Thin Red Line’, and ‘Maps to the Stars’. Cusack has written and produced several projects in addition to acting. He has maintained a steady presence across independent and studio films since the 1980s.

Josh Hartnett

Josh Hartnett was born July 21, 1978, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and rose to prominence with films like ‘Pearl Harbor’, ‘Black Hawk Down’, and ‘Lucky Number Slevin’. He led the television series ‘Penny Dreadful’. Hartnett later appeared in ensemble projects such as ‘Oppenheimer’ and worked with directors including Guy Ritchie. His career spans mainstream blockbusters and independent features.

Topher Grace

Born July 12, 1978, in New York City, Topher Grace is known for ‘That ’70s Show’ and films like ‘In Good Company’ and ‘BlacKkKlansman’. He portrayed Eddie Brock/Venom in ‘Spider-Man 3’. Grace has also edited personal film mega-cuts as a side project, separate from his acting work. He continues to work in television and film across comedy and drama.

Benedict Wong

Benedict Wong was born July 3, 1971, in Eccles, Greater Manchester, England, and portrays Wong in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in ‘Doctor Strange’, ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’, and related titles. His earlier credits include ‘Sunshine’, ‘The Martian’, and the series ‘Marco Polo’. Wong has performed in theatre and radio in addition to screen roles. He frequently collaborates on science-fiction and historical projects.

Chris Pratt

Born June 21, 1979, in Virginia, Minnesota, Chris Pratt broke through on television with ‘Parks and Recreation’ before headlining ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and the ‘Jurassic World’ series. He has also led films such as ‘The Lego Movie’ and ‘The Magnificent Seven’. Pratt has produced projects through his company, Indivisible Productions. His work spans action, comedy, and voice roles across major studios.

Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon was born July 8, 1958, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and first drew wide attention with ‘Footloose’. His film credits include ‘Apollo 13’, ‘A Few Good Men’, and ‘Mystic River’, along with television projects like ‘The Following’. Bacon co-founded the philanthropic platform SixDegrees.org. He continues to alternate between studio features, independent films, and series work.

Donald Sutherland

Born July 17, 1935, in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, Donald Sutherland amassed a six-decade career across films like ‘MAS*H’, ‘Don’t Look Now’, and ‘Ordinary People’. He reached new generations with ‘The Hunger Games’ series as President Snow. Sutherland received an Honorary Academy Award in 2017 for his contributions to cinema. His credits spanned international productions and major Hollywood releases.

David Hasselhoff

David Hasselhoff was born July 17, 1952, in Baltimore, Maryland, and became a global television figure with ‘Knight Rider’ and ‘Baywatch’. His film appearances include ‘Click’ and a cameo in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’. Hasselhoff has produced and executive-produced various projects tied to his TV franchises. He also released multiple music albums that supported international tours.

Will Ferrell

Born July 16, 1967, in Irvine, California, Will Ferrell rose from ‘Saturday Night Live’ to star in comedies like ‘Anchorman’, ‘Elf’, and ‘Step Brothers’. He co-founded the production company Gary Sanchez Productions, later launching Gloria Sanchez Productions. Ferrell’s filmography includes voice roles such as ‘Megamind’ and ‘The Lego Movie’. He has also appeared in dramatic projects, including ‘Stranger Than Fiction’.

Patrick Wilson

Patrick Wilson was born July 3, 1973, in Norfolk, Virginia, and is widely known for horror franchises ‘The Conjuring’ and ‘Insidious’. His credits include ‘Watchmen’, ‘Little Children’, and voice work in animation and games. Wilson earned Tony and Golden Globe nominations for stage and screen performances early in his career. He made his feature directorial debut with an installment of the ‘Insidious’ series.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Born July 10, 1977, in London, England, Chiwetel Ejiofor earned an Academy Award nomination for ’12 Years a Slave’. He appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in ‘Doctor Strange’ and its sequel. Ejiofor has written and directed, including the feature ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’. His work spans stage, film, and television on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ken Jeong

Ken Jeong was born July 13, 1969, in Detroit, Michigan, and gained film recognition with ‘The Hangover’ trilogy. He co-starred in the series ‘Community’ and later led ‘Dr. Ken’. Jeong is a licensed physician, which informed several of his roles and public appearances. He has expanded into hosting and judging on major network competition series.

Kevin Hart

Born July 6, 1979, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kevin Hart transitioned from stand-up to leading roles in ‘Ride Along’, ‘Central Intelligence’, and ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’. He founded Hartbeat, a production company behind films, specials, and series. Hart’s extensive touring produced multiple concert films and streaming specials. He frequently collaborates with studios on action-comedy features.

Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais was born June 25, 1961, in Reading, England, and co-created and starred in ‘The Office’ (UK). He followed with ‘Extras’, ‘Derek’, and ‘After Life’, serving as writer, director, and producer. Gervais has hosted the Golden Globe Awards multiple times. His film roles include ‘Night at the Museum’ and voice work in features and animation.

Milo Ventimiglia

Born July 8, 1977, in Anaheim, California, Milo Ventimiglia starred in ‘This Is Us’ and previously in ‘Heroes’. His film credits include ‘Rocky Balboa’ and ‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’. Ventimiglia has produced television projects through his company, Divide Pictures. He has appeared in recurring roles across network, cable, and streaming platforms.

Jared Padalecki

Jared Padalecki was born July 19, 1982, in San Antonio, Texas, and led the long-running series ‘Supernatural’. He later starred in ‘Walker’, a reimagining of ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’. Padalecki’s early TV work included ‘Gilmore Girls’. His credits also include genre films and television movies produced for network audiences.

Adrian Grenier

Adrian Grenier, born July 10, 1976, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, headlined ‘Entourage’ and appeared in films like ‘The Devil Wears Prada’. He has produced and directed documentary projects focusing on media and environmental topics. Grenier co-founded SHFT, a lifestyle brand centered on sustainability. His work includes feature films, series, and digital initiatives.

John Leguizamo

Born July 22, 1960, in Bogotá, Colombia, John Leguizamo built a diverse career with roles in ‘Carlito’s Way’, ‘Romeo + Juliet’, and ‘John Wick’. He voiced Sid in the ‘Ice Age’ franchise and created multiple one-man stage shows that aired as specials. Leguizamo has directed and produced across film and theatre. His television credits include ‘When They See Us’ and ‘The Menu’.

Geoffrey Rush

Geoffrey Rush was born July 6, 1951, in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, and won the Academy Award for ‘Shine’. He co-starred in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, ‘Quills’, and ‘The King’s Speech’. Rush is a veteran of stage productions with major Australian theatre companies. His screen work spans historical drama, biopics, and large-scale franchises.

Chris Cooper

Born July 9, 1951, in Kansas City, Missouri, Chris Cooper earned an Academy Award for ‘Adaptation.’. His filmography includes ‘American Beauty’, ‘The Bourne Identity’, and ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’. Cooper has also appeared on stage and television across dramatic and thriller roles. He is known for scene-stealing supporting turns in prestige features.

Vincent D’Onofrio

Vincent D’Onofrio was born June 30, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York, and broke out with ‘Full Metal Jacket’. He has led acclaimed television work as Wilson Fisk in ‘Daredevil’ and ‘Echo’. D’Onofrio appeared in films such as ‘Men in Black’, ‘The Magnificent Seven’, and ‘The Unforgivable’. His career spans acting, directing, and producing across film and television.

Matthew Fox

Born July 14, 1966, in Abington Township, Pennsylvania, Matthew Fox became widely known for ‘Lost’. He previously starred in ‘Party of Five’ and later appeared in features like ‘We Are Marshall’ and ‘Alex Cross’. Fox has worked in thriller, drama, and action genres across film and television. His performances often anchor ensemble casts in high-concept series.

Chris O’Donnell

Chris O’Donnell was born June 26, 1970, in Winnetka, Illinois, and gained fame with films like ‘Scent of a Woman’ and ‘Batman Forever’. He later headlined the long-running series ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’. O’Donnell’s feature credits include ‘The Three Musketeers’ and ‘The Bachelor’. He has balanced television leads with studio films throughout his career.

Jason Clarke

Jason Clarke, born July 17, 1969, in Winton, Queensland, Australia, earned recognition in ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ and ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’. He has appeared in ‘Mudbound’, ‘First Man’, and ‘Everest’. Clarke frequently portrays complex antagonists and historical figures. His body of work spans Australian productions and major Hollywood titles.

Anthony Edwards

Born July 19, 1962, in Santa Barbara, California, Anthony Edwards became a household name with ‘ER’. His earlier film roles include ‘Top Gun’, ‘Revenge of the Nerds’, and ‘Miracle Mile’. Edwards later returned to prestige television with series such as ‘WeCrashed’ and ‘Inventing Anna’. He has also directed episodes of television dramas.

Donald Faison

Donald Faison was born June 22, 1974, in New York City and is best known for ‘Scrubs’. His film credits include ‘Clueless’, ‘Remember the Titans’, and ‘Skyline’. Faison has done extensive voice work in animation and video games. He continues to appear in sitcoms, dramas, and genre projects across network and streaming platforms.

Ed Westwick

Ed Westwick, born June 27, 1987, in Hammersmith, London, rose to fame with ‘Gossip Girl’. He has appeared in films such as ‘Children of Men’, ‘J. Edgar’, and indie thrillers. Westwick has also worked in international television projects and limited series. His roles often blend charismatic leads with morally gray characters.

Matthew Lewis

Born June 27, 1989, in Leeds, England, Matthew Lewis is widely known for Neville Longbottom in the ‘Harry Potter’ series. He has since appeared in television dramas like ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. Lewis continues to work in British theatre and screen productions. His post-franchise career features contemporary ensemble casts.

Nick Offerman

Nick Offerman was born June 26, 1970, in Joliet, Illinois, and became a fan favorite with ‘Parks and Recreation’. He has appeared in films such as ‘The Founder’, ‘Hearts Beat Loud’, and voice roles in animation. Offerman’s stage and literary work includes touring shows and best-selling books. He frequently collaborates on prestige TV dramas and limited series.

Corey Feldman

Corey Feldman, born July 16, 1971, in Los Angeles, California, rose to prominence in ‘Stand by Me’, ‘The Lost Boys’, and ‘Gremlins’. He worked extensively as a teen actor before transitioning to adult roles in film and television. Feldman’s career includes voice acting and documentary appearances. He remains a pop-culture fixture tied to 1980s cinema.

Tom Kenny

Tom Kenny was born July 13, 1962, in Syracuse, New York, and is best known as the voice of SpongeBob in ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’. His on-screen credits include sketch comedy and live-action roles, along with extensive voice work across animation and games. Kenny has voiced characters for major studios and networks. He is a frequent guest performer at animation festivals and panels.

Lance Gross

Born July 8, 1981, in Oakland, California, Lance Gross became known for ‘House of Payne’. His film credits include ‘Our Family Wedding’ and appearances in romantic dramas and thrillers. Gross has modeled and produced in addition to acting. He continues to work across television series, TV movies, and feature projects.

Terry O’Quinn

Terry O’Quinn, born July 15, 1952, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, earned critical acclaim for ‘Lost’. Earlier, he led cult thrillers like ‘The Stepfather’ and appeared in series such as ‘Millennium’ and ‘Alias’. O’Quinn has balanced film roles with recurring television parts across networks. His performances often center on enigmatic, tightly wound characters.

Share your favorite Cancer-born performances in the comments and tell us who else belongs on this list!