Hollywood Actors You Didn’t Know Were Leo

Leos fall between July 23 and August 22—dates that line up with the birthdays of more Hollywood stars than you might expect. From superhero icons to Oscar winners, these actors all share the same sun sign. Below, you’ll find their exact birthdays, a few standout roles, and career highlights that show where you’ve seen them. Consider this your quick reference the next time you’re matching famous faces to zodiac signs.

Ben Affleck

Born August 15, Ben Affleck is an actor, director, and producer with two Academy Awards to his name. He has headlined major studio projects like ‘Argo’, ‘Gone Girl’, and ‘The Town’. Affleck also portrayed Batman in a series of DC films, expanding his profile in blockbuster franchises. Beyond acting, he co-founded Artists Equity to back creator-driven productions.

Chris Hemsworth

Born August 11, Chris Hemsworth broke out internationally as the title character in Marvel’s ‘Thor’ franchise. He has led action hits like ‘Extraction’ while also showing comic timing in ‘Ghostbusters’. Hemsworth frequently collaborates with major studios including Marvel Studios and Netflix. He’s also produced projects through his own banner, participating behind the camera as well as on screen.

Jason Momoa

Born August 1, Jason Momoa is known worldwide for ‘Aquaman’ and his role as Khal Drogo in ‘Game of Thrones’. He has fronted adventure and action titles such as ‘See’ and ‘Dune’. Momoa often performs physically demanding roles and stunts, shaping his public action-hero image. He also develops projects through his production company, integrating environmental themes into his work.

Daniel Radcliffe

Born July 23, Daniel Radcliffe rose to global prominence as the lead of the ‘Harry Potter’ film series. He has since built a varied career with projects like ‘Swiss Army Man’, ‘Guns Akimbo’, and the play ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’. Radcliffe’s choices span indie films, television, and Broadway. He frequently partners with independent producers to pursue unconventional roles.

Andrew Garfield

Born August 20, Andrew Garfield starred in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ films and earned acclaim for ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ and ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’. He works across American and British productions, reflecting his dual U.S.–U.K. background. Garfield’s credits also include limited series like ‘Under the Banner of Heaven’. He often opts for character-driven stories with strong director partnerships.

Sebastian Stan

Born August 13, Sebastian Stan is widely recognized for playing Bucky Barnes in ‘Captain America’ and other Marvel entries. His range extends to projects like ‘I, Tonya’ and ‘Pam & Tommy’. Stan collaborates frequently with Disney/Marvel while taking on prestige television and indie films. His career includes stage work and international productions reflecting his Romanian-American roots.

Robert De Niro

Born August 17, Robert De Niro is a two-time Academy Award winner known for ‘Raging Bull’, ‘Taxi Driver’, and ‘The Irishman’. He has a long-standing collaboration with directors like Martin Scorsese. De Niro co-founded Tribeca Productions and the Tribeca Festival, fostering filmmaking and culture. His filmography spans crime epics, dramas, and comedies over several decades.

Dustin Hoffman

Born August 8, Dustin Hoffman shaped modern screen acting with roles in ‘The Graduate’, ‘Rain Man’, and ‘Tootsie’. He has earned multiple Academy Awards and numerous other honors. Hoffman’s career includes stage directing and voice work in family hits like ‘Kung Fu Panda’. He continues to appear in film and television across genres.

Edward Norton

Born August 18, Edward Norton drew early acclaim with ‘Primal Fear’ and later starred in ‘Fight Club’ and ‘Birdman’. He directed and wrote ‘Motherless Brooklyn’ while maintaining acting roles in ensemble features. Norton has worked with filmmakers such as Spike Lee, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, and Wes Anderson. He is also active in environmental and tech ventures alongside his film work.

Wesley Snipes

Born July 31, Wesley Snipes led the ‘Blade’ trilogy, a foundational comic-book franchise for modern superhero cinema. His credits include ‘White Men Can’t Jump’ and ‘New Jack City’. Snipes trained extensively in martial arts, informing his action choreography. He has also produced films through his own companies and returned to ensemble comedies in recent years.

Woody Harrelson

Born July 23, Woody Harrelson first earned attention on ‘Cheers’ and later headlined ‘True Detective’. His film roles range from ‘Zombieland’ to ‘No Country for Old Men’ and ‘The People vs. Larry Flynt’. Harrelson moves between studio franchises and auteur-driven dramas. He maintains a significant stage presence alongside his screen career.

Antonio Banderas

Born August 10, Antonio Banderas achieved international recognition with ‘Desperado’, ‘The Mask of Zorro’, and ‘Pain and Glory’. He collaborates frequently with Pedro Almodóvar and has worked across Spanish and American industries. Banderas also voices the ‘Puss in Boots’ character in the ‘Shrek’ universe. He founded a theater company in Málaga to support local performing arts.

Robert Redford

Born August 18, Robert Redford is known for classics like ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ and ‘All the President’s Men’. He founded the Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival, a key platform for independent film. Redford has directed award-winning features and continued acting into later roles. His legacy spans acting, directing, and advocacy for indie cinema.

Steve Carell

Born August 16, Steve Carell led ‘The Office’ and transitioned to acclaimed dramatic work in ‘Foxcatcher’ and ‘The Big Short’. He has starred in and produced multiple film and TV projects through Carousel Productions. Carell’s voice roles include the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise. He continues to alternate between television ensembles and feature films.

Laurence Fishburne

Born July 30, Laurence Fishburne is celebrated for ‘The Matrix’, ‘Boyz n the Hood’, and ‘Black-ish’. He began acting as a teenager and built a career across stage, film, and television. Fishburne has produced and narrated documentaries and limited series. He frequently collaborates with major studios and prestige TV networks on genre-spanning projects.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Born July 30, Arnold Schwarzenegger became a global box-office name through roles like ‘The Terminator’, ‘Predator’, and ‘Total Recall’. He led the ‘Terminator’ franchise across multiple decades and worked extensively with major studios such as TriStar and Paramount. Schwarzenegger also fronted comedies like ‘Twins’ and ‘Kindergarten Cop’, broadening his filmography. Beyond acting, he served as Governor of California and continues to produce and appear in action projects.

Sean Penn

Born August 17, Sean Penn is a two-time Academy Award winner known for ‘Mystic River’ and ‘Milk’. He has balanced auteur-driven dramas with mainstream titles such as ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ and ‘The Interpreter’. Penn has directed several features, including ‘Into the Wild’. He remains active in film and television while pursuing humanitarian and documentary work.

Jason Statham

Born July 26, Jason Statham headlined action hits like ‘The Transporter’, ‘Crank’, and ‘The Meg’. He joined major franchises with ‘Fast & Furious’ installments and ‘The Expendables’, collaborating with Universal and Lionsgate. Statham frequently performs his own stunts and fight choreography. He also produces select projects, expanding his role behind the camera.

Michael Shannon

Born August 7, Michael Shannon earned acclaim for ‘Revolutionary Road’ and portrayed General Zod in ‘Man of Steel’. His credits span prestige films like ‘Nocturnal Animals’ and series such as ‘Boardwalk Empire’. Shannon alternates between independent features and studio releases, working with directors including Jeff Nichols and Ramin Bahrani. He has an active stage career alongside his screen work.

Bill Skarsgård

Born August 9, Bill Skarsgård is widely recognized for Pennywise in ‘It’ and ‘It Chapter Two’. He has appeared in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ and series like ‘Hemlock Grove’. Skarsgård works across American and European productions, often in genre projects. He continues to take leading and supporting roles in large-scale studio films and streaming originals.

Terry Crews

Born July 30, Terry Crews is known for ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and films like ‘White Chicks’ and ‘The Expendables’. He has hosted and appeared on unscripted series including ‘America’s Got Talent’. Crews collaborates with networks and streamers on comedy and action projects. He also does commercial and voice-over work, adding to a varied entertainment résumé.

Donnie Yen

Born July 27, Donnie Yen is a martial-arts star recognized internationally for the ‘Ip Man’ series. In Hollywood, he featured in ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ and ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’. Yen frequently serves as action director or fight choreographer in addition to acting. He works across Hong Kong and U.S. markets, partnering with major studios on franchise titles.

Mark Strong

Born August 5, Mark Strong has appeared in ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’, ‘Sherlock Holmes’, and ‘Shazam!’. He is known for roles across thrillers, action films, and historical dramas from studios like Warner Bros. and 20th Century Studios. Strong’s credits include television miniseries and stage productions in the UK and U.S. He often collaborates with directors such as Guy Ritchie and Matthew Vaughn.

John David Washington

Born July 28, John David Washington broke out with ‘BlacKkKlansman’ and led ‘Tenet’ for Warner Bros. He has starred in ‘Malcolm & Marie’ and ‘Amsterdam’, moving between studio features and smaller productions. Washington previously played professional football before transitioning full-time to acting. His television work includes ‘Ballers’, expanding his profile on premium cable.

Sam Worthington

Born August 2, Sam Worthington headlined ‘Avatar’ and returned for its sequels with 20th Century Studios. His filmography includes ‘Clash of the Titans’, ‘Hacksaw Ridge’, and ‘Everest’. Worthington alternates between action-led blockbusters and character dramas. He also appears in limited series and streaming features alongside theatrical releases.

Casey Affleck

Born August 12, Casey Affleck won an Academy Award for ‘Manchester by the Sea’. His credits range from ‘Gone Baby Gone’ to ‘The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford’. Affleck works across independent and studio films, frequently taking character-driven roles. He also writes and produces select projects through his own banners.

Ben Barnes

Born August 20, Ben Barnes gained attention with ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian’. He has led or featured in series including ‘Westworld’, ‘The Punisher’, and ‘Shadow and Bone’. Barnes works across fantasy, drama, and action, collaborating with streamers and cable networks. He also records music releases alongside his acting career.

Peter O’Toole

Born August 2, Peter O’Toole became an international figure with ‘Lawrence of Arabia’. His career spanned decades with titles like ‘Becket’, ‘The Lion in Winter’, and ‘The Last Emperor’. O’Toole received multiple Academy Award nominations and continued acting in film and television into later years. He also had an extensive stage career in the UK and Ireland.

John Slattery

Born August 13, John Slattery is known for ‘Mad Men’ and films like ‘Spotlight’ and ‘Ant-Man’. He has directed episodes of television and the feature ‘God’s Pocket’. Slattery regularly appears in ensemble casts for network, cable, and streaming projects. His work spans drama and comedy in both film and episodic formats.

Taika Waititi

Born August 16, Taika Waititi acts in and directs projects including ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ and ‘Jojo Rabbit’. In Hollywood, he directed Marvel’s ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ and appears on-screen in supporting roles. Waititi collaborates with Disney, Searchlight Pictures, and independent producers across formats. He continues to develop film and television projects as a writer, director, and performer.

Christian Slater

Born August 18, Christian Slater earned early recognition with ‘Heathers’ and later headlined series such as ‘Mr. Robot’. He has worked steadily in film and television across studios and streamers, including voice roles in animation. Slater’s career spans thrillers, comedies, and action titles, often in ensemble casts. He also appears on stage and produces select projects.

Patrick Swayze

Born August 18, Patrick Swayze became a household name with ‘Dirty Dancing’ and sustained his star power with ‘Ghost’ and ‘Point Break’. He trained in dance and martial arts, skills that shaped several of his performances. Swayze worked with major studios on dramas and action films throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He continued acting on television and stage later in his career.

Matt LeBlanc

Born July 25, Matt LeBlanc is best known for ‘Friends’ and later ‘Episodes’, which earned him awards recognition. He also hosted ‘Top Gear’ and appeared in films such as ‘Lost in Space’. LeBlanc’s television work spans network sitcoms and premium cable comedies. He remains closely associated with ensemble-led comedy series.

Jeremy Piven

Born July 26, Jeremy Piven is widely recognized for ‘Entourage’ and recurring roles on ‘Ellen’ and ‘Mr. Selfridge’. His film credits include ‘Heat’, ‘Grosse Pointe Blank’, and ‘The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard’. Piven’s career includes stage performances and guest arcs across network and cable shows. He frequently portrays fast-talking characters in workplace or industry settings.

Simon Baker

Born July 30, Simon Baker broke through internationally with ‘The Mentalist’. Earlier, he starred in ‘The Guardian’ and appeared in films such as ‘The Devil Wears Prada’. Baker has directed television episodes and produced projects tied to his series work. He continues to appear in Australian and U.S. productions across drama and thriller genres.

Steve Martin

Born August 14, Steve Martin built a film career with ‘The Jerk’, ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’, and ‘Father of the Bride’. He also writes for stage and screen and performs as a touring musician. Martin’s television work includes ‘Only Murders in the Building’, expanding his roles into streaming comedy. He collaborates frequently with longtime creative partners on film and live projects.

Bruce Greenwood

Born August 12, Bruce Greenwood is known for roles in ‘Star Trek’, ‘Thirteen Days’, and ‘I, Robot’. He appears regularly in television series and limited-run dramas on major networks and streamers. Greenwood often portrays authority figures and historical characters across genres. His filmography includes collaborations with directors such as Atom Egoyan and J.J. Abrams.

Jesse Williams

Born August 5, Jesse Williams gained prominence on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and has appeared in films like ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ and ‘Selah and the Spades’. He produces and directs projects focused on drama and social issues. Williams has stage credits, including Broadway performances. He frequently participates in documentary and voice-over work alongside his screen roles.

Jonathan Frakes

Born August 19, Jonathan Frakes is widely known as Commander Riker from ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’. He has directed numerous television episodes and features, including ‘Star Trek: First Contact’. Frakes continues to work behind the camera on science fiction and genre series. He also provides voice work and appears at franchise events and specials.

James Marsters

Born August 20, James Marsters is best known for Spike in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘Angel’. His screen credits include genre series and independent films, with frequent appearances at fan conventions. Marsters records audiobooks and performs music in addition to acting. He continues to work across television guest roles and voice acting.

Michael Ealy

Born August 3, Michael Ealy has starred in ‘Barbershop’, ‘Think Like a Man’, and series like ‘Almost Human’. He appears in thrillers, dramas, and romantic comedies across studios and streamers. Ealy frequently collaborates on ensemble projects in television and film. His work includes recurring roles on premium cable and network shows.

Edward Furlong

Born August 2, Edward Furlong made an early impact with ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’. He continued with roles in ‘American History X’ and independent dramas through the 1990s and 2000s. Furlong’s career includes music videos and festival-circuit films. He has appeared in genre titles and reunions connected to his early breakout work.

Robert Mitchum

Born August 6, Robert Mitchum became a classic Hollywood figure through noir and Westerns like ‘Out of the Past’ and ‘The Night of the Hunter’. His career bridged studio-era productions and later independent films. Mitchum worked with notable directors across mid-century American cinema. He remained active on screen and television movies into his later years.

Lakeith Stanfield

Born August 12, Lakeith Stanfield’s credits include ‘Get Out’, ‘Sorry to Bother You’, and ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’. He works across studio features, independent films, and prestige television. Stanfield often takes on complex, genre-blending projects with acclaimed directors. His roles span drama, satire, and crime thrillers.

David Duchovny

Born August 7, David Duchovny rose to fame with ‘The X-Files’ and led ‘Californication’. He has appeared in films such as ‘Zoolander’ and ‘Return to Me’ while continuing television work. Duchovny writes novels and records music in addition to acting. He frequently returns to franchise-related projects and limited series.

Share more Leo actors you’ve spotted—and the roles that tipped you off—in the comments!