 | | Henri Rabaud | Composer | French conductor and composer. | 1872 | 1949 |
 | | Mohammad Rabbani | Head of State | Taliban leader | 1955 | 2001 |
| | | Francois Rabelais | Author | Gargantua and Pantagruel | 1493 | 1553 |
 | | Yitzhak Rabin | Head of State | Twice Prime Minister of Israel | 1922 | 1995 |
 | | Sergei Rachmaninoff | Composer | Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini | 1873 | 1943 |
| | | Jean Racine | Playwright | Phèdre | 1639 | 1699 |
 | | Daniel Radcliffe | Actor | Harry Potter | 1989 | |
 | | Carl Radle | Bassist | Eric Clapton & His Band | 1942 | 1980 |
| | | Gilda Radner | Comic | Saturday Night Live | 1946 | 1989 |
 | | Joachim Raff | Composer | | 1822 | 1882 |
 | | Mujibur Rahman | Head of State | President, Prime Minister of Bangladesh | 1920 | 1975 |
| | | Ziaur Rahman | Head of State | President of Bangladesh, 1977-81 | 1936 | 1981 |
 | | Aishwarya Rai | Actor | The Queen of Bollywood | 1973 | |
 | | Luise Rainer | Actor | The Good Earth | 1910 | |
| | | Ma Rainey | Singer | | 1886 | 1939 |
| | | Ralph Rainger | Songwriter | Thanks for the Memory | 1901 | 1942 |
| | | Claude Rains | Actor | The Invisible Man | 1889 | 1967 |
| | | Bonnie Raitt | Singer/Songwriter | Redhaired blueswoman | 1949 | |
| | | Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh | Religion | Owned 93 Rolls-Royces | 1931 | 1990 |
| | | David Raksin | Composer | Laura | 1912 | 2004 |
| | | Walter Raleigh | Explorer | Favorite of Queen Elizabeth I | 1554 | 1618 |
| | | Ramakrishna | Philosopher | | 1836 | 1886 |
| | | Dack Rambo | Actor | Jack Ewing on Dallas | 1941 | 1994 |
| | | Jean-Philippe Rameau | Composer | Hippolyte et Aricie | 1683 | 1764 |
| | | Samuel Ramey | Singer | Bass-baritone | 1942 | |
| | | Harold Ramis | Actor | Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters | 1944 | |
 | | Santiago Ramón y Cajal | Doctor | Structure of the nervous system | 1852 | 1934 |
| | | Dee Dee Ramone | Bassist | Former bassist, The Ramones | 1952 | 2002 |
| | | Joey Ramone | Musician | The Ramones | 1951 | 2001 |
| | | Johnny Ramone | Musician | The Ramones | 1951 | 2004 |
| | | Marky Ramone | Drummer | | 1956 | |
| | | Richie Ramone | Drummer | Ramones | 1957 | |
| | | Jean-Pierre Rampal | Musician | French flautist | 1922 | 2000 |
| | | Charlotte Rampling | Actor | | 1945 | |
| | | Anne Ramsey | Actor | Throw Momma from the Train | 1929 | 1988 |
| | | Shulamit Ran | Composer | Symphony (1990) | 1949 | |
| | | Ayn Rand | Author | Atlas Shrugged | 1905 | 1982 |
| | | Erwin T. Randall | | | 0000 | |
| | | Tony Randall | Actor | Felix Unger in The Odd Couple | 1920 | 2004 |
| |  | James Randi | Magician | The Amazing Randi | 1928 | |
 | | G. Randolf | | | 0000 | |
| | | Boots Randolph | Musician | Saxophonist - Yakety Sax | 1926 | |
| | | David Randolph | Conductor | | 0000 | |
| | | John Randolph | Actor | | 1915 | 2004 |
| | | John Randolph | Politician | U.S. House of Representatives | 1773 | 1833 |
 | | Ture Rangström | Composer | | 1884 | 1947 |
| | | Jeannette Rankin | Politician | 1st female US Representative | 1880 | 1973 |
| | | John W. Raper | Journalist | Cleveland Press Columnist | 1870 | 1950 |
 | | Raphael | Painter | Italian High Renaissance painter | 1483 | 1520 |
| | | Arnold Raphel | Diplomat | US Ambassador to Pakistan, 1987-88 | 1943 | 1988 |
| | | Anthony Rapp | Actor | Broadway cast of Rent | 1971 | |
| |  | Basil Rathbone | Actor | Sherlock Holmes | 1892 | 1967 |
| | | Dan Rather | Journalist | Former CBS Anchorman | 1931 | |
| | | Simon Rattle | Conductor | Berlin Philharmonic | 1955 | |
| | | Robert Rauschenberg | Sculptor | American modern sculptor and painter | 1925 | 2008 |
 | | Einojuhani Rautavaara | Composer | A Requiem in Our Time | 1938 | |
| | | Maurice Ravel | Composer | Bolero | 1875 | 1937 |
| | | Eddy Raven | Country Musician | Shine, Shine, Shine | 1944 | |
| | | Raven-Symone | Actor | That's So Raven | 1985 | |
| | | John Rawls | Philosopher | A Theory of Justice | 1921 | 2002 |
| | | Lou Rawls | Singer | Silky-voiced jazz/soul singer | 1933 | 2006 |
| | | Alan Rawsthorne | Composer | | 1905 | 1971 |
| | | Aldo Ray | Actor | The Green Berets | 1926 | 1991 |
| | | John Ray | Naturalist | English naturalist | 1627 | 1705 |
| | | Johnnie Ray | Singer | Cry | 1927 | 1990 |
| | | Man Ray | Photographer | Dadaist photographer | 1890 | 1976 |
| | | Rachael Ray | TV Personality | 30 Minute Meals | 1968 | |
| | | Ted Ray | Comic | English comedian of the 1950s and 1960s | 1905 | 1977 |
| | | Sam Rayburn | Politician | Speaker of the US House, 1940-61 | 1882 | 1961 |
| | | Collin Raye | Country Musician | I Think About You | 1959 | |
| | | Don Raye | Songwriter | | 1909 | 1985 |
| | | Martha Raye | Actor | Monsieur Verdoux | 1916 | 1994 |
| | | Susan Raye | Country Musician | The Great White Horse | 1944 | |
| | | Gene Raymond | Actor | Red Dust | 1908 | 1998 |
| | | Andy Razaf | Songwriter | Honeysuckle Rose | 1895 | 1973 |
 | | Stephen Rea | Actor | The Crying Game | 1946 | |
| | | Gardner Read | Composer | American composer and musical scholar | 1913 | 2005 |
| | | Charles Reade | Novelist | The Cloister and the Hearth | 1814 | 1884 |
| | | Maureen Reagan | Relative | Daughter of Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman | 1941 | 2001 |
| | | Nancy Reagan | First Lady | Just Say No | 1921 | |
| | | Ronald Reagan | President | 40th US President, 1981-89 | 1911 | 2004 |
| | | Pauline Réage | Author | Histoire d'O | 1907 | 1998 |
| | | Bernice Johnson Reagon | Singer | Founded Sweet Honey in the Rock | 1942 | |
| | | Harry Reasoner | Journalist | 60 Minutes | 1923 | 1991 |
| | | Leon Redbone | Musician | Vaudevillian | 1949 | |
| | | Otis Redding | Singer/Songwriter | Dock of the Bay | 1941 | 1967 |
| | | Robert Redford | Actor | The Sundance Kid | 1936 | |
| | | Don Redman | Musician | | 1900 | 1964 |
| | | Odilon Redon | Artist | Symbolist charcoal artist | 1840 | 1916 |
| | | Gabrielle Reece | Model | Beach Vollyball | 1970 | |
| | | Alan Reed | Actor | Voice of Fred Flintstone | 1907 | 1977 |
| | | Alfred Reed | Composer | | 1921 | 2005 |
| | | Donna Reed | Actor | The Donna Reed Show | 1921 | 1986 |
| | | Henry Reed | Poet | Lessons of the War | 1914 | 1986 |
| | | Ishmael Reed | Novelist | The Free-Lance Pallbearers | 1938 | |
| | | Jerry Reed | Country Musician | When You're Hot, You're Hot | 1937 | 2008 |
| | | Lou Reed | Musician | The Velvet Underground | 1942 | |
| | | Nikki Reed | Actor | Thirteen | 1988 | |
| | | Rex Reed | Critic | At the Movies | 1938 | |
| | | Walter Reed | Doctor | Proved mosquitos spread Yellow Fever | 1851 | 1902 |
| | | Della Reese | Actor | Touched by an Angel | 1931 | |
| | | Gustave Reese | Musician | American musicologist | 1899 | 1977 |
| | | Pee Wee Reese | Baseball | Ten-time Dodgers All-Star | 1918 | 1999 |
| | | Christopher Reeve | Actor | Superman | 1952 | 2004 |
| | | Dana Reeve | Activist | Christopher Reeve Foundation | 1961 | 2006 |
| | | Jim Reeves | Country Musician | He'll Have to Go | 1923 | 1964 |
| | | Keanu Reeves | Actor | Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure | 1964 | |
| | | Martha Reeves | Singer | Martha and the Vandellas | 1941 | |
| | | Gerald Regan | Politician | | 1928 | |
| | | Max Reger | Composer | | 1873 | 1916 |
 | | Johannes Regis | Composer | | 1425 | 1496 |
| | | William Rehnquist | Judge | US Supreme Court Chief Justice 1986-2005 | 1924 | 2005 |
| | | Robert Reich | Government | US Secretary of Labor, 1993-97 | 1946 | |
| | | Steve Reich | Composer | Minimalist composer, Different Trains | 1936 | |
| | | Wilhelm Reich | Psychiatrist | | 1897 | 1957 |
| | | Anton Reicha | Composer | | 1770 | 1836 |
| | | Kate Reid | Actor | Aunt Lil on Dallas | 1930 | 1993 |
| | | L.A. Reid | Music Producer | LaFace Records | 1956 | |
| | | Tara Reid | Actor | Bunny in The Big Lebowski | 1975 | |
| | | Theodor Reik | Psychologist | Prominent psychoanalyst | 1888 | 1969 |
| | | Charles Nelson Reilly | Actor | Flamboyant Match Game panelist | 1931 | 2007 |
| | | Carl Reinecke | Composer | German composer, conductor, and pianist | 1824 | 1910 |
| | | Carl Reiner | Actor | | 1922 | |
| |  | Fritz Reiner | Conductor | Chicago Symphony Orchestra | 1888 | 1963 |
| | | Rob Reiner | Actor | | 1947 | |
| | | Leo Reisman | Musician | Violinist and bandleader | 1897 | 1961 |
| | | Erich Maria Remarque | Novelist | All Quiet on the Western Front | 1898 | 1970 |
 | | Rembrandt | Painter | Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp | 1606 | 1669 |
| | | Eduard Remenyi | Violinist | | 1830 | 1898 |
| | | Lee Remick | Actor | Days of Wine and Roses | 1935 | 1991 |
| | | Leah Remini | Actor | Old School | 1970 | |
| | | Ernest Renan | Philosopher | Origins of Christianity | 1823 | 1892 |
| | | Jules Renard | Author | Poil de Carotte | 1864 | 1910 |
| | | Mary Renault | Novelist | The Last of the Wine | 1905 | 1983 |
| | | Michael Rennie | Actor | The Day the Earth Stood Still | 1909 | 1971 |
| | | Janet Reno | Government | Clinton's US Attorney General | 1938 | |
| | | Jean Renoir | Film Director | La Grande Illusion | 1894 | 1979 |
| | | Pierre Auguste Renoir | Painter | Le Bal au Moulin de la Galette | 1841 | 1919 |
| |  | Oscar de la Renta | Fashion Designer | Colorful and flirty fashion designer | 1932 | |
| | | Agnes Repplier | Essayist | American essayist | 1858 | 1950 |
| | | Chico Resch | Hockey | Retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltende | 1948 | |
| | | Faith Resnick | Author | | 0000 | |
| | | Ottorino Respighi | Composer | Pines of Rome | 1879 | 1936 |
| | | James Reston | Journalist | The New York Times, | 1909 | 1995 |
| | | Paul Reubens | Actor | Pee-wee Herman | 1952 | |
| | | Julius Reubke | Composer | | 1834 | 1858 |
| | | Walter Reuther | Labor Leader | UAW and CIO labor leader | 1907 | 1970 |
| | | Harry Revel | Songwriter | Four Jacks and a Jill | 1905 | 1958 |
| | | Paul Revere | Military | One if by land, two if by sea... | 1735 | 1818 |
| | | Charles Revson | Business | Revlon founder | 1906 | 1975 |
 | | Silvestre Revueltas | Composer | Mexican composer of classical music | 1899 | 1940 |
| | | Eben E. Rexford | Songwriter | Silver Threads Among the Gold | 1848 | 1916 |
| | | Ernest Reyer | Composer | French opera composer | 1823 | 1909 |
| | | Diana Reyes | Singer | Mexican singer of duranguense music | 0000 | |
| | | Burt Reynolds | Actor | Cannonball Run | 1936 | |
| | | Debbie Reynolds | Actor | | 1932 | |
| | | Joshua Reynolds | Painter | English portraitist | 1723 | 1792 |
| | | Marjorie Reynolds | Actor | Holiday Inn | 1917 | 1997 |
| | | Ryan Reynolds | Actor | Van Wilder | 1976 | |
| | | Emil von Reznicek | Composer | Donna Diana Overture | 1860 | 1945 |
| | | Trent Reznor | Musician | Nine Inch Nails | 1965 | |
 | | Josef Rheinberger | Composer | Organ compositions | 1839 | 1901 |
| | | Shonda Rhimes | Screenwriter | Grey's Anatomy | 1970 | |
| | | Cecil Rhodes | Business | De Beers | 1953 | 1902 |
| | | Kim Rhodes | Actor | The Suite Life of Zack and Cody | 1969 | |
| | | Nick Rhodes | Musician | Keyboardist for Duran Duran | 1962 | |
 | | Jean Rhys | Novelist | Wide Sargasso Sea | 1890 | 1979 |
| | | Matthew Rhys | | Brothers & Sisters | 1974 | |
| | | Christina Ricci | Actor | The Addams Family | 1980 | |
| | | Matteo Ricci | Religion | Jesuit missionary to China | 1552 | 1610 |
| | | Ruggiero Ricci | Violinist | | 1918 | |
| | | Anne Rice | Novelist | American author of gothic and religious-themed boo | 1941 | |
| | | Condoleezza Rice | Government | US Secretary of State | 1954 | |
| | | Grantland Rice | Journalist | American sportswriter | 1880 | 1954 |
| | | Jerry Rice | Football | Wide Receiver | 1962 | |
| | | Tim Rice | Songwriter | Collaborator with Andrew Lloyd Webber | 1944 | |
| | | Tony Rice | Guitarist | | 1951 | |
| | | Tim Rice-Oxley | Musician | | 1976 | |
| | | Rich Boy | Rapper | Throw Some Ds | 1983 | |
| | | Adrienne Rich | Poet | An Atlas of the Difficult World | 1929 | |
| | | Buddy Rich | Musician | Legendary drummer | 1917 | 1987 |
| | | Charlie Rich | Country Musician | The Silver Fox | 1932 | 1995 |
| | | Cliff Richard | Singer | England's most famous Christian | 1940 | |
| | | Maurice Richard | Hockey | Right Wing - NHL Hall of Famer | 1921 | 2000 |
| | | Ann Richards | Politician | Governor of Texas, 1991-95 | 1933 | 2006 |
| | | Denise Richards | Actor | Starship Troopers | 1976 | |
| | | Ellen Swallow Richards | Chemist | First American woman to earn a degree in chemistry | 1842 | 1911 |
| | | Keith Richards | Guitarist | The Rolling Stones | 1943 | |
| | | Kim Richards | Actor | Escape to Witch Mountain | 1964 | |
| | | Adam Richardson | Sports Figure | American professional poker player | 1967 | |
| | | Dorothy Richardson | Novelist | Pilgrimage novel sequence | 1873 | 1957 |
| | | Natasha Richardson | Actor | Widows' Peak | 1963 | |
| | | Ralph Richardson | Actor | Things To Come | 1902 | 1983 |
| | | Samuel Richardson | Novelist | Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded | 1689 | 1761 |
| | | Cardinal Richelieu | Religion | King of France's chief advisor, 1624-42 | 1585 | 1642 |
| | | Lionel Richie | Musician | | 1949 | |
| | | Nicole Richie | TV Personality | Paris Hilton's ex-pal | 1981 | |
| | | Mordecai Richler | Novelist | The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz | 1931 | 2001 |
| | | Harry Richman | Musician | Puttin' on the Ritz | 1895 | 1972 |
| | | Franz Xaver Richter | Composer | Mannheim symphonist | 1709 | 1789 |
| | | Hans Richter | Conductor | Premiered Brahms Symphonies 2 - 4 | 1843 | 1916 |
| | | Marga Richter | Composer | American composer | 1926 | |
| | | Sviatoslav Richter | Pianist | One of the greatest pianists of the 20th century | 1915 | 1997 |
| | | Eddie Rickenbacker | Aviator | Shot down 22 planes in WWI | 1890 | 1973 |
| | | Branch Rickey | Baseball | Longtime Baseball GM | 1881 | 1965 |
| | | Don Rickles | Actor | King of the Insult | 1926 | |
| | | Hyman G. Rickover | Military | Built the nuclear navy | 1900 | 1986 |
| | | Nelson Riddle | Musician | Bandleader arranger and orchestrator | 1921 | 1985 |
| | | Tom Ridge | Politician | US Secretary of Homeland Security, 2003-04 | 1945 | |
| | | Leni Riefenstahl | Film Director | Triumph of the Will | 1902 | 2003 |
| | | Wallingford Riegger | Composer | | 1885 | 1961 |
| | | Ferdinand Ries | Composer | Worked for Beethoven as secretary and copyist | 1784 | 1838 |
| | | Julius Rietz | Composer | | 1812 | 1877 |
| | | George Rieveschl | Chemist | Discovered Benadryl | 1916 | 2007 |
| | | Diana Rigg | Actor | Mrs. Peel | 1938 | |
| | | Bobby Riggs | Tennis | Winner of 1939 Wimbledon | 1918 | 1995 |
 | | Rihanna | Singer | Caribbean/hip-hop/soul vocalist | 1988 | |
| | | Wolfgang Rihm | Composer | | 1952 | |
| |  | Jacob A. Riis | Journalist | How the Other Half Lives | 1849 | 1914 |
| | | James Whitcomb Riley | Poet | The Hoosier Poet | 1849 | 1916 |
| | | Teddy Riley | Musician | King of New Jack Swing | 1966 | |
| | | Terry Riley | Composer | In C | 1935 | |
| | | Rainer Maria Rilke | Poet | Duino Elegies, Sonnets to Orpheus | 1875 | 1926 |
| | | Helmuth Rilling | Conductor | | 1933 | |
| | | Arthur Rimbaud | Poet | Une Saison en Enfer | 1854 | 1891 |
| | | LeAnn Rimes | Country Musician | How Do I Live | 1982 | |
| | | Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov | Composer | The Flight of the Bumblebee | 1844 | 1908 |
| | | Molly Ringwald | Actor | | 1968 | |
| | | Kelly Ripa | Actor | Faith on Hope & Faith | 1970 | |
| | | Minnie Riperton | Singer | Lovin' You | 1947 | 1979 |
| | | Cal Ripken | Baseball | American League MVP 1983, 1991 | 1960 | |
| | | Guy Ritchie | Film Director | Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels | 1968 | |
| | | Shane Ritchie | Actor | Alfie Moon in EastEnders | 1964 | |
| | | John Ritter | Actor | Jack Tripper on Three's Company | 1948 | 2003 |
| | | Tex Ritter | Musician | You Two-Timed Me Once Too Often | 1905 | 1974 |
| | | Thelma Ritter | Actor | | 1902 | 1969 |
| | | Antoine de Rivarol | Author | French writer and epigrammatist | 1753 | 1801 |
| | | Diego Rivera | Painter | Mexican painter | 1886 | 1957 |
| | | Geraldo Rivera | TV Personality | | 1943 | |
| | | Joan Rivers | Comic | Can we talk? | 1933 | |
| | | Johnny Rivers | Musician | Secret Agent Man | 1942 | |
| | | Mickey Rivers | Baseball | Center fielder | 1948 | |
| | | Frank Rizzo | Politician | Mayor of Philadelphia, 1972-80 | 1920 | 1991 |
| | | Phil Rizzuto | Baseball | American League MVP 1950 | 1916 | 2007 |
| | | Hal Roach | Film/TV Producer | Brilliant comedy producer | 1892 | 1992 |
| | | Max Roach | Jazz Musician | Enduring jazz drummer | 1924 | 2007 |
| | | Jason Robards | Actor | | 1922 | 2000 |
| | | Jerome Robbins | Film Director | West Side Story | 1918 | 1998 |
| | | Marty Robbins | Country Musician | El Paso | 1925 | 1982 |
| | | Ted Robbins | Comic | | 0000 | |
| | | Tim Robbins | Actor | The Player, Jacob's Ladder | 1958 | |
| | | Tom Robbins | Novelist | Still Life with Woodpecker | 1936 | |
| | | Tony Robbins | Author | Motivational Speaker | 1960 | |
| | | Robert Allen | Songwriter | | 1928 | 2000 |
| | | Robert Culp | Actor | I Spy, The Greatest American Hero | 1930 | |
| | | Robert Stack | Actor | The Untouchables | 1919 | 2003 |
| | | Doris Roberts | Actor | Marie on Everybody Loves Raymond | 1930 | |
| | | John Roberts | Judge | US Supreme Court Chief | 1955 | |
| | | Julia Roberts | Actor | Pretty Woman | 1967 | |
| | | Pernell Roberts | Actor | | 1928 | |
| | | Tony Roberts | Actor | Annie Hall | 1939 | |
| | | Cliff Robertson | Actor | Charly | 1925 | |
| | | Kathleen Robertson | Actor | Clare Arnold on Beverly Hills 90210 | 1973 | |
| | | Pat Robertson | Religion | The 700 Club | 1930 | |
| | | Robbie Robertson | Guitarist | | 1943 | |
| | | Paul Robeson | Singer | 20th Century renaissance man | 1898 | 1976 |
| | | Leo Robin | Songwriter | Thanks for the Memory | 1900 | 1984 |
| | | David Robinson | Basketball | San Antonio Spurs, 1995 MVP | 1965 | |
| | | Earl Robinson | Composer | | 1910 | 1991 |
| | | Edward G. Robinson | Actor | Key Largo | 1893 | 1973 |
| | | Edwin Arlington Robinson | Poet | The Man Against the Sky | 1869 | 1935 |
| | | Frank Robinson | Baseball | Baseball hall of famer | 1935 | |
| | | J. Russell Robinson | Composer | | 1892 | 1963 |
| | | Jackie Robinson | Baseball | First black player in the major leagues | 1919 | 1972 |
| | | James Harvey Robinson | Historian | | 1863 | 1936 |
| | | Mary Robinson | Head of State | President of Ireland, 1990-97 | 1944 | |
| | | Smokey Robinson | Singer | A Quiet Storm | 1940 | |
| | | Spider Robinson | Author | Stardance | 1948 | |
| | | Sugar Ray Robinson | Boxing | | 1921 | 1989 |
| | | Vicki Sue Robinson | Singer | Turn the Beat Around | 1954 | 2000 |
| | | Zack de la Rocha | Musician | Rage Against the Machine | 1970 | |
| | | George Rochberg | Composer | | 1918 | 2005 |
| | | Francois de La Rochefoucauld | Author | Maxims | 1613 | 1680 |
| | | Chris Rock | Actor | The Chris Rock Show | 1965 | |
| | | John D. Rockefeller Jr. | Business | Built Rockefeller Center | 1874 | 1960 |
| | | John D. Rockefeller | Business | Founder of Standard Oil | 1839 | 1937 |
| | | Nelson Rockefeller | Politician | Ford's VP | 1908 | 1979 |
| | | Charles Rocket | Actor | Saturday Night Live | 1949 | 2005 |
| | | Rikki Rockett | Drummer | Poison | 1961 | |
| | | Knute Rockne | Football | Head coach, University of Notre Dame 1918-1930 | 1888 | 1931 |
| | | George Rockwell | Activist | Founded American Nazi Party | 1918 | 1967 |
| | | Gene Roddenberry | Screenwriter | Creator of Star Trek | 1921 | 1991 |
| | | Anita Roddick | Business | The Body Shop | 1942 | 2007 |
| | | Jimmie Rodgers | Country Musician | Pioneering country singer/songwriter/yodeller | 1897 | 1933 |
| | | Jimmie Rodgers | Singer | Kisses Sweeter than Wine | 1933 | |
| | | Nile Rodgers | Musician | CHIC | 1952 | |
| | | Richard Rodgers | Songwriter | | 1902 | 1979 |
| | | Auguste Rodin | Sculptor | Sculptor in bronze | 1840 | 1917 |
| | | Dennis Rodman | Basketball | Forward, Chicago Bulls | 1961 | |
| | | Joaquín Rodrigo | Composer | Concierto de Aranjuez | 1901 | 1999 |
 | | Chi Chi Rodriguez | Golf | Professional golfer | 1935 | |
| | | Paul Rodriguez | Actor | A Million to Juan | 1955 | |
| | | Nicolas Roeg | Film Director | The Man Who Fell to Earth | 1928 | |
| | | Richard Roeper | Columnist | Siskel's replacement | 1959 | |
| | | Theodore Roethke | Poet | The Waking | 1908 | 1963 |
| | | Carl Rogers | Psychologist | Humanistic approach to psychology | 1902 | 1987 |
| | | Garnet Rogers | Musician | Canadian folk musician | 1955 | |
| | | Ginger Rogers | Actor | The Gay Divorcee | 1911 | 1995 |
| | | Jimmy Rogers | Guitarist | Muddy Waters | 1924 | 1997 |
| | | Kenny Rogers | Country Musician | The Gambler | 1938 | |
| | | Roy Rogers | Actor | Cowboy movie actor | 1911 | 1998 |
| | | Samuel Rogers | Poet | | 1763 | 1855 |
| | | Will Rogers | Comic | American Cowboy, Entertainer, Humorist | 1879 | 1935 |
| | | Ludwig Mies van der Rohe | Architect | The Glass Skyscraper | 1886 | 1969 |
| | | Al Roker | TV Personality | Today Show weatherman | 1954 | |
| | | Ed Roland | Musician | Collective Soul | 1963 | |
| | | Jeanne-Marie Roland | Relative | French woman of intrigue | 1754 | 1793 |
| | | Romain Rolland | Novelist | Jean-Christophe | 1866 | 1944 |
| | | Rollins Howard | Actor | A Soldier's Story | 1950 | 1996 |
| | | Sonny Rollins | Jazz Musician | Tenor sax | 1930 | |
| | | Johan Helmich Roman | Composer | Father of Swedish music | 1694 | 1758 |
| | | Ruth Roman | Actor | Champion | 1922 | 1999 |
| | | Ray Romano | Actor | Everybody Loves Raymond | 1957 | |
| | | Antonius Romanus | Composer | | 1400 | 1432 |
| | | Sigmund Romberg | Composer | The Student Prince | 1887 | 1951 |
| | | Harold Rome | Composer | | 1908 | 1993 |
| | | Cesar Romero | Actor | | 1907 | 1994 |
| | | Rebecca Romijn | Model | Swimsuit supermodel | 1972 | |
| | | George W. Romney | Politician | Presidential candidate admitted brainwashing | 1907 | 1995 |
| | | Mitt Romney | Politician | Governor of Massachusetts, 2003-07 | 1947 | |
| | | Landon Ronald | Composer | Down in the Forest | 1873 | 1938 |
| | | Mick Ronson | Guitarist | | 1946 | 1993 |
| | | Linda Ronstadt | Singer | Jerry Brown's former girlfriend | 1946 | |
| | | Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen | Physicist | Discovered X-Rays | 1845 | 1923 |
| | | Andy Rooney | TV Personality | 60 Minutes | 1919 | |
| | | Art Rooney | Football | Pittsburgh Steelers owner | 1901 | 1988 |
| | | Mickey Rooney | Actor | Boys Town, Babes in Arms | 1920 | |
| | | Edith Roosevelt | First Lady | Wife of US President Theodore Roosevelt | 1861 | 1948 |
| | | Eleanor Roosevelt | First Lady | First Lady under FDR | 1884 | 1962 |
| | | Franklin D. Roosevelt | President | US President during WWII | 1882 | 1945 |
| | | Theodore Roosevelt | President | 26th US President, 1901-09 | 1858 | 1919 |
| | | Elihu Root | Attorney | | 1845 | 1937 |
| | | George Frederick Root | Songwriter | The Battle Cry of Freedom | 1820 | 1895 |
| | | Cyril Rootham | Composer | Cyril Bradley Rootham | 1875 | 1938 |
| | | Joseph Guy Ropartz | Composer | | 1864 | 1955 |
| | | Leon Roppolo | Musician | Prominent early jazz clarinetist | 1902 | 1943 |
| | | Ned Rorem | Composer | Paris Diary | 1923 | |
| | | Hayden Rorke | Actor | Dr. Bellows on I Dream of Jeannie | 1910 | 1987 |
| | | Edmundo Ros | Singer | King of Latin American Music | 1910 | |
| | | Juventino Rosas | Composer | Mexican composer, violinist, and band leader | 1868 | 1894 |
| | | Axl Rose | Musician | Lead singer, Guns N' Roses | 1962 | |
| | | Billy Rose | Songwriter | Me and My Shadow, It's Only a Paper Moon | 1899 | 1966 |
| | | David Rose | Composer | Holiday for String | 1910 | 1990 |
| | | Fred Rose | Business | Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain | 1897 | 1954 |
| | | Leonard Rose | Cellist | Lynn Harrell's teacher | 1918 | 1984 |
| | | Pete Rose | Baseball | | 1941 | |
| | | Vincent Rose | Songwriter | Blueberry Hill | 1880 | 1944 |
| | | Wesley Rose | Music Producer | | 1918 | 1990 |
| | | Harold Rosenberg | Critic | Coined the term Action Painting | 1906 | 1978 |
| | | Monroe H. Rosenfeld | Songwriter | | 1861 | 1918 |
| | | Leonard Rosenman | Composer | American film composer | 1924 | |
| | | Abe Rosenthal | Journalist | NY Times executive editor 1977-86 | 1922 | 2006 |
| | | Manuel Rosenthal | Composer | French composer and conductor. | 1904 | 2003 |
| | | Mackenzie Rosman | Actor | Ruthie Camden on 7th Heaven | 1989 | |
| | | Frank Rosolino | Jazz Musician | Jazz trombonist, Turn Me Loose! | 1926 | 1978 |
| | | Ross Macdonald | Novelist | Creator of P.I. Lew Archer | 1915 | 1983 |
| | | Betsy Ross | Business | Assembled the first US Flag | 1752 | 1836 |
| | | Bob Ross | TV Personality | The Joy of Painting | 1942 | 1995 |
| | | Diana Ross | Singer | The Supremes | 1944 | |
| | | Harold Ross | Publisher | Founder of The New Yorker | 1892 | 1951 |
| | | Herbert Ross | Film Director | Steel Magnolias | 1927 | 2001 |
| | | Jerry Ross | Composer | | 1926 | 1955 |
| | | Joe E. Ross | Actor | Car 54, Where Are You? | 1914 | 1982 |
| | | Jonathan Ross | Critic | British film critic | 1960 | |
| | | Ryan Ross | Guitarist | Panic! at the Disco | 1986 | |
| | | Steve Ross | | | 0000 | |
| | | Isabella Rossellini | Actor | | 1952 | |
| | | Christina Rossetti | Poet | Goblin Market and Other Poems | 1830 | 1894 |
| | | Dante Gabriel Rossetti | Poet | | 1828 | 1883 |
| | | Portia de Rossi | Actor | Nelle Porter on Ally | 1973 | |
| | | Gioacchino Antonio Rossini | Composer | William Tell Overture | 1792 | 1868 |
| | | Judith Rossner | Novelist | Looking for Mr. Goodbar | 1935 | 2005 |
| | | Rick Rossovich | Actor | Navy Seals | 1957 | |
| | | Emmy Rossum | Actor | The Day After Tomorrow | 1986 | |
| | | Edmond Rostand | Playwright | Cyrano de Bergerac | 1868 | 1918 |
| | | Jean Rostand | Biologist | French biologist and philosopher | 1894 | 1977 |
| |  | Leo Rosten | Author | The Joys of Yiddish | 1908 | 1997 |
| |  | Mstislav Rostropovich | Cellist | Cellist and conductor | 1927 | 2007 |
| | | Helge Rosvaenge | Singer | Opera tenor | 1897 | 1972 |
| | | Nino Rota | Composer | Film composer, The Godfather | 1911 | 1979 |
| | | David Lee Roth | Singer | Former lead singer, Van Halen | 1954 | |
| | | Phillip Roth | Novelist | | 1933 | |
| | | Tim Roth | Actor | | 1961 | |
| | | Mark Rothko | Painter | Painter of fuzzy rectangles | 1903 | 1970 |
| | | William Rotsler | Author | Rotsler's Rules of Order, Rotsler's Rules of Costu | 1926 | 1997 |
| | | Hans Rott | Composer | His music was praised highly by Mahler and Bruckne | 1858 | 1884 |
| | | Johnny Rotten | Musician | Sex Pistols | 1956 | |
| | | Mickey Rourke | Actor | Angel Heart, Animal Factory | 1956 | |
| | | Henri Rousseau | Painter | French Post-Impressionist painter | 1844 | 1910 |
| |  | Jean-Jacques Rousseau | Philosopher | Conceptualized the Social Contract | 1712 | 1778 |
| | | Albert Roussel | Composer | | 1869 | 1937 |
| | | Joseph Roux | Business | French cartographer and hydrographer | 1725 | 1793 |
| | | Karl Rove | Government | Turd Blossom | 1950 | |
| | | Carl Rowan | Columnist | Chicago Sun-Times columnist | 1925 | 2000 |
| | | Carl Rowan | Columnist | Chicago Sun-Times columnist | 1925 | 2000 |
| | | Helen Rowland | Journalist | American journalist and humorist | 1875 | 1950 |
| | | J. K. Rowling | Author | Author of Harry Potter series | 1965 | |
| | | Darrell Royal | Football | UT-Austin Head Coach, 1957-76 | 1924 | |
| | | Mike Royko | Columnist | Syndicated Chicago columnist | 1932 | 1997 |
| | | Pete Rozelle | Football | Commissioner of NFL 1960-89 | 1926 | 1996 |
| | | Gennady Rozhdestvensky | Conductor | | 1931 | |
| | | Miklós Rózsa | Composer | | 1907 | 1995 |
| | | Edmund Rubbra | Composer | | 1901 | 1986 |
| | | Theodore Isaac Rubin | Author | Lisa and David | 1923 | |
| | | Anton Rubinstein | Composer | The Tower of Babel | 1829 | 1894 |
| | | Arthur Rubinstein | Pianist | Polish-American piano virtuoso | 1887 | 1982 |
| | | Helena Rubinstein | Business | Helena Rubinstein, Incorporated | 1870 | 1965 |
| | | Harry Ruby | Screenwriter | Three Little Words | 1895 | 1974 |
| | | Jaufre Rudel | Songwriter | Troubadour | 1150 | 1150 |
| | | Dane Rudhyar | Composer | | 1895 | 1985 |
| | | Rita Rudner | Comic | Naked Beneath My Clothes | 1956 | |
| | | Maya Rudolph | Actor | Saturday Night Live | 1972 | |
| | | Wilma Rudolph | Track and Field | 3 Olympic Golds in 1960 | 1940 | 1994 |
| | | David Ruffin | Singer | The Temptations | 1941 | 1991 |
| | | Adamo Ruggiero | Actor | Degrassi: The Next Generation | 1986 | |
| | | Carl Ruggles | Composer | | 1876 | 1971 |
| | | Muriel Rukeyser | Poet | The Book of the Dead | 1913 | 1980 |
 | | Rumi | Poet | Masnavi-ye Manavi (Spiritual Couplets) | 1207 | 1273 |
| | | Jalal ud-Din Rumi | Poet | Persian[ poet | 1207 | 1273 |
| | | Donald Rumsfeld | Government | 21st Secretary of Defense | 1932 | |
| | | Robert Runcie | Religion | Archbishop of Canterbury, 1980-91 | 1921 | 2000 |
| | | Steven Runciman | Historian | History of the Crusades | 1906 | 2000 |
| | | Todd Rundgren | Musician | Singer and songwriter | 1948 | |
| | | Damon Runyon | Journalist | Guys and Dolls | 1880 | 1946 |
| | | Benjamin Rush | Politician | Signed Declaration of Independence | 1745 | 1813 |
 | | Geoffrey Rush | Actor | Shine, Quills | 1951 | |
| | | Ian Rush | Soccer | Welsh footballer | 1961 | |
| | | Jennifer Rush | Singer | The Power of Love | 1960 | |
| | | Salman Rushdie | Author | | 1947 | |
| | | Willie Rushton | Actor | Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines | 1937 | 1996 |
| | | Dean Rusk | Government | | 1909 | 1994 |
| | | John Ruskin | Critic | Greatest Victorian art critic | 1819 | 1900 |
| | | Bertrand Russell | Philosopher | Mathematician, Atheist, and Social Critic | 1872 | 1970 |
| | | Bill Russell | Basketball | Boston Celtics, five time MVP | 1934 | |
| | | Bob Russell | Songwriter | He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother | 1914 | 1970 |
| | | John Russell | Actor | Lawman | 1921 | 1991 |
| | | Kurt Russell | Actor | | 1951 | |
| | | Leon Russell | Singer/Songwriter | | 1942 | |
| | | Mark Russell | Comic | Political musician and satirist | 1932 | |
| | | Rosalind Russell | Actor | Auntie Mame | 1907 | 1976 |
| | | Tim Russert | Talk Show Host | Meet the Press | 1950 | 2008 |
| | | Rene Russo | Actor | | 1954 | |
| | | Bayard Rustin | Activist | Organized the 1963 March on Washington | 1910 | 1987 |
| | | Babe Ruth | Baseball | The Bambino | 1895 | 1948 |
| | | Ann Rutherford | Actor | Andy Hardy's girlfriend Polly | 1920 | |
| |  | Ernest Rutherford | Physicist | Father of Nuclear Physics | 1871 | 1937 |
| | | John Rutter | Composer | English choral composer | 1945 | |
| | | Peter Ruzicka | Composer | | 1948 | |
| | | Irene Ryan | Actor | Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies | 1902 | 1973 |
| | | Meg Ryan | Actor | Sleepless In Seattle | 1961 | |
| | | Robert Ryan | Actor | Billy Budd | 1909 | 1973 |
| | | Bobby Rydell | Singer | | 1942 | |
| | | Winona Ryder | Actor | The Age of Innocence | 1971 | |
