So why do we fear Friday the 13th, anyway (other than a certain horror flick)? National Geographic reports that one theory says “the trepidation surrounding Friday the 13th is rooted in religious beliefs surrounding the 13th guest at the Last Supper—Judas, the apostle said to have betrayed Jesus—and the crucifixion of Jesus on a Friday.” The two elements put together—13 and Friday—create one seemingly inauspicious day. And if you were wondering, fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia. Meanwhile, selenophobia is a fear of the moon. In honor of these superstitious events, we’ve rounded up 13 celebrities who were born on this so-called “cursed” day of Friday the 13th in our gallery. Legend has it that children born on Fridays the 13th will lead lives burdened with bad luck. But by our count, the fame, fortune and success of some of these stars who were born this day prove that superstition false.
Stars born on Friday 13th
Darius Rucker
The Hootie and the Blowfish frontman, 56, was born Friday, May 13, 1966.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen were both born on Friday, June 13, 1986, making them 35 years old.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
On Friday, January 13, 1961, Seinfeld and Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 61, was born in New York City.
Steve Buscemi
Boardwalk Empire star Steve Buscemi came into this world Friday, December 13, 1957. Today, he’s 64.
Christopher Plummer
Oscar winner Christopher Plummer was born Friday, December 13, 1929 in Toronto, Canada. He died February 5, 2021.
Kat Dennings
Before becoming the star of 2 Broke Girls, Kat Dennings, 36, was born on Friday, June 13, 1986 (the same day as the Olsen twins).
Frances Conroy
Frances Conroy, of American Horror Story, was born on March 13, 1953, which makes her 69.
Max Weinberg
Bruce Springsteen’s drummer and Conan O’Brien’s cheerful former sidekick, Max Weinberg, 71, was born Friday, April 13, 1951.
Kate Walsh
Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice actress Kate Walsh, 55, was born Friday, October 13, 1967.
Nate Silver
One thing celebrity statistician Nate Silver, 44, couldn’t predict: his birthday. Silver was born Friday, January 13, 1978.
Tony Dow
Leave it to Beaver actor Tony Dow, now 77, was born Friday, April 13, 1945.
Didi Conn
Before starring in Grease, Didi Conn, 70, came into this world Friday, July 13, 1951.
Peter Tork
Was Peter Tork, the keyboardist and bass guitarist for the Monkees, a “believer” in the Friday the 13th superstition? We hope not, because he was born Friday, February 13, 1942. He died 2019 at age 77. Next, Do Bad Things Happen on Friday the 13th?
