By Neia Balao
9:05am PST, Feb 17, 2021
Some of our favorite stars are celebrating their 40th birthdays in 2021! Join Wonderwall.com as we take a look at which celebrities were born in 1981… starting with this socialite, DJ and businesswoman. Paris Hilton blew out 40 candles on her birthday cake on Feb. 17 — one day after she and venture capitalist Carter Reum got engaged on a private island during a vacation to celebrate her big birthday. Keep reading to see more stars who were born in 1981…
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Joseph Gordon-Levitt — the talented actor we've loved in everything from "3rd Rock From the Sun" and "(500) Days of Summer" to "Inception," "Looper" and "Snowdown" — celebrates his 40th birthday on Feb. 17.
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Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland turned 40 on Feb. 11. To mark the occasion, she debuted a new single, "Black Magic," the night of her milestone birthday. It was a special time for the vocalist for personal reasons too: She welcomed her second child, son Noah, three weeks earlier, and featured him in the song's video.
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On Feb. 9, Golden Globe-winning actor Tom Hiddleston — who delighted audiences as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and wowed them as the titular British soldier in "The Night Manager" — turned the big 4-0!
Gone are his boy band days! On Jan. 31, "Man of the Woods" hitmaker and father of two Justin Timberlake blew out 40 candles on his birthday cake.
From "…Baby One More Time" and "Oops!… I Did It Again" to "Britney Jean" and "Glory," Britney Spears has long been regarded as the Princess of Pop! The former teen icon turns 40 on Dec. 2.
Emmy-winning "Orange Is the New Black" star Uzo Aduba blew out 40 candles on her birthday cake on Feb. 10.
Happy birthday, Cap! On June 13, Chris Evans, who famously played Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, turns 40.
Alicia Keys — whose latest album, "Alicia," was released in 2020 — celebrated her 40th birthday on Jan. 25.
"Lord of the Rings" star Elijah Wood marked his 40th birthday on Jan. 28.
Queen Bey! Grammy-winning music star Beyonce turns the big 4-0 on Sept. 4.
Oscar, Emmy and BAFTA winner Rami Malek — who in 2021 will star as the villain in the James Bond film "No Time to Die — celebrates his 40th birthday on May 12.
Oscar winner Natalie Portman, who's starred in critically acclaimed films including "V for Vendetta," "The Other Boleyn Girl," "Black Swan" and "Jackie," will celebrate her 40th birthday on June 9.
Taylor Kitsch can't lose on April 8: It's the "Friday Night Lights" star's 40th birthday.
"90210" actress Sara Foster celebrated her 40th birthday on Feb. 5.
On Sept. 21, reality star-turned-designer Nicole Richie hits the big 4-0.
Duchess Meghan — who inked multi-year Netflix and Spotify deals with husband Prince Harry in 2020 after they exited their roles as senior members of Britain's royal family — will celebrate her 40th birthday on Aug. 4. It will be a big year for her, as she's set to welcome their second child later this year.
Duchess Meghan's "Suits" co-star Abigail Spencer — who we also loved on "Mad Men" and "Timeless" — shares a birthday with the royal: Abigail also turns 40 on Aug. 4. "We were born on the same day, hours apart, in the same year … she's a trusted friend and one of the most glorious people I have ever met," Abigail told "Entertainment Tonight."
Another "Suits" star, Patrick J. Adams, turns 40 in 2021: His birthday is on Aug. 27.
Dec. 28 marks BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee Sienna Miller's 40th birthday.
On Dec. 16, "Jessica Jones" star Krysten Ritter turns 40.
2021 is a big year for Christina Milian. Not only does this singer-actress turn 40 on Sept. 26, but she's also set to welcome her third child this year.
On March 28, Julia Stiles — who's been in everything from "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Save the Last Dance" to "Dexter" and the "Bourne Identity" franchise — blows out 40 candles on her birthday cake.
Summer turns 40 in the summer: "The O.C." alum Rachel Bilson was born on Aug. 25.
On Sept. 12, "American Idol" alum and Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson will join the 40s club.
Funnywoman Amy Schumer has a reason to celebrate on June 1: She'll be joining the 40s club! Next up, she's set to star on the Hulu comedy series "Love, Beth," which she also created.
"This Is Us" star Susan Kelechi Watson celebrates her 40th birthday on Nov. 11.
Lady Mary from "Downton Abbey" — Emmy-nominated English actress Michelle Dockery — turns 40 on Dec. 15.
Another "Downton Abbey" star, Irish actor Allen Leech, celebrates his 40th on April 18.
Tennis star Serena Williams, who set the record for the most Grand Slam singles titles, will walk into her 40s on Sept. 26.
Pitbull — aka Mr. Worldwide — turned the big 4-0 on Jan. 15.
On Jan. 22, "7th Heaven" alum Beverley Mitchell turned 40.
Danielle Fishel, who portrayed whiz kid Topanga Lawrence on "Boy Meets World," will celebrate her 40th birthday on May 5.
Stephen Amell, who played Oliver Queen aka Green Arrow on The CW's "Arrow," will join the 40s club on May 8.
Tennis legend Roger Federer hits his 40th birthday on Aug. 8.
"Saturday Night Live" alum and "Aladdin" actress Nasim Pedrad turns 40 on Nov. 18.
"The Vampire Diaries" and "Chicago Fire" alum Taylor Kinney turns 40 on July 15.
"The Sopranos" alum Jamie-Lynn Sigler celebrates her 40th birthday on May 15.
Let's hope Ben Schwartz doesn't get run over by a Lexus like his alter ego, Jean-Ralphio from "Parks and Recreation," on Sept. 15: It's the day the actor turns 40.
On Oct. 30 — just one day before the spookiest day of the year — Ivanka Trump will celebrate her 40th birthday.
It's hard to believe, but former child star and "Home Improvement" teen heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas is turning 40 on Sept. 8.
How much more nostalgic can we get?! "One Tree Hill" star Chad Michael Murray, who's more recently popped up as a recurring character on The CW's "Riverdale," is stepping into his 40s on Aug. 24.
On Nov. 14, former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Vanessa Bayer will blow out 40 candles on her birthday cake.
A reason why The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers should celebrate in 2021? He's turning 40! The "Mr. Brightside" hitmaker marks the milestone on June 21.
"Selling Sunset" star Chrishell Stause will blow out 40 candles on her birthday cake on July 21.
"The Big Bang Theory" star Kunal Nayyar celebrates his 40th birthday on April 30.
We love this Gilmore girl! "Gilmore Girls" and "Handmaid's Tale" actress Alexis Bledel has a major reason to celebrate on Sept. 16: It's her 40th birthday!
Josh Gad might actually be able to build a snowman on his 40th birthday: The Broadway and "Frozen" franchise star celebrates the milestone on Feb. 23.
On Aug. 5, Jesse Williams — who we loved as Dr. Jackson Avery on "Grey's Anatomy" — celebrates his 40th birthday.
Grammy-nominated singer Josh Groban turns 40 on Feb. 27.
On March 30, "American Housewife" and "Eastbound & Down" actress Katy Mixon will blow out 40 candles on her birthday cake.
Hayden Christensen, who portrayed Anakin Skywalker in the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy, will turn the big 4-0 on April 19.
Emmy-nominated actress Carrie Coon, who you know from projects like "Gone Girl," "Fargo" and "The Leftovers," turned 40 on Jan. 24.
Ben Barnes, who's starred in "The Chronicles of Narnia" film franchise as well as TV shows like "Westworld" and "The Punisher," turns 40 on Aug. 20.
Bryce Dallas Howard, who earned a Golden Globe nod for her performance in "As You Like It" and battled dinosaurs in the "Jurassic World" franchise, celebrates her 40th birthday on March 2.
"Fringe" actor Seth Gabel has a reason to celebrate in 2021: On Oct. 3, Bryce Dallas Howard's husband joins the 40s club!
Four-time Grammy nominee Keyshia Cole marks her 40th birthday on Oct. 15.
"Homeland" actor Rupert Friend will step into his 40s on Oct. 9.
Stunning! Former Victoria's Secret Angel Alessandra Ambrosio will strut into her 40s on April 11.
Iconic! Victoria's Secret Angel Adriana Lima will walk into her 40s on June 12.
On Dec. 29 — just two days before New Year's Eve — "Peaky Blinders" actress Charlotte Riley (aka Mrs. Tom Hardy) will walk into her 40s!
Dutch actor Michiel Huisman — you know him from acclaimed shows like "Game of Thrones," "Treme" and "Orphan Black" — marks his 40th on July 18.
On June 20, "Parenthood" actress Alisan Porter — you also know her as the child star from the movie "Curly Sue" and the winner of season 10 of "The Voice" — will turn the big 4-0.
Another "Roswell" alum is celebrating her 40th birthday in 2021! Majandra Delfino, who also appeared on CBS's "Friends with Better Lives," marks the milestone on Feb. 20.
On Dec. 27, "Roswell" actress Emilie de Ravin will join the 40s club.
On Jan. 26, "Once Upon a Time" alum Colin O'Donoghue celebrated his 40th birthday.
Funnyman and "Deadpool" actor T.J. Miller will celebrate his 40th birthday on June 4.
Meagan Good, who starred in 2011's "Think Like a Man" and 2013's "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues," will turn the big 4-0 on Aug. 8.
From "Party Down" to "Veronica Mars," we can't help but adore Ryan Hansen! The actor turns 40 on July 5.
On May 22, WWE wrestler Daniel Bryan (real name: Brian Danielson) — who stars on "Total Bellas" with wife Brie Bella — hits his milestone 40th birthday.
Eliza Coupe, who famously appeared on "Happy Endings," "Scrubs," "Future Man" and "Quanitco," will turn the big 4-0 on April 6.
Tony Award-winning "Hamilton" star Leslie Odom Jr., who's also a jazz singer, marks his 40th birthday on Aug. 6.
Broadway actress Laura Bell Bundy, who famously originated the role of Elle Woods in the "Legally Blonde" musical, will sing her way into her 40s on April 10.
When Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee wakes up on Dec. 13, she'll be 40.
On Oct. 16, "Grey's Anatomy" and "Station 19" actress Caterina Scorsone will blow out 40 candles on her birthday cake.
On Oct. 25, "Dallas" and "Desperate Housewives" actor Josh Henderson will join the 40s club.
"Boardwalk Empire" star Michael Pitt — who's also known for his work in "Murder by Numbers," "The Dreamers" and "Funny Games" — will celebrate his 40th birthday on April 10.
Music and reality star Ray J celebrated his 40th birthday on Jan. 17.
"Home Improvement" actor Zachery Ty Bryan will turn the big 4-0 on Oct. 9.
On July 24, Summer Glau — who you know from "Firefly," "Serenity," "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," "Arrow" and more — marks her milestone 40th birthday.
From "Roseanne" to "The Conners," Michael Fishman has enjoyed an enduring career in entertainment! The actor will step into his 40s on Oct. 22.
Anders Holm, who famously starred on "Workaholics" alongside Blake Anderson and Adam DeVine, will join the 40s club on May 29.
On March 29, Tony Award-nominated actress Megan Hilty — who's appeared in Broadway musicals like "Wicked," "9 to 5: The Musical" and "Noises Off" and memorably starred on TV's "Smash" — turns the big 4-0.
"Narcos," "The Fugitive" and "Logan" actor Boyd Holbrook marks his milestone 40th birthday on Sept. 1.
On April 2, "One Tree Hill" alum Bethany Joy Lenz will join the 40s club.
English actress Andrea Riseborough turns 40 on Nov. 20.
"10 Things I Hate About You" actress Larisa Oleynik is not a teen anymore! She'll celebrate her 40th birthday on June 7.
On Jan. 8, actress Genevieve Padalecki — who's married to "Supernatural" star Jared Padalecki — turned the big 4-0.
"I Wanna Be Bad" songstress Willa Ford — who's now an interior designer — turned 40 on Jan. 22.
My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero has two reasons to celebrate on his birthday this year: He's turning 40, and it happens on Halloween, Oct. 31!
Singer-songwriter Paloma Faith will celebrate her 40th birthday on July 21.
On Jan. 5, DJ Deadmau5 celebrated his 40th birthday!
