Authors born in 1942
- Ian Callaghan Football Player, 1942
- Ian Dury Actor, 1942
- Ian Lowe Professor, 1942
- Ian McShane Actor, 1942
- Isaac Hayes Singer, 1942
- Isabel Allende Writer, 1942
- J. Gordon Melton Religious Leader, 1942
- Jack Carroll Politician, 1942
- Jacob Zuma Politician, 1942
- Jacques Dubochet Physician, 1942
- James A. Leach Politician, 1942
- Janette Turner Hospital Novelist, 1942
- Javier Solana Physician, 1942
- Jeanne Kohl-Welles Politician, 1942
- Jeanne Phillips Columnist, 1942
- Jejomar Binay President, 1942
- Jerry Garcia Singer-Songwriter, 1942
- Jerry Jeff Walker Singer-Songwriter, 1942
- Jerry Jones Businessman, 1942
- Jim Horning Computer Scientist, 1942
- Jim Kolbe Politician, 1942
- Jim Rogers Businessman, 1942
- Jimi Hendrix Guitarist, 1942
- Jinato Hu Politician, 1942
- Joan Halifax Teacher, 1942
- Joe Biden Politician, 1942
- Joe Lieberman Politician, 1942
- Johanna Siguroardottir Politician, 1942
- John Ashcroft Lawyer, 1942
- John Cale Musician, 1942
- John Crowley Author, 1942
- John F. Lehman, Jr. Investment Banker, 1942
- John Irving Novelist, 1942
- John Linder Politician, 1942
- John Sexton Lawyer, 1942
- John Shelton Reed Sociologist, 1942
- John Spratt Politician, 1942
- John Sulston Biologist, 1942
- John Thaw Actor, 1942
- Johnny Rivers Singer, 1942