Authors Born on August 17
- Harry Hopkins Social Worker, 1890
- Helen McCrory Actress, 1968
- Ibrahim Babangida Military Personnel, 1941
- Jackie Walorski Politician, 1963
- Jeff Smisek Businessman, 1954
- Jessi Klein Writer, 1975
- Jiang Zemin Politician, 1926
- Jim Courier Tennis Player, 1970
- John C. Hawkes Novelist, 1925
- John Hay Whitney Diplomat, 1904
- Jon Gruden American Football Manager, 1963
- Jonathan Franzen Novelist, 1959
- Jorge Posada Baseball Player, 1971
- Josh McDowell Evangelist, 1939
- Kati Outinen Actress, 1961
- Kirby Larson Writer, 1954
- Larry Ellison Entrepreneur, 1944
- Larry Rivers Artist, 1923
- Luther Allison Guitarist, 1939
- Mae West Playwright, 1893
- Marcus Garvey Publisher, 1887
- Margaret H. Hamilton Computer Scientist, 1936
- Margaret Hamilton Computer Scientist, 1936
- Mark Mobius Businessman, 1936
- Mark Salling Actor, 1982
- Maureen O'Hara Actress, 1920
- Meg Wheatley Writer, 1944
- Mickey Drexler Chairperson, 1944
- Mitchell Tenpenny Singer, 1989
- Nelson Piquet Businessman, 1952
- Norm Coleman Politician, 1949
- Norman Chad Writer, 1958
- Norwood Russell Hanson Philosopher, 1924
- Rachel Hurd-Wood Actress, 1990
- Robert De Niro Actor, 1943
- Samuel Goldwyn Film Producer, 1879
- Saraya-Jade Bevis Wrestler, 1992
- Sean Penn Actor, 1960
- Steve Hockensmith Author, 1968
- Susan Carroll Writer, 1952