Authors Born on October 17
- Mike Quigley Politician, 1958
- Montgomery Clift Actor, 1920
- Nathanael West Author, 1903
- Norm MacDonald Comedian, 1959
- Owen Arthur Economist, 1949
- Patrick Ness Writer, 1971
- Queen Naija Singer, 1995
- Randall Munroe Cartoonist, 1984
- Richard Mentor Johnson President, 1780
- Richard Roeper Columnist, 1959
- Rick Mercer Comedian, 1969
- Rita Hayworth Actress, 1918
- Shinichi Suzuki Violinist, 1898
- T Cooper Novelist, 1972
- Vance Havner Clergyman, 1901
- Virgil Goode Politician, 1946
- Wally Lamb Novelist, 1950
- Warren St. John Reporter, 1969
- William Anders Engineer, 1933
- William Scott, 1st Baron Stowell Judge, 1745
- Witney Carson Dancer, 1993
- Wyclef Jean Rapper, 1969
- Yoshio Taniguchi Architect, 1937
- Zbigniew Jaworowski Physician, 1927
- Ze'ev Jabotinsky Author, 1880
- Ziggy Marley Singer, 1968