If you’re checking your calendar today, January 18, 2026, you aren't just looking at another Sunday in the dead of winter. It’s actually a massive day for Hollywood heavyweights and global icons. Honestly, the talent pool born on this specific day is kind of ridiculous. We’re talking about Oscar winners, Marvel stars, and Mandopop kings.
The Big Three: Costner, Bautista, and Segel
The big headline for anyone asking which stars birthday is today has to start with Kevin Costner. He’s officially 71 today. It’s wild to think about his career arc—from the guy who was famously cut out of The Big Chill to becoming the face of the Western revival with Yellowstone and his massive Horizon project. People forget that back in the early '90s, he was basically the biggest movie star on the planet. He’s still got that same weathered, leading-man energy that makes everyone want to go buy a ranch in Montana.
Then you’ve got Dave Bautista turning 57. Talk about a glow-up. Most people remember him as "Batista" from the WWE, but he has legitimately turned into one of the most interesting character actors in the game. He didn't just stay in the "tough guy" lane. Between Guardians of the Galaxy, Dune, and Glass Onion, he’s proven he has way more range than most of his wrestling peers.
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And don't forget Jason Segel, who is 46 today. If you're a How I Met Your Mother fan, he’ll always be Marshall Eriksen (or Big Fudge, if you know, you know). But his work on Shrinking lately has been some of his best. He has this specific way of being hilarious while also making you want to cry, which is a tough needle to thread. Fun fact: he’s actually engaged to Kayla Radomski now, and they were just spotted at a Clippers game earlier this month looking pretty great.
The King of Mandopop and the Global Stage
If you aren't into American movies, you’re probably celebrating Jay Chou’s 47th. He’s a literal deity in the world of Mandopop. The man is actually spending part of his birthday week prepping for a debut at the Australian Open for a "1 Point Slam" event. He’s also teasing a 2026 tour where every single city has its own theme and color. That’s a level of production most Western artists wouldn't even dream of attempting.
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A Quick Look at Everyone Else Born on Jan 18
It’s a busy day for the "Who's Who" list.
- Jonathan Davis: The Korn frontman is 55. If you grew up in the late '90s, his voice was basically the soundtrack to your angst.
- Jesse L. Martin: He’s 57. From Rent to Law & Order to The Flash, the man is a legend.
- Samantha Mumba: The Irish pop star and actress is 43.
- Jane Horrocks: The Absolutely Fabulous star is 62.
- Mark Rylance: One of the greatest stage actors of all time is 66 today.
Why Today’s Birthdays Actually Matter
When you look at the list of people born on January 18, there's a weirdly high concentration of "longevity" stars. These aren't just people who had fifteen minutes of fame. Costner has been relevant for forty years. Bautista started his acting career late—around age 40—and is peaking now. Jay Chou has been the king of his genre since the early 2000s.
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It sort of makes you think about the January 18 "vibe." These are stars who reinvent themselves. They don't just go away when the trends change. They lean into new genres, new media, or new ways of connecting with fans.
What to Do With This Info
If you’re a fan of any of these folks, today is a great day to actually engage with their work.
- Watch: Field of Dreams or the first season of Yellowstone for a Costner fix.
- Stream: Jason Segel in Shrinking on Apple TV+—it’s genuinely heartwarming.
- Listen: Throw on Jay Chou’s Greatest Works of Art if you want to understand why he’s a global phenomenon.
- Follow: Check out Dave Bautista’s social media; he usually posts some pretty grounded, introspective stuff for his birthday that isn't the typical Hollywood fluff.
Whether you're celebrating a birthday yourself today or just wanted to know who shares your special day, you're in some pretty elite company. Now go watch a movie or blast some music to celebrate these icons.
Check the latest streaming schedules to see if any of these stars have new projects dropping this month, as several of them have post-production work slated for release later in 2026.