By Bryanne Salazar
5:34am PST, Dec 12, 2020
Join Wonderwall.com as we celebrate all the celebrities who are turning 50 in 2020, beginning with this actress… Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly, who just starred on the first season of the sci-fi drama series "Snowpiercer," turns 50 on Dec. 12. Keep reading for more stars who were born in 1970…
RELATED: Stars turning 40 in 2020
Another actress celebrating her milestone 50th birthday on Dec. 12? "Girls Trip" star Regina Hall.
RELATED: Stars turning 30 in 2020
Funnywoman Sarah Silverman turned 50 on Dec. 1. She took to Twitter to let fans know what they could do to mark the milestone: "Today is my birthday. Will you celebrate it by registering friends [to vote] in Georgia?" the politically minded star wrote, referring to two heated Senate run-off races slated for January 2021.
Oscar-nominated actor Ethan Hawke turned 50 on Nov. 6. His latest project? He's the star and executive producer of the new Showtime original limited series "The Good Lord Bird."
"The Real Housewives of New York City" alum Bethenny Frankel turned 50 on Nov. 4. The Bravo star and business mogul took to Instagram on her big day to share a message with her fans to mark her milestone birthday. "A lot has happened to get me here. I've been through love, loss, a great career journey, passion, drive, determination, dedication. I have the most beautiful, beautiful little girl in the entire world who is my dream," she said, giving a shoutout to daughter Bryn Hoppy. "And I've built a life for myself that I am so proud of, so excited about, so thankful for … It wasn't that long ago that I was broke, bouncing checks, getting insufficient fund notices, and I had no idea where this path would take me and I was a scared and I was alone. I worked hard and I had a dream and I'm making it come true. … Dream the impossible because you can make it happen."
Actress-turned-talk show host Kelly Ripa turned 50 on Oct. 2. She took to Instagram to share photos from her big day, revealing a table full of flowers, wrapped gifts, cards, balloons and a sprinkles-filled silver disco ball birthday cake. "Thank you! Yes you, and everyone who made me feel so loved. I am 50. There. I said it 😂🎂🎁🎉🎈 #birthday #50," Kelly captioned the slideshow.
"Growing Pains" star Kirk Cameron — who these days is perhaps best known for starring in the "Left Behind" film series and co-founding the "The Way of the Master" Christian evangelism ministry — celebrated his 50th birthday on Oct. 12.
On Aug. 26, two-time Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy turned the big 5-0! The "Superintelligence" actress has two films on the way: "The Starling" and "Thunder Force."
Actress and comedy writer Tina Fey celebrated her 50th birthday on May 18. During an early May interview with Seth Meyers, the "Saturday Night Live" alum said that she had "such good plans" to celebrate her benchmark birthday before the coronavirus pandemic forced her to downscale: "I was supposed to go to a spa in Arizona with Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Emily Spivey and Paula Pell," she dished.
On June 26, comedic actor, author and woodworker Nick Offerman turned the big 5-0. Earlier this year, the former "Parks and Recreation" star appeared in the sci-fi thriller miniseries "Devs."
Queen Rania of Jordan turned 50 on Aug. 31.
If anyone makes 50 look fabulous, it's Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson, who turned 50 on Sept. 11. She told Refinery29 of the milestone age, "I still feel like I'm just getting started. I still feel like I have so much more to do. I'm a character actress. I have another fantasy role, heavy prosthetics. I want to not look like myself. I wouldn't mind doing a Dr. Seuss story. I love the craft of acting and I don't feel like I've done it all yet."
Chris Cuomo, who hosts CNN's "Cuomo Prime Time," celebrated his 50th birthday on Aug. 9. One of his colleagues took to Instagram to share a pic of the TV journalist and his family on his big day. "Chris' producer Rose here 🙋🏻♀️ – please join us in celebrating the boss man! Chris turns 50 today! We are so proud to work for such a good man. He makes not only our work but our world a better place. To 50 more years of getting after it! We love you Chris!!! 💪🏻🥂🎉🎈🎂," she wrote.
Giada De Laurentiis marked her milestone 50th birthday on Aug. 22. In June, the chef won a Daytime Emmy for outstanding culinary series for "Giada Entertains."
German supermodel Claudia Schiffer celebrated her 50th birthday on Aug. 25.
Queen Latifah turned 50 on March 18. The day after her benchmark birthday, she wrote on Instagram that she was "feeling blessed." Wrote the Oscar nominee, "Thank you for all the love and birthday wishes!! These are strange times and even though we can't see each other in person, I'm so grateful to have you all in my life."
Grammy Award-winning musician Beck turned the big 5-0 on July 8. He marked the occasion by dropping a new song, "No Distraction." The following day, he thanked his Instagram followers "for the incredibly generous and kind birthday well wishes."
Journalist, attorney and podcaster Megyn Kelly hit the milestone birthday on Nov. 18.
Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst celebrated his 50th birthday on Aug. 20. Although he hasn't made new music in a while, he's dabbled in filmmaking in recent years: He wrote and directed the 2019 thriller "The Fanatic" starring John Travolta.
Uma Thurman celebrated her 50th birthday on April 29.
"King of Queens" alum Leah Remini turned 50 on June 15 — a day before her daughter, Sofia, turned 16. The actress took to Instagram on June 13 to reflect on their benchmark birthdays: "Monday, I turn 50! Like that's not enough of a kick in the [behind], Tuesday, our daughter turns 16! 16!!!! Feeling blessed and also very emotional! So, for those who have been through this… let me hear the positives! Lol," she wrote.
Former "Game of Thrones" star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau — who will forever be Jaime Lannister to us — turned 50 on July 27.
Rachel Weisz celebrated her milestone 50th birthday on March 7. The English actress will return to the big screen later this year in Marvel's "Black Widow" as assassin Melina Vostokoff — aka The Iron Maiden.
It's a big year for Julie Bowen: She turned 50 on March 3 and her long-running sitcom, "Modern Family," aired its series finale on April 8. She celebrated her birthday by encouraging her Instagram followers to vote: "Yep, it's my birthday. Spare yourself the expensive gifts and please vote! I don't even care who you vote for (lie) but please…..vote!" she wrote.
First lady Melania Trump, a former model, turned 50 on April 26. "Thank you to everyone for the wonderful birthday wishes. This year, my heart is with those who have missed their own celebrations of birthdays, holidays, & special occasions with their families, friends, & colleagues. I look forward to the day when we can all be together again!" she tweeted.
Kevin Smith turned 50 on Aug. 2. The actor-director, who's known primarily for the "Jay and Silent Bob" franchise, has plenty of cause to celebrate: He almost died back in 2018 when he suffered a "widowmaker" heart attack. Fifty is clearly a big number for the multi-hyphenate — his near-death experience prompted him to lose more than 50 pounds.
2020 is a big year for Justin Chambers. In January, he announced that he was leaving "Grey's Anatomy" after starring as Dr. Alex Karev since the medical drama debuted on ABC in 2005. "There's no good time to say goodbye to a show and character that's defined so much of my life for the past 15 years," he said. "For some time now, however, I have hoped to diversify my acting roles and career choices. And, as I turn 50 and am blessed with my remarkable, supportive wife and five wonderful children, now is that time." Justin turned 50 on July 11.
"Grey's Anatomy" creator Shonda Rhimes turned the big 5-0 on Jan. 13. She celebrated her birthday by asking her Twitter followers to donate to the Debbie Allen Dance Academy: "Thank you all for the birthday wishes and love. My friend and trailblazer, @msdebbieallen's birthday is also this week. To keep the celebration going, please support @OfficialDADance. You know there's one thing Debbie and I both love to do: Dance it out," she tweeted.
Rapper Fat Joe turned 50 on Aug. 19.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell celebrated her big day on May 22. "I embrace turning 50. I feel blessed and grateful to be here, living and breathing," she told HELLO! magazine of her benchmark birthday.
On May 4, "Arrested Development" alum Will Arnett celebrated his 50th birthday. Later that month, he became a dad for the third time. He and partner Alessandra Brawn welcomed baby boy Alexander Denison on May 27.
On Aug. 9, comedic actor Thomas Lennon celebrated his 50th birthday. To mark the milestone, the "RENO 911!" star posted a video on Instagram showing him attempting to do a headstand while on a paddle board! "In honor of my 50th today I said I would attempt this," he captioned the clip. His effort was a success!
Oscar-nominated writer-director M. Night Shyamalan — who's spent his career giving us the chills with movies like "The Sixth Sense" and "Glass" — turned 50 on Aug. 6. In addition to producing season 2 of his thriller series "Servant," he's producing and directing the upcoming romantic mystery-drama "Labor of Love." To mark his milestone birthday, he posted an Instagram video of composer James Newton Howard — a frequent collaborator — playing "Happy Birthday" (and some of the score from "Signs") on the piano. "So lucky to have so much love around me. The birthday wishes from everyone have moved me deeply," he wrote. "This one from my big brother James Newton Howard gave me chills. #Signs Thank you everybody."
Oscar-nominated actress Minnie Driver turned 50 on Jan. 31 and celebrated with a trip to Hawaii. "Aloha all round! Surfed, laughed, realised there's a whole lot of [stuff] from the last decade that I am NOT taking with me into the next. Feeling inspired about all the extraordinary new stuff that's happening – THAT is where I'm at. If I were a prayer emoji person I guess I would put one here- I draw the line at hashtag blessed," she captioned a selfie from the beach, adding a hashtag reading "happy birthday to me."
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" actress Charisma Carpenter blew out 50 candles on July 23. "'Book 'em Dano, I'm 5-0!' I've never been more proud to declare my age! I'm a Semi-Centennial! The fact is, not all of us get to be 50. So I feel very grateful for this milestone. I'd also like to thank all the well wishers from friends, family, and fans. I am super touched by the outpouring of love! Thank you again!" she captioned a clip from an old "Saturday Night Live" sketch.
Tony Award-winning Broadway actress Audra McDonald celebrated her 50th birthday on July 3. This year, she'll play Barbara Siggers Franklin — the mother of Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin — in the biopic "Respect," which is currently scheduled to hit theaters on Dec. 25.
"S.W.A.T." star Shemar Moore turned 50 on April 20. "The Big 5-0 …. Always tryin' to keep my black from crackin' … I appreciate all the love from my Homies, Fans, N Baby Girls…. not just for my birthday but through all the years….. this last year and a half kicked my [behind] … I'm coping, still standing, and always fighting for my joy…. I wish all of you nothing but love, health, and safety….. Appreciate everything you've got and who you LOVE…. and stay […] in the HOUSE and get your drinky drank on!!!!! Much Love," he captioned a slideshow of photos of himself.
Mariah Carey famously doesn't celebrate birthdays — she calls them anniversaries — but this year's "anniversary" on March 27 was believed to have been a pretty big one. Though there's been debate for years on what year Mariah was born — 1969 or 1970 — many fans are convinced the superstar blew out 50 candles this "anniversary."
Actress Niecy Nash turned 50 on Feb. 23. During a photoshoot with People magazine in celebration of her milestone birthday, the "Claws" actress opened up about turning 50: "I have never been better in my life," she said. "There is something about knowing exactly who you are and curating a life that brings you joy every day."
Actor Jason Lee celebrated his 50th birthday on April 25.
Oct. 30 is the day veteran actress Nia Long blew out 50 candles on her birthday cake.
"Riverdale" actor and "Scream" alum Skeet Ulrich turned 50 on Jan. 20. He celebrated by starring alongside his teen daughter, Naiia, in a TikTok dance video. "My thanks for all the love on my birthday!!" he wrote in the caption.
On Oct. 25, Adam Goldberg — who's memorably appeared in a range of movies from "Dazed and Confused" to "Saving Private Ryan" — hit the big 5-0.
On Aug. 27, No Doubt and Dreamcar bassist Tony Kanal — who famously dated bandmate Gwen Stefani early in their careers — is turning 50.
"Shakespeare in Love" star Joseph Fiennes — who's best known today for his work as Commander Fred Waterford on the dystopian Hulu series "The Handmaid's Tale" — celebrated his 50th birthday on May 27.
"Big Brother" host Julie Chen turned 50 on Jan. 6.
On April 29, rapper and No Limit Records founder Master P blew out 50 candles on his birthday cake.
Another "Riverdale" star, Madchen Amick of "Twin Peaks" fame, hits the big 5-0 on Dec. 12.
Comedian Mike Epps, who played memorable characters in the "Next Friday" and "The Hangover" franchises, turned 50 on Nov. 18.
Famed Mexican singer Luis Miguel turned the big 5-0 on April 19.
Adam Pascal, who originated the role of Roger Davis in the hit Broadway show "Rent," turned the big 5-0 on Oct. 25.
On Sept. 29, comedian and actor Russell Peters hit the halfway-to-100 mark. The funnyman and dad of two's special "Russell Peters: Deported" premiered on Amazon Prime Video in January. Up next? A voice role in the cartoon "Clifford the Big Red Dog."
"Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" actress Amy Jo Johnson turned 50 on Oct. 6.
Rapper DMX hits 50 on Dec. 18.
