Celebrities born on a leap year who have only celebrated a handful of real birthdays, including Ja Rule and a Barcelona soccer star. What are their real ages?
While Leap Day may not hold much significance for most of us, it is a crucial day for anyone born on February 29, whose birthday technically only happens once every four years.
People born on February 29 must decide whether to celebrate their birthday on February 28 or March 1 – although it is often joked that Leap Day babies are technically a quarter their own age.
It’s not unheard of for celebrities to shave a few years off their age to look younger, but leap year babies may jokingly claim that they’re doing it legitimately.
So who are the famous faces born on February 29 and what is their leap year age compared to the actual number of years they have been on this planet?
Rap artist Ja Rule, real name Jeffrey Atkins, turns 48 today, but his leap year age would be 12.
Yes Rule
American rapper Ja Rule was born on February 29, 1976.
The rap artist, real name Jeffrey Atkins, turns 48 today, but his leap year age would be 12.
In 2016, Ja Rule joked about his age as he turned 40 during the launch of his show in Las Vegas, writing on Instagram at the time: ‘My @foxtailatsls residency kick [sic] of madness [sic] my 10th birthday party lol.”
It comes after the rap icon revealed yesterday that he was banned from entering Britain days before the start of his near-sell-out tour due to his criminal record.
Ferran Torres
Ferran Torres Garcia was born on 29 February 2000 and is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spanish national football team.
The Barcelona forward turns 24 today, but as a leap year baby he has only been able to celebrate his birthday every four years, which technically makes him seven years old.
Barcelona forward Ferres Torres turns 24 today, but as a leap year baby he has only been able to celebrate his birthday every four years, which technically makes him seven years old
Pedro Sanchez
Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez was born on February 29, 1972 in Madrid.
The economist and politician, who has been Prime Minister of Spain since 2018, turned 52 today, but his birth in a leap year means he is also 13 years old.
It comes as Ilia Topuria has been promised Spanish citizenship after a meeting with the country’s prime minister on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, the 27-year-old became the first Spanish champion in UFC history following his stunning KO win over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298.
The economist and politician, who has been Prime Minister of Spain since 2018, turned 52 today – but his birth in a leap year means he is also 13 years old
Sir Lucian Grainge
Sir Lucian Charles Grainge CBE was born on February 29, 1960 in North London.
He is a British record executive and music businessman who has been chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group since 2010.
Sir Lucian celebrates his 64th birthday today, but because he was born in a leap year, he has celebrated 16 birthdays.
Some of the world’s most successful and popular artists are currently signed to Universal Music Group, including: Taylor Swift, Adele, Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, U2 and The Weeknd.
(L-R) Ice Spice and Sir Lucian Grainge attend Sir Lucian Grainge’s Artist Showcase 2023, at Milk Studios Los Angeles on February 4, 2023 in Los Angeles, California
Joss Ackland
Sidney Edmond Jocelyn Ackland CBE was born on February 29, 1928 in North Kensington, London.
Ackland was an accomplished English actor who appeared in more than 130 film, radio and television roles, including The Mighty Ducks and The Apple.
He was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for playing Jock Delves Broughton in White Mischief.
Ackland died in November 2023 at the age of 95, but he would have been 96 if he were alive today – this would make him a leap year age of 24.
Joss Ackland died in November 2023 at the age of 95, but he would have been 96 if he were alive today – this would make him 24 in the leap year age
Peter Scanavino
BenErican actor Peter Muller Scanavino was born on February 29, 1980 in Denver, Colorado, USA.
Scanavino currently stars as ADA Dominick ‘Sonny’ Carisi Jr. in the long-running NBC crime/legal drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
He turns 44 today, but because he is a leap year baby, he is also celebrating his eleventh birthday.
Peter Scanavino and Mariska Hargitay are seen on the film set of the TV series ‘Law and Order: Special Victims Unit’ on February 21, 2024 in New York City
Tony Robbins
Tony Robbins – full name Anthony Jay Robbins – is an American author, coach and motivational speaker, born on February 29, 1960 in California, USA.
He is known for his infomercials, seminars, and self-help books, including the books Awaken the Giant Within and Unlimited Power.
Together with Sir Lucian Grainge, Robbins turns 64 today, but because he was born in a leap year he also turns 16.
Tony Robbins is known for his infomercials, seminars, and self-help books, including the books Awaken the Giant Within and Unlimited Power
Alex Rocco
BenErican actor Alex Rocco was born on February 29, 1936 in Massachusetts, USA
Known for his distinctive, gravelly voice, he was often cast as villains, including Moe Greene in the Hollywood classic The Godfather, as well as his Primetime Emmy Award-winning role in The Famous Teddy Z.
Rocco died in July 2015 at the age of 79, but if he were alive today he would be 85 – or, in leap year age, 21.
Alex Rocco died in July 2015 at the age of 79, but if he were alive today he would be 85 – or, in leap year age, 21
Mark Foster
BenErican musician Mark Foster was born on February 29, 1984 in California, USA
The singer-songwriter, married to actress Julia Garner and frontman of the indie pop band Foster the People, turns 40 today – or, in leap years, 10 years old.
Singer-songwriter Mark Foster, pictured with wife and actress Julia Garner, turns 40 today – or, in leap years, 10 years old
Dinah Shore was born on February 29, 1916 and died in 1994 at the age of 77. If she had been alive today, she would have been 107, or just over 26 years old in leap years.
Dina Kust
Dinah Shore was an American singer, actress and television personality, and the top singer of the 1940s. She rose to prominence as a recording artist during the Big Band era.
Shore was born on February 29, 1916 and died in 1994 at the age of 77. If she had been alive today, she would have been 107, or just over 26 years old in leap years.