IN THE SPOTLIGHT: These celebrities were born in the Year of the Rabbit
(From left) Bea Alonzo, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Lee Seung-gi. Images: Instagram/@beaalonzo, Twitter/@pledis_17, Instagram/@angelinajolie, Instagram/@leeseunggi.official
The energy has shifted to the Year of the Water Rabbit starting on Jan. 22, 2023, and it’s interesting to discover what’s in store for these celebrities who were born under this Chinese zodiac sign known for its longevity, elegance and flair.
The year 2023 may be expected to be a year for “reconciliations, reconnections, and anything favorable to the affairs of the heart,” according to feng shui expert Marites Allen. As the fourth animal in the Chinese zodiac, Rabbits are known to be witty, thoughtful, and kind-hearted and are always revered for their elegance and beauty, and we may expect those who were born in the years 1939, 1959, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, and 2023 to have a “softer” year ahead.
Below are some of the biggest names in show business — local and international — who were born under the year of the Rabbit, and see if they embody these traits:
Johnny Depp
Birthday: June 9, 1963
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Johnny Depp is a man of many faces, as he honed his talent of transforming into the character in every project he takes. Some of his most well-known roles to date are Officer Thomas Hanson in “21 Jump Street”, Donnie Brasco in “Donnie Brasco,” Edward Scissorhands in “Edward Scissorhands,” Captain Jack Sparrow in “The Pirates of the Caribbean,” Willy Wonka in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “The Mad Hatter” in “Alice in Wonderland,” and Sweeney Todd in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” among many others.
He was born in Kentucky in the U.S. as the youngest of four children, where they moved frequently with his family before settling down in Florida. Prior to acting, he tapped into his love for music until he became a member of the band called The Kids which changed into Six Gun Method as they pursued a record deal.
Depp initially admitted that he didn’t have any desire to be an actor in multiple reports, but it was the 1984 slasher film “A Nightmare on Elm Street” that kick started his career in Hollywood. Among his many accolades include a Screen Actors Guild Award, Golden Globe Award, and nominations for three Academy Awards and two British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA).
Brad Pitt
Birthday: December 18, 1963
Brad Pitt arrives for the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on Feb. 9, 2020. Image: AFP/Robyn Beck
Born as William Bradley Pitt, the Hollywood actor is known as one of the most influential names in the industry. Talks of his retirement from acting have been looming since attending the premiere of the Jackie Chan-inspired action caper “Bullet Train” in Paris, but he clarified that he is not “getting out by any means.”
Pitt may have gained recognition for his role as dashing cowboy hitchhiker J.D. in “Thelma & Louise,” but it was his role as Rusty Ryan of “Ocean’s Eleven” that put him on the map. Apart from his acting roles, his personal life is an open book to the public, having been divorced from actresses Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie.
The 59-year-old star is also the recipient of various accolades, including a British Academy Film Award, Primetime Emmy Award, two Golden Globes, and two Academy Awards.
Ian Veneracion
Birthday: February 7, 1975
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Fans automatically dissolve into an excited frenzy as soon as Ian Veneracion appears in a room or on the screen. Even from afar, the veteran actor’s charm remains to be one of his most desirable traits despite being active in the entertainment industry since the 1980s.
Known for his roles as Eduardo Buenavista in the 2015 reboot of “Pangako Sa’yo” and Anton Noble in “A Love to Last,” Veneracion made headlines after winning Best Actor in the 48th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for his performance in the erotic thriller “Nanahimik ang Gabi.”
David Beckham
Birthday: May 2, 1975
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A charmer on and off the field, David Beckham gained prominence in the public eye for his professional football career. The former athlete, who’s known for his bending free-kicks, passing, and crossing ability, was the first Englishman to win major league titles in the U.S., France, Spain, and England.
Beckham eventually retired from football in May 2013, and has since been lending his skills to aspiring athletes as the co-owner of Salford City Football Club and current president of the Inter Miami CF.
Miriam Quiambao
Birthday: May 20, 1975
Miriam Quiambao
Perhaps, one of the most celebrated Filipina beauty queens, she is best known for representing the Philippines in the Miss Universe 1999 pageant where she settled for first runner-up. It was Botswana’s Mpule Kwelagobe who was crowned as the winner at that time.
Despite being this close to the title, she was considered to be a pageant favorite for her effortless beauty and grace. She later on heeded the call of show business but had to retire after some time to focus on her family life.
Angelina Jolie
Birthday: June 4, 1975
FILE PHOTO: Actor Angelina Jolie poses as she attends the UK premiere of “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” in London, Britain October 9, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo
Apart from her Hollywood career, Angelina Jolie is known for her humanitarian efforts where she is noted for being a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees until 2022. She is also known for campaigning for females, where she warned at a 2019 speech that the world will “remain stuck in a cycle of violence and conflicts” if prioritizing issues above women’s rights will continue.
Among Jolie’s most well-known works include “Girl, Interrupted,” “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “Salt,” and “Maleficent.” She has already produced several notable films, including “By the Sea,” which she coproduced with ex-husband, Brad Pitt.
Kate Winslet
Birthday: October 5, 1975
British actress Kate Winslet at the 2016 BAFTA awards. Image: AFP/Niklas Halle’n
Winslet is best known for her roles in the films “Sense and Sensibility,” “Revolutionary Road,” and “Titanic”, where she cemented herself as one of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Throughout her career, she bagged several awards including a Grammy, an Academy Award, three BAFTA Awards, five Golden Globes, and two Primetime Emmy Awards. She was also included in TIME’s “100 most influential people in the world” lists in 2009 and 2021.
Lee Seung-gi
Birthday: January 13, 1987
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Fans would fondly remember Lee Seung-gi as the heartwarming protagonist in the K-dramas “My Girlfriend is a Gumiho” and “Brilliant Legacy,” but he is also a recording artist in South Korea where he’s given the moniker “Noona (older sister) killer.”
Seung-gi is revered for being a “triple threat entertainer” in his home country, for his work as an actor, singer, and host in the now-defunct talk show “Strong Heart.”
Moon Geun-young
Birthday: May 6, 1987
Moon Geun-young. OSEN PHOTO
Known as the “Nation’s Little Sister” in South Korea, Moon Geun-young is best known for her appearances in the K-dramas “Autumn in My Heart,” “Cinderella’s Sister,” “Marry Me, Mary,” and “Cheongdam-dong Alice.”
Geun-young solidified her star power in her home country after starring in Korean films “A Tale of Two Sisters,” “My Little Bride,” and “Innocent Steps.”
Jennylyn Mercado
Birthday: May 15, 1987
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One of the most popular leading ladies of GMA Network, Jennylyn Mercado rose to fame after winning the first season of the talent search series “Starstruck” in 2003. She went on to star in teleseryes “Rhodora X,” “Hindi Ka Na Mag-iisa,” “My Faithful Husband,” “Love You Two,” as well as the Philippine adaptations of the K-dramas “My Love from the Star” and “Descendants of the Sun.”
Mercado is currently a mother to baby Dylan, her daughter with actor Dennis Trillo, and Alex Jazz, her son with ex-partner Patrick Garcia.
Bea Alonzo
Birthday: October 17, 1987
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After making the switch to GMA Network in July 2021, Bea Alonzo expanded her acting portfolio by starring as Dani in the local adaptation of the popular K-drama “Start Up” opposite Alden Richards, Jeric Gonzales, and Yasmien Kurdi.
The half-British actress is also best known for the films “One More Chance,” “And I Love You So,” and “Miss You Like Crazy” with her former leading man and friend, John Lloyd Cruz. She also starred in the films “Four Sisters and a Wedding” and “And I Love You So,” as well as the teleseryes “I Love Betty La Fea” and “A Love to Last.”
Jake Cuenca
Birthday: December 30, 1987
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Known for being a dramatic actor in his own right, Jake Cuenca recently made headlines after being cast as a gay dad in the MMFF film entry “My Father, Myself” where he was nominated for Best Actor.
Among his recent projects include the ABS-CBN teleseryes “The Iron Heart,” “Viral Scandal,” and “Walang Hanggang Paalam,” among others.
Seventeen’s Dino
Birthday: February 11, 1999
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Born as Lee Chan, Dino debuted as the main dancer and maknae or youngest member of K-pop boy group Seventeen in May 2015. The idol is also a member of the group’s Performance Team unit alongside fellow bandmates Jun, Hoshi, and The8.
Twice’s Tzuyu
Birthday: June 14, 1999
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Chou Tzuyu, who was born in Taiwan, caught the attention of K-pop fans after she competed in the 2015 reality show “Sixteen” under JYP Entertainment and co-produced by Mnet. The show initially wanted seven contestants to debut as members of the girl group Twice, but she was able to secure a spot after gaining the approval of the agency’s founder J. Y. Park.
Tzuyu eventually became a member of Twice in October 2015, as the girl group’s youngest member and lead dancer.
TXT’s Yeonjun
Birthday: September 13, 1999
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Prior to debuting as a member of the K-pop boy group Tomorrow X Together (TXT), Choi Yeonjun was named by Korean media outlets as Big Hit Music’s “legendary trainee” for his skills in singing, dancing, and rapping.
He eventually was selected as a member of TXT in March 2019, and the boy group is best known for their songs “Anti-Romantic,” “Good Boy Gone Bad,” and “0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You).” EDV
