- Jan 1 Wayne Bennett, Australian rugby league coach (Australia 1998, 2004-05; England & Great Britain 2019; Brisbane Broncos, St. George, South Sydney), born in Allora, Australia
- Jan 3 Rick MacLeish, Canadian ice hockey center (Stanley Cup 1974, 75; Philadelphia Flyers; NHL All Star 1977, 78), born in Lindsay, Ontario (d. 2016)
- Jan 7 Ross Grimsley, American baseball player, born in Topeka, Kansas
Bob Forsch (1950-2011)
Jan 13 American MLB baseball pitcher, 1974-1989 (St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros), born in Sacramento, California
- Jan 15 Marius Trésor, French footballer, born in Sainte-Anne, Guadeloupe
- Jan 17 Stavros Sarafis, Greek soccer attacking midfielder (32 caps; PAOK 358 games, 136 goals), born in Epanomi, Greece (d. 2022)
- Jan 18 Gilles Villeneuve, Canadian auto racer (World F1 runner-up 1979; Ferrari), born in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec (d. 1982)
- Jan 18 Pat Sullivan, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Heisman Trophy 1971, Auburn University; NFL: Atlanta Falcons) and coach (TUC, Samford), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2019)
- Jan 20 Chuck Lefley, Canadian ice hockey player, born in Winnipeg, Canada
- Jan 29 Jody Scheckter, South African auto racer (World F1 Champion 1979), born in East London, South Africa
- Jan 30 Jack Newton, Australian golfer (British Open runner-up 1975; US Masters runner-up 1980), born in Cessnock, Australia (d. 2022)
- Jan 30 Silvia Bertolaccini, Argentine golfer (4-time LPGA Tour titles), born in Rafaela, Argentina
About January 1950
How Old? 74 years old
Generation: Baby Boomer
Leap Year: No
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions