- Jan 1 Mike Mitchell, American basketball small forward (NBA All-Star 1981; Italian League top scorer 1998), born in Atlanta, Georgia (d. 2011)
- Jan 1 Sergio Victor Palma, Argentine boxer (WBA Super Bantamweight champion 1980-82), born in La Tigra, Argentina (d. 2021)
- Jan 3 Willy T. Ribbs, American auto racer (first African-American to drive in Indianapolis 500), born in San Jose, California
- Jan 7 Rosalyn Bryant, American 4x400m runner (Olympic silver 1976), born in Chicago, Illinois
- Jan 9 David Smith, English cricketer (England lefty batsman in 2 Tests v WI 1986), born in Balham, London
- Jan 15 Paul Parker, English cricketer (one Test England v Australia 1981), born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Jan 15 Vera Sosulya, Soviet tobogganist (Olympic gold 1980)
- Jan 16 Martin Jol, Dutch football manager, born in The Hague, Netherlands
- Jan 16 Wayne Daniel, West Indies cricketer (WI fast bowler 1976-84), born in Saint Philip, Barbados
- Jan 17 Faouzi Mansouri, Algerian soccer defender (13 caps; Montpellier, FC Mulhouse), born in Djerba, Tunisia (d. 2022)
- Jan 20 John Naber, American swimmer (Olympic gold 100m/200m backstroke, 4×200m freestyle relay, 4×100m medley; silver 200m freestyle 1976), born in Evanston, Illinois
- Jan 30 Keiichi Tsuchiya, Japanese racing driver, born in Tomi, Japan
About January 1956
How Old? 68 years old
Generation: Baby Boomer
Leap Year: Yes
Chinese Zodiac: Goat/Sheep
Star Signs: Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19), Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions