Celebrities born on a Leap Year: what are their real ages?

While Leap Day might not hold huge significance for most of us, it’s a crucial day for anyone born on February 29, who technically only has a birthday once every four years.

People born on February 29 have to decide whether to celebrate their birthday on February 28 or March 1 – although it’s a often joked that Leap Day babies are technically a quarter of their own age. 

It’s not unheard off for celebrities to shave a few years off their age in order to appear younger, but Leap Year babies can jokingly claim they’re doing this legitimately. 

So who are the famous faces born on February 29 and what are their Leap Year ages versus the real number of years they’ve been on this planet?

Ja Rule 

American rapper Ja Rule was born on 29 February 1976. 

The rap artist, real name Jeffrey Atkins, turns 48 today – but his Leap Year age would be 12.

In 2016, Ja Rule cracked a joke about his age when he turned the 40 during the launch of his Las Vegas show, writing on Instagram at the time: ‘My @foxtailatsls residency kick [sic] off crazy wit [sic] my 10th bday party lol.’

It comes after the rap icon revealed yesterday that he was denied entry to the United Kingdom because of his criminal record days before the start of his almost sold out tour.

Ferran Torres 

Ferran Torres García was born on 29 February in 2000, and is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain National football team. 

The Barcelona forward turns 24 today, but being a Leap Year baby has only been able to celebrate his birthday every four years, which technically makes him seven years old.

Pedro Sánchez   

Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, was born on February 29, 1972, in Madrid.

The economist and politician, who has been Prime Minister for Spain since 2018, turned 52 today – but his birth on a Leap Year means he’s also 13-years-old. 

It comes as Ilia Topuria has been promised a Spanish citizenship after meeting up with the nation’s Prime Minister on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, the 27-year-old became the first Spanish champion in UFC history after his stunning KO victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298.

Sir Lucian Grainge 

Sir Lucian Charles Grainge CBE was born on February 29 in 1960, in North London. 

He is a British record executive and music businessman who has served as the chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group since 2010. 

Sir Lucian celebrates his 64th birthday today, but being born on a Leap Year means he’s 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.

Joss Ackland 

Sidney Edmond Jocelyn Ackland CBE was born on February 29 in 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 portraying Jock Delves Broughton in White Mischief.

Ackland passed away aged 95 in November 2023, but he would have turned 96 if he were still alive today – this would equate to 24 in Leap Year age.

Peter Scanavino

American actor Peter Muller Scanavino was born on February 29 in 1980 in Denver, Colorado, U.S.

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 being a Leap Year baby, he is also celebrating his 11th birthday. 

Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins – full name Anthony Jay Robbins – is an American author, coach and motivational speaker who was born on February 29 in 1960 in California, U.S.

He is known for his infomercials, seminars, and self-help books including the books Awaken the Giant Within and Unlimited Power. 

Along with Sir Lucian Grainge, Robbins turns 64 today, but being born on a Leap Year means he also turns 16.

Alex Rocco 

American actor Alex Rocco was born on February 29 in 1936, in Massachusetts, U.S.

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 passed away in July 2015, aged 79, but if he were alive today he would be turning 85 – or, in Leap Year age, 21. 

Mark Foster 

American musician Mark Foster was born on February 29 in 1984 in California, U.S. 

The singer-songwriter, who is married to actress Julia Garner and fronts the indie pop band Foster the People, turns 40 today – or, in Leap Years, 10 years of age. 

Dinah Shore

Dinah Shore was an American singer, actress, and television personality, and the chart-topping female vocalist of the 1940s. She rose to prominence as a recording artist during the Big Band era. 

Shore was born on February 29 in 1916 and died aged 1994 ages 77 – had she still been alive today, she would be 107, or just over 26 years of age in Leap Years.