Turning 50 in 2012

Believe it or not, even celebrities get older, despite the nips and tucks. A whole group of energetic, famous individuals are turning 50 this year. You might be surprised to learn that Paula Abdul, Jeff Dunham, Tom Cruise, and Anthony Kiedis were all born in 1962, and they'll be blowing out the candles on their 50th birthdays this year. The world has changed in innumerable ways in 50 years, but some celebrities have carried on a tradition that made headlines in the year they were born. Find out more about who's turning 50 this year.

Bo Jackson

Heisman trophy winner Bo Jackson was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two sports. He was born in 1962, an historic year for California sports—the year the legendary Dodger Stadium was completed in Los Angeles. Jackson would go on to play both baseball and football in California. He played left field and designated hitter for the California Angels in 1994, and also played running back for the Los Angeles Raiders. He turns 50 on November 30.

Jon Stewart

Also born in 1962, Jon Stewart is one of the most innovative talk-show hosts of his generation, combining news with satire on The Daily Show. Stewart was born in 1962, a year that also happened to change the landscape of late-night shows. That year, Johnny Carson took over as host of The Tonight Show, and his style and format influence late night shows to this day. Jon Stewart turns 50 on November 28.

Lisa Perez Jackson

Lisa Perez Jackson is a chemical engineer and a member of President Obama's cabinet, as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency. She was born in 1962, a fateful year for the environmental movement. That same year another woman, Rachel Carson, published the book Silent Spring. The work exposed the damaging effects of pesticides and pollution, and is credited with launching the modern environmental movement. Lisa Perez Jackson turns 50 on February 8.

Evander Holyfield

"The Real Deal" boxer Evander Holyfield is a former undisputed world champion in the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. Famous for his boxing chops, and for having part of his ear bitten off by Mike Tyson, Holyfield was born just months after a fight that would go down in boxing history. In their 1962 fight, Sonny Liston famously knocked out Floyd Patterson with surprising ease, earning the heavyweight title and leading to speculation that the fight was fixed. Evander Holyfield turns 50 on October 19.

Garth Brooks

Country superstar Garth Brooks made music history in 2005, when Wal-Mart released his 2005 album Lost Sessions, and a boxed set of past material called The Limited Series. Brooks became the first artist in history to sign an exclusive music distribution deal with a single retailer. Brooks and Wal-Mart have more in common than just business, though: Both were born in 1962. Brooks turns 50 on February 7.