List of Famous people born on August 17th

Johannes Maria Staud is an Austrian composer.

Kathryn Ryan Cordell Thornton is an American scientist and a former NASA astronaut with over 975 hours in space, including 21 hours of extravehicular activity. She was the associate dean for graduate programs at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science, currently a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Richard von Volkmann was a prominent German surgeon and author of poetry and fiction.

Rexhep Qemal Meidani is an Albanian physics professor, diplomat and politician. Meidani was the 3rd President of Albania to be elected after the first multi-party elections in 1991.

John Salvatore Romita, known professionally as John Romita Jr., is an American comics artist best known for his extensive work for Marvel Comics from the 1970s to the 2010s. He is the son of artist John Romita Sr.

Wesley Eure is an American actor, singer, author, producer, director, charity fundraiser, and lecturer. He is best known for appearing as Michael Horton on the American soap opera Days of Our Lives from 1974 to 1981, during which he also starred on the popular children's television series Land of the Lost. He later hosted the popular children's game show Finders Keepers in 1987 and 1988, and co-created the children's educational television show Dragon Tales in 1999. He subsequently published several books, and has produced plays and raised funds for HIV/AIDS and other causes.