LIST: Personalities, celebrities who are known for being left-handed
Did you know there's a special day for left-handed individuals?
Celebrated annually every Aug. 13, International Left-Handers Day is dedicated to recognizing the uniqueness and contributions of left-handed individuals.
It was first observed in 1992 after the Left-Handers Club, an organization that aims to support and promote the interests of left-handed people worldwide, initiated it.
Left-handedness has historically been met with prejudice from different cultures, with some people being forced to use their right hand.
But times are changing. Studies show that lefties, who are 10 to 12 percent of the world's population, have potential cognitive advantages. It also links left-handedness to enhanced brain connectivity, particularly in areas that involve language, leading to assumptions of higher intelligence. Left-handed individuals have also excelled in various fields, challenging stereotypes.
To showcase the range of talent among left-handed people, here are some famous examples from various walks of life.
Angelina Jolie
American actress and filmmaker Angelina Jolie is known for her roles in films such as Girl, Tomb Raider, Interrupted, and Maleficent. She is also recognized for her humanitarian work, undertaking various field missions in refugee camps and war zones worldwide.
She dedicated over 20 years of service to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a UN Refugee Agency, by being a Goodwill Ambassador from 2001 to 2012 and a Special Envoy from 2012 to 2022.
Tom Cruise
American actor and producer Tom Cruise, who made waves at the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony, is known for his roles in films like Top Gun and the Mission: Impossible series. His left-handedness is noted in some of his iconic scenes and stunts.
Cruise also received the Simon Wiesenthal Center Humanitarian Award in recognition of his longtime support of the Wiesenthal Center and its Museum of Tolerance.
Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal is a professional Spanish tennis player known for his exceptional clay-court play and numerous Grand Slam titles. His left-handedness gives him a distinctive advantage on the court.
Manny Pacquiao
Pacman Manny Pacquiao himself, one of the greatest professional boxers of all time, is a leftie.
In sports, he employs a southpaw stance, which is typically used by fighters who favor their left. Some boxing experts say Pacquiao's left hand delivers "more staggering strikes and combinations" in the boxing field. This has earned him the title of the only eight-division world champion in the history of boxing.
He also previously served as a senator from 2016 to 2022.
Andrea Brillantes
Aside from the fact that Filipino actress and model Andrea Brillantes has no sense of smell, she is also a lefty.
The 21-year-old Kapamilya star started her career in the sketch comedy show Goin' Bulilit. She had her breakthrough titular role, Annaliza. She is known for her kontrabida role, Marga Mondragon-Bartolome, in the hit Kapamilya melodrama Kadenang Ginto.
Currently, she portrays the role of Sky Love Cruz in the drama mystery television series High Street. She also has her own beauty line, Lucky Beauty.
LeBron James
Some may not know it, but American basketball power forward LeBron James, who was also named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the men's basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is a left-handed person even though he plays with his right hand.
According to Sports Illustrated, American basketball coach Penny Hardaway inspired him to play right-handed.
Kim Soo Hyun
Kim Soo Hyun is known for his roles in popular dramas such as Dream High, Moon Embracing the Sun, It's Okay to Not Be Okay, and most recently, Queen of Tears. He is also one of the highest-paid actors in South Korea.
More than his looks, his acting prowess earned him various accolades, including five Baeksang Arts Awards, two Grand Bell Awards, and one Blue Dragon Film Award.
SEVENTEEN's Mingyu
Mingyu, the main rapper and visual of the K-pop boy band SEVENTEEN, is also one of the K-pop idols who is a lefty.
In 2015, he debuted as a group member with the mini-album 17 Carat.
Park Shin Hye
She may have used her right hand to write in her recent romance drama, Doctor Slump, but in reality, Korean star Park Shin Hye is left-hand.
A die-hard KIA Tigers fan, Park earned the nickname "Randy-Shin-hye" for her powerful left-handed pitching style, reminiscent of baseball legend Randy Johnson. Her delivery captivated the audience as left-handed pitchers are less common than right-handed pitchers.
Barack Obama
Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, is a notable lefty among U.S. presidents. When elected in 2008, he became the first African American to hold the office.
According to the White House Historical Association, Obama's presidency is the "American story," which showcases the "values from the heartland," "a middle-class upbringing in a strong family, hard work, and education as the means of getting ahead."
He also believed that "a life so blessed should be lived in service to others."