2020 was a big year for a lot of celebrity moms and dads. Some welcomed new babies into the world, others adjusted to virtual learning with their kids, some even got married — and a lot of them ended up turning 40 years old. Getting older can definitely be a little daunting, and we wouldn't blame anyone for mourning the loss of their 30s, but there's something pretty cool about entering another decade of life, especially since 40 isn't old … no matter what our kids might tell us!
Recently, Wonderwall rounded up the stars who turned 40 in 2020, and the list is much longer than we realized. How is it possible that so many of our favorite celebs were all born in 1980?! There are some who celebrated at home with their families and kept it low key, like Jessica Simpson, while others chose to have a big bash and then had to deal with some backlash (looking at Kim Kardashian right now, in case it wasn't obvious already).
Read on for all the celebs who turned 40 this year. And to be totally honest, none of them even look a day over 39.
Ryan Gosling
On November 12, Ryan Gosling — who is a dad to two kids, Esmeralda and Amada, with longtime girlfriend Eva Mendes — officially turned 40. It's wild to think about how many decades of his life his career has spanned, from his time on The Mickey Mouse Club as a teenager to The Notebook, La La Land, and beyond.
Jenna Dewan
It was Jenna Dewan's turn to turn 40 in December, though when she shared this post on Instagram about her big day, she did admit that everything going on in the world was preventing her from celebrating the way she would have wanted. But she did admit that she was glad to be with fiancé Steve Kazee and kids Callum and Everly.
Michelle Williams
It feels like just yesterday Michelle Williams was best known as Jen Lindley on Dawson's Creek in her younger years, but in September, she celebrated the big 4-0. Michelle is mom to Matilda, whose dad is the late Heath Ledger. Earlier this year, she and husband Thomas Kail welcomed their first baby together.
Jessica Simpson
Back in July, Jessica turned 40, sharing this photo of her impressive birthday flower arrangement on Instagram, along with an adorable pastel rainbow cake. "A week into my 40s already feels like a month," she wrote. Jessica has three kids with husband Eric Johnson: Maxwell, Ace, and Birdie.
Zooey Deschanel
In January, Zooey Deschanel started off her year by turning 40. Zooey, who is currently dating Property Brothers star Jonathan Scott, has two kids with ex Jacob Pechenik, Elsie and Charlie. When she shared this fun photo on Instagram in honor of her birthday, she wrote, "Today I am celebrating 40 years of being on this planet! Life is wonderful and I am so grateful for all the amazing people in mine. Thank you for all the birthday wishes, my heart is full."
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian — mother to North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm — also happened to turn 40 this year, but a little backlash came with it. After she shared this post on Instagram, explaining that she'd surprised her nearest and dearest with an extravagant trip to a private island (despite everything going on in the world this year), people were less than impressed. Kim seemed to have fun.
Melissa Rauch
The Big Bang Theory star Melissa Rauch turned 40 on June 23, during what was a pretty big year for her. Earlier in 2020, she and husband Winston Beigel welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named Brooks. Though Melissa didn't share anything about her birthday on social media, her first birthday as a mom must have been pretty special.
Kristen Bell
When Kristen Bell turned 40 in July, she took to Instagram to share her first selfie as a year older, admitting in the process that she still uses pimple cream. She's not the only one! Kristen and husband Dax Shepard have two daughters together, Lincoln and Delta.
Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Dancing With the Stars pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy started out the year by turning 40 in January, as evidenced by this sweet photo of his wife (and mother of their son, Shai) Peta Mergatroyd on the beach, celebrating.
"I’m overwhelmed by the amount of love I received today," he wrote. "It’s been a special day to say the least but it is especially special because I get to share it with this person. It’s been incredible to share most of my 30s with @petamurgatroyd and start a family."
Ellie Kemper
In May, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star Ellie Kemper celebrated her 40th birthday, sharing this adorable selfie of a plastic birthday cake, which she no doubt borrowed from her sons James and Matthew. In honor of her birthday, Ellie shared that she was donating to four different organizations she loves supporting. So sweet!
Nick Carter
On January 28, Backstreet Boys singer (and just about everyone's childhood crush) Nick Carter officially turned 40, sharing this sweet video with fans to thank them for all of their birthday wishes. Nick, who is married to Lauren Kitt, is a father to two children, Odin and Saiorse.
Vanessa Lachey
Nick Lachey's wife — and the mother of their three children, Phoenix, Camden, and Brooklyn — shared this photo on Instagram when she turned 40 in November, along with a caption about how wonderful her 30s were.
"Cheers to my 30’s! You have been incredible!" she wrote. "I married my dream guy, we had three crazy beautiful little babies and I got to continue to do what I love on TV. Thank You for the health & happiness. Bring it 40!!! Mama’s ready!"
Hannah Simone
In August, former New Girl star Hannah Simone — who has a 3-year-old son with husband Jesse Giddings — turned 40 years old, sharing this post on Instagram in honor of the occasion. "This year has been one of incredible perspective. It has made it impossible to look away from both the good and the bad. We have had to get incredibly comfortable and uncomfortable," she wrote.
Chelsea Clinton
On February 28, former first daughter of Hillary and Bill Clinton (and current author and political activist) Chelsea Clinton turned 40. She and husband Marc Mezvinsky have three children together, Charlotte, 6, Aidan, 4 and Jasper, who turned 1 this year.
Vanessa Carlton
In August, singer Vanessa Carlton (who has a daughter, Sidney, with husband John McCauley), turned 40 while living at her parents' house … like a lot of people have been doing these days.
"Turning 40 (in two days) while living day 50 out of my parents garage is creating a rather interesting mental sensation," she shared alongside this video on Instagram. "Whatever about dancing in the dark, 2020 is dancing for your life in the driveway."
Christina Ricci
Christina Ricci, who has a son named Freddie with husband James Heerdegen, turned 40 in February, and apparently, she was feeling a little weird about getting older. She shared this photo from an Oscars party with fans, writing, "I am 40 today. This is my most recent photo. How are we doing with that cure for death?"
Laura Prepon
Orange is the New Black star Laura Prepon had a lot to celebrate this year. Not only did she turn 40, but she also welcomed her second child into the world — her second with husband Ben Foster. They also have a daughter named Ella. What a sweet way to spend 2020!
Pauly D
It's hard to believe, but Jersey Shore star Pauly D celebrated his 40th birthday in July. Where has the time gone since we first met him in the Shore house?! Pauly is a father to 7-year-old Amabella Sophia Markert, whose mother is one of Pauly's former flings, Amanda Markert.
Eliza Dushku
On December 30th, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Bring It On star Eliza Dushku will officially turn 40 years old, just in time for the new year. Eliza and her husband Peter Palandjian welcomed their first child into the world last year — a baby boy named Philip.
Marla Sokoloff
Marla Sokoloff, who is best known for her roles on The Practice and Full House, turned 40 on December 19. With her husband, Alec Puro (who she's been married to since 2009), she has two daughters, Olive Mae, who is 5 years old, and Elliotte Anne, who is 8.
