John Carew
A physically imposing Norwegian striker who brought power and panache to top clubs across Europe's major leagues.
Born 1979 (age 47)·Norwegian footballer·Birthday: September 5·Generation X
Biography
John Carew was a striker who embodied a classic, almost old-school, center-forward ideal. Born in 1979 in Lørenskog, Norway, to a Gambian father and Norwegian mother, his 6'5" frame and athletic grace made him a formidable presence from his teenage debut with Vålerenga. His power and eye for goal quickly propelled him onto the European stage. Carew became a true continent-hopping star, leaving his mark in Spain with Valencia, in Italy with Roma, in Turkey with Beşiktaş, in France with Lyon, and in England with Aston Villa. At his best, he was unplayable—a blend of brute strength, surprising technical skill, and aerial dominance. For the Norwegian national team, he was a fixture for over a decade, earning 91 caps and leading the line with authority. After hanging up his boots, Carew seamlessly transitioned into acting and modeling, showcasing a charismatic personality that had always simmered beneath his on-field intensity.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
John was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When John Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
John's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned 91 caps for the Norwegian national team, scoring 24 international goals.
- Won the French Ligue 1 title and the Trophée des Champions with Lyon in the 2007-08 season.
- Scored in the UEFA Champions League for four different clubs: Valencia, Roma, Lyon, and Beşiktaş.
Did You Know?
His father, Alieu Carew, was a Gambian diplomat.
He pursued a career in acting after retirement, appearing in Norwegian films and television series.
He was known for his distinctive, powerful running style despite his large stature.
Carew played alongside David Beckham during a brief loan spell at Real Madrid in 2004, though he made only a few appearances.
“My strength was to hold the line and turn a cross into a goal.”
