Famous People from Rhode Island

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The following is a list of Famous People from Rhode Island

• Robert Aldrich, film director, born in Cranston
• Harry Anderson, comedian, born in Newport
• Rocco Baldelli, professional baseball player for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, born in Woonsocket
• Donnie Bennett, International remix producer for X-MIX, photographer and veteran Rhode Island radio host. Currently heard on WPRO, raised in Providence
• Bryan Berard, Professional Hockey Player, Woonsocket
• Ambrose Burnside, general and governor but not a native
• Ruth Buzzi, actress in 1960s TV program Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, born in Westerly
• John Cafferty, lead singer of John Caffetry And The Beaver Brown Band, Narragansett
• Keith Carney, Professional Hockey player, Pawtucket
• Charles V. Chapin, pioneering epidemiologist and a forefather of the public health movement, Providence
• Vincent "Buddy" Cianci, Jr., convicted former mayor of Providence
• Mike Cloud, running back for the 3-time Super Bowl champions the New England Patriots, Portsmouth
• George M. Cohan, dramatist, born in Providence
• Nicholas Colasanto, actor who played Coach Ernie Pantusso on Cheers, Westerly
• Bill Conti, film composer (Rocky, The Right Stuff)
• Jill Craybas, professional women's tennis player, born in Providence
• Vin Di Bona, creator of America's Funniest Home Videos, born in Central Falls
• Nelson Eddy, entertainer, born in Providence
• Eileen Farrell, opera singer, grew up in Woonsocket
• Bobby Farrelly, writer, director born in Cumberland
• Peter Farrelly, writer, director born in Cumberland
• Brad Faxon, professional golfer, raised in Barrington
• Claire Waters Ferguson, first woman president of the United States Figure Skating Association
• Billy Gilman, Country singer, born in Hope Valley
• Spalding Gray, writer, actor born in Barrington
• Nathanael Greene, Revolutionary War general, second in command to Washington, born in Potowomut, Warwick
• Seth McFarlane, Creator of "Family Guy" and "American Dad" attended RISD
• Shephard Fairey, Famous urban artist most known for his OBEY the GIANT works. Attended RISD
• Bobby Hackett, trumpet player, born in Providence
• Jeff Jillson, Professional Hockey player, North Smithfield
• Richard Hatch, First winner of American Survivor, resident of Newport
• David Hartman, television newscaster, born in Pawtucket
• Gabby Hartnett, professional baseball player, Woonsocket
• David Hedison, actor in film, television and theater, born in Providence
• Kristin Hersh, with half-sister Tanya Donelly and Rogers High School schoolmate David Narcizo: founding members of the band Throwing Muses
• Raymond Mathewson Hood, Architect of Rockefeller Center, born in Pawtucket
• Ruth Hussey, actress, born in Providence
• Richard Jenkins, actor, although born in Illinois, resided in Rhode Island for years as director of the state's Trinity Repertory Theater.
• Van Johnson, entertainer, born in Newport
• Paul Konerko, baseball player, born in Cranston
• Napoleon Lajoie, baseball player, born in Woonsocket
• Clem Labine, baseball player (Brooklyn Dodgers), born in RI
• Jesse Leach, former lead singer of Killswitch Engage and current lead singer of Seemless, resides on the Cranston/Providence border
• Irving R. Levine, journalist and foreign correspondent, born in Pawtucket
• Davey Lopes, baseball player, born in East Providence
• H. P. Lovecraft, author, born in Providence
• Peter Manfredo, Jr., TV series The Contender 2nd place finalist, Federal Hill, Providence
• Debra Messing, actress, raised in East Greenwich
• Edwin O'Connor, Pulitzer Prize novelist, grew up in the state.
• Oliver Hazard Perry, naval officer, born in South Kingstown
• David Rawlings, Musician,Producer, born in North Smithfield.
• Hank Soar, major league baseball umpire, born in RI
• Gilbert Stuart, painter, born in Saunderstown
• Mena Suvari, actress, born in Newport
• Meredith Vieira, television personality, born in East Providence
• Abraham Whipple, prominent naval commander during the American Revolution
• Roger Williams (theologian), co-founder of colony and early proponent of religious freedom and separation of church and state
• James Woods, film actor, Warwick
• Shimpy, musician, lead vocals of Strongest of All