List of people from Jacksonville, Florida
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The city of Jacksonville, Florida, has been home to many notable people, groups, and organizations. Those listed may have been born or raised in Jacksonville, been influenced by the city while living, working or retiring there, or lived in a nearby suburb, such as Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns, Amelia Island or Orange Park.
Politics
Listed chronologically by year of birth
Notable people
Listed chronologically by year of birth:
- Jean Ribault (1520–1565) French naval officer who established a haven for the Huguenots on the future site of Jacksonville
- Henry Morrison Flagler (1830–1913) American tycoon, real estate promoter, railroad developer and partner in Standard Oil
- Alfred I. duPont (1864–1935) American industrialist, financier and philanthropist
- Abraham Lincoln Lewis (1865–1947) businessman and developer of American Beach, Florida
- Arthur Pratt Warner (1870–1975) aviator
- Henry John Klutho (1873–1964) Prairie School architect who impacted redevelopment of Jacksonville following the Great Fire of 1901
- Jessie Ball duPont (1884–1970) Teacher and philanthropist
- Charles E. Merrill (1885–1956) co-founder of Merrill, Lynch & Company
- Ed Ball (1888–1981) Shrewd businessman who ran the Alfred I. duPont Testamentary Trust for 46 years
- H. Terry Parker (1890–1970) philanthropist; co-founder of Gulf Life Insurance Co. & VP of A.B. Farquhar Company
- John Archibald Wheeler (1911–2008) innovative theoretical physicist
- Louis Wolfson (1912–2007) Wall Street Financier, race horse owner/breeder & philanthropist
- Denham Fouts (1914–1949) American prostitute, socialite & literary muse
- J. J. Daniel (1916–1990) lawyer, businessman and civic leader
- Claude Yates (1916–1988) Jacksonville business executive and "Father of Jacksonville Consolidation"
- Taylor Hardwick (born 1925) Architect who designed Jacksonville schools, city buildings & parks, homes & businesses
- Herb Peyton (born 1926) businessman and civic leader
- Homer G. Lindsay, Jr. (1927–2000) influential preacher and former pastor of the nation's 3rd largest Southern Baptist church
- Raymond K. Mason (born 1927) businessman and protege of Ed Ball
- Frank Cerveny (born 1933) Episcopal bishop of Florida
- Lex Hester (1935–2000) key architect of Jacksonville's consolidated government
- Mildred Thompson (1935–2003) painter, printmaker and sculptor
- Wayne Weaver (born 1935) Shoe Store mogul and majority owner of Jacksonville Jaguars
- Philip Don Estridge (1937–1985) "Father of the IBM PC", led development of original IBM Personal Computer
- Jerry Vines (born 1937) President, Southern Baptist Convention and former pastor of the nation's 3rd largest Southern Baptist church
- Preston Haskell (born 1938) founder & chairman, The Haskell Company; minority owner of Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tom Petway (born 1941) businessman, Jacksonville Jaguars minority partner, civic leader
- Norman E. Thagard (born 1943) NASA Astronaut
- Donald Moran (born 1945) Chief judge of 4th judicial circuit
- Michael Persinger (born 1945) Neuroscientist, psychologist and noted philanthropist
- Steve Pajcic (born 1946) lawyer, state representative, Florida Gubernatorial candidate and philanthropist
- Susana Urbina (born 1946) is an American psychologist professor at the University of North Florida
- Gary Pajcic (1947–2006) high school & college athlete, lawyer and philanthropist
- Ottis Toole (1947–1996) Serial killer and probable murderer of Adam Walsh
- Elizabeth Edwards (1949–2010) attorney, law professor and wife of Senator John Edwards
- Samuel Johnson Howard (born 1951) Episcopal bishop of Florida
- Juliana Catlin (born 1955) notable interior designer
- John Palumbo (born 1958) motivational speaker and businessman/salesman
- Paul Durousseau (born 1970) Serial killer nicknamed the Killer Cabbie
- Diana Eng (born 1983) fashion designer and contestant on season 2 of Project Runway
- Claire Robinson television host
Athletes
Listed chronologically by year of birth:
- Coley Wallace (1927–2005) heavyweight boxer and actor
- Tom Scott (born 1930) former NFL linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants
- John Chaney (born 1932) former Temple University basketball coach
- LeeRoy Yarbrough (1938–1984) NASCAR driver
- Al Denson (born 1942) former NFL wide receiver for the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings
- Bob Hayes (1942–2002) 1964 Olympic Gold Medalist (2) sprinter; Hall of Fame NFL wide receiver for Dallas Cowboys
- Sam Davis (born 1944) Pittsburgh Steelers offensive guard
- Tug McGraw (born 1944) pitcher for New York Mets, Jacksonville Suns and Philadelphia Phillies; father of Tim McGraw
- Ron Sellers (born 1947) NFL wide receiver for the New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins
- Ken Burrough (born 1948) NFL wide receiver for the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints
- Harold Carmichael (born 1949) NFL wide receiver with Philadelphia Eagles for 14 seasons
- Larry Brown (born 1949)
- Ray Nettles (1949–2009) Canadian Football league Hall of Fame linebacker
- Boobie Clark (1950–1988) NFL fullback with Cincinnati Bengals for 6 seasons
- Ed Jenkins (born 1950) NFL wide receiver with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots and New York Giants
- Tom Sullivan (born 1950) NFL running back with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns
- Noah Jackson (born 1951) NFL offensive lineman with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Mark McCumber (born 1951) professional golfer
- Ron Meeks (born 1954) former CFL player and current NFL coach
- Derrick Gaffney (born 1955) NFL wide receiver for the New York Jets
- Fred Funk (born 1956) professional golfer
- Terry LeCount (born 1956) NFL wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings
- Ron Duguay (born 1957) former NHL player and ACHL and WHA coach
- Calvin Muhammad (born 1958) NFL wide receiver with the Los Angeles Raiders, Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers
- Patty Moise (born 1960) NASCAR driver
- Vince Coleman (born 1961) MLB left fielder St. Louis Cardinals
- Glenn Davis (born 1961) MLB first baseman for the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles
- "Merciless" Ray Mercer (born 1961) former WBO World Heavyweight Champion 1991 and Olympic Gold Medalist
- Norris Coleman (born 1961) NBA forward for the Los Angeles Clippers
- Nancy Hogshead-Makar (born 1962) former US National and 1984 Olympic swimmer
- Mike Oliphant (born 1963) NFL running back for the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns
- Vijay Singh (born 1963) professional golfer
- Bryan Barker (born 1964) NFL punter with the St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins and Green Bay Packers
- Otis Smith (born 1964) former NBA player and GM Orlando Magic
- Alvin Heggs (born 1967) NBA player with the Houston Rockets
- Rena Mero (born 1967) formerly Rena Greek aka "Sable," WWE WWF wrestler and actress
- Rick Wilkins (born 1967) MLB catcher with the Chicago Cubs
- Steve Lofton (born 1968) NFL cornerback with the Phoenix Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers
- Edgar Bennett (born 1969) Green Bay Packers running back
- Shawn Jefferson (born 1969) former NFL player with the San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions and current member of the Lions' coaching staff
- Dee Brown (born 1969), Former NBA player Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and Orlando Magic
- David Duval (born 1971) professional golfer
- Chipper Jones (born 1972) MLB 3rd Base Atlanta Braves
- Nate Campbell (born 1972) professional boxer and lightweight title holder
- Brian Dawkins (born 1973) NFL safety Philadelphia Eagles
- Derrick Alexander (born 1973) NFL defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns
- Chris Terry (born 1975) NFL center Kansas City Chiefs
- Sam Cowart (born 1975) NFL linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings
- Micah Ross (born 1975) NFL wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, San Diego Chargers and Carolina Panthers
- Paul Rigdon (born 1975) MLB pitcher for the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers
- Rahim Abdullah (born 1976) former NFL and CFL player
- Travis Tomko (born 1976) (TomKo) TNA professional wrestler
- Ryan Freel (born 1976) MLB fielder for the Cincinnati Reds
- Laveranues Coles (born 1977) NFL wide receiver for the New York Jets
- Rod Gardner (born 1977) NFL wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Daniel Hollie (born 1977) WWE professional wrestler
- Lito Sheppard (born 1977) NFL cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Elijah Burke (born 1978) TNA professional wrestler
- Roosevelt Williams (gridiron football) (born 1978) NFL cornerback for the Chicago Bears
- Travis Taylor (born 1978) NFL wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions
- Patrick Barnes (born 1979) MLB player for the Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians
- Matt Lehr (born 1979) NFL guard for the Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans
- Khalid Abdullah (born 1979) former NFL and CFL linebacker
- Michael Jennings (born 1979) NFL wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts
- Ryan Jorgensen (born 1979) MLB player for the Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins
- Dez White (born 1979) NFL wide receiver for the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons
- Jabar Gaffney (born 1980) NFL Wide receiver for the New England Patriots
- Jonathan Papelbon (born 1980) MLB pitching closer for the Boston Red Sox
- Rashean Mathis (born 1980) NFL cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Brett Myers (born 1980) MLB relief pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies
- Ben Nowland (born 1980) Arena Football League player
- Bubba Dickerson (born 1981) professional golfer
- Amer Delic (born 1982) professional tennis player
- Lionel Gates (born 1982) NFL running back for the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Ciatrick Fason (born 1982) former NFL running back for the Minnesota Vikings
- Darren O'Day (born 1982) MLB pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets and Texas Rangers
- Leon Washington (born 1982) NFL running back for the New York Jets
- Brian Clark (born 1983) former NFL and CFL wide receiver
- Jamaal Fudge (born 1983) NFL safety formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Stephen Nicholas (born 1983) NFL linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons
- Christian Gaddis (born 1984) NFL center for the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts
- Reggie Lewis (born 1984) NFL and CFL cornerback
- Dee Webb (born 1984) former NFL cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Daniel Murphy (born 1985) first baseman for the New York Mets
- Marcus Thomas (born 1985) (defensive tackle)
- Billy Butler (born 1986) MLB DH for the Kansas City Royals
- Sha'reff Rashad (born 1986) NFL safety for the New York Giants
- Josh Sitton (born 1986) NFL offensive guard for the Green Bay Packers
- Riley Skinner (born 1986) Quarterback at Wake Forest University
- Tim Tebow (born 1987) 2007 Heisman Trophy Winner, Quarterback at University of Florida
- Gerard Ross (born 1987) former NFL player for the Seattle Seahawks
- Greg Coleman (born 1987) NFL punter for the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins
- Guss Scott (born 1987) NFL safety for the New England Patriots and Houston Texans
- Jaime Harper (born 1987) Clemson Tigers running back
- Kelly Kelly (born Barbara Jean Blank in 1987) WWE Diva
Entertainers
Listed chronologically by year of birth:
- Merian C. Cooper (1893–1973) Hollywood director, producer & writer
- Rosalie King-Simpson (1902–1997) stage actress and singer
- William Tuttle (1912–2007) major Hollywood makeup artist for over 300 movies and television shows
- Frankie Manning (born 1914) dancer and choreographer
- Meinhardt Raabe (1915–2010), The Coroner Munchkin The Wizard of Oz, resided at Penny Farms Retirement Community
- Dorothy Shay (born 1921, died 10/22/1978) Chanteuse "The Park Avenue Hillbillie"
- David Jack Holt (1927–2003) Child Actor groomed to be the male Shirley Temple
- Wanda Hendrix (1928–1981) Hollywood actress married & divorced from World War II hero Audie Murphy
- Leonard Jackson (born 1928) African American actor who starred on the PBS TV shows Sesame Street and Shining Time Station
- Paula Kelly (born 1943) actress best known for roles in Sweet Charity and The Andromeda Strain
- Patrika Darbo (born 1948) television actress
- Ken Fallin, (born 1948) caricaturist
- Henriette Allais (born 1954) Model, Playboy Playmate March, 1980
- Tom DiCillo (born 1954) film director, screenwriter and cinematographer
- Rex Smith (born 1955) actor and singer
- Linden Ashby (born 1960) television actor
- Tim Deegan (born 1960) television Meteorologist
- Dan Hicken (born 1960) television Sports Director
- Donna Deegan (born 1962) television News Anchor
- Tim McGraw (born 1967) Country music singer and actor
- Leanza Cornett (born 1971) Miss America 1993, television actress
- Nichole Van Croft (born 1973) Model, Playboy Playmate October, 2000
- Rahman Johnson (born 1976) Radio personality & unsuccessful politician
- Jennifer Rovero (born 1978) Model, Playboy Playmate July, 1999
- Jessica Morris (born 1980) television actress
- Yoanna House (born 1980) fashion model
- Patrick Barry (born 1981) independent filmmaker, writer, director, producer
- Lil Duval (born 1981) Comedian
- Tiffany Selby (born 1981) Model, Playboy Playmate July, 2007
- Connie Fletcher (born 1982) television actress
- Whitney Thompson (born 1987) Fashion Model
- Ashley Greene (born 1987) Actress, best known for her role as Alice Cullen in "Twilight (2008 film)"
- ]Al Frazier] (born 1934] college all-american and Denver Broncos football player
Musicians and composers
Listed chronologically by year of birth:
- James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938) African-American activist; composed words for Negro National Anthem
- Zack Montana, contestant on Disney Channel's "Next Big Thing"
- John Rosamond Johnson (1873–1954) musical composer, brother of James Weldon
- Arthur "Blind" Blake (1893–1933) influential blues guitarist
- Billy Daniels (1915–1988) big band singer, actor
- Samuel Jones (1924–1981) jazz bassist and cellist
- Ray Charles (1930–2004) blind, soulful singer
- Luther Dixon (1931–2009), record producer and songwriter
- Jack Sheldon (born 1931) American bebop and West Coast jazz trumpeter, singer & actor
- Pat Boone (born 1934) popular 1950s singer and teen idol
- Nick Todd (born 1935) pop singer
- Jo Ann Campbell (born 1938) country/pop singer & actress
- Scott McKenzie (born 1939) Rock and roll singer
- Johnny Tillotson (born 1939) pop singer, songwriter, actor
- Gary U.S. Bonds (born 1939) R&B singer
- Jackie Moore (born 1946) R&B singer
- Claude "Butch" Trucks (born 1947) drummer of Allman Brothers Band
- Ronnie Van Zant (1948–1977) singer, songwriter, founder of Southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Rick Dees (born 1950) radio disc jockey, recorded #1 novelty hit "Disco Duck"
- Danny Joe Brown (1951–2005) songwriter and former singer for the band, Molly Hatchet
- Gary Rossington (born 1951) guitarist, songwriter and founding member of Southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Allen Collins (1952–1990) guitarist, songwriter and founding member of Southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Donnie Van Zant (born 1952) lead singer of Southern rock band .38 Special
- Johnny Van Zant (born 1959) lead vocalist for Lynyrd Skynyrd since reforming in 1987
- Glenn Jones (born 1962) R&B/Gospel Singer
- Vic Chesnutt (born 1964) folk rock singer-songwriter
- Fred Durst (born 1970) Lead singer, founder of Nu metal band Limp Bizkit
- James MacDonough (born 1970) former Iced Earth and Megadeth bass player
- Greg Eklund (born 1970) drummer of Everclear
- Scooter Ward (born 1970) singer, founder of post-grunge/alternative metal band Cold
- Jeremy Marshall (born 1971) bassist for the band, Cold
- Terry Balsamo (born 1972) lead guitar for the band, Cold
- Rogue (born 1972) lead singer for the American goth/electropop band, The Crüxshadows
- Kelly Hayes (born 1973) lead guitarist for the band, Cold
- Nat (born 1974) Southern Rapper
- Scott Borland (born 1977) former keyboard player for the band, Limp Bizkit
- Mase (born 1977) hip hop star
- Sam Rivers (born 1977) bass player for the band, Limp Bizkit
- Sam McCandless (born 1978) drummer for the band, Cold
- Ryan Key (born 1979) lead singer of the punk rock band, Yellowcard
- Derek Trucks (born 1979) child prodigy on guitar, member of Allman Brothers Band & Derek Trucks Band
- Shannon Wright singer-songwriter
- Asia Cruise (born 1990) contemporary R&B singer
- George Paxton (c. 1914 – 1989), big band jazz leader, saxophonist, composer, producer
Bands
Listed chronologically by year band was formed:
References