List of people from Missouri
The following are people who were either born/raised or have lived for a significant period of time in Missouri. Please see the Discussion page for criteria for inclusion before adding any names.
Art-literature-journalism
- Maya Angelou (born 1928), author and poet
- Jabari Asim (born 1962), author, journalist
- Thomas P. Barnett (1870–1929), architect and impressionist painter
- Thomas Hart Benton (1889–1975), painter
- George Caleb Bingham (1811–1879) artist (born in Virginia but moved to central Missouri)
- Mark Bowden (born 1951), author, journalist
- William S. Burroughs (1914–1997), author
- Lester Dent (1904–1959), author Doc Savage novels
- Suzette Haden Elgin (born 1936), science fiction author and linguist
- T. S. Eliot (1888–1965), poet, dramatist and literary critic
- Lisa Myers (born 1951), journalist
- Mary Engelbreit (born 1952), graphic artist, childrens book illustrator
- Michael Evans (1944—2005), photographer
- Eugene Field (1850–1895), writer and poet
- William Least Heat-Moon (born 1940), travel writer
- Robert A. Heinlein (1907–1988), science fiction author
- Langston Hughes (1902–1967), African-American poet, novelist and playwright
- Donald Judd (1928–1994), artist
- Michael Kim (born 1964), Sports broadcaster for ESPN.
- Jim Lee (born 1964), comic book artist and writer
- David Limbaugh (born 1952), columnist, author, political commentator
- Bernarr Macfadden (1868-1955), founder Macfadden Publications, bodybuilding advocate
- Mary Margaret McBride (1899-1976), female radio pioneer
- Dennis L. McKiernan (born 1932), author
- Russ Mitchell (born 1960), TV journalist, CBS Evening News weekend anchor
- Marianne Moore (1887–1972), poet and writer
- Archie Musick (1902–1978), painter and illustrator, most associated with the Regionalist movement.
- John R. Musick (1849–1901), author and poet, best known for the Columbian Historical novels
- Ruth Ann Musick (1897–1974), author and folklorist
- Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971), author, theologian, political commentator
- Stone Phillips (born 1954), TV journalist and newsmagazine host (Dateline NBC
- Joseph Pulitzer (1847–1911), journalist (from Hungary), known for creating St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the prestigious Pulitzer Prize
- John Ross (born 1957), author
- Charles Marion Russell (1864–1926), artist
- Clay Shirky (born 1964), writer, consultant, lecturer, author of Here Comes Everybody
- Kimora Lee Simmons, fashion model, author, actress
- Sara Teasdale (1884–1933), poet
- Mark Twain (real name Samuel Clemens, 1835–1910), humorist, writer and lecturer
- Verner Moore White (1863–1923), artist
- Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957), writer and author of the Little House book series
- Tennessee Williams (1911–1983), playwright (born in Mississippi but grown up in St. Louis)
- Daniel Woodrell (born 1953), author of crime fiction
Athletics
Auto racing
- Carl Edwards (born 1979), NASCAR driver, 2007 NASCAR Busch Series champion.
- Jamie McMurray (born 1976), NASCAR driver, Daytona 500 winner
- Kenny Schrader (born 1955), NASCAR driver
- Kenny Wallace (born 1963), NASCAR driver, broadcaster
- Mike Wallace (born 1959), NASCAR driver
- Rusty Wallace (born 1956), NASCAR driver, 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup champion.
Baseball
- Jake Arrieta (born 1986), starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles
- Jake Beckley (1867–1919), Baseball Hall of Fame member. Player and manager from baseball's early years.
- Yogi Berra (born 1925), catcher and manager in Major League Baseball and an Aphorist
- Mark Buehrle (born 1979), starting pitcher for the Chicago White Sox
- David Freese (born 1983), third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals
- Gabe Gabler (born 1930), former MLB player
- Lucas Harrell (born 1985), relief pitcher for the Chicago White Sox
- Ken Holtzman (born 1945), 2-time All Star pitcher
- Tommy Hottovy (born 1981), relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox
- Ryan Howard (born 1979), first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies
- Eric Hurley (born 1985), starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers
- Bob Keppel (born 1982), former MLB pitcher, currently playing for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
- Ron Kulpa, (born 1968), Major League Baseball umpire
- Sam LeCure (born 1984), MLB pitcher, currently with the Cincinnati Reds.
- Shaun Marcum (born 1981), starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers
- Zach Miner (born 1982), relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals
- Stan Musial (born 1920), MLB Hall of Famer, played entire career for the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Al Nipper (born 1959), MLB scout and former pitcher
- Darren Oliver (born 1970), relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers
- Josh Outman (born 1984), starting pitcher for the Oakland A's
- Barney Pelty (1880–1939), Major League Baseball pitcher
- Albert Pujols (born 1980), MLB first baseman with the St. Louis Cardinals
- Steve Rogers (born 1949), most successful pitcher in Montreal Expos history.
- Max Scherzer (born 1984), starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers
- Art Shamsky (born 1941), Major League Baseball outfielder
- Mike Shannon (born 1939), former MLB player and current radio sportscaster for the St. Louis Cardinals
- Paul Splittorff (1946–2011), starting pitcher Kansas City Royals, later a Royals broadcaster.
- Casey Stengel (c. 1890–1975), Baseball Hall of Fame manager
- Rick Sutcliffe (born 1956), former baseball pitcher and current ESPN color commentator
- Jacob Turner (born 1991), starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers organization
- Earl Weaver (born 1930), Hall of Fame manager for the Baltimore Orioles
Basketball
- Forrest Clare "Phog" Allen (1885-1974), American collegiate basketball coach.
- Bill Bradley (born 1943), Basketball Hall of Famer, U.S. Senator
- Tyler Hansbrough (born 1985), power forward for the Indiana Pacers.
- Larry Hughes (born 1979), shooting guard for the Orlando Magic
- Tyronn Lue (born 1977), former NBA player (Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers)
- Brandon Rush (born 1985), shooting guard for the Indiana Pacers
- Kareem Rush (born 1980), shooting guard for the L.A. Clippers
- Scott Sims (born 1955), guard for the San Antonio Spurs
- Norm Stewart (born 1935), former pro basketball player and long-time Mizzou basketball coach.
- Allen Barbre (born 1984), offensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks
- Jason Brookins (born 1976), Running back, Baltimore Ravens
- Colin Brown (born 1985), offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills
- Dan Connolly (born 1982), offensive lineman for the New England Patriots
- Dan Dierdorf (born 1949), Offensive tackle and Pro Football Hall of Famer, sportscaster
- Herb Donaldson (born 1985), running back for the Dallas Cowboys
- Lenvil Elliott (1951–2008), NFL running back for the Bengals and 49ers
- Don Faurot (1902–1995), College Football Hall of Fame coach, inventor of the Split-T formation
- Josh Freeman (born 1988), quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Blaine Gabbert (born 1989), NFL quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Justin Gage (born 1981), wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans
- Tony Galbreath (born 1954), NFL running back for the New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Giants
- Conrad Goode (born 1962), former NFL offensive lineman
- Brandon Joyce (1984–2010), professional football offensive lineman in the CFL and NFL.
- Terry Joyce (1954–2011), college football All-American and NFL punter.
- Howard Kindig (born 1941), Defensive end, Ten year NFL career with the Chargers, Bills, Dolphins, and Jets
- Ryan Lilja (born 1981), guard for the Indianapolis Colts
- Jeremy Maclin (born 1988), wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Jim Musick (1910–1992), American footballrunning back, Boston Redskins
- Neil Rackers (born 1976), placekicker for the Houston Texans
- Gijon Robinson (born 1984), tight end for the Indianapolis Colts
- Martin Rucker (born 1985), tight end for the Dallas Cowboys
- Mike Rucker (born 1975), defensive end for the Carolina Panthers
- Justin Smith (born 1979), defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers
- Gregg Williams (born 1958), former NFL head coach and current defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints
- James Wilder (born 1958), Ten year NFL career with the Buccaneers, Redskins, and the Lions.
Ice hockey
Professional wrestling
- "Bulldog" Bob Brown, (1938–1997), wrestler and booker
- Bob Geigel, (born 1924), retired wrestler, promoter, and former NWA President
- Glenn Jacobs (Born 1967), Ring name Kane, also an actor
- Rufus R. Jones, (1933–1993), former NWA wrestler and businessman
- Matthew Korklan (born 1983), Ring names "Matt Sydal" and "Evan Bourne"
- Sam Muchnick, (1905–1998), founder of the St. Louis Wrestling Club and co-founder of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)
- Trevor Murdoch (born 1978), former WWE tag team champion.
- Matt Murphy (born 1979), retired wrestler and author
- "Cowboy" Bob Orton, (born 1950), retired pro wrestler and member of the WWE Hall of Fame. Father of Randy Orton.
- Randy Orton (born 1980), is a third-generation pro wrestler
- Harley Race (born 1943), 8-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Member of the WWE Hall of Fame, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Lou Thesz, (1916–2002), superstar of professional wrestlings "Golden Age"
Miscellaneous sports
- Henry Armstrong (1912–1988), boxer, (born in Mississippi but grew up in St. Louis)
- Christian Cantwell, (born 1980), Olympian, world champion shot putter
- Brandel Chamblee (born 1962), golfer
- Dwight F. Davis (1879–1945), tennis player, founder of the Davis Cup
- Jack Jewsbury (born 1981), Major League Soccer player (Portland Timbers)
- Ben A. Jones (1882–1961), thoroughbred horse trainer
- Horace A. "Jimmy" Jones (1906–2001), thoroughbred horse trainer
- Payne Stewart (1957–1999), golfer
Aviation and aeronautics
Business
- Henry W. Bloch (born 1922), co-founder of H&R Block tax services
- Richard Bloch (1926-2004), co-founder of H&R Block tax services
- Adolphus Busch (1839–1913) Founder of Anheuser-Busch (the world's largest brewer)
- William H. Danforth (1870-1955), Founder of Ralston Purina Company
- John Doerr (born 1951), venture capitalist at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
- James Buchanan Eads (1820-1887), Civil engineer and inventor
- Charles Eames (1907-1978), designer and architect
- David Glass (born 1935), former President and CEO of Wal-Mart, owner of the Kansas City Royals baseball team.
- Joyce Hall, (1891–1982), founder of Hallmark Cards.
- William Preston Hall (1864–1932), Circus empresario and animal broker.
- John Q. Hammons, hotel enterprizer
- Howard R. Hughes, Sr., (1869–1924), Oil drill bit and tool inventor, father of Howard Hughes, reclusive billionaire.
- George M. Keller (1923–2008), chairman of Standard Oil Company of California in the 1980s
- R. Crosby Kemper Jr. (born 1927), Chairman emeritus UMB Financial Corporation, philanthopist
- William Thornton Kemper, Sr. (1866–1938), patriarch of Kemper family railroad and banking empire which included Commerce Bancshares and United Missouri Bank
- Ewing Kauffman, (1916–1993), Pharmaceutical magnate, philanthropist and founder of the Kansas City Royals baseball team.
- Rebecca Mark-Jusbasche (born 1954), former head of Enron International
- N. O. Nelson (1844–1922), founder of the N. O. Nelson Manufacturing Company.
- J. C. Penney (1875–1971), businessman and entrepreneur
- John Sperling (born 1921), businessman and founder of the University of Phoenix
- Gerard Swope (1872–1957), president of General Electric
- Jack C. Taylor (born 1923), founder of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, billionaire philanthropist
- Sam Walton (1918–1992), founder of Wal-Mart
- Peter Youree (1843–1914), businessman in Shreveport, Louisiana; built first skyscraper there.
Criminals and outlaws
-
- Leo Vincent Brothers, (1899-1950), low-level member. Later moved to Chicago and became part of Al Capone's organization.
- Fred Burke, (1893-1940), gunman for Egan's Rats. Later suspected of participating in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
- William "Dint" Colbeck, (1890-1943), assumed leadership of Egan's Rats after the assassination of Willie Egan.
- Walter Costello, (1889-1917), bodyguard to Willie Egan, killer of Harry Dunn.
- Harry "Cherries" Dunn, (1892-1916),
- Tom Egan, (1874-1919), organizer of Egan's Rats
- Willie Egan, (1884-1921), brother and right-hand man of gang founder Tom Egan. Led the gang after Tom's death.
- Max Greenberg, (1883-1933), one of the few Jewish members of the mostly-Irish Egan gang. Also an associate/friend of Meyer Lansky.
- Frank Hackenthal, (1891-1954), robber and resort owner/money launderer for Egan's Rats.
- Thomas "Snake" Kinney, (1868-1912) Missouri State Senator and co-founder of Egan's Rats.
- David "Chippy" Robinson, (1897-1967), bank robber and enforcer for Egan's Rats.
- William "Skippy" Rohan, (1871-1916),
-
- Charles Binaggio, (1909-1950), killed along with Charles Gargotta at the First Ward Democratic Club in downtown Kansas City.
- Anthony Brancato, (1913-1951),
- William "Willie Rat" Cammisano, (1914-1995), enforcer for the K.C. mob.
- Charles Carrollo, (1902-1979), led the Kansas City mob after Johnny Lazia's assassination.
- Anthony Civella, (1930-2006), led the K.C. crime family in the 1980s and 1990s. Son of Carl Civella and nephew of Nicholas Civella.
- Carl "Cork" Civella, (1910-1994), brother of Nicholas Civella and a top lieutenant in the crime family. Father of Anthony Civella.
- Nicholas Civella, (1912-1983), led the Kansas City crime family from the 1950s through the 1970s.
- Carl "Tuffy" DeLuna, (1927-2008), underboss of the Kansas City crime family, brother-in-law of Anthony Civella.
- Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd, (1904-1934), took part in the Union Station Massacre.
- Charles "Mad Dog" Gargotta, (1900-1950), top enforcer of the KC crime family.
- Anthony Gizzo, (1902-1953), led Kansas City crime family in the early 1950s
- John Lazia, (1896-1934), leader of the Kansas City crime family in the 1920s and early 1930s.
-
-
- Anthony Giordano, (1914-1980), leader of the St. Louis crime family in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Matthew Trupiano, (1938-1997), nephew of Anthony Giordano, crime family boss in the 1980s
- John Vitale, (1909-1982), crime family boss in the early 1980s.
- Belle Starr, (1848–1889), famous female outlaw of the Old West.
Entertainment
Film/Television/Theater
- Robert Altman (1925–2006), film director
- Scott Bakula (born 1954), actor, Quantum Leap and Star Trek:Enterprise
- Josephine Baker (1906–1975), dancer, singer, actress
- Tisha Terrasini Banker (born 1973), actress
- Jeff Branson (born 1977), actor
- John Beal (1909–1997), actor Les Miserables, Amityville 3-D
- Gerry Becker (born 1951), actor
- Wallace Beery (1885–1949), actor, The Champ, Min and Bill
- Linda Blair (born 1959), actress, The Exorcist Airport 1975
- Brent Briscoe (born 1961), actor, Yes Man, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Spider-Man 2
- Kent Broadhurst (born 1940), actor
- Norbert Leo Butz (born 1967), actor
- Morris Carnovsky (1897–1992), actor, Edge of Darkness, Dead Reckoning
- Conlan Carter (born 1934), actor, Combat!, The Law and Mr. Jones
- Don Cheadle, (born 1964), actor, Hotel Rwanda, Traffic, Ocean's Eleven
- Anthony Cistaro,(born 1963), actor, Charmed, Witchblade
- Sarah Clarke, (born 1972), actress, Nina Myers on 24
- Lynn Cohen, actress, Law & Order, Sex and the City
- Frank Converse, (born 1938), actor, Movin' On, N.Y.P.D. (TV series)
- Chris Cooper (born 1951), actor Lonesome Dove, The Bourne Identity, American Beauty
- John Cothran, Jr. (born 1947), actor, voice actor, Rango, Yes Man
- Greg Cromer (born 1971), actor
- Robert Cummings (1908–1990), actor, Kings Row, Dial M for Murder
- Erin Daniels (born 1973), actress, The L Word
- Don S. Davis (1942–2008), actor, Stargate SG-1, Twin Peaks
- Kurt Deutsch, actor, Models Inc.
- Walt Disney (1901–1966), film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor and animator
- Dale Dye (born 1944), actor, Saving Private Ryan, Mission: Impossible, Band of Brothers
- Cliff Edwards (1895–1971), actor, musician. The voice of Jiminy Cricket.
- Jenna Fischer (born 1974), actress, The Office, Hall Pass, Blades of Glory
- Henderson Forsythe (1917–2006), actor, As the World Turns
- Phyllis Fraser (1915–2006), actress, journalist, children's book publisher, wife of Bennett Cerf and Robert F. Wagner, Jr.
- Friz Freleng (1905–1995), film producer, director, screenwriter, and animator, Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies
- Betty Garrett (1919–2011), actress, On the Town, Laverne & Shirley
- Heather Goldenhersh (born 1973), actress, The Class, School of Rock
- John Goodman (born 1952), actor, Roseanne, The Babe, Oh Brother Where Art Thou
- Lucas Grabeel (born 1984), actor, High School Musical, Milk
- Betty Grable (1916–1973), actress, singer and World War II pin-up girl
- Bryan Greenberg (born 1978), actor, musician, One Tree Hill, October Road, How to Make It in America
- Dabbs Greer (1917–2007), actor, Little House on the Prairie, Gunsmoke, Picket Fences
- Eddie Griffin (born 1968), actor, comedian, Undercover Brother, Norbit
- Davis Guggenheim (born 1963), director, producer
- James Gunn (born 1970), film director and screenwriter.
- Sean Gunn (born 1974), actor, Gilmore Girls, October Road
- Moses Gunn (1929–1993), actor, Father Murphy, The Cowboys, A Man Called Hawk
- Jon Hamm (born 1971), actor, Mad Men, Providence, The Division
- Jean Harlow (1911–1937), actress and sex symbol
- George Hearn (born 1934), actor, primarily Broadway and musical theatre
- George Hickenlooper (1965–2010), documentary filmmaker, Hearts of Darkness, Dogtown
- Dennis Hopper (1936–2010), actor, filmmaker, artist Easy Rider, Waterworld, Hoosiers
- Rupert Hughes, (1872–1956), film director, composer. Uncle of recluse billionaire Howard Hughes.
- John Huston (1906–1987), film director, The Maltese Falcon, Key Largo, The African Queen
- Don Johnson (born 1949), actor, Miami Vice, Nash Bridges
- Jay Johnson (born 1977), actor The Young and the Restless, Scrubs
- Neal Jones (born 1960), actor, Dirty Dancing, G.I. Jane,
- Brenda Joyce (1917–2009), actress, Little Tokyo, U.S.A., Tarzan movies in the 1940s.
- Andreas Katsulas (1946–2006), actor, Babylon 5, Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Edward Kerr (born 1966), actor, seaQuest DSV, What I Like About You,
- Kevin Kline (born 1947), actor, Sophie's Choice, The Big Chill, Dave
- David Koechner (born 1962), actor/comedian, Saturday Night Live, The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show
- Kasi Lemmons (born 1961), actress/director, Eve's Bayou, Talk to Me
- Mark Linn-Baker (born 1954), actor/director, Larry Appleton on Perfect Strangers
- Marsha Mason (born 1942), actress, Sibs
- Michael Massee (born 1955), actor, 24, Seven, The Crow,
- Wendell Mayes (1919–1992), screenwriter, The Spirit of St. Louis, North to Alaska, Von Ryan's Express
- Edie McClurg (born 1951), actress, WKRP in Cincinnati, 7th Heaven
- Steve McQueen (1930–1980), actor, The Sand Pebbles, The Great Escape, Bullitt
- John Milius (born 1944), screenwriter/director/producer, Red Dawn, The Hunt for Red October, Conan the Barbarian
- Mircea Monroe, actress, model, Cellular, Episodes
- Dustin Nguyen (born 1962), actor, 21 Jump Street, V.I.P.
- Dan O'Bannon (born 1946), film director/screenwriter, Heavy Metal, Total Recall
- Denis O'Hare (born 1962), actor, Brothers & Sisters, Sweet Charity, True Blood
- Kevin O'Morrison (born 1916), actor/playwright
- Timothy Omundson (born 1969), actor, Psych, Judging Amy
- Diana Ossana, screenwriter, Brokeback Mountain, Pretty Boy Floyd
- Geraldine Page (1924–1987), actress, Summer and Smoke, The Trip to Bountiful
- Brad Pitt (born 1963), actor, Thelma & Louise, 12 Monkeys
- William Powell (1892–1984), actor, The Thin Man, Life with Father
- Vincent Price (1911–1993), actor, Laura, House of Wax
- Sally Rand (1904–1979), burlesque dancer, actress
- Leonard Roberts (born 1972), actor, Heroes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Ginger Rogers (1911–1995), actress, dancer and partner with Fred Astaire
- Craig Stevens (1918–2000), actor, State Trooper (TV series), Peter Gunn,
- Christian Stolte (born 1962), actor, Prison Break
- Skyler Stone (born 1979), actor, Raising Hope, The Island
- Betty Thomas (born 1948), actress/director, Hill Street Blues, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, Dr. Dolittle
- William Traylor (1930–1989), actor Fletch, and founder of The Loft Studio/acting school
- Kathleen Turner (born 1954), actress, Body Heat, Romancing the Stone
- Stephen Barker Turner (born 1968), actor
- Dick Van Dyke (born 1925), actor, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Poppins, Diagnosis: Murder
- Jerry Van Dyke (born 1931), actor, Coach
- Jack Wagner (born 1959), actor/singer Melrose Place, General Hospital
- Dennis Weaver (1924–2006), actor, Gunsmoke, McCloud
- Jason Wiles (born 1970), actor, Third Watch, Persons Unknown
- Mykelti Williamson (born 1960), actor, Forrest Gump, Con Air, 24, Midnight Caller
- Jane Wyman (1914–2007), actress, former wife of Ronald Reagan
Comedians
- Cedric The Entertainer (born 1964), actor, comedian
- Bill Chott (born 1969), actor, comedian
- Redd Foxx (1922–1991), comedian, starred in Sanford and Son
- Dick Gregory (born 1932), comedian, social activist
- Craig Kilborn (born 1962), comedian, actor, former talk show host
- Kathleen Madigan (born 1965), comedienne
- Randy and Jason Sklar (born 1972), identical twin comedians, hosts of ESPN Classic's Cheap Seats
- Guy Torry (born 1969), actor, comedian
- Joe Torry (born 1965), actor, comedian
Cartoonists
- George McManus (1884–1954), cartoonist "Maggie and Jiggs"
- Mike Peters (born 1943), cartoonist, "Mother Goose & Grimm"
- Ralph Barton (1891–1931), cartoonist
- George Booth (born 1926), cartoonist "'The New Yorker'"
- Dan Piraro (born 1958), cartoonist, "Bizarro"
- Mort Walker (born 1923), cartoonist, "Beetle Bailey"
- Fred Lasswell (1916–2001), cartoonist, Barney Google and Snuffy Smith
- Glenn McCoy (born 1965), cartoonist, The Duplex, The Flying McCoys
Music
Country/Bluegrass
- Helen Cornelius, (born 1941), country singer best known for duets with Jim Ed Brown
- Rusty Draper (1923–2003) Country and Rockabilly singer/guitarist
- Sara Evans, (born 1971), Country music star
- Bob Ferguson (music), (1927–2001) Country music songwriter and producer.
- Ferlin Husky, (1925–2011), Singer and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- Wynn Stewart, (1934–1985), Country music singer, progenitor of the Bakersfield sound.
- Trent Tomlinson (born July 3, 1975), Country singer-songwriter
- Leroy Van Dyke (born 1929) Country singer best known for The Auctioneer and Walk On By
- Darrin Vincent, (born 1970), half of the Grammy nominated bluegrass group Dailey & Vincent, Record producer
- Rhonda Vincent, (born 1962) Bluegrass singer and musician, seven-time IMBA Female Vocalist of the Year
- Porter Wagoner, (1927–2007), Grand Ole Opry member and Country Music Hall of Famer
Jazz
Rap/Hip Hop/Rhythm & Blues/Pop
- Akon (Born 1977, St.Louis), Rhythm and blues musician, music producer
- Basement Beats Multi Platinum/Grammy Award Winning production team
- Eminem (born 1972), rap musician, grew up partly in St. Joseph
- Nelly (born 1974), rap musician, (born in Texas and raised in St. Louis)
- St. Lunatics, Hip hop, best known for collaborations with Nelly
- Tech N9ne, (born 1971) rapper
- Kimberly Wyatt, singer/dancer Pussycat Dolls
Rock & Roll
- Chuck Berry (born 1926), rock musician
- The Bottle Rockets, (formed 1992) rock, Alt-country, Roots rock
- Cavo, hard rock band (formed in St. Louis)
- David Cook (born 1982), 2008 American Idol winner from Blue Springs, MO
- Sheryl Crow (born 1962), Grammy-winning singer-songwriter
- Gravity Kills, industrial rock band (formed in Jefferson City, MO)
- King's X, Hard rock, Progressive metal band. Formed in Springfield, Mo.
- Michael McDonald (born 1952), singer, former Doobie Brothers frontman
- Missouri, band known for classic rock song "Movin' On". (formed in Kansas City)
- Ozark Mountain Daredevils rock band known for hits like "Jackie Blue" and "If You Wanna Get To Heaven", (formed in Springfield)
- Louise Post, founder and lead singer/guitarist of alternative rock band Veruca Salt
- Puddle of Mudd, rock band, formed in Kansas City
- The Rainmakers, rock band, formed in Kansas City
- Jay Reatard (1980–2010) garage punk musician born in Lilbourn, Missouri.
- Wes Scantlin (born 1972), lead singer and guitarist of post-grunge band Puddle Of Mudd
- Shooting Star, 1970s and 80s rock band, from Kansas City
- Story of the Year, Emo rock band (formed in St. Louis)
- The Urge, rock band (formed in St. Louis)
- Bob Walkenhorst, founder and lead singer of alternative rock band The Rainmakers
- Steve Walsh (born 1951) Lead vocalist, songwriter and keyboardist for the progressive rock group Kansas (and Streets, which is now defunct) St. Joseph, MO
Miscellaneous other music
- Doris Akers (1923–1995), Gospel music singer and composer
- Burt Bacharach (born 1928), pianist, composer
- Neal E. Boyd (born 1975), opera vocalist, winner of 2008 America's Got Talent competition.
- Grace Bumbry (born 1937), opera soprano
- Sarah Caldwell (1924–2006), opera conductor
- Sara Groves (born 1972), Contemporary Christian singer, record producer, and author.
- Dan Landrum (born 1961), Hammer dulcimer player, featured instrumentalist with Yanni
- Basil Poledouris (1945–2006), film soundtrack composer
Television/radio
- Bob Barker (born 1923), television game show host
- Jim Bohannon (born 1944), radio talk show host
- Joe Buck (born 1969), sportscaster for Fox Sports
- Harry Caray (1914–1998), baseball broadcaster
- Walter Cronkite (1916–2009), television journalist
- Joe Garagiola, Sr. (born 1926), former MLB catcher, baseball broadcaster, and television host (The Today Show)
- Rush Limbaugh (born 1951), political commentator
- Dana Loesch (born 1978), radio talk show host and editor-in-chief of Andrew Breitbart's Big Journalism
- "Mancow" Muller (born 1966), radio & TV personality, Mancow's Morning Madhouse
- Marlin Perkins (1905–1986), zoologist and host of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom
- April Scott (born 1979), model, Deal or No Deal and SOAPnet's Soap Talk
Miss America/Miss USA
Military
- William T. Anderson (1838–1864), a.k.a. "Bloody Bill" Anderson. Confederate guerrilla leader in the Civil War
- Omar Bradley (1893–1981), World War II general, from Clark, Missouri.
- Robert Coontz (1864–1935), US Navy Admiral, former Chief of Naval Operations
- Enoch Crowder (1859–1932), US Army General and reformer of military justice system.
- Randall "Duke" Cunningham, only U.S. Navy Ace in the Vietnam War, later a U.S. Congressman from California.
- James Phillip Fleming, (born 1943), USAF pilot, awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War.
- John C. Fremont (1813–1890), Western explorer, Union Civil War general and first Republican candidate for U.S. President.
- John McNeil (1813–1891), Union Army brigadier general during the American Civil War, known as "The Butcher of Palmyra".
- John Henry Parker, (1866–1942), a.k.a."Gatling Gun Parker". Hero in the Spanish-American War, only U.S. soldier to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross four times in World War I.
- John J. Pershing (1860–1948), soldier, General of the Armies. Born in Laclede, Missouri.
- Sterling Price, Confederate States Army, General of the Missouri State Guard during the Civil War
- William Quantrill (1837–1865), Confederate guerrilla leader (Quantrill's Raiders) in the Civil War.
- John H. Quick, (1870–1922), U.S. Marine awarded the Medal of Honor in the Spanish-American War, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross in World War I.
- James E. Rieger, Colonel Mo. National Guard. Awarded Distinguished Service Cross & Croix de guerre in World War I.
- George Allison Whiteman, (1919–1941), the first United States Army Air Corps pilot killed in World War II. Awarded the Silver Star posthumously for after being shot down in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
- Arthur L. Willard, (1870–1935), United States Navy Vice Admiral, winner of Navy Cross, French Legion of Honor, and Belgian Order of Leopold. First man to plant American flag on Cuban soil in the Spanish-American War.
Miscellaneous famous missourians
- Helen Andelin (born 1920), author Fascinating Womanhood
- Susan Blow (1843-1916), Educator, "Mother of Kindergarten"
- Calamity Jane (c. 1852–1903), Indian fighter and frontierswoman
- Dale Carnegie (1888–1955), public and motivational speaker
- Ella Ewing (1872–1913), "The Missouri Giantess", Worlds tallest woman (of her era)
- Mary Ranken Jordan (1869–1962), philanthropist and community advocate
- Emmett Kelly (1898–1979), clown
- Carrie Nation (1846–1911), advocate for the temperance movement
- Phyllis Schlafly (born 1924), conservative political activist and author
- Dred Scott, slave and litigant in the U.S. Supreme Court Dred Scott Decision
- George Thampy (born 1987), Scripps National Spelling Bee champion 2000, staff member 2006
- Faye Wattleton (born 1943), feminist activist
- Roy Wilkins (1901–1981), civil rights activist
Public office
- John Ashcroft (born 1942), governor of Missouri (1985–1993), U.S. Senator from Missouri (1995–2001), United States Attorney General (2001–2005).
- Thomas Hart Benton (1782–1858), U.S. Senator
- Roy Blunt, (born 1950), Seven-term U.S. Representative for Missouri's 7th congressional district. Former House Minority Whip. Current U.S. Senator
- Christopher S. "Kit" Bond (born 1939), former Missouri Governor, U.S. Senator from Missouri.
- Leonard Boswell (born 1934), U.S. Representative for Iowa's 3rd congressional district
- Bill Bradley (born 1943), former U.S. Senator for New Jersey, NBA Hall of Famer. Born and raised in Missouri
- Clarence Cannon (1879–1964), U.S. Congressional Representative 1923-1964, U.S. House Appropriations Committee Chairman
- Jean Carnahan, (born 1933), first Missouri woman to become a U.S. Senator, matriarch of the Carnahan political family
- Steven Chu, (born 1948), current U.S. Secretary of Energy
- John Danforth (born 1936), former U.S. Senator and United States Ambassador to the United Nations
- David R. Francis, (1850–1927), U.S. Secretary of the Interior (1896–1897), U.S. Ambassador to Russia (1916–1917)
- J. William Fulbright (1905–1995), U.S. Senator, established the Fulbright Fellowships
- Dick Gephardt (born 1941), U.S. Representative from Missouri's 3rd congressional district (1977–2005); Democratic House Majority Leader (1989–1995); candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in the 2004 election
- Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States (1869–1877)
- Michael Harrington (1928-1989), founder Democratic Socialists of America
- Alphonso Jackson (born 1945), 13th U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- James Jones (born 1943), U.S. National Security Advisor under Barack Obama and retired USMC four-star general
- Jerry Litton, (1937–1976), two-term U.S. Representative and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in the 1976 election. Killed in a plane crash before the general election.
- Breckinridge Long (1881–1958), U.S. Ambassador to Italy and Assistant United States Secretary of State under President Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Claire McCaskill, State Auditor of Missouri (1999–2007); U.S. Senator (2007–present); first woman elected U.S. senator from Missouri
- James Benton Parsons (1911–1993), U.S. federal judge
- Nellie Tayloe Ross (1876–1977), governor of Wyoming (1925–1927); director of the United States Mint (1933–1953); first woman to serve as a state governor
- Ike Skelton, (born 1931), U.S. Congressman for the Missouri 4th District (1977–2011), Chairman U.S. House Armed Services Committee
- Stuart Symington, 1st Air Force Secretary and U.S. Senator from Missouri.
- Larry Thompson (born 1945), United States Deputy Attorney General under George W. Bush
- Harry S. Truman (1884–1972), President of the United States
- George Turner (1850–1932) U.S. Senator and International arbitrator
- David King Udall (1851–1938), served in Arizona Legislature, progenitor of the Udall political family
- Harold Volkmer (1931–2011), Twenty year member of the U.S. House of Representatives for northeast Missouri
- Jim Webb (born 1946), current U.S. Senator for Virginia and former United States Secretary of the Navy
- Pete Wilson (born 1933), 36th Governor of California, U.S. Senator (1983–1991)
Science and medicine
- William F. Baker (born 1953), structural engineer
- Gordon Bell (born 1934), computer engineer and microcomputer pioneer
- Herbert Blumer (1900–1987), sociologist, developer of symbolic interactionism
- George Washington Carver (c. 1864–1943), botanist
- Charles Stark Draper (1901–1987), Inventor
- David F. Duncan (born 1947), psychologist and epidemiologist
- Edward T. Hall (1914–2009), anthropologist and cross-cultural researcher
- Edwin Hubble (1889–1953), astronomer
- Harry Laughlin (1880–1943), American eugenicist
- Virginia Eshelman Johnson (born 1925) psychology researcher
- Jack Kilby (1923–2005), inventor of the integrated circuit
- Ernest Manheim (1900–2002), sociologist
- William Howell Masters (1915–2001), Gynecologist
- Richard Smalley (1943–2005), Nobel Prize-winning chemist, discovered buckminsterfullerene
- William Jasper Spillman (1863–1931), plant geneticist, a founder of agricultural economics
- Lewis Stadler (1896–1954) a.k.a. L.J. Stadler. maize geneticist
- Andrew Taylor Still (1828–1917), physician and founder of osteopathic medicine
- Norbert Wiener (1894–1964), mathematician