List of people from Alabama
This is a listing of notable people born in, or notable for their association with, Alabama.
A
- Hank Aaron, Hall of Fame Major League Baseball player (Mobile)
- Ralph Abernathy, civil rights leader, Baptist Minister (Linden)
- Mario Addison, NFL player– Carolina Panthers (Birmingham)
- Robert Aderholt, representative from Alabama's 4th congressional district since 1997 (Haleyville)
- Tommie Agee, MLB player (Magnolia)
- Daniel Alarcón, novelist (Birmingham)
- Chalmers Alford, musician (Huntsville)
- Doyle Alexander, MLB player (Cordova)
- James B. Allen, U.S. senator (1969–1978) (Gadsden)
- Jason Allen, NFL player (Muscle Shoals)
- Maryon Pittman Allen, U.S. senator (1978) (Gadsden and Birmingham)
- Mel Allen, legendary sportscaster, Alabama football and New York Yankees (Birmingham)
- Viola Allen, stage actress (Huntsville)
- Bobby Allison, legendary NASCAR driver (Hueytown)
- Donnie Allison, NASCAR driver (Hueytown)
- Davey Allison, legendary NASCAR driver (Hueytown)
- David Allison, professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham)
- John Amari, circuit judge and former member of both houses of the Alabama legislature (Trussville)
- Ivy Andrews, MLB player (Dora)
- Glenn Andrews, U.S. representative (1965 to 1967) (Anniston)
- Sheila Andrews, country music singer (Athens)
- Anthony J. Arduengo, III, chemist, material scientist, professor at University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
- R.G. Armstrong, actor (Birmingham)
- Ethel Ayler, actress (Whistler)
B
- Spencer Bachus, representative from Alabama's 6th congressional district 1993–2015 (Vestavia Hills)
- Mary Badham, actress (Birmingham)
- Hank Ballard, singer (Bessemer)
- Tallulah Bankhead, actress (Jasper)
- Charles Barkley, Hall of Fame basketball player, television commentator (Leeds)
- Reggie Barlow, NFL wide receiver, college football coach (Montgomery)
- Mark Barron, NFL player- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Mobile)
- Inez Baskin, African American journalist and civil rights activist (Florala)
- Cynthia Bathurst, animal activist, founder of Safe Humane Chicago and the Court Case Dog Program
- Bill Baxley, lieutenant governor (Dothan)
- Lucy Baxley, lieutenant governor (2003–2007) (Vestavia Hills)
- Paul Bearer, WWE manager and wrestling promoter (Mobile)
- Jere Beasley, born Tyler, Texas, lieutenant governor (1971–1979) (Clayton)
- Scott Beason, Alabama state senator since 2006 (Hartselle)
- Barry Beckett, guitarist, composer, record producer, original member of Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (Muscle Shoals)
- Ann Bedsole, member of both houses, consecutively, of the Alabama State Legislature 1979 to 1995 (Mobile)
- Regina Benjamin, Surgeon General of the United States (Mobile)
- Earl Bennett, NFL wide receiver (Birmingham)
- Amber Benson, actress (Birmingham)
- Eric Bledsoe, basketball player (Birmingham)
- Bo Bice, singer, American Idol runner-up (Huntsville) Michael Biehn, actor (Anniston)
- James Gillespie Birney, (1792–1857), planter, attorney, abolitionist (Huntsville)
- Sanford Bishop, U.S. representative from Georgia's 2nd congressional district (Mobile)
- Hugo Black, U.S. senator, United States Supreme Court justice (Harlan)
- Lucas Black, actor (Speake)
- Thomas Edwin Blanton, Jr., white supremacist and co-conspirator in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing (Birmingham)
- Eric Bledsoe, NBA player – Phoenix Suns (Birmingham)
- Winton Blount, businessman, U.S. postmaster general from 1969–1972 (Union Springs, Alabama)
- Michael Boley, NFL linebacker (Gadsden)
- Jo Bonner, representative from Alabama's 1st congressional district since 2003 (Mobile)
- Neil Bonnett, NASCAR driver (Hueytown)
- Young Boozer, state treasurer (Montgomery)
- Th-resa Bostick, IFBB professional bodybuilder (Birmingham)
- Albert Boutwell, lieutenant governor (1959–1963), mayor of Birmingham (1963–1967) (Birmingham)
- Bobby Bowden, college football coach, Florida State (Birmingham)
- Rich Boy, rap artist (Mobile)
- Frank W. Boykin, former U.S. representative (Bladon Springs)
- Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise, music group (Evergreen)
- Rick Bragg, Pulitzer Prize-winning author (Possum Trot)
- Debbie Bramwell-Washington, IFBB professional bodybuilder (Birmingham)
- Jeff Brantley, MLB player, ESPN sportscaster
- Jeff Briggs, businessman, video game pioneer (Florence)
- Wernher von Braun, engineer, physicist (Huntsville) born Wirsitz, Province of Posen, Poland (then part of German Empire)
- Albert P. Brewer, governor 1968 to 1971 (Birmingham)
- Bobby Bright, mayor of Montgomery (1999–2009), representative from Alabama's 2nd congressional district (2009–2011) (Montgomery)
- David G. Bronner, CEO for Retirement Systems of Alabama (Montgomery) born Cresco, Iowa
- Mo Brooks, representative from Alabama's 5th congressional district since 2011 (Huntsville)
- Janice Rogers Brown, U.S. Court of Appeals judge (Luverne)
- Jerry Dolyn Brown, folk artist, traditional potter (Hamilton)
- Johnny Mack Brown, football player for Alabama, actor (Dothan)
- Roger Brown, artist, member of the Chicago Imagists,(Hamilton)
- Paul "Bear" Bryant, iconic coach of Alabama football, born in Camden, Arkansas (Tuscaloosa)
- John Hall Buchanan, Jr., representative from Alabama's 6th congressional district (1965–1981) (Birmingham and thereafter Bethesda, Maryland)
- Jimmy Buffett, singer-songwriter (Mobile), born Pascagoula, Mississippi
- Edward M. Burgess, chemist (Birmingham), Inventor of the Burgess reagent
- Edward A. Burkhalter, admiral, United States Navy, Chief of Naval Intelligence, Chief of Staff, Defense Intelligence Agency; (Roanoke)
- Brett Butler, actress (Montgomery)
- Keith Butler, NFL coach – Pittsburgh Steelers (Anniston)
- Pat Buttram, actor (Addison)
- Larry Byrom, rock music guitarist, Steppenwolf (Huntsville)
C
- Matt Cain, baseball player – San Francisco Giants (Dothan)
- Antoine Caldwell, NFL player – Houston Texans (Montgomery)
- Sonny Callahan, representative from Alabama's 1st congressional district (1985–2003) (Mobile)
- Julia Campbell, actress (Huntsville)
- Robert Daniel Carmichael, prominent mathematician (born in Goodwater)
- Edward Earl Carnes, judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (Albertville)
- DeMarre Carroll, NBA player – Utah Jazz (Birmingham)
- Clarence Carter, soul singer and musician (Montgomery)
- Forrest Carter, writer
- Nell Carter, actress, singer (Birmingham)
- George Washington Carver, scientist, botanist (Tuskegee) born Diamond, Missouri
- Truman Capote, author of In Cold Blood, born in Louisiana (Monroeville)
- Herman Frank Cash, white supremacist and co-conspirator in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing (Birmingham)
- Tim Castille, NFL player – Kansas City Chiefs (Birmingham)
- Reg E. Cathey, actor (Huntsville)
- Hosea Chanchez, actor (Montgomery)
- Robert Edward Chambliss, white supremacist and co-conspirator in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing (Birmingham)
- Josh Chapman, NFL defensive lineman – Indianapolis Colts (Hoover)
- Bobby Frank Cherry, white supremacist and co-conspirator in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing (Birmingham)
- Fred Child, host of American Public Media's Performance Today (Huntsville)
- Mark Childress, writer (Monroeville)
- Stewart Cink, professional golfer (Huntsville)
- Jeremy Clark, NFL player – Dallas Cowboys (Daphne)
- Mattie Moss Clark, gospel artist, mother of gospel group The Clark Sisters (Selma)
- Nat King Cole, singer (Montgomery)
- Ronnie Coleman, football player, Alabama A&M and NFL's Houston Oilers (Jasper)
- Marva Collins, educator (Monroeville)
- Fred Cone, football player for Clemson and NFL's Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys (Pine Apple)
- Jared Cook, NFL player – St. Louis Rams (Birmingham)
- Jeff Cook, country music guitarist – Alabama (Fort Payne)
- Timothy Cook, CEO of Apple Inc. (Robertsdale)
- Charles J. Cooper, former Assistant United States Attorney General (Birmingham)
- Miles Copeland, Jr., musician, CIA officer (Birmingham)
- Jerricho Cotchery, NFL player – Carolina Panthers (Birmingham)
- DeMarcus Cousins, basketball player – Sacramento Kings (Mobile)
- Courteney Cox, actress (Mountain Brook)
- Tony Cox, actor (Uniontown)
- Clayne Crawford, actor (Clay)
- Rick Crawford, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver (Mobile)
- Howard Cross; football player for Alabama and NFL's New York Giants (Owens Cross Roads)
- Ashley Crow, actress, (Birmingham)
- Brodie Croyle, NFL player – Kansas City Chiefs (Rainbow City)
- Michael Curry, NBA coach – Philadelphia 76ers (Anniston)
D
- Marcell Dareus, NFL player – Buffalo Bills (Birmingham)
- Angela Davis, communist activist (Birmingham)
- Artur Davis, representative from Alabama's 7th congressional district (2003–2011) (Birmingham)
- N. Jan Davis, astronaut (Huntsville), born Cocoa Beach, Florida
- Radric Davis, rapper Gucci Mane (Birmingham)
- Russ Davis, baseball player (Birmingham)
- Felicia Day, actress and singer (Huntsville)
- Morris Dees, founder of Southern Poverty Law Center (Montgomery)
- Sam Dees, soul music singer (Birmingham)
- Donna D'Errico, actress (Dothan)
- Diana DeGarmo, American Idol contestant (Birmingham)
- Jeremiah Denton, prisoner of war in Vietnam, U.S. Senator (1981–1987) (Mobile)
- Oscar Stanton De Priest, U.S. Congressman from Illinois, civil rights advocate (Florence)
- James Deshler, Confederate brigadier general (Tuscumbia, Alabama)
- Quinton Dial, NFL player – San Francisco 49ers (Andalusia)
- Kim Dickens, actress (Huntsville)
- Chris Dickerson, bodybuilder (Montgomery)
- Mahala Ashley Dickerson, lawyer (Montgomery)
- Parnell Dickinson, NFL quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Brighton)
- William Louis Dickinson, representative from Alabama's 2nd congressional district (1965 to 1993) (Montgomery)
- Oliver W. Dillard, military leader (Margaret)
- Larry Dixon, state representative and state senator, Oklahoma native (Montgomery)
- Larry Donnell, football player – New York Giants (Ozark)
- Vince Dooley, football coach (Mobile)
- Deidre Downs, 2005 Miss America (Pelham)
- John Drew, NBA player- Atlanta Hawks Utah Jazz (Vredenburgh)
- Erwin Dudley, basketball player (Uniontown)
- Benjamin Minge Duggar, botanist, discoverer of tetracycline (Gallion)
- Luther Duncan, 4-H pioneer, educator and administrator (Auburn)
- Alan Dunn, MLB bullpen coach – Baltimore Orioles (Gadsden)
E
- Bobby Eaton, pro wrestler (Huntsville)
- Cleveland Eaton, jazz bassist (Birmingham)
- Dennis Edwards, soul music singer (Birmingham)
- Jack Edwards, state representative 1965–85 (Mobile)
- Joe F. Edwards, Jr., astronaut (Roanoke and Lineville) born Richmond, Virginia
- Carl Elliott, state representative 1949-65 (Jasper)
- Eric Esch, a.k.a. Butterbean, boxer (Jasper)
- James Reese Europe, bandleader, composer (Mobile)
- Rodney J. Evans, Congressional Medal of Honor winner (Florala)
- Terry Everett, state representative 1993–09) (Enterprise)
F
- Nick Fairley, NFL defensive lineman – Detroit Lions (Mobile)
- Red Farmer, former NASCAR driver (Hueytown, Alabama)
- Paul Finebaum, columnist, author, radio personality, born in Memphis
- Howard Finster, folk artist (Valley Head)
- Fannie Flagg, author and actress (Birmingham)
- Richmond Flowers, Jr., football player (Dothan)
- Richmond Flowers, Sr., attorney general and activist (Dothan)
- Vonetta Flowers, Olympic gold medalist in bobsled, 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics (Birmingham)
- Louise Fletcher, Oscar-winning actress (Birmingham)
- Wayne Flynt, editor-in-chief of Encyclopedia of Alabama (Auburn)
- Emory Folmar, mayor of Montgomery (1977–1999); Republican gubernatorial nominee in 1982 (Montgomery)
- James Folsom, Jr., governor (1993–1995), lieutenant governor (1987–1993 and 2007–2011) (Cullman)
- Jim Folsom, governor (1947–1951 and 1955–1959) (Cullman)
- James "Sawyer" Ford character from television show Lost (Jasper)
- Joe Forehand, CEO of First Data (Alexander City)
- Allen "Matchstik" Forrest, rapper, singer, music producer (Dothan)
- George Foster, MLB player (Tuscaloosa)
- Melvin Franklin, soul music singer (Montgomery)
- Chris Fryar, drummer for Zac Brown Band (Birmingham)
G
- Pat Garrett, sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico, killed Billy the Kid (Cusseta)
- A.G. Gaston, businessman, civil rights activist (Birmingham)
- A. B. George, Louisiana judge and politician (Wilcox County)
- Betty Lou Gerson, voice actress, "Cruella de Vil" of One Hundred and One Dalmatians (Birmingham)
- Charles Ghigna, poet, author (Homewood)
- Robert Gibbs, press secretary for President Barack Obama (Auburn)
- Kenneth A. Gibson, first black mayor of major eastern city (Newark, New Jersey, from 1970 to 1986) (Enterprise)
- Kenneth R. Giddens, director of Voice of America, TV and radio station founder (Pine Apple)
- Wallace Gilberry, NFL defensive end – Cincinnati Bengals (Bay Minette)
- Horace Gillom, NFL player – Cleveland Browns (Roanoke)
- Samuel Ginn, pioneer in wireless communications industry (Anniston)
- Mark Gitenstein, former U.S. Ambassador to Romania(Florala)
- Mickell Gladness, NBA player – Miami Heat (Sylacauga)
- Harvey Glance, track and field athlete (Phenix City)
- Walton Goggins, actor (Birmingham)
- Eli Gold, sportscaster, born in New York (Birmingham)
- William Lee Golden, country music singer The Oak Ridge Boys (East Brewton, Alabama)
- Bobby Goldsboro, singer (Dothan)
- Alfred Goldthwaite, state representative, chairman of Alabama Republican Party (Montgomery)
- Tina Gordon, NASCAR driver (Cedar Bluff)
- William C. Gorgas, U. S. Army Surgeon General (Mobile)
- Vern Gosdin, country and gospel singer (Woodland)
- Mike Gottfried, former college football coach, ESPN commentator (Mobile)
- Charles Graddick, judge and Attorney General of Alabama from 1975 to 1983 (Mobile)
- Beth Grant, actress (Gadsden)
- Chris Gray, NFL player (Homewood)
- Sonequa Martin-Green, actress (Russellville, Alabama)
- Hank Green, vlogger and musician (Birmingham, Alabama)
- Urbie Green, jazz trombonist (Mobile)
- Kevin Greene, NFL player (Anniston)
- Rusty Greer, MLB player – Texas Rangers (Albertville)
- John Grenier, Republican politician (Birmingham)
- Tod Griffin, actor (Birmingham)
- Parker Griffith, representative from Alabama's 5th congressional district from 2009 to 2011 (Huntsville)
- David G. Grimes, insurance agent, Republican politician (Montgomery)
- Steve Grissom, NASCAR driver (Gadsden)
- Winston Groom, author of Forrest Gump (Fairhope)
- Gabe Gross, MLB player – Oakland A's (Dothan, Alabama)
- Lafayette Guild, pioneer in research of yellow fever (Tuscaloosa)
- Annabelle Gurwitch, actress (Mobile)
H
- Rick Hall, record producer (Muscle Shoals)
- Jon Hand, football player (Sylacauga)
- Mary Katharine Ham, journalist, video blogger, Fox News contributor (Montgomery)
- Mia Hamm, soccer player, Olympic and World Cup champion (Selma)
- Chris Hammond, MLB pitcher (Vestavia Hills)
- Lionel Hampton, jazz musician (Birmingham)
- W. C. Handy, jazz composer (Florence)
- John Hannah, Hall of Fame football player, Alabama and NFL's New England Patriots, born in Georgia. (Albertville)
- John M. Harbert, billionaire businessman (construction, investments, coal mining properties) (Mountain Brook)
- Marguerite Harbert, billionaire heiress (Mountain Brook)
- Roman Harper, NFL player, Carolina Panthers (Prattville)
- Emmylou Harris, singer (Birmingham)
- William R. Harvey, president of Hampton University (Brewton)
- Gustav Hasford, writer, screenwriter (Russellville)
- Erskine Hawkins, jazz composer (Birmingham)
- George C. Hawkins, member of both houses of the Alabama legislature (Gadsden)
- Glenn Hearn, mayor of Huntsville, Alabama, FBI special agent, Alabama legislator (Albertville)
- Howell Heflin, Chief Justice, Alabama Supreme Court, United States Senator (1979–1997), born Poulan, Georgia (Tuscumbia)
- Kurt Heinecke, music composer, songwriter, voice actor, photographer. (Cullman)
- John S. Hendricks, Founder, chair and CEO of Discovery Networks (Huntsville)
- Richard Hendrix, basketball player (Athens)
- Alexis Herman, former Secretary of Labor, (Mobile)
- Will Herring, NFL player – New Orleans Saints (Opelika)
- Jake Hess, gospel quartet singer, (Haleyville)
- Taylor Hicks, singer, American Idol winner 2006 (Hoover)
- Howard Hill, professional archer & stunt archer for films (Wilsonville)
- J. Lister Hill, United States Senator (1938–1969) (Montgomery)
- Sammie Lee Hill, football player – Detroit Lions, from West Blocton
- Joe Hilley, author (Grand Bay)
- Brent Hinds, singer, guitarist – Mastodon (Pelham)
- Eddie Hinton, musician (Birmingham)
- Sylvia Hitchcock, Miss USA and Miss Universe 1967 (Tuscaloosa)
- Chandler Hoffman, Major League Soccer player – Los Angeles Galaxy (Birmingham)
- Robert Hoffman, actor (Madison)
- Bill Holbrook, syndicated comic strip artist (Huntsville)
- Mitch Holleman, TV star – Reba, (Auburn)
- Lonnie Holley, artist (Birmingham)
- Polly Holliday, actress (Jasper)
- Fred Nall Hollis, artist (Troy)
- Condredge Holloway, CFL player (Huntsville)
- Hardcore Holly, WWE star, (Mobile)
- Cliff Holman, television personality (Mobile)
- Evander Holyfield, World Heavyweight Championship boxer (Atmore)
- Perry O. Hooper, Jr., member of the Alabama House of Representatives 1984–2003 (Montgomery)
- Perry O. Hooper, Sr., former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, first Republican to hold that office (Montgomery)
- Robert Horry, basketball player (Andalusia)
- Frank House, baseball player and legislator (Bessemer)
- Linda Howard, romance writer (Gadsden)
- Glenn Howerton, actor (Montgomery)
- Freeman A. Hrabowski III, academic, university president (Birmingham)
- Cooper Huckabee, actor (Mobile)
- William Bradford Huie, journalist, author (Hartselle)
- Guy Hunt, governor from 1987 to 1993 (Cullman)
- Alan Hunter, original MTV VeeJay (Birmingham)
- Zora Neale Hurston, author (Notasulga)
J
- Bo Jackson, multi-sport athlete (Bessemer)
- Kate Jackson, actress (Birmingham)
- Katherine Jackson, mother of Jackson 5 (Barbour County)
- Tarvaris Jackson, NFL player (Montgomery)
- Sonny James, country music singer (Hackleburg)
- Mae C. Jemison, astronaut (Decatur)
- Desmond Jennings, MLB player – Tampa Bay Rays (Birmingham)
- Jerrel Jernigan, NFL player – New York Giants (Eufaula)
- Frank Minis Johnson, federal judge (Haleyville)
- Jamey Johnson, country music singer (Montgomery)
- Lonnie Johnson, inventor (Mobile)
- Michael Johnson, NFL player – Cincinnati Bengals (Selma)
- Rashad Johnson, NFL defensive back – Arizona Cardinals (Sulligent)
- Dean Jones, actor (Decatur)
- Orlando Jones, actor (Mobile)
- Julio Jones, NFL player – Atlanta Falcons (Foley)
- Robbie Jones, NFL player – New York Giants (Demopolis)
- Walter Jones, football player (Aliceville)
- Lee Roy Jordan, football player, Alabama and NFL's Dallas Cowboys (Excel)
- Ralph "Shug" Jordan, legendary football coach – Auburn University (Selma)
- Tom Joyner, radio personality (Tuskegee)
- Percy Lavon Julian, research chemist (Montgomery)
K
- Helen Keller, blind author (Tuscumbia)
- Eddie Kendricks, soul music singer (Union Springs)
- KD, singer-songwriter, record producer, rapper (Birmingham)
- Jimmy Key, MLB pitcher (Huntsville)
- Craig Kimbrel, MLB pitcher – Atlanta Braves (Huntsville)
- Alveda King, minister, pro-life activist, author (Birmingham)
- Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights activist lived in Alabama in middle 1950s (Montgomery)
- Reggie King, former NBA player (Birmingham)
- Troy King, state attorney general (2004–2011) (Montgomery)
- Woodie King, Jr.; director, producer (Baldwin Springs)
- Dre Kirkpatrick, NFL cornerback – Cincinnati Bengals (Gadsden)
- Mathew Knowles, father of Beyoncé and Solange Gadsden
- David Koonce, rock musician, Within Reason (Pelham, Alabama)
L
- Larry Langford, former mayor of Birmingham (Birmingham)
- Adam Lazzara, singer, Taking Back Sunday (Sheffield)
- Harper Lee, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer of To Kill a Mockingbird (Monroeville)
- Lash LeRoux, professional wrestler, painter, artist (Oxford)
- Leon Lett, NFL defensive tackle (Fairhope)
- Carl Lewis, track and field athlete, Olympic gold medalist (Birmingham)
- David Peter Lewis, governor (1872–1874) (Huntsville)
- John Robert Lewis, U.S. Congressman, civil rights leader (Troy, Alabama)
- George Lindsey, actor (Jasper)
- Angela Little, model, actress, Playboy Playmate of the Month (Albertville)
- Tandy Little, Republican member of the Alabama House of Representatives from 1962 to 1966; real estate developer (Montgomery)
- Herman H. Long, college administrator (Birmingham)
- Theodore Long, professional wrestling authority figure (Birmingham)
- Sarah Ashley Longshore, painter
- Joe Louis, boxer, 12-year world heavyweight champion (Lafayette)
- Fred L. Lowery, Southern Baptist clergyman and author (Montevallo)
- Joseph Lowery, civil rights leader (Huntsville)
- Theodore J. Lowi, political scientist (Gadsden)
- Rebecca Luker, singer and actress (Helena)
- Shelby Lynne, country music singer (Frankville)
M
- Sunny Mabrey, model, actress (Gadsden)
- Harry Mabry, television newscaster (Birmingham)
- Everette Maddox aka "Rhett" Maddox, poet – (Montgomery)
- Anthony Madison, NFL player – Pittsburgh Steelers (Thomasville)
- Boots Mallory, actress (Mobile)
- Alfred Malone, NFL player – Houston Texans (Frisco City)
- Gucci Mane, musician (Birmingham, Alabama)
- William March, writer, World War I hero (Mobile)
- Sen'Derrick Marks, NFL player – Jacksonville Jaguars (Mobile)
- Debra Marshall, WWE wrestler (Tuscaloosa)
- Kerry James Marshall, artist (Birmingham)
- Chris Martin, NFL player (Huntsville)
- Harold E. Martin, newspaperman Montgomery
- Hugh Martin, songwriter (Birmingham)
- James D. Martin, U.S. representative from Alabama's 7th congressional district (1965 to 1967) (Gadsden)
- F. David Mathews, educator (Grove Hill)
- Jordan Matthews, NFL player – Philadelphia Eagles (Madison)
- Evan Mathis, NFL player – Philadelphia Eagles (Birmingham)
- Willie Mays, Hall of Fame center fielder (Birmingham)
- Lewis McAllister, businessman and Republican former member of the Mississippi House of Representatives (Tuscaloosa)
- Robert R. McCammon, horror writer (Birmingham)
- A.J. McCarron, football quarterback (Mobile)
- Elvin McCary, politician (Anniston)
- Rolando McClain, NFL player – Dallas Cowboys (Athens)
- Mitch McConnell, politician
- Willie McCovey, Hall of Fame first baseman (Mobile)
- Michael McCullers, screenwriter
- Bryant H. McGill, poet (Mobile)
- Alexander McGillivray, Creek Indian Chief (Montgomery)
- Lachlan McGillivray, Scots-Indian trader (Montgomery)
- Garnie W. McGinty, Louisiana historian (Montevallo)
- Joe McInnes, corporate and state executive, (Wetumpka)
- Frank McIntyre, U.S. Army general (Montgomery)
- Ronald McKinnon, NFL player – Arizona Cardinals (Elba, Alabama)
- Steve McLendon, NFL player- Pittsburgh Steelers (Ozark)
- Gertrude Michael, actress (Talladega)
- Don Mincher, MLB player (Huntsville)
- Grover Mitchell, jazz trombonist (Whatley)
- John Mitchell, NFL coach – Pittsburgh Steelers (Mobile)
- Wilmer Mizell, U.S. representative from North Carolina; Major League Baseball pitcher (Vinegar Bend)
- Jamario Moon, basketball player (Goodwater)
- Charles Moore, civil rights photojournalist (Hackleburg)
- Mal Moore, University of Alabama athletic director, former quarterback and offensive coordinator (Dozier)
- Roy Moore, chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court (2001–2003) (Gadsden)
- Thomas Hinman Moorer, admiral, U.S. Navy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Mount Willing)
- C. J. Mosley, NFL player – Baltimore Ravens (Mobile)
- Eric Motley, public administrator (Montgomery)
- Morgan Murphy, humorist, and author (Mountain Brook)
- Albert Murray, writer (Nokomis)
- Johnny Musso, football player (Birmingham)
- Pete Myers, basketball player and coach (Mobile)
N
- Jim Nabors, actor and singer (Sylacauga)
- Joe Namath, Hall of Fame quarterback, Alabama and NFL player, born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania (Tuscaloosa)
- Larry Nelson, PGA golfer (Fort Payne)
- Bert Nettles, politician and lawyer, formerly from Monroeville and Mobile (Birmingham)
- Matthew Newton, conductor, professional railroader (Prattville)
- Ozzie Newsome, football player, Alabama and NFL's Cleveland Browns, executive for Baltimore Ravens (Leighton)
- Jimmy Nolen, guitarist (Roanoke)
- Elijah Nevett , NFL player (Bessemer)
O
- Philip Ober, stage and screen actor (Fort Payne)
- Benjamin Obomanu, NFL player – Seattle Seahawks (Selma)
- Scott Oden, writer (Somerville)
- Cathy O'Donnell, actress (Siluria)
- Spooner Oldham, songwriter, keyboardist (Center Star)
- Stan O'Neal, chairman & CEO of Merrill Lynch (Roanoke)
- Osceola, Seminole leader (Tallassee)
- Victoria Osteen, co-pastor of Lakewood Church (Huntsville)
- Randy Owen, lead singer for band Alabama (Fort Payne)
- Jesse Owens, iconic track and field athlete, Olympic gold medalist (Oakville)
- Terrell Owens, NFL player (Alexander City)
P
- Satchel Paige, baseball player (Mobile)
- Michael Papajohn, actor, stuntman (Vestavia Hills)
- Rosa Parks, civil rights activist (Tuskegee)
- Gail Patrick, actress and television producer (Birmingham)
- Albert Patterson, Attorney General of Alabama (Phenix City)
- John Malcolm Patterson, Governor of Alabama (Phenix City)
- Jake Peavy, baseball pitcher (Mobile)
- Charley Pell, head football coach at Clemson and Florida (Albertville)
- Dan Penn, singer, songwriter, record producer (Vernon)
- Morgan Peoples, Louisiana historian (Guin and Birmingham)
- Walker Percy, author (Birmingham)
- Wayne Perkins musician (Birmingham)
- Chuck Person, NBA player (Brantley)
- Wesley Person, NBA player (Brantley)
- Jesse Lee Peterson, minister, author (Midway)
- Sidney Phillips, World War II veteran, physician (Mobile)
- Wilson Pickett, R&B and soul singer (Prattville)
- Juan Pierre, MLB outfielder (Mobile)
- Charles Redding Pitt, attorney, politician (Decatur)
- Chris Porter, NBA player (Abbeville)
- Paula Poundstone, comedian (Huntsville)
- Alma Powell, audiologist, children's author (Birmingham)
- Michael Powell, attorney and politician (Birmingham)
- Tyrone Prothro, football player Alabama (Heflin)
- Curly Putman, Country music songwriter (Princeton)
R
- Sun Ra, jazz musician (Birmingham)
- Max Rafferty, California Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1963 to 1971; education dean at Troy University (Troy)
- Howell Raines, former New York Times editor (Birmingham)
- Albert Rains, representative of Alabama's 7th congressional district (1945–1965) (Gadsden)
- Geoff Ramsey, voice actor and producer for Rooster Teeth Productions (Mobile)
- Theo Ratliff, center for the Charlotte Bobcats (Demopolis)
- Wayne Ray, author and poet (Talladega; Lineville)
- Ray Reach, jazz pianist, vocalist, arranger, composer, music producer, Director of Student Jazz Programs for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame (Birmingham)
- Gary Redus, baseball player (Decatur)
- Scottie Reynolds, basketball player at Villanova
- Condoleezza Rice, former United States Secretary of State (Birmingham)
- Tony Richardson, NFL player – New York Jets (Daleville)
- Denard Robinson, NFL player – Jacksonville Jaguars (Birmingham)
- Michael Rooker, actor (Jasper)
- Rich Boy, rapper (Mobile)
- Lionel Richie, singer (Tuskegee)
- Bob Riley, Governor of Alabama from 2003 to 2011 (Ashland)
- Alex Ríos, MLB outfielder (Coffee County)
- Philip Rivers, football quarterback for North Carolina State and NFL's San Diego Chargers (Decatur)
- David Robertson, pitcher for the New York Yankees (Birmingham)
- Martha Roby, representative from Alabama's 2nd congressional district since 2011 (Montgomery)
- Wayne Rogers, actor (Birmingham)
- Roy Rogers, former NBA player and current assistant coach for the Detroit Piston (Linden)
- Frank Rose, educator, former President of the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
- Marie Rudisill, aka "The Fruitcake Lady," Truman Capote's aunt (Monroeville)
- Jeff Rutledge, NFL quarterback (Birmingham)
- Debby Ryan, actress (Huntsville)
- DeMeco Ryans, NFL player – Philadelphia Eagles (Bessemer)
S
- Ed Salem, football player (Birmingham) born Tucson, Arizona
- Sonia Sanchez, poet (Birmingham)
- John Solomon Sandridge, painter, sculptor, author (Chelsea) born Gadsden, Alabama
- David Satcher, surgeon general (Anniston)
- Eugene Sawyer, 53rd mayor of Chicago (Greensboro)
- Zelda Fitzgerald, writer (Montgomery)
- Coretta Scott King, civil rights leader (Marion)
- Richard M. Scrushy, founder and former CEO of HealthSouth (Selma)
- Doc Scurlock, aka Josiah Gordon Scurlock, a founding member of the Lincoln County New Mexico Regulators, member of Billy the Kid's gang (Tallapoosa)
- Jay Sebring, hair stylist, Charles Manson murder victim (Birmingham)
- Waldo Semon, inventor of vinyl (Demopolis)
- David Sessions, member of the Alabama Legislature (Grand Bay)
- Jeff Sessions, current United States Senator (Dothan)
- Joe Sewell, baseball player (Titus)
- Luke Sewell, baseball player (Titus)
- Rip Sewell, baseball player (Decatur)
- Glenn Shadix, actor (Bessemer)
- Tommy Shaw, rock musician (Montgomery)
- Earnie Shavers, former heavyweight boxer (Garland)
- Richard C. Shelby, current United States Senator (Birmingham)
- Ashton Shepherd, country singer (Coffeeville)
- Fred Shuttlesworth, civil rights activist (Birmingham)
- George Siebels, mayor of Birmingham (1967–1975), state representative (1975–1990) (Birmingham)
- Don Siegelman, former governor of Alabama (1999–2003) (Mobile)
- Eugene Sledge, World War II veteran, teacher, writer (Mobile)
- Percy Sledge, soul singer (Leighton)
- Kirby Smart, football coach, defensive coordinator University of Alabama (Montgomery)
- Rickey Smiley, comedian (Birmingham)
- Albert Lee Smith, Jr., representative from Alabama's 6th congressional district (1981–1983) (Birmingham)
- Andre Smith, NFL offensive lineman – Cincinnati Bengals (Birmingham)
- Ella Gaunt Smith, doll manufacturer (Roanoke)
- Leighton W. Smith, Jr., admiral, United States Navy (Mobile)
- Holland Smith, general, United States Marine Corps during World War II, father of amphibious warfare (Hatchechubbie)
- Ozzie Smith, Hall of Fame baseball player (Mobile)
- Johnny Smith, jazz guitarist (Birmingham)
- Thomas M. Smith, district attorney (Tuscaloosa)
- Dylan Riley Snyder, actor,singer (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
- Zeke Smith, American football player (Uniontown)
- John Sparkman, United States Senator (1946–1979) (Hartselle)
- Chauncey Sparks, governor (1943–1947) (Eufaula)
- Mark Spencer, President/CEO of Digium (Huntsville)
- Octavia Spencer, actress (Montgomery)
- The Springs, band (Enterprise)
- Ken Stabler, NFL player – The University of Alabama and The Oakland Raiders (Foley)
- Zac Stacy, NFL player – St. Louis Rams (Centreville)
- John Stallworth, NFL player – Pittsburgh Steelers (Tuscaloosa)
- Bart Starr, Hall of Fame football player, Alabama and Green Bay Packers (Montgomery)
- Darian Stewart, NFL player – Baltimore Ravens (Huntsville)
- Donald W. Stewart, United States Senator (Anniston)
- Mike Stewart, author (Vredenburgh)
- Warren St. John, author, journalist (Birmingham)
- Dwight Stone, former NFL player (Florala)
- Luther Strange, Attorney General of Alabama since 2011 (Mountain Brook)
- T. S. Stribling, author (Florence)
- Gail Strickland, actress (Birmingham)
- Hut Stricklin, NASCAR driver (Calera)
- Ruben Studdard, 2003 American Idol winner (Birmingham)
- Jimmy Lee Sudduth, artist and blues musician (Fayette)
- Pat Sullivan, football player (Birmingham)
- Kevin Sumlin, football head coach, Texas A&M (Brewton)
- Don Sutton, Hall of Fame baseball player (Clio)
- Barret Swatek, actress and comedian (Birmingham)
- Ward Swingle, jazz arranger and composer (Mobile)
- Dabo Swinney, football head coach, Clemson (Birmingham)
T
- Channing Tatum, actor (Cullman)
- Toni Tennille, singer (Montgomery)
- Adalius Thomas, NFL football player (Equality)
- Bryan Thomas, football player (Birmingham)
- Fred Thompson, former United States senator from Tennessee, actor (Sheffield)
- Neil Thrasher, country singer-songwriter (Birmingham)
- Frank Tipler, mathematical physicist and cosmologist (Andalusia)
- Mose Tolliver, artist (Pike Road)
- Harry Townes, actor (Huntsville)
- Pat Trammell, Alabama Crimson Tide football player, physician (Scottsboro)
- Justin Tuck, NFL football player (Kellyton)
- Cynthia Tucker, columnist and editor (Monroeville)
- Joe Turnham, chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party since 2005 (Auburn)
- Tom Turnipseed, Democratic political activist (Mobile)
- Chief Tuskaloosa, Creek Indian chief and leader
- Richard Tyson, actor (Mobile)
U
V
W
- Mark Waid, writer (Hueytown)
- Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia (Huntsville)
- Frank Walker, NFL player – Dallas Cowboys (Tuskegee)
- Margaret Walker, poet, author (Birmingham)
- Ben Wallace, NBA player (White Hall)
- Cornelia Wallace, second wife of George C. Wallace, First Lady of Alabama from 1971 to 1978 (Montgomery)
- Daniel Wallace, writer (Birmingham)
- George C. Wallace, four-term governor and four-time presidential candidate (Clio and Montgomery)
- George Wallace, Jr., former Alabama Public Service Commission member (Montgomery)
- Lurleen Burns Wallace, governor from 1967 to 1968 (Montgomery)
- Gerald Wallace, basketball player (Childersburg)
- Eugene Walter, writer-actor (Mobile)
- DeMarcus Ware, NFL player – Dallas Cowboys (Auburn)
- Adam Warren, MLB pitcher- New York Yankees (Birmingham)
- Mervyn Warren, musician (Huntsville)
- Dinah Washington, singer (Tuscaloosa)
- Ken Watters, jazz trumpeter (Huntsville)
- William Weatherford, a/k/a Red Eagle, Creek Indian leader
- Joe Webb, NFL player – Minnesota Vikings (Birmingham)
- Katherine Webb, model, Miss Alabama USA (Montgomery)
- Lardarius Webb, NFL player – Baltimore Ravens (Opelika)
- Fred Wesley, musician (Mobile)
- Mario West, NBA player- Atlanta Hawks (Huntsville)
- Joseph Wheeler, Confederate & US General; US Congressman, namesake of Wheeler State Park and Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, author (Hillsboro)
- Chris White, NFL player – Buffalo Bills (Mobile)
- D. J. White, NBA player – Charlotte Bobcats (Tuscaloosa)
- Pat White, NFL player – Miami Dolphins (Daphne)
- Heather Whitestone, 1995 Miss America (Dothan)
- Chase Whitley, MLB player – New York Yankees (Ranburne)
- Joe Whitt, Jr., NFL coach – Green Bay Packers (Auburn)
- Barbara Wiedemann, poet and English professor (Montgomery)
- Deontay Wilder, professional boxer (Tuscaloosa)
- Mark Wilkerson, musician (Enterprise, Alabama)
- Billy Williams, Hall of Fame baseball player (Mobile)
- Carnell Williams, NFL player – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Attalla)
- Cootie Williams, jazz trumpeter (Mobile)
- Hank Williams, legendary country musician (Georgiana)
- Hank Williams, Jr., country musician (Cullman)
- Holly Williams, country musician (Cullman)
- Paul Williams, soul singer (Birmingham)
- Josh Willingham, MLB left fielder – Kansas City Royals (Florence)
- James Willis, former NFL linebacker (Huntsville)
- Kathryn Tucker Windham, storyteller and author (Dallas County)
- E. O. Wilson, biologist and writer (Birmingham)
- Wesley Wright, MLB pitcher – Houston Astros (Montgomery)
- Tobias Wolff, author (Birmingham)
- Roy Wood, Jr., stand-up comedian (Birmingham)
- Ray Woodard, "Father of soccer in Alabama" (Pelham)
- Tammy Wynette, country singer (Red Bay)
Y
See also
References
