List of people from Arizona
The following are people who were either born/raised or have lived for a significant period of time in the state of Arizona and/or the Arizona Territory.
Art/Literature/Journalism
- Max Cannon (born 1962), alternative cartoonist
- Eldridge Wayne Coleman (born 1943), fine artist (real name of Superstar Billy Graham)
- Stephenie Meyer (born 1973), author, teen literature novelist, Twilight series
- Jonathan Rauch (born 1960), author, journalist and activist
- Diana Gabaldon (born 1952), novelist
- Kevin Hearne, novelist
- Paolo Soleri (1919-2013), architect
- Brady Udall, author.
Film/Theater
- Erika Alexander (born 1969), actress
- Steve Allen (1921–2000), comedian, actor, composer, author, known as The Father of TV Talk Shows
- Samaire Armstrong (born 1980), actress, Juliet Darling on Dirty Sexy Money and Anna Stern on The O.C.
- Jules Asner (born 1968), actress and host of E!'s show Wild On!
- Jaime Lyn Bauer (born 1949), soap opera actress, played Lauralee Brooks on The Young and the Restless and Laura Spencer Horton on Days of Our Lives
- Sandra Bernhard (born 1955), actress, comedian
- Michael Biehn (born 1956), actor, The Terminator, Tombstone
- Mika Boorem (born 1987), actress, The Tom Show
- Lynda Carter (born 1951), actress and singer, best known for "Wonder Woman", 1972 Miss World U.S.A.
- Brady Corbet (born 1988), actor
- Matt Dallas (born 1982), actor, Kyle XY
- Ted Danson (born 1947), actor, Cheers, CSI
- Rosemary DeCamp (1910–2001), actress, Yankee Doodle Dandy, The Bob Cummings Show
- Andy Devine (1905–1977), actor, Stagecoach, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
- Charles Dudley (1883–1952) stage and film actor, studio make-up artist
- Barbara Eden (born 1934), actress, I Dream of Jeannie
- Gail Edwards (born 1952), actress, best known for her roles in It's a Living, Blossom, and Full House
- Jack Elam (1918–2003), actor
- Michael Ensign (born 1944), actor, Boston Legal
- Pablo Francisco (born 1974), stand-up comedian, actor
- Sammi Hanratty (born 1995), child actress, The Unit, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
- Alexa Havins (born 1980), actress, All My Children, One Life to Live, Torchwood
- Amelia Heinle (born 1973), actress, Victoria Newman on The Young and the Restless; also played Mia Saunders on All My Children
- David Henrie (born 1989), actor, Wizards of Waverly Place, How I Met Your Mother, That's So Raven
- Catherine Hicks (born 1951), actress, 7th Heaven, Child's Play
- Earl Hindman (1942–2003), actor, Ryan's Hope, Home Improvement
- Gregg Hoffman (1963–2005), film producer
- Michael Horse (born 1951), artist, actor, Twin Peaks, Passenger 57
- Dominic Janes (born 1994), teen actor, ER, Out of Jimmy's Head, Dexter
- Brad Johnson (born 1959), actor
- Tanner Maguire (born 1998), child actor, Young Shawn Brady on Days of Our Lives
- Taryn Manning (born 1978), actress, fashion designer, singer/songwriter
- Abigail Mavity (born 1993), actress
- Josh McDermitt (born 1978), actor, comedian, Dr. Eugene Porter on The Walking Dead
- Rachel Melvin (born 1985), actress, Chelsea Brady on Days of Our Lives
- Jenny Mollen (born 1979), actress
- Heather Morris (born 1987), actress, Brittany Pierce on Glee
- Tarah Paige (born 1982), actress, dancer, gymnast, Make It or Break It
- Mary Louise Parker (born 1964), actress, Weeds, graduated from Marcos de Niza High School, Tempe
- Valerie Perrine (born 1943), actress, Superman, Lenny
- Larry Pine (born 1945), actor
- Greg Proops (born 1959), actor, comedian
- Liz Renay (1926–2007), actress
- Terry Rhoads (born 1951), actor
- Jennifer Rubin (born 1962), actress, model
- Garry Shandling (born 1949), actor, comedian, The Larry Sanders Show
- Fay Spain (1932–1983), actress
- David Spade (born 1965), actor, comedian, Saturday Night Live, Tommy Boy, Just Shoot Me
- Chelsea Staub (born 1988), actress, singer, Jonas L.A., Fish Hooks
- Emma Stone (born 1988), actress, The Help, Crazy, Stupid, Love., The Amazing Spider-Man
- Kylee Saunders (born 1994), a Japanese American singer
- Janet Varney (born 1976), actress, On the Lot
- Kate Walsh (born 1967), actress, Dr. Addison Montgomery on Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice
- Scott William Winters (born 1965), actor, Oz, NYPD Blue
- Jason Zumwalt (born 1975), actor, comedian, best known as voice of Roman in Grand Theft Auto IV
Military/War
- Ralph S. Johnson (1906–2010), aviator and former member of the Wyoming House of Representatives who retired to Scottsdale and Tempe
- Frank Luke (1897–1918), World War I fighter pilot, Medal of Honor Recipient
- Lori Piestewa (1979–2003), United States Army, first Native American woman from Arizona to be killed in war; Iraq War, Purple Heart and Prisoner of War Medal recipient
- Pat Tillman (1976–2004), United States Army, Afghanistan Silver Star recipient, college and NFL football player
- Ira Hayes (1923–1955), United States Marine Corps, World War II, helped to raise United States flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima
Music
- Jim Adkins (born 1975) - lead singer and guitarist for the band Jimmy Eat World
- Rex Allen (1920–1999) - singer-songwriter, actor, known as "The Arizona Cowboy"
- Authority Zero - punk rock band (Mesa)
- Ryan Avery – musician, comedian, performance artist
- Chester Bennington (born 1976) - singer for the band Linkin Park
- Dierks Bentley - country singer (Phoenix)
- Maynard James Keenan – actor, frontman for Tool (band), A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer
- Derrick Bostrom (born 1960) - Meat Puppets drummer
- Michelle Branch (born 1983) - singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Glen Campbell - singer, musician and actor; inductee to Country Music Hall of Fame
- Alice Cooper (born 1948) - rock and roll singer
- Duane Eddy – singer; inductee of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Linda Eder (born 1961) - singer, Broadway star and recording artist
- Travis Edmonson (1932–2009) - singer-songwriter, part of folk duo, Bud & Travis
- David Ellefson (born 1964) - bass guitar player and co-founder of the metal band Megadeth
- Dolan Ellis (born 1935) - singer-songwriter, Official State Balladeer since 1966; original member of New Christy Minstrels
- Esteban – musician
- Frank Fafara - * early 1960s pop singer, TV star of Wallace & Ladmo Show
- The Gin Blossoms - rock band (Tempe)
- Lalo Guerrero (1916–2005) - singer-songwriter, known as "The Father of Chicano Music," recipient of the National Medal of Arts
- Waylon Jennings – singer; inductee to Country Music Hall of Fame
- Jimmy Eat World - alternative rock band (Mesa)
- Job for a Cowboy - death metal band (Glendale)
- Joe Jonas - lead singer of the Jonas Brothers
- Cris Kirkwood (born 1960) - Meat Puppets, guitar and vocals
- Katie Lee - folk singer
- The Meat Puppets - rock band
- Charles Mingus (1922–1979) - jazz bassist, composer and bandleader
- Mr. Mister - '80s pop rock band, several #1 MTV videos, headlined first MTV Spring Break show in 1986
- Dave Mustaine (born 1961) - frontman and founder of the metal band Megadeth
- Jason Newsted - former bassist of heavy metal band Metallica
- Wayne Newton (born 1942) - singer, known as "Mr. Las Vegas"
- Stevie Nicks (born 1948) - Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, known for solo work and as lead singer with Fleetwood Mac
- Buck Owens - country singer and musician; inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame (Mesa)
- Richard Page and Steve George of the group Mr. Mister
- CeCe Peniston - pop singer
- The Refreshments - rock band, known for "Banditos" from album Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy (Tempe)
- Marty Robbins (1925–1982) - country music singer
- Linda Ronstadt (born 1946) - singer and songwriter, 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
- Nate Ruess (born 1982) - lead singer of Fun. and formerly of The Format
- Alvie Self - 1960s musician and singer
- Bob Shane (born 1934) - singer, founding member of The Kingston Trio
- Jordin Sparks (born 1989) - singer, winner of American Idol Season 6
- The Tubes - rock band (Scottsdale)
- Tanya Tucker (born 1958) - country singer
- Brooke White (born 1983) - indie pop, folk-pop singer
- John O'Callaghan (born 1988) - alternative, lead singer of The Maine (band)
- Garrett Nickelsen (born 1990) - alternative, bassist of The Maine (band)
- Patrick Kirch (born 1990) - alternative, drummer of The Maine (band)
- Jared Monaco (born 1988) -alternative, guitarist of The Maine (band)
- Kennedy Brock (born 1989) - alternative, guitarist of The Maine (band)
- John Gomez (born 1991) - alternative, guitarist of The Summer Set
- Stephen Gomez (born 1988) - alternative, nassist of The Summer Set
- Brian Dales (born 1989) - alternative, lead singer of The Summer Set
- Jess Bowen (born 1989) - alternative, drummer of The Summer Set
- Josh Montgomery (born 1988) - alternative, guitarist of The Summer Set
- Eyes Set To Kill - post hardcore-metal (Tempe)
Old West Era
- Apache Kid (1860–1896?), outlaw, reported killer of three Arizona lawmen 1889–1890
- Cochise (1812–1874), chief of the Chiricahua Apache
- Geronimo (1829–1909), leader of Chiricahua Apache who fought against encroachment of European Settlers on Native American lands; hero of Native American Fight for respect and independence
- James Reavis (1843–1914), self-styled "Baron of Arizona," claimed to have owned much of Arizona
Poetry
- Ai (1947–2010), poet, educator and a professional football player
- Jon Anderson (born 1936), poet
- Jayne Cortez, poet
- Norman Dubie (born 1945), poet
- Alberto Ríos (born 1952), poet
- Richard Shelton, poet
- Jim Simmerman (1952–2006), poet
- Luci Tapahonso (born 1953), poet
- Ofelia Zepeda, poet
Politics
- Thad Allen (born 1949), retired U.S. Coast Guard admiral; National Incident Commander under President Barack Obama
- Joe Arpaio – Maricopa County Sheriff
- Bruce Babbitt (born 1938), former Governor of Arizona (1978-1987), and Secretary of the Interior in the Clinton Administration (1993-2001)
- Harriet C. Babbitt (born 1947), First Lady of Arizona (1978-1987), U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States (1993-1997), and Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (1997-2001)
- William Docker Browning (1931–2008), federal judge
- Dean Burch, former chairman of the Republican National Committee
- César Chávez (1927–1993), labor union leader
- Dennis DeConcini, (born 1937) retired U.S. Senator (1977–1994)
- Gabrielle Giffords, (born 1970), U.S. Representative, wounded in the 2011 Tucson shooting
- Barry M. Goldwater (1909–1998), U.S. Senator
- Carl Hayden (1877–1972), U.S. Senator, holds the record for the longest service in the U.S. Congress
- Don Lorenzo Hubbell, Arizona State Senator
- John C. Keegan, judge, legislator, Mayor of Peoria
- Lisa Keegan, legislator, Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Denison Kitchel (1908-2002), Scottsdale lawyer and the Goldwater presidential national campaign manager in 1964[1]
- Rex E. Lee (1935–1996), United States Solicitor General during the Reagan Administration
- John McCain (born 1936), U.S. Senator, former Navy Officer and Vietnam POW
- Sandra Day O'Connor (born 1930), first female Justice of the United States Supreme Court
- Mary Peters (born 1948), United States Secretary of Transportation under President George W. Bush
- William Rehnquist (1924–2005), Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
- John Shadegg (born 1949), former U.S. representative from Phoenix
- Stephen Shadegg (1909-1990), political consultant associated with Barry Goldwater
- John G.F. Speiden (1900–1970) Rancher and political insider. Various state boards.
- Glenn Spencer, advocate against illegal immigration
- David King Udall, Arizona Territorial Legislature
- Don Taylor Udall, Arizona State Legislature
- Jesse Addison Udall, Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court
- John Hunt Udall, Mayor of Phoenix
- Levi Stewart Udall, Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court
- Nick Udall, Mayor of Phoenix
- Mark Udall, Senator from Colorado
- Morris "Mo" Udall (1922–1998), U.S. Congressman and former pro-basketball player
- Stewart Udall (born 1920), U.S. Congressman and Secretary of the Interior during the JFK and LBJ administrations
Science/Medicine
Sports
- Max Aaron (born 1992), 2013 U.S. national champion figure skater
- Jeremy Affeldt (born 1979), relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants
- Prince Amukamara (born 1989), cornerback for the New York Giants
- Brian Anderson (born 1982), outfielder for the Kansas City Royals
- Dave Baldwin (born 1938), Major League Baseball player
- Brian Bannister (born 1981), starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals
- Danny Batten (born 1987), linebacker for the Buffalo Bills
- Jerryd Bayless (born 1988), player for the Toronto Raptors
- John Beck (born 1981), quarterback for the Washington Redskins
- Rich Beem (born 1970), professional golfer
- Charlie Beljan (born 1984), professional golfer
- Mike Bell (born 1983), running back for the New Orleans Saints
- Mike Bibby (born 1978), point guard for the New York Knicks
- Eddie Bonine (born 1981), relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers
- Dallas Braden (born 1983), starting pitcher for the Oakland A's
- Debbie Bramwell-Washington (born 1966), IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Brian Broderick (born 1986), pitcher for the Sugar Land Skeeters
- Keith Brown (born 1964), pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds
- Mike Budenholzer, assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs
- Michael Carbajal (born 1967), boxing champion
- Ka'Deem Carey (born 1992), running back for the Chicago Bears
- D. J. Carrasco (born 1977), MLB pitcher
- Henry Cejudo, 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal winner in wrestling
- Steve Colter (born 1962), retired NBA point guard
- Manuel Contreras (born 1993), left fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Bryce Cotton (born 1992), point guard for the San Antonio Spurs
- Billy Cundiff (born 1980), placekicker for the Baltimore Ravens
- Ike Davis (born 1987), first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates
- Chris DeGeare (born 1987), offensive guard for the Minnesota Vikings
- Na'il Diggs (born 1978), linebacker for the San Diego Chargers
- Shelley Duncan (born 1979), baseball player for the Cleveland Indians
- Sean Elliott (born 1968), basketball player
- Andre Ethier (born 1982), outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Nick Evans (born 1986), player for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
- Jeff Feagles, NFL punter
- Carrick Felix (born 1990), player for the Utah Jazz
- Ryan Fitzpatrick (born 1982), NFL quarterback
- Channing Frye (born 1983), center and power forward for the Phoenix Suns
- Brianna & Nicole Garcia (born 1983), professional wrestling twins, WWE from 2007–2012
- David Gossett (born 1979), professional golfer
- "Superstar" Billy Graham (born 1943), professional wrestler
- Everson Griffen (born 1987), defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings
- Eric Hagg (born 1989), safety for the Cleveland Browns
- Scott Hairston (born 1980), left fielder for the San Diego Padres
- Max Hall (born 1985), quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals
- J. J. Hardy (born 1982), shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles
- Billy Hatcher (born 1960), MLB player and coach
- Mickey Hatcher (born 1955), MLB player and coach
- Todd Heap (born 1980), tight end for the Baltimore Ravens
- Misty Hyman (born 1979), 2000 Olympics gold medalist swimmer
- Reggie Jackson, professional baseball player, Hall of Famer
- Helen Jacobs (1908-1997), tennis player, member of International Tennis Hall of Fame
- Robert James (born 1983), linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons
- Richard Jefferson (born 1980), small forward for the Dallas Mavericks
- Brian Jennings (born 1976), long snapper and tight end for the San Francisco 49ers
- Elliot Johnson (born 1984), utility player for the Cleveland Indians
- Nick Johnson (born 1992), player for the Houston Rockets
- Levi Jones (born 1979), offensive tackle for the Washington Redskins
- Cameron Jordan (born 1989), defensive end for the New Orleans Saints
- Ryan Kalil (born 1985), center for the Carolina Panthers
- Devon Kennard (born 1991), linebacker for the New York Giants
- Ian Kinsler (born 1982), second baseman for the Detroit Tigers
- Paul Konerko (born 1976), first baseman for the Chicago White Sox
- Kyle Kosier (born 1978), guard for the Dallas Cowboys
- Frank Kush (born 1925), head football coach for Arizona State and NFL's Baltimore Colts
- Spencer Larsen (born 1984), NFL fullback
- Kevin Long (born 1966), hitting coach for the New York Yankees
- Lou Marson (born 1986), catcher for the Cleveland Indians
- Doug Mathis (born 1983), relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers
- Billy Mayfair (born 1966), professional golfer
- Mickey McConnell (born 1989), player for the Texas Legends
- Phil Mickelson (born 1970), professional golfer
- Zach Miller (born 1985), tight end for the Seattle Seahawks
- Brad Mills (born 1985), relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Bryce Molder (born 1979), professional golfer
- Trent Murphy (born 1990), linebacker for the Washington Redskins
- Bart Oates (born 1958), center for the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers
- Larry Owens (born 1983), player for the Iowa Energy
- Jim Palmer (born 1945), starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles and Baseball Hall of Famer
- Danica Patrick, auto racing driver competing in the Indy Racing League and NASCAR
- Rodney Peete (born 1966), USC and NFL quarterback
- Pat Perez (born 1976), professional golfer
- Scott Pinckney (born 1989), professional golfer
- Mike Pollak (born 1985), guard for the Cincinnati Bengals
- Don Pooley (born 1951), professional golfer
- Ted Purdy (born 1973), professional golfer
- Brooks Reed (born 1987), outside linebacker for the Houston Texans
- Chaz Schilens (born 1985), wide receiver for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Curt Schilling (born 1966), professional baseball pitcher and broadcaster
- Tyler Schmitt (born 1986), NFL long snapper
- Lyle Sendlein (born 1984), center for the Arizona Cardinals
- Paul Silas (born 1943), NBA player and coach
- Shelley Smith (born 1987), guard for the Houston Texans
- Eric Sogard (born 1986), second baseman for the Oakland Athletics
- Kerri Strug (born 1977), gymnast, 1996 Olympic gold medalist
- Marcus Thomas (born 1984), NFL running back
- Michael Thompson (born 1985), professional golfer
- Pat Tillman, college and pro football player killed in Afghanistan
- Tim Toone (born 1985), wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons
- Howard Twitty (born 1949), professional golfer
- Bobby Wade (born 1981), wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Ken Westerfield (born 1947), disc sports (Frisbee) pioneer
- Markus Wheaton (born 1991), wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Danny White, professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys
- Tom Wilhelmsen, relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners
- Dot Wilkinson, Hall of Fame inductee for bowling and softball
- Darren Woodson (born 1969), professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys
TV/Radio
- Rachel Campos-Duffy (born 1971), TV personality, The Real World: San Francisco, The View
- Cheryl Casone (born 1970), anchor for the Fox Business Network and business correspondent for Fox News
- Joan Ganz Cooney (born 1929), TV producer of Sesame Street
- John Garcia, National Geographic Channel's DogTown series star, Guinness World Record holder[3]
- Savannah Guthrie (born 1971), White House correspondent for NBC News, co-host of NBC's Today show
- Dan Hicks (born 1962), sportscaster for NBC
- Pat Hughes (born 1955), play-by-play voice of the Chicago Cubs for WGN radio
- Don Imus (born 1940), nationally syndicated talk radio host, Imus in the Morning
- Jenni Pulos, Jeff Lewis's assistant on Bravo's Flipping Out
References
