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List of people from San Diego facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts


This is a list of notable people who were born, spent a majority of their life, or currently live in San Diego, California.

A

  • Beth Accomando, Film critic, arts reporter, and podcast host
  • Eric Allen, professional football player, coach, and analyst
  • Jon Allen, Voice and film actor
  • Greg Allen, professional baseball player
  • Marcus Allen, professional player and analyst, college and Pro Football Hall of Famer
  • Caroline Amiguet, actress and model
  • William Anders, astronaut, Apollo 8
  • Tom Anderson, founder of social networking site Myspace
  • Paul Arriola, professional soccer player
  • Mark Atkinson, Film actor and producer
  • Margaret Avery, actress, The Color Purple
  • Brian Awadis, professional YouTuber

B

  • Lester Bangs, music journalist and critic
  • Greg Bear, sci-fi novelist; won two Hugo awards; co-founder of San Diego Comic-Con
  • David Bailey, professional motocross racer
  • Dr. Charlotte Johnson Baker, San Diego's first practicing woman physician
  • Dr. Fred Baker, physician, founder of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography
  • Khalif Barnes, professional football player
  • Arlene Baxter, model and actress
  • Billy Beane, general manager of Oakland Athletics, portrayed by Brad Pitt in Moneyball
  • Brie Bella, professional wrestler, one-time WWE Divas Champion
  • Nikki Bella, professional wrestler, two-time WWE Divas Champion
  • Belle Benchley, "The Zoo Lady," President, San Diego Zoo 1927–53, first woman in world to direct major zoo
  • Charles Benefiel, outsider artist
  • Annette Bening, TV, stage and screen actress, four-time Oscar nominee
  • Kurt Benirschke, pathologist and geneticist
  • Rolf Benirschke, professional football player
  • Lizet Benrey, painter, actress and film director
  • Doug Benson, professional comedian
  • Shari Benstock, feminist literary scholar and University of Miami English department chair
  • Peter Berkos, Academy Award winner for sound editing
  • Wynton Bernard, professional baseball player
  • Noah Bernardo, drummer for band P.O.D.
  • Rhett Bernstein, professional soccer player
  • Mayim Bialik, TV actress (Blossom, The Big Bang Theory)
  • Camren Bicondova, dancer
  • Tony Bill, actor, director, and Academy Award-winning producer
  • Ryan Binse, film producer and United States Navy veteran
  • Stephen Bishop, musician
  • Ron Blair, musician, original bassist of band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
  • Hank Blalock, professional baseball player
  • Jolene Blalock, actress, Star Trek: Enterprise
  • Kim Bokamper, professional football player
  • Bob Boone, professional baseball player
  • Eddie Borysewciz, US Olympic cycling coach, United States Bicycling Hall of Fame
  • Madge Bradley, attorney and judge; first woman appointed to San Diego County bench
  • Allison Bradshaw, professional tennis player
  • Tim Bradstreet, artist and illustrator
  • Debbie Bramwell-Washington, IFBB professional bodybuilder
  • Charles Brandes, investment manager, billionaire
  • Steven Brault, professional baseball player
  • Quentin Breese, professional boxer
  • Lucille Bremer, actress
  • Adam Brody, actor, The O.C.
  • Bill Brown, music composer
  • Charles F. Buddy, first bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego, University of San Diego founder
  • Chase Budinger, professional basketball player
  • Jud Buechler, former professional basketball player, NBA coach
  • Victor Buono, actor
  • Michael C. Burgess, actor, poet, activist and former editor of The Star-News
  • Bob Burnquist, professional skateboarder
  • Justin Burquist, filmmaker and music video director
  • Nakia Burrise, actress, best known for portraying the third Yellow Power Ranger, Tanya Sloan
  • Eileen Rose Busby, author, antiques expert
  • Reggie Bush, professional football player
  • Brian Patrick Butler, actor and filmmaker
  • Chris Byrd, professional boxer, Olympic silver medalist, two-time Heavyweight Champion
  • Darryl Byrd, professional football player

C

  • Matt Cameron, rock drummer, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden
  • Donna Campbell, physician and member of the Texas Senate, born in San Diego in 1954
  • Charlie Cannon, singer, theater performer and co-founder of Starlight Opera
  • Nick Cannon, actor, rapper, occasional TV host
  • Francesca Capaldi, actress (Dog with a Blog)
  • Charisma Carpenter, actress
  • Kyra Carusa, footballer for the Republic of Ireland national team
  • Kellye Cash, Miss America, 1987
  • Billy Casper, golfer, Masters and U.S. Open champion
  • John Castellanos, stage, film and television actor, film producer
  • Emma Caulfield, actress
  • Mark Cerney, founder of Next of Kin Registry (NOKR)
  • David Chadwick, clinical research pediatrician, author, founder of Chadwick Center for Children and Autism Discovery Institute-San Diego
  • Kate Morgan Chadwick, actress, singer
  • Raymond Chandler, detective novelist and film noir writer; The Big Sleep, Farewell, My Lovely, The Long Goodbye
  • Eric Chavez, professional baseball player
  • Steve Cherundolo, professional soccer player
  • Bob Clampett, animator (Looney Tunes)
  • Judy Clarke, criminal defense attorney
  • Jamie Clayton, actress and model
  • Eric Close, actor
  • D. C. Collier, real estate developer, director of the 1915–16 Panama California Exposition
  • Aukai Collins, Chechen mujahideen, spent his childhood in Ocean Beach, and part of his early adulthood in City Heights
  • Marshall Colt, psychologist and former actor
  • Holly Marie Combs, actress Picket Fences, Charmed
  • Dennis Conner, America's Cup yachtsman
  • Maureen Connolly, professional tennis player, 1953 tennis Grand Slam champion
  • Derrike Cope, NASCAR driver
  • Salvatore J. Cordileone, Roman Catholic archbishop
  • Jorge Cordova, professional football player
  • Alana Cordy-Collins, anthropologist
  • Carly Craig, actress, writer
  • Dawson Cram, NASCAR driver
  • William P. Cronan, naval officer and 19th Naval Governor of Guam
  • Robbin Crosby, musician
  • Rob Crow, musician
  • Cameron Crowe, screenwriter, director, and producer
  • Dominick Cruz, mixed martial artist, former UFC bantamweight champion
  • Marcos Curiel, musician
  • Vinny Curran, actor

D

  • Austin da Luz, professional soccer player
  • John D'Acquisto, professional baseball player
  • Ted Danson, Emmy Award-winning actor (Cheers, Becker, CSI)
  • Mike Davis, professional baseball player
  • Terrell Davis, professional football player
  • William Heath Davis, early San Diego developer
  • Randy Davison, actor
  • Jean Dawson, musician
  • Luca de la Torre, professional soccer player
  • Liza del Mundo, actress
  • Tom DeLonge, singer and musician
  • Warren DeMartini, musician
  • Thatcher Demko, goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks
  • Doug DeMuro, automotive columnist, reviewer, and author
  • Amir Derakh, musician
  • Jeff Deverett, film producer and professor
  • Gail Devers, track and field sprinter, Olympic gold medalist
  • Cameron Diaz, actress (My Best Friend's Wedding, Charlie's Angels)
  • Frank DiPalermo, actor, playwright, and poet
  • John P. Dolan, Catholic bishop
  • Patrice Donnelly, athlete and actress
  • Johnny Downs, vaudevillian, dancer, actor, TV personality
  • Gerry Driscol, yacht racer and businessperson
  • Adam Driver, actor
  • Ryan Drummond, actor, voice actor, comedian, singer (voice of Sonic the Hedgehog from 1998 to 2004)
  • Jared Dudley, professional basketball player
  • Momčilo Đujić, WW2 Chetnik guerilla commander
  • Robert Duvall, Oscar-winning actor

E

  • Jason Earles, actor
  • Nathan East, bass player
  • Donnie Edwards, professional football player
  • Lindsay Ellingson, model
  • Bob Elliott, professional baseball player
  • Boogie Ellis, basketball player
  • Joan Embery, animal and environmental advocate
  • Roger Guy English, businessman, disc jockey, and Guinness World Record holder
  • Iris Engstrand, professor emeritus of history at University of San Diego, author of San Diego: California's Cornerstone
  • Hayden Epstein, professional football player
  • Gary Erwin, TV personality

F

  • Daeg Faerch, actor
  • Marshall Faulk, professional football player, Hall of Famer
  • Raymond E. Feist, author
  • Amy Finley, cook, author
  • John William Finn, Medal of Honor recipient
  • Reuben H. Fleet, aviation pioneer, industrialist, Army officer
  • Jon Foreman, lead vocalist and guitarist for band Switchfoot
  • Tim Foreman, bassist and backing vocalist for band Switchfoot
  • Arian Foster, professional football player
  • Michael Lewis Foster, filmmaker
  • Julie Foudy, professional soccer player
  • Dan Fouts, professional football player, media analyst, Hall of Famer
  • Frankie J, singer
  • Ace Frehley, lead guitarist for band KISS
  • Mike Fuentes, musician, drummer for band Pierce the Veil
  • Vic Fuentes, musician, vocalist and rhythm guitarist for band Pierce the Veil

G

  • Mo Gaffney, actress
  • Lukas Gage, actor
  • Diamanda Galás, composer, vocalist, and keyboard artist
  • Ray Gallardo, film director and cinematographer
  • Greg Garcia, professional baseball player
  • Maruta Gardner, educator, community activist
  • Major Garrett, reporter
  • Steve Garvey, professional baseball player, businessman
  • Jeff Gianola, television news anchor
  • Brian Giles, professional baseball player
  • Marcus Giles, professional baseball player
  • Jared S. Gilmore, child actor
  • Francoise Gilot, painter, author
  • Broc Glover, motocross national champion
  • La'Roi Glover, professional football player
  • Mark Goffeney, guitarist born without arms, disability advocate
  • Susan Golding, businesswoman, politician
  • Stephen Gonsalves, professional baseball player
  • Adrián González, professional baseball player
  • Sandra Good, former Manson Family member
  • Andrew Good, professional baseball player
  • Edgar Gott, aviation industry executive
  • Mark Grace, professional baseball player
  • Robert Klark Graham, businessman and eugenicist
  • Cecil H. Green, geophysicist, philanthropist
  • Harold Greene, television journalist
  • Robbie Grossman, professional baseball player
  • Alejandro Guido, professional soccer player
  • Manuel Gutierrez (aka Manny MUA), YouTuber
  • Tony Gwynn, professional baseball player and coach, Hall of Famer, won 8 batting titles
  • Tony Gwynn Jr., professional baseball player, son of Tony Gwynn

H

  • Leon Hall, professional football player
  • Cole Hamels, professional baseball player
  • Rosie Hamlin, singer
  • Jonathan Hammond, film director and screenwriter
  • Jaylen Hands, professional basketball player
  • Aaron Harang, professional baseball player, attended San Diego State
  • Mike Harkey, Major League Baseball pitcher and coach
  • Margo Harshman, actress
  • Charles Mallory Hatfield, rainmaker
  • Riley Hawk, professional skateboarder, son of Tony Hawk
  • Tony Hawk, professional skateboarder
  • Le Ly Hayslip, memoirist and humanitarian
  • Len Heard, darts player
  • Roger Hedgecock, mayor and radio personality
  • David Hensley, MLB infielder
  • Faithe Herman, actress
  • Mirelle Hernández, make-up artist
  • Arthur Hobbs, professional football player
  • Dennis Hopper, actor and director (Easy Rider, Speed)
  • Mark Hoppus, singer and musician
  • Alonzo Horton, early San Diego developer, created "New Town San Diego", later Downtown
  • James Oliver Huberty, perpetrator of San Ysidro McDonald's Massacre
  • Kimberly Hunt, news anchor
  • Joe Hutshing, Oscar-winning film editor

I

  • Gabriel Iglesias, stand-up comedian
  • Christofer Drew Ingle, musician
  • Doug Ingle, founder of band Iron Butterfly, primary creator of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, first platinum record

J

  • JabbaWockeeZ, dance crew
  • Father Luís Jayme, California's first Christian martyr
  • Jayo Felony, rapper
  • Jazzmun, actress
  • Tony Jefferson, professional football player
  • Kris Jenner, television personality
  • Johnny Jeter, professional wrestler
  • Deron Johnson, professional baseball player
  • Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR driver, seven-time champion
  • Katrina Johnson, actress
  • Michael Johnson (aka Twisted Insane), rapper
  • Adam Jones, professional baseball player
  • Dhani Jones, professional football player
  • Jacque Jones, professional baseball player
  • Lonnie Jordan, musician, War
  • Ian Joy, professional soccer player, sports broadcaster
  • David Justice, professional baseball player

K

  • Lori Kay, artist
  • Kendrick Bangs Kellogg, architect
  • Tom Kelly, “Shotgun” Tom Kelly, radio and television personality
  • Kerri Kendall, model
  • Jewel Kilcher, Grammy-nominated singer
  • Tawny Kitaen, model and actress
  • Laurence Monroe Klauber, herpetologist
  • Charles Klusmann, escaped from Vietnamese POW camp 1964
  • Ken Kocher, professional football player
  • Raph Koster, author and game designer
  • Joel Kramer, basketball player
  • Joan Kroc, philanthropist
  • Ray Kroc, founder of the McDonald's corporation, owned San Diego Padres
  • Cy Kuckenbaker, filmmaker
  • Alice K. Kurashige, first Japanese-American woman to be commissioned in US Marine Corps

L

  • Frankie Laine, singer and actor
  • Adam Lambert, singer, runner-up on American Idol
  • Tim Lambesis, vocalist for band As I Lay Dying
  • Fabio Lanzoni, model
  • Joe Lara, actor
  • Bob Larsen, track and field coach, Olympic coach
  • Don Larsen, professional baseball player, pitched perfect game in 1956 World Series
  • Bucky Lasek, professional skateboarder
  • Tammy Lauren, actress
  • Robbie Lawler, mixed martial artist
  • lê thi diem thúy, novelist and performance artist, The Gangster We Are All Looking For (2004)
  • Brad Leaf, American-Israeli basketball player
  • Bessie Learn, silent film actress
  • Bobby Lee, MadTV actor and comedian
  • Karenssa LeGear, actress and filmmaker
  • David Leisure, "Joe Isuzu," character actor and comedian (Empty Nest)
  • Brynton Lemar (born 1995), American-born Jamaican basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
  • Jeanne Lenhart, senior Olympian, senior pageant winner, performing arts teacher
  • Joe Leonard, automobile and motorcycle rcing champion
  • William S. Lerach, securities class action attorney, investor advocate
  • Cliff Levingston, professional basketball player
  • Cassidy Lichtman, professional volleyball player
  • Lil Rob, Chicano rapper
  • Art Linkletter, television personality
  • Cleavon Little, actor, Blazing Saddles
  • Gene Littler, professional golfer, World Golf Hall of Famer
  • Harold Lloyd, silent film actor
  • John Logan, screenwriter
  • Konstantin Lokhanov (born 1998), junior world champion and Olympic saber fencer living in San Diego
  • Mario López, actor and television personality (Saved by the Bell, Extra!)
  • Greg Louganis, Olympic gold-medalist diver
  • Moses A. Luce, lawyer

M

  • John Macaulay, professional football player
  • Rob Machado, professional surfer
  • Doug Manchester, real estate developer, owner of The San Diego Union-Tribune
  • Barbara Mandrell, country music singer and musician
  • Gloria Marks, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
  • Tate Martell, college football player, Netflix Original QB1: Beyond the Lights
  • Ross Martin, actor, The Wild Wild West
  • Clay Marzo, professional surfer
  • James Maslow, actor, singer from boy band Big Time Rush
  • Victor Mature, actor, Kiss of Death
  • Maria Goeppert Mayer, scientist, worked at Los Alamos; Nobel Prize in physics, 1963
  • Mercedes McCambridge, Oscar-winning actress, star of radio, TV, stage and screen
  • Merrick McCartha, television and film actor
  • Dave McCary, comedian and director
  • Bill McColl, professional football player and surgeon
  • William C. McCool, astronaut
  • Kyle McDonald, singer and musician
  • Tug McGraw, professional baseball player, father of country singer Tim McGraw
  • Danica McKellar, author and actress (The Wonder Years)
  • Don McManus, actor
  • Naomi McPherson, guitarist of Muna
  • Michael Medved, radio host, political commentator, film critic
  • Dan Melville, football player
  • Bob Mendoza, professional baseball player and coach, San Diego Hall of Champions inductee
  • Cordelia Mendoza, antiques expert, businesswoman, author
  • Shep Meyers, musician
  • Phil Mickelson, professional golfer, Masters and British Open champion
  • David Miller, operatic singer
  • Martin Milner, actor, Adam-12
  • Lani Minella, voice actress
  • El Hijo de Rey Misterio, professional wrestler
  • Brian Stokes Mitchell, film and Broadway actor and vocalist, Tony Award winner
  • Kevin Mitchell, professional baseball player
  • Silas Weir Mitchell, actor
  • Ron Mix, "the intellectual assassin," professional football player, Hall of Famer
  • Matthew Modine, actor, Full Metal Jacket, The Dark Knight Rises
  • John J. Montgomery, pioneer aviator
  • Adam Montoya, YouTube personality, gamer
  • Kyle Mooney, Saturday Night Live cast member, 2013–2022
  • Archie Moore, professional boxer
  • Trevi Moran, singer, YouTuber
  • Alex Morgan, professional soccer player, US Women's National Team
  • Tawny Moyer, actress (Halloween II)
  • Jason Mraz, Grammy-winning singer
  • Thom Michael Mulligan, actor and playwright
  • Joe Musgrove, professional baseball player
  • Chad Muska, professional skateboarder
  • Dominik Mysterio, professional wrestler, son of Rey Mysterio
  • Rey Mysterio, professional wrestler, WWE Hall of Famer

N

  • Kathy Najimy, actress (Sister Act, Hocus Pocus)
  • Brandon Nakashima, tennis player
  • Gregory Nava, Oscar-nominated film director and screenwriter
  • Stephen Neal, professional football player
  • Andrew Newmark, activist, musician
  • Walter R. Nickel, M.D., dermatologist and dermatopathologist
  • Kent Ninomiya, journalist
  • Craig Noel, theatre producer
  • Matt Nokes, professional baseball player
  • Fred E. Norris Jr., architect

O

  • Ellen Ochoa, NASA astronaut
  • Raymond Ochoa, actor
  • Ryan Ochoa, actor
  • Ronan O'Gara, Irish rugby union player (Ireland's second most-capped player and highest ever points scorer) and current coach
  • Chris Olave, football player
  • Tony Olmos, screenwriter, filmmaker and musician
  • Heather O'Rourke, actress, Poltergeist
  • John Ottman, soundtrack composer
  • Alexandrea Owens-Sarno, actress

P

  • Patti Page, legendary country and pop singer, film actress; real name Clara Ann Fowler
  • Carson Palmer, professional football player, Heisman Trophy winner
  • Chuck Palumbo, professional wrestler
  • Jennifer Paredes, actress and musician
  • Adam Pearce, professional wrestler
  • Stephen Pearcy, musician
  • Carlton Pearson, televangelist
  • Justin Pearson, musician
  • Everett Peck, cartoonist, illustrator, animator and creator of Duckman and Squirrel Boy
  • Gregory Peck, Oscar-winning actor
  • Clarence M. Pendleton Jr., chairman of United States Commission on Civil Rights 1981–88
  • Bob Penuelas, cartoonist
  • Scott Peterson, convicted murderer
  • Craig Peyer, convicted murderer
  • Dat Phan, comedian
  • Regis Philbin, television personality
  • Steve Poltz, singer-songwriter and guitarist
  • Larry Poole, actor and film producer
  • Zach Porter, singer of Allstar Weekend
  • Norman Powell, professional basketball player
  • Conrad Prebys, philanthropist
  • Jaime Preciado, bass player and vocalist for band Pierce the Veil
  • Jenna Presley, actress
  • Ben Press, tennis professional and coach
  • Barry Pressing, contemporary artist and sculptor
  • Gary Puckett, musician and singer
  • Sarah Purcell, television personality
  • Geoffrey Pyatt, diplomat

R

  • Sara Ramirez, Tony-winning actress and singer
  • Emily Ratajkowski, actress and model
  • Scott Raynor, musician
  • Autumn Reeser, actress
  • Steve Reeves, actor, bodybuilder, author
  • John Reis, musician, swami
  • Richard Requa, architect
  • Roger Revelle, oceanographer, founder of UCSD
  • Neil Raymond Ricco, poet
  • Denise Richards, actress
  • Sally Ride, astronaut
  • Thomas Ridgway, U.S. Army officer and father of General Matthew Ridgway
  • Johnny Ritchey, professional baseball player
  • Dave Roberts, professional baseball player and manager
  • Cliff Robertson, Oscar-winning actor
  • Alfred D. Robinson and Marion James Robinson, builders of Rosecroft
  • Aaron Rodgers, professional football player
  • Mitt Romney, politician
  • Tony Romo, professional football player
  • Louis Rose, developer
  • Seraphim Rose, hieromonk
  • Marion Ross, actress, Happy Days
  • Neil Ross, voice actor
  • Kerry Rossall, actor, Apocalypse Now, stuntman and film producer
  • Patrick Rowe, professional football player
  • Pete Rozelle, famed publicist, NFL commissioner
  • Ilan Rubin, musician
  • Sam Rubin, entertainment reporter
  • Shay Rudolph, actress, social media influencer
  • FaZe Rug, YouTube personality, co-owner of FaZe Clan
  • Chad Ruhwedel, professional ice hockey player
  • RuPaul, performer, television personality
  • Betsy Russell, actress, Saw
  • Jason Russell, film director

S

  • Rashaan Salaam, professional football player, Heisman Trophy winner
  • Jonas Salk, physician, developed polio vaccine; founder, Salk Institute; Presidential medal of freedom (1977)
  • Daniel Samohin (born 1998), Israeli Olympic figure skater
  • Jessica Sanchez, American Idol contestant
  • Sonny Sandoval, musician
  • Xander Schauffele, professional golfer
  • David Schipper, professional soccer player
  • Wally Schlotter, chairman of the San Diego Film Commission 1978–96
  • Casey Schmitt (born 1999), infielder for the San Francisco Giants
  • Cathy Scott, journalist and true-crime author
  • J. Michael Scott, scientist, environmentalist and author
  • Junior Seau, professional football player, Hall of Famer
  • Kate Sessions, horticulturalist, "the mother of Balboa Park"
  • Dr. Seuss, Pulitzer-prize winning children's author; real name Theodor Geisel
  • Stephanie Seymour, model
  • Norm Sherry (1931–2021), catcher, manager, and coach in Major League Baseball
  • Al Silvera (1935–2002), major league baseball player
  • Kerry Simmonds, rower, Olympic gold medalist
  • Gina Simmons Schneider, author, therapist, writer
  • Mary Sinclair, actress
  • Andy Skib, musician
  • Alexandra Slade, actress
  • Mitchy Slick, musician
  • Alex Smith, professional football player
  • Marty Smith, motocross national champion
  • Carly Smithson, singer
  • Chris Soriano, filmmaker and actor
  • Sebastian Soto, professional soccer player
  • Suzy Spafford, artist
  • Brenda Spencer, convicted murderer
  • John D. Spreckels, businessman and industrialist
  • Michael Stamm, Olympic swimmer, national champion
  • Scott Stantis, editorial cartoonist
  • Amun Starr, musician and humanitarian
  • Anne State, television news anchor
  • Harry L. Steele, US Army major general
  • Jeremy Stenberg, professional motorcross rider
  • Payson R. Stevens, science communicator, artist, environmentalist
  • Kenny Stills, professional football player
  • J. J. Stokes, professional football player
  • Milburn Stone, actor, Gunsmoke
  • Rob Stone, rapper
  • Melvin Storer, shipfitter, U.S. Navy diver and Attack on Pearl Harbor survivor
  • Stephen Strasburg, professional baseball player, 2019 World Series MVP
  • Frederick S. Strong, US Army major general
  • Frederick W. Sturckow, astronaut
  • Savannah Sturges, top 10 finalist on MasterChef Season 4
  • Karen Hantze Susman, tennis player
  • Zachary Svajda, tennis player
  • Leslie Sykes, television news anchor
  • Leo Szilard, physicist, fellow of Salk Institute for Biological Studies, died in San Diego

T

  • Dalani Tanahy, artist specializing in the Hawaiian art of creating kapa
  • Roberto Tapia, musician
  • Lauren Taylor, actress and singer
  • Shannon Taylor, film producer, musician and actress
  • Brian Teacher (born 1954), tennis player, Australian Open singles champion
  • Jonathan Temple (1796–1866), landowner, rancher and politician
  • Jamie Thomas, professional skateboarder
  • Pete Thomas, football player
  • Soren Thompson (born 1981), Olympic and world champion épée fencer
  • Susanna Thompson, actress
  • Katherine Tingley, creator of Theosophical Society compound at Lomaland
  • Robert Titzer, writer known for Your Baby Can Read! infant learning book
  • Levine Toilolo, professional football player
  • Ted Tollner, professional football coach
  • Jerry Trainor, actor
  • Alan Trammell, professional baseball player and manager
  • Kelly Marie Tran, actress
  • Marty Tripes, winner of first Super Bowl of motocross
  • Bitsie Tulloch, actress
  • Jeremy Tyler, professional basketball player
  • Roqy Tyraid, rapper and activist

U

V

  • W.S. Van Dyke, film director
  • Tiffany van Soest, kickboxer
  • Tommy Vardell, professional football player
  • Eddie Vedder, singer in rock band Pearl Jam
  • Juli Veee, soccer player
  • Craig Venter, biologist, entrepreneur
  • Victor Villaseñor, author
  • Erik von Detten, actor (Toy Story, The Princess Diaries)

W

  • Tom Waits, singer-songwriter, composer and actor
  • William Wall, filmmaker
  • Bill Walton, professional basketball player and media analyst, Hall of Famer
  • Luke Walton, professional basketball player and coach
  • Fred Ward, actor
  • Kelly Ward, actor
  • Danny Way, professional skateboarder
  • Harry M. Wegeforth, physician, founder of the San Diego Zoo
  • Whitney Wegman-Wood, actress and screenwriter
  • Raquel Welch, Golden Globe Award-winning actress
  • Tahnee Welch, model and actress
  • David Wells, professional baseball player
  • Julie White, Tony Award-winning actress
  • Shaun White, professional skateboarder and snowboarder, Olympic gold medalist
  • Cole Whitt, NASCAR driver
  • Larry Wilcox, actor
  • Kendra Wilkinson, model and television personality
  • Carol Williams, concert organist, composer
  • Damien Williams, professional football player
  • Michelle Williams, Oscar-nominated actress
  • Mikey Williams, basketball player
  • Nathan Williams, musician
  • Ricky Williams, professional football player, Heisman Trophy winner
  • Ted Williams, professional baseball player, Hall of Famer, won 7 batting titles
  • Trevor Williams, professional baseball player
  • Ann Wilson, musician
  • Jim Wilson, professional baseball pitcher and general manager
  • Pete Wilson, mayor of San Diego, governor of California and U.S. Senator
  • Scott Wilson, professional bodybuilder
  • Kellen Winslow, professional football player, Hall of Famer
  • Jeff Withey (born 1990), professional basketball player
  • Cassidy Wolf, Miss Teen USA
  • Sara Wolfkind, actress
  • James Wong, television writer and producer, film director
  • Christine Wormuth, 25th United States Secretary of the Army
  • Harold Bell Wright, author, Shepherd of the Hills (1941)
  • Mickey Wright, LPGA golfer, World Golf Hall of Famer
  • Robin Wright, Golden Globe Award-winning actress
  • Marvell Wynne II, professional soccer player

Y

  • Nick Young, actor

Z

  • Frank Zappa, musician
  • Joanna Zeiger (born 1970), Olympic and world champion triathlete, and author
  • Valerie Ziegenfuss, professional tennis player
  • Sal Zizzo, professional soccer player
  • Joel Zumaya, professional baseball player
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