List of people from Arizona facts for kids

State flag of Arizona

Location of Arizona on the U.S. map

This article is about some amazing people who were born, grew up, or lived for a long time in Arizona, a cool state in the United States. You'll find famous actors, brave military heroes, talented musicians, and even some historical figures who shaped Arizona's past.

Scientists and Scholars

• Russell Merle Genet – A research scholar and astronomer who studies space.
• Joseph Hilbe (1944–2017) – A statistician, professor, and author.
• Craig D. Idso – The founder and chairman of the Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change, which studies climate.
• Percival Lowell (1855–1916) – A famous astronomer who started the Lowell Observatory in Arizona.
• Julia Robinson – A brilliant mathematician.

Artists, Writers, and Poets

Art Creators

• Max Cannon (born 1962) – An alternative cartoonist known for his unique drawings.
• Bil Keane (1922–2011) – A beloved cartoonist who created The Family Circus.
• James Rallison (born 1996) – A popular cartoonist and YouTuber, known as TheOdd1sOut.
• Paolo Soleri (1919–2013) – An architect known for his unique building designs.

Storytellers and Authors

• Clive Cussler (1931–2020) – An author famous for his Dirk Pitt adventure novels and for exploring shipwrecks.
• Diana Gabaldon (born 1952) – A novelist known for her historical fiction series.
• Stephenie Meyer (born 1973) – The author of the super popular Twilight series for teens.
• Barbara Park (1947–2013) – The author of the funny Junie B. Jones series.
• Brady Udall (born 1971) – A well-known author.

Poetry Writers

• Ai (1947–2010) – A poet and educator.
• Jayne Cortez (1934–2012) – A poet, activist, and spoken-word artist.
• Norman Dubie (born 1945) – A poet and professor at Arizona State University.
• Alberto Ríos (born 1952) – Arizona's very first state poet laureate and a professor at Arizona State University.
• Richard Shelton (born 1933) – A poet, writer, and professor at the University of Arizona.
• Luci Tapahonso (born 1953) – A poet and educator.

Film, TV, and Stage Stars

Rex Allen, the "Arizona Cowboy"

Lynda Carter, TV's Wonder Woman

Ted Danson

Andy Devine

Emma Stone

• Erika Alexander (born 1969) – An actress.
• Rex Allen (1920–1999) – An actor and singing cowboy, known as "The Arizona Cowboy."
• Steve Allen (1921–2000) – A comedian and actor, often called the "father of TV talk shows."
• Asher Angel (born 2002) – An actor, known for his role in Shazam!.
• Aidy Bryant (born 1987) – An actress and comedian from Saturday Night Live.
• Brooke Burke (born 1971) – An actress, model, and TV personality, known for Dancing with the Stars.
• Lynda Carter (born 1951) – An actress and singer, famous for playing Wonder Woman.
• Ted Danson (born 1947) – A well-known actor from shows like Cheers and CSI.
• Andy Devine (1905–1977) – An actor known for his roles in Western films.
• Barbara Eden (born 1931) – An actress, famous for I Dream of Jeannie.
• Danielle Fishel (born 1981) – An actress, known for Boy Meets World.
• Pablo Francisco (born 1974) – A stand-up comedian and actor.
• David Henrie (born 1989) – An actor, known for Wizards of Waverly Place.
• Catherine Hicks (born 1951) – An actress, known for 7th Heaven.
• Josh McDermitt (born 1978) – An actor and comedian, known for The Walking Dead.
• Heather Morris (born 1987) – An actress, known for playing Brittany Pierce on Glee.
• Mary-Louise Parker (born 1964) – An actress, known for Weeds.
• Busy Philipps (born 1979) – An actress, known for Cougar Town.
• James Rallison (born 1996) – An internet personality and animator.
• Garry Shandling (1949–2016) – An actor and comedian.
• David Spade (born 1965) – An actor and comedian from Saturday Night Live.
• Emma Stone (born 1988) – A very famous actress, known for movies like La La Land and The Help.
• Shayne Topp (born 1991) – An internet personality, comedian, and actor from Smosh.
• Amber Valletta (born 1974) – An actress and model.
• Kate Walsh (born 1967) – An actress, known for her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery on Grey's Anatomy.
• Shannon Woodward (born 1984) – An actress, known for Westworld.

Leaders and Public Servants

Walter Blackman

Cesar Chavez

Barry Goldwater

Carl Hayden

John McCain

Sandra Day O'Connor

• Joe Arpaio (born 1932) – A former sheriff of Maricopa County.
• Bruce Babbitt (born 1938) – A former Governor of Arizona and a U.S. government official who managed national parks.
• Jan Brewer (born 1944) – Served as the 22nd Governor of Arizona.
• César Chávez (1927–1993) – A very important labor union leader who fought for farmworkers' rights.
• Doug Ducey (born 1964) – Governor of Arizona from 2015 to 2023.
• Jeff Flake (born 1962) – A former U.S. Senator from Arizona.
• Gabby Giffords (born 1970) – A former U.S. Representative who was wounded in a shooting.
• Barry M. Goldwater (1909–1998) – A longtime Arizona Senator and a presidential candidate in 1964.
• Margaret Hance (1923–1990) – The first female Mayor of Phoenix.
• Carl Hayden (1877–1972) – A U.S. Senator who holds the record for the longest service in the U.S. Congress.
• Katie Hobbs (born 1969) - The current Governor of Arizona.
• John McCain (1936–2018) – A longtime U.S. Senator from Arizona, a former navy officer, and a presidential candidate in 2008.
• Rose Mofford (1922–2016) – The first female Governor of Arizona.
• Janet Napolitano (born 1957) – Served as the 21st Governor of Arizona.
• Sandra Day O'Connor (born 1930) – The first female justice of the United States Supreme Court, a very important judge.
• Dan Quayle (born 1947) – A former U.S. Senator from Indiana and the 44th Vice President of the United States.
• William Rehnquist (1924–2005) – The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
• Stewart Udall (1920–2010) – A U.S. Congressman and a government official who managed national parks during the JFK and LBJ presidencies.

Journalists and Media Personalities

• Rachel Campos-Duffy (born 1971) – A TV personality from shows like The Real World: San Francisco.
• Cheryl Casone (born 1970) – An anchor for the Fox Business Network.
• Savannah Guthrie (born 1971) – A White House correspondent for NBC News and co-host of NBC's Today Show.
• Don Imus (1940–2019) – A nationally known talk radio host.
• Meghan McCain (born 1984) – A co-host of The View.
• Noah Beck (born 2001) – A popular social media personality.

Military Heroes

Frank Luke

• Joe Foss (1915–2003) – A leading United States Marine Corps fighter pilot and a Medal of Honor recipient.
• Ira Hayes (1923–1955) – A United States Marine Corps member in World War II who helped raise the U.S. flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
• Frank Luke (1897–1918) – A World War I fighter pilot and a Medal of Honor recipient.
• Lori Piestewa (1979–2003) – A United States Army soldier, the first Native American woman from Arizona to be killed in war. She received the Purple Heart.
• Pat Tillman (1976–2004) – A United States Army soldier who received the Silver Star in Afghanistan. He was also a college and NFL football player.

Music Stars

Chester Bennington

Dierks Bentley

Joe Jonas

Stevie Nicks

Jordin Sparks

• Jim Adkins (born 1975) – The lead singer and guitarist for the band Jimmy Eat World.
• Alec Benjamin (born 1994) – A pop singer.
• Chester Bennington (1976–2017) – The lead singer for the band Linkin Park.
• Dierks Bentley (born 1975) – A country singer from Phoenix.
• Michelle Branch (born 1983) – A singer-songwriter and guitarist.
• Glen Campbell (1936–2017) – A famous singer, musician, and actor.
• Max Cavalera (born 1969) – A vocalist and guitarist for bands like Sepultura and Soulfly.
• Alice Cooper (born 1948) – A famous rock and roll singer.
• Duane Eddy (born 1938) – A guitarist who is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• David Ellefson (born 1964) – The bass guitar player and co-founder of the metal band Megadeth.
• Joe Jonas (born 1989) – A member of the Jonas Brothers and lead singer of the band DNCE.
• Maynard James Keenan (born 1964) – The frontman for bands like Tool and A Perfect Circle.
• Charles Mingus (1922–1979) – A legendary jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader.
• Dave Mustaine (born 1961) – The frontman and founder of the metal band Megadeth.
• Stevie Nicks (born 1948) – A Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, known for her solo work and as lead singer with Fleetwood Mac.
• Linda Ronstadt (born 1946) – A singer-songwriter who is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• Nate Ruess (born 1982) – The lead singer of Fun..
• Jordin Sparks (born 1989) – A singer who won American Idol Season 6.
• Tanya Tucker (born 1958) – A country singer.
• Upsahl (born 1998) – An indie pop singer.

Old West Legends

The Apache Kid

Geronimo

• Apache Kid (1860–1896?) – A famous outlaw from the Old West.
• Billy the Kid (1859–1881) – A well-known outlaw.
• Cochise (1812–1874) – A powerful chief of the Chiricahua Apache people.
• Wyatt Earp (1848–1929) – A famous lawman.
• Geronimo (1829–1909) – A brave leader of the Chiricahua Apache who fought for his people's land and independence.
• Doc Holliday (1851–1887) – A gambler, gunfighter, and dentist.
• Bat Masterson (1853–1921) – A lawman, gambler, and journalist.
• Johnny Ringo (1850–1882) – An outlaw.

Sports Stars

Cody Bellinger

Henry Cejudo

Curley Culp

Sean Elliott

Brady Ellison

Julie Ertz

Todd Heap

Austin Hollins

Cam Jordan

Ian Kinsler

Jim Palmer

Marilyn Ramenofsky

Danny Schayes

Neal Walk

• Max Aaron (born 1992) – A U.S. national champion figure skater.
• Cody Bellinger (born 1995) – A baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.
• Mike Bibby (born 1978) – A retired NBA point guard.
• Alex Bowman (born 1993) – A NASCAR race car driver.
• Michael Carbajal (born 1967) – A boxing champion.
• Henry Cejudo (born 1987) – An Olympic gold medalist in wrestling and a UFC champion.
• Curley Culp (1946–2021) – An NFL defensive lineman and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• Sean Elliott (born 1968) – A famous basketball player.
• Brady Ellison (born 1988) – A competitive archer, World Champion, and Olympian.
• Julie Ertz (born 1992) – A defender for the United States women's national soccer team.
• Todd Heap (born 1980) – A tight end for the Baltimore Ravens.
• Misty Hyman (born 1979) – A 2000 Olympics gold medalist swimmer.
• Cameron Jordan (born 1989) – A defensive end for the New Orleans Saints.
• Steve Kerr (born 1965) – The head coach of the Golden State Warriors.
• Ian Kinsler (born 1982) – A 4-time All-Star second baseman in Major League Baseball and an Olympian.
• Auston Matthews (born 1997) – A center for the Toronto Maple Leafs in hockey.
• Randall McDaniel (born 1964) – An NFL offensive guard and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• Michael McDowell (born 1984) – A NASCAR driver.
• Phil Mickelson (born 1970) – A very famous professional golfer.
• Arte Moreno (born 1946) – The owner of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball team.
• Jim Palmer (born 1945) – A starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles and a Baseball Hall of Famer.
• Danica Patrick (born 1982) – A famous auto racing driver.
• Brock Purdy (born 1999) – An NFL quarterback.
• Marilyn Ramenofsky (born 1946) – A competitive swimmer and Olympic medalist.
• Danny Schayes (born 1959) – A college and NBA basketball player.
• Curt Schilling (born 1966) – A professional baseball pitcher and broadcaster.
• Ken Stabler (1945–2015) – A four-time Pro Bowl NFL quarterback.
• Kerri Strug (born 1977) – A gymnast and 1996 Olympic gold medalist.
• Pat Tillman (1976–2004) – A college and pro football player who later joined the military.
• Cain Velasquez (born 1982) – A professional wrestler and retired mixed martial artist.
• Neal Walk (1948–2015) – A basketball player.
• Danny White – A professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys.
• Darren Woodson (born 1969) – A professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys.

Other Notable People

Arte Moreno

• Johnny Chan – A professional poker player and 10-time World Series of Poker champion.
• Angel Delgadillo – The founder of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona.
• Grumpy Cat (2012–2019) – A famous Internet celebrity cat.
• Rob Leatham – A professional shooter and 24-time national champion.
• Arte Moreno – A billionaire businessman and owner of the Los Angeles Angels baseball team.
• Kayla Mueller – An activist.
• María Urquides – An educator known as the "Mother of Bilingual Education."

Fictional Characters from Arizona

• Eleanor from The Good Place
• Michelle Chang and Julia Chang, both from the Tekken video game series.
• Annie Porter from Speed; played by Sandra Bullock.
• John Rambo from First Blood and Rambo movies; born in Bowie.
• Bella Swan from the Twilight saga.

See also

• Lists of Americans