List of people from Long Beach, California facts for kids

Long Beach, California, is a lively city with a rich history, located right on the coast. It's a place where many talented and famous people have lived, worked, or grown up. From incredible athletes who have won Olympic medals to creative artists who entertain millions, and even important leaders, Long Beach has been home to many notable individuals. Let's discover some of the amazing people who have a special connection to this city!

Sports Stars from Long Beach

Long Beach has produced many fantastic athletes who have excelled in various sports, from swimming to baseball and basketball.

• Alan Ashby: A former professional baseball catcher.
• Antoine Cason: A professional football player.
• Beans Reardon: A professional baseball umpire.
• Billie Jean King: A tennis superstar who won many Grand Slam titles.
• Bob Lemon: A famous baseball player and manager, also in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Bobby Grich: A talented baseball player.
• Brian Scalabrine: A professional basketball player.
• Carl Weathers: A football player who later became a famous actor.
• Chase Utley: A professional baseball player.
• Chris Gwynn: A professional baseball player.
• Christian Wood: A professional basketball player.
• Doug Krikorian: A respected sportswriter.
• Ed Lytle: A professional baseball player.
• Greta Andersen: An Olympic swimming gold medalist from the 1948 Games, originally from Denmark. She was also a famous long-distance swimmer.
• J. P. Crawford: A Major League Baseball player.
• James McDonald: A professional baseball player.
• Jason Kapono: A professional basketball player.
• Jason Leffler: A NASCAR race car driver.
• Joe Maddon: A successful Major League Baseball manager.
• Justin Turner: A professional baseball third baseman.
• Ken Block: A professional rally driver known for his exciting car stunts.
• Landry Fields: A former National Basketball Association (NBA) player who is now a general manager for a team.
• Lisa Fernandez: An amazing softball player who won three Olympic gold medals.
• Lynne Cox: A remarkable long-distance open-water swimmer and author.
• Marquez Pope: A notable figure in the National Football League.
• Matt Nieto: A professional ice hockey player.
• Matt Treanor: A professional baseball player.
• McKayla Maroney: An artistic gymnast who won Olympic medals.
• Milton Bradley: A professional baseball player.
• Misty May-Treanor: A professional beach volleyball player and Olympic gold medalist.
• Quinton Bell: A player in the National Football League.
• Russell Westbrook: A superstar professional basketball player.
• Sara Hughes: A professional beach volleyball player.
• Tammy Leibl: A professional beach volleyball player.
• Terry Kennedy: A well-known skateboarder.
• Tiny Broadwick: A brave and pioneering female parachutist who made early jumps.
• Tommy Nance: A Major League Baseball pitcher.
• Tony Gwynn: A legendary baseball player who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Travis d'Arnaud: A Major League Baseball player.
• Walt Faulkner: A professional race car driver.
• Willie McGinest: A football player who won three Super Bowl championships.

Entertainment and Arts Talents

Long Beach has also been a home or starting point for many people who have made a big impact in music, movies, writing, and other creative fields.

• Adrian Young: A musician, songwriter, and the drummer for the band No Doubt.
• Brooks Wackerman: A musician, songwriter, and drummer.
• Millicent Borges Accardi: A talented writer who received an award for her poetry.
• Fatty Arbuckle: An early actor in silent films.
• Richard Bach: The author of the famous book Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
• Bad Azz: A hip hop artist.
• Theda Bara: An iconic actress from the silent film era.
• Frank Black: Also known as Black Francis, he is the leader of the rock group the Pixies.
• Michael Burger: An actor, comedian, and game show host.
• Jan Burke: A mystery author who won an Edgar Award for her novel Bones.
• Dan Castellaneta: A well-known actor and voice actor, famous for voicing characters like Homer Simpson.
• Mary Castle: An actress.
• George Chakiris: An Academy Award-winning actor.
• Nat King Cole: A legendary singer and jazz piano player.
• Scout Taylor-Compton: An actress.
• Jonathan Davis: The lead singer for the band KoЯn.
• Shane Dawson: A popular YouTuber, actor, filmmaker, writer, and musician.
• Tray Deee: A rapper from the group Tha Eastsidaz.
• The Dove Shack: A G-funk/hip hop group consisting of rappers C-Knight, Bo-Roc, and 2Scoops.
• Cameron Diaz: A very famous actress known for many popular movies.
• Don Dixon: An artist known for his astronomical paintings.
• Domino: A rapper.
• Melissa Etheridge: A Grammy-winning rock singer.
• Kayla Ewell: An actress.
• Goldie Loc: A rapper from the group Tha Eastsidaz.
• Isidora Goreshter: An actress.
• half•alive: An indie pop band made up of musicians Josh Taylor, Brett Kramer, and J. Tyler Johnson.
• Jeff Hanneman: The guitarist for the band Slayer.
• Ricky Harris: An actor and producer.
• LBC Crew: A hip hop group consisting of rappers Bad Azz, Lil' C-Style, and Techniec.
• Donna Hilbert: A poet.
• James Hilton: The author of the 1937 novel Lost Horizon.
• John Lee Hooker: A legendary blues singer.
• Marilyn Horne: A world-renowned opera singer.
• Thelma Houston: A popular R&B singer.
• Gabriel Iglesias: A famous stand-up comedian, also known as "Fluffy."
• Robert Irwin: A well-known artist.
• Sally Kellerman: An actress.
• DeForest Kelley: An actor famous for playing Dr. McCoy in Star Trek.
• Vicki Lawrence: A comedian and actress.
• Camryn Manheim: An actress.
• Wendi McLendon-Covey: An actress.
• Robert Mitchum: A classic actor from many films.
• Ericson Alexander Molano: A gospel singer.
• Manny Montana: An actor.
• Frances O'Connor: A unique performer who was part of a sideshow.
• Ikey Owens: The keyboardist for the band The Mars Volta.
• Paulina Peavy: A multi-talented artist, inventor, painter, designer, sculptor, poet, writer, and lecturer.
• Jenni Rivera: A popular singer and television personality.
• Upton Sinclair: A famous author known for his impactful novels.
• Michael Stuhlbarg: A talented actor.
• Dylan and Cole Sprouse: Actors who starred in the TV show The Suite Life on Deck.
• Frank Ocean: An American singer, songwriter, and rapper.
• Vince Staples: A rapper.
• Norma Tanega: A folksinger-songwriter.
• Tiffani Thiessen: An actress.
• Mike Vallely: A skateboarder and musician, known for being in the band Black Flag.
• Maitland Ward: An actress.
• Snoop Dogg: A world-famous songwriter, actor, and rapper.
• Warren G: A songwriter and rapper.
• Nate Dogg: A rapper, songwriter, and singer.
• Nicolas Cage: A very famous American actor.
• Bo Derek: An actress.
• Jennette McCurdy: A former actress.
• Bradley Nowell: The lead singer and guitarist for the band Sublime (band).
• Giveon: A popular singer and songwriter.
• Rival Sons: A rock band.

Other Notable People

Beyond sports and entertainment, Long Beach has been connected to many other important figures, including leaders, innovators, and philanthropists.

• Annabel Parlett McMillin: An American First Lady of Guam.
• Bayless Conley: A televangelist.
• Charlie Beck: A retired chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
• Dorothy Buffum Chandler: A generous philanthropist in Los Angeles, known for her support of the arts. The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is named after her.
• Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan: An aviator famous for flying an unauthorized flight from New York to Ireland, earning him the nickname "Wrong Way."
• Edwin J. Hill: A recipient of the Medal of Honor, a very high military award.
• Elizabeth Milbank Anderson: A kind philanthropist who supported public health and women's education. Her former home is now the Long Beach Museum of Art.
• Elizabeth Short: A murder victim, also known as "The Black Dahlia."
• Frank Merriam: Served as the Governor of California from 1934 to 1939.
• George Deukmejian: Served as the Governor of California from 1983 to 1991.
• Grace Olive Wiley: A herpetologist known for her work with venomous snakes.
• Greg Laurie: A televangelist.
• Isaac C. Kidd: A Medal of Honor recipient.
• Jacqueline Bishop: An artist.
• Jesse James: A custom motorcycle and car builder, known for his company West Coast Choppers and the TV show Monster Garage.
• John Mack Faragher: An American historian and author.
• Long Gone John: An entrepreneur who founded and led Sympathy for the Record Industry.
• Mark Ragins: An American psychiatrist known for his work in the recovery movement.
• Meredith Thompson: A law enforcement special agent.
• Paula Jones: A civil servant.
• Richard H. Leigh: A four-star admiral in the United States Navy.
• San Kim Sean: A martial artist.
• Tarek El Moussa: A real estate investor and television personality.
• William F. Prisk: A California State Senator and editor-publisher of the Long Beach Press-Telegram newspaper.
• William John Cox: A public interest attorney, author, and political activist.

See also

• List of mayors of Long Beach