List of notable people from Oklahoma facts for kids

Oklahoma is a state known for its rich history and diverse culture. Many famous people have come from Oklahoma, including leaders, artists, athletes, and more. This list highlights some of the notable individuals who were born, raised, or lived for a significant time in Oklahoma.

Native American Leaders and Figures

Oklahoma has a deep connection to Native American history, and many important figures from various tribes have called it home.

Important Native American Leaders

• Bill Anoatubby (born 1945), is the current Governor of the Chickasaw Nation.
• Black Kettle (1801–1868), was a brave Cheyenne Chief. He was killed near Cheyenne, Oklahoma.
• Geronimo (1829–1909), was a famous Chiricahua Apache leader.
• Quanah Parker (c. 1840s – 1911), was the last chief of the Comanche tribe.
• Stand Watie (1806–1871), was a Cherokee chief and a Brigadier General in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

Native American Artists and Public Figures

• Harvey Pratt (born 1941), is a talented Native American forensic artist.
• Will Rogers (1879–1935), was a beloved humorist and actor of Cherokee heritage. He was known for his wit and wisdom.
• Clarence L. Tinker (1887-1942), an Osage tribe member, was a U.S. Army Air Corps general. He was the first American general to die in World War II.
• Fred Waite (1853–1895), a Chickasaw tribe member, was a cowboy and later a politician.

Political and Military Leaders

Many Oklahomans have served in important roles in government and the military, both for the state and the entire country.

Oklahoma's Governors and Senators

• Carl Albert (1908–2000), served as the Speaker of the House from 1971 to 1977. He was next in line for the presidency after the Vice President resigned.
• Dewey F. Bartlett, was an Oklahoma Governor and a U.S. Senator.
• David Boren (born 1941), was a former Governor of Oklahoma and a U.S. Senator. He also served as the president of the University of Oklahoma.
• George Nigh (born 1927), served two terms as Governor of Oklahoma.
• Donald Lee "Don" Nickles (born 1948), was a U.S. Senator from Oklahoma from 1981 to 2005.

Other Political and Military Figures

• Dan Boren (born 1973), represents Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional district in the U.S. House.
• Joseph J. Clark (1893–1971), was an Admiral in the U.S. Navy. He was the first Native American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy.
• William J. Crowe (1925–2007), was an Admiral in the U.S. Navy. He also served as the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
• Drew Edmondson (born 1946), served as the state Attorney General.
• General Tommy Franks (born 1927), was the Commander of US Central Command during the US actions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
• Jeane Kirkpatrick (born 1926), was a U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
• Perle Mesta (1889–1975), was a political hostess and a U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg.
• Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1927–2003), was a U.S. Senator, an ambassador to India, and an Ambassador to the United Nations.
• Gene Stipe (born 1926), was the longest-serving member of the Oklahoma State Senate.
• J.C. Watts, was a U.S. Congressman and a quarterback for the University of Oklahoma.

Entertainment

Oklahoma has produced many talented individuals who have made their mark in the world of entertainment, from comedy to music and film.

Humorists and Comedians

• Will Rogers (1879–1935), was a famous humorist and actor.
• Daniel Hale Rowan (1922–1987), was a comedian and co-host of the popular TV show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.

Film and Theatre Stars

• Suzy Amis (born 1962), is an actress.
• Gene Autry (1907–1998), was a famous actor and musician, known as "The Singing Cowboy."
• Gary Busey (born 1944), is an actor.
• Lon Chaney Jr (1906–1973), was an actor, famous for his roles in horror films.
• Joan Crawford (1906–1977), was an Academy Award winning actress.
• James Garner (born 1928), was a well-known actor.
• Ron Howard (born 1954), is a famous director, producer, and actor. His brother, Clint Howard (born 1959), is also an actor.
• Ben Johnson (1918–1996), was an Academy Award winning actor.
• James Marsden (born 1973), is an actor.
• Chuck Norris (born 1940), is an actor and martial artist.
• Brad Pitt (born 1963), is a very famous actor.
• Tony Randall (1920–2004), was a beloved actor.
• Maria Tallchief (born 1925), was a world-renowned ballerina.
• Alfre Woodard (born 1952), is an acclaimed actress.

Music Artists

Oklahoma is a hub for music, especially country and rock.

• The All-American Rejects, are a popular rock band.
• Hoyt Axton (1938–1999), was a country music singer/songwriter.
• Garth Brooks (born 1962), is one of the best-selling country music singer/songwriters of all time.
• J. J. Cale (born 1938), was a country rock musician, part of the "Tulsa sound."
• Charlie Christian (1916–1942), was a jazz guitarist and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is considered a pioneer of jazz guitar.
• Roy Clark (born 1933), is a country musician.
• Ronnie Dunn (born 1953), is half of the famous country music duo Brooks and Dunn.
• The Flaming Lips, are an indie rock band known for their unique live shows.
• Vince Gill (born 1957), is a highly respected country musician.
• Woody Guthrie (1912–1967), was a legendary folk singer and songwriter.
• Hanson (born 1992), is a pop band famous for their hit song "MMMBop."
• Wanda Jackson (born 1938), is a rockabilly singer.
• Toby Keith (born 1961), is a very popular country musician.
• Reba McEntire (born 1955), is a country music superstar.
• Roger Miller, was a singer/songwriter known for his humorous songs.
• Patti Page (born 1927), was a traditional pop and country music singer.
• Leon Russell (born 1942), was a talented singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitarist.
• Blake Shelton (born 1976), is a country musician and a coach on The Voice.
• Carrie Underwood (born 1983), was the winner of American Idol in 2005 and is now a major country star.
• Jimmy Webb (born 1946), is a famous popular music composer.
• Bob Wills (1905–1975), was a country music singer/songwriter and leader of the band The Texas Playboys. He is known as the "King of Western Swing."

Television and Radio Personalities

• Kristin Chenoweth (born 1968), is an actress and singer, known for her work on Broadway and TV.
• Walter Cronkite (born 1916), was a highly respected television journalist, known as "the most trusted man in America."
• Paul Harvey (born 1918), was a famous radio broadcaster and commentator.
• Mary Hart (born 1950), was a TV personality and co-host of "Entertainment Tonight."
• Phil McGraw (born 1950), is a television psychologist known as Dr. Phil.
• Bill Moyers, is a journalist and national anchor.
• Jim Ross, is a well-known WWE announcer.

Miss America Winners

Oklahoma has had several winners of the Miss America pageant.

• Jennifer Berry (born 1983), Miss America 2006.
• Jane Anne Jayroe (born 1946), Miss America 1967.
• Lauren Nelson (born 1987), Miss America 2007.
• Susan Powell (born 1959), Miss America 1981.
• Norma Smallwood (1909–1966), Miss America 1926, and the first Miss America of Native American heritage (Cherokee).
• Shawntel Smith (born 1971), Miss America 1996.

Business Leaders

Oklahomans have also made significant contributions to the world of business and innovation.

• Clay Bennett, is the Chairman of Dorchester Capital and Professional Basketball LLC.
• Edward K. Gaylord (1873–1974), was the founder of The Daily Oklahoman newspaper.
• Sylvan Goldman (1898–1984), was a businessman and the inventor of the shopping cart.
• Waite Phillips (1883–1964), was a successful oil industry businessman.
• T. Boone Pickens, Jr. (born 1928), was a well-known oil industry businessman.
• Sam Walton (1918–1992), was the founder of Wal-Mart, one of the world's largest retail companies.

Art and Literature

Oklahoma has inspired many writers and artists who have shared their talents with the world.

• William Bernhardt (born 1960), is a novelist.
• John Berryman (1914–1972), was a poet.
• Ralph Ellison (1914–1994), was a famous writer and scholar, known for his novel Invisible Man.
• Chester Gould (1900–1985), was the creator of the popular Dick Tracy comic strip.
• Tony Hillerman (born 1925), was a journalist, historian, professor, and novelist.
• S.E. Hinton (born 1948), is a famous author and novelist, known for her young adult books like The Outsiders.
• Bill Wallace, is an author of children's books.

Athletics

Oklahoma has a strong tradition in sports, producing many professional athletes and coaches.

Football Stars

• Troy Aikman, was a quarterback for the OU and the Dallas Cowboys. He is a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.
• Brian Bosworth (born 1965), was an Oklahoma Sooners football and NFL player.
• Bob Kalsu (1945–1970), was an Oklahoma Sooners football and Buffalo Bills player. He was the only active professional football player killed in the Vietnam War.
• Steve Largent, was a Seattle Seahawks Pro Football Hall of Famer and later a politician.
• Steve Owens, was an Oklahoma Sooners football player and won the Heisman Trophy in 1969.
• Barry Sanders, was an Oklahoma State Cowboys Heisman Trophy winner and a Football Hall of Famer.
• Lee Roy Selmon, was an Oklahoma Sooners football player and a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.
• Jeremy Shockey (born 1980), is a professional football player.
• Billy Sims (born 1955), was a running back for the Oklahoma Sooners football and Detroit Lions. He also won the Heisman Trophy.
• Spencer Tillman, was an All-American running back for the Oklahoma Sooners football and is now a TV football analyst.
• J.C. Watts, was an Oklahoma Sooners football quarterback and later a U.S. Congressman.
• Jason White, was an Oklahoma Sooners football quarterback and a Heisman Trophy winner.

Baseball Legends

• Johnny Bench (born 1947), was an MLB catcher for the Cincinnati Reds and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Mickey Mantle (1931–1995), was a New York Yankees Baseball Hall of Famer and one of the greatest players of all time.
• Allie Reynolds (1917–1994), was a Baseball Hall of Famer.
• Willie Stargell (1940-2001), was a Baseball Hall of Famer with the Pittsburgh Pirates, known for hitting powerful home runs.
• Lloyd "Little Poison" Waner (1906–1982), was a Baseball Hall of Famer.
• Paul "Big Poison" Waner (1903–1965), was a Baseball Hall of Famer.

Basketball Players and Coaches

• Henry Iba, was a legendary basketball coach and a Basketball Hall of Famer.
• Bryant Reeves, played for OSU and retired from the Vancouver Grizzlies in the NBA.
• Wayman Tisdale (born 1964), was a professional basketball player and later a jazz bass guitarist.
• Eddie Sutton, was a successful basketball coach for the Arkansas Razorbacks and Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Other Sports Stars

• Bart Conner, is an Olympic gold medal gymnast.
• Shannon Miller, is an Olympic gold medal gymnast.
• Jim Thorpe (1887–1953), was an amazing athlete who won Olympic gold medals and played professional football and Major League Baseball.

Science and Medicine

Oklahomans have also contributed to scientific discovery and healthcare.

• Richard E. Berendzen (born 1938), is an astronomer, author, and professor.
• Karl Guthe Jansky (1905–1950), was a physicist and radio engineer. He is considered one of the fathers of radio astronomy.

Aviation and Aeronautics

Many Oklahomans have taken to the skies, pushing the boundaries of flight and space exploration.

• Gordon Cooper (1907-2006), was an astronaut.
• Owen K. Garriott (born 1930), was an astronaut.
• John Herrington (born 1958), is an astronaut and the first enrolled member of a Native American tribe to fly in space.
• Shannon Lucid (born 1943), is an astronaut.
• William R. Pogue (born 1930), was an astronaut.
• Wiley Post (1898–1935), was the first pilot to fly solo around the world. He was born in Texas but grew up in Oklahoma.
• Thomas Stafford (born 1930), is an astronaut.
• Clarence L. Tinker (1887-1942), was a U.S. Army Air Corps general and supreme commander of the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific during World War II.

Other Notable Oklahomans

• Tom Colbert (born 1949), was the first African-American Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice.
• Bass Reeves (1838-1910), was the first African-American U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River. He was a key law enforcement agent during Oklahoma's early statehood.