Famous People From Arkansas & Celebs Born In Arkansas.
With the city of Little Rock as its capital, Arkansas is a state situated in the southeastern region of the United States of America. The geographical terrain of the state ranges from mountainous regions to densely forested lands, which makes it the 29th largest in terms of area. The state is rich in heritage and culture which is reflected in its museums, theaters, restaurants and other venues. The state was once referred to as ‘The Land Of Opportunity’ but is now often called ‘The Natural State’. Many distinguished individuals were born out of the state of Arkansas and have gone on to contributing significantly to the country on an international front. One of the most prominent individuals who was born is Arkansas has to be the former president, Bill Clinton. The state has produced various notable musicians such as Ne-Yo, the eight time Grammy Award winner Al Green, and the incredible Johnny Cash. Various famous actors are also from the state of Arkansas such as Academy Award winning actor Mary Steenburgen. Even the famous author John Grisham hails from Arkansas. Here is the complete-list of celebrities from Arkansas & celebs born in Arkansas.
Vote for Your Favourite People From Arkansas
Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.
1
Johnny Cash(One of the Best-Selling Music Artists of All Time)
Birthdate: February 26, 1932
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died: September 12, 2003
Johnny Cash, the American singer, songwriter and actor, was known for sorrow, moral suffering and redemption themes in his music. His genre was country, rock and roll, blues, folk and gospel sounds and he is one of the best-selling artists of all time. Cash had issues with drinking and drug abuse. Later he was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease.
2
Scottie Pippen(American Former Professional Basketball Player Who is Considered One of the Greatest Small Forwards of All Time)
Birthdate: September 25, 1965
Sun Sign: Libra
Former professional basketball player, Scottie Pippen, is best known for his stint with the Chicago Bulls with who he won six NBA championships. Considered one of the greatest small forwards of all time, he played a key role in transforming the Bulls into one of the most formidable forces in NBA in the 1990s.
3
Douglas MacArthur(American Military Leader Who Played a Prominent Role in the Pacific Theater During World War II)
Birthdate: January 26, 1880
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Died: April 5, 1964
American five-star general Douglas MacArthur was the field marshal of the Philippine Army. He and his father were the first father-son duo to win the Medal of Honor. after World War II, he became the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Japan and contributed to Japan’s reconstruction.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: February 8, 1955
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Criminal lawyer-turned-author John Grisham is known for his bestselling legal thrillers The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Client, The Rainmaker, and A Time to Kill. Nine of his novels have been made into films. He is one of three authors to have sold 2 million copies in his first printing.
Recommended Lists:5
Billy Bob Thornton(Best Known for Directing, Writing and Starring in the 1996 Drama Film 'Sling Blade')
Birthdate: August 4, 1955
Sun Sign: Leo
One of the few celebrities who have been open about their aversion towards celebrity culture, Billy Bob Thornton has had quite an impact on the entertainment industry as an actor, director, writer, and musician. He suffers from OCD and a phobia of antique furniture. He hates French antiques and can spot the imitation antiques from a far distance.
Birthdate: May 8, 1932
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: December 30, 1970
Renowned as the Big Bear, Sonny Liston became the world heavyweight champion in 1962. Known for his intimidating appearance, formidable punching power, toughness, and long reach, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Widely regarded as unbeatable, he lost the WBC title to Muhammad Ali, in 1964.
Recommended Lists:7
Mary Steenburgen(Actress and Comedian Best Known for Her Films: ‘Goin' South’, ‘Melvin and Howard’ and ‘Ragtime’)
Birthdate: February 8, 1953
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Mary Steenburgen is an American actress and musician. Also an active humanitarian, Steenburgen has been involved with several groups that work towards the welfare of people and the environment. In 2005, she inspired students at the Clinton School of Public Service with her lecture on students' role in public service.
Birthdate: August 19, 1946
Sun Sign: Leo
Bill Cinton was the 42nd president of the United States who served for two terms from 1993 to 2001. He was the third-youngest president in the American history and presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history. The second-term of his presidency was rocked by the infamous Monica Lewinsky sex-scandal for which he was impeached and later acquitted.
Recommended Lists:9
Al Green(Singer, Songwriter, Record producer)
Birthdate: April 13, 1946
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthdate: April 22, 1936
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: August 8, 2017
Glen Campbell was an American TV host, actor, singer-songwriter, and guitarist. Regarded as one of the most successful musicians ever, Campbell sold more than 45 million records, which included a double-platinum album, four platinum albums, and 12 gold albums, in a career spanning 50 years. In 2014, he became the subject of a documentary titled Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me.
Recommended Lists:11
Wes Bentley(Best Known for His Role as ‘Ricky Fitts’ in the Film ‘American Beauty')
Birthdate: September 4, 1978
Sun Sign: Virgo
Wes Bentley is an American actor known for portraying prominent characters in popular films like The Hunger Games. He became one of the subjects in the 2009 documentary My Big Break, which focuses on his fame and struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. He took professional help to deal with his addiction and is currently on the path to recovery.
12
Levon Helm(American Musician and Actor Who Achieved Fame as the Drummer)
Birthdate: May 26, 1940
Sun Sign: Gemini
Died: April 19, 2012
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
Recommended Lists:13
Josh Lucas(American Actor Who Has Been Successful in Series and Movies)
Birthdate: June 20, 1971
Sun Sign: Gemini
American actor Josh Lucas was born to anti-nuclear activist parents and was 19 when he moved to Hollywood and began guest-starring in TV sitcoms. He is known for his roles in series such as The Mysteries of Laura and in movies such as Sweet Home Alabama and American Psycho.
Birthdate: September 20, 1976
Sun Sign: Virgo
Died: April 28, 1999
Arkansas Razorbacks offensive lineman Brandon Burlsworth had joined the team as a walk-on and later became an All-American. He was drafted by the NFL team Indianapolis Colts in 1999 but tragically died in a car accident just 11 days later. Following his death, his Arkansas jersey was permanently retired.
Recommended Lists:15
Ne-Yo(American Singer-songwriter And Record Producer)
Birthdate: October 18, 1979
Sun Sign: Libra
Grammy-winning R&B/pop singer-songwriter Ne-Yo soared to fame with his debut album, In My Own Words, which included the Billboard 200-topping track So Sick. He is also known for his tracks Let Me Love You, Closer, and Miss Independent. He has been a judge on the show World of Dance.
16
Austin Reaves(Basketball player)
Birthdate: May 29, 1998
Sun Sign: Gemini
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
Recommended Lists:17
Tommy Morrison(1993 WBO Heavyweight Champion )
Birthdate: January 2, 1969
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died: September 1, 2013
Tommy Morrison was an American boxer who was ranked among the best boxer in the world by BoxRecheld in 1992. He held the WBO heavyweight championship in 1993. In addition to his boxing career, Tommy Morrison also had an acting career; he portrayed Tommy Gunn and appeared alongside Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone in the 1990 sports drama movie Rocky V.
Birthdate: September 3, 1913
Sun Sign: Virgo
Died: January 29, 1964
Alan Ladd soared to fame with Westerns and film noir of the 1940s-1950s. He often paired up with Veronica Lake and also appeared in radio plays. Some of his hits were The Blue Dahlia, The Carpetbaggers, and The Great Gatsby. He died of an accidental overdose of alcohol and drugs.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: May 20, 1942
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: February 23, 1999
Carlos Hathcock was a U.S. Marine sniper who had killed at least 93 enemy personnel in the Vietnam War. He inspired the 1993 movie Sniper. His signature style of attaching a feather to his bush hat earned him the name “White Feather.” He later had a rifle named after him.
Birthdate: August 24, 1955
Sun Sign: Virgo
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
Recommended Lists:21
Mary Mouser(Actress)
Birthdate: May 9, 1996
Sun Sign: Taurus
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
22
Melinda Dillon(Best Known for Her Roles in the Films: ‘A Christmas Story’ and ‘Absence of Malice’)
Birthdate: October 13, 1939
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: January 9, 2023
Melinda Dillon is an American actress whose performance in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, which marked her Broadway debut, earned her a Tony Award nomination in 1963. She then went on to earn two Academy Award nominations for delivering powerful performances in Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Absence of Malice.
Recommended Lists:23
Bear Bryant(One of the Greatest College Football Coaches of All Time)
Birthdate: September 11, 1913
Sun Sign: Virgo
Died: January 26, 1983
Bear Bryant was an American football player who represented the Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama. Bryant is remembered for his illustrious career as a coach. He served as the head coach of the Crimson Tide for 25 years, during which he helped his team win six national championships. He is regarded as the greatest college football coach ever.
24
Joey Lauren Adams(Actress)
Birthdate: January 9, 1968
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
Recommended Lists:25
Charlie Rich(Singer)
Birthdate: December 14, 1932
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: July 25, 1995
Birthdate: June 9, 1926
Sun Sign: Gemini
Georgia Holt is a retired American actress, singer-songwriter, and former model. After beginning her career as a child singer, Holt started appearing on popular TV shows which increased her popularity. In 2013, Georgia Holt became the subject of a documentary titled Dear Mom, Love Cher, which also featured her famous daughter Cher.
Recommended Lists:27
Derek Fisher(Basketball coach)
Birthdate: August 9, 1974
Sun Sign: Leo
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
Birthdate: April 2, 1980
Sun Sign: Aries
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: May 5, 1985
Sun Sign: Taurus
Actor, comedian, and director, Clark Duke, is best known for playing Clark Green in the TV series, The Office. While studying at Loyola Marymount University, he teamed up with Michael Cera to create the web series, Clark and Michael. Since then, he has acted in, produced, and directed many TV shows and films.
30
Brooks Robinson(Baseball player)
Birthdate: May 18, 1937
Sun Sign: Taurus
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
Recommended Lists:31
Lamar Hunt(American Sports Executive and BusinessmanBusinessman)
Birthdate: August 2, 1932
Sun Sign: Leo
Died: December 13, 2006
Businessman Lamar Hunt was a major promoter of American football, soccer, tennis, basketball, and ice hockey in the United States. He was the principal founder of the Major League Soccer (MLS) and American Football League (AFL). He was also the co-founder of World Championship Tennis. In 1982, he was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
32
Sister Rosetta Tharpe(Gospel Singer-Songwriter and Guitarist Known for Using Heavy Distortion on Her Electric Guitar)
Birthdate: March 20, 1915
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died: October 9, 1973
Sister Rosetta Tharpe was an American recording artist, guitarist, and singer-songwriter. Characterized by a mixture of electric guitar and spiritual lyrics, Tharpe's music played an influential role in the development of rock and roll. Her music influenced several rock-and-roll musicians like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Chuck Berry. She is often referred to as the Godmother of rock and roll.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: November 14, 1904
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Died: January 2, 1963
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
34
Joe Johnson(Basketball player)
Birthdate: June 29, 1981
Sun Sign: Cancer
Height: 6'7" (201 cm)
Recommended Lists:35
Ashley McBryde(Singer)
Birthdate: July 29, 1983
Sun Sign: Leo
Ashley McBryde is an American singer-songwriter who was adjudged New Artist of the Year at the 2019 Country Music Association Awards. The same year, she was also named New Female Vocalist of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
36
Jahlil Okafor(Basketball player - Center)
Birthdate: December 15, 1995
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 6'10" (208 cm)
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: August 13, 1982
Sun Sign: Leo
38
Alice Walton(Heiress to the Fortune of Walmart and One of the Richest Women in the World)
Birthdate: October 7, 1949
Sun Sign: Libra
Alice Walton is an heiress to the fortune of the popular American multinational retail corporation, Walmart. She is currently the second richest woman in the world. She is credited with founding the now-defunct investment bank The Llama Company. She also played a key role in the establishment of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport by providing $15 million for its construction.
Recommended Lists:39
Mike Conley, Jr.(Basketball player)
Birthdate: October 11, 1987
Sun Sign: Libra
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
40
Lawrence Phillips(American football player)
Birthdate: May 12, 1975
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: January 13, 2016
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
Recommended Lists:41
Chelsea Clinton(American Writer, Global Health Advocate and Daughter of Former U.S. President Bill Clinton)
Birthdate: February 27, 1980
Sun Sign: Pisces
Chelsea Clinton is the daughter of former U.S. president Bill Clinton and senator Hillary Clinton. She has authored many books, including a number of bestselling children’s books. She works to improve global health, along with the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative. She has previously worked with NBC News.
42
Eldridge Cleaver(American Writer and Political Activist who Became an Early Leader of the Black Panther Party)
Birthdate: August 31, 1935
Sun Sign: Virgo
Died: May 1, 1998
43
Charlie Strong(American football coach)
Birthdate: August 2, 1960
Sun Sign: Leo
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
44
Don Hutson(American football player)
Birthdate: January 31, 1913
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Died: June 26, 1997
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
45
Gil Gerard(Actor)
Birthdate: January 23, 1943
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
46
Rudy Ray Moore(Comedian and Actor Known for His Character ‘Dolemite’ in the Film ‘Dolemite’ and its Sequels)
Birthdate: March 17, 1927
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died: October 19, 2008
A multifaceted personality, Rudy Ray Moore was a comedian, singer, actor, and film producer. He is remembered for playing the title character in the crime comedy film, Dolemite, and its sequels. He served in the army as a young man and began his career in the entertainment industry following his discharge. Many black comedians consider him an inspiration.
47
Sid Eudy(American Former Professional Wrestler and Six-Time World Champion)
Birthdate: December 16, 1960
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 6'9" (206 cm)
48
Bobby Portis(Basketball player)
Birthdate: February 10, 1995
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Height: 6'10" (208 cm)
49
Malik Monk(Basketball player)
Birthdate: February 4, 1998
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
Birthdate: July 26, 1928
Sun Sign: Leo
Died: June 27, 2018
Talent manager Joe Jackson was the patriarch of the Jackson family and managed The Jackson 5, which included his son Michael Jackson and daughter Janet Jackson, who grew up to be legendary artists. Joe owned Joe Jackson Productions. He was also a Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame inductee.
