You may be familiar with a number of influential and celebrated people from a variety of fields. You may not be aware of it, but many famous people from Alabama have made a huge mark on society! There have been so many famous people from Alabama that it’s hard to keep track of them all…actors, novelists, professional athletes, historical figures, politicians. So many celebrities in Alabama call the Heart of Dixie their home state. Let’s take a look at just a few of these famous people from Alabama who have accomplished their dreams and made Alabama proud.
Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing at the age of just 19 months. While that would have been enough to discourage most people, she didn't let it stop her. She overcame her adversities to become a political activist and disabilities rights advocate. She wrote 12 books and gave many lectures.
Mia Hamm is a soccer icon, and undoubtedly one of the most famous players to ever play for the United States. During her career, she won two Olympic gold medals and two FIFA Women's World Cups.
This brave woman is practically synonymous with the African American civil rights movement. She stood up for herself by refusing to give up her bus seat. She changed history and will always be remembered as an important figure during this vital movement.
Percy Sledge was a former hospital orderly who became a world famous soul and gospel singer. His huge hit "When A Man Loves A Woman" was recorded in 1966 in his hometown of Sheffield.
Famous for his handsome looks, Tatum has been in a number of successful movies, such as "Step Up" and "Magic Mike." He was a model before becoming an actor and is now starting to dabble in directing.
Jesse Owens was a four-time Olympic gold medalist in track and field. His rise to fame was incredible, especially considering his grandfather was a slave!
Courteney Cox was born and raised in Birmingham. She moved to Washington, D.C. for college, but did not graduate as her modeling and acting career began to take off at that point. She first gained fame starring as Monica on "Friends" and was later in the popular "Scream" film franchise.
Evander Holyfield is probably most famous for losing his ear during a boxing match (opponent Mike Tyson bit part of it off). It's unfortunate that this bizarre event has overshadowed the rest of his illustrious career. He's a four-time heavyweight champion and also won titles in the cruiserweight class.
Kate Jackson played Sabrina, one of Charlie's angels in the show with the same title. She was nominated for three Emmy awards and four Golden Globes. She lived in Alabama until leaving for the University of Mississippi.
Hank Aaron is closely associated with Milwaukee and Atlanta, having played on the Braves when the MLB team was in both cities. However, he was born in Mobile. He is regarded as one of the greatest baseball players in history and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.
Lucas Black may be more familiar to you as "the kid from Sling Blade." He's also the star of the hit show "NCIS: New Orleans." He grew up in the small town of Speake and graduated high school there before beginning his acting career.
Robin Roberts was born in Tuskegee but grew up in Mississippi. Her father was a Tuskegee Airman. We welcome her into our homes each morning as she co-anchors "Good Morning America."
This Pulitzer Prize-winning author grew up in the small town of Monroeville. Her most famous work, "To Kill A Mockingbird," is based on events that occurred in her hometown.
Kim Dickens can be seen in "Fear the Walking Dead," the prequel to the hit series "The Walking Dead." She also has had supporting roles in several big movies, including "Gone Girl" and "The Blind Side."
Condoleezza Rice has had an extensive career in politics. She is best known for serving as George W. Bush's Secretary of State. She was the first African-American woman to hold that position.
Do you remember the mean girl from Romy and Michele's High School Reunion? She's Julia Campbell and she's from Huntsville.
There you have it: there have been many talented famous people from Alabama. It’s certainly no surprise; after all, Alabama is awesome!
Note: this isn’t intended to be an all-inclusive list and it only includes people who were actually born in Alabama. If you have another of the many celebrities in Alabama to suggest, mention them in the comments! We love learning Alabama trivia.
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Alabama Trivia
Lisa Sammons|July 27, 2021
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