List of people from Arkansas

List of people from Arkansas:

Individuals on this list are either native-born Arkansans or emigrants who have chosen Arkansas as their permanent home.

Actors

• Adams, Joey Lauren (born 1971), actress
• Alexander, Katherine (1898–1981), actress
• Anderson, Bronco Billy (1880–1971), vaudeville actor
• Bentley, Wes (born 1978), actor
• Bumpass, Rodger (born 1951), actor
• Byrd-Nethery, Miriam (1929–2003), actress
• Carter, Conlan (born 1934), retired actor originally from Conway County
• Davis, Gail, film actress, best known as Annie Oakley from the 1950s television series
• Davis, Daniel (born 1945), actor best known for his role as "Niles the butler" on the television series The Nanny
• Duke, Clark (born 1985), actor, Greek, Hearts Afire
• Gauge (born 1980), adult film actress
• Gerard, Gil (born 1943), actor
• Goff, Norris, actor, Abner of Lum and Abner
• Greenway, Tom (1909-1985), character actor, mostly on television westerns
• Harper, Tess (born 1950), actress
• Keener, Brandon (born 1974), actor
• Ladd, Alan (1913–1964), actor
• Lauck, Chester (1902–1980), actor, Lum of Lum and Abner
• Lawrence, Marjorie, actress
• Lucas, Josh (born 1971), actor
• Luckinbill, Laurence (born 1934), actor
• Murphy, Ben (born 1942), actor, Alias Smith and Jones, Lottery!
• Nemec, Corin (born 1971), actor
• Newbern, George (born 1964), actor
• Prsley, Markus (born 1979), most rice krispies eaten in a minute (238.5), Lead singer in children's comedy band called "The Whatchamacallits"
• Powell, Dick (1904–1963), actor; founder of Four Star Television
• Ragsdale, William (born 1961), actor, Herman's Head, Grosse Pointe
• Russomm, Leon (born 1941), actor, Prison Break
• Snow, Norman (born 1950), actor
• Steenburgen, Mary (born 1953), actress
• Tai, Kobe (born 1972), porn actress
• Turner, Karri (born 1966), actress
• Thornton, Billy Bob (born 1955), actor, Oscar-winning screenwriter
• Underwood, Sheryl (born 1963), actress, comedian, radio host

Artists

• Crawford, Heather L. (born 1986), digital artist
• Alexander, Larry D. (born 1953), artist/writer
• Braden, John (1949–2004), writer, producer, director
• Berry, Danielle Bunten (1949–1998), video game designer
• Dudley, Carl Ward (1910–1973), filmmaker and producer
• Fisher, George (1923–2003), political cartoonist
• Green, David Gordon (born 1975), filmmaker
• Johnson, Kenneth (born 1942), screenwriter, director
• Jones, E. Fay (1921–2004), architect and designer
• Powell, Nate (born 1978), comic book artist
• Thomason, Harry (born 1940), television producer
• Washburn, Edward (1831–1860), painter of The Arkansas Traveler

Athletes

• Anderson, James (born 1989), professional basketball player
• Andrews, Shawn (born 1982), professional football player
• Andrews, Stacy (born 1981), professional football player
• Ausbie, Herbert (Geese), professional basketball player with Harlem Globetrotters
• Bearden, Gene (1920–2004), professional baseball player
• Bell, Earl, Olympic pole vaulter
• Brock, Lou (born 1939), professional baseball player
• Brown, Ray, professional football player
• Broyles, Frank (born 1924), football coach, athletic director
• Bryant, Paul 'Bear' (1913–1983), football coach
• Burnett, A. J. (born 1977), professional baseball player
• Burrell, Pat (born 1976), professional baseball player
• Carr, Bill (1909–1966), Olympic runner and 2-time gold medalist
• Carthon, Maurice, professional football player
• Conley, Jr., Mike (born 1987), professional basketball player
• Daly, John (born 1966), professional golfer
• Davis, Willie, professional baseball player
• Dean, Dizzy (1910–1974), professional baseball player
• Dickey, Bill (1907–1993), professional baseball player
• Eudy, Sid (born 1960), professional wrestler
• Evans, Jeremy (born 1987), professional basketball player
• Fisher, Derek, professional basketball player
• Gentry, Craig, professional baseball player
• Goode, Brett, professional football player
• Greene, Charles (born 1944), Olympic sprinter
• Hampton, Dan, professional football player, NFL Hall of Fame member
• Harris, Chris, professional football player
• Harrison, E.J. 'Dutch' (born 1910), professional golfer
• Harrison, Marcus (born 1984), professional football player
• Hickey, Howard "Red" (1917-2006), professional football player and coach
• Hines, Jim (born 1946), Olympic sprinter
• Holmes, Priest (born 1973), professional football player
• Cedric Houston, professional football player
• Hunter, Torii (born 1975), professional baseball player
• Hutson, Don (1913–1997), professional football player
• Johnson, David (born 1987), professional football player
• Johnson, Joe (born 1981), professional basketball player
• Jones, Jerry (born 1942), Dallas Cowboys owner
• Jones, Matt, professional football player
• Joyner, Al, track and field Olympian
• Kavanaugh, Ken (1916–2007), professional football player and coach
• Kell, George (born 1922), professional baseball player
• Lasker, Greg (born 1964), professional football player
• Lee, Cliff (born 1978), professional baseball pitcher
• Liston, Sonny (1932–1970), professional boxer, World Heavyweight Champion
• Mallett, Ryan (born 1988), professional football player
• Martin, Mark (born 1959), championship NASCAR driver
• McFadden, Darren, professional football player
• McReynolds, Kevin (born 1959), professional baseball player
• Mead, Pete (1924–2007), professional boxer
• Moncrief, Sidney (born 1957), professional basketball player
• Monday, Rick (born 1945), professional baseball player, sportscaster
• Moseley, Dustin (born 1981), professional baseball player
• Nixon, Larry (born 1950), professional sport fisherman
• Nutt, Houston (born 1957), Amateur football coach
• Okam, Frank (born 1985), professional football player
• Parnell, Jermey (born 1986), professional football player
• Perry, Joe (born 1927), professional football player
• Petrus, Mitch (born 1987), professional football player
• Pippen, Scottie (born 1965), professional basketball player
• Pitts, Elijah (1938-1998), professional football player and coach
• Randolph, Anthony (born 1989), professional basketball player
• Robinson, Brooks (born 1937), professional baseball player
• Roe, Preacher (1916–2008), professional baseball player
• Sain, Johnny (1917–2006), professional baseball player
• Smith, Rod (born 1970), professional football player
• Sutton, Drew (born 1983), professional baseball player
• Switzer, Barry (born 1937), football coach
• Taylor, Jermain (born 1978), professional boxer
• Thornton, Charley (1937–2004), sports figure
• Vaughan, Arky (1912–1952), professional baseball player
• Vines, Harry (1938–2006), wheelchair basketball coach
• Warneke, Lon (1909–1976), professional baseball player
• Weems, Sonny (born 1986), professional basketball player
• Williams, Corey (born 1980), professional football player
• Williams, Damian (born 1988), professional football player
• Williamson, Corliss (born 1973), professional basketball player

Authors

• Adler, Margot, journalist and correspondent
• Angelou, Maya (born 1928), author, poet
• Brown, Dee (1908–2002), author, historian, novelist
• Brown, Helen Gurley (born 1922), author, editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine
• Collins, Nancy A., author
• Fletcher, John Gould (1886–1950), poet
• Grisham, John (born 1955), novelist
• Grossman, Dave, author
• Hamilton, Laurell K. (born 1963), horror/fantasy author
• Mathis, Deborah, (????- ), journalist and author
• McGehee, Peter (1955–1991), novelist
• Portis, Charles (born 1933), novelist
• Starr, John Robert (1927–2000), journalist
• Woodward, C. Vann (1908–1999), historian

Business leaders

• Dillard, William T. (1914–2002), head of Dillard's Department Stores
• Hussman, Jr., Walter E. (born 1947), founder of WEHCO Media, Inc.
• Hussman, Sr., Walter E. (1906–1988), mass media magnate
• Johnson, John Harold, founder of Johnson Publishing Company
• Jones, Stephen, Executive Vice President/COO for the Dallas Cowboys
• Palmer, Clyde E. (1876–1957), founder of Palmer Newspapers
• Phillips, Charles (born 1959), CEO of Infor Global Solutions
• Tyson, Don (1930-2011), Tyson Foods Poultry processing
• Walton, Jim, son of Sam Walton, owner of Arvest Bank
• Walton, Sam (1918–1992), founder of Wal-Mart Inc.
• Wilson, Kemmons (1913–2003), Holiday Inn hotel founder

Military figures

• Alexander, John Hanks (1864–1894), pioneering African-American naval officer
• Alley, James "Mo", World War II veteran and member of the famed "Easy Company"
• Bacon, Nicky Daniel. (1945–2010), First SergeantU.S. Army, Medal of Honor recipient, Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Heart . Director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, United States Delegate to normalize relations with Vietnam, President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Chair Emeritus of the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, Military Police Hall of Fame
• Beall, William N.R. (1825–1883), Confederate Brigadier General
• Bolling, Raynal (1877–1918), first high-ranking U.S. Army casualty in WWI
• Borland, Solon (1808–1864), Confederate Brigadier General
• Britt, Maurice "Footsie", World War II soldier, Medal of Honor recipient, Distinguished Service Cross recipient, Silver Star recipient, first American soldier to receive the three highest American medals for bravery. Was also an NFL player and Lt. Governor of Arkansas.
• Cabell, William L. (1827–1911), Confederate Brigadier General
• Churchill, Thomas J. (1824–1905), Confederate Major General
• Clark, Wesley (born 1944), U.S. Army General, NATO Commander
• Cleburne, Patrick (1828–1864), Confederate Major General
• Conway, James (born 1947), US Marine Corps Lieutenant General
• Darby, William Orlando (1911–1945), first commander of the US Army Rangers
• Davis, Herman, a Distinguished Service Cross recipient and World War I sniper
• Dockery, Thomas P. (1833–1898), Confederate Brigadier General
• Eberle, Edward Walter (1864–1929), U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations
• Fagan James F. (1827–1893), Confederate Major General
• Gordon, Nathan G. (born 1916), USN PBY pilot, received Medal of Honor for rescuing 15 downed aircrew members by landing his aircraft under enemy fire
• Govan, Daniel C. (1829–1911), Confederate Brigadier General
• Hathcock, Carlos (1942–1999), Marine Sniper
• Hawthorn, Alexander T. (1825–1899), Confederate Brigadier General
• Hindman, Thomas (1828–1868), US Congressman and Confederate Major General
• Holbrook, Lucius Roy (1875–1952), US Major General
• Izard, George (1776–1828), US Army General, War of 1812
• Kindley, Field E. (1896–1920), World War I flying ace
• MacArthur, Douglas (1880–1964), US General of the Army, Medal of Honor recipient
• McCright, Ewell Ross (1907–1990), US Air Force Captain, World War II, Prisoner of War and Legion of Merit recipient
• McKennon, Pierce (1919–1947), World War II fighter ace veteran of RAF Eagle Squadron, 335thFS/4thFG, 20 German aircraft destroyed
• McNair, Evander (1820–1902), Confederate Brigadier General
• McRae, Dandridge (1829–1899), Confederate Brigadier General
• Metheny, Arlie (1918-2009), World War II Marine and Army office; information officer in 1958 when Elvis Presley was processed into service at Fort Chaffee
• Pike, Albert (1809–1891), Confederate General, Freemason
• Randleman, Denver "Bull", WWII veteran
• Rust, Albert (1818–1870), Confederate Brigadier General
• Roane, John S. (1817–1867), Brigadier General
• Tappan, James C. (1825–1906), Confederate Brigadier General
• Thach, John (1905–1981), US Navy Admiral, World War II flying ace
• Tinker, Frank Glasgow (1909–1939), Spanish-Civil War volunteer fighter pilot
• Wassell, Corydon M., U.S. Navy physician and medical missionary
• Yell, Archibald (1797–1847), Brigadier General, killed at the Battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican-American War

Musicians

• Allen, Kris (born 1985), singer-songwriter, winner of American Idol – the eighth season
• Broonzy, Big Bill (1903–1958), blues singer, songwriter and guitarist
• Brown, Shirley (born 1947), soul singer
• Burgess, Sonny, Sun recording artist
• Caldwell, Sarah (born 1924), opera conductor and director, violinist
• Campbell, Glen (born 1936), country singer, songwriter, and actor
• Cash, Johnny (1932–2003), country singer and songwriter
• Cramer, Floyd, musician, most known for his piano instrumental "Last Date"
• Dash, Roscoe (born 1990), rapper
• DeMent, Iris (born 1961), country/folk singer and songwriter
• Dickinson, Jim (born 1941), musician and producer
• Ditto, Beth (born 1981), singer with The Gossip
• Dorough, Bob (born 1923), Jazz Musician and Voice of School House Rock
• Driftwood, Jimmy (1907–1998), folk musician/songwriter, wrote "The Battle of New Orleans"
• Faulkner, Sanford (1806–1874), wrote fiddle tune "Arkansas Traveler"
• Frizzell, Lefty (1928–1975), Country music singer and songwriter
• Green, Al (born 1946), singer
• Hammer, Charles Christian (1953–2004), classical guitarist
• Hawkins, Ronnie (born 1935), rock musician
• Helm, Levon (born 1940), rock musician
• Hendricks, Barbara (born 1948), opera singer
• Hilliard, John S. (born 1947), composer
• Holyfield, Wayland (born 1942), songwriter
• Jewell, Buddy, Country musician
• Jordan, Louis (1908–1975), jazz musician and bandleader
• Lawrence, Tracy (born 1968), country musician
• Lee, Amy (born 1981), rock musician
• Lockwood, Robert Jr. (1915–2006), blues musician
• McBeth, W. Francis (born 1933), composer
• Montana, Patsy (1914–1996), country musician
• Moody, Ben (born 1980), rock musician
• Moore, Justin (born 1984), country musician
• Moorman, Charlotte (1933–1991), cellist, performance artist
• Nancarrow, Conlon (1912–1997), composer
• Ne-Yo, R&B musician, songwriter
• Oslin, K.T. (born 1941), country musician
• Paris, Twila (born 1958), gospel musician
• Porter, Art Jr. (1961–1996), jazz saxophonist
• Porter, Art Sr. (1934–1993), jazz pianist
• Raye, Collin (born 1960), country musician
• Rich, Charlie (1932–1995), rockabilly, jazz, blues, country, and gospel musician and pianist
• Sanders, Pharoah (born 1940), jazz saxophonist
• Still, William Grant (1895–1978), composer
• Taylor, Johnnie (1938–2000), vocalist
• Twitty, Conway (1933–1993), rock and roll and country music singer
• Utley, Michael (born 1985), songwriter, actor, musician, bit actor, member Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band and Club Trini
• Walker, Junior (1931-1995), Motown saxophonist
• Warfield, William (1920–2002), vocalist
• Williams, Lenny (born 1945), singer
• Williams, Otis, singer
• Williamson, Sonny Boy (1899–1965), blues musician

Political figures

• Alexander, William Vollie "Bill" Alexander (born 1934), US representative from 1969–1993
• Dale Alford (1916–2000), US Representative from Little Rock from 1959–1963; unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate in Democratic primary in 1962 and 1966
• Arnold, Morris S. (born 1941), US Appeals Court judge
• Richard S. Arnold (1936–2004), US Appeals Court judge
• Wayne H. Babbitt (1928–1994), Republican politician
• Richard L. Barclay (born 1937), former state representative and director of Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration
• Beebe, Mike, current Arkansas Governor.
• Bethune, Edwin Ruthvin (born 1935), US Representative from 1979–1985
• Blaylock, Len E. (born 1919), Republican politician
• Borland, Solon (1808–1864), US Senator
• Britt, Henry M. (1919–1995), Republican politician and judge from Hot Springs; his party's 1960 gubernatorial nominee
• Bryant, Kelly (1908–1975), secretary of state
• Bumpers, Dale (born 1925), U.S. Senator and Arkansas Governor
• Bynum, Preston C. (born 1939) lobbyist and politician
• Caraway, Hattie (1878–1951), first woman US Senator
• Cherry, Francis Adams (1908–1965), governor from 1953–1955
• Clinton, Bill (born 1946), President of the United States
• Clinton, Chelsea (born 1980), Presidential daughter
• Clinton, Hillary Rodham, U.S. Secretary of State; former U.S. Senator from New York; former First Lady of the United States and First Lady of Arkansas
• Conway, Henry W. (1793–1827), territorial delegate
• Coon, Ken (born 1935), politician and psychologist
• Davis, Danny K. (born 1941), US Representative from Illinois
• Dickey, Jay (born 1939), US Representative from 1993-2001
• Faubus, Orval Eugene (1910–1994), governor from 1955–1967
• Foster, Vince (1945–1993), Presidential aide
• Freeman, Woody (born 1946), businessman and 1984 Republican gubernatorial nominee
• Fulbright, J. William (1905–1995), US Senator
• Garland, Augustus H. (1832–1899), U.S. Attorney General
• Guinn, Kenny (born 1936), Governor of Nevada from 1999-2007
• Hammerschmidt, John Paul (born 1922), US Representative
• Heiskell, John (1872–1972), US Senator and newspaper publisher
• Holleman, Harlan "Bo" (1927–1982), Republican party chairman
• Holt, Jim L. (born 1965), Republican politician
• Huckabee, Mike (born 1955), governor from 1994-2007
• Hurst, Q. Byrum (1918–2006), Hot Springs attorney and state senator from 1950–1972
• Hutchinson, Asa (born 1950), US representative
• Hutchinson, Tim (born 1949), US representative and US senator
• Johnson, Jim (born 1924), Arkansas Supreme Court Justice, segregationist leader
• Johnson, Robert W. (1814–1879), U.S. and Confederate States Senator
• Laney, Benjamin Travis (1896–1977) governor
• Lincoln, Blanche (born 1960), U.S. Senator
• Lloyd, Marilyn (born 1929), US Representative from Tennessee
• Lowe, A. Lynn (born 1936), former Arkansas Republican state chairman and unsuccessful nominee for U.S. House of Representatives (1966) and governor (1978)
• McClellan, John L. (1896–1977), Chairman Senate Appropriations Committee
• McMath, Sid (1912–2003), former Arkansas Governor, trial lawyer, and Marine Corps General.
• Miller, Gary (born 1948), U.S. Representative from California
• Mills, Wilbur Daigh (1909–1992), Chairman of House Ways and Means Committee
• Murphy, Isaac (1799–1882), Governor of Arkansas
• Pollan, Carolyn (born 1937), state representative
• Parker, Isaac (1838–1896), "Hanging Judge" of Fort Smith
• Pryor, David, US Senator, governor, US representative; founding dean of the Clinton School of Public Service
• Pryor, Mark (born 1963), current US Senator
• Remmel, Pratt C. (1915–1991), only Republican to have been mayor of Little Rock in 20th century, Republican gubernatorial nominee in 1954
• Willis Ricketts (1924–2003), Republican gubernatorial nominee in 1962
• Robinson, Joseph T. (1872–1937), Senate Majority Leader and Vice Presidential candidate
• Robinson, Tommy F. (born 1942), sheriff, US representative
• Rockefeller, Winthrop (1912–1973), Governor of Arkansas
• Rockefeller, Winthrop Paul (1948–2006), lieutenant governor
• Ross, Mike (born 1961), current U.S. Representative
• Rutherford, J.T. (born 1921), U.S. Representative from Texas
• Sandlin, Max (born 1952), U.S. Representative from Texas
• Monroe Schwarzlose (1902–1990), maverick gubernatorial candidate
• Sessions, William S. (born 1930), FBI Director
• Sevier, Ambrose H. (1801–1848), US Senator, Father of Arkansas Statehood
• Shackelford, Lottie, Democratic National Committee Vice Chair
• Smithson, Jim L. (born 1943), state representative from 1974–1984
• Snyder, John W. (1895–1985), U.S. Treasury Secretary
• Snyder, Vic (born 1947), current US Representative
• Thomasson, Jerry (1931–2007), state representative from 1962–1966
• Troxell, Leona (1913–2003), Republican activist
• Watkins, Wes (born 1938), U.S. Representative from Oklahoma
• White, Frank Durward (1933–2003), governor from 1981–1983
• Williams, Eddie Joe (born 1954), state senator and former mayor
• Witt, James Lee (born 1944), FEMA Director
• Wolf, Judy Petty (born 1943), former state representative

see also: List of Arkansas Governors, U.S. Congressional Delegations from Arkansas

Social figures

• Bates, Daisy (1914–1999), civil rights leader
• Cleaver, Eldridge (1935–1998), activist
• Elders, Joycelyn (born 1933), US Surgeon General
• Hill, Robert L. (born 1892, date of death unknown), black leader at Elaine Race Riot
• Jones, Scipio Africanus (1863–1943), African-American attorney
• Terry, Adolphine Fletcher (1882–1976), social activist
• Thaden, Louise (1905–1979), aviation pioneer
• Washburn, Cephas (1793–1860), Indian missionary

Other Arkansans

• Amarillo Slim (born 1928), professional poker player
• Besser, Matt (born 1967), comedian
• Black, James (1800–1872), inventor of the 'Bowie' knife
• Covey, Richard O. 'Dick' (born 1946), astronaut
• Dirkhising, Jesse (1986–1999), crime victim
• Doolin, Bill (1858–1896), outlaw
• Gilliland, Edwin (1909–1973), chemical engineer
• Gracen, Elizabeth Ward (born 1960), Miss America, actress
• Connie Hamzy prolific rock groupie noted as "Sweet, Sweet Connie" in the Grand Funk Railroad 1973 song "We're An American Band."
• Hicks, Bill (1961–1994), comedian
• Holmes, T. J. (born 1977), CNN weekday anchor
• Rex Humbard (1919–2007), televangelist
• Johnson, Kenneth (born 1942), writer, director and producer
• Keohane, Nan, President of Duke University
• Owens, Freeman, pioneer in cinematography
• Parazynski, Scott E. (born 1961), astronaut
• Selman, John, outlaw
• Stephens, Steve, radio and television host
• Stocks, Heath, convicted murderer who killed his family in Lonoke
• Turner, Debbye, (born 1967), Miss America 1990, television host/news anchor
• Utley, Terri (born 1962) Miss USA 1982
• Webb, John Joshua, gunslinger