List of people from Philadelphia
The following is a list of notable residents, natives, and persons generally associated with the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the fifth-largest city in the United States. The list includes both former and present residents of the city.
Academia
- Joseph Addison Alexander – biblical scholar[1]
- E. Digby Baltzell – sociologist, academic and author
- Leon Bass – educator, principal of Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin High School
- Noam Chomsky – linguist
- Gordon Clark – Christian theologian, professor
- Leda Cosmides – evolutionary psychologist
- Philip D. Curtin – historian
- Marc Lamont Hill – professor, educational researcher, cultural critic, and activist
- Agnes Irwin – founder of the Agnes Irwin School, first dean of Radcliffe College
- Seymour S. Kety – neuroscientist, schizophrenia researcher
- Byard Lancaster – jazz artist, saxophone, flute
- Alain Locke – first black Rhodes Scholar, Father of the Harlem Renaissance
- Margaret Mead – anthropologist
- Jacob Soll – historian, MacArthur Fellowship recipient.[2]
- Howard M. Temin – Nobel colaureate in physiology or medicine, 1975
- Cornelius Van Til – Christian theologian, professor
- Lawrence Venuti – Translation scholar and historian
- Andrew Weil – medical doctor, established the field of integrative medicine
- Gayraud Wilmore – Christian theologian, professor
Art and architecture
- Julian Abele – architect
- Robb Armstrong – cartoonist, creator of Jump Start
- Edmund Bacon – city planner
- Cecilia Beaux – painter[3]
- William Bell – photographer[4]
- Alexander Calder – artist
- Mary Cassatt – painter
- Robert Crumb – underground comics artist, writer
- Heather Dewey-Hagborg – information artist
- Thomas Eakins – painter
- Frank Furness – architect
- Sonia Gechtoff – painter
- Ginger Gilmour – sculptor; first wife of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour[5]
- Phoebe Gloeckner – cartoonist, novelist
- Elizabeth Shippen Green – illustrator
- Ian Hornak – painter
- Amy Ignatow – illustrator, cartoonist, and author, The Popularity Papers series
- Louis Kahn – architect
- Bil Keane – cartoonist, The Family Circus
- Walt Kelly – cartoonist
- Henry P. McIlhenny – philanthropist; chairman, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1976–1986
- Alice Neel – painter
- Albert Newsam – artist[6]
- Martin Nodell – comic book artist, creator of the original Green Lantern
- William H. Rau – photographer[7]
- Carolee Schneemann – artist
- Mary B. Schuenemann – painter
- Denise Scott Brown – architect
- Sarai Sherman – painter
- Grover Simcox – illustrator
- Jessie Wilcox Smith – illustrator
- Will Smith (1948–1987) – fashion designer
- Zoe Strauss – photographer
- Thomas Sully – painter[8]
- Daniel Traub – photographer, filmmaker
- Horace Trumbauer – architect
- Robert Venturi – architect
- Andrew Wyeth – painter
- Jamie Wyeth – painter (son of Andrew)
- N.C. Wyeth – illustrator (father of Andrew)
- Lily Yeh – artist
Business
- Amar Bose – founder of Bose
- Frank Baldino, Jr. – founder of Cephalon
- Pat Croce – entrepreneur; part-owner and former president, Philadelphia 76ers
- Charles Henry Davis – businessperson, civil engineer and philanthropist
- Maria Anna Fisher – 19th-century biscuit entrepreneur
- Albert M. Greenfield – local realty magnate; philanthropist; political activist
- Solomon R. Guggenheim – founder, Yukon Gold Company; philanthropist, art collector
- Richard Hayne – founder and CEO of Urban Outfitters
- Michael Johns – health care executive, former White House speechwriter
- Tom Knox – former CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania; 2007 Philadelphia mayoral candidate
- Jim Murray – co-founder, Ronald McDonald House Charities; former general manager, Philadelphia Eagles
- Pat Olivieri – founder of Pat's King of Steaks, reputed creator of the cheesesteak
- William S. Paley – former president, CBS
- Randal Pinkett – entrepreneur, PhD, winner of The Apprentice 4
- Lynda Resnick – co-owner of Roll International, which owns POM Wonderful, FIJI Water, and Teleflora
- Brian L. Roberts – chairman and CEO, Comcast Corporation
- Michael G. Rubin – founder and CEO of Kynetic; part-owner of Philadelphia 76ers; founder and former CEO of GSI Commerce
- Ed Snider – chairman, Comcast Spectacor
- Justus Strawbridge – department store founder
- Brian Tierney – CEO, Philadelphia Media Holdings, LLC; publisher of Philadelphia Inquirer
- John Wanamaker – department store
- William Wrigley Jr. – founder of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
- Kenneth Frazier – CEO of Merck & Co.
- Stephen A. Schwarzman – billionaire, founder and CEO of The Blackstone Group
Film, television, and theater
A-K
- Joe Augustyn – writer, producer
- Kevin Bacon – actor, half of the Bacon Brothers
- Jim Bailey – actor
- Chuck Barris – actor, composer, writer, director, producer, game show host
- Ethel Barrymore – actress
- John Barrymore – actor
- Lionel Barrymore – actor
- Eddie Barth – actor and voiceover artist[9]
- Jules Bass – director, composer
- Laurie Beechman – singer, actress, notably of Broadway[10]
- Willam Belli - actor, drag queen, model, and recording artist. Most known for his role on Nip/Tuck and competing on season 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race
- Maria Bello – actress
- Ed Bernard – actor
- John Biddle – yachting cinematographer and lecturer
- Joey Bishop – entertainer
- Danny Bonaduce – actor
- David Boreanaz – actor
- Jim Boyd – actor
- Peter Boyle – actor
- David Brenner – comedian
- Richard Brooks – screenwriter, director
- Nicholas Brothers – tap dancers
- Eugene Byrd – actor
- Michael Callan – actor
- Gia Marie Carangi – model
- The Clark Brothers – tap dancers
- Dick Clark – host, American Bandstand and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, game show host, producer
- Bessie Clayton – dancer[11]
- Imogene Coca – actress, comedian
- Nathan Cook – actor
- Bradley Cooper – actor
- Bill Cosby – comedian, actor
- Broderick Crawford – actor
- Susan Webb Cushman – stage actress
- Blythe Danner – actress; mother of Gwyneth Paltrow
- Bruce Davison – actor
- John de Lancie – actor
- Francis De Sales (1912–1988) – actor
- Kim Delaney – actress
- Kat Dennings – actress
- Curly Joe DeRita – comedian, actor, member of The Three Stooges
- John Doman – actor, The Wire
- Mike Douglas – singer, television talk show host
- Gary Dourdan – actor
- Rel Dowdell – filmmaker
- Ja'net Dubois – actress, singer
- Kevin Eubanks – musician, former leader of The Tonight Show Band
- Lola Falana – dancer, actress
- Norman Fell – actor
- Tina Fey – actress, comedian
- W. C. Fields – actor, comedian
- Larry Fine – comedian, actor, member of The Three Stooges
- Linda Fiorentino – actress
- Kate Flannery – actress
- Ray Fulmer – actor
- Jeremy Gable – playwright
- Ralph Garman – actor, radio personality
- Janet Gaynor – actress
- Richard Gere – actor
- Todd Glass – comedian
- Robert X. Golphin – actor, filmmaker
- Kate Gosselin – reality TV personality, Jon and Kate Plus Eight
- Bruce Graham – playwright
- Seth Green – actor
- Grayson Hall – actress
- Veronica Hamel – actress, model
- Kevin Hart – comedian, actor
- Sherman Hemsley – actor
- Emmaline Henry – actress, I Dream of Jeannie
- Marc Lamont Hill – television host
- Tigre Hill – producer, director
- Kevin Hooks – actor, director
- Mark Indelicato – actor, singer (Justin Suarez on Ugly Betty)
- Abbi Jacobson – actress, comedian, co-creator of Broad City
- Judith Jamison – dancer; choreographer; artistic director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
- Barry Jenner – actor
- Clark Johnson – actor, director
- Gail Kasper – actor, host, executive producer
- Nicole Kassell – director, writer
- Jack Kehler – actor
- George Kelly – playwright, screenwriter, director, actor; uncle of Princess Grace of Monaco
- Grace Kelly – actress, Princess of Monaco
- Irvin Kershner – director, The Empire Strikes Back
- Taylor Kinney – actor, Vampire Diaries, Chicago Fire; dating Lady Gaga
- Jack Klugman – actor
L–Z
- Michael Landon – actor, producer, director
- Mario Lanza – singer, actor
- Stan Lathan – film and television producer, director
- Andrew Lawrence – actor
- Joey Lawrence – actor
- Matthew Lawrence – actor
- Raw Leiba – actor, stuntman, sports model
- Aaron Levinson – producer and musician
- Sidney Lumet – film director
- David Lynch – film director
- Jeanette MacDonald – actress, singer
- Stephen Macht – actor
- Adam Mazer - writer "Breach", "You don't know Jack" - Emmy Winner
- Bob McAllister – children's television personality
- Andrea McArdle – singer, actress, Broadway's original Annie
- Joan McCracken – dancer, actress
- Paul McCrane – actor, musician
- Rob McElhenney – actor, creator of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- Adam McKay – director, writer
- Mary Lou Metzger – singer, The Lawrence Welk Show
- David Mirkin – writer, director
- Silas Weir Mitchell - actor
- Katherine Moennig – actress
- Kelly Monaco – model, actress
- Natalie Nevins – singer, The Lawrence Welk Show
- J. J. North – actress
- Clifford Odets – playwright, director, screenwriter
- Leslie Odom Jr.- actor, singer
- Ana Ortiz – actress, Hilda Suarez on Ugly Betty
- Daphne Oz – author and television host on The Chew
- Holly Robinson Peete – actress
- Lisa Peluso – actress, Saturday Night Fever, soap operas
- Gervase Peterson – contestant, original season of Survivor
- Robert Picardo – actor
- Noam Pitlik – actor, television director, producer
- Jack Polito – animator
- Jon Polito – actor, Miller's Crossing
- Joe Renzetti – musician, Oscar-winning film composer, The Buddy Holly Story
- Adele Ritchie – singer
- Matt Robinson – Sesame Street actor; father of Holly Robinson Peete
- James Rolfe – creator and star of Angry Video Game Nerd internet series; film director
- Lisa Roma – operatic soprano and music educator
- J. D. Roth – actor, game show host
- Bob Saget – actor, comedian, game show host
- Mathew St. Patrick – actor
- Diane Salinger – actress
- Camillia Sanes – actress, The Shield
- Bill Scott – voice actor; voice of Bullwinkle J. Moose, Mr. Peabody, Dudley Do-Right
- Vivienne Segal – actress
- Susan Seidelman – film and television director, Desperately Seeking Susan, Sex And The City
- M. Night Shyamalan – film director
- Penny Singleton – radio, film and voice actress
- Jack Thomas Smith – horror filmmaker[12]
- Toukie Smith – model, actress; sister of fashion designer Willi Smith
- Will Smith – actor, hip-hop recording artist, half of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
- David Smyrl – actor and television writer (Sesame Street)[13]
- Joey Stefano – dancer, actor, porn star
- Parker Stevenson – actor
- Charles Stone III – film director, creator of Budweiser's "Whassup?" advertising campaign
- Holland Taylor – actress
- Teller – magician, half of Penn & Teller
- Frank Tinney – vaudeville comedian
- Jean Vander Pyl – actress, voice of Wilma Flintstone and Rosie the Robot Maid
- Tom Verica – actor
- Nancy Walker – actress, director
- Bruce Walsh – playwright
- John Sylvester White - television actor
- Karen Malina White – actress
- Kenya D. Williamson – actress, screenwriter
- John Zacherle ("The Cool Ghoul") – actor, producer
Historical figures
- David Hayes Agnew (1818–1892) – surgeon and teacher[1]
- Robert Aitken – publisher of the first Bible in North America[1]
- Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888) – novelist[1]
- Andrew Allen (1740–1825) – delegate to the Continental Congress[1]
- Harrison Allen (1841–1897) – anatomist and physician[1]
- Joseph Anderson – United States Senator[1]
- Charles John Biddle (1819–1873) – member, U.S. House of Representatives
- Edward Biddle (1738–1779) – delegate, First Continental Congress
- Francis Biddle (1886–1968) – U.S. Solicitor General, U.S. Attorney General, principal American judge during the Nuremberg trials
- Nicholas Biddle (1786–1844) – financier, president, Second Bank of the United States
- Nicholas Biddle (1750–1778) – one of the original captains of the Continental Navy
- Richard Biddle (1796–1847) – member, U.S. House of Representatives, 1837–1840
- John C. Bowers (1811–1873) – entrepreneur, organist, abolitionist
- Thomas Bowers (c. 1823–1885) – concert artist
- Ed Bradley (1941–2006) – CBS News radio and television journalist, 1967–2006
- Henry "Box" Brown (1815–1878?) – abolitionist, escaped slavery by literally mailing himself to Philadelphia from Richmond, Virginia
- Bebe Moore Campbell (1950–2006) – author
- Samuel Carpenter (1649–1714) – first Treasurer of Pennsylvania, Deputy Governor to William Penn
- Octavius Valentine Catto (1839–1871) – educator, civil rights activist, and baseball player
- Marguerite de Angeli (1889–1987) – author, illustrator
- Henry George (1839–1897) – political economist, author Progress and Poverty
- Charlotte Forten Grimké (1837–1914) – abolitionist, poet, educator
- Benjamin Guggenheim (1865–1912) – businessman, died aboard the RMS Titanic
- John von Sonnentag de Havilland (1826–1886) – American officer of arms in England
- A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. (1928–1998) – commissioner, Kerner Commission; judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
- John A. Hostetler (1918–2001) – author, educator, leading scholar of Amish and Hutterite societies
- Grace Kelly (1929–1982) – princess of Monaco; actress
- George Lippard (1822–1854) – novelist, journalist, playwright, social activist, labour organizer
- Alain LeRoy Locke – writer, key figure of the Harlem Renaissance; first African-American Rhodes Scholar
- Henry C. McCook – entomologist, clergyman, author, designer of Philadelphia's city flag
- Joseph McKenna – associate justice, U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Attorney General – member, U.S. House of Representatives
- Thomas Mifflin – Major General in Continental Army, fifth president of U.S. Congress, first governor of Pennsylvania[1]
- Anna Balmer Myers – author
- Robert N. C. Nix, Jr. (1928–2003) – former chief justice, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
- George W. Pepper (1867-1961) - lawyer and U.S. senator
- William Pepper (1843–1898) – founder of Free Library of Philadelphia; provost of University of Pennsylvania
- Philip Syng Physick – "father of American surgery"[1]
- Betsy Ross (1752–1836) – reputed to have sewn the first American flag[1]
- Peggy Shippen – wife of Benedict Arnold
- Leon Sullivan – Baptist minister, social activist
- Thomas Truxton – naval officer
- Frank J. Webb (1828–1894) – novelist, poet, essayist, first African American writer to portray northern racism and "passing"
Media and literature
- Isaac Ashmead (1790–1870) – printer
- Isaac Asimov – author [14]
- Tony Auth (1942-2014) – Pulitzer-prize winning editorial cartoonist
- Doug Banks – nationally syndicated morning radio personality[15]
- Leslie Esdaile Banks – author
- Donald Barthelme – author
- Stan and Jan Berenstain – children's writing and illustration couple
- Evelyn Berckman – author
- Ben Bova – science fiction author
- Ed Bradley – journalist, 60 Minutes
- Tony Bruno – sports radio talk show host
- Gia Carangi – fashion model
- Angelo Cataldi – sports radio host
- Renee Chenault-Fattah – WCAU-TV news anchor; wife of U.S. Representative Chaka Fattah
- Michael Connelly – author
- Benjamin De Casseres – early 20th-century journalist
- Joseph Dennie – writer
- Charles Fuller – playwright
- Jim Gardner – WPVI-TV news anchor
- Mike Golic – ESPN radio and television personality, former Philadelphia Eagle
- David Goodis – author
- Terry Gross – radio host
- E. Michael Jones – magazine publisher, author
- Aries Keck – author, radio reporter
- Suzy Kolber – television sportscaster
- Andrea Kremer – television sportscaster
- Bob Lassiter – retired left-wing radio host
- Mark Levin – political commentator
- Rachel Levin - youtuber
- Jonathan Maberry – author
- Michelle Malkin – political commentator
- Chris Matthews – NBC/MSNBC journalist and political talk show host
- Jim McKay – ABC sports journalist
- Chris McKendry – ESPN SportsCenter anchor
- Larry Mendte – KYW-TV news anchor
- James A. Michener – author
- Wesley Morris – journalist and media critic
- Thom Nickels – author, journalist
- PrankvsPrank – popular YouTube duo focusing on prank videos
- Joe Queenan – author, humorist
- Matthew Quick – author
- Beasley Reece – KYW-TV sports journalist, former Philadelphia Eagle
- Dave Roberts – WPVI-TV meteorologist; former co-host, AM Philadelphia; father of actor David Boreanaz
- Lisa Scottoline – author
- Peter Shellem – journalist for The Patriot-News
- Vai Sikahema – WCAU-TV sports journalist, former Philadelphia Eagle
- Michael Smerconish – WPHT-AM radio talk show host, Philadelphia Daily News columnist; MSNBC political analyst
- Stephen A. Smith – ESPN radio and television personality, former Philadelphia Inquirer sports columnist
- Duane Swierczynski – author, former Philadelphia City Paper editor
- Omar Tyree – author
- Del Vaughn – CBS News correspondent; died in helicopter crash in 1972 while covering the flooding in Pennsylvania[16]
- Ukee Washington – KYW-TV news anchor
- Jennifer Weiner – author
Military figures
- Jack Agnew – A member of the Filthy Thirteen, a group that inspired the novel and film The Dirty Dozen
- Albert Blithe - U.S. Army Paratrooper that was made famous by Band of Brothers
- Louis H. Carpenter – Brig. General, Medal of Honor recipient, vet of Civil War, Indian Wars, and Spanish–American War
- William Guarnere – U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, made famous by Band of Brothers
- Edward Heffron – U.S. Army Private, made famous by Band of Brothers'
Colonel Sarah Master - First female general for the union.
- George B. McClellan - Union army general and presidential candidate
- H.R. McMaster – major general
- John J. McVeigh – Medal of Honor recipient
- George Meade - Union army general and victor at the Battle of Gettysburg
- Thomas H. Neill – Union army general
- John C. Pemberton – Commander of Confederate defenders at the Siege of Vicksburg
Music
- Evan Sewell Wallace - Singer, songwriter and rapper. Better know from his stage name "E-Dubble"
- Andrew Adgate – musician, founder of music schools, and choir director[1]
- Al Alberts (of The Four Aces) – singer
- Marian Anderson – opera singer/contralto
- Army of the Pharaohs – hip hop supergroup
- The A's - rock band[17]
- Frankie Avalon – singer, actor
- Az Yet – R&B singers
- Rachel Bagby – author, composer, singer, composer
- Bahamadia – rapper
- Pearl Bailey – singer, dancer, actress
- Charli Baltimore – hip-hop artist
- Samuel Barber – composer
- Len Barry (of The Dovells) – rock singer
- Lil dicky (David Andrew Burd) - rapper
- Toni Basil – singer ("Mickey"), choreographer, actress
- Diane Meredith Belcher – concert organist, teacher, and church musician
- Frankie Beverly – R&B singer/musician, founder and lead singer of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
- Charlie Biddle – jazz bassist
- Bilal – neo-soul singer/musician
- Cindy Birdsong – founding member, Labelle; replacement member, Diana Ross & the Supremes
- Bloodhound Gang – band
- Blue Magic – R&B singers
- Boyz II Men – R&B group
- Solomon Burke – R&B singer
- Uri Caine – composer, arranger, jazz pianist
- Cassidy – rapper
- Sarah Chang – violinist
- Chiddy Bang – rap group (consists of Chidera "Chiddy" Anamege and Noah "Xaphoon Jones" Beresin)
- Chubby Checker (born Ernest Evans) – singer
- Cinderella – glam metal band
- CKY – alternative metal band
- Stanley Clarke – bassist
- Alice Cohen – singer/songwriter
- John Coltrane – jazz saxophonist
- Cool C – rapper
- Jim Croce – singer
- The Cross Movement – Christian hip-hop artists
- Dandelion – grunge band, 1989 to 1996
- James Darren – singer, actor
- Dead Milkmen – punk/alternative band
- The Delfonics – Philadelphia soul group
- James DePreist – orchestral conductor
- Dieselboy – drum and bass DJ/producer
- Fred Diodati (of The Four Aces) – singer
- Diplo – DJ/producer
- Baauer – DJ/producer
- Disco Biscuits – jam-band artists
- Dr. Dog – indie band
- Bill Doggett – jazz and R&B organist and pianist
- Gail Ann Dorsey – bassist
- Charles Earland – organist
- Eastern Conference Champions – alternative rock band
- Sandrine Erdely-Sayo – classical pianist
- Kevin Eubanks – jazz guitarist
- Robin Eubanks – jazz trombonist and arranger
- Eve – rapper, actress
- Fabian (born Fabian Forte) – singer, actor
- Sheila Ferguson – singer with The Three Degrees, 1966 to 1986
- Wilhelmenia Fernandez – opera singer/soprano
- Rachelle Ferrell – jazz vocalist
- Eddie Fisher – singer, actor
- Floetry – R&B/neo-soul/hip-hop duo
- Sam Fogarino – drummer, Interpol
- Freeway – rapper
- G. Love and Special Sauce – jam band
- Kenny Gamble – producer and co-founder, Philadelphia International Records
- Melody Gardot – jazz singer
- Stan Getz – jazz saxophonist
- Benny Golson – jazz saxophonist
- Charlie Gracie – rock singer
- Gogi Grant (born Myrtle Audrey Arinsberg) – singer
- Anthony Green – singer, ex Saosin, Circa Survive
- Vivian Green – R&B singer
- Daryl Hall – singer, half of the duo Hall & Oates
- Joseph Hallman – composer, arranger, singer, producer
- Rufus Harley – jazz saxophonist and bagpipe player
- Albert Heath – jazz drummer
- Jimmy Heath – jazz saxophonist
- Percy Heath – jazz bassist
- The Hooters – rock band
- Leon Huff – producer and co-founder, Philadelphia International Records
- Phyllis Hyman – R&B/jazz vocalist
- The Intruders – Philadelphia soul group
- DJ Jazzy Jeff (born Jeffrey Townes) – hip-hop DJ, neo-soul producer, half of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
- Jedi Mind Tricks – underground hip-hop duo
- Joan Jett – rock musician
- Philly Joe Jones – jazz drummer
- Kitty Kallen (born Katie Kallen) – pop singer
- Jason Karaban – singer-songwriter
- Tom Keifer (born Carl Thomas Keifer) – vocalist of the glam metal band Cinderella
- Keith (born James Barry Keifer) – singer
- Bill Kenny – singer
- Khia – rapper
- King Britt – house DJ, producer
- The Kinleys – twin country music singers
- Kurupt – rapper
- Labelle (aka Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles) – soul and R&B singers
- Patti LaBelle – R&B singer
- Mario Lanza – operatic singer
- Lil Uzi Vert – Rapper and Hip-Hop Artist currently signed to Atlantic Records
- Lynda Laurence – Stevie Wonder, the Supremes
- Amos Lee – folk/blues singer
- A Life Once Lost – metal band signed to Ferret Music
- Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes – member, TLC
- Monie Love – rapper, radio personality
- The Loved Ones – punk rock band
- Leonard MacClain – theatre organ
- Al Martino (born Alfred Cini) – singer, actor
- Pat Martino – jazz guitarist
- Barbara Mason – R&B singer/composer
- Christian McBride – jazz bassist
- Marian Anderson – American gospel singer
- McFadden & Whitehead – singers, songwriters, producers
- Meek Mill – rapper
- MewithoutYou – Christian rock band signed to Tooth and Nail Records
- MFSB – Philadelphia soul group, recorded Soul Train theme song
- Ms. Jade – hip-hop artist
- Lee Morgan – trumpet
- Mountain Brothers – hip hop group
- James Mtume – R&B/jazz musician; founder of Mtume
- Musiq Soulchild (aka Musiq) – R&B/neo-soul singer
- Marc Nelson – R&B singer, Boyz II Men and Az Yet
- Lobo Nocho – African American émigré jazz singer in France[18]
- John Oates – singer, half of the duo Hall & Oates
- The Orlons – R&B group
- Paint It Black – punk band
- Hugh Panaro – tenor singer; Broadway and opera
- Billy Paul – Philadelphia soul singer
- Vinnie Paz – rapper and founder of both Jedi Mind Tricks and Army of the Pharaohs
- Teddy Pendergrass – R&B singer; Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
- Christina Perri – singer
- Vincent Persichetti – composer, music educator
- Pharaoh – power metal band
- Pieces of a Dream – R&B/jazz fusion artists
- Pink – R&B/rock singer
- Fayette Pinkney – singer with The Three Degrees, 1963 to 1976
- Trudy Pitts – jazz keyboardist
- Princess Superstar – hip-hop performer
- Sun Ra – jazz pianist, bandleader
- Danny Rapp – singer, Danny & the Juniors
- Joe Renzetti – played guitar on many hit records; Cameo Records; arranged "Sunny," "Mandy," "98.6"; Oscar winner
- Res – R&B singer
- RJD2 – producer
- Paul Robeson – singer, activist, attorney, All-American college athlete
- The Roots – hip hop band
- Jack Rose – guitarist
- Todd Rundgren – musician, singer-songwriter, producer
- Bobby Rydell – singer, actor
- Santigold – dub punk singer
- John Sebastian – classical harmonica player and composer
- Schoolly D – rapper
- Jill Scott – R&B/neo-soul singer
- Shirley Scott – organ
- Dee Dee Sharp – singer, actress
- Gene Shay – "grandfather of Philadelphia folk music"
- Oscar Shumsky – violinist
- Beanie Sigel – rapper
- Bunny Sigler – R&B singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer
- Silvertide – rock band
- Siris – international music duo
- Soulquarians – neo-soul musical collective
- Steady B – rapper
- The Stylistics – Philadelphia soul group
- Jazmine Sullivan – multiple Grammy and BET Award nominee; R&B, soul vocalist
- Swayzak (of The Goats) – rapper
- Taylor Swift – country/pop singer
- Tammi Terrell – soul, R&B, Motown singer
- Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson – drummer, producer, DJ, writer, journalist, photographer
- The Three Degrees – Philadelphia soul/disco group
- Three Times Dope – hip-hop group
- The Trammps – disco band
- Robbie Tronco – DJ
- Ira Tucker – Dixie Hummingbirds
- Tuff Crew – hip-hop group
- McCoy Tyner – pianist
- Valencia – alternative rock band
- Kurt Vile – guitarist and vocalist
- Lee Ving – singer-songwriter and guitarist (Fear)
- The War on Drugs – psychedelic folk band
- Clara Ward – gospel singer
- Grover Washington, Jr. – jazz saxophonist
- Crystal Waters – dance and house music singer
- Ethel Waters – blues singer, actress
- André Watts – pianist
- Pamela Williams – jazz saxophonist
- Josh Wink – DJ, electronic music producer
- The Wonder Years (band) – pop punk band
- Young Gunz – hip-hop duo
- Karen Young – disco singer
- The Young Werewolves – psychobilly group
Politics
- Leon Abbett – Governor of New Jersey[1]
- Lynne Abraham – Philadelphia district attorney, 1991–2010
- William Allen – Mayor of Philadelphia from 1735 to 1736[1]
- Chris Bartlett – LGBT community organizer
- Raj Bhakta – 2006 congressional candidate; contestant, The Apprentice, Season 2
- Michael J. Bradley – member, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd Congressional District, Pennsylvania, 1935–1945
- Bob Brady – member, U.S. House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District, Pennsylvania, 1997–, 2007 Philadelphia mayoral candidate
- Raymond J. Broderick – U.S. Federal Judge
- William T. Cahill – Governor of New Jersey, 1970–74
- Ashton Carter – physicist, Harvard University professor, and United States Secretary of Defense
- Augusta Clark – librarian, politician and lawyer; second African-American woman to serve on the Philadelphia City Council, 1980–2000[19]
- Joseph S. Clark – Mayor of Philadelphia, 1952–1956; U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, 1956–1968
- Mark B. Cohen – member, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1974 to date;[when?]; Democratic leader of Pennsylvania House; Chairman, House Labor Relations Committee
- Henry Conner – member, Wisconsin State Senate
- George M. Dallas – U.S. Vice President[1]
- Richardson Dilworth – lawyer; Philadelphia district attorney, 1952–1956; Mayor of Philadelphia, 1956–1962
- Dwight E. Evans – member, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 203rd Legislative District; 2007 Philadelphia mayoral candidate
- Chaka Fattah – member, U.S. House of Representatives since 1995; 2007 Philadelphia mayoral candidate
- Douglas J. Feith – Undersecretary of Defense under President George W. Bush, leading adviser on Iraq policy
- Tom Feeney – Florida politician (from 1990)
- Benjamin Franklin – Founding Father of the United States, from 1723-1790
- Shirley Franklin – Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, 2002–2010
- W. Wilson Goode – Mayor of Philadelphia, 1984–1992
- W. Wilson Goode, Jr. – at-large member, Philadelphia City Council, 2000–
- Oscar Goodman – attorney; mayor of Las Vegas, Nevada, 1999–
- William H. Gray – Baptist minister; former member, U.S. House of Representatives; former president, United Negro College Fund
- William J. Green III – Mayor of Philadelphia, 1980–1984; member, U.S. House of Representatives, 1964–1977
- Simon Guggenheim – U.S. Senator, Colorado, 1907–1913; philanthropist
- Alexander Haig – former U.S. Secretary of State and White House Chief of Staff
- Richard Helms – Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) from 1966 to 1973
- Charles W. Heyl – Wisconsin State Assembly
- George Landenberger – 23rd Governor of American Samoa
- Frank J. Larkin – Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate [20]
- John J. McCloy – chairman, Chase Manhattan Bank and Ford Foundation; Assistant U.S. Secretary of War during World War II; subsequently Allies' High Commissioner of Germany
- Katie McGinty – 2016 Democratic nominee for United States Senate; chair, Council on Environmental Quality, 1995-1998; Chief of staff to List of Governors of Pennsylvania Tom Wolf, 2015
- J. Whyatt Mondesire – president, NAACP, Philadelphia chapter
- Patrick Murphy – member, U.S. House of Representatives, 8th Congressional District, Pennsylvania, 2007–2010
- Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. – member, U.S. House of Representatives, 1959–1979
- Michael A. Nutter – Mayor of Philadelphia, 2008–2016; member, Philadelphia City Council, 4th District, 1992–2006
- Dennis M. O'Brien – member, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 169th Legislative District; 1976–1980 and 1982–; Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 2007–2008
- Tony J. Payton, Jr. – member, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 179th Legislative District; 2007–
- Boies Penrose – U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, 1897–1921; party boss
- Charles H. Ramsey – Philadelphia police commissioner, 2008–
- Samuel J. Randall – member House of Representatives and 33rd Speaker of the House[21]
- Ed Rendell – Governor of Pennsylvania, 2003–2011; Mayor of Philadelphia, 1992–2000
- Frank Rizzo – Mayor of Philadelphia, 1972–1980; Philadelphia police commissioner, 1967–1971
- John Robbins – member of the U.S. House of Representatives[22]
- Allyson Schwartz – member, U.S. House of Representatives, 13th Congressional District, Pennsylvania, 2005–
- Arlen Specter – U.S. Senator, Pennsylvania, 1981–2011; Philadelphia district attorney, 1966–1974
- Ben Stahl – Jewish labor leader and activist
- John F. Street – Mayor of Philadelphia, 2000–2008
- Milton Street – entrepreneur; former Pennsylvania state legislator; 2007 Philadelphia City Council candidate; brother of John F. Street
- Norman Sussman – Wisconsin State Senator
- Al Taubenberger – 2007 Philadelphia mayoral candidate
- C. Delores Tucker – civil rights activist; Pennsylvania Secretary of State, 1971–1977
- Anna C. Verna – member, Philadelphia City Council, 2nd District, 1976–; Philadelphia City Council president, 2000–
- R. Seth Williams – Philadelphia District Attorney, 2010–
- Fernando Wood – Mayor of New York, 1855–1858, 1860–1862
- Benjamin Netanyahu - Prime Minister of Israel
- John Timoney - Philadelphia police commissioner, 1998-2002; Miami police chief, 2003-2010
Sports
- John Abadie – baseball player[23]
- Cal Abrams – baseball player
- Chris Albright – Major League Soccer defender for the Philadelphia Union
- Doug Allison – first baseball player ever to use a glove[23]
- Eddie Alvarez – mixed martial artist, UFC lightweight champion
- Rubén Amaro, Jr. – baseball player and general manager, Philadelphia Phillies
- Paul Arizin – early NBA basketball player with the Philadelphia Warriors
- Reds Bassman – football player
- Bert Bell – founder of the Philadelphia Eagles football team, commissioner of the National Football League
- Barney Berlinger - Olympic decathlete
- Mohini Bhardwaj – Olympic gymnast
- Tyrell Biggs – boxer, 1984 Olympic gold medalist
- Audrey Bleiler – All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
- Thomas Brennan – professional hockey player
- Charles Brewer – boxer, former super middleweight champion
- Derek Bryant – heavyweight boxer[24]
- Kobe Bryant – professional basketball player, 5-time NBA Finals champion
- Roy Campanella – professional baseball player, 3-time National League Most Valuable Player[23]
- Wilt Chamberlain – professional basketball player, 2-time NBA champion
- Ben Clime – NFL player
- Randall "Tex" Cobb – boxer and actor
- Brian Cohen – Professional Boxer
- Don Cohan – 1972 Olympic bronze medalist in sailing
- Steve Coleman – NFL player
- Bobby Convey – professional soccer player for the San Jose Earthquakes and the United States Men's National Soccer Team
- Tyrone Crawley – boxer
- Fran Crippen – professional swimmer
- Maddy Crippen – swimmer, 2000 Olympics
- Steve Cunningham – boxer, current[when?] IBF cruiserweight champion
- Ollie Dobbins – football player
- Buster Drayton – boxer, light middleweight (super welterweight) champion
- Jon Drummond – track and field athlete, 1996 and 2000 Olympic medalist
- Dave Dunaway – NFL player
- Angelo Dundee – boxing trainer
- Fred Dunlap – professional baseball player[23]
- John Edelman – professional baseball player
- Jahri Evans – NFL player
- Francine Fournier – professional wrestling valet with Extreme Championship Wrestling
- Joe Frazier – boxer, 1964 Olympic gold medalist and world heavyweight champion
- Marvis Frazier – boxer, son of Joe Frazier
- Harry Fritz – baseball player
- Jim "Sandman" Fullington – professional wrestler, Extreme Championship Wrestling and WWE
- Mark Gerban – first world champion rower for Palestine
- Eddie George – NFL player, 1995 Heisman Trophy winner
- Kerry Getz – professional skateboarder
- Joey Giardello – professional boxer and middleweight champion
- Tom Gola – NBA player, La Salle University men's basketball head coach, 1983 Philadelphia mayoral candidate
- Brent Grimes – NFL player
- Randy Grossman – NFL player; four-time Super Bowl Champion
- Mark Gubicza – professional baseball player
- Drew Gulak – professional wrestler
- Matt Guokas – NBA player and coach
- Brendan Hansen – Olympic swimmer
- Eric Harding – boxer
- Marvin Harrison – NFL player
- Kirk Hershey – NFL player
- Bill Holland – winner of 1949 Indianapolis 500, finished second in 1947,1948 and 1950.
- Bernard Hopkins – boxer, world middleweight champion
- Demetrius Hopkins – boxer, nephew of Bernard Hopkins
- Reggie Jackson – Hall of Fame baseball player
- John B. Kelly Sr. – triple Olympic gold medal winning rower, father of Princess Grace of Monaco
- John B. Kelly Jr. – champion rower, brother of Princess Grace of Monaco
- Florian Kempf – football player[25]
- Matt Kilroy – professional baseball player[23]
- Sam Kimber – professional baseball player
- Bart King – cricket bowler
- Kenny Koplove – baseball player
- Rick Lackman – NFL player
- Dave LaCrosse – NFL player
- Sonny Liston – boxer, former world heavyweight champion
- Tommy Loughran – boxer, light heavyweight champion
- John Macionis – Olympic swimmer, silver medalist, 1936
- John McDermott – professional golfer
- Benny McLaughlin – professional soccer player, member of United States Soccer Hall of Fame
- Jake Metz – football player
- Levi Meyerle – professional baseball player[23]
- Nate Miller – boxer, former cruiserweight champion
- Alvin Mitchell – football player
- Willie Mosconi – professional pool (pocket billiards) player
- Matthew Saad Muhammad – boxer, light heavyweight champion
- Browning Nagle – NFL player
- Jim O'Brien – NBA coach
- Vince Papale – NFL player, inspiration for the motion picture Invincible
- Mike Powell – track and field athlete, 1988 and 1992 Olympic silver medalist, current holder of the long jump world record
- Zahir Raheem – boxer, 1996 Olympian
- Jack Ramsay – basketball coach, Saint Joseph's College men's team; NBA coach; general manager; TV commentator; Hall of Famer
- Merrill Reese – Philadelphia Eagles radio broadcaster
- David Reid – boxer, 1996 Olympic gold medalist, light middleweight
- Stevie Richards – professional wrestler, Extreme Championship Wrestling and WWE
- Ivan Robinson – boxer
- Allen Rosenberg – rower and rowing coach
- Vic Seixas – tennis player
- Kirk Shelmerdine – NASCAR driver, crew chief
- Steve Slaton – NFL player
- David Starr – professional wrestler
- Harry Stovey – professional baseball player[23]
- Eric Tangradi – NHL player
- Meldrick Taylor – boxer, 1984 Olympic gold medalist, welterweight and junior welterweight champion
- Aaron Torres – boxer, contestant on The Contender 2
- Najai Turpin – boxer, contestant on The Contender
- Harp Vaughan – NFL player
- John Waerig – NFL player
- Steve Wagner – Olympic field hockey player
- Bobby "Boogaloo" Watts – boxer
- Charles Way – NFL player
- Erik Williams – football player, defensive tackle for Dallas Cowboys
- Ike Williams – boxer, lightweight champion
- Joe Williams – American football player
- Stevie Williams – professional skateboarder for D.G.K.[clarification needed]
- Ned Williamson – professional baseball player[23]
- George Winslow – NFL player
- Jimmy Young – boxer
Philadelphia native basketball players
- Ryan Arcidiacono – NCAA Champion – NBA
- Mike Bantom – 1972 United States National Basketball Team – NBA – Roman Catholic High School
- Gene Banks – West Philadelphia High School – Duke University – NBA
- Joe "Jellybean" Bryant – Bartram High School – LaSalle University – NBA, including 76ers
- Kobe Bryant – NBA – Lower Merion High School
- Rasual Butler – NBA – Roman Catholic High School
- Fred Carter – NBA – Benjamin Franklin High School
- Wilt Chamberlain – NBA – Overbrook High School
- Dionte Christmas – NBA – Samuel Fels High School
- Mardy Collins – NBA – Simon Gratz High School
- Dallas Comegys – NBA – Roman Catholic High School
- Mark Davis – NBL (Australia) – Adelaide 36ers
- Wayne Ellington – NBA – Episcopal Academy
- Tyreke Evans – NBA – Chester High School
- D'or Fischer – American-Israeli – Upper Darby[26]
- Eddie Griffin – NBA – Roman Catholic High School
- Gerald Henderson Jr. – NBA – Episcopal Academy
- Marc Jackson – NBA – Roman Catholic High School
- Wali Jones – NBA _ Overbrook High School
- Bo Kimble – NBA – Dobbins Tech
- Kyle Lowry – NBA – Cardinal Dougherty High School
- Aaron McKie – NBA – Simon Gratz High School
- Cuttino Mobley – NBA – Cardinal Dougherty High School
- Earl Monroe – NBA – Bartram High School
- Marcus Morris – NBA – APEX Academy
- Markieff Morris – NBA – APEX Academy
- Ronald "Flip" Murray – NBA – Strawberry Mansion High School
- Jameer Nelson – NBA – Chester High School
- Aaron Owens – Simon Gratz High School
- Malik Rose – NBA – Overbrook High School
- John Salmons – NBA – Plymouth-Whitmarsh High School
- Da'Rel Scott – NFL – Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School
- Dawn Staley – WNBA
- Dion Waiters – NBA – Life Center Academy
- Rasheed Wallace – NBA – Simon Gratz High School
- Hakim Warrick – NBA
- Maalik Wayns – NBA – Roman Catholic High School
- Alvin Williams – NBA
- Khalif Wyatt – NBA D-League – Norristown High School
Other
- Ramona Africa – only adult to survive the 1985 bombing of the MOVE house
- Gloria Allred – attorney
- Sydney Biddle Barrows – illegal escort service proprietor, often referred to as "The Mayflower Madam"
- Guion Bluford – astronaut, first African-American in space
- Antuan Bronshtein – convicted murderer
- Pete Conrad – astronaut, third man to walk on the moon (Apollo 12)
- Wilbur Davenport – engineer and scientist known for his work on communication systems
- Katherine Drexel – Roman Catholic saint
- Ira Einhorn – environmental and anti-war activist; convicted murderer
- Daniel Faulkner – Philadelphia police officer killed in the line of duty; Mumia Abu-Jamal was convicted of his murder
- Christopher Ferguson – astronaut
- Jacquelyn Frazier-Lyde – Philadelphia Municipal Court judge, boxer; daughter of Joe Frazier
- Barbara Harris – first woman ordained bishop in the Anglican Communion
- Paul B. Higginbotham – judge, Wisconsin Court of Appeals
- Ruth Malcomson (1906–1988) – Miss America 1924
- James Martin – Jesuit priest, writer (My Life with the Saints), and frequent media commentator on modern[when?] Catholicism
- Seamus McCaffrey – former justice, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; former presiding judge of the "Eagles Court"
- Carol McCain – ex-wife of presidential candidate John McCain
- Silas Weir Mitchell – physician, writer
- Bawa Muhaiyaddeen – Sufi saint
- John Joseph O'Connor – Roman Catholic cardinal; archbishop, Archdiocese of New York, 1984–2000
- Marjorie Rendell – judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 1997–; first lady of Pennsylvania, 2003–
- Amber Rose – model
- Nicodemo Scarfo – mafioso; head of the Scarfo crime family, 1981–1991
- Samuel Gilbert Scott – daredevil
- Lester Shubin – Inventor of the Kevlar vest[27]
- Nancy Spungen – girlfriend of Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious
- Walter E. Williams – economist and author
- Joshua Wurman – meteorologist, leader of VORTEX2
References
References are on the article pages if not listed here.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
- ^ jacob soll | West Philly Local
- ^ Cecilia Beaux Cecilia Beaux
- ^ Shewry, Brian (August 19, 2004). "Ginger's quest is where angels are always pleased to tread". Littlehampton Gazette: 31–32.
- ^ "Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb". The Library Company of Philadelphia. World Digital Library. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
- ^ Sarah Weatherwax, John Hannavy (ed.), William Herman Rau, Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-Century Photography, Vol. 1 (Routledge, 2007), pp. 1184, Google Books
- ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Marquis Who's Who. 1967.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (June 4, 2010). "Teshome Actor Eddie Barth dies; Voiceover artist known for 1980s Miller Lite commercials". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 3, 2010. [dead link]
- ^ http://www.theatrefest.com/LaurieBeechman/memories.asp?article=obit.html
- ^ Miss Bessie Clayton, Retired Ballerina, The New York Times, July 17, 1948, p. 15
- ^ Petaloudis, Greg (April 3, 2014). "One Time Screening: Jack Thomas Smith's New Horror Movie "Infliction" Anthology Film Archives New York". Horror Unlimited.
- ^ Cook, Bonnie L. (March 26, 2016). "David L. Smyrl, Mr. Handford on 'Sesame Street'". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
- ^ http://hiddencityphila.org/2014/07/sci-phi-isaac-asimovs-west-philly-years/
- ^ Doug Banks Radio Show
- ^ "Four Die in 'Copter Crash, June 27, 1972". The Morning Herald, Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Deming, Mark. "The A's - Artist Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
- ^ "Winston Churchill's Daughter May Wed Negro Artist". Jet Magazine. Google Books. January 28, 1965. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
- ^ "Former Philly Councilwoman Augusta Clark Dies at 81". WCAU. October 14, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
- ^ Frank J. Larkin-United States Senate
- ^ "RANDALL, Samuel Jackson (1828–1890)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
- ^ "LICHTENWALNER, Norton Lewis (1889–1960)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Reichler, Joseph L., ed. (1979) [1969]. The Baseball Encyclopedia (4th ed.). New York: Macmillan Publishing. ISBN 0-02-578970-8.
- ^ "Derek Bryant". FightsRec.com. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
- ^ "Florian Kempf". pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Sullivan, Patricia (November 28, 2009). "Developer of Kevlar vest, Lester Shubin, dies". The San Francisco Chronicle.
External links
- Famous Philadelphians Notable Names Database
- Books by authors associated with Philadelphia PhillyFiction.com
- King, Moses (1902). Philadelphia and notable Philadelphians. New York: Blanchard Press. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
