List of people from Oklahoma

The following are people who were either born/raised or have lived for a significant period of time in Oklahoma.

Native Americans

*Bill Anoatubby (born 1945), Governor of the Chickasaw Nation
*Black Kettle (1801/07–1868), Cheyenne Chief killed near Cheyenne, Oklahoma, in Roger Mills County
*Geronimo (1829–1909), Native American leader of the Chiricahua Apache
*Wilma Mankiller (born 1945), first woman Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation
*Quanah Parker (c. late 1840s – 1911), last Comanche chief
*Harvey Pratt (born 1941), Native American forensic artist
*Will Rogers (1879–1935), humorist Actor
*Clarence L. Tinker (1887-1942), member of the Osage tribe, U.S. Army Air Corps general and first American general to die in World War II
*Fred Waite (1853–1895), Native American of the Chickasaw tribe, cowboy, member of Billy the Kid's gang and politician
*Stand Watie (1806–1871), Brigadier General in the Confederate Army, Cherokee chief

Political/Military Figures

*Carl Albert (1908–2000), Speaker of the House from 1971 to 1977, first in line for presidency after Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned during President Nixon's tenure.
*Dewey F. Bartlett, Oklahoma Governor and U.S. Senator
*Dan Boren (born 1973), represents Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional district in the U.S. House
*David Boren (born 1941), former Governor of Oklahoma, U.S. Senator and University of Oklahoma president
*Joseph J. Clark (1893–1971), Admiral U.S. Navy and first Native American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy
*William J. Crowe (1925–2007), Admiral U.S. Navy and former Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff
*Drew Edmondson (born 1946), state Attorney General
*General Tommy Franks (born 1927), Commander of US Central Command, US Invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq
*Bo Gritz (born 1939), most decorated Green Beret officer during the Vietnam War
*Jeane Kirkpatrick (born 1926), U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
*Perle Mesta (1889–1975), political hostess, U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg
*Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1927–2003), U.S. Senator, ambassador to India, Ambassador to the United Nations, President of the United Nations Security Council
*Donald Lee "Don" Nickles (born 1948) American political leader, U.S. Senator from Oklahoma 1981-2005
*George Nigh (born 1927), two-time Governor of Oklahoma
*Gene Stipe, (born 1926), longest-serving member of the Oklahoma State Senate
*J.C. Watts, U.S. Congressman and OU quarterback

Entertainment

Humorists/Comedians

*Will Rogers (1879–1935), humorist
*Daniel Hale Rowan (1922–1987), comedian on TV show "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In"

Film/Theatre

*Suzy Amis (born 1962), actress
*Gene Autry (1907–1998), actor, musician
*William Boyd (1895–1972), actor (Hopalong Cassidy)
*Gary Busey (born 1944), actor
*Lon Chaney Jr (1906–1973), actor
*Greg Coolidge (born 1972) writer, director, producer, actor
*Joan Crawford (1906–1977), Academy Award winning actress
*Blake Edwards (born 1922), director, writer, producer
*Kay Francis (1905-1968), actress
*James Garner (born 1928), actor
*Van Heflin (1908–1971), Academy Award winning actor
*Clint Howard (born 1959), actor (and Ron's brother)
*Ron Howard (born 1954), director, producer, actor
*Ben Johnson (1918–1996), Academy Award winning actor
*Jennifer Jones (born 1919), actress
*Rue McClanahan (born 1934), actress
*Vera Miles (born 1929), actress
*Megan Mullally, actress
*Clarence Nash (1904–1985), voice of Donald Duck
*Chuck Norris (born 1940), actor, martial artist
*Cindy Pickett (born 1947), actress
*Brad Pitt (born 1963), actor
*Mary Kay Place (born 1947), actress
*Tony Randall (1920–2004), actor
*Dale Robertson (born 1920), actor
*Gailard Sartain (born 1946), actor, artist, comedian
*Maria Tallchief (born 1925), ballerina
*Paula Trickey (born 1966), actress (Pacific Blue)
*Jeanne Tripplehorn (born 1963), actress
*Alfre Woodard (born 1952), actress
*Larry Clark (born 1943), filmmaker ("Kids", "Ken Park"), photographer
*James Marsden (born 1973), actor
*Ted Shackelford (born 1946), actor (Knot's Landing)

Music

*The All-American Rejects
*The Arnold's, Southern Gospel trio based in Tulsa
*Aqueduct (born 1992), indie pop band
*Hoyt Axton (1938–1999), country music singer/songwriter, wrote "I've Never Been to Spain" (but I've been to Oklahoma).
*Chet Baker (1929–1988) - jazz trumpeter who helped popularize the 1950's cool jazz style
* Norma Jean (b. Norma Jean Beasler January 30, 1938) is an American country music singer
*Earl Bostic (1913–1965), R&B and jazz musician
*Garth Brooks (born 1962), country music singer/songwriter
*Don Byas (1912-1972) jazz tenor saxophonist and one of the leading saxophonists of the swing and bebop eras
*J. J. Cale (born 1938), country rock (see Tulsa sound)
*Jerry Cantrell, musician, lead guitarist/vocalist, Alice in Chains
*The Chainsaw Kittens, alternative rock band
*Charlie Christian (1916–1942), jazz guitarist, member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, considered the father of jazz guitar
*Roy Clark (born 1933), country musician
*Eddie Cochrane, rockabilly musician
*Color Me Badd, R&B vocal group
*Ronnie Dunn (born 1953), half of the country music duo Brooks and Dunn
*Gail Farrell (born 1947), singer/songwriter, featured performer from "The Lawrence Welk Show"
*The Flaming Lips, indie rock band featuring Wayne Coyne, Steven Drozd and Michael Ivins
*The Gap Band (born 1967), R&B, funk and soul group
*David Gates (born 1939), singer/songwriter associated with the band Bread
*Vince Gill (born 1957), country musician
*Earl Grant (1933–1970), easy listening pianist
*Woody Guthrie (1912–1967), folk singer
*Hanson (born 1992), pop band
*Glen Hardin (born 1939), musician, piano player
*Roy Harris (1898–1979), classical composer
*Richard Hart (born 1955), Jazz guitarist, composer/arranger, published artist
*Lee Hazlewood (born 1929), singer/songwriter, record producer
*Michael Hedges (December 31,1953 – December 2, 1997) acoustic guitarist born in Enid, Oklahoma
*Hinder, rock band
*Wanda Jackson (born 1938), rockabilly singer
*Toby Keith (born 1961), country musician
*Merle Kilgore (1934–2005), singer/songwriter, manager
*Mel McDaniel (born 1942), country music singer/songwriter
*Reba McEntire (born 1955), country singer
*Roger Miller, singer/songwriter
*Leona Mitchell (born 1948), famed African American soprano, member Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
*The Nixons, 90's hard rock band
*Patti Page (born 1927), traditional pop music and country music singer
*Sandi Patty (born 1957), Contemporary Christian music singer
*Tom Paxton (1937-), singer, singer-songwriter
*Pillar (born 2001), christian rock band
*Restless Heart band members Paul Gregg and Greg Jennings
*Sam Rivers (born 1923) jazz tenor saxophonist with Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie,Herbie Hancock, and Quincy Jones
*Joe Don Rooney (born 1975), country music singer, one-third of the group Rascal Flatts
*Leon Russell (born 1942), singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist
*Neal Schon (born 1954), lead rock guitarist of [Journey (band)|Journey
*Blake Shelton (born 1976), country musician
*Starlight Mints, indie pop band
*B. J. Thomas (born 1942) singer/songwriter
*Carrie Underwood (born 1983), "American Idol" winner 2005
*Maci Wainwright (born 1990), country music singer-songwriter
*Jimmy Webb (born 1946), popular music composer
*Claude Williams (musician) (1908–2004), jazz musician with the Count Basie band
*Mason Williams (born 1938), composer (Classical Gas), recording artist, comedy writer (Smothers Brothers)
*Bob Wills (1905–1975), country music singer/songwriter, leader of the band The Texas Playboys
*Sheb Wooley (1921–2003), actor and singer (Purple People Eater)

Television/Radio

*Kristin Chenoweth (born 1968), actress and singer
*Walter Cronkite (born 1916), television journalist
*Douglas Edwards (1917–1990), radio and television journalist
*Kayne Gillaspie, TV personality and fashion designer
*Paul Harvey (born 1918), radio broadcaster and commentator
*Mary Hart, (born 1950), TV personality, co-host "Entertainment Tonight"
*Glenn Hauser (born 1945), radio broadcaster
*Rex Linn (born 1956), actor ()
*Phil McGraw (born 1950), television psychologist
*Bill Moyers, journalist/national anchor
*Bob Murphy (1924–2004), sports play-by-play announcer (best-known as announcer for New York Mets)
*Justin Nimmo, (born September 5, 1974), actor (Power Rangers in Space)
*Dan Rowan, co-host, "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In"
*Ted Shackelford (born 1946), actor (Knot's Landing)

Miss America

*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, first Miss America of Native American Heritage (Cherokee)
*Shawntel Smith (born 1971), Miss America 1996

Business

*Clay Bennett, Chairman of Dorchester Capital, Professional Basketball LLC
*Edward K. Gaylord (1873–1974), Founder of the Daily Oklahoman
*Edward L. Gaylord (1919–2003), late Editor of the Daily Oklahoman, founder of TNN & CMT, owner of Grand Ole Opry
*Sylvan Goldman (1898–1984), Businessman and inventor of the shopping cart
*Waite Phillips (1883–1964), oil industry businessman
*T. Boone Pickens, Jr. (born 1928), oil industry businessman
*Sam Walton (1918–1992), founder of Wal-Mart
*Tom L. Ward, oil industry businessman

Art and Literature

*Charles Bell (painter), (1935-1995), photorealist painter
*William Bernhardt (born 1960), novelist
*John Berryman (1914–1972), poet
*Jim Thompson (born 1906), novelist
*Ralph Ellison (1914–1994), writer and scholar
*Chester Gould (1900–1985), creator of the "Dick Tracy" comic strip
*Tony Hillerman (born 1925), journalist, historian, professor, and novelist
*Josh Shipp (born 1981), author and motivational speaker
*S.E. Hinton (born 1948), author and novelist
*Bill Moyers (born 1934), journalist and public commentator
*Jeff Rowland, cartoonist, author of WIGU
*Bill Wallace, author

Athletics

*Troy Aikman, quarterback, OU, UCLA and Dallas Cowboys champion, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee
*Johnny Bench (born 1947), MLB catcher Cincinnati Reds, member Baseball Hall of Fame
*Brian Bosworth (born 1965), Oklahoma Sooners football and NFL player
*Josh Brown (born 1979), kicker Seattle Seahawks
*Mikey Burnett UFC fighter
*Joe Carter, Major League Baseball player, right fielder
*Larry Coker (born 1948), former football coach at University of Miami
*Bart Conner, Olympic gold medal gymnast
*Bill Goldberg, professional wrestler
*Kelly Gregg, Oklahoma Sooners football and National Football League player
*Charlie Haas, WWE professional wrestler
*Mat Hoffman, World Champion BMX biker
*Matt Holliday, Outfielder for the Colorado Rockies.
*Henry Iba, basketball coach, Basketball Hall of Famer
*Bob Kalsu (1945–1970), Oklahoma Sooners football and Buffalo Bills player, only active professional football player killed in the Vietnam War
*Steve Largent, Seattle Seahawks Pro Football Hall of Famer and politician
*Abe Lemons, Oklahoma City University, Pan American University, and Texas Longhorns basketball coach
*Mickey Mantle (1931–1995), New York Yankees Baseball Hall of Famer
*Pepper Martin (1904–1965), St. Louis Cardinals baseball player
*"Jumping Jack" McCracken (1911–1958), Basketball Hall of Famer
*Shannon Miller, Olympic gold medal gymnast
*Ryan Minor, Oklahoma Sooners baseball & basketball player
*Dr. Gil Morgan (born 1959), professional golfer
*Tommy Morrison, Former World Heavyweight Champion boxer
*Bobby Murcer (1946–2008) Professional baseball player and sportscaster
*Lance Norick (born 1968), NASCAR driver.
*Steve Owens, Oklahoma Sooners football player and 1969 Heisman Trophy winner
*Brad Penny, Florida Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers MLB pitcher
*Beth Phoenix, professional wrestler
*Darrell Porter (1952–2002), MLB baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals
*Mark Price (born 1964) basketball player; Enid H.S., Georgia Tech, and Indiana Pacers
*Bryant Reeves attended Gans high school in eastern Oklahoma, attended OSU, and retired from the Vancouver Grizzlies in the NBA.
*Allie Reynolds (1917–1994), Baseball Hall of Famer
*Crystal Robinson, New York Liberty WNBA basketball player
*Bullet Rogan (1893–1967), Baseball Hall of Famer
*Matt Roney (born 1980), MLB baseball player, relief pitcher
*Jim Ross, WWE announcer
*Darrell Royal (born 1924), football coach at University of Texas
*Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State Cowboys Heisman Trophy winner, Football Hall of Famer
*Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma Sooners football player and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee
*Jeremy Shockey (born 1980), professional football player
*Billy Sims (born 1955), running back Oklahoma Sooners football and Detroit Lions, Heisman Trophy winner
*John Smith (born 1965), Olympic gold medalist and wrestling coach
*Warren Spahn (1921–2003), Baseball Hall of Famer
*Willie Stargell (1940-2001), Baseball Hall of Famer with the Pittsburgh Pirates, known for his ability to hit home runs completely out of stadiums.
*Eddie Sutton, Arkansas Razorbacks and Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball coach
*Barry Switzer (born 1937), football coach, Oklahoma Sooners and Dallas Cowboys
*Jim Thorpe (1887–1953), Olympic gold medalist, played professional football and Major League Baseball
*Spencer Tillman, All-American running back for the Oklahoma Sooners and CBS TV football analyst
*Wayman Tisdale (born 1964), professional basketball player and jazz bass guitarist
*Bob Tway (born 1959), professional golfer and PGA Championship winner in 1986
*Lloyd "Little Poison" Waner (1906–1982), Baseball Hall of Famer
*Paul "Big Poison" Waner (1903–1965), Baseball Hall of Famer
*J.C. Watts, Oklahoma Sooners football quarterback and later U.S. Congressman
*Jason White, Oklahoma Sooners football quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner
*Bud Wilkinson (1916–1994), famed Oklahoma Sooners football coach, member of the College Football Hall of Fame
*Matt Wiman (Born 1983), UFC fighter

cience/Medicine

*Richard E. Berendzen (born 1938), astronomer, author, and professor
*James Herndon (born 1952), media psychologist
*Karl Guthe Jansky (1905–1950), physicist and radio engineer

Aviation/Aeronautics

*Thomas and Paul Braniff, airline entrepreneurs, founders of Braniff International Airways
*Gordon Cooper (1907-2006)
*Owen K. Garriott (born 1930), astronaut
*John Herrington (born 1958), astronaut
*James Jabara (1923-1966) world's first jet ace, and Korean War triple ace with 15 kills
*Shannon Lucid (born 1943), astronaut
*William R. Pogue (born 1930), astronaut
*Wiley Post (1898–1935), first pilot to fly solo around the world, (born in Texas but grew up in Oklahoma)
*Thomas Stafford (born 1930), astronaut
*Clarence L. Tinker (1887-1942), U.S. Army Air Corps general and supreme commander of the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific during World War II

Religious Figures

*Oral Roberts (born 1918), evangelist
*Bill Majors (born 1960), missionary
*Yahweh ben Yahweh born and legally named Hulon Mitchell Jr. (October 27, 1935 - May 7, 2007), was the leader of the religious group Nation of Yahweh

Infamous Oklahomans

*Belle Starr (1848–1889), Queen of the outlaws, a female Jesse James
*Pretty Boy Floyd (1904–1934), Depression era gangster
*Cameron Willingham (1968–2004), convicted arsonist, whose case spawned a controversy over use of forensic evidence in capital trials

Other

*Bill G. Chapman (1928–2007), advocate for the blind, author
*Tom Colbert (born 1949), first African-American Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice
* Stephen Jones (July 1, 1940 -), attorney best known as Timothy McVeigh's lead defense lawyer during his trial for the Oklahoma City bombing
*Joe Redington (1917–1999), "Father of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race"
*Bass Reeves (1838-1910), first African-American U.S. Marshal and one of the chief law enforcement agents during the first years of Oklahoma's statehood.
*Steven W. Taylor (born 1949), Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice, presided over Oklahoma City bombing suspect Terry Nichols's state murder trial
*Cornel West (born 1953), scholar

ee also

* List of people by U.S. state
* List of Oklahoma State University people
* List of University of Oklahoma alumni