# List of people from Washington (state)

The following is a list of notable people from Washington state. It includes people who were born, raised, or who live(d) in the U.S. state of Washington, along with those who are strongly associated/have significant relations with the state.
* A
* B
* C
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I
* J
* K
* L
* M
* N
* O
* P
* Q
* R
* S
* T
* U
* V
* W
* X
* Y
* Z
* See also
* References

## A

* Nathan Adrian (born 1988) (Bremerton), competitive swimmer, five-time Olympic gold medalist
* Sandy Alderson (born 1947) (Seattle), baseball general manager, New York Mets
* Sherman Alexie (born 1966) (Wellpinit), writer, poet, and filmmaker
* Laura Allen (born 1974) (Bainbridge Island), actress, The 4400, Dirt, Awake
* Paul Allen (1953–2018) (Seattle), entrepreneur and philanthropist; co-founder, Microsoft
* Rick Anderson (born 1956) (Everett), baseball pitching coach,
* Earl Anthony (1938–2001) (Tacoma), professional bowler
* Brad Arnsberg (born 1963) (Seattle), baseball pitching coach, Houston Astros
* Colleen Atwood (born 1948) (Quincy), Academy Award-winning costume designer
* Earl Averill (1902–1983) (Snohomish), Major League Baseball outfielder in National Baseball Hall of Fame
* John Aylward (1946-2022) (Seattle), actor; ER, The Others, Armageddon

## B

* Red Badgro (1902–1998) (Kent), National Football League end; member, Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Jean-Luc Baker (born 1993), Olympic Ice Dancer
* Chris Ballew (born 1965) (Seattle), singer, alternative-rock band The Presidents of the United States of America
* Zach Banner (born 1993) (Tacoma), NFL football offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers
* Bob Barker (born 1923) (Darrington), game show host, The Price Is Right
* Tony Barnette (born 1983) (Federal Way), relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers
* Glenn Beck (born 1964) (Mount Vernon), conservative talk radio and television host
* Welton Becket (1902–1969) (Seattle), architect
* Caprice Benedetti (born 1966) (Seattle), actress
* Bruce Bennett (1906–2007) (Tacoma), athlete and actor
* Barbara Berjer (1920–2002) (Seattle), soap opera actress
* Steven "Jesse" Bernstein (1950–1991) (Seattle), poet, author, and essayist
* Jeff Bezos (born 1964) (Seattle), founder and CEO of Amazon
* Greg Biffle (born 1969) (Vancouver), NASCAR driver
* Josie Bissett (born 1970) (Seattle), actress
* Angie Bjorklund (born 1989) (Spokane), basketball player, Chicago Sky
* Tori Black (born 1988) (Seattle), adult model and pornographic actress
* Frances Blakemore (1906–1997), artist and author
* Sheila Bleck (born 1974) (Vancouver), IFBB professional bodybuilder
* Drew Bledsoe (born 1972) (Ellensburg), football quarterback, New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys
* Mary L. Boas (1917–2010) (Seattle), mathematician and physics professor, and writer; author, Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences
* Ralph P. Boas Jr. (1912–1992) (Walla Walla), mathematician, teacher, and journal editor
* Jeremy Bonderman (born 1982) (Kennewick), baseball pitcher, Cleveland Indians
* Bill Bowerman (1911–1999) (Seattle), track coach, University of Oregon; co-founder, Nike
* Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (1912–1988) (Tacoma), Major, Marine Corps aviator, Flying Ace, Medal of Honor recipient, Navy Cross recipient
* Avery Bradley (born 1990) (Tacoma), shooting guard for Detroit Pistons
* Bryan Braman (born 1987) (Spokane), linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles
* Jesse Brand (born 1976) (Ferndale), singer-songwriter
* Michael Brantley (born 1987) (Bellevue), outfielder for Houston Astros
* Karan Brar (born 1999) (Redmond), actor
* Walter Houser Brattain (1902–1987) (Tonasket), Nobel Prize-winning physicist who co-invented the transistor
* Richard Brautigan (1935–1984) (Tacoma), novelist, poet, and short story writer
* Isaac Brock (born 1975) (Issaquah), singer, indie rock band Modest Mouse
* Jon Brockman (born 1987) (Snohomish), power forward for Milwaukee Bucks
* Gail Brodsky (born 1991), tennis player
* Arthur C. Brooks (born 1964) (Spokane), social scientist, economist, president of American Enterprise Institute
* Brandon Brown (born 1989), basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Angela Warnick Buchdahl (born 1972), rabbi
* Linda B. Buck (born 1947) (Seattle), scientist, Nobel Prize winner
* Travis Buck (born 1983) (Richland), Major League Baseball player for Houston Astros (OF)
* Billy Burke (born 1966) (Bellingham), actor, Charlie Swan in The Twilight Saga
* Nate Burleson (born 1981) (Renton), wide receiver for NFL's Detroit Lions
* Jeff Burlingame (born 1971) (Aberdeen), author, winner of NAACP Image Award and Sigma Delta Chi Award
* George Washington Bush (1779–1863) (Tumwater), pioneer
* Raegan Butcher (Snohomish), poet
* Octavia E. Butler (1947–2006) (Lake Forest Park), science-fiction writer
* Sarah Butler (born 1985) (Puyallup), actress

## C

* Tom Cable (born 1964) (Snohomish), assistant coach, Seattle Seahawks
* Dove Cameron (born 1996) (Seattle), actress
* Dyan Cannon (born 1937) (Tacoma), actress
* Jerry Cantrell (born 1966) (Tacoma), guitarist for Alice in Chains
* Maria Cantwell (born 1958) (Edmonds), United States Senator, former VP of RealNetworks
* Bryan Caraway (born 1984) (Yakima), mixed martial artist
* Orson Scott Card (born 1951) (Richland), author and professor at Southern Virginia University
* Harvey Carignan (born 1927), serial killer
* Brandi Carlile (born 1981) (Ravensdale), musician
* Chester Carlson (1906–1968) (Seattle), inventor of xerography
* JoAnne Carner (born 1939) (Kirkland), Hall of Fame golfer
* Raymond Carver (1938–1988) (Port Angeles), author
* Neko Case (born 1970) (Tacoma), chanteuse
* Pat Cashman (Seattle), actor and radio personality
* James Caviezel (born 1968) (Mount Vernon), actor
* Ron Cey (born 1948) (Tacoma), All-Star Major League Baseball player
* Drew Chadwick (born 1992) (Sequim), appeared on The X Factor USA with trio Emblem3
* Edward Chamberlin (1899–1967) (La Conner), economist
* Carol Channing (1921–2019) (Seattle), actress
* Valentina Chepiga (born 1962) (Seattle), IFBB professional bodybuilder
* Dale Chihuly (born 1941) (Tacoma), glass artist
* Chin Gee Hee (1844–1929) (Seattle), Chinese immigrant, made fortune in Seattle, returned to China as railway entrepreneur
* Louis Chirillo (born 1961) (Seattle), voice actor
* Jori Chisholm (born 1975) (Seattle), champion bagpiper
* Erika Christensen (born 1982) (Seattle), actress
* Adam Cimber (born 1990) (Puyallup), pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
* Michael Clarke (1946–1993) (Spokane), drummer for The Byrds
* Beverly Cleary (1916–2021) (Yakima), author
* Chuck Close (born 1940) (Monroe), artist
* Kurt Cobain (1967–1994) (Aberdeen), Nirvana vocalist and guitarist
* Erik Coleman (born 1982) (Spokane), football player for Atlanta Falcons
* Nancy Coleman (1912–2000) (Everett), actress
* Judy Collins (born 1939) (Seattle), folk singer
* Charles Congdon (1909–1965) (Blaine), professional golfer
* Hank Conger (born 1988) (Federal Way), catcher for Houston Astros
* Jeff Conine (born 1966) (Tacoma), former All-Star Major League Baseball player
* John Considine (1868–1943) (Seattle), impresario; founded one of first vaudeville circuits
* Chris Cornell (1964–2017) (Seattle), vocalist for Soundgarden and Audioslave
* Lucy Covington (1910–1982) (Nespelem), Native American tribal leader and political activist
* Fred Couples (born 1959) (Seattle), professional golfer
* Randy Couture (born 1963) (Everett), mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, actor
* Colin Cowherd (born 1962) (Bay Center), sports media personality
* Bruce P. Crandall (born 1933), U.S. Army officer, Medal of Honor recipient
* Ian Crawford (born 1988) (Auburn), affiliated with bands Panic! at the Disco and The Cab
* Jamal Crawford (born 1980) (Seattle), NBA player for Los Angeles Clippers
* Bing Crosby (1903–1977) (Tacoma), singer and actor
* Bob Crosby (1913–1993) (Spokane), singer and actor
* Sarah Crouch (born 1989) (Hockinson), long-distance runner
* Merce Cunningham (1919–2009) (Centralia), dancer and choreographer
* Anthony Curcio a.k.a. D.B. Tuber (born 1980), armored car robber
* Colin Curtis (born 1985) (Issaquah), left fielder for New York Yankees
* Brandy Clark (born 1975) (Morton), Country, singer and Songwriter

## D

* Joel Dahmen (born 1987) (Clarkston), professional golfer
* Bryan Danielson (born 1981) (Aberdeen), professional wrestler
* David DeCastro (born 1990) (Kirkland), guard for NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers
* Arthur Denny (1822–1889), early pioneer who founded Seattle
* Gail Devers (born 1966) (Seattle), athlete, Olympic gold medalist
* Garret Dillahunt (born 1964) (Selah), actor
* Corey Dillon (born 1974) (Federal Way), running back for NFL's New England Patriots
* Westley Allan Dodd (1961–1993) (Toppenish), serial killer
* Elinor Donahue (born 1937) (Tacoma), actress on Father Knows Best
* James Doohan (1920–2005) (Redmond), actor, Scotty on Star Trek
* Jon Dorenbos (born 1980) (Woodinville), long snapper for NFL's Philadelphia Eagles
* Ryan Doumit (Moses Lake), outfielder for Minnesota Twins
* Howard Duff (1913–1990) (Bremerton), actor
* Jessie Duff (Burlington), competitive shooter
* Bonnie Dunbar (born 1949) (Sunnyside), astronaut
* Jeff Dye (Kent), stand-up comedian, socialite

## E

* Turk Edwards (1907–1973) (Douglas County), Hall of Fame offensive tackle and coach
* John Ehrlichman (1925–1999) (Tacoma), counsel to President Richard Nixon
* Ben Eisenhardt (born 1990), American-Israeli professional basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* C. J. Elleby (born 2000), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Lisa Ellis (born 1982) (Woodinville), professional mixed martial artist
* Harris Ellsworth (1899–1986) (Hoquiam), Oregon congressman
* John Elway (born 1960) (Port Angeles), NFL quarterback, two-time Super Bowl winner, Denver Broncos executive
* Justin Ena (born 1978) (Shelton), NFL linebacker for Philadelphia Eagles
* Helga Estby (1860–1942) (Spokane), walked across U.S. in 1896

## F

* Anna Faris (born 1976) (Edmonds), actress, starred in Scary Movie series and Just Friends
* Frances Farmer (1914–1970) (Seattle), actress
* Joe Feddersen (born 1953) (Omak), sculptor, painter, photographer
* Ray Flaherty (1903–1994) (Spokane), football player, coach, Hall of Famer
* Tom Foley (1929–2013) (Spokane), Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (1989–1995)
* Russ Francis (born 1953) (Seattle), tight end with New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers
* Bryan Fuller (born 1969) (Clarkston), writer, creator of Dead Like Me and Pushing Daisies
* Stacy Marie Fuson (born 1978) (Tacoma), Playboy model, February 1999 Playmate of the Month

## G

* Kenny G (born Kenneth Gorelick, 1956) (Seattle), musician
* Abdul Gaddy (born 1992), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Tess Gallagher (born 1943) (Port Angeles), poet, essayist, writer
* Nathan Gamble (born 1998) (Tacoma), child actor, The Dark Knight, Marley & Me, Hank
* Myles Gaskin (born 1997) (Lynnwood), running back, Miami Dolphins
* Bill Gates (born 1955) (Seattle), founder of Microsoft
* Ben Gibbard (born 1976) (Bremerton), lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service
* Andy Gibson (born 1981) (Spokane), country music singer
* Cam Gigandet (born 1982) (Tacoma), actor
* Richard F. Gordon Jr. (this version), Astronaut
* Garrett Grayson (born 1991) (Vancouver), quarterback, New Orleans Saints
* Vernon Greene (1908–1965) (Battle Ground), cartoonist
* Kaye (Hall) Greff (born 1951) (Tacoma), competitive swimmer, two-time Olympic gold medalist
* Sam C. Guess (1909–1989), American politician
* David Guterson (born 1956) (Bainbridge Island), author

## H

* Richard Haag (1923–2018) (Seattle), landscape architect, only two-time recipient of ASLA President's Award for Design Excellence
* Nick Hagadone (born 1986) (Sumner), pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
* Ivar Haglund (1905–1985) (Seattle), folk singer, restaurateur
* Matt Hague (born 1985) (Bellevue), first baseman, Toronto Blue Jays
* Marcus Hahnemann (born 1972) (Kent), goalkeeper for Reading F.C.
* Jason Hammel (born 1982) (Port Orchard), starting pitcher, Kansas City Royals
* Thomas Hampson (born 1955) (Spokane), opera singer
* Jane Hamsher (born 1959) (Seattle), film producer, author, and left-wing blogger
* Sig Hansen (born 1966) (Seattle),
* Jason Hanson (born 1970) (Spokane), placekicker, Detroit Lions
* Nick Harmer (born 1975) (Puyallup), bass guitarist for Death Cab for Cutie
* Joe Harris (born 1992) (Chelan), NBA player
* Melissa Harris-Perry (born 1973) (Seattle), author, TV host, commentator
* Spencer Hawes (born 1988) (Seattle), NBA player
* Phil Heath (Seattle), IFBB Pro, 3X Mr. Olympia
* Mel Hein (1909–1992) (Burlington), Hall of Fame player for New York Giants
* Johnny Hekker (born 1990) (Redmond), punter, Los Angeles Rams
* Mark Hendrickson (born 1974) (Mount Vernon), relief pitcher, Baltimore Orioles
* Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970) (Seattle), guitarist
* Rachelle Henry (born 2000) (Richland), actress
* Frank Herbert (1920–1986) (Tacoma), author of Dune novels
* Sue Herera (born 1957) (Spokane), CNBC reporter and anchor
* Josh Heytvelt (born 1986) (Clarkston), professional basketball player
* Steven Hill (1922–2016) (Seattle), actor, Mission Impossible and Law & Order
* Megan Hilty (born 1981) (Bellevue), actress
* Gordon Hirabayashi (1918–2012) (Auburn), sociologist
* Amy Holmes (born 1973) (Seattle), news anchor, TheBlaze TV
* Joe Ronnie Hooper (1938–1979), soldier, Medal of Honor recipient
* John Hopcroft (born 1939) (Seattle), theoretical computer scientist
* Peter Horton (born 1953) (Bellevue), actor and television director; starred in Thirtysomething
* Ray Horton (born 1960) (Tacoma), NFL cornerback; defensive backs coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers
* Kei Hosogai (born 1984) (Seattle), actor and musician
* Roy Huggins (1914–2002) (Littell), creator of television series The Fugitive and The Rockford Files
* Yolanda Hughes-Heying (born 1963) (Bellingham), IFBB professional bodybuilder
* Fred Hutchinson (1919–1964) (Seattle), Major League Baseball player and manager of Cincinnati Reds

## I

* Travis Ishikawa (born 1983) (Seattle), first baseman for the San Francisco Giants
* Lucie Fulton Isaacs (1841-1916) (Walla Walla), writer, philanthropist, suffragist
* Jay Inslee (born 1951) (Seattle) American Politician, Lawyer, and Economist. 23rd Governor of Washington State
* Burl Ives (1909–1995) (Anacortes), Academy Award-winning actor and folk singer

## J

* Henry M. Jackson (1912–1983) (Everett), U.S. Senator, presidential candidate
* Jonathan Jackson (born 1982), actor.
* J. A. Jance (born 1944), author of mystery and horror novels
* Noname Jane (born 1977) (Aberdeen), pornographic actress
* Megan (Quann) Jendrick (born 1984) (Tacoma), competitive swimmer, two-time Olympic gold medalist, State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame inductee
* Keith Hunter Jesperson (born 1955) (Selah), serial killer
* Sally Jewell (born 1956) (Renton), 51st U.S. Secretary of Interior
* Robert Joffrey (1930–1988) (Seattle), choreographer
* Denis Johnson (1949–2017), writer of Jesus' Son
* Jason Johnson (born 1979), former Canadian Football League player
* Matt Johnson (born 1989) (Olympia), safety, Dallas Cowboys
* Russell Johnson (1924–2014) (Bainbridge Island), actor ("The Professor" on Gilligan's Island)
* Chuck Jones (1912–2002) (Spokane), animator
* Gary Lee Jones (born in Washington in 1946), member of Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education from Alexandria, Louisiana
* Quincy Jones (1933–2024) (Seattle), composer, conductor, musician

## K

* Kasey Kahne (born 1980) (Enumclaw), NASCAR driver
* Bianca Kajlich (born 1977) (Seattle), actress, Jennifer on CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement
* Richard Karn (born 1956) (Seattle), actor, Home Improvement, Family Feud
* Chris Kattan (born 1970) (Bainbridge Island), actor and comedian, Saturday Night Live, The Middle
* Carol Kaye (born 1935) (Everett), musician
* Jermaine Kearse (born 1990) (Lakewood), wide receiver, Seattle Seahawks
* John Keister (born 1956) (Seattle), comedian
* Keone Kela (born 1993) (Seattle), relief pitcher for Texas Rangers
* Senio Kelemete (born 1990) (Seattle), offensive guard, New Orleans Saints
* Mick Kelleher (born 1947) (Seattle), MLB infielder and coach
* Kasey Keller (born 1969) (Olympia), soccer goalkeeper for Seattle Sounders FC, formerly with Team USA
* Kitty Kelley (born 1942) (Spokane), journalist and author of several best-selling unauthorized biographies
* Donald M. Kendall (1921–2020) (Sequim), chief executive officer, PepsiCo (1971–1986)
* Brian Kendrick (born 1979) (Olympia), WWE wrestler
* Myles Kennedy (born 1969) Lead vocalist of Alter Bridge, From Spokane, Washington
* Shiloh Keo (born 1987) (Bothell), safety for Denver Broncos
* Hank Ketcham (1920–2001) (Seattle), cartoonist, creator of Dennis the Menace
* Edward Kienholz (1927–1994) (Fairfield), artist
* Erik Kimerer (born 1988) (Edmonds), voice actor, professional wrestler
* Sam Kinison (1953–1992) (Yakima), comedian
* Dale Kinkade (1933–2004) (Hartline), linguist and professor
* Justin Kirk (born 1969) (Union), actor, Weeds, Jack & Jill
* Ed Kirkpatrick (1944–2010) (Spokane), Major League Baseball player
* Jon Kitna (born 1972) (Tacoma), NFL quarterback
* Kitsap, Suquamish leader
* John Kitzhaber (born 1947) (Colfax), Oregon governor (1995–2003)
* Mariana Klaveno (born 1979) (Endicott), actress, True Blood
* Amanda Knox (born 1987) (Seattle), university student accused of murdering Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy
* Michael Koenen (born 1982) (Ferndale), punter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
* Max Komar (born 1987) (Lakewood), wide receiver for Chicago Bears
* Richard Kovacevich (born 1943) (Tacoma), chief executive officer, Wells Fargo
* Cooper Kupp (born 1993) (Yakima), NFL wide receiver

## L

* Jake Lamb (born 1990) (Seattle), third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks
* Amber Lancaster (born 1980) (Tacoma), actress, model, The Hard Times of RJ Berger, The Price is Right
* Craig Lancaster (born 1970) (Lakewood), sportswriter, novelist
* Bertha Knight Landes (1868–1943), Seattle mayor, first female mayor of major U.S. city
* Mark Lanegan (born 1964) (Ellensburg), singer-songwriter
* Erik Larsen (born 1962) (Bellingham), comic book writer, artist and publisher
* Rick Larsen (born 1965) (Arlington), U.S. Representative
* Gary Larson (born 1950) (Tacoma), cartoonist, creator of The Far Side
* Richard Lathim (born 1955) (Tri-Cities [Pasco, Richland, Kennewick]), politician, sheriff of Franklin County
* Michael Leavitt (artist) (born 1977) (Seattle), visual artist, sculptor and toy maker
* Brandon Lee (1965–1993), actor, son of Bruce Lee
* Gypsy Rose Lee (1911–1970) (Seattle), entertainer, subject of musical Gypsy
* Cassidy Lehrman (born 1992) (Seattle), actress, Sarah Gold on Entourage
* Leschi (1808–1858), Nisqually chief
* Jon Lester (born 1984) (Tacoma), starting pitcher for Chicago Cubs
* Blake Lewis (born 1981) (Redmond), singer and beatboxer, American Idol runner-up
* Rommie Lewis (born 1982) (Seattle), relief pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays
* Ryan Lewis (born 1988) (Spokane), producer, musician, video director
* Brent Lillibridge (born 1983) (Everett), utility player for New York Yankees
* Tim Lincecum (born 1984) (Bellevue), MLB pitcher, 2008 National League Cy Young winner
* Mary Livingstone (1905–1983) (Seattle), comedian, wife of Jack Benny
* Gary Locke (born 1950) (Seattle), Governor of Washington; U.S. Secretary of Commerce; U.S. Ambassador to China
* Jake Locker (born 1988) (Ferndale), quarterback for Tennessee Titans
* Kenny Loggins (born 1948) (Everett), singer-songwriter
* Travis Long (born 1991) (Spokane), outside linebacker for Philadelphia Eagles
* Sam Longoria (born 1956) (Seattle), producer, visual effects engineer
* Dane Looker (born 1976) (Puyallup), wide receiver, St. Louis Rams

## M

* Betty MacDonald (1908–1958), children's author
* Macklemore (Seattle) (born Ben Haggerty, 1983), Northwest hip-hop singer
* Kyle MacLachlan (Yakima) (born 1959), actor, Desperate Housewives, Twin Peaks, Sex and the City
* Warren Magnuson (1905–1989), six-term US Senator and Dean of the United States Senate (1979–1981)
* Nina Makino (born 2005) (Seattle), singer and member of NiziU
* Sanjaya Malakar (born 1989) (Federal Way), singer, American Idol finalist
* Joe E. Mann (born 1922-1944) (Reardan), United States Soldier who saved his comrades
* Mary Mapes (Burlington), former 60 Minutes producer fired for 2004 Killian documents scandal
* Charlie Marinkovich (born 1959) (Seattle), singer-songwriter, guitarist for Iron Butterfly
* Bristol Marunde (born 1982) (Sequim), mixed martial artist
* Dave Matthews (born 1967) (resides in Seattle), singer-songwriter
* James Mattis (born 1950) (Pullman), U.S. Secretary of Defense
* Trevor May (born 1989) (Kelso), relief pitcher, Minnesota Twins
* Doc Maynard (1808–1873), founding father of Seattle
* Taylor Mays (born 1988), NFL football player
* Kevin McCarthy (1914–2010) (Seattle), actor
* Mary McCarthy (1912–1989) (Seattle), author
* Mike McCready (born 1966) (Seattle), Pearl Jam guitarist
* Bear McCreary (born 1979), composer for film, television, video games
* Darren McGavin (1922–2006) (Spokane), actor, A Christmas Story, Kolchak, The Natural
* Rose McGowan (born 1973), actress, Paige Matthews on Charmed; attended high school in Seattle
* Joel McHale (born 1971), actor, comedian; attended high school in Seattle
* John McIntire (1907–1991) (Spokane), actor, Wagon Train
* Duff McKagan (born 1964) (Seattle), Velvet Revolver, Guns N' Roses bassist
* Bonnie McKee (born 1985) (raised in Seattle), singer-songwriter
* Patricia McPherson (born 1954), actress, Knight Rider
* Santiago Villalba Mederos (born 1991), murderer and former FBI most wanted fugitive
* Jack Medica (1914–1985) (Seattle), competitive swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, nine-time NCAA champion
* Marjie Millar (1931–1966) (Tacoma), actress, About Mrs. Leslie, Money from Home
* Angie Miller (born 1994), singer, American Idol runner-up
* Roy Miller (born 1987) (Fort Lewis), defensive tackle for Jacksonville Jaguars
* Sam Miller (Olympia), comedian
* Martin Milner (1931–2015) (Seattle), actor, Adam-12, Route 66, The Swiss Family Robinson
* Gary Miranda (born 1939), poet
* Beau Mirchoff (born 1989), actor, MTV's Awkward
* Patrick Monahan (born 1969), lead singer for band Train
* Jeff Monson, mixed martial artist, UFC fighter
* Jeffrey Dean Morgan (born 1966) (Seattle), actor, Watchmen, Grey's Anatomy, Magic City
* Mark Morris (born 1956) (Seattle), dancer and choreographer
* Adam Morrison (born 1984) (raised in Spokane), professional basketball player
* Robert Motherwell (1915–1991) (Aberdeen), abstract expressionist painter
* Dejounte Murray (born 1996) (Seattle), professional basketball player
* Patty Murray (born 1950) (Bothell), U.S. Senator
* Edward R. Murrow (1908–1965) CBS News correspondent; attended high school in Edison and Washington State University
* PZ Myers (born 1957) (Kent), scientist, professor University of Minnesota Morris
* Randy Myers (born 1962) (Vancouver), MLB four-time All-Star relief pitcher
* Ross Mathews (born 1979) (Mount Vernon), Television personality
* Lil Mosey (born 2002) (Mountlake Terrace), rapper

## N

* Craig T. Nelson (born 1944) (Spokane), actor, The Incredibles, Coach, Parenthood
* Billy North (born 1948) (Seattle), former Major League Baseball player
* Krist Novoselic (born 1965), Nirvana bassist
* Bill Nye (born 1955), Bill Nye the Science Guy

## O

* Pat O'Day (1934–2020), KJR radio disc jockey, considered godfather of Seattle rock music scene
* Eric O'Flaherty (born 1985) (Walla Walla), pitcher, Oakland Athletics
* Apolo Anton Ohno (born 1982) (Seattle), Olympic speed skater
* Danny O'Keefe (born 1943) (Spokane), musician
* John Olerud (born 1968) (Seattle), Major League Baseball first baseman
* Deanna Oliver (born 1952) (Spokane), actress, Toaster from The Brave Little Toaster and its sequels
* Gregg Olsen (born 1959) (Seattle), true crime author
* Tyler Olson (born 1989) (Spokane), Major League Baseball pitcher
* Henry O'Malley (1876–1936), United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries
* Robert Osborne (1932–2017) (Colfax), film historian, TV personality
* Roger "Buzz" Osborne (born 1964) (Morton), guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, founder of Melvins, Fantômas and Venomous Concept
* Lyle Overbay (born 1977) (Centralia), MLB first baseman
* Logan Owen (born 1995) (Bremerton), professional cyclist, Cannondale–Drapac
* Seena Owen (1894–1966) (Spokane), actress, Queen Kelly, Victory

## P

* Janis Paige (1922–2024) (Tacoma), actress
* Chuck Palahniuk (born 1962) (Pasco), novelist and freelance journalist
* Jaebeom Park (born 1987), member of Korean music group 2PM
* J. P. Patches (born Chris Wedes; 1928–2013), clown; hosted one of the longest-running locally produced children's program in U.S. history
* Robin Pecknold (born 1986), musician
* Janice Pennington (born 1942), model, The Price is Right
* Jay Pickett (1961–2021) (Spokane), actor, Port Charles, General Hospital
* Mark Pigott (born 1954), chairman and chief executive officer, Paccar
* Chris Pratt (born 1979) (raised in Lake Stevens), actor, Everwood, Parks and Recreation
* Megyn Price (born 1971) (Seattle), actress
* Cory Procter (born 1982) (Gig Harbor), guard for Miami Dolphins
* Dorothy Provine (born 1935 in Deadwood, South Dakota, died in Bremerton, Washington, 2010), singer, actress, attended University of Washington
* Henry Prusoff (1912–1943) (Seattle), tennis player; # 8 in singles in the U.S. in 1940

## R

* Benji Radach (born 1979) (Castle Rock), professional mixed martial artist
* Ella Raines (1920–1988) (Snoqualmie Falls), actress
* Ford Rainey (Centralia), actor
* Blair Rasmussen (born 1962) (Auburn), basketball player, Denver Nuggets
* John Ratzenberger (born 1947, built a house on Vashon Island as a summer home in the 1990s), Cliff Clavin on Cheers
* Pamela Reed (born 1949) (Tacoma), actress
* Dave Reichert (born 1950) (raised in Kent), Congressman, law enforcement officer
* Ann Reinking (1949–2020) (Seattle), actress, dancer, choreographer
* Jason Repko (born 1980) (Richland), outfielder for Minnesota Twins
* John Requa (born 1967) (raised in Burien), screenwriter, Cats & Dogs and Bad Santa
* Roger Revelle (1909–1991) (Seattle), scientist, pioneer of global warming studies
* Don Rich (1941–1974) (Olympia), guitarist, singer with Buck Owens
* Davey Richards (born 1983), professional wrestler
* Gary Ridgway (born 1949), serial killer
* Luke Ridnour (born 1982), point guard for Minnesota Timberwolves; attended high school in Blaine
* Theodore Rinaldo (Snohomish) (1944–2000), convicted child sex offender
* James Robart (born 1947) (Seattle), federal judge
* Tom Robbins (born 1932), best-selling novelist, worked for The Seattle Times
* Howard P. Robertson (1903–1961) (Hoquiam), cosmologist
* Laurent Robinson (born 1985) (Fort Lewis), wide receiver for Dallas Cowboys
* Nate Robinson (born 1984) (Seattle), guard for Golden State Warriors
* Jimmie Rodgers (1933–2021) (Camas), pop singer
* Jarred Rome (Marysville), Olympic discus thrower, bodybuilder
* Emily Rose (born 1981), actress, ER, Brothers & Sisters, John from Cincinnati
* Brandon Roy (born 1984) (Seattle), shooting guard for Portland Trail Blazers
* Kathryn Ruemmler (born 1971) (Richland), White House Counsel to President Barack Obama
* Ann Rule (1931–2015), true-crime author; attended University of Washington; worked with the Seattle Police Department
* Merrilee Rush (born Merrilee Gunst, 1944) (Seattle), singer, "Angel of the Morning"
* Gerri Russell (born 1962), romantic fiction author
* Rick Rydell (born 1963) (Seattle), radio talk show host, author, outdoors writer
* Mark Rypien (born 1962) (raised in Spokane), quarterback for Washington Redskins, MVP of Super Bowl XXVI, philanthropist

## S
### Sa–Sm

* Bud Sagendorf (1915-1994) (Wenatchee) American Cartoonist, known for illustrating Popeye
* Ryne Sandberg (born 1959) (Spokane), MLB player and manager, member of Baseball Hall of Fame
* Larry Sanger (born 1968), Wikipedia co-founder
* Ron Santo (1940–2010) (Seattle), third baseman and radio broadcaster for Chicago Cubs; member of Baseball Hall of Fame
* Robert (Bob) Satiacum (1929–1991), Puyallup tribal leader, American Indian activist
* Dan Savage (born 1964), writer of advice column Savage Love and editor of Seattle weekly The Stranger
* Brian Scalabrine (born 1978) (raised in Enumclaw), professional basketball player
* Ivyann Schwan (born 1983), child actress, Parenthood, Problem Child 2
* Dick Scobee (1939–1986), astronaut, commander of Space Shuttle Challenger
* Seattle (c. 1786–1866), Duwamish/Suquamish leader and diplomat
* Daniel Seavey (born 1999) (Vancouver), singer-songwriter, member of Why Don't We, contestant on American Idol season 14
* Kyle Secor (born 1957) (Tacoma), actor
* Derek Sheen, stand-up comedian
* Danny Shelton (born 1993) (Auburn), defensive tackle for New England Patriots
* Robert Shields (1918–2007) (Dayton), minister and teacher who wrote a 37.5-million-word diary, possibly the longest ever written
* Roger Shimomura (born 1939) (Seattle), artist, professor at University of Kansas
* Tre Simmons (born 1982) (Seattle), professional basketball player
* Sir Mix-a-Lot (born Anthony Ray, 1963), hip-hop artist
* Doug Sisk (born 1957) (Renton), MLB pitcher
* Grady Sizemore (born 1982) (Seattle), MLB player, three-time All-Star, Silver Slugger award winner
* Tom Skerritt (born 1933), actor; lives in Lake Washington
* Alex Smith (born 1984) (Seattle), quarterback for Kansas City Chiefs
* Jeff Smith (1939–2004) (Seattle), food expert, television personality
* Shawn Smith (1956–2019), rock musician
* Smohalla (c. 1851–1895), Sahaptin spiritual leader

### Sn–Sz

* Blake Snell (born 1992) (Seattle), starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
* Tom Sneva (born 1948) (Spokane), 1983 Indy 500 champion, 2-time USAC champion
* Travis Snider (born 1988) (Everett), MLB outfielder
* Quin Snyder (born 1966) (Mercer Island), head coach of NBA's Utah Jazz
* Tim Soares (born 1997), American-Brazilian basketball player for Ironi Ness Ziona of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Hope Solo (born 1981) (Richland), goalkeeper for United States women's national soccer team
* Steven Souza (born 1989) (Everett), outfielder for Arizona Diamondbacks
* Jack Owen Spillman (Spokane) (born 1960), serial killer, "Werewolf Butcher"
* Layne Staley (1967–2002), vocalist for Alice in Chains
* Isaiah Stanback (Seattle) (born 1984), wide receiver on New York Giants
* Lyn Stanley, born in Tacoma, jazz singer since 2013
* Rick Steves (born 1955) (Edmonds), authority on European travel
* Jonathan Stewart (born 1987) (Fort Lewis), running back for New York Giants
* Ryan Stiles (born 1959) (Seattle), actor, comedian, The Drew Carey Show, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Two and a Half Men
* Robert Stock (born 1989), MLB baseball player
* John Stockton (born 1962) (Spokane), Hall of Fame player for NBA's Utah Jazz
* Mel Stottlemyre (1941–2019), pitcher and coach for New York Yankees; lives in Issaquah
* Keaton Stromberg (born July 16, 1996) (Sequim), appeared on The X Factor USA with trio Emblem3
* Wesley Stromberg (born December 6, 1994) (Sequim), appeared on The X Factor USA with trio Emblem3
* Robert Stroud (1890–1963) (Seattle), convict, "Birdman of Alcatraz"
* Rodney Stuckey (born 1986), NBA player
* Michael Swango (born 1954), physician, serial killer
* Julia Sweeney (born 1959) (Spokane), actress, comedian, Saturday Night Live
* Sydney Sweeney (born 1997) (Spokane) actress "Euphoria (American TV series)"
* Gloria Wilson Swisher (born 1935) (Seattle), composer and educator
* H. H. Swofford (1873–1970), politician

## T

* Miesha Tate (born 1986) (Tacoma), UFC mixed martial artist
* Chrissy Teigen (born 1985) (Snohomish), Sports Illustrated model
* Daniel Te'o-Nesheim (born 1987), NFL defensive end; lived in Mill Creek
* Jason Terry (born 1977) (Seattle), NBA player for Milwaukee Bucks
* Kim Thayil (born 1960), guitarist for grunge band Soundgarden
* Isaiah Thomas (born 1989) (Tacoma), point guard for Los Angeles Lakers
* Brian Thompson (born 1959) (Ellensburg), actor'
* Cappy Thompson (born 1952), glass artist
* Nick Thune (born 1979) (Seattle), actor, comedian, and musician
* Earl Torgeson (1924–1990) (Snohomish), Major League Baseball player
* Rachel Trachtenburg (born 1993), drummer, singer of Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players
* Desmond Trufant (born 1990), NFL cornerback for Atlanta Falcons
* George Tsutakawa (1910–1997) (Seattle), sculptor and painter
* Ann Tyrrell (1909–1983) (Whatcom County), actress, Private Secretary and The Ann Sothern Show

## U

* Blair Underwood (born 1964) (Tacoma), actor, L.A. Law, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Ironside
* Misty Upham (born 1982) (Auburn), actress
* Brian Urlacher (born 1978) (born in Pasco, but raised in New Mexico), linebacker for the Chicago Bears

## V

* Greg "The Hammer" Valentine (born 1951) (Seattle), professional wrestler
* Courtney Vandersloot (born 1989) (Kent), player with WNBA's Chicago Sky
* Eddie Vedder (born 1964), vocalist for Pearl Jam; lived in Seattle
* Austin Voth (born 1992) (Redmond), relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals

## W

* Chris Walla (born 1975) (Bothell), guitarist for Death Cab for Cutie
* Jessica Wallenfels, actress, choreographer, and movement/theatre director
* Maiara Walsh (born 1988), actress, singer, Ana Solis on Desperate Housewives and Meena Paroom on Cory in the House
* Bryan Walters (born 1987), wide receiver for San Diego Chargers
* Jennifer Warnes (born 1947) (Seattle), singer
* Martell Webster (born 1986), NBA player, Minnesota Timberwolves
* Zoe Weizenbaum (born 1991) (Seattle), actor
* Adam West (1928–2017) (Seattle), actor; played Batman on TV series (1966–1968)
* Myles White (born 1990) (Tacoma), wide receiver for New York Giants
* Sammy White (1928–1991) (Wenatchee), Major League Baseball player
* Sean White (born 1981) (Pullman), relief pitcher for Boston Red Sox
* Bernie Whitebear (born Bernard Reyes; 1937–2000), American Indian activist
* Christopher Wiehl (born 1970) (Yakima), actor
* Lis Wiehl (born 1961), legal analyst for Fox News; author
* Michael Winslow (Spokane) (born 1958), actor and comedian; Cadet Jones in Police Academy films
* Marcus Williams (born 1986) (Seattle), NBA player
* Marvin Williams (born 1986) (Bremerton), NBA player for Charlotte Hornets
* Terrence Williams (born 1987) (Seattle), NBA player for Houston Rockets
* Ann (born 1950) and Nancy Wilson (born 1954), members of Heart; lived in Bellevue
* Rainn Wilson (born 1966) (Seattle), actor, The Office

## Y

* Takuji Yamashita (1874–1952), early 20th-century civil-rights pioneer
* Robert Lee Yates (born 1952) (Spokane), serial killer
* DeAndre Yedlin (born 1993), soccer player
* Henry Yesler (Seattle), entrepreneur; considered to be one of Seattle's founding fathers
* Katrina Young (born 1992) (Shoreline), two time Olympic platform diver
* Chika Yoshida (born 1984) (Anacortes), YouTuber

## Z

* Constance Zimmer (born 1970) (Seattle), actress, Entourage, Boston Legal, House of Cards