Kaila White

The Republic | azcentral.com

Scottsdale and Paradise Valley may have reputations as celebrity hot spots, but more than a few notable people have come from the West Valley. 

Some notable West Valley residents helped build the region.  Others spent their youth in its comfortable suburbs, and some simply own homes in Glendale, Surprise or the Southwest Valley. 

Not to mention a cat, who may currently be the most famous of them all. 

Earl the Grumpy Dog challenges Grumpy Cat's reign

Here are 10 famous people — and one cat — who live or have lived in the West Valley. 

Jordin Sparks

Where she lived: Jordin Sparks was raised in Glendale.  She attended Sandra Day O'Connor High School in north Phoenix and performed as a teen at Phoenix's Valley Youth Theatre. 

What she's known for: Winning the sixth season of Fox's "American Idol" in 2007 at the age of 17, making her the youngest winner in the show's history at the time.  She earned a Grammy Award nomination for her collaboration with Chris Brown on the song "No Air," and later pursued a career in acting.  Her third album is expected to be released this fall. 

Jan Brewer

Where she lives: Glendale.  Brewer is home full-time now that she's out of the public eye for the first time in decades. 

Brewer adjusting to life after stint as Arizona governor

What she's known for: Brewer served as governor from January 2009 through January 2015 and was a conservative icon.  She often clashed with members of her own Republican party and was known for high-profile activism against illegal immigration and Obama. 

Nate Ruess

Where he lived: Glendale, where his family moved to from Iowa in hopes of helping him escape repeated cases of pneumonia.  He graduated from Deer Valley High School. 

What he's known for: Being the singer of The Format, which he formed in 2001 with his best friend, Sam Means.  After the band broke up in 2008, Ruess created Fun.,  which is known for its 2011 single "We Are Young."  The song won a Grammy Award in 2013, and the band won Best New Artist. 

Bob McClendon

Where he lives: Peoria, for the last 37 years.  He was born and raised in Tucson. 

What he's known for: Growing some of the best produce in metro Phoenix.  He grows organic fruits and vegetables and supplies them to some of Arizona's most lauded chefs, as well as farmers markets across the Valley. 

Grumpy Cat

Where she lives: Morristown, which is northwest of Glendale.  She lives with her owner, Tabatha Bundesen. 

What she's known for: Having a sour expression.  Grumpy Cat, whose real name is Tardar Sauce, became an Internet celebrity in 2012 thanks to her grumpy-looking face.  She has won awards from MSNBC, Buzzfeed and Friskies; stars in a line of merchandise, a book and the documentary "Lil Bub & Friendz" with fellow celebrity cat Lil Bub; and has more than 6 million likes on Facebook. 

Upton Sinclair

Where he lived: Buckeye, where he moved to from Monrovia, Calif., in 1953.  He left for New Jersey in the '60s. 

What he's known for: Penning "The Jungle," "The Brass Check" and many other books in multiple genres.  His work exposed conditions in the American meat-packing industry, challenged journalistic standards and criticized capitalism.  He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1943. 

Jennie Garth

Where she lived: Glendale, where she moved to with her family when she was 13 and where she began modeling and taking dance classes.  She attended Greenway High School in Phoenix and Apollo High School in Glendale, though she left during her junior year to move to Los Angeles. 

What she's known for: Playing the role of Kelly Taylor in Fox's "Beverly Hills, 90210."  She also has starred in "What I Like About You" and the CW's "90210," in which she reprised her role as Kelly Taylor. 

Marty Robbins

Where he lived: Marty Robbins lived in Glendale, where he was born and raised.  He left for a brief stint in the U.S. Navy during World War II and made a name for himself in the metro-Phoenix music scene upon his return.  He moved to Nashville in the '50s, where he died. 

What he's known for: Being a popular, successful country singer and songwriter for decades.  Some of his most popular songs include "Big Iron," "Devil Woman" and "Don't Worry."  Recently, his song "El Paso" was featured on the final episode of AMC's "Breaking Bad." 

Jerry Moyes

Where he lives: Glendale, since 1966.  He owns the most expensive home in Glendale, worth $2.53 million.  The 14,416-square-foot home is next to its own swimming pool, tennis courts, and a multiple-vehicle, covered garage. 

What he's known for: Being the founder and CEO of Phoenix-based Swift Transportation, one of the largest trucking companies in the country.  He became a majority owner of the Arizona Coyotes in 2006, and placed the team in bankruptcy in 2009.  The National Hockey League took over ownership until 2013, when the team was purchased by IceArizona. 

John F. Long

Where he lived: Glendale, for part of his youth.  He graduated from Glendale High School, but was born and spent most of his adult life in Phoenix. 

What he's known for: Being the "father of the West Valley."  The legendary real-estate developer created Maryvale in the '50s, built more than 30,000 affordable homes in the West Valley and frequently donated property for schools, parks and more.  His son, Jake Long, is general partner at John F. Long Properties and lives in Phoenix. 

Damion Easley

Where he lives: northern Glendale near the Thunderbird Conservation Area, where he shares a 14,731-square-foot home with his wife, Dawn.  The property, which is worth $1.9 million, has a baseball diamond, basketball court and swimming pool. 

What he's known for: being a Major League Baseball veteran.  He played as a second baseman for 17 years on several teams including the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets.  He is now an assistant coach with the Peoria Padres.