List of people from Florida

This List of people from Florida includes notable people who were born, raised or lived in the state of Florida for a significant part of their lives.

Explorers, pioneers, scientists and military
NameNotabilityConnection to FloridaChester R. Bender (1914–1996)First Florida resident to graduate from the United States Coast Guard AcademyRaised in Plant CityRoy Geiger (1885–1947)Marine Corps General during World War IIBorn in MiddleburgJoseph Kittinger (1928-)Aviation and Space Flight PioneerBorn in TampaJohn Young (1930-)Navy Fighter Pilot and NASA Apollo AstronautRaised in Orlando

Government and politics

NameNotabilityConnection to FloridaAlan Stephenson Boyd (1922-)First United States Secretary of TransportationBorn in JacksonvilleCorrine Brown (1946-)CongresswomanBorn in JacksonvilleLawton Chiles (1930–1998)Former Governor of FloridaBorn in Polk CountyJim Davis (1957-)Florida Congressman and former candidate for governorBorn in TampaJohn Delaney (1956-)Former Mayor of JacksonvilleResides in JacksonvilleBuddy DyerMayor of OrlandoBorn in OrlandoMark Foley (1954-)Former CongressmanRaised in Lake WorthBob Graham (1936–2024)Former United States Senator and Governor of FloridaBorn in MiamiKatherine Harris (1957-)CongresswomanBorn in Key WestBob Martinez (1934-)Former Governor of FloridaBorn in TampaBill McCollum (1944-)Former Congressman and current Attorney General of FloridaBorn in BrooksvilleBill Nelson (1942-)United States SenatorBorn in MiamiAlex Penelas (1961-)Former Mayor of MiamiLived in MiamiDonald Trump (1946-)Businessman, President of the United States since 2017Owns the Mar-a-Lago estateJanet Reno (1938-)Former Attorney General of the United StatesBorn in Miami

Movies and television

NameNotabilityConnection to FloridaAisha Khalif (2000-)movie actress and super modelBorn in OcalaAmanda Bearse (1958-)movie and Television ActressBorn in Winter ParkWayne Brady (1972-)Television Personality and ComedianBorn in OrlandoDelta Burke (1956-)Television ActressBorn in OrlandoTom Byrd (1960-)Television Actor (NBC's Boone)Born in Philippine Islands; reared in FloridaDiana Canova (1953-)ActressBorn in West Palm BeachConlan Carter (1934-)Actor (Combat! and The Law and Mr. Jones on ABC)Born in Arkansas; formerly resided in NaplesMark Consuelos (1970-)Television ActorRaised in TampaMerian C. Cooper (1893–1973)movie Director, Screenwriter, and ProducerBorn in JacksonvilleBrittany Daniel (1976-)Television and movie ActressBorn in GainesvilleGreg Davis Jr. (1984-)Television ActorBorn in OrlandoJohnny Depp (1963-)movie ActorRaised in MiramarFaye Dunaway (1941-)Academy Award-Winning ActressBorn in BascomGail Edwards (1952 -)movie and Television ActressBorn and raised in Coral GablesAlex Fernandez (1967-)movie and Television ActorBorn in MiamiStepin Fetchit (1902–1985)movie Actor and ComedianBorn in Key WestRobert Gant (1968-)Television ActorBorn in TampaJoanna García (1979-)movie and Television ActressBorn in TampaNicole Garza (1982-)movie and Television ActressBorn in MiamiMatt Geraldmovie and Television ActorBorn in MiamiMalcolm Gets (1963-)ActorRaised in GainesvilleSkyler Gisondo (1996-)movie and Television Teen ActorBorn in Palm Beach CountyMel Gorham (1959-)ActressBorn in Coral GablesCarla Gugino (1973-)movie and Television ActressBorn in SarasotaTony Hale (1970-)movie and Television ActorGrew up in TallahasseeDarrell Hammond (1955-)Television Comedian from Saturday Night LiveBorn in MelbourneGina Hecht (1953-)TV and movie actressBorn in Winter ParkWanda Hendrix (1928–1981)movie ActressBorn in JacksonvilleCatherine Hickland (1956-)Soap Opera ActressBorn in Fort LauderdaleCheryl Hines (1965-)Television ActressBorn in Miami BeachCrystal Hunt (1985-)Soap Opera ActressBorn in ClearwaterJonathan Jackson (1982-)ActorBorn in OrlandoCarter Jenkins (1991-)movie and Television ActorBorn in TampaSarah Jones (1983-)movie and Television ActressBorn in Winter SpringsLawrence Kasdan (1949-)movie director and screenwriterBorn in MiamiArielle Kebbel (1985-)movie and Televistion ActressBorn in Winter ParkCatherine Keener (1960-)ActressBorn in MiamiChris Marquette (1984-)movie and Television ActorBorn in StuartDeLane Matthews (1961-)Television ActressBorn in RockledgeButterfly McQueen (1911–1995)movie and Television ActressBorn in TampaLeighton Meester (1986-)movie and Television ActressGrew up in Marco IslandMandy Moore (1984-)Actress & Singer-SongwriterGrew up in LongwoodJessica Morris (1980-)Soap Opera ActressBorn in JacksonvilleSummer Phoenix (1978-)Actress and ModelBorn in Winter ParkDanny Pino (1974-)movie and Television ActorBorn and raised in MiamiSidney Poitier (1927-)Academy Award-Winning ActorBorn in MiamiBrett Ratner (1969-)movie and Music Video DirectorBorn and raised in Miami BeachMonica Raymund (1986-)Television ActressBorn in St. PetersburgAshley Rickards (1992-)TV actressBorn in SarasotaStephen Root (1951-)movie and Television ActorBorn in SarasotaBob Ross (1942–1995)Television Presenter and ArtistBorn in Daytona BeachRick Sanchez (1958-)Host of CNN's Rick's ListGrew up in HialeahPat Skipper (1958-)movie and Television ActorBorn in LakelandWesley Snipes (1962-)Actor and movie ProducerBorn in OrlandoRachel Specter (1980-)movie and Television ActressBorn in TampaKirsten Storms (1984-)Television ActressBorn in OrlandoBen Vereen (1946-)Actor, Dancer and SingerBorn in MiamiBob Vila (1946-)Television Home Improvement PersonalityBorn in MiamiHugh Wilson (1943-)movie DirectorBorn in Miami

Literature

NameNotabilityConnection to FloridaDave Barry (1947-)Pulitzer Prize-Winning Columnist and Best Selling AuthorLives and does most of his writing in MiamiPat Frank (1907–1964)Author most famous for Alas, BabylonLived in TangerineErnest Hemingway (1899–1961)Novelist, Short Story Writer, and JournalistLived and wrote in Key WestCarl Hiaasen (1953-)Journalist and NovelistBorn in PlantationZora Neale Hurston (1891–1960)Author and Folklorist during the Harlem RenaissanceRaised in EatonvilleJames Weldon Johnson (1871–1938)Author, Poet, and Civil Rights ActivistBorn in JacksonvilleMarjorie Kinnan Rawlings (1896–1953)Novelist and Short Story WriterLived and wrote in Cross Creek, the setting for most of her workLillian Smith (1897–1966)Author and Social CriticBorn in Jasper

Music

NameNotabilityConnection to FloridaGeorge AcostaDJBorn in MiamiMason "Mase" Betha (1977-)Rap artistBorn in JacksonvilleGary U.S. Bonds (1939-)Singer and songwriterBorn in JacksonvillePat Boone (1934-)1950s Rock and Roll singerBorn in JacksonvilleJo Ann Campbell (1938-)Pop singerBorn in JacksonvilleLuther Campbell (1960-)Rap performerBorn in MiamiNick CarterBackstreet Boys singerResides in TampaAaron CarterSingerBorn in TampaLil' WayneRapperResides in Miami - but from LouisianaKhia Chambers (1970-)Rap artistRaised in TampaEaston Corbin Country music singerBorn in TrentonCarter Cornelius (1948–1991)R&B artist; lead singer of Cornelius Brothers and Sister RoseBorn in DaniaBilly Daniels (1915–1988)Big band singer and actorBorn in JacksonvilleJason Derülo (1989-)Pop and R&B singerBorn in MiamiTramar "Flo Rida" Dillard (1979-)Rap artistBorn in Opa-LockaFred Durst (1970-)Lead singer of Limp BizkitBorn in JacksonvilleGreg Eklund (1970-)Drummer for EverclearBorn in JacksonvilleGloria Estefan (1957-)Grammy Award-winning singerRaised in MiamiWilla Ford (1981-)Pop SingerBorn/Raised in RuskinBrooke Hogan (1988-)Singer and RapperBorn/Raised in TampaJ. Rosamond Johnson (1873–1954)Composer and singer during the Harlem RenaissanceBorn in JacksonvilleSean Kingston (1990-)Reggae Fusion Singer and RapperBorn in MiamiFrances Langford (1913–2005)Singer and radio starBorn in LakelandJames MacDonough (1970-)Bass guitaristBorn in JacksonvilleRaul Malo (1965-)Country music singer and songwriterBorn in MiamiAJ McLean (1978-)SingerBorn in West Palm BeachMandy Moore (1984-)Singer and ActressRaised and lives in OrlandoJim Morrison (1943–1971)Singer, songwriter, and poetBorn in MelbourneFaheem "T-Pain" Najim (1985-)Rap artistBorn in TallahasseeJacki-O (198?-)Rap artistBorn in MiamiJaco Pastorius (1951–1987)Jazz bassist, former member of Weather ReportLived in Fort Lauderdale until his deathhttp://www.jacotheearlyyears/news/jazziz0403.aspArmando "Pitbull" Pérez (1981-)Rap artist and producerBorn in MiamiTom Petty (1950-)MusicianBorn in GainesvilleRick Ross (1977-)Rap artistBorn in Carol CityMarkus SchulzDJResides in MiamiVerick "Smitty" Smith (1982-)Rap artistBorn in MiamiScott Stapp (1973-)Singer and songwriterBorn in OrlandoKatrina "Trina" Taylor (1978-)Rap artistBorn in MiamiJohnny Tillotson (1939-)Singer and songwriterBorn in JacksonvilleClaude "Butch" Trucks (1947-)Drummer of the Allman Brothers BandBorn in JacksonvilleRobert 'Vanilla Ice' Van WinkleRap artistMoved to Miami at 16, currently resides in WellingtonDonnie Van Zant (1952-)Lead singer of .38 SpecialBorn in JacksonvilleRonnie Van Zant (1948–1977)Lead singer for Lynyrd SkynyrdBorn in JacksonvilleScooter Ward (1970-)Lead singer of ColdBorn in JacksonvilleDanielle White (1992-)SingerRaised in BradentonMaurice "Trick Daddy" Young (1975-)Rap artistBorn in Miami

Science and technology

NameNotabilityConnection to FloridaPhilip Don Estridge (1937–1985)Led the development of the IBM Personal ComputerBorn in Jacksonville; lived and worked in Boca RatonJohn Archibald Wheeler (1911–2008)Theoretical PhysicistBorn in Jacksonville

Sports

NameNotabilityConnection to FloridaChucky Atkins (1974-)Professional basketball playerBorn in OrlandoGilbert Arenas (1982-)Professional basketball playerBorn in TampaAlex Avila (1987-)Professional baseball catcherBorn in HialeahWade Boggs (1958-)Professional baseball playerLives in TampaBoof Bonser (1981-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in St. PetersburgDwayne Bowe (1984-)Professional football wide receiverBorn in MiamiSteve Carlton (1944-)Major League Baseball pitcherBorn in MiamiVince Carter (1977-)Professional basketball playerBorn in Daytona BeachKevin Cash (1977-)Professional baseball catcherBorn in TampaJohn Chaney (1932-)College basketball coachBorn in JacksonvilleLaveranues Coles (1977-)Professional American football playerBorn in JacksonvilleDaunte Culpepper (1977-)Professional American football quarterbackBorn in OcalaJohnny Damon (1974-)Major League Baseball All-Star OutfielderGrew up in OrlandoWade Davis (1985-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in Lake WalesKeyon Dooling (1980-)Professional basketball playerBorn in Fort LauderdaleElvis Dumervil (1984-)Professional football linebackerBorn in MiamiDavid Duval (1971-)Professional golferBorn in JacksonvilleDave Eiland (1966-)Professional pitching coachBorn in Dade CityJeff Fulchino (1979-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in TitusvilleAlonzo Gee (1987-)Professional basketball playerBorn in Riviera BeachGio Gonzalez (1985-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in HialeahLuis Gonzalez (1967-)Professional baseball outfielderBorn in TampaDwight Gooden (1964-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in TampaNick Green (1978-)Professional baseball playerBorn in PensacolaZack Greinke (1983-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in OrlandoAl Harris (1974-)Professional football cornerbackBorn in Pompano BeachUdonis Haslem (1980-)Professional basketball playerBorn in MiamiBob Hayes (1942–2002)Track and Field athlete and professional American football playerBorn in JacksonvilleGeno Hayes (1987-)Professional football linebackerBorn and raised in GreenvilleMario Henderson (1984-)Professional football offensive tackleBorn in Lehigh AcresDevin Hester (1982-)Professional football wide receiver and punt returnerBorn and raised in Riviera BeachHulk Hogan (1953-)Professional wrestler and television starGrew up in TampaEric Hurley (1985-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in JacksonvilleMichael Irvin (1966-)Professional American football playerBorn in Fort LauderdaleJamaal Jackson (1980-)Professional football centerBorn in MiamiMike Jenkins (1985-)Professional American football playerGrew up in BradentonAndre Johnson (1981-)Professional football wide receiverBorn in MiamiBruce Johnson (1987-)Professional football cornerbackBorn in Live OakChris Johnson (1985-)Professional football running backBorn in OrlandoDwayne "The Rock" Johnson (1972-)Professional wrestler and actorLives in MiamiGartrell Johnson (1986-)Professional football running backBorn in MiamiHoward Johnson (1960-)Professional baseball playerBorn in ClearwaterChipper Jones (1972-)Professional baseball playerBorn in DelandHunter Jones (1984-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in Palm Beach GardensRoy Jones Jr. (1969-)Former boxing championBorn in PensacolaSolomon Jones (1984-)Professional basketball playerBorn in EustisMatt Joyce (1984-)Professional baseball outfielderBorn in TampaKelly Kelly  (1987-)WWE DivaBorn in JacksonvilleHoward Kendrick (1983-)Professional baseball second basemanBorn in JacksonvilleJeff Keppinger (1980-)Professional baseball playerBorn in MiamiCasey Kotchman (1983-)Professional baseball first basemanBorn in St. PetersburgMatt LaPorta (1985-)Professional baseball first basemanBorn in Port CharlotteTony La Russa (1944-)Professional baseball managerBorn and raised in TampaRay Lewis (1975-)Professional American football playerBorn in BartowJesse Litsch (1985-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in Pinellas ParkDave Magadan (1962-)Professional baseball playerBorn in TampaOlindo Mare (1973-)Professional football placekickerBorn in HollywoodTino Martinez (1967-)Professional baseball playerBorn in TampaJeff Mathis (1983-)Professional baseball catcherBorn in MariannaMichelle McCool (1980-)WWE DivaBorn and lives in PalatkaMark McCumber (1951-)Professional golferBorn in JacksonvilleWillis McGahee (1981-)Professional American football playerBorn in MiamiTracy McGrady (1979-)Professional basketball playerBorn in BartowJason Michaels (1976-)Professional baseball outfielderBorn in TampaSantana Moss (1979-)Professional American football playerBorn in MiamiLouis Murphy (1987-)Professional football wide receiverBorn in St. PetersburgBrett Myers (1980-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in JacksonvilleMike Napoli (1981-)Professional baseball catcherBorn in HollywoodStephen Nicholas (1983-)Professional football linebackerBorn in JacksonvilleChad Ochocinco (1978-)Professional American football playerBorn in MiamiDarren O'Day (1982-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in JacksonvilleJonathan Papelbon (1980-)Professional baseball pitcherGrew up in JacksonvilleDimitri Patterson (1983-)Professional football cornerbackBorn in OrlandoEric Patterson (1983-)Professional baseball outfielderBorn in TallahasseeRyan Pickett (1979-)Professional football nose tackleBorn and raised in ZephyrhillsAJ Pierzynski (1976-)Professional baseball catcherRaised in OrlandoRyan Raburn (1981-)Professional baseball playerBorn in TampaTim Raines (1959-)Professional baseball playerBorn in SanfordJay Ratliff (1981-)Professional football nose tackleBorn in St. PetersburgChris Ray (1982-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in TampaAlex Rodriguez (1975-)Professional baseball playerPartly raised in MiamiSean Rodriguez (1985-)Professional baseball second basemanBorn in MiamiChris Sale (1989-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in LakelandJarrod Saltalamacchia (1985-)Professional baseball catcherBorn in West Palm BeachWarren Sapp (1972-)Professional American football playerBorn in OrlandoLito Sheppard (1981-)Professional American football playerBorn in JacksonvilleScot Shields (1975-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in Fort LauderdaleBrandon Siler (1985-)Professional football linebackerBorn in Daytona BeachEmmitt Smith (1969-)Professional American football playerBorn in PensacolaKevin Smith (1986-)Professional football running backBorn in MiamiMike Smith (1959-)Professional football head coachRaised in Daytona BeachChris Snelling (1981-)Professional Baseball playerBorn in North MiamiDenard Span (1984-)Professional baseball playerBorn in TampaMatthew Stafford (1988-)Professional football quarterbackBorn in TampaSteve Spurrier (1945-)American football player and coachBorn in Miami BeachAmar'e Stoudemire (1982-)Professional basketball playerBorn in Lake WalesAntonio Tarver (1968-)Professional boxerBorn in TampaDin Thomas (1976-)UFC FighterLives and trains in Port St. LucieJason Varitek (1972-)Professional baseball playerGrew up in LongwoodTim Wakefield (1966-)Professional baseball pitcherBorn in MelbourneLeon Washington (1982-)Professional football running backBorn in JacksonvilleLeonard Weaver (1982-)Professional football fullbackBorn in MelbourneEric Weems (1985-)Professional football wide receiverBorn in Daytona BeachBobby Wilson (1983-)Professional baseball catcherBorn in DunedinLeeRoy Yarbrough (1938–1984)NASCAR driverBorn in Jacksonville

Other

NameNotabilityConnection to FloridaShannon Bream (1971-)Reporter for Fox NewsGrew up in TallahasseeCarrot Top (1965-)Prop ComedianBorn in Cocoa BeachFabiano Caruana (1992-)Youngest chess grandmaster in United States historyBorn in MiamiJanice Dickinson (1955-)Early SupermodelRaised in HollywoodElizabeth Edwards (1949-2010)Estranged wife to John EdwardsBorn in JacksonvilleTiffany Fallon (1974-)Playmate of the Year 2005Born in Fort LauderdaleAbraham Lincoln Lewis (1865–1947)Businessman and Florida's first African-American millionaireBorn in MadisonCharles E. Merrill (1885–1956)Founder of Merrill LynchBorn in Green Cove SpringsKara Monaco (1983-)Playmate of the Year 2006Born in LakelandChris Myers (1959-)SportscasterBorn in MiamiCarolyn Murphy (1973-)SupermodelBorn in Fort Walton BeachA. Philip Randolph (1889–1979)Civil Rights activistBorn in Crescent CityKrissy Taylor(1978–1995)ModelBorn in MiamiNiki Taylor (1975-)ModelBorn in MiamiNorman Thagard (1943-)NASA AstronautLives and works in TallahasseeJimmy Wales (1966-)Founding member of the Wikimedia FoundationResides in St. Petersburg

References

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Florida
Category:Florida-related lists