The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Columbus, Ohio
Chet Allen (1939–1984), television, Amahl and the Night Visitors Hallmark Hall of Fame Bonino Columbus Boychoir Lexi Allen (1967– ), gospel singer and television personality; born in Columbus and a prominent figure in The Word Network Majel Barrett (1932–2008), television (Star Trek Star Trek: The Next Generation Warner Baxter (1889–1951), film (In Old Arizona Richard Biggs (1960–2004), actor; born in ColumbusAndrea Bowen (1990– ), actress; born in ColumbusLawrence Edward Carter, Jr . (1941-), historian, professor, author, and civil rights expert. Founding Dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse .Grace Cunard (1893–1967), actress, screenwriter, and film director; born in ColumbusBeverly D'Angelo (1951– ), film (National Lampoon's Vacation Mike Faist (1992– ), film (Challengers Alana de la Garza (1976– ), television (Law & Order Dody Goodman (1915–2008), television (Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman Eileen Heckart (1919–2001), actress; born in ColumbusElsie Janis (1889–1956), vaudeville performer, screenwriter, actress and composer; born in Columbus and maintained a home thereA.J. Langer (1974– ), television (My So-Called Life Andrew Levitt (1979– ), actor; also known as Nina West- born in Greentown, resident of Columbus, Rupaul's Drag race season 11 starLorissa McComas (1970–2009), actress and glamour model; born in ColumbusMarnie McPhail (1966- ), actress and musician; born in ColumbusTom Poston (1921–2007), television (Newhart Suzanne Pleshette ; born in ColumbusJosh Radnor (1974– ), television (How I Met Your Mother Gigi Rice (1965– ), television (The John Larroquette Show Gene Sheldon (1908–1982), television (Disney's Zorro Cory Michael Smith , actor, best known for his role as Edward Nigma (Riddler) in the Fox television drama series Gotham Julia Swayne Gordon (1878–1933), actress; born in ColumbusPhilip Michael Thomas (1949– ), actor; born in ColumbusKenan Thompson (1978– ), actor and comedian; born in ColumbusHal Williams (1938– ), actor; born in ColumbusBenny Alba (1949– ), artist; born in ColumbusGeorge Bellows (1882–1925), realist painter, known for bold depictions of urban life in New York City, becoming, according to Columbus Museum of Art, "the most acclaimed American artist of his generation"Charles Csuri (1922–2022), father of digital art and computer animationRay Evans (1887–1954), political cartoonistNatalia Fedner (1983– ), fashion designer, raised in Columbus, OhioShawn Foster (1973– ), music video, film and television directorAlex Grey (1953– ), psychedelic artist; born in Columbus and attended Columbus College of Art and DesignJanet Cook Lewis (1855–1947), painter, librarian and bookbinderJammes Luckett (1974- ), musician, writer, visual artist, and voice actor; born in ColumbusTodd Douglas Miller , filmmakerChristopher Ries (1952– ), sculptor; born in Columbus and attended the Ohio State UniversityAminah Robinson (1940–2015), artist; born in ColumbusAlice Schille (1869–1955), watercolorist and painterChris Sprouse (1966– ), comic book artistT. S. Sullivant (1854–1926), cartoonist and illustratorTed Williams (1958– ), voiceover artist who became an overnight celebrity when his YouTube video went viral in January 2011Nate Ebner Archie Griffin Jack Nicklaus Miller Anderson (1922–1965), diver; born in ColumbusChad Barson (1991– ), soccer player[ 1] Simone Biles (1997– ), gymnast, three-time world all-around champion, 2016 Olympian, won four gold medals; born in Columbus[ 2] Jake Blankenship (1994– ), professional pole vaulter; raised in Columbus; attended Gahanna Lincoln High SchoolAlexa Bliss (1991– ), professional wrestler; born and raised in ColumbusLisa Bonder (1965- ), tennis player; born in ColumbusMalaki Branham (2003- ), basketball player; born in ColumbusMike Brown (1970- ), basketball coach; born in ColumbusTrey Burke (1992– ), NBA guard, plays for the Houston Rockets ; born in ColumbusRuss Campbell (1969– ), NFL tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers ; born in ColumbusHoward Cassady (1934–2019), NFL running back and Heisman Trophy winner; born in Columbus; played football and baseball for Ohio StateAustin Cindric (1998– ), NASCAR driverCasey Close (1963– ), baseball playerMark Coleman (1964– ), professional fighter from the UFC and Pride mixed-martial-arts organizations; member of Columbus-based Team Hammer House Zach Collaros (1988– ), Canadian Football League quarterback for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Carl Cooke (1889–1971), sprinter; born in ColumbusJoe Cooper (1979– ), professional football playerBen Curtis (1977– ), professional golfer, winner of 2003 British Open; born in ColumbusAntonio Daniels (1975- ), basketball player; born in ColumbusHelen Darling (1978– ), WNBA guard; attended high school in ColumbusJessica Davenport (born 1985), basketball playerBuster Douglas (1960– ), heavyweight boxing champion after defeating Mike Tyson ; born and raised in ColumbusNate Ebner (1988– ), football player in the National Football League ; rugby Olympian; lived in Columbus as a youthPat Elflein (1994– ), NFL player, born and raised in Columbus and graduated from The Ohio State UniversitySarah Fisher (1980– ), auto racer, drove in nine Indianapolis 500s; born in ColumbusJohn Frank (1962– ), NFL football playerRoss Friedman (1992– ), Harvard and Major League Soccer playerLawrence Funderburke (1970– ), Ohio State and NBA basketball player; born and raised in ColumbusTerry Glenn (1974–2017), Ohio State University and NFL wide receiver; born and raised in ColumbusHank Gowdy (1889–1966), Major League Baseball catcher; born and lived in ColumbusBrian Grant (1972– ), basketball playerArchie Griffin (1954– ), only two-time Heisman Trophy winner; attended Eastmoor High School, then the Ohio State University; won the Heisman Trophy twice as a running back for the OSU Buckeyes; returned to Columbus after his pro career to become the university's assistant athletic director, and president of its alumni associationForrest Griffin (1979– ), UFC light-heavyweight fighter and winner of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter Andrew Hampsten (1963– ), professional cyclist; born in ColumbusSam Hanks (1914–1994), race car driver; born in ColumbusChic Harley (1894–1974), Ohio State University All-American football playerCollin Johns (1993– ), professional pickleball playerBo Lamar (1951– ), basketball playerChris Leitch (1979– ), Major League Soccer defender; born in ColumbusCaris LeVert (1994– ), basketball playerPauline Martin , All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player (1946 season)Liam McCullough (1997– ), NFL long snapper for the Atlanta Falcons ; born in ColumbusLance Moore (1983– ), NFL wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints ; born in ColumbusJack Nicklaus (1940– ), pro golfer, winner of a record 18 golf majors and member of World Golf Hall of Fame ; born in Columbus and attended the Ohio State University; won the 1961 NCAA Championship while playing for the schoolRoosevelt Nix (1992– ), NFL fullback for the Pittsburgh Steelers; born and raised in Columbus; attended high school in Reynoldsburgh and played college football at Kent StateAbuchi Obinwa (1997– ), professional soccer midfielder; born in Columbus and plays for Columbus Crew SC Paul O'Neill (1963– ), Major League Baseball outfielder; born and raised in ColumbusDanny O'Rourke (1983– ), Major League Soccer midfielder; born and raised in ColumbusLilia Osterloh (1978– ), tennis playerJesse Owens (1913–1980), track and field; set three world records in one day while in college at the Ohio State University; won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics; raised in Cleveland, and attended college in ColumbusJerry Page (1961- ), boxer; born in ColumbusAlexis Peterson (1995- ), basketball combo guard; born in ColumbusBrady Quinn (1984– ), NFL quarterback; born in Columbus and attended high school in Dublin, Ohio Madison Rayne (1986-), Professional Wrestler for TNA Impact and All Elite Wrestling .Michael Redd (1979– ), Ohio State University basketball player and NBA shooting guard; born and raised in ColumbusDave Roberts (1944–2009), Major League Baseball pitcher; moved to ColumbusMauri Rose (1906–81), auto racerJack Roslovic (1997– ), NHL player, Columbus Blue Jackets Emmanuel Sabbi (1997– ), soccer player[ 3] Randy Savage (1952–2011), professional wrestler, former WWE champion; born in ColumbusDevon Scott (born 1994), basketball player in the Israel Basketball Premier League Kip Selbach (1872–1956), Major League Baseball outfielder; born in ColumbusCole Sillinger (2003– ), NHL player, Columbus Blue Jackets ; born in ColumbusGeorge Simpson (1908–1961), sprinter; born in ColumbusSpencer Strider (1998-), MLB player, starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves ; born in ColumbusJared Sullinger (1992– ), CBA forward for the Shenzhen Leopards ; born in Columbus and played for Ohio StateNick Swisher (1980– ), Major League Baseball outfielder; attended the Ohio State UniversityThelma Thall (1924– ), two-time world table tennis championWil Trapp (1993– ), Major League Soccer midfielder; plays for Minnesota United FC and grew up in GahannaGary Trent (1974– ), NBA player; attended Hamilton Township High School and was born and raised in ColumbusLouie Vito (1988– ), professional snowboarder, 2010 US Olympic Team, four-time Overall US Grand Prix Champion and two-time Dew Cup Overall Champion; six career X Games medals, including two gold medals; born in ColumbusGranville Waiters (1961–2021), NBA player; born and raised in ColumbusSamaki Walker (1976– ), NBA player; born and raised in ColumbusEvan White (1996– ), Major League Baseball player; born in ColumbusHerb Williams (1958– ), NBA player and coach; born in Columbus and played basketball for the Ohio State UniversityJarren Williams (1997– ), NFL defensive back for New York Giants; born and raised in ColumbusJohn Williamson (1986– ), basketball player for Hapoel Tel Aviv B.C. of the Israeli Basketball Premier League Blaine Wilson (1974– ), gymnast, Olympic silver medalist in 2004; attended the Ohio State UniversityJeni Britton Bauer (1973-), founder of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Dick Cepek (1930–1983), Off-road Motorsports Hall of Fame member, parts supplier and racer; raised in ColumbusJack Hanna (1947– ), zookeeper and television personality; director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (1978–1993), director emeritus afterwardsJohn H. McConnell (1923–2008), founder of Worthington Industries and the Columbus Blue Jackets NHL teamJay Schottenstein (1954– ), entrepreneur and philanthropistDave Thomas (1932–2002), founder of Wendy's restaurant chain, whose first store was in ColumbusRobert D. Walter (1944 – ), founder of Cardinal Health , born and raised in ColumbusLeslie Wexner (1937 – ), founder and chairman emeritus of L Brands Granville Woods (1856–1910), inventor; spent his early childhood in ColumbusGregory Franks (1958 – ), wealth management executive at Snowden Lane PartnersCharlotte Curtis (1928–1987), reporter and editor for the Columbus Citizen and the New York Times Wil Haygood (1954– ), Pulitzer-nominated, award-winning journalist Washington Post The Butler Charles F. Hockett (1916–2000), American linguist; born in ColumbusTerry Murphy , television journalist, Chicago and Los Angeles news anchor, host of shows Hard Copy Extra Sacha Pfeiffer (1971– ), award-winning journalist with the Boston Globe Cabot Rea , Emmy Award -winning television reporter and anchor for the Columbus NBC affiliate WCMH ; anchored the local UPN news at WWHO Cora Rigby , first woman at a major paper to head a Washington News bureau and was one of the founders of the Women's National Press Club.James Linn Rodgers (1861–1930), editor of Columbus Dispatch (also United States Consul General to Shanghai, Havana and Montreal)Dana Tyler , news anchor at WBNS Ralph Waldo Tyler (1860–1921), journalist and war correspondent during World War I Andrew Welsh-Huggins , journalist and author of the Andy Hayes mystery novels, set in ColumbusCasper H. Conrad Jr. (1872–1954), U.S. Army brigadier general[ 4] Cordelia E Cook (1919–1996), World War II U.S. Army first lieutenant in the United States Army Nurse CorpsDonald G. Dunn (1923–2021), World War II decorated member of the 10th Mountain DivisionDonn Eisele (1930–1987), NASA astronaut; Colonel, U.S. Air ForceLinda L. Fagan (1963– ), Coast Guard vice admiralStanley H. Ford (1877–1961), United States Army GeneralGilbert C. Hoover (1894–1980), World War I and World War II USN admiral, involved in developing the nuclear bombCurtis LeMay (1906–1990), World War II and Cold War U.S. Air Force general; born and raised in Columbus; studied civil engineering at the Ohio State UniversityIrvin McDowell (1818–1885), army officer; born in ColumbusPerry L. Miles (1873–1961), U.S. Army brigadier general[ 5] Eddie Rickenbacker (1890–1973), World War I fighter pilot , "Ace of Aces"; born and raised in ColumbusWillard Franklyn Searle (1924–2009), Captain, U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage 1964–1969; born and raised in ColumbusRichard Secord (1932– ), Air Force major generalWalter Cowen Short (1870–1952), US Army brigadier general[ 6] Paul Tibbets (1915–2007), World War II Enola Gay decorated pilotSanguisugabogg , rock n roll bandArt Ryerson , guitaristəkoostik hookah , musical groupAttack Attack! , metalcore bandBeartooth , hardcore punk bandBlueprint , rapper and hip hop producerBizzy Bone (1976– ), rapper, part of Bone Thugs-n-HarmonyBow Wow (1987– ), (formerly known as "Lil' Bow Wow"), rapper; born in Columbus and spent his early childhood thereBrakence (2001– ), singer-songwriterHappy Chichester , singer-songwriterColin Rigsby , singer-songwriter Vesperteen, also drummer for House of HeroesCopywrite , underground hip-hop artistThe Crimson Armada , metalcore bandJay DeMarcus (1971– ), bassist in the country group Rascal Flatts; born and raised in ColumbusRocco Di Pietro (1949– ), composerAaron Diehl (1985– ), jazz pianistJerome Dillon (1969– ), drummer and musician, formerly of Nine Inch NailsJosh Dun (1988– ), drummer of rock duo Twenty One Pilots [ 7] Early Man , speed metal bandHarold "Sweets" Edison (1915–1999), jazz trumpeter of the swing/bebop era who played and recorded with Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, and Count Basie; born in Columbus and attended East High SchoolFanFan (范玮琪) (1976– ), Taiwanese-American artist; born in ColumbusFly Union , musical groupMichael Feinstein (1956– ), singer; born in Columbus and lived there until age 19Terry Glaze , original lead singer of heavy metal band Pantera Stomp Gordon , jump blues pianist and singer[ 8] House of Heroes , Christian rock bandIllogic (1980– ), rapper and hip-hop artistHoward Jones (1970– ), lead vocalist of Light the Torch (formerly Devil You Know), former lead vocalist of Killswitch Engage and Blood Has Been Shed Tyler Joseph (1988– ), lead vocalist of rock duo Twenty One Pilots[ 7] Like Moths to Flames , metalcore bandRahsaan Roland Kirk (1935–1977), jazz saxophonist; born and raised in Columbus, and educated at the Ohio State School for the BlindLatto , (1998– ), rapper; born in ColumbusGary LeVox (1970– ), lead singer of country group Rascal FlattsJoe "Foley" McCreary , bass player for Miles DavisNancy Jewel McDonie singer, who became famous with the Korean KPop group Momoland My Ticket Home , alternative metal bandO.A.R. , roots rock bandPhil Ochs (1940–1976), folk-activist singer and songwriter; grew up in Columbus, which provided the inspiration for his song "Boy in Ohio"; studied journalism at Ohio State UniversityDon Patterson (1936–1988), jazz organistPenny & The Quarters , short-lived 1970s soul band that came to notice in 2011Conrad Reeder (1954– ), singer/songwriterRed Wanting Blue , alternative rock bandJohn Reuben (1979– ), Christian rapperRJD2 (1976– ), real name Ramble Jon "RJ" Krohn; hip-hop producerSaving Jane , alternative rock bandStarset , alternative rock bandCaleb Shomo (1992– ), lead vocalist of Beartooth , former lead vocalist/keyboardist of Attack Attack! Jermaine Stewart , an American R&B singer best known for his 1986 hit single "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off", which peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. Born in Columbus.The Sun , alternative rock bandCamu Tao (1977–2008), rapper and producer, member of S.A. SmashTimes New Viking , indie rock bandTwenty One Pilots , alternative rock music duo from ColumbusJoe Walsh (1947– ), musician, solo artist, guitarist for The EaglesNancy Wilson (1937–2018), singerDwight Yoakam (1956– ), country singer; raised in Columbus and briefly attended Ohio StatePrescott Bush (1895–1972), U.S. Senator elected from Connecticut, father and grandfather of Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush , respectively; born in Columbus and spent his childhood there until 1908; moved back to Columbus for part of 1923 for a job in businessPatrick Clifford , member of the Wisconsin State Assembly , born in ColumbusRichard Cordray , 1st Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, born in ColumbusBob Hackett , Ohio State SenatorMark Kersey , member of the San Diego City Council , born in ColumbusMilton Latham (1827–1882), politician, governor of California, U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator; born in ColumbusPat McCrory (1956– ), 74th Governor of North Carolina (2013–2017), longest-serving mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina ; born in Columbus, but relocated to North Carolina as a child; 2008 Republican nominee for Governor of North CarolinaHarley Rouda (1961- ), attorney, businessman and politician, U.S. representative for California's 48th congressional district; born in ColumbusBob Shamansky (1927–2011), politician and attorney, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 12th district; born in ColumbusHanif Abdurraqib (1983– ), poet and aurthor; raised in ColumbusDavid Auburn (1970– ), playwright; raised in ColumbusLois McMaster Bujold (1949– ), science fiction author; born in ColumbusRon Burch , TV writer and producer, screenwriter, playwright and novelist; born and raised in Columbus and attended the Ohio State UniversityCharlotte Curtis (1928–1987), first woman editor of the New York Times Columbus Citizen for 11 years. See Journalists above .Natalie Dee , webcomic artist; creator of Natalie Dee ; co-creator of Married to the Sea Drew ; lives in ColumbusDrew (1979– ), webcomic artist, creator of toothpaste for dinner Married to the Sea Florence Magruder Gilmore (1881–1945), author and settlement workerFred Golan (1959– ), television writer and executive producer; raised in Columbus, studied at Ohio StateMargaret Peterson Haddix (1964– ), author; lives in ColumbusSaeed Jones , writer and poet[ 9] Kristen Lepionka , crime fiction writer[ 10] Harvey C. Mansfield, Jr. (1932– ), Professor of Government at Harvard University; author of numerous books on the subject of political theory; graduated from high school in Columbus[ 11] Lida Rose McCabe (1865–1938), author, journalist, lecturerTom Meek (1965– ), columnist; lived in Columbus in 1976Ming Peiffer (1988– ), playwright; grew up in ColumbusMary Robison (1949– ), short story writerArthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. (1917–2007), historian and writer; born in ColumbusJeff Smith (1960– ), cartoonist and creator of Bone Maggie Smith , poet, freelance writer, and editor, born in ColumbusDonald Ogden Stewart (1894–1980), humorist , playwright, and Academy Award-winning black-listed screenwriter; born and raised in ColumbusR. L. Stine (1943– ), author; born and raised in Columbus; attended the Ohio State UniversityJames Thurber (1894–1961), cartoonist and humorist ; born and raised in Columbus; many of his short stories depict episodes from this period of his lifeTed Allen (1968– ), author and television personality, Queer Eye Chopped Joshua Angrist , economist; born in ColumbusRoman Atwood (1983– ), Youtube personality, comedian, vlogger from ColumbusNeal Buckon (1953- ), prelate of the Roman Catholic Church; born in ColumbusNeil Carpathios (1961– ), poet, professor, newspaper columnist, radio program hostAnnie W. Clark (1843–1907), president, Ohio Woman's Christian Temperance Union Mark Dindal (1960– ), effects animator and director, Cats Don't Dance The Emperor's New Groove Chris Douridas (1962– ), radio host, actor, music supervisorGuy Fieri (1968– ), chef on Food Network , born in ColumbusJudah Folkman (1933–2008), medical scientist who founded the field of angiogenesis research; raised in Columbus, and graduated from the Ohio State UniversityMichael Foreman (1957- ), astronaut; born in ColumbusMark Frissora , CEO of Caesars Entertainment Lincoln Goodale (1782–1868), doctor and namesake of Goodale Park David E. Harris , the first African American commercial airline pilot and pilot captain for a major U.S. commercial airline.[ 12] [ 13] Sandra Hubby (1978– ), Playboy Hawaiian Tropic PageantCurtis Lovell II (1981– ), illusionist, escape artist and endurance artistJeffrey L. Meikle (1949– ), cultural historian, professorRuth Ella Moore (1903–1994), academician, bacteriologist, microbiologist, and fashion designer, born in Columbus, awarded a Ph.D. of historical note in 1933 by Ohio State University, professor and department chair at Howard University [ 14] Alexis Nikole Nelson (1992– ), forager and internet celebrityJ. Havens Richards (1851–1923), Jesuit and president of Georgetown University [ 15] Galen Starr Ross (1895–1980), academic and college presidentAnn Shaw (1921–2015), civic leader, social worker[ 16] Randy Skinner (1952– ), Broadway director and choreographer; born and raised in Columbus; graduated from the Ohio State University in 1974
^ "Chad Barson" . Major League Soccer . Retrieved January 6, 2025 .^ "The legend of Simone Biles continues to grow - Olympic News" . International Olympic Committee . October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019 .^ "My Story – Emmanuel Sabbi" . Emmanuel Sabbi . Retrieved January 7, 2025 .^ "New Commander Awaited at Post" . The Salt Lake Tribune NewspaperArchive.com .^ Franklin County at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Google Books .^ A Centennial Biographical History of the City of Columbus and Franklin County Ohio 670– 672 – via Google Books .^ a b Greene, Andy (January 20, 2016). "13 Things We Learned Hanging Out With Twenty One Pilots" . Rolling Stone . Retrieved August 4, 2018 . ^ "Stomp Gordon" . Rockabilly.nl . Retrieved October 28, 2016 .^ "Forget New York. For writer Saeed Jones, Columbus, Ohio, is the place to be a literary star" . Washington Post . ISSN 0190-8286 . Retrieved April 22, 2022 .^ Kristopher (September 13, 2019). "Kristen Lepionka – A BOLO Books Composite Sketch" . BOLO BOOKS . Retrieved September 11, 2024 . ^ Rebecca D. O’brien. "Professor Fights Grade Inflation, Affirmative Action | News | The Harvard Crimson" . Thecrimson.com . Retrieved October 29, 2016 . ^ Houston Style Weekly. “American Airlines Captain Dave Harris, Ret.,To Be Honored for Blazing the Trail for All Black Airline Pilots.” Style News Wire. | 8/20/2008.http://stylemagazine.com/news/2008/aug/20/american-airlines-captain-dave-harris-retto-be/
^ American Airlines Newsroom. “American Celebrates Black History Month. Monday, February 11, 2013. https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2013/American-Celebrates-Black-History-Month/default.aspx
^ American Society for Microbiology|url=https://www.asm.org/?id=2130%7Caccessdate=22 February 2016
^ "Obituary: Father Joseph Havens Richards, S.J." (PDF) . Woodstock Letters 53 (2): 248. June 1924. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020 – via Jesuit Archives.^ "Ann Shaw dies at 93; civic leader in Los Angeles for five decades" . LA Times News . Retrieved March 26, 2016 .
City of Columbus, Ohio
