List of people from Arizona



The following are people either born, raised, or have lived for a significant period of time in the U.S. state of Arizona and/or the Arizona Territory.

Academia

 * Russell Merle Genet – research scholar and astronomer
 * Joseph Hilbe (1944–2017) – statistician, professor, and author
 * Craig D. Idso – founder and chairman of the board of the Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change
 * Percival Lowell (1855–1916) – astronomer and founder of the Lowell Observatory
 * Julia Robinson – mathematician
 * Larry T. Wimmer – professor of economics
 * Roger L. Worsley – educator

Art

 * Max Cannon (born 1962) – alternative cartoonist
 * Bil Keane (1922–2011) – cartoonist
 * James Rallison (born 1996) – cartoonist and YouTuber
 * Paolo Soleri (1919–2013) – architect

Literature

 * Clive Cussler (1931–2020) – author of the Dirk Pitt adventure novels and shipwreck explorer, part-time resident
 * Diana Gabaldon (born 1952) – novelist
 * Kevin Hearne (born 1970) – novelist
 * Harold L. Humes (1926–1992) – novelist, co-founder of The Paris Review
 * Stephenie Meyer (born 1973) – author, teen literature novelist, Twilight series
 * Barbara Park (1947–2013) – author of the Junie B. Jones series
 * Barrett Tillman (born 1948) – novelist and military historian
 * Brady Udall (born 1971) – author
 * Mary Whitebird (died 2010) – author

Poetry

 * Ai (1947–2010) – poet and educator
 * Jon Anderson (1940–2007) – poet and educator
 * Jayne Cortez (1934–2012) – poet, activist, small press publisher and spoken-word performance artist
 * Norman Dubie (born 1945) – poet, educator, Regents Professor of English at Arizona State University
 * Alberto Ríos (born 1952) – poet, author, Arizona's first state poet laureate, Regents Professor and Katharine C. Turner Endowed Chair in English at Arizona State University
 * Richard Shelton (born 1933) – poet, writer, and emeritus Regents Professor of English at the University of Arizona
 * Jim Simmerman (1952–2006) – poet and editor
 * Luci Tapahonso (born 1953) – poet and educator
 * Ofelia Zepeda (born 1952) – poet and educator

Film, television, and theater

 * Erika Alexander (born 1969) – actress
 * Rex Allen (1920–1999) – actor, iconic singing cowboy
 * Steve Allen (1921–2000) – comedian, actor, known as the "father of TV talk shows"; first job was in Arizona
 * Asher Angel (born 2002) – actor, Shazam!
 * Samaire Armstrong (born 1980) – actress, Juliet Darling on Dirty Sexy Money and Anna Stern on The O.C.
 * Jules Asner (born 1968) – actress and host of E!'s show Wild On!
 * Jaime Lyn Bauer (born 1949) – soap opera actress, played Lauralee Brooks on The Young and the Restless and Laura Spencer Horton on Days of Our Lives
 * Sandra Bernhard (born 1955) – actress, comedian; attended high school in Arizona
 * Michael Biehn (born 1956) – actor, The Terminator, Tombstone
 * Mika Boorem (born 1987) – actress, The Tom Show
 * Aidy Bryant (born 1987) – actress, comedian, Saturday Night Live
 * Brooke Burke (born 1971) – actress, model, TV personality, Dancing with the Stars
 * Lynda Carter (born 1951) – actress and singer, known for Wonder Woman, 1972 Miss World USA
 * Joan Ganz Cooney (born 1929) – TV producer of Sesame Street
 * Brady Corbet (born 1988) – actor
 * J'aime Crandall (born 1982) – ballet dancer
 * Matt Dallas (born 1982) – actor, Kyle XY
 * Ted Danson (born 1947) – actor, Cheers, CSI
 * Rosemary DeCamp (1910–2001) – actress, Yankee Doodle Dandy, The Bob Cummings Show
 * Andy Devine (1905–1977) – actor, Stagecoach, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
 * Charles Dudley (1883–1952) – stage and film actor, studio makeup artist
 * Barbara Eden (born 1931) – actress, I Dream of Jeannie
 * Gail Edwards (born 1952) – actress, known for her roles in It's a Living, Blossom, and Full House
 * Jack Elam (1918–2003) – actor
 * Michael Ensign (born 1944) – actor, Boston Legal
 * Danielle Fishel (born 1981) – actress, Boy Meets World and Girl Meets World
 * Pablo Francisco (born 1974) – stand-up comedian, actor
 * Sammi Hanratty (born 1995) – child actress, The Unit, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
 * James Hatley (born 1997) – actor in adult films
 * Alexa Havins (born 1980) – actress, All My Children, One Life to Live, Torchwood
 * Amelia Heinle (born 1973) – actress, Victoria Newman on The Young and the Restless; also played Mia Saunders on All My Children
 * David Henrie (born 1989) – actor, Wizards of Waverly Place, How I Met Your Mother, That's So Raven
 * Catherine Hicks (born 1951) – actress, 7th Heaven, Child's Play; attended Gerard Catholic High School
 * Earl Hindman (1942–2003) – actor, Ryan's Hope, Home Improvement
 * Gregg Hoffman (1963–2005) – film producer
 * Michael Horse (born 1951) – artist, actor, Twin Peaks, Passenger 57
 * Dominic Janes (born 1994) – teen actor, ER, Out of Jimmy's Head, Dexter
 * Brad Johnson (born 1959) – actor, Always, Flight of the Intruder
 * Chelsea Kane (born 1988) – actress, singer, Jonas, Fish Hooks
 * Tanner Maguire (born 1998) – child actor, Young Shawn Brady on Days of Our Lives
 * Leslie Mancia (born 1987) – model, contestant on America’s Next Top Model Cycle 6
 * Taryn Manning (born 1978) – actress, fashion designer, singer-songwriter
 * Abigail Mavity (born 1993) – actress
 * Josh McDermitt (born 1978) – actor, comedian, Dr. Eugene Porter on The Walking Dead
 * Rachel Melvin (born 1985) – actress, Chelsea Brady on Days of Our Lives
 * Jenny Mollen (born 1979) – actress
 * Heather Morris (born 1987) – actress, Brittany Pierce on Glee
 * Tarah Paige (born 1982) – actress, dancer, gymnast, Make It or Break It
 * Mary-Louise Parker (born 1964) – actress, Weeds; graduated from Marcos de Niza High School, Tempe
 * Valerie Perrine (born 1943) – actress, Superman, Lenny; attended Camelback High School
 * Busy Philipps (born 1979) – actress, Cougar Town, Dawson's Creek, Freaks and Geeks
 * Larry Pine (born 1945) – actor
 * Greg Proops (born 1959) – actor, comedian
 * Jenni Pulos – Jeff Lewis's assistant on Bravo's Flipping Out
 * James Rallison (born 1996) – internet personality, animator
 * Liz Renay (1926–2007) – actress
 * Terry Rhoads (1951–2013) – actor
 * Jennifer Rubin (born 1962) – actress, model
 * Jayla Rubinelli (born 1984) – model, contestant on America’s Next Top Model Cycle 5
 * Kylee Saunders (born 1994) – Japanese-American singer
 * Garry Shandling (1949–2016) – actor, comedian, The Larry Sanders Show
 * David Spade (born 1965) – actor, comedian, Saturday Night Live, Tommy Boy, Just Shoot Me
 * Fay Spain (1932–1983) – actress, The Godfather Part II, Al Capone, God's Little Acre
 * Emma Stone (born 1988) – actress, La La Land, The Help, The Amazing Spider-Man
 * Shayne Topp (born 1991) – internet personality, comedian, actor, Smosh, The Goldbergs
 * Amber Valletta (born 1974) – actress, model
 * Janet Varney (born 1976) – actress, On the Lot, The Legend of Korra, Stan Against Evil
 * Kate Walsh (born 1967) – actress, Dr. Addison Montgomery on Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice
 * Mare Winningham (born 1959) – actress, American Horror Story, St. Elmo's Fire, Georgia
 * Scott William Winters (born 1965) – actor, Oz, NYPD Blue
 * Shannon Woodward (born 1984) – actress, Westworld, Raising Hope, The Riches
 * Nick Young – actor, Friend of the World
 * Jason Zumwalt (born 1975) – actor, scriptwriter, voice of Roman in Grand Theft Auto IV

Government, law, and politics

 * Thad Allen (born 1949) – retired U.S. Coast Guard admiral; National Incident Commander under President Barack Obama
 * John T. Alsap (1830–1886) – first mayor of Phoenix
 * Joe Arpaio (born 1932) – former Maricopa County Sheriff (1993–2016)
 * Henry F. Ashurst (1874–1962) – one of the first U.S. Senators from Arizona (1912–1941)
 * Bruce Babbitt (born 1938) – former Governor of Arizona (1978–1987), and Secretary of the Interior in the Clinton Administration (1993–2001)
 * Harriet C. Babbitt (born 1947) – First Lady of Arizona (1978–1987), U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States (1993–1997), and Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (1997–2001)
 * Walter Blackman – Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives
 * Jan Brewer (born 1944) – served as the 22nd Governor of Arizona
 * William Docker Browning (1931–2008) – federal judge
 * Dean Burch – former chairman of the Republican National Committee
 * César Chávez (1927–1993) – labor union leader
 * Dennis DeConcini (born 1937) – retired U.S. Senator (1977–1994)
 * Doug Ducey (born 1964) – Governor of Arizona (2015–2023)
 * Paul Fannin (1907–2002) – former U.S. Senator (1965–1977) and Governor of Arizona (1959–1965)
 * Jeff Flake (born 1962) – Arizona U.S. Senator (2013–2019)
 * Gabby Giffords (born 1970) – U.S. Representative, wounded in the 2011 Tucson shooting
 * Barry M. Goldwater (1909–1998) – longtime Arizona Senator (1953–1965, 1969–1987), and 1964 Republican nominee for president
 * George Nicholas Goodman (1895–1959) – five-time mayor of Mesa in three different decades
 * John Noble Goodwin (1824–1887) – first governor of the Arizona Territory (1863–1866)
 * Margaret Hance (1923–1990) – first female mayor of Phoenix, 1976–1983
 * Carl Hayden (1877–1972) – U.S. Senator, holds the record for the longest service in the U.S. Congress
 * Katie Hobbs (born 1969) – incumbent Governor of Arizona since 2019
 * Brad Hoylman (born 1965) – New York State Senator
 * Don Lorenzo Hubbell – Arizona State Senator
 * John C. Keegan – judge, legislator, Mayor of Peoria
 * Lisa Graham Keegan – legislator, Superintendent of Public Instruction
 * Denison Kitchel (1908–2002) – Scottsdale lawyer and the Goldwater presidential national campaign manager in 1964
 * Jon Kyl (born 1942) – former U.S. Senator (1995–2013; 2018–)
 * Fiorello La Guardia – Mayor of New York City
 * Rex E. Lee (1935–1996) – United States Solicitor General during the Reagan Administration
 * John McCain (1936–2018) – Panamanian-born politician, longtime U.S. Senator from Arizona from 1986 until his death, former navy officer, and 2008 Republican nominee for president
 * Ernest McFarland (1894–1984) – former U.S. Senator (1941–1953) and governor of Arizona (1955–1959)
 * Rose Mofford (1922–2016) – first female governor of Arizona, 1988–1991
 * Janet Napolitano (born 1957) – served as the 21st Governor of Arizona
 * Sandra Day O'Connor (born 1930) – first female justice of the United States Supreme Court
 * Mary Peters (born 1948) – United States Secretary of Transportation under President George W. Bush
 * Ben Quayle (born 1976) – former U.S. Congressman
 * Dan Quayle (born 1947) – former U.S. Senator from Indiana (1981–1989), and 44th Vice President of the United States under George H. W. Bush
 * William Rehnquist (1924–2005) – Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
 * Charles S. Robb (born 1939) – former Governor of Virginia (1982–1986) and U.S. Senator from Virginia (1989–2001)
 * John Shadegg (born 1949) – former U.S. representative from Phoenix
 * Stephen Shadegg (1909–1990) – political consultant associated with Barry Goldwater
 * Marcus A. Smith (1851–1924) – one of the first two Senators from Arizona
 * John G.F. Speiden (1900–1970) – rancher and political insider, various state boards
 * Jack Taylor – mayor of Mesa, 1966–1972; member of both houses, consecutively, of the Arizona legislature
 * David King Udall – Arizona Territorial Legislature
 * Don Taylor Udall – Arizona State Legislature
 * Jesse Addison Udall – Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court
 * John Hunt Udall – mayor of Phoenix
 * Levi Stewart Udall – Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court
 * Mark Udall – Senator from Colorado
 * Morris "Mo" Udall (1922–1998) – U.S. Congressman and former pro basketball player
 * Nick Udall – Mayor of Phoenix
 * Stewart Udall (1920–2010) – U.S. Congressman and Secretary of the Interior during the JFK and LBJ administrations

Journalism and media

 * Noah Beck (born 2001) – social media personality
 * Rachel Campos-Duffy (born 1971) – TV personality, The Real World: San Francisco, The View
 * Cheryl Casone (born 1970) – anchor for the Fox Business Network and business correspondent for Fox News
 * John Garcia – National Geographic Channel's DogTown series star, Guinness World Record holder
 * Hadas Gold (born 1988) – media and business reporter
 * Savannah Guthrie (born 1971) – White House correspondent for NBC News, co-host of NBC's Today Show
 * Dan Hicks (born 1962) – sportscaster for NBC
 * Pat Hughes (born 1955) – play-by-play voice of the Chicago Cubs for WGN radio
 * Don Imus (1940–2019) – nationally syndicated talk radio host, Imus in the Morning
 * Meghan McCain (born 1984) – co-host of The View

Military

 * John Dean "Jeff" Cooper (1920–2006) – World War II United States Marine Corps officer and firearms training innovator
 * Timothy Creamer (born 1959) – U.S. Army Colonel, NASA astronaut
 * Joe Foss (1915–2003) – leading United States Marine Corps fighter ace and Medal of Honor recipient
 * Ira Hayes (1923–1955) – United States Marine Corps, World War II, helped raise United States flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima
 * Frank Luke (1897–1918) – World War I fighter pilot, Medal of Honor recipient
 * Lori Piestewa (1979–2003) – United States Army, first Native American woman from Arizona to be killed in war; Iraq War, Purple Heart and Prisoner of War Medal recipient
 * Pat Tillman (1976–2004) – United States Army; Afghanistan Silver Star recipient; college and NFL football player

Music

 * Jim Adkins (born 1975) – lead singer and guitarist for the band Jimmy Eat World
 * Rex Allen (1920–1999) – singer-songwriter, actor, known as "The Arizona Cowboy"
 * Alec Benjamin (born 1994) – pop singer
 * Chester Bennington (1976–2017) – lead singer for the band Linkin Park
 * Dierks Bentley (born 1975) – country singer (Phoenix)
 * Derrick Bostrom (born 1960) – Meat Puppets drummer
 * Jess Bowen (born 1989) – alternative rock musician, drummer of The Summer Set
 * Michelle Branch (born 1983) – singer-songwriter, guitarist
 * Kennedy Brock (born 1989) – alternative rock musician, guitarist of The Maine
 * Glen Campbell (1936–2017) – singer, musician and actor; inductee to Country Music Hall of Fame
 * Max Cavalera (born 1969) – vocalist and guitarist (Sepultura, Soulfly, Cavalera conspiracy)
 * Roger Clyne (born 1968) – rock musician; lead singer for Refreshments and RCPM
 * Alice Cooper (born 1948) – rock and roll singer
 * Brian Dales (born 1989) – alternative rock musician, lead singer of The Summer Set
 * Duane Eddy (born 1938) – guitarist, inductee of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
 * Linda Eder (born 1961) – singer, Broadway star and recording artist
 * Travis Edmonson (1932–2009) – singer-songwriter, part of folk duo Bud & Travis
 * David Ellefson (born 1964) – bass guitar player and co-founder of the metal band Megadeth
 * Dolan Ellis (born 1935) – singer-songwriter, official State Balladeer since 1966, original member of New Christy Minstrels
 * Esteban (born 1948) – musician
 * Frank Fafara – early 1960s pop singer, TV star of Wallace & Ladmo Show
 * Steve George (born 1955) – of the group Mr. Mister
 * John Gomez (born 1991) – alternative rock musician, guitarist of The Summer Set
 * Stephen Gomez (born 1988) – alternative rock musician, bassist of The Summer Set
 * Lalo Guerrero (1916–2005) – singer-songwriter, known as the "father of Chicano music"; recipient of the National Medal of Arts
 * Injury Reserve – alternative and experimental rap group consisting of producer Parker Corey and rappers Nathaniel Ritchie and Jordan Groggs (1988–2020)
 * Waylon Jennings (1937–2002) – singer; inductee to Country Music Hall of Fame
 * Joe Jonas (born 1989) – member of the Jonas Brothers and lead singer of the pop-rock band DNCE
 * Daniel Jones – guitarist and vocalist with 7th Order
 * Maynard James Keenan (born 1964) – actor, frontman for Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer
 * Brandon Kellum (born 1985) – frontman for American Standards
 * Patrick Kirch (born 1990) – alternative rock musician, drummer of The Maine
 * Cris Kirkwood (born 1960) – guitar and vocals for the Meat Puppets
 * Katie Lee (1919–2017) – folk singer
 * Craig Mabbitt (born 1987) – frontman for Blessthefall (2003–2008), The Word Alive (2008), and Escape the Fate (2008–present)
 * Charles Mingus (1922–1979) – jazz bassist, composer and bandleader
 * Josh Montgomery (born 1988) – alternative rock musician, guitarist of The Summer Set
 * Dave Mustaine (born 1961) – frontman and founder of the metal band Megadeth
 * Jason Newsted (born 1963) – former bassist of heavy metal band Metallica
 * Wayne Newton (born 1942) – singer, known as "Mr. Las Vegas"
 * Stevie Nicks (born 1948) – Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, known for solo work and as lead singer with Fleetwood Mac
 * Hans Olson (born 1952) – musician, singer and songwriter; inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame
 * Buck Owens (1929–2006) – country singer and musician; inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame (Mesa)
 * Richard Page (born 1953) – of the group Mr. Mister
 * CeCe Peniston (born 1969) – pop singer
 * Marty Robbins (1925–1982) – country music singer
 * Linda Ronstadt (born 1946) – singer-songwriter, 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
 * Nate Ruess (born 1982) – lead singer of Fun. and formerly of The Format
 * Alvie Self – 1960s musician and singer
 * Bob Shane (1934–2020) – singer, founding member of The Kingston Trio
 * Jordin Sparks (born 1989) – singer, winner of American Idol Season 6
 * Chris Squire (1948–2015) – bass player and founding member of progressive rock group Yes
 * Tanya Tucker (born 1958) – country singer
 * Upsahl (born 1998) – indie pop singer
 * Brooke White (born 1983) – indie pop, folk-pop singer

Old West era



 * Apache Kid (1860–1896?) – outlaw, reported killer of three Arizona lawmen 1889–1890
 * Billy the Kid (1859–1881) – outlaw
 * William Brocius (1845–1882) – gunman, rustler, outlaw Cowboy
 * Cochise (1812–1874) – chief of the Chiricahua Apache
 * Virgil Earp (1843–1905) – lawman
 * Wyatt Earp (1848–1929) – lawman
 * C. S. Fly (1849–1901) – photographer
 * Geronimo (1829–1909) – leader of Chiricahua Apache who fought against encroachment of European settlers on Native American lands; hero of Native American fight for respect and independence
 * Pearl Hart (1871–1955) – outlaw
 * Doc Holliday (1851–1887) – gambler, gunfighter, dentist
 * Irataba (1814–1874) – leader of the Mohave Nation
 * Imogen LaChance (1853–1938) – social reformer
 * Bat Masterson (1853–1921) – lawman, gambler, journalist
 * Sherman McMaster (1853–1892) – outlaw turned lawman, involved in Earp Vendetta Ride
 * James Reavis (1843–1914) – self-styled "Baron of Arizona", claimed to have owned much of Arizona
 * Johnny Ringo (1850–1882) – outlaw
 * John Horton Slaughter (1841–1922) – lawman, cowboy, poker player, rancher
 * Billy Stiles (1871–1908) – outlaw

Sportspeople



 * Max Aaron (born 1992) – 2013 U.S. national champion figure skater
 * Chance Adams (born 1994) – starting pitcher for the New York Yankees
 * Jeremy Affeldt (born 1979) – relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants
 * Erik Affholter (born 1966) – NFL wide receiver
 * Kyle Allen (born 1996) – NFL quarterback
 * Prince Amukamara (born 1989) – cornerback for the New York Giants
 * Brian Anderson (born 1982) – outfielder for the Kansas City Royals
 * Mark Andrews (born 1996) – NFL tight end
 * Jake Bailey (born 1997) – punter for the New England Patriots
 * Dave Baldwin (born 1938) – Major League Baseball player
 * Brian Bannister (born 1981) – starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals
 * Jake Barrett (born 1991) – relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks
 * Danny Batten (born 1987) – linebacker for the Buffalo Bills
 * Jerryd Bayless (born 1988) – player for the Toronto Raptors
 * John Beck (born 1981) – quarterback for the Washington Redskins
 * Rich Beem (born 1970) – professional golfer
 * Charlie Beljan (born 1984) – professional golfer
 * Mike Bell (born 1983) – running back for the New Orleans Saints
 * Cody Bellinger (born 1995) – first baseman and outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs
 * Mike Bibby (born 1978) – retired NBA point guard
 * Hunter Bishop (born 1998) – baseball player
 * Eddie Bonine (born 1981) – relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers
 * Alex Bowman (born 1993) – NASCAR driver
 * Dallas Braden (born 1983) – starting pitcher for the Oakland A's
 * Debbie Bramwell-Washington (born 1966) – IFBB professional bodybuilder
 * Brian Broderick (born 1986) – pitcher for the Sugar Land Skeeters
 * Keith Brown (born 1964) – pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds
 * Mike Budenholzer (born 1964) – head coach for the Atlanta Hawks
 * Kole Calhoun (born 1987) – outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels
 * Michael Carbajal (born 1967) – boxing champion
 * Ka'Deem Carey (born 1992) – running back for the Chicago Bears
 * D. J. Carrasco (born 1977) – MLB pitcher
 * Henry Cejudo (born 1987) – 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal winner in wrestling, UFC Flyweight Champion and Bantamweight Champion
 * Steve Colter (born 1962) – retired NBA point guard
 * Manuel Contreras (born 1993) – left fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks
 * Bryce Cotton (born 1992) – point guard for the San Antonio Spurs
 * C. J. Cron (born 1990) – first baseman and designated hitter for the Minnesota Twins
 * Curley Culp (1946–2021) – NFL defensive lineman, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
 * Billy Cundiff (born 1980) – placekicker for the Baltimore Ravens
 * Chad Curtis (born 1968) – MLB outfielder
 * Ike Davis (born 1987) – first baseman for the Oakland A's
 * Khris Davis (born 1987) – left fielder for the Oakland A's
 * Tyeler Davison (born 1992) – defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints
 * Chris DeGeare (born 1987) – offensive guard for the Minnesota Vikings
 * Na'il Diggs (born 1978) – retired NFL linebacker
 * Chris Duncan (1981–2019) – left fielder and first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals
 * Shelley Duncan (born 1979) – former MLB left fielder
 * Karl Eller (1928–2019) – owner of the Phoenix Suns
 * Sean Elliott (born 1968) – basketball player
 * Brady Ellison (born 1988) – competitive archer, World Champion and Olympian
 * Julie Ertz (born 1992) – defender for the United States women's national soccer team and Chicago Red Stars
 * Andre Ethier (born 1982) – outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers
 * Nick Evans (born 1986) – player for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
 * Jeff Feagles (born 1966) – NFL punter
 * Carrick Felix (born 1990) – player for the Utah Jazz
 * Ryan Fitzpatrick (born 1982) – NFL quarterback for the Miami Dolphins
 * D. J. Foster (born 1993) – NFL running back for the New England Patriots
 * Channing Frye (born 1983) – center and power forward for the Phoenix Suns
 * Brianna & Nicole Garcia (born 1983) – professional wrestling twins, WWE 2007–2012
 * Luis Fernando González Hoenig (born 1995), baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants
 * David Gossett (born 1979) – professional golfer
 * Jim Grabb (born 1964) – tennis player ranked World No. 1 in doubles
 * Superstar Billy Graham (born 1943) – professional wrestler
 * Everson Griffen (born 1987) – defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings
 * Eric Hagg (born 1989) – safety for the Cleveland Browns
 * Scott Hairston (born 1980) – left fielder for the San Diego Padres
 * Max Hall (born 1985) – quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals
 * J. J. Hardy (born 1982) – shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles
 * Billy Hatcher (born 1960) – MLB player and coach
 * Mickey Hatcher (born 1955) – MLB player and coach
 * Todd Heap (born 1980) – tight end for the Baltimore Ravens
 * Charlie Hickcox (1947–2010) – competitive swimmer, three-time Olympic Champion
 * Austin Hollins (born 1991) – basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
 * Misty Hyman (born 1979) – 2000 Olympics gold medalist swimmer
 * Richie Incognito (born 1983) – guard for the Buffalo Bills
 * Helen Jacobs (1908–1997) – tennis player, member of International Tennis Hall of Fame
 * Robert James (born 1983) – linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons
 * J. J. Jansen (born 1986) – long snapper for the Carolina Panthers
 * Richard Jefferson (born 1980) – small forward for the Dallas Mavericks
 * Brian Jennings (born 1976) – long snapper and tight end for the San Francisco 49ers
 * Elliot Johnson (born 1984) – utility player for the Cleveland Indians
 * Nick Johnson (born 1992) – basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
 * Levi Jones (born 1979) – offensive tackle for the Washington Redskins
 * Cameron Jordan (born 1989) – defensive end for the New Orleans Saints
 * Ryan Kalil (born 1985) – center for the Carolina Panthers
 * Devon Kennard (born 1991) – linebacker for the New York Giants
 * Steve Kerr (born 1965) – head coach of the Golden State Warriors
 * Scott Kingery (born 1994) – baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies
 * Ian Kinsler (born 1982) – Israeli-American 4-time All Star second baseman in Major League Baseball, Olympian
 * Paul Konerko (born 1976) – first baseman for the Chicago White Sox
 * Kyle Kosier (born 1978) – guard for the Dallas Cowboys
 * Rick Kranitz (born 1958) – pitching coach for the Atlanta Braves
 * Frank Kush (1929–2017) – head football coach for Arizona State and NFL's Baltimore Colts
 * Spencer Larsen (born 1984) – NFL fullback
 * Jon Levine (born 1963) – tennis player
 * Kevin Long (born 1966) – hitting coach for the New York Mets
 * Lou Marson (born 1986) – catcher for the Cleveland Indians
 * Doug Mathis (born 1983) – relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers
 * Auston Matthews (born 1997) – center for the Toronto Maple Leafs
 * Billy Mayfair (born 1966) – professional golfer
 * Mickey McConnell (born 1989) – player for the Texas Legends
 * Randall McDaniel (born 1964) – NFL offensive guard; member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame
 * Michael McDowell (born 1984) – NASCAR driver
 * Phil Mickelson (born 1970) – professional golfer
 * Zach Miller (born 1985) – tight end for the Seattle Seahawks
 * Brad Mills (born 1985) – relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
 * Bryce Molder (born 1979) – professional golfer
 * Arte Moreno (born 1946) – owner of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
 * Trent Murphy (born 1990) – linebacker for the Washington Redskins
 * Brett Nicholas (born 1988) – catcher for the Texas Rangers
 * Bart Oates (born 1958) – center for the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers
 * Larry Owens (born 1983) – player for the Iowa Energy
 * Jim Palmer (born 1945) – starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles and Baseball Hall of Famer
 * Danica Patrick (born 1982) – auto racing driver competing in the Indy Racing League and NASCAR
 * James Pazos (born 1991) – relief pitcher for the New York Yankees
 * Andrus Peat (born 1993) – offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints
 * Rodney Peete (born 1966) – USC and NFL quarterback
 * Pat Perez (born 1976) – professional golfer
 * Scott Pinckney (born 1989) – professional golfer
 * Mike Pollak (born 1985) – guard for the Cincinnati Bengals
 * Don Pooley (born 1951) – professional golfer
 * Brock Purdy (born 1999) – NFL quarterback
 * Ted Purdy (born 1973) – professional golfer
 * Marilyn Ramenofsky (born 1946) – competitive swimmer, Olympic medalist
 * Brooks Reed (born 1987) – defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons
 * Danny Schayes (born 1959) – college and NBA basketball player, son of Dolph Schayes
 * Chaz Schilens (born 1985) – wide receiver for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
 * Curt Schilling (born 1966) – professional baseball pitcher and broadcaster
 * Tyler Schmitt (born 1986) – NFL long snapper
 * Wes Schweitzer (born 1993) – offensive guard for the Atlanta Falcons
 * Lyle Sendlein (born 1984) – center for the Arizona Cardinals
 * Paul Silas (1943–2022) – NBA player and coach
 * Shelley Smith (born 1987) – guard for the Houston Texans
 * Eric Sogard (born 1986) – second baseman for the Oakland Athletics
 * Karsten Solheim (1911–2000) – creator and founder of PING
 * Sammy Solis (born 1988) – relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals
 * Ken Stabler (1945–2015) – four-time Pro Bowl NFL quarterback, primarily with the Oakland Raiders
 * Kerri Strug (born 1977) – gymnast; 1996 Olympic gold medalist
 * Marcus Thomas (born 1984) – NFL running back
 * Michael Thompson (born 1985) – professional golfer
 * Pat Tillman (1976–2004) – college and pro football player killed in Afghanistan
 * Tim Toone (born 1985) – wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons
 * Howard Twitty (born 1949) – professional golfer
 * Cain Velasquez (born 1982) – professional wrestler, retired mixed martial artist
 * Bobby Wade (born 1981) – wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs
 * Neal Walk (1948–2015) – basketball player
 * Ken Westerfield (born 1947) – disc sports (frisbee) pioneer
 * Markus Wheaton (born 1991) – wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers
 * Danny White – professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys
 * Tom Wilhelmsen (born 1983) – relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners
 * Dot Wilkinson (1921–2023) – Hall of Fame inductee for bowling and softball
 * Alan Williams (born 1993) – player for the Phoenix Suns
 * Jeremy Wolf (born 1993) – American-Israeli baseball player on the Israel national baseball team
 * Darren Woodson (born 1969) – professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys
 * J. J. Yeley (born 1976) – NASCAR driver

Miscellaneous

 * Johnny Chan – professional poker player, 10–time World Series of Poker champion
 * Angel Delgadillo – founder of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona and retired barber
 * Ernest Garcia II – founder of DriveTime, major shareholder of Carvana
 * Grumpy Cat (2012–2019) – Internet celebrity cat
 * Rob Leatham – professional shooter, 24-time USPSA National champion
 * Emmanuel Lemelson – Greek Orthodox priest, social commentator and hedge fund manager
 * Jerry Meek – evangelist and land developer
 * Arte Moreno – billionaire businessman, owner of Los Angeles Angels
 * Kayla Mueller – activist
 * Aron Ra – president of the Atheist Alliance of America, host of the Ra-Men podcast
 * Rick Alan Ross – deprogrammer
 * Mark Shoen – billionaire businessman, vice president of U-Haul
 * María Urquides – educator, "mother of bilingual education"

Fictional characters

 * Eleanor from The Good Place
 * Michelle Chang and Julia Chang, both from the Tekken fighting video game series
 * Annie Porter from Speed; played by Sandra Bullock
 * John Rambo from First Blood and Rambo movies; born in Bowie
 * Bella Swan from the Twilight saga