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Famous People from Mississippi


Jimmy Buffett (1946 - ) An American singer-songwriter, author, actor, and businessman. Some of his hit songs include "Margaritaville," and "Come Monday." Born in Pascagoula, MS (305)

Bo Diddley (1928 - 2008) Born Elias Otha Bates. Also known as Elias McDaniel. An American R&B vocalist, guitarist and songwriter. Known as The Originator because of his key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. Born in McComb, MS (306)

John Carroll Dye (1963 - 2011) An American film and television actor known for his role as Andrew in the television series Touched by an Angel. Born in Amory, MS (1536)

Mary Elizabeth Ellis (1979 - ) An American actress and writer best known for her role as "The Waitress" on the FX comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Born in Laurel, MS (1537)

William Cuthbert Faulkner (1897 - 1962) An American author who wrote novels, short stories, a play, poetry, essays and screenplays. He is one of the most celebrated writers in American literature. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1949. Famous for works such as The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying and The Reivers. Born in New Albany, MS (301)

Ruth Ford (1911 - 2009) An American model and stage and film actress. Born in Brookhaven, MS (1538)

Mike Connor Gainey (1948 - ) An American film and television actor whose distinctive mustache, 6 feet 2 1/2 inche height, and threatening look have given him supporting roles as Southern or Southwestern thugs, and criminals. Born in Jackson, MS (1539)

Cynthia Geary (1965 - ) An American actress best known for her role as Shelly Tambo in the television series Northern Exposure. Born in Jackson, MS (1540)

Lynn Hamilton (1930 - ) An American actress. Best known for her role as Donna Harris on the sitcom Sanford and Son. She also appeared on numerous television shows such as The Waltons, Port Charles, The Golden Girls and The Practice. Born in Yazoo, MS (1542)

Elizabeth Lee Hazen (1885 - 1975) Inventor, developed the world's first useful antifungal antibiotic, nystatin. Born in Rich, Coahoma County, MS (302)

James Maury Henson (1936 - 1990) An American puppeteer, artist, cartoonist, inventor, screenwriter, actor, film director and producer. He was one of the most widely known puppeteers in history and was the creator of The Muppets. Born in Greenville, MS (1541)

Faith Hill (1967 - ) Born Audrey Faith Perry. An American country pop singer and actress. She is one of the most successful country artists of all time. Born in Ridgeland, MS (310)

James Earl Jones (1931 - ) An American actor whose career has spanned more than 60 years. He is known as one of the greatest actors in American history. He possesses one of the most instantly recognizable voices in entertainment history. He is the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars series and Mufasa in Disney's The Lion King. Born in Arkabutla, MS (307)

Robert Earl Jones (1910 - 2006) An American actor. He is best known for his roles in the films The Cotton Club and The Sting and as the father of actor James Earl Jones. Born in Senatobia, MS (1543)



Diane Ladd (1935 - ) Born Rose Diane Ladner. An American actress, film director, producer and published author. She has appeared in over 120 roles, on television, and in miniseries and feature films, including Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Wild at Heart, Ghosts of Mississippi, 28 Days, and American Cowslip. Born in Meridian, MS (1544)

MARY ANN MOBLEY (1939 - 2014) An American actress, television personality and Miss America. She was Miss America in 1959, the first from Mississippi to win that honor. She's appeared in two movies with Elvis Presley, including Girl Happy and Harum Scarum. Born in Brandon, MS (786)

Walter Payton (1954 - 1999) An American football player who spent his entire professional career with the National Football League's Chicago Bears. Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". Born in Columbia, MS (1617)

Elvis Presley (1935 - 1977) An American singer and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. Often referred to as "the King of Rock and Roll." Born in Tupelo, MS (541)

Charley Pride (1938 - ) An American country music singer, guitarist, and business owner. He had a total of 39 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. One of the few African-Americans to have considerable success in the country music industry. Born in Sledge, MS (1164)

Jerry Rice (1962 - ) A former American football wide receiver who played 20 season in the NFL. He is considered the greatest wide receiver ever to play in the NFL and among the greatest players overall. Born in Crawford, MS (308)

LeAnn Rimes (1982 - ) Born Margaret LeAnn Rimes. An American country and pop singer. She rose to stardom at the age of 13 following the release of "Blue" becoming the youngest country music star since Tanya Tucker in 1972. Born in Jackson, MS (772)

James Michael Tyler (1962 - ) An American actor best known for his role as Gunther on the NBC sitcom Friends. Born in Winona, MS (1548)

Sela Ward (1956 - ) An American actress, author, producer and spokeswoman. Best known for her television roles as Teddy Reed on the sitcom Sisters and as Lily Manning on Once and Again. She also starred in CSI:NY. Born in Meridian, MS (313)

James Wheaton (1924 - 2002) An American motion picture and television actor. He may be best known as the voice actor "OMM" in George Lucas's THX 1138. He also appeared in Trouble Comes to Town and Sanford and Son. Born in Meridian, MS (1546)

Tennessee Williams (1911 - 1983) Born Thomas Lanier Williams III. An American playwright. He received Pulitzer prizes for A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Born in Columbus, MS (300)

Oprah Winfrey (1954 - ) An American talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Best known for her talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show which ran from 1986 to 2011. In 2013 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama. Born in Kosciusko, MS (309)

Hattie Mae Winston (1945 - ) An American television, film and Broadway actress best known for her role as Margaret on Becker and as a cast member of the PBS children's series The Electric Company. Born in Lexington, MS (1547)