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Famous People from Tennessee


Roy Claxton Acuff (1903 - 1992) An American country music singer, fiddler, and promoter. Known as the King of Country Music. In 1962, he became the first living performer to be inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Born in Maynardville, TN (1623)

James Agee (1909 - 1955) Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, screenwriter, journalist, poet, and film critic. Known for his autobiographical novel A Death in the Family. Born in Knoxville, TN (539)

Howard Duane Allman (1946 - 1971) An American guitarist, session musician, and a co-founder and leader of the southern rock group The Allman Brothers Band. Born in Nashville, TN (1624)

Gregg Allman (1947 - ) Born Gregory LeNoir Allman. A rock and blues singer, keyboardist, guitarist and songwriter, best known as a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. Born in Nashville, TN (1625)

Chet Atkins (1924 - 2001) An American guitarist and record producer who created, along with Owen Bradley, the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country's appeal to adult pop music fans as well. Born in Luttrell, TN (1626)

Walter Beech (1891 - 1950) Outstanding pioneer of aviation. He started flying at the age of 14 when he designed and built a glider. He and his wife co-founded Beech aircraft Company. Born in Pulaski, TN (196)

Polly Bergen (1930 - 2014) Born Nellie Paulina Burgin. An American actress, singer, television host, writer and entrepreneur. Born in Knoxville, TN (909)

Hattie Caraway (1878 - 1950) The first woman elected to serve a full term as a United States Senator. She represented Arkansas. Born in Bakerville, TN (30)

Davy Crockett (1786 - 1836) American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician. He represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served in the Texas Revolution and was killed at the Battle of the Alamo. Born in Limestone, TN (534)

Miley Ray Cyrus (1992 - ) Born Destiny Hope Cyrus. An American pop singer, songwriter and television and film actress who rose to fame after starring as the title character in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana. Billy Ray Cyrus is her father. Born in Nashville, TN (1267)

Lester Flatt (1914 - 1979) Bluegrass musician who is considered one of the pioneers of bluegrass music. Best known for his collaboration with Earl Scruggs in The Foggy Mountain Boys. Born in Sparta, TN (543)



Aretha Franklin (1942 - ) Gospel singer known as the Queen of Soul. She is known for her hit songs "Respect", "Natural Woman" and "Think". She eventually recorded a total of 112 charted singles on Billboard. Born in Memphis, TN (535)

Morgan Freeman (1937 - ) An american actor, film director, and narrator. He has appeared in movies such as Driving Miss Daisy, Invictus, Million Dollar Baby, The Dark Knight Trilogy and Lucy. Born in Memphis, TN (537)

Benjamin L. Hooks (1925 - 2010) An American civil rights leader. A Baptist minister and attorney. He served as the executive director of the NAACP from 1977 to 1992. Born in Memphis, TN (544)

Benjamin McCulloch (1811 - 1862) A soldier in the Texas Revolution, a Texas Ranger, a U.S. marshal, and a brigadier general in the army of the Confederate States during the American Civil War. Born in Rutherford County, TN (1206)

Henry Eustace McCulloch (1816 - 1895) A soldier in the Texas Revolution, a Texas Ranger, and a brigadier general in the army of the Confederate States during the American Civil War. Born in Rutherford County, TN (1207)

Dolly Parton (1946 - ) An American singer-songwriter, actress, author, businesswoman and humanitarian. She has received at least one nomination from all four major annual American entertainment award organizations; Emmy GRAMMY, Oscar, and Tony. Born in Sevierville, TN (536)

Cybill Shepherd (1950 - ) An American actress, singer and former model. Some of her roles include Jacy in The Last Picture Show, Kelly in The Heartbreak Kid, Maddie Hayes in Moonlighting and Cybill Sheridan in Cybill. Born in Memphis, TN (542)

Dinah Shore (1916 - 1994) Born Frances Rose Shore. An American singer, actress, and television personality. She was most popular during the Big Band era of the 1940s and 1950s. She was the top-charting female vocalist of the 1940s. Born in Winchester, TN (799)

Tina Turner (1939 - ) Born Anna Mae Bullock. A singer, dancer, actress, and author. Her career has spanned more than 50 years. She is one of the most successful female rock artists. Often referred to as The Queen of Rock 'n' Roll. Born in Nutbush, TN (545)

Alvin York (1887 - 1964) One of the most decorated American soldiers in World War I. Awarded the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest. Also known as Sergeant York. Born in Pall Mall, TN (540)