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The following are people who were either born, raised, or have lived for a significant period of time in the U.S. state of Oklahoma.

Actors, directors, screenwriters, and producers

  • Suzy Amis (born 1962), actress
  • Erika Anderson (born 1963), actress
  • Lou Antonio (born 1934), actor
  • Royce D. Applegate (1939–2003), actor (sea Quest DSV)
  • Gene Autry (1907–1998), actor, musician, Major League Baseball team owner
  • Nicki Aycox (1975–2022), actress (Cold Case)
  • Marshall Bell (born 1942), actor (G vs E)
  • William Boyd (1895–1972), actor (Hopalong Cassidy)
  • Zach Bryan (born 1996), singer, songwriter
  • Gary Busey (born 1944), actor (The Buddy Holly Story)
  • T. V. Carpio (born 1981), actress, singer
  • Irene Champlin (1931–1990), actress (Flash Gordon)
  • Greyson Chance (born 1997), singer
  • Lon Chaney Jr (1906–1973), actor (The Wolf Man, Of Mice and Men)
  • Lonny Chapman (1920–2007), actor
  • Maree Cheatham (born 1942), actress (Days of Our Lives)
  • Kristin Chenoweth (born 1968), Tony Award-winning actress (Wicked)
  • Danny Cooksey (born 1975), actor, voice actor (Diff'rent Strokes)
  • Candy Clark (born 1947), actress (American Graffiti)
  • Larry Clark (born 1943), filmmaker (Kids, Ken Park), photographer
  • Patrick Cranshaw (1919–2005), actor (AfterMASH)
  • Joan Crawford (1906–1977), Academy Award-winning actress
  • Burr DeBenning (1936–2003), actor
  • Michael Dolan (born 1965), actor
  • Richard Erdman (1925–2019), actor
  • Blake Edwards (1922–2010), director, writer, producer, The Pink Panther, Breakfast at Tiffany's
  • Glenda Farrell (1904–1971), actress (Torchy Blane)
  • Kay Francis (1905–1968), actress
  • James Garner (1928–2014), actor (The Rockford Files, Maverick, The Great Escape, The Notebook)
  • Bill Hader (born 1978), actor, writer, comedian (SNL)
  • Sterlin Harjo (born 1979), Native American filmmaker
  • Chasen Hampton (born 1975), actor on Disney's The All New Mickey Mouse Club, The X-Files
  • Van Heflin (1908–1971), Academy Award-winning actor
  • Mark Holton (born 1958), actor
  • Darla Hood (1931–1979), actress (Darla from The Little Rascals), Leedey
  • Clint Howard (born 1959), actor (brother of Ron Howard)
  • Jean Speegle Howard (1927–2000), actress, mother of Ron Howard
  • Rance Howard (1928–2017), actor, father of Ron and Clint Howard
  • Ron Howard (born 1954), director, producer, actor
  • Ben Johnson (1918–1996), Academy Award-winning actor
  • Jennifer Jones (1919–2009), actress (The Towering Inferno, Duel in the Sun)
  • Olivia Jordan (born 1988), actress, beauty pageant winner
  • Christian Kane (born 1974), actor, singer (Leverage)
  • Wright King (1923–2018), actor, native of Okmulgee
  • Heather Langenkamp (born 1964), actress (A Nightmare on Elm Street)
  • Tracy Letts (born July 4, 1965), Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Tony Award for Best Play, Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play
  • Jason London (born 1972), actor (Wildfire)
  • Dick Lowry (born 1944), director
  • Thad Luckinbill (born 1975), actor (The Young and the Restless)
  • Terrence Malick (born 1943), film director
  • April March (born 1935), burlesque dancer
  • James Marsden (born 1973), actor (X-Men)
  • Rue McClanahan (1934–2010), actress (The Golden Girls)
  • Hayley McFarland (born 1991), actress (Lie to Me)
  • Beverlee McKinsey (1938–2008), soap-opera actress
  • Ryan Merriman (born 1983), actor (The Pretender)
  • Vera Miles (born 1930), actress (The Searchers, Psycho)
  • Sharron Miller, Emmy Award-winning director, writer, producer
  • Tom Mix (1880–1940), cowboy star of silent films
  • Megan Mullally (born 1958), actress, dancer, singer (Will & Grace)
  • Olivia Munn (born 1980), actress, television personality (The Daily Show, The Newsroom)

;N–Z

  • Clarence Nash (1904–1985), voice of Donald Duck
  • Tim Blake Nelson (born 1964), actor, director (O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Grey Zone)
  • Chuck Norris (1940–2026), actor, martial artist (Walker, Texas Ranger)
  • Kelli O'Hara (born 1976), Broadway actress
  • Lee Pace (born 1979), actor, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
  • Kinga Philipps (born 1976), actress, television personality
  • Cindy Pickett (born 1947), actress (St. Elsewhere, Ferris Bueller's Day Off)
  • Brad Pitt (born 1963), actor and producer
  • Mary Kay Place (born 1947), actress (The Big Chill)
  • Wiley Post (1898–1935), pilot, the first to travel around the world solo
  • Megyn Price (born 1971), actress (Rules of Engagement)
  • Tony Randall (1920–2004), actor (The Odd Couple)
  • Robert Reed (1932–1992), actor (The Brady Bunch), grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma
  • Erik Rhodes (1906–1990), actor, singer
  • Dale Robertson (1923–2013), film and television actor; later rancher near Yukon, Oklahoma
  • Will Rogers (1875–1935), actor, columnist, radio personality
  • Chelcie Ross (born 1942), actor
  • Will Sampson (1933–1987), artist, actor (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest)
  • Gailard Sartain (born 1946), actor, artist, comedian (Hee Haw, The Buddy Holly Story)
  • Tobe Sexton (born 1968), actor, filmmaker, singer, dancer (Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare, Offerings)
  • Ted Shackelford (born 1946), actor (Knots Landing)
  • Paul Sparks (born 1971), actor (Boardwalk Empire, House of Cards)
  • G. D. Spradlin (1920–2011), actor (The Godfather Part II)
  • Lauren Stamile (born 1976), actress (Grey's Anatomy)
  • Wes Studi (born 1947), actor (Dances with Wolves, Avatar)
  • Maria Tallchief (1925–2013), ballerina
  • Paula Trickey (born 1966), actress (Pacific Blue)
  • Jeanne Tripplehorn (born 1963), actress (Basic Instinct, Big Love)
  • Countess Vaughn (born 1978), actress (The Parkers)
  • Heather Wahlquist (born 1977), actress
  • Susan Watson (born 1938), actress
  • Randy Wayne (born 1981), actor
  • Dennis Weaver (1924–2006), actor (Gunsmoke, McCloud)
  • Elmo Williams (1913–2015), Academy Award-winning film editor
  • Michael Wilson (1914–1978), Academy Award-winning screenwriter
  • Alfre Woodard (born 1952), Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe Award-winning actress
  • Gretchen Wyler (1932–2007), actress

Athletes

<!---ALPHA please, that means A-to-Z by last name--->

;A&ndash;G

  • Lane Adams (born 1989), outfielder for the Atlanta Braves
  • Xavier Adibi (born 1984), linebacker for Houston Texans
  • Troy Aikman (born 1966), quarterback, OU, UCLA and Dallas Cowboys, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, sportscaster
  • Brent Albright (born 1978), professional wrestler
  • Brett Anderson (born 1988), pitcher for the Oakland Athletics
  • Mark Anderson (born 1983), defensive end for the Buffalo Bills
  • Kelenna Azubuike (born 1983), shooting guard/small forward for the New York Knicks
  • David Baas (born 1981), guard and center for New York Giants
  • Alvin Bailey (born 1991), offensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks
  • Dan Bailey (born 1988), placekicker for Dallas Cowboys
  • Billy Bajema (born 1982), tight end for Baltimore Ravens
  • Jeff Banister (born 1964), MLB catcher, manager of Texas Rangers
  • Dallas Beeler (born 1989), pitcher for Chicago Cubs
  • Christopher Bell (born 1994), NASCAR Cup Series driver
  • Johnny Bench (born 1947), MLB catcher for Cincinnati Reds, member Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Al Benton (1911–1968), MLB pitcher
  • Tanner Berryhill (born 1993), Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver
  • Nick Blackburn (born 1982), starting pitcher for Minnesota Twins
  • Douglas Blubaugh (1934–2011), Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling
  • Brian Bosworth (born 1965), OU and NFL player
  • Sam Bradford (born 1987), football quarterback, OU and Minnesota Vikings
  • Archie Bradley (born 1992), pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Jack Brisco (1941–2010), professional wrestler
  • Jerry Brisco (born 1946), professional wrestler
  • Louise Brough (1923–2014), Hall of Fame tennis player
  • Josh Brown (born 1979), placekicker for New York Giants
  • Mike Brumley (born 1963), third base coach for Seattle Mariners
  • Ryan Budde (born 1979), catcher for Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Bruce Buffer (born 1957), Octagon announcer for UFC main events
  • Mikey Burnett (born 1974), UFC fighter
  • Sol Butler (1895–1954), athlete who competed in football and track and field
  • Patrick Callan (born 1999), competitive swimmer
  • Joe Carter (born 1960), Major League Baseball outfielder
  • Sherri Coale (born 1965), women's basketball coach at OU
  • Charles Coe (1923–2001), U.S. Amateur golfer, won seven titles
  • Larry Coker (born 1948), football coach at University of Miami
  • Nick Cole (born 1984), guard for Philadelphia Eagles
  • Nadia Comăneci (born 1961), five-time Olympic gold medalist gymnast
  • Bart Conner (born 1958), Olympic gold medal gymnast
  • Riley Cooper (born 1987), wide receiver for Philadelphia Eagles
  • Bobby Cox (born 1941), Baseball Hall of Fame manager for Atlanta Braves
  • Kendall Cross (born 1968), Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling
  • Harold DeMarsh (1902–1982), first ever NCAA Wrestling champion
  • Don Demeter (born 1935), Major League Baseball outfielder
  • Phillip Dillard (born 1986), linebacker for UFL's Omaha Nighthawks
  • Jay Thomas Evans (1931–2008), Olympic silver medalist in freestyle wrestling
  • Tim Flannery (born 1957), MLB infielder and coach
  • Ross Flood (1910–1995), Olympic silver medalist in freestyle wrestling
  • Brian Flynn (born 1990), pitcher for Kansas City Royals
  • Ryan Franklin (born 1977), pitcher for Baltimore Orioles
  • Dominique Franks (born 1987), cornerback for Atlanta Falcons
  • Edward C. Gallagher (1887–1940), champion OSU sprinter and football player, track and wrestling coach; winningest wrestling coach in NCAA history, 11 NCAA titles, Olympic wrestling coach, National Wrestling Hall of Fame charter member
  • Vickie Gates (born 1962), IFBB professional bodybuilder
  • Koda Glover (born 1993), pitcher for Washington Nationals
  • Bill Goldberg (born 1966), professional NFL football player and undefeated professional wrestler
  • Kelly Gregg (born 1976), OU and NFL player
  • Jermaine Gresham (born 1988), tight end for Arizona Cardinals
  • Matt Grice (born 1981), UFC fighter
  • Blake Griffin (born 1989), power forward for Detroit Pistons
  • Taylor Griffin (born 1986), pro basketball player

;H&ndash;M

  • Charlie Haas (born 1972), WWE professional wrestler
  • Tommy Hanson (1986–2015), MLB starting pitcher, primarily with Atlanta Braves
  • Chris Harris Jr. (born 1989), cornerback for Denver Broncos
  • Mickey Hatcher (born 1955), OU baseball, outfielder for Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins
  • Andrew Heaney (born 1991), relief pitcher for Los Angeles Angels
  • Ryan Helsley (born 1994), relief pitcher for St. Louis Cardinals
  • Johny Hendricks (born 1983), former UFC Welterweight Champion, two-time NCAA Wrestling champion
  • Josiah Henson (1922–2012), Olympic bronze medalist in freestyle wrestling
  • Rusty Hilger (1962–2019), OSU and NFL quarterback
  • A. J. Hinch (born 1974), MLB catcher, manager of the Houston Astros
  • Danny Hodge (1932–2020), three-time NCAA champion and Olympic silver medalist wrestler
  • Mat Hoffman (born 1972), world champion BMX biker
  • Matt Holliday (born 1980), designated hitter for the New York Yankees
  • Henry Iba (1904–1993), OSU NCAA champion and Olympic champion basketball coach, Basketball Hall of Fame member
  • Gabe Ikard (born 1990), center for Buffalo Bills
  • Darnell Jackson (born 1985), forward for Sacramento Kings
  • Betty Jameson (1919–2009), golfer in World Golf Hall of Fame
  • Charlie Johnson (born 1984), guard for Minnesota Vikings
  • Felix Jones (born 1987), running back for Dallas Cowboys
  • Bob Kalsu (1945–1970), Oklahoma Sooners football and Buffalo Bills player, only active professional football player killed in Vietnam War
  • Deji Karim (born 1986), running back for Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Matt Kemp (born 1984), MLB outfielder
  • Dallas Keuchel (born 1988), pitcher for Atlanta Braves
  • Stacey King (born 1967), three-time NBA champion with Chicago Bulls (1991–1993)
  • Jon Kolb (born 1947), football player, Oklahoma State and Pittsburgh Steelers center
  • Hal Lahar (1919–2003), pro football player, college coach
  • Steve Largent (born 1954), Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, Pro Football Hall of Famer and politician
  • Abe Lemons (1922–2002), Oklahoma City University, Pan American University, and Texas Longhorns basketball coach
  • Frank Lewis (1912–1998), Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling
  • Ronnell Lewis (born 1990), NFL player for Detroit Lions
  • Joe Lillard (1905–1978), running back for Chicago Cardinals
  • Ray Mallouf (1918–2008), NFL quarterback and punter for Chicago Cardinals and New York Giants
  • Mickey Mantle (1931–1995), New York Yankees outfielder, Baseball Hall of Famer
  • Pepper Martin (1904–1965), St. Louis Cardinals baseball player
  • Bryan McCann (born 1987), cornerback for Oakland Raiders
  • Gerald McCoy (born 1988), defensive tackle for Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • "Jumping Jack" McCracken (1911–1958), Basketball Hall of Famer
  • Tyrus McGee (born 1991), basketball player in the Israel Basketball Premier League
  • Leroy McGuirk (1910–1988), professional wrestler and promoter
  • Mike McGuirk (born 1958), ring announcer for World Wrestling Federation
  • R. W. McQuarters (born 1976), NFL cornerback
  • Robert Meachem (born 1984), wide receiver for San Diego Chargers
  • Jordy Mercer (born 1986), shortstop for Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Shannon Miller (born 1977), Olympic gold medal gymnast
  • Garrett Mills (born 1983), tight end for Philadelphia Eagles
  • Ryan Minor (born 1974), OU baseball and basketball player
  • Kenny Monday (born 1961), Olympic gold and silver medalist in freestyle wrestling
  • Gil Morgan (born 1946), professional golfer
  • Marty Mornhinweg (born 1962), offensive coordinator for Philadelphia Eagles
  • Tommy Morrison (1969–2013), heavyweight champion boxer
  • Bobby Murcer (1946–2008), professional baseball player and sportscaster

;N&ndash;R

  • Rico Noel (born 1989), outfielder for New York Yankees
  • Lance Norick (born 1968), NASCAR driver
  • Daniel Orton (born 1990), center for Orlando Magic
  • Bill Owen (1903–1975), NFL offensive tackle
  • Steve Owen (1898–1964), Hall of Fame NFL player and head coach
  • Steve Owens (born 1947), OU football player, 1969 Heisman Trophy winner
  • Robert Pearce (1908–1996), Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling
  • Brad Penny (born 1978), MLB pitcher
  • Beth Phoenix (born 1980), professional wrestler
  • Darrell Porter (1952–2002), MLB baseball player for St. Louis Cardinals
  • Maurkice Pouncey (born 1989), center for Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Mike Pouncey (born 1989), center and guard for Miami Dolphins
  • Mark Price (born 1964), basketball player; Enid H.S., Georgia Tech, and Cleveland Cavaliers
  • J. T. Realmuto (born 1991), MLB player for the Philadelphia Phillies
  • Bryant Reeves (born 1973), basketball player, played for Oklahoma State and NBA's Vancouver Grizzlies
  • Allie Reynolds (1917–1994), pitcher, Baseball Hall of Famer
  • Crystal Robinson (born 1974), New York Liberty, WNBA basketball player
  • Bullet Rogan (1893–1967), Baseball Hall of Famer
  • Matt Roney (born 1980), MLB relief pitcher
  • Jim Ross (born 1952), WWE announcer
  • Darrell Royal (1924–2012), football coach at Texas, College Football Hall of Fame
  • T. J. Rushing (born 1983), cornerback and return specialist for Detroit Lions
  • John Russell (born 1961), bench coach for Baltimore Orioles
  • Rex Ryan (born 1962), head coach for Buffalo Bills, New York Jets
  • Rob Ryan (born 1962), NFL defensive coordinator

;S&ndash;Z

  • Barry Sanders (born 1968), running back, OSU Heisman Trophy winner, Pro Football Hall of Famer
  • Spec Sanders (1919–2003), football player for New York Yankees (AAFC) and New York Yanks
  • Bill Self (born 1962), basketball coach at University of Kansas
  • Lee Roy Selmon (1954–2011), OU and NFL player, Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • Sterling Shepard (born 1993), wide receiver for the New York Giants
  • Jeremy Shockey (born 1980), tight end for New Orleans Saints
  • Billy Sims (born 1955), running back OU and Detroit Lions, Heisman Trophy winner
  • Antonio Smith (born 1981), defensive end for Denver Broncos
  • John Smith (born 1965), two-time NCAA champion at OSU, four-time World and two-time Olympic gold medalist, NCAA and Olympic wrestling coach, Distinguished Member of National Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Pat Smith (born 1970), younger brother of John Smith, first ever four-time NCAA Wrestling Division I Champion
  • Reggie Smith (born 1986), safety for Carolina Panthers
  • Warren Spahn (1921–2003), pitcher, Baseball Hall of Famer
  • Willie Stargell (1940–2001), outfielder, Baseball Hall of Famer with Pittsburgh Pirates
  • John Starks (born 1965), basketball player for New York Knicks
  • Cory Sullivan (born 1979), outfielder for Houston Astros
  • Eddie Sutton (1936–2020), Arkansas and OSU basketball coach
  • Jack Swagger (born 1982), OU and WWE professional wrestler
  • Barry Switzer (born 1937), football coach, OU and Dallas Cowboys
  • Brian Tallet (born 1977), relief pitcher for St. Louis Cardinals
  • Ralph Terry (born 1936), pitcher, primarily with New York Yankees
  • Jim Thorpe (1887–1953), athlete, Olympic gold medalist, played professional football and Major League Baseball; born in Prague, Oklahoma
  • Spencer Tillman (born 1964), All-American running back for OU, TV analyst
  • Wayman Tisdale (1964–2009), professional basketball player and jazz musician
  • Bob Tway (born 1959), professional golfer, 1986 PGA Championship winner
  • Kevin Tway (born 1988), professional golfer
  • Ekpe Udoh (born 1987), player for Milwaukee Bucks
  • Jack van Bebber (1907–1986), Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling
  • J. D. Walton (born 1987), center for New York Giants
  • Lloyd "Little Poison" Waner (1906–1982), Baseball Hall of Famer
  • Paul "Big Poison" Waner (1903–1965), Baseball Hall of Famer
  • "Cowboy" Bill Watts (born 1939), professional wrestler and promoter
  • J.C. Watts (born 1957), OU quarterback and U.S. congressman
  • Brandon Weeden (born 1983), quarterback for Houston Texans
  • Wes Welker (born 1981), wide receiver for Denver Broncos
  • Wayne Wells (born 1946), Olympic gold medalist and World champion in freestyle wrestling, first ever Nike signature athlete
  • Jason White (born 1980), OU quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner
  • Bud Wilkinson (1916–1994), OU coach, College Football Hall of Fame
  • Shelby Wilson (born 1937), Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling
  • Shelden Williams (born 1983), former NBA player
  • Eli Willits (born 2007), shortstop, first overall 2025 draft pick of the Washington Nationals
  • Reggie Willits (born 1981), left fielder for the Los Angeles Angels
  • Matt Wiman (born 1983), UFC fighter
  • James Winchester (born 1989), long snapper for Kansas City Chiefs
  • Jamey Wright (born 1974), MLB relief pitcher
  • Kenyatta Wright (born 1978), NFL linebacker from Vian, Oklahoma
  • Trae Young (born 1998), NBA All-Star point guard for the Atlanta Hawks

Authors

  • William Bernhardt (born 1960), novelist
  • John Berryman (1914–1972), poet
  • Cleora Butler (1901–1985), chef, caterer and cookbook writer
  • Ralph Ellison (1914–1994), writer and scholar
  • Martin Gardner (1914–2010), author specializing in recreational mathematics
  • Tony Hillerman (1925–2008), journalist, historian, professor, and novelist
  • S.E. Hinton (born 1948), author and novelist
  • Nicole Jordan (born 1954), author
  • Oliver LaGrone (1906–1995), sculptor, poet, educator and humanitarian
  • Louis L'Amour (1908–1988), western novelist
  • Billie Letts (1938–2014), novelist
  • Tracy Letts (born 1965), playwright, screenwriter, actor
  • N. Scott Momaday (born 1964), author, printmaker
  • Bill Moyers (1934–2025), journalist and public commentator
  • Jason Nelson (born 1970), internet artist and digital poet
  • Wilson Rawls (1913–1984), author
  • Jeff Rowland (born 1974), cartoonist, author of WIGU
  • Josh Shipp (born 1981), author and motivational speaker
  • Jim Thompson (1906–1977), novelist

Aviators and astronauts

  • Thomas and Paul Braniff, airline entrepreneurs, founders of Braniff International Airways
  • Gordon Cooper (1927–2006), astronaut
  • Owen K. Garriott (1930–2019), astronaut
  • John Herrington (Chickasaw, born 1958), astronaut
  • James Jabara (1923–1966), world's first jet ace, and Korean War triple ace with 15 kills
  • Shannon Lucid (born 1943), astronaut
  • William R. Pogue (1930–2014), astronaut
  • Wiley Post (1898–1935), first pilot to fly solo around the world (born in Texas but grew up in Oklahoma)
  • Will Rogers (Cherokee, 1879–1935), aviator
  • Thomas Stafford (1930–2024), astronaut
  • Clarence L. Tinker (Osage, 1887–1942), U.S. Army Air Corps general and supreme commander of the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific during World War II

Businesspeople

  • Rick Bayless (born 1953), restaurateur, chef, PBS television personality
  • Clay Bennett (born 1959), chairman, Dorchester Capital; owner, Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Sherman Billingsley (1896–1966), owner of Stork Club
  • James A. Chapman (1881–1966), oil industry businessman
  • Edward K. Gaylord (1873–1974), founder, Daily Oklahoman
  • Edward L. Gaylord (1919–2003), editor, Daily Oklahoman; founder, TNN & CMT; owner, Grand Ole Opry
  • Sylvan Goldman (1898–1984), businessman and inventor of the shopping cart
  • David Green (born 1941), businessman, philanthropist, founder of Hobby Lobby
  • J. M. Hall (1851–1935), merchant and pioneer of Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • George Kaiser (born 1942), chairman of BOK Financial Corporation
  • W. W. Keeler (Cherokee, 1908–1987), principal Chief of Cherokee Nation, president and CEO of Phillips Petroleum Company (1968–1973)
  • Henry Kravis (born 1944), co-founder of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
  • Eugene Lorton (1868–1949), owner, publisher and editor of Tulsa World
  • James H. McBirney (1870–1944), founder and president, National Bank of Commerce
  • Sam P. McBirney (1877–1936), founder and vice president, National Bank of Commerce, Tulsa
  • Cattle Annie (1882–1978), female bandit of the American Old West
  • Little Britches (born 1879; year of death unknown), female bandit, companion in crime with Cattle Annie
  • Quanah Parker (Comanche, c. late 1840s–1911), chief and co-founder of the Native American Church
  • Peter Pitchlynn (Choctaw, 1806–1881), provisional Choctaw chief, Choctaw delegate to Washington, D.C.; buried in the Congressional Cemetery
  • Pleasant Porter (Muscogee, 1840–1907), Muscogee (Creek) Nation principal chief
  • Harvey Pratt (Southern Cheyenne, 1941–2025), Native American forensic artist, Cheyenne peace chief
  • Will Rogers (Cherokee, 1879–1935), humorist, actor, author, aviator, movie producer
  • John Ross (Cherokee, 1790–1866), principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, buried at Park Hill, Oklahoma
  • Steve Russell (born 1947), Cherokee, poet, academic (emeritus professor), journalist and trial judge
  • Sequoyah (Cherokee, 1776–1842), lived in what is now Sequoyah County; blacksmith, teacher, inventor of the Cherokee syllabary
  • Maria Tallchief (Osage Nation, 1925–2013), first American prima ballerina
  • Marjorie Tallchief (Osage Nation, 1926–2021), ballerina
  • Clarence L. Tinker (Osage Nation, 1887–1942), U.S. Army Air Corps general, first American general to die in World War II
  • Fred Waite (Chickasaw, 1853–1895), cowboy, member of Billy the Kid's gang and politician
  • Della Warrior (Otoe-Missouria, born 1946), first female chairperson of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, president of the Institute of American Indian Arts, executive director of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture
  • Stand Watie (Cherokee, 1806–1871), brigadier general in the Confederate Army, chief

Radio and television personalities

  • Rick Bayless (born 1953), chef and television personality
  • Skip Bayless (born 1951), sports journalist
  • Douglas Edwards (1917–1990), radio and television journalist
  • Gary England (born 1939), chief meteorologist for KWTV Channel 9
  • Kathy Lee Gifford (born 1953), television personality, Oral Roberts graduate
  • Kayne Gillaspie (born 1979), television personality and fashion designer
  • Mary Hart (born 1950), television personality, co-host of Entertainment Tonight
  • Paul Harvey (1918–2009), radio broadcaster and commentator
  • Glenn Hauser (born 1945), radio broadcaster
  • Phil McGraw (born 1950), television psychologist
  • Bill Moyers (born 1934), television journalist
  • Bob Murphy (1924–2004), sportscaster, play-by-play for New York Mets
  • Ross Porter (born 1938), longtime broadcaster for Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Dan Rowan (1922–1987), comedian, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
  • Judy Woodruff (born 1946), television journalist

Scientists, including medicine

  • Richard E. Berendzen (born 1938), astronomer, author, and professor
  • Kenneth H. Cooper (born 1931), physician, United States Air Force officer, pioneer of aerobics
  • David Deming (born 1954), PhD, author, professor of geology, and political commentator
  • Edwin R. Gilliland (1909–1973), chemical engineer and professor
  • Lyle Goodhue (1903–1981), research chemist and inventor
  • Karl Guthe Jansky (1905–1950), physicist and radio engineer
  • Dr. Donna J. Nelson (born 1954), OU chemistry professor, 2016 ACS president, and science advisor to Breaking Bad
  • Dr. Reed Timmer (born 1980), extreme meteorologist, storm chaser
  • John York (born 1949), cancer research pathologist

Religious figures

  • Wade Burleson (born 1961), lead pastor of Emmanuel Enid (1992–present) and president of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (2002–2004)
  • Finis Alonzo Crutchfield (1916–1987), Methodist minister and Bishop of Oklahoma
  • Paul Vernon Galloway (1904–1990), Methodist minister and Bishop of Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana
  • Jerry Johnston (born 1959), Southern Baptist clergyman and university administrator, born in Oklahoma City
  • Charles William Kerr (1875–1951), first permanent Protestant minister in Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Robert McGill Loughridge (1809–1900), Presbyterian missionary
  • Quanah Parker (Comanche, 1852–1911), Native American Church leader and advocate
  • Oral Roberts (1918–2009), evangelist
  • Stanley Rother (1935–1981), first U.S.-born priest and martyr to be beatified by Roman Catholic church
  • John Wilson (Caddo) (ca. 1840–1901), Native American Church roadman
  • Yahweh ben Yahweh (born Hulon Mitchell Jr.) (1935–2007), leader of religious group Nation of Yahweh

Visual artists

  • Joe Andoe (born 1955), painter
  • Fred Beaver (Seminole/Muscogee, 1911–1980), painter, printmaker
  • Charles Bell (1935–1995), photorealist painter
  • Acee Blue Eagle (Muscogee, 1907–1959), artist
  • Carolyn Brady (1937–2005), artist
  • Joe Brainard (1942–1994), artist
  • T.C. Cannon (Kiowa/Caddo, 1946–1978), artist
  • Larry Clark (born 1943), photographer, filmmaker
  • Woody Crumbo (Citizen Potawatomi, 1912–1989), artist
  • Joseph Glasco (1925–1996), abstract expressionist artist
  • Joe Goode (born 1937), artist
  • Chester Gould (1900–1985), creator of the Dick Tracy comic strip
  • Stephen Hillenburg (1961–2018), cartoonist, creator of SpongeBob SquarePants
  • Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache, 1914–1994), sculptor
  • Robert McMurtry (1950–2012), painter, author
  • Jason Nelson (born 1970), internet artist and digital poet
  • Gary Panter (born 1950), illustrator, painter and designer
  • Joe A. Rector (1935–2012), artist
  • Ed Ruscha (born 1937), artist
  • David Salle (born 1952), artist
  • Leon Polk Smith (European-American, 1906–1996), artist
  • Willard Stone (1916–1985), sculptor and woocdarver

Other

  • Bobby Baldwin (born c. 1950), professional poker player
  • Daniel J. Boorstin (1914–2004), historian, professor, attorney, and writer
  • Tom Colbert (born 1949), first African-American Oklahoma Supreme Court justice
  • Kim Davenport (born 1955), professional pool player
  • David Duke (born 1950), white nationalist, politician, antisemitic conspiracy theorist
  • Ben Graf Henneke (1914–1999), educator; president, University of Tulsa
  • Anita Hill (born 1956), professor of social policy, law, and women's studies who testified at the U.S. Senate confirmation hearings of Clarence Thomas
  • Sherri Hill (born 1949), fashion designer; grew up in Minco
  • Ray William Johnson (born 1981), Internet comedian and musician
  • Stephen Jones (born 1940), attorney; Timothy McVeigh's lead defense lawyer during McVeigh's trial for the Oklahoma City bombing
  • Robert L. Lynn (1931–2020), college administrator and president, journalist and poet; reared in Carter County
  • Charles ("Chuck") W. Mooney Jr. (born 1947), the Charles A. Heimbold Jr. Professor of Law, and former interim dean, at the University of Pennsylvania Law School
  • Charles Page (1860–1920), philanthropist and founder of Sand Springs, Oklahoma
  • Joe Redington (1917–1999), "Father of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race"
  • Bass Reeves (1838–1910), first African-American U.S. marshal and one of the chief law enforcement agents in early Oklahoma
  • Kevin Samuels (born 1966), YouTuber
  • Steven W. Taylor (born 1949), Oklahoma Supreme Court justice, presided over Oklahoma City bombing suspect Terry Nichols's state murder trial
  • Cornel West (born 1953), scholar
  • Kathleen Zellner, attorney

See also

  • List of Oklahoma suffragists
  • List of Northeastern State University alumni
  • List of Oklahoma State University people
  • List of people from Enid, Oklahoma
  • List of people from Muskogee, Oklahoma
  • List of people from Norman, Oklahoma
  • List of people from Oklahoma City
  • List of people from Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • List of University of Central Oklahoma people
  • List of University of Oklahoma people
  • List of University of Tulsa people
  • Lists of Americans

References