Notable people

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  • Marshall Bennett (1915–2018), real estate developer credited with creating the modern industrial park. He was a childhood resident of South Shore.
  • Bo Diddley (1928–2008), singer, guitarist, songwriter and music producer. He resided in South Shore.
  • Stanley Elkin (1930–1995), novelist, short story writer, and essayist. He was a childhood resident of South Shore.
  • Larry Ellison (born 1944), co-founder of Oracle Corporation. He was raised in the South Shore community area by his adoptive parents.
  • James T. Farrell (1904–1979), novelist, short-story writer and poet. He resided at 2023 East 72nd Street.
  • Enrico Fermi (1901–1954), physicist and the creator of the world's first nuclear reactor. He resided in South Shore.
  • Fred Goetz (1897–1934), Chicago Outfit member and a suspected participant in the Valentine's Day Massacre. He resided at 7827 South South Shore Drive at the time of his murder.
  • S. I. Hayakawa (1906–1992), U.S. Senator from California from 1977 to 1983. At the time of the 1940 United States census, Hayakawa resided at 1715 East 67th Street.
  • Fred Holstein (1942–2004), folk singer. He was raised in the South Shore community area.
  • Murray Humphreys (1899–1965), member of the Chicago Outfit. He resided at 7710 S. Bennett Ave. for most of his criminal career.
  • Robert Irving III (born 1953), musician and longtime South Shore resident.
  • Jacqueline Jackson (born 1944), peace activist and wife of Jesse Jackson. She resided in South Shore for a time.
  • Jesse Jackson Jr. (born 1965), member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois's 2nd congressional district, son of Jesse and Jacqueline Jackson, and husband of Sandi Jackson. He was raised in South Shore and, as of 2018, is a current resident of South Shore.
  • Jonathan Jackson (born 1966), businessman, activist, and son of Jesse and Jacqueline Jackson. He was a childhood resident of South Shore.
  • Ferguson Jenkins (born 1942), professional baseball player. He resided at the home of fellow player Billy Williams for a time during their professional careers.
  • Gene Krupa (1909–1973), jazz drummer, bandleader and composer. He was a childhood resident of South Shore.
  • Ramsey Lewis (born 1935), jazz composer, pianist and radio personality. He resided in South Shore.
  • David Mamet (born 1947), playwright. His family moved from Hyde Park to South Shore while he was a teenager.
  • Raymond S. McKeough (1888–1979), member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois's 2nd congressional district. He resided at 7815 South Euclid Avenue while in Congress.
  • Carol Moseley Braun (born 1947), first African American woman elected to the United States Senate. She lived in South Shore during her political career.
  • Michelle Obama (born 1964), 44th First Lady of the United States. She was born and raised in South Shore.
  • Suze Orman (born 1951), author, financial advisor, motivational speaker, and television host.
  • Jabari Parker (born 1995), professional basketball player. He was raised in South Shore.
  • Mandy Patinkin (born 1952), actor and singer. He was a childhood resident of South Shore.
  • Elia W. Peattie (1862–1935), author, journalist and critic. She resided near East 74th Street and South South Shore Drive for much of her life.
  • Harry Mark Petrakis (1923–2021), novelist known for depictions of Greek-American life. He resided at 7603 South Ridgeland Avenue for a time.
  • Dean Richards (born 1954), film critic and entertainment reporter for WGN-TV. He was raised in South Shore.
  • Craig Robinson (born 1962), college basketball coach.
  • Sebastian Rotella, foreign correspondent, investigative journalist, and novelist. He was a childhood resident of South Shore.
  • Bashir Salahuddin (born 1976), actor, writer, and comedian. He was raised in South Shore on South Constance Avenue.
  • Gale Sayers (1943–2020), professional football player. He resided in South Shore during his time with the Chicago Bears.
  • Deborah Senn (1949–2022), 7th Insurance Commissioner of Washington from 1993 to 2001. She was raised in the South Shore neighborhood.
  • Johnny Torrio (1882–1957), early member of the Chicago Outfit. Torrio resided in South Shore for a portion of his criminal career before being incarcerated in Waukegan.
  • Richard B. Vail (1895–1955), member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 2nd district during the 80th and 82 U.S. Congresses. He resided at 6946 South Bennett Avenue while a Congressman.
  • Charles R. Walgreen, Sr. (1873–1939), businessman who founded Walgreens. He resided at 6912 South Shore Drive in 1928.
  • James Watson (1928–2025), scientist and co-author of the paper which deduced the double helix structure of DNA. He was raised at 7922 South Luella Avenue and graduated from South Shore High School.
  • Lee Weiner (born 1939), activist and member of the Chicago Seven. He was a childhood resident of South Shore.
  • Kanye West (born 1977), rapper. West was raised at 7815 S. South Shore Drive.
  • Billy Williams (born 1938), professional baseball player. He purchased a home near East 74th Street and South Constance Avenue in 1966. Williams resided in South Shore until moving to Glen Ellyn, Illinois in 1974.
  • Jerald Walker, Guggenheim winning author and National Book Award Finalist

References

  • Chicago Zip Code and Neighborhood Map City of Chicago