List of notable people from Arkansas, United States
State flag of Arkansas Location of Arkansas on the U.S. map This is a list of notable people fromArkansas
Bronco Billy Anderson Alan Ladd Mary Steenburgen Billy Bob Thornton Joey Lauren Adams (born 1968), actressKatherine Alexander (1898–1981), actressBronco Billy Anderson (1880–1971), vaudeville actorWes Bentley (born 1978), actorRodger Bumpass (born 1951), actor, best known for voicingSquidward Tentacles from the animated seriesSpongeBob SquarePants Miriam Byrd-Nethery (1929–2003), actressNatalie Canerday (born 1962), actress,Sling Blade October Sky John Carter (1927–2015), actor, originally from Conway CountyDaniel Davis (born 1945), actor, best known as "Niles the butler" on television seriesThe Nanny Gail Davis (1925–1997), film actress, best known asAnnie Oakley from 1950stelevision series Clark Duke (born 1985), actor,Greek Hearts Afire Kimberly Foster (born 1961), actress,Dallas Gauge (born 1980), adult film actressGil Gerard (born 1943), actorNorris Goff (1906–1978), actor, best known as Abner ofLum and Abner Elizabeth Gracen (born 1961), actress,Highlander: The Raven Tess Harper (born 1950), actressGeorgia Holt (1926–2022), actress, singer; mother ofCher Arthur Hunnicutt (1910–1979), actor, known for his portrayal of wise, grizzled, old rural charactersBrent Jennings (born 1969)Brandon Keener (born 1974), actorDonnie Keshawarz (born 1969), actorAlan Ladd (1913–1964), actorChester Lauck (1902–1980), actor, best known as Lum ofLum and Abner Marjorie Lawrence (1907–1979), actress, Metropolitan Opera divaJacob Lofland (born 1996), actorJosh Lucas (born 1971), actorLaurence Luckinbill (born 1934), actorRudy Ray Moore (1927–2008), actorBen Murphy (born 1942), actor,Alias Smith and Jones Lottery! Corin Nemec (born 1971), actorGeorge Newbern (born 1964), actorDick Powell (1904–1963), actor and director; founder ofFour Star Television William Ragsdale (born 1961), actor,Herman's Head Grosse Pointe Leon Russom (born 1941), actor,Prison Break Wonderful Smith (1911–2008), actor and comedianNorman Snow (1950–2022), actorMary Steenburgen (born 1953), Oscar-winning actressKobe Tai (born 1972), adult film actressBilly Bob Thornton (born 1955), actor, Oscar-winning screenwriterKarri Turner (born 1966), actressKarmyn Tyler (born 1974), actressSheryl Underwood (born 1963), actress, comedian, radio hostJerry Van Dyke (1931–2018), actor, comedian, brother ofDick Van Dyke ; resided on his ranch nearMalvern Larry D. Alexander (born 1953), artist and writerDanielle Bunten Berry (1949–1998), video game designerJohn Braden (1949–2004), writer, producer, directorRoy Buchanan (1939-1988), guitarist, singer, songwriterCarl Ward Dudley (1910–1973), filmmaker and producerGeorge Fisher (1923–2003), political cartoonistDavid Gordon Green (born 1975), filmmakerKenneth Johnson (born 1942), screenwriter, directorE. Fay Jones (1921–2004), architect and designerOliver Lake (born 1942), jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer, poet, and visual artistEvan Lindquist (1936–2023), artist, printmaker, Artist Laureate of ArkansasNate Powell (born 1978), comic book artistEffie Anderson Smith (1869–1955), impressionist landscape painter, educator, feministHarry Thomason (born 1940), television producerEdward Washburn (1831–1860), painter ofThe Arkansas Traveler Donald Roller Wilson (born 1938), painterSymone (drag queen) (born 1995), Model, actress & Winner of Rupaul's Drag RaceAmy Lee (born 1981), lead singer ofEvanescence Jason Truby (born 1973), ex lead guitarist forLiving Sacrifice and ex member ofP.O.D. Helen Gurley Brown John Grisham Margot Adler (1946–2014), journalist and correspondentBrian Biggs (born 1968), author, illustrator, graphic artistDee Brown (1908–2002), author, historian, novelistHelen Gurley Brown (1922–2012), author, editor-in-chief ofCosmopolitan magazine Nancy A. Collins (born 1959), authorJohn Gould Fletcher (1886–1950), poetJohn Grisham (born 1955), novelistDave Grossman (born 1956), authorLaurell K. Hamilton (born 1963), horror/fantasy authorDeborah Mathis (born 1953), journalist and authorPeter McGehee (1955–1991), novelistQui Nguyen , playwright and screenwriterCharles Portis (1933–2020), novelistLeora Bettison Robinson (1840-1914), writerJohn Robert Starr (1927–2000), journalistGina Wilkins (born 1954), novelistMiller Williams (1930–2015), poetC. Vann Woodward (1908–1999), historianCarolyn D. Wright (1949–2016), poetJerry Jones Sam Walton William T. Dillard (1914–2002), head of Dillard's Department StoresMax Frauenthal (1836–1914), Confederate Civil War veteran, leading Conway merchant, and founding father of Heber SpringsWalter E. Hussman Jr. (born 1947), founder of WEHCO Media, Inc.Johnelle Hunt (born 1932), co-founder ofJ. B. Hunt Transportation Services Johnnie Bryan Hunt (1927–2006), co-founder of J. B. Hunt Transportation ServicesJohn Harold Johnson (1918–2005), founder ofJohnson Publishing Company Jerry Jones (born 1942), owner of theDallas Cowboys since 1989Stephen Jones (born 1964), executive vice president/COO of the Dallas CowboysJames Smith McDonnell (1899–1980), founder ofMcDonnell Aircraft Charles Phillips (born 1959), CEO ofInfor Global Solutions Jackson T. Stephens (1923–2005), oilman and investment bankerWarren Stephens (born 1957), president, chairman, and CEO ofStephens Inc. Don Tyson (1930–2011),Tyson Foods Poultry processingJohn H. Tyson (born 1953), former CEO of Tyson FoodsAlice Walton (born 1949), daughter of Sam Walton, foundedLlama Company Jim Walton (born 1948), son of Sam Walton, chairman ofArvest Bank John T. Walton (1946–2005), son of Sam Walton, former chairman ofTrue North Venture Partners Rob Walton (born 1944), son of Sam Walton, former chairman of WalmartSam Walton (1918–1992), founder ofWal-Mart Inc.Kemmons Wilson (1913–2003),Holiday Inn hotel founderForrest L. Wood (1932–2020), founder ofRanger Boats Douglas MacArthur John Hanks Alexander (1864–1894), pioneering African-American naval officerJames "Mo" Alley ,World War II veteran and member of the famed "Easy Company "Nicky Daniel Bacon (1945–2010),First Sergeant ,U.S. Army ,Medal of Honor recipient,Distinguished Service Cross , theLegion of Merit , twoBronze Stars and twoPurple Hearts ; director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, United States delegate tonormalize relations with Vietnam , president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Chair Emeritus of the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, Military Police Hall of FameWilliam N. R. Beall (1825–1883),Confederate Brigadier GeneralRaynal Bolling (1877–1918), first high-rankingU.S. Army casualty inWWI Solon Borland (1808–1864), Confederate Brigadier GeneralMaurice "Footsie" Britt (1919–1995), World War II soldier,Medal of Honor recipient,Distinguished Service Cross recipient,Silver Star recipient, first American soldier to receive the three highest medals for bravery; NFL player; Lt. Governor of ArkansasWilliam L. Cabell (1827–1911), Confederate Brigadier GeneralThomas J. Churchill (1824–1905), Confederate Major GeneralWesley Clark (born 1944), U.S. Army general,NATO CommanderPatrick Cleburne (1828–1864), Confederate Major GeneralJames Conway (born 1947), US Marine Corps Lieutenant GeneralWilliam Orlando Darby (1911–1945), first commander of the US Army RangersHerman Davis (1888–1923),Distinguished Service Cross recipient andWorld War I sniper Thomas P. Dockery (1833–1898), Confederate Brigadier GeneralEdward Walter Eberle (1864–1929), U.S. Navy Chief of Naval OperationsJames F. Fagan (1827–1893), Confederate Major GeneralNathan G. Gordon (1916–2008), USNPBY pilot, receivedMedal of Honor for rescuing 15 downed aircrew members by landing his aircraft under enemy fireDaniel C. Govan (1829–1911), Confederate Brigadier GeneralCarlos Hathcock (1942–1999), Marine sniperAlexander T. Hawthorn (1825–1899), Confederate Brigadier GeneralThomas Hindman (1828–1868), US Congressman and Confederate Major GeneralLucius Roy Holbrook (1875–1952), US Major GeneralGeorge Izard (1776–1828), US Army General,War of 1812 Field E. Kindley (1896–1920),World War I flying ace Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964), US General of the Army,Medal of Honor recipientEwell Ross McCright (1907–1990), US Air Force Captain,World War II , Prisoner of War andLegion of Merit recipientPierce McKennon (1919–1947), World War II fighter ace veteran of RAF Eagle Squadron, 335thFS/4thFG, 20 German aircraft destroyedEvander McNair (1820–1902), Confederate Brigadier GeneralDandridge McRae (1829–1899), Confederate Brigadier GeneralAlbert Pike (1809–1891), Confederate General, FreemasonJohn S. Roane (1817–1867), Brigadier GeneralAlbert Rust (1818–1870), Confederate Brigadier GeneralJames C. Tappan (1825–1906), Confederate Brigadier GeneralJohn Thach (1905–1981), US Navy Admiral,World War II flying aceFrank Glasgow Tinker (1909–1939), Spanish Civil War volunteer fighter pilotCorydon M. Wassell (1884–1958), U.S. Navy physician and medical missionaryArchibald Yell (1797–1847), brigadier general, killed at theBattle of Buena Vista during theMexican–American War Kris Allen Glen Campbell Johnny Cash Al Green Louis Jordan Kris Allen (born 1985), singer-songwriter, winner of the 8th season ofAmerican Idol Black Oak Arkansas (formed 1963), Southern rock hillybilly psycho-boogie bandBig Bill Broonzy (1903–1958), blues singer-songwriter and guitaristShirley Brown (born 1947), soul singerSonny Burgess (1929–2017), Sun recording artistSarah Caldwell (1924–2006), opera conductor and director, violinistGlen Campbell (1936–2017), country singer-songwriter, and actorJohnny Cash (1932–2003), country singer-songwriterFloyd Cramer (1933–1997), musician, most known for hispiano instrumental "Last Date"Roscoe Dash (born 1990), rapperIris DeMent (born 1961), country/folk singer-songwriterJim Dickinson (1941–2009), musician and producerBeth Ditto (born 1981), singer with The GossipBob Dorough (1923–2018), jazz musician and voice ofSchoolhouse Rock! Jimmy Driftwood (1907–1998), folk musician/songwriter, wrote "The Battle of New Orleans"Barbara Fairchild (born 1950), country and gospel singerTav Falco (born 1945), musical performer, performance artist, actor, filmmaker, and photographerSandford C. Faulkner (1803–1874), wrote fiddle tune "Arkansas Traveler "Bankroll Freddie (born 1994), rapperLefty Frizzell (1928–1975), country music singer-songwriterAl Green (born 1946), singerCharles Christian Hammer (1953–2004), classical guitaristRonnie Hawkins (1935–2022), rock musicianLevon Helm (1940–2012), rock musicianBarbara Hendricks (born 1948), opera singerJohn S. Hilliard (1947–2019), composerWayland Holyfield (born 1942), songwriterBuddy Jewell (born 1961),country musician Louis Jordan (1908–1975), jazz musician and bandleaderTracy Lawrence (born 1968), country musicianAmy Lee (born 1981), rock musicianRobert Lockwood Jr. (1915–2006), blues musicianW. Francis McBeth (1933–2012), composerAshley McBryde (born 1983), country singerRobert McFerrin (1921–2006), operatic baritonePatsy Montana (1914–1996), country musicianBen Moody (born 1980), rock musicianJustin Moore (born 1984), country musicianCharlotte Moorman (1933–1991), cellist, performance artistConlon Nancarrow (1912–1997), composerNe-Yo (born 1979), R&B musician, songwriterJoe Nichols (born 1976), country music artistSmokie Norful (born 1975), gospel singer (reared in Arkansas)Walter Norris (1931–2011), pianist and composerK.T. Oslin (1942–2020), country musicianTwila Paris (born 1958), gospel musicianArt Porter Jr. (1961–1996), jazz saxophonistArt Porter, Sr. (1934–1993), jazz pianistFlorence Price (1887–1953), composerCollin Raye (born 1960), country musicianWilbur Stephen "Bill" Rice (1939–2023), country musicianCharlie Rich (1932–1995), rockabilly, jazz, blues, country, and gospel musician and pianistPharoah Sanders (1940–2022), jazz saxophonistW. Stephen Smith (born 1950), baritone opera singer, voice teacher and authorWilliam Grant Still (1895–1978), composerFred Tackett (born 1945), songwriter and multi-instrumentalistJohnnie Taylor (1934–2000), vocalistSister Rosetta Tharpe (1915–1973), vocalist, guitarist, the first great recording star of gospel music, considered "the Godmother of rock and roll"Conway Twitty (1933–1993), rock and roll and country music singerMichael Utley (born 1985), songwriter, actor, musician, bit actor, member of Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band and Club TriniJunior Walker (1931–1995), Motown saxophonistWilliam Warfield (1920–2002), vocalistLenny Williams (born 1945), singerOtis Williams (born 1941), singerSonny Boy Williamson II (1899–1965), blues musicianViper (rapper) (born 1971) rapper, producerShawn Camp Darrell DeShawn Camp (born 1966), Reprise recording artist, songwriter (Two Pina Coladas), “Sis Draper” series of songs written with Guy Clark, lead singer/guitarist for The Earls of LeicesterA–B William Vollie Alexander Jr. (born 1934),Democratic US Representative 1969–1993Dale Alford (1916–2000), US representative from Little Rock 1959–1963; unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate in Democratic primary in 1962 and 1966Denny Altes (born 1948), former member of both houses of the Arkansas State Legislature; Vietnam War veteran from Fort SmithMorris S. Arnold (born 1941), US Appeals Court judgeRichard S. Arnold (1936–2004), US Appeals Court judgeDuncan Baird (born 1979), Arkansas state budget director since 2015; Republican former member of theArkansas House of Representatives Bob Ballinger (born 1974), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Washington, Carroll, and Madison countiesJonathan Barnett (born 1955), state representative for Benton and Washington countiesMike Beebe (born 1946), formergovernor of Arkansas Mary Bentley (born 1961), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Perry, Pope, Yell, and Conway counties since 2015; businesswoman and former nurse in PerryvilleEdwin Bethune (born 1935), US representative from 1979–1985Solon Borland (1808–1864), US senatorDrew Bowers (1886–1985), Republican gubernatorial nominee in 1926 and 1928; assistant U.S. attorney in Little RockDavid Branscum (born 1958), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Searcy CountyKelly Bryant (1908–1975), secretary of stateDale Bumpers (1925–2016), US senator and former governor of Arkansas from 1971 to 1975Preston C. Bynum (1939–2018), lobbyist and politicianC–D Bill Clinton Jim R. Caldwell (born 1936), first Republican to serve in theArkansas State Senate in the 20th century, 1969 to 1978;Church of Christ minister retired inTulsa, Oklahoma Ronald R. Caldwell (born 1951), Republican member of the Arkansas State Senate from Cross CountyHattie Caraway (1878–1951), first woman to serve a full term as a US senatorDavy Carter (born 1975),Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives Francis Adams Cherry (1908–1965), governor 1953–1955Marvin Childers (born 1961), former state representative fromMississippi County , lawyer and lobbyist for poultry industry in Little RockMarshall Chrisman (born 1933), Republican state representative fromFranklin andJohnson counties, 1969–1970; gubernatorial candidate, 1980 and 1982Alan Clark (born 1960), Arkansas Republican state senator from Garland CountyAnn Clemmer (born 1958), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representative from Saline County; professor of political science at theUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock Bill Clinton (born 1946), 42nd president of the United StatesChelsea Clinton (born 1980), daughter of Bill and HillaryHillary Clinton (born 1947),First Lady of the United States (1993–2001),U.S. Senator from New York (2001–2009),U.S. Secretary of State (2009–2013), and2016 Democratic nominee for presidentCarl B. Close (1907–1980), Louisiana politician; native ofConway County Osro Cobb (1904–1996), lawyer, Republican politician fromMontgomery County and later Little RockSterling R. Cockrill (1925–2022), Republican former politician from Pulaski County; urban planner, businessman, artistHenry W. Conway (1793–1827), territorial delegateJohn R. Cooper (born 1947), Republican member of the Arkansas State Senate from Craighead CountyDonnie Copeland (born 1961),Pentecostal pastor inNorth Little Rock and Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for District 38, 2015 to 2017[ 1] Tom Cotton (born 1977),U.S. Senator from Arkansas since 2015Bruce Cozart (born 1955), politician and developer from Hot SpringsMarion H. Crank (1915–1994), Speaker of the Arkansas House, 1963–1964; Democratic gubernatorial nominee, 1968Angie Craig (born 1972), U.S. representative fromMinnesota's 2nd congressional district since 2019Danny K. Davis (born 1941), U.S. Representative from IllinoisGary Deffenbaugh (born 1949), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives fromVan Buren inCrawford County Jay Dickey (1939–2017), U.S. Representative fromArkansas's 4th congressional district , 1993–2001Jim Dotson (born 1978), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives fromBentonville Dan Douglas (born 1957), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from BentonvilleTrevor Drown (born c. 1970), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Pope and Van Buren counties since 2015E–G Orval Faubus Lance Eads (born 1968), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Washington County since 2015; unseated Randy Alexander in 2014 Republican primaryLes Eaves (born 1967), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for White County since 2015Joycelyn Elders (born 1933), formerSurgeon General of the United States Jane English (born 1940), member of the Arkansas State Senate from North Little Rock since 2013; former member of the Arkansas House of RepresentativesJon Eubanks (born 1951), state representative for Logan County since 2011Joe Farrer (born 1962), state representative from Lonoke CountyOrval Eugene Faubus (1910–1994), governor 1955–1967Jake Files (born 1972), state senator from Fort Smith since 2011Charlene Fite (born 1950), Republican state representative for Crawford County since 2013Lanny Fite (born c. 1949), Republican state representative for Saline County since 2015, former county judgeScott Flippo (born 1980), state senator from Baxter, Boone, and Marion Counties; businessman inBull Shoals Stephanie Flowers (born 1953), state senator from Pine Bluff and former state representative; attorneyVivian Flowers (born c. 1969), state representative from Pine BluffClay Ford (1938–2013), member of both the Arkansas and Florida House of RepresentativesVince Foster (1945–1993), Presidential aideWoody Freeman (born 1946), businessman and 1984 Republican gubernatorial nomineeJ. William Fulbright (1905–1995), U.S. SenatorAugustus H. Garland (1832–1899), U.S. Attorney GeneralJeremy Gillam (born 1976), Republican state representative from Lonoke CountyJohn W. Grabiel (1867–1928), Republican gubernatorial nominee in 1922 and 1924Michael John Gray (born 1976), Democratic member of the Arkansas House for Independence, Jackson, White, and Woodruff counties since 2015Michelle Gray (born 1976), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representative for Independence, Izard, Sharp, and Stone counties since 2015Kenny Guinn (1936–2010),Governor of Nevada 1999 to 2007; Arkansas nativeH–K Mike Huckabee Kim Hammer (born 1958), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Saline County; Baptist clergyman inBenton John Paul Hammerschmidt (1922–2015), former U.S. Representative ofArkansas's 3rd congressional district ; congressional sponsor of theBuffalo National River Josh Hawley (born 1979),U.S. Senator from Missouri since 2019Fonda F. Hawthorne (born 1956), Democratic former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Little River CountyJohn Heiskell (1872–1972), US Senator and newspaper publisherKenneth Henderson (born c. 1963), member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Pope County;real estate developer inRussellville Jim Hendren (born 1963), member of the Arkansas State Senate from Benton County since 2013; former member of the Arkansas House of RepresentativesKim Hendren (born 1938), former member of the Arkansas State Senate and the Arkansas House of Representatives from Benton CountyBen C. Henley (1907–1987), Arkansas state Republican chairman 1955–1962, lawyer and businessman inHarrison J. Smith Henley (1917–1997), federal judge inFayetteville , retired to senior status in Harrison; brother of Ben HenleyBart Hester (born 1977), Arkansas state senator from Benton CountyJimmy Hickey Jr. (born 1966), Arkansas state senator from TexarkanaGrant Hodges (born 1990), Arkansas state representative for Benton County since 2015Jim L. Holt (born 1965), Republican politicianMike Huckabee (born 1955), governor 1996–2007Asa Hutchinson (born 1950), former US representativeDonna Hutchinson (born 1949), member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Benton CountyJeremy Hutchinson (born 1974), Arkansas state senatorTim Hutchinson (born 1949), former US representative and former US senatorTimothy Chad Hutchinson (born 1974), former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Benton CountyLane Jean (born 1958), Arkansas state representative from Columbia, Lafayette, and Miller counties; former mayor of MagnoliaBob Johnson (born 1953), Democratic member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Pulaski County since 2013; formerjustice of the peace James D. Johnson (1924–2010), Arkansas Supreme Court Justice, segregationist leaderRobert W. Johnson (1814–1879), U.S. andConfederate States SenatorJ. B. Judkins , Arkansas state senator, elected president of the state's senate in 1883Allen Kerr (born 1956), former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Pulaski CountyL–M Jack Ladyman (born 1947), mechanical engineer and Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Craighead County since 2015Benjamin Travis Laney (1896–1977), governorAndrea Lea (born 1957),Arkansas State Auditor 2015 – 2023; Republican former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Pope CountyTim Lemons (born c. 1962), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for District 43 in Lonoke CountyKelley Linck (born 1963), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Marion CountyBlanche Lincoln (born 1960), former U.S. Senator and former U.S. RepresentativeMarilyn Lloyd (1929–2018), former U.S. Representative from TennesseeA. Lynn Lowe (1936–2010), former Arkansas Republican state chairman and unsuccessful nominee for U.S. House of Representatives (1966) and governor (1978)Mark Lowery (1957–2023), member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Pulaski County since 2013Robin Lundstrum (born c. 1962), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Benton and Washington counties since 2015Mark R. Martin (born 1968),Secretary of State of Arkansas John L. McClellan (1896–1977), Chairman Senate Appropriations CommitteeMark McElroy (born 1956), Democratic member of the Arkansas House of Representative for Desha, Chicot and Ashley counties since 2013Sid McMath (1912–2003), former Arkansas Governor, trial lawyer, and Marine Corps GeneralStephen Meeks (born 1970), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Faulkner County; brother of David MeeksGary Miller (born 1948), U.S. Representative from CaliforniaJoshua D. "Josh" Miller (born 1981), member of the Arkansas House of Representatives fromHeber Springs Wilbur Daigh Mills (1909–1992), chairman of United StatesHouse Ways and Means Committee Isaac Murphy (1799–1882), Governor of ArkansasN–R Micah Neal (born 1974), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives fromSpringdale Milton Nicks (born 1950), state representative for Crittenden and Cross counties since 2015; Baptist pastor inEarle , resident ofMarion , ArkansasGeorge E. Nowotny (born 1932), state representative from Sebastian County 1967–1972Isaac Parker (1838–1896), "Hanging Judge" of Fort SmithDanny L. Patrick (1941–2009), Republican state representative from Madison and Carroll counties 1967–1970Rebecca Petty (born c. 1970), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Benton County; advocate of child crime victims, resident ofRogers Mathew Pitsch (born 1963), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Fort Smith since 2015Carolyn Pollan (1937–2021), state representative from Sebastian County 1975–1999David Pryor (1934–2024), US Senator, governor, US representative; founding dean of theClinton School of Public Service Mark Pryor (born 1963), U.S. Senator; son of David PryorJim Ranchino (1936–1978), political scientist, consultant, and pollsterDonald A. Quarles , Deputy Secretary of Defense and communications engineerTerry Rice (born 1954), Republican member of the Arkansas Senate, former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives; businessman and rancher in WaldronJacqueline Roberts (born 1944), former state legislatorJoseph T. Robinson (1872–1937), senate majority leader and vice presidential candidateTommy F. Robinson (1942–2024), sheriff, US representativeWinthrop Rockefeller (1912–1973), Governor of ArkansasWinthrop Paul Rockefeller (1948–2006), lieutenant governorMike Ross (born 1961), U.S. Representative 2001–2013; unsuccessful Democratic gubernatorial nominee in 2014Laurie Rushing (born 1968), member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Garland and Hot Spring counties since 2015; real estate broker in Hot SpringsJ. T. Rutherford (1921–2006), U.S. Representative from TexasS–Z William H. "Bill" Sample (born 1946), member of both houses of the Arkansas General Assembly from Hot Springs since 2005David J. Sanders (born 1975), Arkansas state senator from Pulaski County; former member of the Arkansas House of RepresentativesSarah Huckabee Sanders (born 1982), White House Press SecretaryMax Sandlin (born 1952), U.S. Representative from TexasWilliam S. Sessions (1930–2020), FBI DirectorAmbrose H. Sevier (1801–1848), US Senator, "father of Arkansas statehood"Lottie Shackelford (born 1941), Democratic National Committee Vice ChairJim Sheets (1931–2020), state representative 1967–1968; first Republican to representBenton County in legislature in the 20th centuryMary Lou Slinkard (born 1943), state representative from Benton County since 2009Brandt Smith (born 1959), state representative since 2015 for Craighead County; formerSouthern Baptist missionaryJohn W. Snyder (1895–1985), U.S. Treasury SecretaryVic Snyder (born 1947), US Representative 1997–2011William L. Spicer (1918–1991), chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party 1962–1964; intraparty rival of Winthrop RockefellerGreg Standridge (1967–2017), Arkansas state senator for Newton, Pope, Boone, Carroll, and Van Buren counties since 2015; insurance agent in RussellvilleGary Stubblefield (born 1951), Arkansas state senator from Franklin CountyJames Sturch (born 1990), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Independence County since 2015Dan A. Sullivan (born 1950), Arkansas state representative for Craighead and Greene counties since 2015Dwight Tosh (born 1948), state representative since 2015 from Jonesboro; retired state police officerWallace Townsend (1882–1979), attorney and Republican politicianTommy Tuberville (born 1954), former football coach;U.S. Senator from Alabama since 2021DeAnn Vaught (born 1970), farmer and member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Sevier CountyDave Wallace (born 1948), member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Mississippi and Poinsett counties since 2015; decoratedVietnam War veteranWes Watkins (born 1938), U.S. Representative from OklahomaBruce Westerman (born 1967), majority leader of the Arkansas HouseFrank Durward White (1933–2003), governor 1981–1983Eddie Joe Williams (born 1954), state senator and former mayorJames Lee Witt (born 1944), former FEMA DirectorJudy Petty Wolf (born 1943), former state representativeRichard Womack (born 1974), state representative from ArkadelphiaShawn Womack (born 1972), judge of the Arkansas 14th Judicial District; Republican former member of both houses of the Arkansas legislature from Baxter CountyJon Woods (born 1977), state senatorJames Word (born c. 1953), Democratic former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Jefferson and Lincoln countiesMarshall Wright (born 1976), Democratic member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Monroe, St. Francis, Woodruff, and Lee counties since 2011Scientists and physicians [ edit ] Daisy Bates (1914–1999), civil rights leader and activistMelba Pattillo Beals (born 1941), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock NineMinnijean Brown-Trickey (born 1941), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock NineEldridge Cleaver (1935–1998), activistElizabeth Eckford (born 1941), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock NineErnest Green (born 1941), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock NineRobert L. Hill (1892–1963), Black leader atElaine Race Riot Scipio Africanus Jones (1863–1943), attorneyGloria Ray Karlmark (born 1942), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock NineCarlotta Walls LaNier (born 1942), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock NineTerrence Roberts (born 1941), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock NineAdolphine Fletcher Terry (1882–1976), social activistLouise Thaden (1905–1979), aviation pioneerJefferson Thomas (1942–2010), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock NineCephas Washburn (1793–1860), Indian missionaryLou Brock Bear Bryant John Daly Dizzy Dean Derek Fisher Don Hutson George Kell Scottie Pippen Brooks Robinson Keena Rothhammer DeAngelo Williams James Anderson (born 1989), professional basketball playerAustin Reaves (born 1998), professional basketball playerShawn Andrews (born 1982), professional football playerStacy Andrews (born 1981), professional football playerHerbert Eugene "Geese" Ausbie (born 1938), professional basketball player with Harlem GlobetrottersKris Bankston (born 1999), basketball player in theIsraeli Basketball Premier League Gene Bearden (1920–2004), professional baseball playerAlan Belcher (born 1984), professional MMA FighterEarl Bell (born 1955), Olympicpole vaulter Mike Brisiel (born 1983), professional football playerLou Brock (1939–2020), professional baseball player, Hall of FamerRay Brown (born 1962), professional football player,Arkansas State University alumnusT.J. Brown (born 1990), professional mixed martial arts fighterPaul "Bear" Bryant (1913–2016), football coachBrandon Burlsworth (1976–1999), college football playerA. J. Burnett (born 1977), professional baseball playerPat Burrell (born 1976), professional baseball playerBill Carr (1909–1966), Olympic runner and 2-time gold medalistMaurice Carthon (born 1961), professional football playerCharles Clay (born 1989), professional football playerNathaniel Clifton (1922–1990), professionalHall of Fame basketball playerMike Conley Jr. (born 1987), professional basketball playerJohn Daly (born 1966), professional golferTank Daniels (born 1981), professional football playerWillie Davis (1940–2010), professional baseball playerDizzy Dean (1910–1974), professional baseball player, Hall of FamerBill Dickey (1907–1993), professional baseball player, Hall of FamerSid Eudy (born 1960), professional wrestlerJeremy Evans (born 1987), professional basketball playerDerek Fisher (born 1974), professional basketball playerWes Gardner (born 1961), professional baseball playerCraig Gentry (born 1983), professional baseball playerBrett Goode (born 1984), professional football playerCharles Greene (1944–2022), Olympic sprinterEd Hamm (1906–1982), Olympic long-jump gold medalistDan Hampton (born 1957), professional football player, NFL Hall of Fame memberDusty Hannahs (born 1993), basketball player in theIsraeli Basketball Premier League Chris Harris (born 1982), professional football playerCliff Harris (born 1948), professional football player, member of thePro Football Hall of Fame Demetrius Harris (born 1991), professional football playerDutch Harrison (1910–1982), professional golferMarcus Harrison (born 1984), professional football playerRed Hickey (1917–2006), professional football player and coachPeyton Hillis (born 1986), professional football playerJim Hines (1946–2023), track and field athleteZach Hocker (born 1991), professional football playerCedric Houston (born 1982), professional football playerDon Hutson (1913–1997), professional football player, NFL Hall of Fame memberTravis Jackson (1903-1987), professional baseball player, Hall of Fame memberJoe Johnson (born 1981), professional basketball playerWes Johnson , professional baseball coachMatt Jones (born 1983), professional football playerAl Joyner (born 1960), track and field OlympianJakob Junis (born 1992), baseball pitcher for theSan Francisco Giants Ken Kavanaugh (1916–2007), professional football player and coachGeorge Kell (1922–2009), professional baseball player, Hall of FamerDon Kessinger (born 1942), professional baseball player and managerGreg Lasker (born 1964), professional football playerCliff Lee (born 1978), professional baseball pitcherSonny Liston (1932–1970), professional boxer, World Heavyweight ChampionSherm Lollar (1924–1977), professional baseball playerDaryl Macon (born 1995), basketball player forMaccabi Tel Aviv of theIsraeli Basketball Premier League Ryan Mallett (born 1988), professional football playerMark Martin (born 1959), championshipNASCAR driverDarren McFadden (born 1987), professional football playerKevin McReynolds (born 1959), professional baseball playerBobby Mitchell (1935–2020), professional football player, Hall of FamerBryce Mitchell (born 1994), professional mixed martial arts fighterSidney Moncrief (born 1957), professional basketball playerRick Monday (born 1945), professional baseball player, sportscasterMalik Monk (born 1998), professional basketball playerTommy Morrison (1969–2013), professional boxer, two-time heavyweight championDustin Moseley (born 1981), professional baseball playerLarry Nixon (born 1950), professional sport fishermanHouston Nutt (born 1957), collegiate football coach; quarterback; basketball playerFrank Okam (born 1985), professional football playerBlake Parker (born 1985), professional baseball playerJermey Parnell (born 1986), professional football playerJoe Perry (1927–2011), professional football playerMitch Petrus (1987–2019), professional football playerScottie Pippen (born 1965), professional basketball player, Hall of FamerElijah Pitts (1938–1998), professional football player and coachBobby Portis (born 1995), professional basketball playerAnthony Randolph (born 1989), professional basketball playerBrooks Robinson (1937–2023), professional baseball player, Hall of FamerPreacher Roe (1916–2008), professional baseball playerKeena Rothhammer (born 1957), Olympic swimmerJohnny Sain (1917–2006), professional baseball playerElbert Shelley (born 1964), professional football playerRod Smith (born 1970), professional football playerDrew Smyly (born 1989), professional baseball playerDrew Sutton (born 1983), professional baseball playerBarry Switzer (born 1937), football coachJermain Taylor (born 1978), professional boxerCedric Thornton (born 1988), professional football playerCharley Thornton (1937–2004), sports figureArky Vaughan (1912–1952), professional baseball player, Hall of FamerHarry Vines (1938–2006), wheelchair basketball coachLon Warneke (1909–1976), professional baseball playerSonny Weems (born 1986), professional basketball playerCorey Williams (born 1980), professional football playerDamian Williams (born 1988), professional football playerDeAngelo Williams (born 1983), professional football playerKevin Williams (born 1980), professional football playerCorliss Williamson (born 1973), professional basketball playerPayton Willis (born 1998), basketball player in theIsraeli Basketball Premier League Travis Wood (born 1987), professional baseball playerBo Nix (born 2000), professional football playerLarry P. Arnn , president ofHillsdale College since 2000Matt Besser (born 1967), comedianJames Black (1800–1872), manufacturer of the Bowie knifeBen M. Bogard (1868–1951), clergymanGeorge W. Bond (1891–1974), educator and college presidentBoogie2988 (born 1974), internet personalityRichard O. "Dick" Covey (born 1946), astronautJesse Dirkhising (1986–1999), crime victimBill Doolin (1858–1896), outlaw and founder of theWild Bunch , born inJohnson County Mack Ray Edwards (1918–1971), child sex abuser/serial killer; committedsuicide by hanging in his prison cellMinnie Rutherford Fuller (1868-1946), farmer, broker, temperance leader, suffragistEdwin R. Gilliland (1909–1973), chemical engineerElizabeth Ward Gracen (born 1961),Miss America , actressJack Graham (born 1950), pastor ofPrestonwood Baptist Church inPlano, Texas Connie Hamzy (1955–2021), prolific rock groupie noted as "Sweet, Sweet Connie" in the Grand Funk Railroad 1973 song "We're An American Band"Bill Hicks (1961–1994), comedianT. J. Holmes (born 1977),CNN weekday anchorRex Humbard (1919–2007), televangelistD. N. Jackson (1895–1968), clergymanKenneth Johnson (born 1942), writer, director and producerPaula Jones (born 1966), sued PresidentBill Clinton forsexual harassment Nan Keohane (born 1940), president of Duke UniversityRalphie May (1972–2017), comedianMartha Beall Mitchell (1918–1976), wife ofJohn N. Mitchell Jeff Nichols (born 1978), screenwriter and directorFreeman Owens (1890–1979), pioneer incinematography Scott E. Parazynski (born 1961), astronautTheodore Rinaldo (1944–2000), charismatic religious leader, businessman, and convicted child sex offenderJohn Selman (1839–1896), outlawSavvy Shields (born 1995), Miss America 2017Amarillo Slim (1928–2012), professional poker playerSteve Stephens , radio and television hostHeath Stocks , convictedmurderer who killed his family inLonoke Debbye Turner (born 1967), Miss America 1990, television host and news anchorTerri Utley (born 1962), Miss USA 1982John Joshua Webb (1847–1882),gunslinger Roger L. Worsley (born 1937), educator
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