Mississippi Famous People

Famous Americans: History and Biographies

Links to histories and biographies of the famous people of Mississippi. Many famous people of Mississippi have made significant contributions to the history of our nation and the state of Mississippi. These famous Americans, famous entertainers, famous players, famous scientist, famous singers, famous statesmen, famous women, heroes, great explorers, and others Mississippi famous Americans have all made Mississippi their home. This list includes Mississippi historical figures, celebrities and those individuals of Mississippi who have influenced the lives of others.

• Jimmy Buffett (1946 - ) Singer, songwriter; born in Pascagoula. 
• Bo Diddley (1928 - ) Guitarist; born in McComb.
• William Cuthbert Faulkner (1897 - 1962)Author, famous for works such as The Sound in the Fury and Go Down, Moses; born in New Albany.
• Elizabeth Lee Hazen (1885 - 1975) Inventor, developed the world's first useful antifungal antibiotic, nystatin.
• Faith Hill (1967 - ) Famous singer; grew up in Star.
• B. B. King (1925 - ) Guitarist, often called the King of the Blues; born in Indianola.
• James Earl Jones (1931 - ) Entertainer, possesses one of the most instantly recognizable voices in entertainment history; born in Arkabutla.
• Elvis Presley (1935 - 1977) Popular rock-and-roll singer; born in East Tupelo.
• Jerry Rice (1962 - ) Football player, considered the greatest wide receiver ever to play in the NFL; born and raised in Crawford.
• Hiram R. Revels (1822 - 1901) Clergyman, first African American to sit in the US Senate (1870 - 1871).
• Sela Ward - (1956 - ) Star of the 1990's sitcom hits Sisters and Once & Again; born in Meridian.
• Tennessee Williams (1911 - 1983) Playwright, received Pulitzer prizes for A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; born in Columbus.
• Oprah Winfrey (1954 - ) Talk-show host; born in Kosciusko.

More Famous People of Mississippi

• Red Barber sportscaster, Columbus
• Lance Bass singer, Laurel
• Theodore Bilbo public official, Poplarville
• Craig Claiborne columnist, restaurant critic, Sunflower
• Brett Farve football, Kiln
• William Cuthbert Faulkner author, New Albany
• Shelby Foote historian, Greenville
• Richard Ford author, Jackson
• Barry Hannah author, Clinton
• Beth Henley playwright, actress, Jackson
• Jim Henson puppeteer, Greenville
• Simbi Khali actress, Jackson
• B. B. King guitarist, Itta Bena
• Willie Morris writer, Jackson
• Brandy Norwood singer,actress, McComb
• Walter Payton football player, Columbia
• Charley Pride country singer, Sledge
• Leontyne Price soprano, Laurel
• William Raspberry columnist, Oklaona
• Jerry Rice football player, Starkville
• LeAnn Rimes country music, Jackson
• William Grant Still composer, Woodville
• Conway Twitty country music, Friars Point
• Muddy Waters singer, guitarist, Rolling Fork
• Eudora Welty author, Jackson
• Richard Wright author, Natchez
• Tammy Wynette country music star, Tupelo