10 Famous People from Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama has been home to many impressive people. This southern city has produced many remarkable actors, musicians, athletes, entrepreneurs, and leaders. Here are some of the most Famous People from Birmingham, AL.

1. Courteney Cox – Actress (June 15th, 1964- )
Cox is widely known for her role as Monica Geller on the sitcom Friends. She was on the Emmy Award-winning sitcom for ten years. She also appeared in other big screen films including November, the Scream series and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

2. Condoleezza Rice – Government Official (November 14, 1954- )
She must be one of the most stellar women to come from Birmingham, AL. She was born in Birmingham, to Jamaican immigrant parents. From January 28, 2005 to January 20, 2009, Rice served as the 66th U.S. Secretary of State.

3. Vonetta Flowers – Bobsledder, Olympic gold medalist (October 29, 1973- )
In 2002, Vonetta Flowers entered history books as the first black athlete in the world to win an Olympic Winter Games gold medal.

4. Ruben Studdard – R&B, Pop and Gospel Artist (September 12, 1978- )
Birmingham has proved its world-class musical talent. The city has produced two winners of American Idol. Christopher Theodore Ruben Studdard was the 2003 American Idol winner. Taylor Hicks, also from Birmingham, won the coveted prize in 2006. After Idol, Studdard has recorded and released five studio albums. He is best known for his hit songs such as “Sorry 2004,” “I Need an Angel”, and “Flying Without Wings.”

5. Helen Keller – Educator, Journalist (1880-1968)
Helen Adams Keller was a phenomenal woman who proved to the world that disability is not inability. She overcame many odds after brain fever left her blind, deaf and mute at only two years of age. Her inspirational story and amazing accomplishments remain alive.

6. Amber Nicole Benson – Writer, Author, Director, Actress (January 8, 1977- )
Amber Benson is best recognized for her 2000-2002 role as Tara on the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She has acted in many movies including King of the Hill, The Crush, Imaginary Crimes, and ByeBye Love. She has also written and directed various scripts.

7. Wayne Rogers – Television Actor, Money Manager and Fox Network Financial Pundit (April 7, 1933- )
Born as William Wayne McMillan Rogers III, Wayne started off as a navy officer before venturing into professional action. He is widely known for his role as Captain “Trapper John” McIntyre in the CBS television series, M*A*S*H. Apart from acting Wayne Rogers has also become famous as a shrewd investor, money manager, and investment strategist and adviser.

8. Robert R. McCammon – Horror Writer (July 11, 1952- )
Robert Rick McCammon was one of the writers who has shaped American horror literature. He has published 14 horror books, fantasy books, and short stories. His most famous books include Darkroom (1981), The Twilight Zone, and The Wolf’s Hour.

9. John Murdoch Harbert III – Billionaire Businessman (July 19, 1921 – March 31, 1995)
In the heart of downtown Birmingham, there is The Harbert Center. The center is in honor of the late billionaire and Birmingham’s son, John Murdoch Harbert III. He is best known for turning $6,000 in craps winnings into a construction behemoth, Harbert Corporation.

10. Kate Jackson – Actress, Director, and Producer (October 29, 1948- )
Kate Jackson rose to fame as Sabrina Duncan in the popular television series Charlie’s Angels. Kate has been nominated three times for the prestigious Emmy Award.