List of people from Atlanta
This is a list of people who were born, raised, or otherwise closely associated with Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
Academics
Name | Known for | Association |
---|---|---|
Ron Clark | worked with disadvantaged students in rural North Carolina and New York City, and co-founded the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta; contestant on Survivor: Edge of Extinction | lives in Atlanta |
Alfred Gudeman | Classical scholar who died during the Holocaust | born in Atlanta |
Thomas E. Hill | Professor of Philosophy at University of North Carolina; fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences | born in Atlanta |
Sheryl McCollum | crime analyst, professor, founder and director of the non-profit Cold Case Investigative Research Institute | born in Atlanta |
Sharlotte Neely | Professor Emerita of Anthropology at Northern Kentucky University, author, expert on the Cherokees | lived in Atlanta |
Bazoline Estelle Usher | educator and administrator in the Atlanta Public Schools, Georgia Woman of Achievement | lived in Atlanta |
Blake Ragsdale Van Leer | former president of Georgia Tech, during his tenure, he was first to admit women and make steps towards integration | lived in Atlanta |
James W. Wagner | former president of Emory University | lives in Atlanta |
Actors
Name | Known for | Association |
---|---|---|
Isabella Acres | appeared as Rose on the sitcom television series Better Off Ted | born in Atlanta[citation needed] |
Matt Battaglia | Emmy Award-winning producer; co-produced a two-time Golden Globe Award-nominated film; acted in over 90 films network pilots and television shows | grew up in the towns of Tucker and Lithonia, suburbs of Atlanta |
Johanna Braddy | actress, The Grudge 3, Paranormal Activity 3 and The Levenger Tapes | born in Atlanta |
Toni Braxton | singer, actress and reality TV star of Braxton Family Values | formerly lived in Atlanta |
Bruce Bruce | actor & comedian | born in Atlanta |
Jahzir Bruno | actor, The Loud House | born in Atlanta |
Monica Calhoun | actress, The Players Club, The Best Man, The Salon; graduate of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts | [citation needed] |
Michael Campion | actor, Fuller House | born in Atlanta |
Katie Carpenter | actress, costume designer, film producer | lives and works in Atlanta |
C. Martin Croker | voice actor, Zorak and Moltar on Space Ghost: Coast to Coast | born in Atlanta[citation needed] |
David Cross | stand-up comedian and actor | born in Atlanta |
Stephen Dorff | Actor | born in Atlanta |
Wylie Draper | actor, portrayed older Michael Jackson in The Jacksons: An American Dream | [citation needed] |
Corri English | actress, in 2006 honored at International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival as Best Actress for Unrest | born in Atlanta |
Elle Fanning | actress and model; younger sister of actress Dakota Fanning; known for I Am Sam, Daddy Day Care, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, We Bought a Zoo, Maleficent | |
Niles Fitch | actor, known for This Is Us and stage work | born in Atlanta |
Jane Fonda | Academy Award-winning actress, ex-wife of Atlanta television mogul Ted Turner | formerly lived in Atlanta |
Jeff Foxworthy | comedian | born in Atlanta |
Jasmine Guy | actress, star of A Different World and film Harlem Nights | grew up and lives in Atlanta |
Omari Hardwick | grew up in Atlanta | |
Oliver Hardy | comedian and actor | studied in Atlanta |
Steve Harvey | actor and comedian | resides in Atlanta |
Ed Helms | actor, The Office | born in Atlanta |
Holly Hunter | Academy Award-winning actress | born in Conyers, outside Atlanta[citation needed] |
DeForest Kelley | actor best known as Dr. McCoy on Star Trek | born in Toccoa, outside Atlanta[citation needed] |
Elijah Kelley | [citation needed] | |
Nene Leakes | reality TV star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta | resides in Atlanta |
RonReaco Lee | [citation needed] | |
Chris Lowell | Veronica Mars | born in Atlanta[citation needed] |
Christopher Massey | Zoey 101 | born in Atlanta |
Kyle Massey | That's So Raven | born in Atlanta |
China Anne McClain | actress, The A.N.T. Farm | born in Atlanta |
AnnaLynne McCord | Actress | born in Atlanta |
Chloë Grace Moretz | actress and model, known for roles in Kick-Ass, Hugo, Carrie; winner of two Saturn Awards | born in Atlanta |
Brittany Murphy | actress | born in Atlanta |
Melissa Ordway | actress and model; known for her roles on Hollywood Heights, The Young and the Restless | born in Atlanta |
Kip Pardue | actor | born in Atlanta |
Robert Patrick | actor, played "T-1000" in Terminator 2: Judgment Day | [citation needed] |
Ty Pennington | television host, artist, carpenter, author, former model and actor | born in Atlanta |
Tyler Perry | actor, director, screen and playwright, producer, author and songwriter; first film Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) | moved to Atlanta |
Jo Ann Pflug | film and television actress | born in Atlanta |
Victoria Principal | actress, Dallas | [citation needed] |
Raven-Symoné | actress, The Cosby Show, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, That's So Raven, The View | born in Atlanta |
Storm Reid | actress, Euphoria | born in Atlanta |
Chandler Riggs | actor, The Walking Dead | born in Atlanta |
Julia Roberts | Academy Award-winning actress; films include Pretty Woman and Erin Brockovich | born at Crawford Long Hospital |
Faith Salie | actress, comedian, journalist | moved to Atlanta; grew up in Dunwoody |
Ryan Seacrest | TV and radio personality; host of reality-television series American Idol | attended Dunwoody High School, born in Atlanta |
Christopher Tavarez | actor, model and athlete | born in Atlanta |
Kenan Thompson | actor and comedian, Saturday Night Live, Fat Albert | born in Columbus, Ohio, moved to Atlanta |
Chris Tucker | actor and comedian | born in Atlanta |
Barry Van Dyke | actor | born in Atlanta |
Danielle Vega | actress | born in Atlanta |
George Wallace | actor and comedian | born in Atlanta |
Devon Werkheiser | Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide | born in Atlanta |
Porsha Williams | reality TV star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta | born in Atlanta |
Scott Wilson | actor, In Cold Blood, The Great Gatsby, The Walking Dead | Atlanta native |
Kim Zolciak | reality TV star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta | [citation needed] |
Donald Glover | Creator, actor, and director of TV show Atlanta | Attended high school in Atlanta |
Sports
Name | Known for | Association |
---|---|---|
Jordan Adams | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Dennis Allen | New Orleans Saints head coach | born in Atlanta |
Al-Farouq Aminu | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Simi Awujo | soccer player | born in Atlanta |
Harris Barton | football player | grew up in Atlanta |
Malik Beasley | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Gordon Beckham | baseball player | born in Atlanta |
Stetson Bennett | football player | born in Atlanta |
Gunnar Bentz | Olympian | born in Atlanta |
Eric Berry | football player | born in Atlanta |
Ron Blomberg | baseball player | born in Atlanta |
Brandon Boykin | football player | born in Atlanta |
Malcolm Brogdon | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Jaylen Brown | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Wendell Carter Jr. | NBA player | born in Atlanta |
Rajah Caruth | NASCAR driver | born in Atlanta |
Kristi Castlin | track and field athlete | born in Atlanta |
Kelvin Cato | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Ahmad Caver | basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League | born in Atlanta |
Eric Chouinard | ice hockey player | born in Atlanta |
Ricardo Clark | soccer player | born in Atlanta |
Javaris Crittenton | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Amanda Dennis | goalball player | born in Atlanta |
Ben DiNucci | football player | born in Atlanta |
Amanda Doherty | golfer | born in Atlanta |
Cameron Dollar | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Derrick Favors | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
John FitzPatrick | football player | born in Atlanta |
Joseph Forte | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Dexter Fowler | baseball player | born in Atlanta |
Jeff Francoeur | baseball player | born in Atlanta |
Walt Frazier | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
World B. Free | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Coco Gauff | tennis player | born in Atlanta |
Mark Gilbert | former baseball player, ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa | born in Atlanta |
John Guice | former Canadian football player | born in Atlanta |
JJ Hickson | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Gary Hines | handball player | born in Atlanta |
Evander Holyfield | world champion heavyweight boxer | raised in Atlanta |
Dwight Howard | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Tim Hyers | baseball player and coach | born in Atlanta |
Grady Jarrett | football player | born in Atlanta |
Ernie Johnson Jr. | sportscaster, Turner Sports, TNT | raised in Atlanta, attended University of Georgia |
Adam Jones | former football player | born in Atlanta |
Bobby Jones | golfer | born in Atlanta |
Brandon Jones | NASCAR driver | born in Atlanta |
Ousman Krubally | American-Gambian basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League | born in Atlanta |
DeAngelo Malone | football player | born in Atlanta |
Robert Mathis | football player | born in Atlanta |
Erskine Mayer | baseball player | born in Atlanta |
Adam Nelson | track and field athlete, Olympic champion | born in Atlanta |
Cam Newton | football player | born in Atlanta |
Matt Olson | baseball player | born in Atlanta |
Tony Parker | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Jean-Marc Pelletier | ice hockey player | born in Atlanta |
Ben Revere | former baseball player, now a coach for the Atlanta Braves organization | born in Atlanta |
Pete Robinson | drag racer | born in Atlanta |
Jamaree Salyer | football player | born in Atlanta |
Ben Shelton | tennis player | born in Atlanta |
Kobi Simmons | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Cooper Taylor | former football player | born in Atlanta |
Jonantan Villal | soccer player | born in Atlanta |
David Villar | baseball player | born in Atlanta |
LeRoy T. Walker | president of United States Olympic Committee | born in Atlanta |
Bryce Washington | soccer player | born in Atlanta |
Ibi Watson | basketball player | born in Atlanta |
Darius Watts | football player | born in Atlanta |
Caleb Wiley | soccer player | born in Atlanta |
Sam Wyche | football player and coach | born in Atlanta |
Business people
Name | Field | Known for | Association |
---|---|---|---|
F. Duane Ackerman | executive | last CEO of Bellsouth | lived in Atlanta |
George Adair | developer | early Atlanta real-estate developer | [citation needed] |
Dean Alford | chief executive officer and politician | president and chief executive of Allied Energy Services; member of the Georgia General Assembly | [citation needed] |
Ray Anderson | entrepreneur | founder of carpet manufacturer Interface, Inc. | [citation needed] |
Charles Brewer | businessman | founder of Internet service provider MindSpring, which later merged with EarthLink | [citation needed] |
Asa Griggs Candler | entrepreneur | founder of beverage manufacturer The Coca-Cola Company | [citation needed] |
S. Truett Cathy | entrepreneur | founder of the fast-food restaurant chain Chick-fil-A | [citation needed] |
Anne Cox Chambers | entrepreneur | co-owner of mass-media company Cox Enterprises | [citation needed] |
Joe Francis | entrepreneur and film producer | founder and creator of the Girls Gone Wild franchise | born in Atlanta |
Lemuel Grant | businessman and engineer | early-Atlanta railroad man, landowner, engineer and businessman | [citation needed] |
James M. Henderson | advertising | born in Atlanta; lived in Greenville, South Carolina, Republican candidate for lieutenant governor of South Carolina in 1970 | |
Anne T. Hill | fashion designer | founded Taffy's of California | born in Atlanta |
Evelyn Greenblatt Howren | aviator | former WASP who founded aviation businesses in Atlanta, lobbied for aviation industry | born in Atlanta |
William LeGate | entrepreneur and activist | Thiel Fellowship recipient, founder of multiple companies, activist | born in Atlanta |
Bernard Marcus | entrepreneur | co-founder of home-improvement retailing chain Home Depot; primary funding source for the Georgia Aquarium | [citation needed] |
Myra Miller | entrepreneur and baker | famous Black food entrepreneur and baker in Atlanta during Reconstruction | worked and buried in Atlanta |
John Pemberton | chemist | chemist and inventor of the carbonated soft drink Coca-Cola | [citation needed] |
Richard Peters | businessman | early-Atlanta railroad man, landowner and a founder of Atlanta | [citation needed] |
John C. Portman Jr. | architect | international architect and developer, designer of the groundbreaking atrium-style hotel | [citation needed] |
Neel Reid | architect | student of École des Beaux-Arts; designed various buildings now listed on the National Register of Historic Places | [citation needed] |
Ted Turner | media mogul | founder of cable-news channel CNN | [citation needed] |
Blake R Van Leer III | entrepreneur and producer | entrepreneur, partner of business mogul Kathy Ireland whose companies generate $3.1B in sales, produced film about his grandfather Blake R Van Leer in a 1956 Sugar Bowl film | born in Atlanta |
Robert W. Woodruff | executive | president of beverage manufacturer The Coca-Cola Company | [citation needed] |
Directors
Name | Known for | Association |
---|---|---|
Matt Hullum | director of films, music videos and web series including Lazer Team and Red Vs Blue | born in Atlanta[non-primary source needed] |
Spike Lee | director of films including She's Gotta Have It, School Daze, and Do the Right Thing, and several music videos | born in Atlanta |
Kenny Leon | director of several Broadway plays and several television episodes | [citation needed] |
Tyler Perry | director of films, plays, and television series, including Meet The Browns and Madea plays and movies | moved to Atlanta |
Steven Soderbergh | film director, Out of Sight, Erin Brockovich, Traffic, Ocean's Eleven | [citation needed] |
Journalists
Name | Known for | Association |
---|---|---|
Brooke Baldwin | journalist, currently works for CNN | born in Atlanta |
Pat Conroy | author, journalist, educator | born in 1945 in Atlanta |
William Emerson | covered the Civil Rights Movement as Newsweek's first bureau chief assigned to cover the Southern United States; later editor in chief of The Saturday Evening Post | moved to Atlanta |
Bob Jordan | television news journalist, author former news anchor | born in Atlanta |
Frank Stanton | Georgia's first Poet Laureate | died in Atlanta |
Ted Turner | media mogul, TBS and CNN founder; owned Atlanta Braves | moved to Atlanta |
Musicians
Name | Known for | Association |
---|---|---|
21 Savage, real name Shayaa Bin Abraham-Joseph | rapper and record producer | born in London, England, moved to Atlanta in his teens |
6LACK, real name Ricardo Valdez Valentine | rapper, singer, songwriter | moved to Atlanta at very young age |
André 3000, real name André Lauren Benjamin | rapper, actor, record producer, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist; half of the rap group OutKast | born in Atlanta |
Johntá Austin | singer-songwriter, signed to Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings; won two Grammy Awards for songs "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey and "Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige | born in Atlanta |
B.o.B, real name Bobby Ray Simmons Jr. | rapper | from Atlanta |
Bali Baby | rapper | |
Bankroll Fresh, real name Trentavious Zamon White, Sr. | rapper | from Atlanta and died in Atlanta |
David Berkeley | singer-songwriter with four studio albums and one live album | moved to Atlanta for his wife to finish school |
Big Kuntry King, real name Sean Merrett | rapper | from Atlanta |
Bobby V, real name Bobby Wilson | recording artist (nicknamed "Valentino" because he was due to be born on Valentine's Day) | attended North Atlanta High School and Clark Atlanta University |
John Burke | solo pianist and composer | born and lives in Atlanta |
K Camp, real name Kristopher Thomas Campbell | rapper | from Atlanta |
Ken Carson | rapper | |
Ric Cartey, real name Whaley Thomas Cartey | 1950s rockabilly singer; songwriter | born in Atlanta |
Cash Out, real name John-Michael Hakim Gibson | rapper | from Atlanta |
Cat Power, also known as Chan Marshall, real name Charlyn Marshall | singer-songwriter, actress and model | born in Atlanta |
Eddie Chamblee | jazz tenor saxophonist | born in Atlanta in 1920 |
Ciara | singer | |
Clairo, real name Claire Elizabeth Cottrill | singer-songwriter | born in Atlanta |
Roscoe Dash, real name Jeffery Lee Johnson Jr. | rapper | from Atlanta |
Davido | singer, songwriter, and record producer | born in Atlanta but based in Nigeria |
Destroy Lonely | rapper | |
Drumma Boy, real name Christopher James Gholson | record producer, songwriter | lives in Atlanta |
Future, real name Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn | rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer | born and lives in Atlanta |
CeeLo Green, real name Thomas DeCarlo Gallaway | rapper, singer, actor | born in Atlanta |
Keri Hilson | singer-songwriter and actress from Decatur | attended Emory University |
iLoveMakonnen, real name Makonnen Kamali Sheran | rapper | from Atlanta |
India.Arie, real name India Arie Simpson | singer-songwriter and record producer; has sold over 3.3 million records in the U.S.; has won four Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album | moved to Atlanta |
Graham Jackson | theatre organist, pianist and choral conductor | moved to Atlanta in 1923 |
Trinidad James, real name Nicholas Williams | rapper | from Atlanta |
Erika Jayne | singer | born in Atlanta |
JID, real name Destin Route | rapper, singer | born in Atlanta |
Elton John | singer-songwriter, English-born entertainer whose songs include "Your Song", "Crocodile Rock" and "Candle in the Wind" | lives part-time in Atlanta |
Mario Judah | rapper | |
Kap G | rapper, actor | born in Long Beach, California, moved to Atlanta |
R. Kelly | singer, songwriter, record producer | resided in Atlanta |
Khujo, real name Willie Edward Knighton Jr. | rapper | born in Atlanta |
Killer Mike, real name Michael Santiago Render | rapper, actor and activist | born and lives in Atlanta |
Gladys Knight | singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman and author | born in Atlanta |
Latto, real name Alyssa Michelle Stephens | rapper | born in Columbus, Ohio, moved to Atlanta |
Brenda Lee | performer who sang rockabilly, pop and country music; had 37 US chart hits during the 1960s, known for songs "I'm Sorry" (1960) and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (1958); recipient of Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2009) | born in Atlanta in 1944 |
Mable Lee | dancer, entertainer, 2008 inductee into the Tap Dance Hall of Fame | born in Atlanta in 1921 |
Lil Baby, real name Dominique Jones | rapper | born in Atlanta |
Lil Gnar | rapper | born in Oakland, California, from Atlanta |
Lil Gotit, real name Semaja Zair Render | rapper | from Atlanta |
Lil Jon, real name Jonathan H. Smith | rapper, record producer, songwriter and Grammy winner | born and lives in Atlanta |
Lil Keed, real name Raqhid Jevon Render | rapper | born in Atlanta and died in Los Angeles |
Lil Nas X, real name Montero Lamar Hill | rapper, singer | from Atlanta |
Lil Scrappy, real name Darryl Raynard Richardson III | rapper | from Atlanta |
Lil Yachty, real name Miles Parks McCollum | rapper, songwriter | from Atlanta |
Baylee Littrell | singer-songwriter and actor; son of Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell | born and raised in Alpharetta |
Ludacris, real name Christopher Brian Bridges | rapper | born in Champaign, Illinois, moved to Atlanta |
Vivek Maddala | composer, producer, multi-instrumental performer | attended Georgia Tech |
MadeinTYO, real name Malcolm Jamaal Davis | rapper | originated in Atlanta |
Gucci Mane, real name Radric Davis | rapper, actor | lives in Atlanta |
China Anne McClain | singer-songwriter and actress (Jasmine Payne on TV series Tyler Perry's House of Payne, Chyna Parks on A.N.T. Farm) | born in Atlanta |
Big Maceo Merriweather | blues singer-pianist, made many recordings in the 1940s for Bluebird and Victor | born in Atlanta in 1905 |
Migos (Quavo, Offset, Takeoff) | rap group | all born in Atlanta; Quavo and Offset still live in Atlanta; Takeoff lived here until his death in 2022 |
Money Man | rapper | |
Eric Nam | Korean-American singer-songwriter, television host, entertainer and entrepreneur currently based in South Korea | born in Atlanta |
OJ da Juiceman, real name Otis Williams Jr. | rapper | from Atlanta |
Pastor Troy | rapper | from Atlanta |
Duke Pearson | jazz pianist and composer, noted for work on the Blue Note label | born in Atlanta 1932, died in Atlanta 1980 |
Playboi Carti, real name Jordan Terrell Carter | rapper and songwriter | born in Riverdale, Atlanta |
Rich Homie Quan, real name Dequantes Devontay Lamar | rapper | from Atlanta |
Jerry Reed | country-music singer-songwriter, guitarist and actor who appeared in more than a dozen films; signature songs include "Guitar Man", "East Bound and Down", "A Thing Called Love" and "When You're Hot, You're Hot" | born in Atlanta |
Rocko | rapper | from Atlanta |
Rubi Rose | rapper | born in Lexington, Kentucky, based in Atlanta |
Kelly Rowland | singer-songwriter with Destiny's Child and as a solo artist; actress and television personality; two-time Grammy Awards winner | born in Atlanta |
Russ | rapper | from Atlanta |
SahBabii, real name Saaheem Valdery | rapper and songwriter | born in Chicago, raised in Atlanta |
Troy Sanders | bass player, singer-songwriter of Grammy Award-winning metal band Mastodon | born in Atlanta |
Cappriccieo Scates | drummer and record producer; won Phoenix Award in 2011 | lives and works in Atlanta |
Kodie Shane | rapper | |
Silentó | rapper, singer and songwriter | |
Natalie Lauren Sims, also known as Suzy Rock | musician, songwriter, graphic and art designer, and music executive | moved to Atlanta in 2007 |
Skooly, real name Kazarion Fowler | rapper | from Atlanta |
Musiq Soulchild | singer, songwriter | resides in Atlanta |
Soulja Boy, real name DeAndre Cortez Way | rapper | from Atlanta |
Southside, real name Joshua Howard Luellen | rapper, record producer | from Atlanta |
Angie Stone | singer and record producer | moved to Atlanta |
T.I., real name Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. | rapper, actor and businessman | born in Atlanta |
Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas | singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress from TLC | born in Atlanta |
Chris Tomlin | contemporary Christian music artist, worship leader and songwriter from Grand Saline, Texas | moved to Atlanta and began church |
DJ Toomp | record producer, songwriter and Grammy winner | born and lives in Atlanta |
Trouble, real name Mariel Semonte Orr | rapper | from Atlanta |
Unk, real name Anthony Platt | rapper | from Atlanta |
Usher, real name Usher Raymond | singer-songwriter, dancer and actor; rose to fame in late 1990s with release of second album My Way | attended North Springs High School |
Waka Flocka Flame | rapper | |
Summer Walker | singer | from Atlanta |
Florence Warner | singer-songwriter; best known for her appearance on television commercials and local television image campaigns | born in Atlanta |
Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins | singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress from TLC | lived in Atlanta |
Kanye West | rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer and fashion designer; one of the best-selling artists of all time | born in Atlanta, raised in Chicago |
YC, real name Christopher Daniels Miller | rapper | from Atlanta |
YFN Lucci | rapper | from Atlanta |
Young Dro, real name D'Juan Montrel Hart | rapper | from Atlanta |
Young Nudy, real name Quantavious Tavario Thomas | rapper | from Atlanta |
Young Scooter, real name Kenneth Edward Bailey | rapper | from Atlanta |
Young Thug, real name Jeffery Lamar Williams | rapper, songwriter | born and lives in Atlanta |
Yung Joc | rapper |
Politicians and activists
Name | Known for | Association |
---|---|---|
Paul V. Applegarth | ormer CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation | raised in Atlanta until college |
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter Jr. | governor of Georgia and 39th president of the United States | lived in Atlanta, attended the Georgia Institute of Technology |
Nathan Deal | governor of Georgia | lived in Atlanta |
Andre Dickens | 61st mayor of Atlanta | born in Atlanta |
John Brown Gordon | Confederate lieutenant general and governor of Georgia | lived in Atlanta |
Cora Catherine Calhoun Horne | Black suffragist, civil rights activist, and an Atlanta socialite. | born and raised in Atlanta, attended Atlanta University |
Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr. | first black mayor of Atlanta | attended college and lived in Atlanta |
Martin Luther King Jr. | civil rights leader, religious leader | born in Atlanta |
Lester Maddox | 75th governor of Georgia | born and lived in Atlanta |
Michelle Nunn | foreign service, candidate for senator, non-profit CEO | born and lived in Atlanta |
Jon Ossoff | US senator of Georgia | born and lived in Atlanta |
Kasim Reed | 59th mayor of Atlanta | lived in Atlanta |
Randolph W. Thrower | former commissioner of Internal Revenue | lived in Atlanta |
Conrad Tillard | politician, Baptist minister, radio host, author, and activist | |
Raphael Warnock | first African American US senator of Georgia | lived and pastored in Atlanta |
Charline White | first African-American woman to be elected to the Michigan Legislature | born in Atlanta |
Christopher C. Wimbish | African-American Illinois state senator and lawyer | born and lived in Atlanta |
Religious leaders
Name | Known for | Association |
---|---|---|
Paul S. Morton | founding pastor of Changing a Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church in Atlanta; founder and first presiding bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship; Grammy-nominated Gospel recording artist | lives in Atlanta |
Andy Stanley | senior pastor of North Point Community Church, Buckhead Church, and other local churches; founded North Point Ministries, a worldwide Christian organization | moved to Atlanta |
Charles Stanley | senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta; founder and president of In Touch Ministries; served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1984 to 1986 | moved to Atlanta |
Writers and artists
Name | Known for | Association |
---|---|---|
Bob the Drag Queen | drag queen | born in Atlanta |
Violet Chachki | drag queen | born in Atlanta |
Lewis Grizzard | writer and humorist | lived in Atlanta |
Joel Chandler Harris | wrote the Uncle Remus stories | lived in West End of Atlanta |
Cheryl McKay | wrote The Ultimate Gift | lives in Atlanta |
Margaret Mitchell | wrote Gone With the Wind | born in Atlanta |
Flannery O'Connor | Southern gothic writer | lived in Atlanta |
Judith Pordon | poet and editor | born in Atlanta |
Lucy May Stanton | artist | born in Atlanta |
Natasha Tretheway | poet | lived in Atlanta |