Nestled between the river Mississippi and the Appalachian Mountains, Tennessee is one of the most populous states in the whole of USA. Several reputed universities are situated in this American state, such as ‘Knoxville College’, ‘Tennessee Temple University’ and ‘Tennessee State University’. Apart from its natural beauty, infrastructure and the presence of great educational institutions, Tennessee is quite popular for being the hometown of celebrities, who are considered role models and enjoy a big fan following world over. Actresses Kathy Bates and Megan Fox, pop sensation Justin Timberlake, wrestler Randy Orton, as well as actress & singer Cybill Shepherd are a few celebrities who hail from Tennessee. Justin Timberlake has bagged two Grammy awards for his acclaimed singles ‘Cry Me A River’ and ‘Rock Your Body’. Megan Fox, who has been a part of the ‘Transformers’ movie franchise is one of the busiest actresses in Hollywood and has often been hailed as a sex symbol by several magazines. We have compiled the names of other eminent personalities who are from Tennessee. Scroll down to find the names of these individuals.
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1
Dolly Parton(Singer-Songwriter and Actress, Primarily Known for Her Work in Country Music)
Birthdate: January 19, 1946
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Multifaceted personality, Dolly Parton is a singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, author and businesswoman and is known mainly for her work in country music. She has received various accolades and awards in her very successful singing career spanning several decades and has composed over 3,000 songs. She has also worked in several movies and is a prolific songwriter.
Birthdate: November 26, 1939
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: May 24, 2023
Known as the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll, Tina Turner was one of the best-selling recording artists of all time and had a very long and successful career. Let's Stay Together, What's Love Got to Do with It, Private Dancer and Golden Eye are some of her chartbuster songs. She was also a songwriter and had acted in films too.
3
Morgan Freeman(One of the Best Actors of His Generation Noted for His Distinctive Deep Voice)
Birthdate: June 1, 1937
Sun Sign: Gemini
Prominent character actor, Morgan Freeman, has appeared in a range of film genres playing versatile roles. He is known for his distinctive deep voice. In a career spanning over half a century, he has received various accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Besides acting, he is an advocate of environmental causes.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: January 31, 1981
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American actor, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Regarded as a pop icon, Timberlake has sold more than 56 million singles worldwide, which makes him one of the best-selling music artists. In 2007 and 2013, he was named in Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world list. Timberlake is also known for his philanthropic activities.
Recommended Lists:5
Aretha Franklin(One of the Best-Selling Music Artists in the World & 'Queen of Soul')
Birthdate: March 25, 1942
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: August 16, 2018
Widely regarded as the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin was a singer-songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist. Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Aretha was ranked number one on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Singers of All Time list in 2010. Having sold over 75 million records, she is also one of the best-selling musicians ever.
Birthdate: March 27, 1963
Sun Sign: Aries
Popular film director, screenwriter, and producer, Quentin Tarantino, first rose to fame as an independent filmmaker in the early 1990s. His films are known for their nonlinear story-lines and neo-noir elements and have garnered both critical and commercial success. He is the winner of two Academy Awards and has been called "the single most influential director of his generation."
Recommended Lists:7
Ric Flair(Regarded as the Greatest Professional Wrestler of All Time)
Birthdate: February 25, 1949
Sun Sign: Pisces
Ric Flair, or The Nature Boy, is a 16-time wrestling world champion and has competed in NWA, WWF, and WCW. He became the first two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee and the first to compete in WCW's Triple Crown. He has been Wrestling Observer’s Wrestler of the Year eight times.
8
Randy Orton(Professional Wrestler and the Youngest World Champion in WWE History)
Birthdate: April 1, 1980
Sun Sign: Aries
Randy Orton is an American professional wrestler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers ever, Orton has 14 world championship victories under his belt, only behind Ric Flair and John Cena. His bad boy image and distinctive wrestling style have inspired several young wrestlers all over the world.
Recommended Lists:9
Kathy Bates(Actress and Director Known for Her Films: 'Misery', ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ and ‘Dolores Claiborne’)
Birthdate: June 28, 1948
Sun Sign: Cancer
Best known as Molly Brown from Titanic, Annie Wilkes from Misery, and Ethel Darling from American Horror Story, two-time Emmy-winner Kathy Bates also has an Academy Award in her kitty. She has survived ovarian cancer and breast cancer and is now a prominent advocate for lymphatic disease awareness.
10
Miley Cyrus(Pop Artist who Has the Most US Billboard 200 Top-5 Albums in the 21st Century by a Female)
Birthdate: November 23, 1992
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Miley Cyrus, the American singer-songwriter and actress, is known for her wide range in music, spanning from pop and country pop to hip hop. The portrayal of the title character of television series, Hannah Montana, made her a teen idol. Her personal life has often sparked controversy, especially when she came out as pansexual and talked about use of cannabis.
Recommended Lists:11
Megan Fox(Actress Known for Her Films: 'Transformers' and 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles')
Birthdate: May 16, 1986
Sun Sign: Taurus
With her sharp facial features and stunning figure, actress Megan Fox is undoubtedly a head-turner! Making her debut in the early 2000s as a teenager, she has come a long way in Hollywood and is today counted among the most beautiful and sexiest women in entertainment. She has been featured on various magazine covers as well.
Birthdate: January 13, 1997
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Actress Natalia Dyer is best known for her role in the Netflix science fiction horror series Stranger Things. Interested in acting from a young age, she graduated from the performing arts high school Nashville School of the Arts before embarking on her career. She has appeared in many TV shows and films.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: February 1, 1968
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Died: January 12, 2023
The only child of the legendary singer and musician, Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie Presley fought her addiction with drugs during her teens and later launched herself as singer-songwriter with her debut album To Whom It May Concern. It was followed by two more commercially and critically successful albums. Lisa Marie Presley has also earned appreciation for her numerous philanthropic work.
14
Isaac Hayes(Singer-songwriter)
Birthdate: August 20, 1942
Sun Sign: Leo
Died: August 10, 2008
Recommended Lists:15
Gregg Allman(Member of the Rock Band 'The Allman Brothers Band')
Birthdate: December 8, 1947
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: May 27, 2017
Gregg Allman was an American musician and singer-songwriter. He is credited with co-founding the rock band The Allman Brothers Band along with his brother Duane Allman. Dubbed the Southern rock pioneer, Allman was recognized for his distinctive, soulful voice; Rolling Stone magazine named him in its 100 Greatest Singers of All Time list.
Birthdate: May 28, 1986
Sun Sign: Gemini
Former American football player, Michael Oher had been associated with the Baltimore Ravens for the major part of his career. He also played for the Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers for a while. He had a very tough childhood and sought solace in playing sports. After years of struggle, he finally emerged as a successful sportsman.
Recommended Lists:17
Kane Brown(Singer-Songwriter Known for His Singles ‘Used to Love You Sober’ and ‘What Ifs’)
Birthdate: October 21, 1993
Sun Sign: Libra
An American singer and songwriter, Kane Brown first came into prominence as a social media celebrity, thereby inspiring several social media users all over the world. In 2017, he became the first artist whose music peaked at number one positions on all five principal Billboard country charts simultaneously.
18
Christina Hendricks(Best Known for Her Portrayal of Joan Holloway in the TV Series ‘Mad Men’')
Birthdate: May 3, 1975
Sun Sign: Taurus
Christina Hendricks is an actress and producer. She began her career as a model and enjoyed international success for several years before transitioning into acting. As an actress, she was able to replicate her success and appeared in films like Drive and Lost River. She is the recipient of several awards, including two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Recommended Lists:19
Penny Hardaway(American College Basketball Coach and Former Professional Player)
Birthdate: July 18, 1971
Sun Sign: Cancer
Penny Hardaway is a college basketball coach who is currently serving as the head coach for the Memphis Tigers men's basketball team. A former player, Hardaway played for teams like Miami Heat and New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association where he was a two-time All-NBA First Team member and a four-time NBA All-Star.
20
Lucy Hale(Actress and TV Personality Known for Her Role as ‘Aria Montgomery’ in the TV Series ‘Pretty Little Liars’)
Birthdate: June 14, 1989
Sun Sign: Gemini
Lucy Hale is best known as Aria Montgomery from Pretty Little Liars. She has also been part of series such as Bionic Woman and Privileged, and movies such as Truth or Dare and Scream 4. She participated in the singing contest American Juniors and released a solo album, too.
Recommended Lists:21
Johnny Knoxville(Stunt Performer & Actor Best Known as a Co-creator of the MTV Reality Stunt Show 'Jackass')
Birthdate: March 11, 1971
Sun Sign: Pisces
Johnny Knoxville is an actor, filmmaker, and stunt performer. He is credited with owning and operating Dickhouse Productions, which produces films and documentaries. Johnny Knoxville is also credited with co-creating the popular MTV reality show Jackass.
Birthdate: May 22, 1978
Sun Sign: Gemini
Ginnifer Goodwin is best known as Snow White from Once Upon a Time and Margene Heffman from Big Love. She also appeared in an award-winning voice role, as Judy Hopps, in the animated movie Zootopia. Max Mara’s 2018 Face of the Future, Goodwin is trained in Shakespearean theater.
Recommended Lists:23
Annie Potts(Theater Actress, Film Actress)
Birthdate: October 28, 1952
Sun Sign: Scorpio
24
Reggie White(American Football Player)
Birthdate: December 19, 1961
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: December 26, 2004
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
Recommended Lists:25
Leslie Jordan(Writer and TV actor who received an Emmy Award for his role as Beverley Leslie on the hit series Will & Grace in 2006)
Birthdate: April 29, 1955
Sun Sign: Taurus
Height: 4'11" (150 cm)
26
Oscar Robertson(Former Basketball player who played point guard and was a 12-time All-Star)
Birthdate: November 24, 1938
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
Recommended Lists:27
NLE Choppa(Rapper Best Known for His Single ‘Shotta Flow’)
Birthdate: November 1, 2002
Sun Sign: Scorpio
NLE Choppa is one of the youngest male rappers to make a name for himself in the American rapping scene. Also a well-known Internet personality, NLE Choppa has posted several videos on his YouTube channel Awakened Choppa, inspiring many of his followers to fall back on spirituality and veganism.
28
Davy Crockett(Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee from 1827 to 1831)
Birthdate: August 17, 1786
Sun Sign: Leo
Died: March 6, 1836
American folk hero Davy Crockett, or the "King of the Wild Frontier,” was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee and part of the Texas Revolution. He opposed the Indian Removal Act. He was killed by the Mexican army the Battle of the Alamo.
Recommended Lists:29
Kenny Chesney(Country Musician Who has Received Twelve 'Country Music Association Awards' & Eleven 'Academy of Country Music Awards')
Birthdate: March 26, 1968
Sun Sign: Aries
Country singer Kenneth Chesney has over 40 Top 10 Billboard tracks to his credit. He has won six Academy of Country Music awards and nine Country Music Association awards. He also co-directed the ESPN film The Boys of Fall. His Flip-Flop Summer Tour was the highest-grossing country tour of 2007.
30
Jerry Lawler(American Color Commentator and Professional Wrestler)
Birthdate: November 29, 1949
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: April 12, 1971
Sun Sign: Aries
Shannen Doherty is an American actress who established herself in the entertainment industry after starting out as a child actress. Thanks to her bad-girl reputation, she was described by People magazine as the iconic Hollywood bad girl of the nineties. Shannen Doherty is also an avid animal rights activist and a patron of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
32
Duane Allman(Guitarist, Singer, Musician, Songwriter)
Birthdate: November 20, 1946
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Died: October 29, 1971
Recommended Lists:33
Morgan Wallen(Singer)
Birthdate: May 13, 1993
Sun Sign: Taurus
34
Bill Belichick(Head coach of the team New England Patriots of the NFL)
Birthdate: April 16, 1952
Sun Sign: Aries
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
Recommended Lists:35
Kelsea Ballerini(Country Pop Singer Known for Her Single 'Love Me Like You Mean It')
Birthdate: September 12, 1993
Sun Sign: Virgo
Kelsea Ballerini is an American singer and songwriter. Ballerini became the first female artist since Carrie Underwood in 2006 to have her debut single top the Country Airplay chart. Kelsea Ballerini is the recipient of several prestigious awards, such as CMT Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Teen Choice Awards.
36
Quinton Jackson(Mixed Martial Artist, Actor and Former Professional Wrestler)
Birthdate: June 20, 1978
Sun Sign: Gemini
Quinton Jackson is a mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler turned actor. He is famous for his eccentric personality traits and aggressive style of fighting. He is credited with making MMA a popular sport worldwide. As an actor, he has appeared in a few films, including Miss March and Bad Guys. He is a controversial person.
Recommended Lists:37
Trevor Lawrence(American football player)
Birthdate: October 6, 1999
Sun Sign: Libra
Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
Birthdate: February 18, 1950
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Cybill Shepherd is best known for her roles in films such as The Heartbreak Kid, Taxi Driver, and Alice. Fans also loved her for her Golden Globe-winning portrayals of Madelyn 'Maddie' Hayes in the series Moonlighting and Cybill Sheridan in the sitcom Cybill. She is a follower of goddess-worshipping Paganism.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: August 12, 1939
Sun Sign: Leo
George Hamilton is a veteran American actor who has been active in the entertainment industry for almost seven decades during which he has appeared in hundreds of films and TV shows. In his youth, he was considered a fashion icon for his debonair style. A victim of child sexual abuse, he overcame a rough childhood to become a successful and popular personality.
Birthdate: June 10, 1978
Sun Sign: Gemini
DJ Qualls is best known for his roles in films such as Road Trip, Hustle & Flow, and The New Guy. Fans also loved him as Citizen Z in Z Nation and as Ed McCarthy in The Man in the High Castle. He recovered from Hodgkin's lymphoma as a teenager.
Recommended Lists:41
Wilma Rudolph(The First American Woman to Win Three Gold Medals in a Single Olympic Games)
Birthdate: June 23, 1940
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died: November 12, 1994
Sprinter Wilma Rudolph made history by becoming the first American female athlete to win three track and field gold medals in a single Olympic game. As a child, she needed orthopedic shoes to help her walk. The sports icon lost her life to cancer but was immortalized through books and movies.
Birthdate: November 21, 1956
Sun Sign: Scorpio
A three-time Emmy Award and two-time Tony Award winner, Cherry Jones is a prominent theater actor. Not surprisingly, she was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2014. Cherry Jones is quite open about being a lesbian; she serves as an inspiration to millions of gays and lesbians around the world.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: October 14, 1963
Sun Sign: Libra
Lori Petty is best known as Lolly from Orange Is the New Black and Daddy from Prison Break. She was a graphic designer in Nebraska before becoming an actor. She has also been seen in films such as A League of Their Own, Tank Girl, and Free Willy.
44
Dinah Shore(Singer and Actress Who was the Top Charting Female Vocalist of the 1940s)
Birthdate: February 29, 1916
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died: February 24, 1994
Dinah Shore initially launched a solo career after failing to qualify for Benny Goodman’s band. After delivering hits such as Blues in the Night, she appeared in a few films and ventured into a successful TV career. She also hosted shows such as The Dinah Shore Chevy Show.
Recommended Lists:45
Mookie Betts(Baseball Player)
Birthdate: October 7, 1992
Sun Sign: Libra
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
Birthdate: August 5, 1997
Sun Sign: Leo
Height: 5'2" (157 cm)
Birthdate: September 7, 1967
Sun Sign: Virgo
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
48
Chet Atkins(Guitarist, Jazz musician, Record producer, Jazz guitarist, Classical guitarist, Songwriter)
Birthdate: June 20, 1924
Sun Sign: Gemini
Died: June 30, 2001
49
Carl Perkins(Singer-songwriter)
Birthdate: April 9, 1932
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: January 19, 1998
50
Thomas Hearns(American Former Professional Boxer)
Birthdate: October 18, 1958
Sun Sign: Libra
Thomas Hearns is an American retired boxer who became the first boxer in the history of boxing to win world titles in five different weight classes. Nicknamed the Hitman, Thomas Hearns was named Fighter of the Year in 1980 by The Ring magazine. He was also named Fighter of the Year in 1984 by the Boxing Writers Association of America.
