From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in
Columbus, Georgia.
Phillip Wheeler
Columbus, Ga
Shaw High School-Columbus
Georgia Institute of Technology- Linebacker
Multi Year NFL-Linebacker
Drafted by Raiders
Arts and culture
Name
|
Image
|
Birth
|
Death
|
Known for
|
Association
|
Reference
|
Bo Bartlett
|
|
Dec 29, 1955
|
|
Realist painter
|
Born in Columbus
|
[1]
|
Ricky Bartlett
|
|
Sep 27, 1972
|
|
Actor, and radio personality
|
Born in Columbus
|
|
Megan Blake
|
|
|
|
Miss Georgia 1983
|
Born in Columbus
|
|
Wayne Brady
|
|
Jun 2, 1972
|
|
Actor, singer, comedian, and television personality
|
Born in Columbus
|
|
Davian Chester
|
|
May 27, 1993
|
|
Political Cartoonist
|
Born in Columbus
|
[2]
|
Juliette Compton
|
|
May 3, 1899
|
Mar 19, 1989
|
Actress
|
Born in Columbus
|
|
Donna D'Errico
|
|
Mar 30, 1968
|
|
Actress and model;
Playmate of the Month (September, 1995); Donna Marco on
Baywatch (1996 to 1998)
|
Graduate of
Pacelli High School in Columbus (1986)
|
[3]
|
Marina Savashynskaya Dunbar
|
|
Jul 17, 1992
|
|
Painter
|
Lived in Columbus
|
|
Justina Huff
|
|
Sep 8, 1893
|
Jun 29, 1977
|
Silent film actress (
The Diamond Crown,
Tess of the d'Urbervilles)
|
Born in Columbus
|
[4]
|
Louise Huff
|
|
Nov 14, 1895
|
Aug 22, 1973
|
Silent film actress (
Great Expectations,
Mile-A-Minute Kendall,
Disraeli)
|
Born in Columbus
|
[5]
|
Nunnally Johnson
|
|
Dec 5, 1897
|
Mar 25, 1977
|
Academy Award-nominated filmmaker (
The Grapes of Wrath,
The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit)
|
Born in Columbus; graduated from
Columbus High School (1915)
|
[6]
|
Sherrilyn Kenyon
|
|
Dec 11, 1965
|
|
#1 New York Times and international bestselling author (Dark-Hunters, League, Chronicles of Nick, Lords of Avalon series, etc.)
|
Born in Columbus, attended Key Elementary School
|
|
Carson McCullers
|
|
Feb 19, 1917
|
Sep 29, 1967
|
Writer (
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter,
The Member of the Wedding, and
The Ballad of the Sad Café)
|
Born in Columbus
|
[7]
|
Robert Parrish
|
|
Jan 4, 1916
|
Dec 4, 1995
|
Academy Award- winning editor for
Body and Soul (1947), directed
Casino Royale (1967)
|
Born in Columbus
|
[8]
|
George Foster Peabody
|
|
Jul 27, 1852
|
Mar 4, 1938
|
Banker and philanthropist; namesake of the
Peabody Award
|
Born in Columbus
|
[9]
|
James Rachels
|
|
May 30, 1941
|
Sep 5, 2003
|
Philosopher, focusing on ethics and animal rights
|
Born in Columbus
|
[10]
|
Mary Ann Williams
|
|
Aug 10, 1821
|
Apr 15, 1874
|
First to propose an annual holiday to decorate soldiers graves (Memorial Day)
|
Lived in Columbus
|
-
|
Amy Sherald
|
|
Aug 30, 1973
|
|
Best known for her portrait of First Lady, Michelle Obama
|
Born in Columbus
|
[11][
circular reference]
|
James Ryan Haywood
|
|
Dec 6, 1980
|
|
Voice Actor and Former Member of the Online Entertainment Group
Achievement Hunter.
|
Born in Columbus; graduated from
Columbus High School.
|
|
Caldwell Tidicue/ 'Bob the Drag Queen'
|
|
June 22, 1986
|
|
American
drag queen and comedian. Best known for winning
season 8 of
Rupaul's Drag Race.
|
Born in Columbus, studied
theater at
Columbus State University.
|
Music
Name
|
Image
|
Birth
|
Death
|
Known for
|
Association
|
Reference
|
Robert M. Barr
|
|
1918
|
1988
|
Conductor of the Jordan High School Band in Columbus (1946–1963)
|
Lived in Columbus; chorus director in Fort Benning
|
[12]
|
Jean Carn
|
|
Mar 15, 1947
|
|
Singer; vocalist credited with a five octave vocal range
|
Born in Columbus
|
|
|
Robert Cray
|
|
Aug 1, 1953
|
|
Five-time
Grammy Award-winning blues guitarist and singer
|
Born in Columbus
|
|
Justin Guarini
|
|
Oct 28, 1978
|
|
Singer, songwriter, and actor; runner-up on
American Idol season 1 (2002)
|
Born in Columbus
|
[13]
|
Jake Hess
|
|
Dec 24, 1927
|
Jan 4, 2004
|
Grammy Award-winning
southern gospel singer
|
Lived in Columbus
|
[14]
|
Dmitri Matheny
|
|
Dec 25, 1965
|
|
Jazz
flugelhornist, composer, educator, producer and recording artist
|
Grew up in Columbus
|
[15]
|
|
Marilyn McCoo
|
|
Sep 30, 1943
|
|
Pop singer
|
Lived in Columbus for seven years
|
[16]
|
Curley Money
|
|
Mar 20, 1925
|
Dec 23, 2003
|
Rockabilly musician and songwriter
|
Lived in Columbus
|
[17]
|
Bebo Norman
|
|
May 29, 1973
|
|
Contemporary Christian musician
|
Lives in Columbus
|
[18]
|
Ma Rainey
|
|
Apr 26, 1886
|
Dec 22, 1939
|
Among the earliest known professional blues singers; billed as
The Mother of the Blues
|
Born in Columbus
|
[19]
|
Herrman S. Saroni
|
|
Feb 1824
|
Dec 29, 1900
|
Author, composer and inventor credited with starting the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
|
Lived in Columbus
|
[20]
|
Keni Thomas
|
|
|
|
Country music singer and United States
Army Ranger
|
Lives in Columbus
|
[21]
|
Rozonda Thomas
(a.k.a. Chilli)
|
|
Feb 27, 1971
|
|
Singer-songwriter, actress and television personality; founding member of
girl group
TLC
|
Lives in Columbus
|
[
citation needed]
|
Danny Whitten
|
|
May 8, 1943
|
Nov 18, 1972
|
Musician and songwriter, known for his work with
Neil Young's band
Crazy Horse
|
Born in Columbus
|
[22]
|
Blind Tom Wiggins
|
|
May 25, 1849
|
Jun 14, 1908
|
African-American
musical prodigy on the piano
|
Owned as a slave in Columbus
|
[23]
|
Tim Wilson
|
|
Aug 5, 1961
|
Feb 26, 2014
|
Stand-up comedian and
country music artist
|
Born and died in Columbus
|
[24]
|
Tia Blake
|
|
April 13, 1952
|
June 17, 2015
|
Recording artist known for her album Folk Songs & Ballads: Tia Blake and Her Folk-group.
|
Born in Columbus
|
|
Business
Military
Politics and Activism
Name
|
Image
|
Birth
|
Death
|
Known for
|
Association
|
Reference
|
Bubba Copeland
|
|
May 27, 1974
|
Nov 3, 2023
|
Mayor of
Smiths Station, Alabama (2016–2023)
|
Born in Columbus
|
|
Rhea Debussy
|
|
1991
|
|
American academic and
transgender rights activist
|
Lived in Columbus, graduated from
Columbus State University
|
|
Newt Gingrich
|
|
Jun 17, 1943
|
|
58th
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
|
Graduated from Baker High School in Columbus (1961)
|
[31]
|
Petra Kelly
|
|
Nov 29, 1947
|
Oct 1, 1992
|
Founder of German Green Party
|
Graduated from Baker High School in Columbus (1966)
|
[32]
|
Mirabeau B. Lamar
|
|
Aug 16, 1798
|
Dec 19, 1859
|
2nd
President of the Republic of Texas
|
Lived in Columbus and founded the Columbus Enquirer newspaper
|
[33]
|
Ted J. Land
|
|
Aug 22, 1936
|
Mar 31, 2018
|
Member of the
Georgia State Senate 1979–1991
|
Represented Marion, Talbot, and portions of Muscogee counties
|
|
Bobby G. Peters
|
|
Feb 21, 1949
|
|
Mayor of
Columbus, Georgia 1995–2002
|
Lived in Columbus, graduated from Hardaway High School (1967). Also a Superior Court judge
|
[34]
|
Sports
Baseball
Name
|
Image
|
Birth
|
Death
|
Known for
|
Association
|
Reference
|
Reggie Abercrombie
|
|
Jul 15, 1981
|
|
Center fielder for
Florida Marlins and
Houston Astros
|
Born in Columbus
|
[35]
|
Glenn Davis
|
|
Mar 28, 1961
|
|
Two-time
All-Star first baseman for the
Houston Astros,
Baltimore Orioles, and
Hanshin Tigers
|
Lives in Columbus; Columbus City Council member
|
[36]
|
Tim Hudson
|
|
Jul 14, 1975
|
|
Four-time
All-Star pitcher for the
Oakland Athletics,
Atlanta Braves, and
San Francisco Giants
|
Born in Columbus
|
[37]
|
Garey Ingram
|
|
Jul 25, 1970
|
|
Second baseman for the
Los Angeles Dodgers
|
Born in Columbus
|
[38]
|
Edwin Jackson
|
|
Sep 9, 1983
|
|
All-Star pitcher for
MLB teams; World Series champion (
2011)
|
Attended Shaw High School in Columbus
|
[39]
|
Brian Mallette
|
|
Jan 19, 1975
|
|
Relief pitcher for the
Milwaukee Brewers and
Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes
|
Attended
Columbus State University
|
[40]
|
Tony Pierce
|
|
Jan 29, 1946
|
Jan 31, 2013
|
Pitcher for the
Kansas City/Oakland Athletics
|
Lived and died in Columbus; Attended Jordan High School in Columbus
|
[41]
|
Colby Rasmus
|
|
Aug 11, 1986
|
|
Center fielder for the
St. Louis Cardinals and
Toronto Blue Jays
|
Born in Columbus
|
[42]
|
Cory Rasmus
|
|
Nov 6, 1987
|
|
Pitcher for the
Atlanta Braves and
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
|
Born in Columbus
|
[43]
|
Steven Register
|
|
May 16, 1983
|
|
Relief pitcher for the
Colorado Rockies and
Philadelphia Phillies
|
Born in Columbus
|
[44]
|
Frank Thomas
|
|
May 27, 1968
|
|
2014 Hall of Fame Inductee – Five-time
All-Star first baseman for the
Chicago White Sox,
Oakland Athletics, and
Toronto Blue Jays; Two-time
AL MVP (1993, 1994)
|
Born in Columbus
|
[45]
|
Basketball
Bodybuilding
Name
|
Image
|
Birth
|
Death
|
Known for
|
Association
|
Reference
|
Derrius Brooks
|
|
May 29, 1988
|
|
Defensive back for multiple teams
|
Born in Columbus
|
[47]
|
Brentson Buckner
|
|
Sep 30, 1971
|
|
Defensive tackle for the
Pittsburgh Steelers,
Cincinnati Bengals,
San Francisco 49ers, and
Carolina Panthers
|
Born in Columbus, graduated from G.W. Carver High School
|
[48]
|
Isaiah Crowell
|
|
Jan 8, 1993
|
|
Running back for the
Cleveland Browns
|
Born in Columbus, graduated from
G.W. Carver High School
|
|
Rod Hood
|
|
Oct 3, 1981
|
|
Cornerback for six
NFL teams
|
Born in Columbus, graduated from G.W. Carver High School
|
[49]
|
Chris Hubbard
|
|
Apr 23, 1991
|
|
Offensive guard for the
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
Born in Columbus. Graduated from G.W. Carver High School
|
|
Chuck Hurston
|
|
Nov 9, 1942
|
Nov 3, 2015
|
Defensive end for the
Super Bowl IV champion
Kansas City Chiefs
|
Born in Columbus
|
|
Jarvis Jones
|
|
Oct 13, 1989
|
|
Outside linebacker for the
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
Graduated from G.W. Carver High School in Columbus
|
|
Mark LeGree
|
|
Jul 8, 1989
|
|
Safety for seven
NFL teams
|
Attended Pacelli High School in Columbus
|
|
Kelcie McCray
|
|
Sep 21, 1988
|
|
Free safety for the
Miami Dolphins,
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and
Kansas City Chiefs
|
Born in Columbus
|
|
Dell McGee
|
|
Sep 7, 1973
|
|
Run game coordinator & running backs coach for the
Georgia Bulldogs
|
Born in Columbus
|
|
DeQuan Menzie
|
|
Jan 11, 1990
|
|
Cornerback for the
Kansas City Chiefs,
Detroit Lions, and
Carolina Panthers
|
Born in Columbus, graduated from G.W. Carver High School
|
[50]
|
Nate Odomes
|
|
Aug 25, 1965
|
|
Cornerback for the
Buffalo Bills,
Seattle Seahawks, and
Atlanta Falcons; 2×
Pro Bowl (
1992,
1993)
|
Born in Columbus, graduated from G.W. Carver High School
|
[51]
|
Rayshun Reed
|
|
Apr 10, 1981
|
|
Defensive back for the
San Francisco 49ers
|
Born in Columbus
|
|
Steve Reese
|
|
Jan 7, 1952
|
|
Linebacker for the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
Born in Columbus
|
|
Otis Sistrunk
|
|
Sep 18, 1946
|
|
Defensive end for the
Oakland Raiders;
Pro Bowl
|
Born in Columbus
|
[52]
|
Mack Strong
|
|
Sep 11, 1971
|
|
Fullback for the
Seattle Seahawks; 2×
Pro Bowl (
2005,
2006)
|
Attended Brookstone School in Columbus
|
[53]
|
Cleo Walker
|
|
Feb 7, 1948
|
|
Linebacker for the
Green Bay Packers and
Atlanta Falcons
|
Born in Columbus
|
[54]
|
Soccer
Wrestling
References
-
^
"Bo Bartlett". Newswise, Inc. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
-
^ Gunn, Olivia (2019-06-21).
"Columbus native receives high recognition for creating Google doodle in honor of Juneteenth". www.wtvm.com. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
-
^
"Donna D'Errico". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
-
^ Bellware, Daniel (Fall 2016). "Those Huff Girls". Muscogiana. Columbus State University.
-
^ Bellware, Daniel (Fall 2016). "Those Huff Girls". Muscogiana. Columbus State University.
-
^ Stempel, Tom (1980).
Screenwriter, The Life and Times of Nunnally Johnson. A. S. Barnes. pp.
20.
ISBN
978-0-498-02362-0.
-
^
"Carson McCullers". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^ Parrish, Robert (1976). Growing Up in Hollywood. Harcourt Brace Jovanivich. p. 3.
ISBN
0-15-137473-2.
-
^
"George Foster Peabody". rjohara.net. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Alma Thomas". National Museum of women in the Arts. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
Amy Sherald
-
^
"Robert M. Barr". High School Band Directors National Association. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
-
^
"Justin Guarini". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
-
^
"Jake Hess". Southern Gospel History. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
-
^
"Dmitri Matheny". azcentral.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr". Retrieved 26 Oct 2021.
-
^
"Curley Money". AlabamaMusicOffice.Com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Bebo Norman". Starpulse.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Ma Rainey". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Columbus Symphony Orchestra History". Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
-
^
"Keni Thomas". Gainesville.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Danny Whitten". Rovi Corp. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Blind Tom Wiggins". BlackPast.org. 13 February 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^ Fernandez, Maria Elena (Feb 27, 2014).
"Comedic country singer Tim Wilson dies at 52".
NBC News.
Today. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
-
^
"John Stith Pemberton". University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"About RC Cola International: Our History". Retrieved 11 Sep 2014.
-
^ Bellware, Daniel (April 2003). "The Last Battle. Period. Really". Civil War Times Illustrated. 42: 48–56.
-
^
"Robert W. Woodruff". University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Henry L. Benning". Benning-Cobb-Russell Family of Georgia. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
-
^
"Eugene Bullard". University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
-
^
"Newt Gingrich". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
-
^
https://peopleinaction.com/petrakelly/
-
^
President Mirabeau B. Lamar, tsl.state.tx.us; retrieved March 2008
-
^
"Superior Court Judges". Columbus Georgia Government. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
-
^
"Reggie Abercrombie". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
-
^
"Glenn Davis". Jacksonville.com. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
-
^
"Tim Hudson". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
-
^
"Garey Ingram". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
-
^
"Edwin Jackson". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
-
^
"Brian Mallette". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
-
^
"Tony Pierce". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
-
^
"Colby Rasmus". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Cory Rasmus". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
-
^
"Steven Register". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
-
^
"Frank Thomas". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Sam Mitchell". Basketball Reference.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Derrius Brooks". nfl.com. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
-
^
"Brentson Buckner". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
-
^
"Roderick Hood". NFL Enterprises LLc. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
-
^
"DeQuan Menzie". Alabama Crimson Tide. Archived from
the original on 10 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Nate Odomes". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Otis Sistrunk". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Mack Strong". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Cleo Walker". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
-
^
"Marshall Leonard". Virginia Cavaliers Men's Soccer. Retrieved 26 March 2013.