Alabama is a state with a rich history of producing some of the most iconic people in the United States. From civil rights activists to musicians, Alabama has had some of the most influential and inspiring figures throughout its history. Here are 21 famous people from Alabama you’ll never forget.
Rosa Parks
Civil rights activist Rosa Parks is one of the most well-known figures in American history. She was born in Tuskegee, Alabama and is best remembered for her refusal to move to the back of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, which sparked the civil rights movement.
Harper Lee
The author of the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama in 1926. Her book was an instant classic, winning many awards and going on to become one of the most-read novels of all time.
Hank Aaron
Baseball legend Hank Aaron was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. He became one of the greatest home run hitters in Major League Baseball history, setting records that have yet to be broken.
Condoleezza Rice
Born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1954, Condoleezza Rice became one of the first African American women to serve as U.S. Secretary of State. She also served as National Security Advisor during the George W. Bush administration.
George Wallace
Politician George Wallace was born and raised in Clio, Alabama before becoming Governor of Alabama from 1963-1967 and 1971-1979. He is remembered for his strong opposition to civil rights.
Jesse Owens
Track and field athlete Jesse Owens was born in Oakville, Alabama and went on to win four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin, Germany. His achievements were celebrated around the world and helped break down barriers for African Americans in sports.
Nat King Cole
The legendary singer Nat King Cole was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama before moving to Chicago at age five with his family. He went on to become one of the most successful jazz musicians of all time with hits like “Mona Lisa” and “Unforgettable” that remain popular today.
Bear Bryant
Football coach Bear Bryant was born near Moro Bottom, Arkansas but spent much of his life living and working in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where he coached University of Alabama football teams from 1958-1982. He remains one of the most successful coaches in college football history with six national championships to his name.
Helen Keller
Activist Helen Keller was born deafblind in Tuscumbia, Alabama where she began her activism after receiving an education at Radcliffe College under Anne Sullivan’s tutelage. She went on to become an advocate for those with disabilities around the world before her death at age 88 in 1968.
Coretta Scott King
Coretta Scott King was an activist who worked alongside her husband Martin Luther King Jr., fighting for civil rights during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. She was born in Marion, Alabama and later moved to Atlanta where she lived until her death in 2006 at age 78.
Jimmy Hoffa
Labor union leader Jimmy Hoffa was born in Brazilton, Kansas but moved to Birmingham as a young man before becoming president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from 1957-1971 and a powerful figure within organized labor during that time period.
Carl Lewis
Track athlete Carl Lewis began his career at Willingboro High School near Birmingham before going on to win nine gold medals during four Olympic games between 1984-1996 and becoming one of the most decorated athletes ever with 10 Olympic medals overall (nine gold).
Tallulah Bankhead
Actress Tallulah Bankhead hailed from Huntsville, AL before becoming a Hollywood starlet who earned acclaim for her outrageous behavior both onscreen and offscreen throughout her storied career during Hollywood’s golden era (1920s-1950s).
Dixie Carter
Actress Dixie Carter hailed from McLemoresville TN but spent much of her career based out of Birmingham AL before becoming a TV star on shows like Designing Women and Diff’rent Strokes where she earned Emmy nominations for her performances over three decades (1970s-2000s).
Fannie Lou Hamer
Civil Rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer was born near Ruleville MS but spent much of her life living near Montgomery AL where she organized Freedom Summer voter registration drives as part of SNCC’s Mississippi Freedom Summer project during 1964’s civil rights movement (1964).
Maya Angelou
Poet Maya Angelou hailed from Stamps AR but grew up near Birmingham AL before becoming one of America’s most beloved poets whose works include I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (1969) which earned her nominations for both Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award accolades (1969).
Ruby Dee
Actress Ruby Dee hailed from Cleveland OH but spent much of her career based out of Mobile AL before becoming an acclaimed stage actress who earned Tony Award nominations for performances like A Raisin In The Sun (1959) (1959).
James Spann
Meteorologist James Spann hails from Birmingham AL where he has become an iconic weatherman known as “Alabama’s Most Trusted Weatherman” thanks to his decades long stint forecasting weather reports on local TV channels throughout his career spanning four decades (1970s-2010s).
Truman Capote
Novelist Truman Capote hailed from New Orleans LA but spent most his childhood years growing up near Monroeville AL before becoming an acclaimed author known for works like Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1958) which earned him Pulitzer Prize praise (1958).
Dinah Shore
Singer Dinah Shore hailed from Winchester TN but grew up near Huntsville AL before becoming an iconic television personality known as “America’s Favorite Girl Next Door” thanks to her hosting duties on shows like The Dinah Shore Show (1951-1964) (1951).
Neil Armstrong
Astronaut Neil Armstrong hailed from Wapakoneta OH but worked at Marshall Space Flight Center near Huntsville AL while helping design NASA’s Apollo 11 mission which made him famous as first man to walk on moon (1969) (1969).
Originally posted 2022-12-25 19:45:18.