A Few Famous Floridians
The Sunshine state has produced many famous Floridians in many different walks of life. Some important people from the state of Florida are listed here, including actors, singers, sports stars and politicians. Many important and influential people are from the state of Florida or were raised there.
Florida Actors
Many of the world’s great actors and actresses were born or raised in Florida. Burt Reynolds, the famous star of “Smokey and the Bandit”, “Deliverance” and “White Lightening” moved to Florida when he was 10 years old. His father was a police chief in Riviera Beach, Florida and Reynolds attended Florida State University. William H Macy, the actor and writer who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in “Fargo” was born March 13, 1950 in Miami Florida. The first African American actor to win an Oscar, Sidney Poitier, was born February 20, 1927 in Miami Florida. Faye Dunaway was born in Bascom, Florida on January 14, 1941. She won an Academy Award for her role in “Network” and starred in “Bonnie and Clyde” and “Chinatown”.
Florida Singers
Some memorable singers from the state of Florida include: Charles Eugene Boone, also known as Pat Boone who sold over 45 million albums in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Pat Boone was born in Jacksonville, Florida on June 1, 1934. Mandy Moore was raised in Orlando, Florida. She is a singer, songwriter, actress and fashion designer popular with today’s youth. The charismatic lead singer of the classic rock group ‘The Doors’, Jim Morrison was born December 8, 1943 in Melbourne, Florida. He is considered to be one of the top rock musicians of all time. Cuban singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan was raised in Miami. She has sold over 90 million albums worldwide and has received several Grammy awards.
Florida Sports Stars
Several baseball and basketball sports stars have come out of Florida as well. Dwight Gooden, known as “Doc Gooden” and “Dr. K” was born November 16, 1964 in Tampa Florida. He pitched for the NY Mets and NY Yankees during his major league career. Basketball Hall of Fame player David “The Admiral” Robinson was born in Key West, Florida on August 6, 1965. He played for the San Antonio Spurs. Other famous Floridians in baseball include Steve “Lefty” Carlton, who was born December 22, 1944 in Miami and inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994, and baseball pitcher and sportscaster Don Sutton. Sutton grew up in Molino, Florida and attended Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Florida before heading to the majors.
Famous Floridians in Politics
Former Attorney General Janet Reno was born July 21, 1938 in Miami, Florida. She was the first woman to become Attorney General. Some other important political leaders from Florida include: Harry T Moore, the famous civil rights leader born in Houston, Florida, A. Philip Randolph, the labor leader, who was born in Crescent City, Florida and the Florida Seminole Indian leader Osceola.
Other famous Floridians
Born in Palatka Florida in 1883, Joseph W. Stilwell rose to become a famous general in the United States Army and Norman E. Thargard, who was born in Marianna, Florida in 1943, became an astronaut for NASA. Also born in Florida was Julian “Cannonball” Adderley the well known jazz saxophonist and Fernado Bujones the famous ballet dancer.
Florida is known for its sunny skies, warm waters and tropical environments, but it also has produced many of the world’s most influential and important people. Many great political leaders, award winning actors, best selling singers and amazing athletes have been born in Florida or raised within the state.