List of people from Nevada

Following is a list of notable people who were born in, raised in, or have lived for a significant period of time in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Political figures

• Mark Amodei (born 1958) – U.S. representative for Nevada's 2nd congressional district
• Kathy Augustine (1956–2006) – Nevada state controller (from 1999 until her death)
• Walter Baring (1911–1975) – member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Nevada's at-large district
• Helen Delich Bentley – former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives
• Alan Bible (1909–1988) – former Democratic U.S. senator from Nevada
• James Bilbray – Nevada's first district, U.S. House of Representatives
• Emmet D. Boyle – first Nevada-born governor of Nevada
• Berkeley L. Bunker (1906–1999) – U.S. senator from Nevada and member of the U.S. House of Representatives
• Howard Cannon (1912–2002) – former Democratic U.S. senator from Nevada
• Catherine Cortez Masto (born 1964) – U.S. senator from Nevada (since 2017)
• Jim Gibbons (born 1944) – 28th governor of Nevada
• Carolyn Goodman – mayor of Las Vegas (2011–2024)
• Oscar Goodman – mayor of Las Vegas (2002–2011)
• Morley Griswold (1890–1951) – served in the U.S. Army in World War I; later became lieutenant governor of Nevada, and later governor of Nevada
• Martin Heinrich (born 1971) – U.S. senator from New Mexico (since 2013)
• Dean Heller – U.S. senator and former U.S. congressman from Nevada's 2nd congressional district
• Steven Horsford (born 1973) – U.S. representative for Nevada's 4th congressional district (2013–2015, since 2019)
• Velma Bronn Johnston (1912–1977) – animal-rights activist
• Ruben Kihuen (born 1980) – former U.S. representative for Nevada's 4th congressional district (2017–2019)
• Paul Laxalt – Republican governor of Nevada and U.S. senator from Nevada
• Myron E. Leavitt (1930–2004) – former lieutenant governor of Nevada
• Pat McCarran (1876–1954) – former United States senator from Nevada; namesake of McCarran International Airport, now known as Harry Reid International Airport
• Mike McGinness – Republican member of the Nevada Senate
• Pat Nixon (1912–1993) – First Lady of the United States (1969–1974)
• Key Pittman (1872–1940) – former Democratic U.S. senator from Nevada; president pro tempore and chairman of Committee on Foreign Relations
• Vail M. Pittman (1880–1964) – 19th governor of Nevada and 19th lieutenant governor of Nevada
• Harry Reid (1939–2021) – United States Senate Majority Leader (2007–2015) and Minority (2005–2007, 2015–2017); namesake of Harry Reid International Airport
• Marco Rubio (born 1971) – U.S. senator from Florida (2011–2025) and United States Secretary of State (since 2025)
• James David Santini (1937–2015) – U.S. representative from Nevada's At-Large district
• Grant Sawyer (1918–1996) – 21st governor of Nevada; formed Nevada Gaming Commission
• W. Frank Stewart – silver miner in Virginia City; Democratic state senator for Storey County, 1876-1880
• Jon Wellinghoff (born 1949) – attorney, energy expert, and chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

News media

Newspaper, radio, and television

• Art Bell – syndicated radio host
• A.E. Cahlan (1899–1968) – Las Vegas Review-Journal owner and publisher
• Norm Clarke – gossip columnist, Las Vegas Review-Journal
• Hank Greenspun (1909–1989) – Las Vegas Sun newspaper publisher
• Kimberly Pressler (born 1977) – sports reporter, former Miss USA

Sportspeople

A–G

• Andre Agassi – Hall of Fame professional tennis player
• Greg Anthony – NBA player and broadcaster
• Luke Babbitt – small forward for the Portland Trail Blazers
• Ryan Bader – professional mixed martial artist with the UFC
• Shannon Bahrke – Olympic freestyle skier
• Marcus Banks – point guard for the New Orleans Hornets
• Craig Barlow – professional golfer
• Dusty Bergman – former pitcher for the Anaheim Angels
• Tyler Bey (born 1998) – basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Rocky Biddle – former MLB pitcher
• Erica Blasberg (1984–2010) – LPGA golfer
• Michael Blazek – pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers
• Avery Bradley – player for the Detroit Pistons
• Kris Bryant – player for the Chicago Cubs
• Kurt Busch – NASCAR driver
• Kyle Busch – NASCAR driver
• Billy Campfield – former NFL running back
• Gina Carano – former MMA fighter
• Glenn Carano – former Dallas Cowboys quarterback
• Chris Carr – former NFL player
• Chris Carter – player for the Houston Astros
• Spencer Clark (1987–2006) – NASCAR driver
• Rico Constantino – professional wrestler
• Austin Corbett – NFL football player for the Carolina Panthers
• Marty Cordova – Major League Baseball left fielder
• Scott Cousins – former MLB outfielder
• Mike Crawford – former NFL linebacker
• Harvey Dahl – former offensive guard for the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams
• Brian Dallimore – former infielder for the San Francisco Giants
• Ted Davidson – MLB relief pitcher
• Diana Davis – American-Russian ice dancer
• Ricky Davis – professional basketball player in the NBA
• Wheezer Dell – MLB pitcher
• Brandyn Dombrowski – offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers
• Marion Jones Farquhar – Hall of Fame tennis player
• Joey Gallo – player for the Texas Rangers
• Brendan Gaughan – NASCAR driver
• Joey Gilbert – former boxer, lawyer, sports agent
• Nate Grimes (born 1996) – basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Lawrence Guy – defensive end for the New England Patriots

H–M

• Ray Handley – former football player; New York Giants former head coach
• Bryce Harper – Major League Baseball player
• Carey Hart – freestyle motocross racer, pro BMX rider
• Will Hernandez – guard for the New York Giants
• Pierre Jackson (born 1991) – basketball player
• Steven Jackson – former professional NFL football player
• Ben Jacobs – professional football player
• Nick Johnson (born 1992) – basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Colin Kaepernick – former professional football player
• Keith Kartz – former player for the Denver Broncos
• Klete Keller – Olympic swimmer
• Brian Kelly – former NFL cornerback
• Brandon Kintzler – pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
• Jack Kramer – Hall of Fame tennis player
• Iris Kyle – ten-time overall Ms. Olympia professional bodybuilder
• Joseph Lang (1911–1990) – boxer
• T.J. Lavin – professional BMX rider and musician
• Steven Lerud – former catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies
• Ryan Ludwick – right fielder for the Cincinnati Reds
• Greg Maddux – former Major League Baseball player, now in the MLB Hall Of Fame
• Julia Mancuso – Olympic alpine ski racer, gold and silver medalist
• Brandon Marshall – former professional football player
• Josh Mauga – former professional football player
• Lucas May – former catcher for the Kansas City Royals
• Floyd Mayweather Jr. – boxer
• Jake McGee – relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
• Maurice E. McLoughlin – Hall of Fame tennis player
• Randy Messenger – former MLB pitcher
• Frank Mir – mixed martial artist; former UFC champion
• DeMarco Murray – running back for the Philadelphia Eagles

N–Z

• Roy Nelson – mixed martial artist
• Tommy Pham – outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays
• Amy Purdy – snowboarder
• Donn Roach – MLB pitcher
• Drew Robinson – utility player for the Texas Rangers
• Rolando Romero – professional boxer
• Grey Ruegamer – professional football player in the NFL
• Ryback – professional wrestler
• Eric Sanders – former NFL player
• Nate Schierholtz – outfielder for the Washington Nationals
• Tasha Schwikert – gymnast, 2003 gold medalist
• Adam Seward – professional football player in the NFL
• Patty Sheehan – profesional golfer, member of the LPGA Tour and World Golf Hall of Fame
• Chasen Shreve – relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals
• Matt Smith – former MLB pitcher
• Scott Smith – mixed martial artist
• Brandon Snyder – first baseman for the Boston Red Sox
• Ronnie Stanley – NFL offensive tackle
• Stevenson Sylvester – linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers
• TaShawn Thomas (born 1993) – basketball player in the Israeli Premier League
• Brad Thompson – former MLB pitcher
• Domingo Tibaduiza – former elite long distance runner
• Korey Toomer – linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys
• Joe Valentine – former relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds
• Kyle Van Noy – linebacker for the New England Patriots
• Byron Velvick – professional bass fisherman
• Tyler Wagner – pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks
• H Waldman (born 1972) – American-Israeli basketball player
• C. J. Watson – professional basketball player
• Claire Weinstein (born 2007) – Olympic silver medalist freestyle swimmer
• Joe Wieland – MLB pitcher
• Duke Williams – former professional football player in the NFL
• Matt Williams – former Major League Baseball third baseman and MLB manager
• Aarik Wilson – long jumper
• Charles Wright – professional wrestler
• Barry Zito – former Major League Baseball starting pitcher
• Jason Zucker – NHL hockey player

Entertainment

Actors

A–M

• Ben Alexander (1911–1969) – actor
• Mädchen Amick (born 1970) – actress, Shelly Johnson on Twin Peaks
• Jaylen Barron (born 1997) – actress
• Toni Basil (born 1943) – singer-songwriter, actress
• Deanna Brooks (born 1974) – actress, model
• Reno Browne (1921–1991) – film actress, equestrian, pilot
• Charisma Carpenter (born 1970) – actress, Cordelia Chase on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel
• Dillon Casey (born 1983) – actor
• Hobart Cavanaugh (1886–1950) – actor
• Daveigh Chase (born 1990) – actress, singer, Rhonda Volmer on Big Love
• Tishara Cousino (born 1978) – model, actress, real estate broker
• Abby Dalton (1932–2020) – actress
• Gabriel Damon (born 1976) – actor
• Misty Dawn (born 1963) – adult film actress
• Doris Dawson (1909–1986) – silent film actress
• Loren Dean (born 1969) – actor, Enemy of the State, Apollo 13, Mumford
• Thomas Dekker (born 1987) – actor, musician, John Connor on '
• Brad Dexter (1917–2002) – actor, The Magnificent Seven
• Leah Dizon (born 1986) – model, singer, Japanese television personality
• Chase Ellison (born 1993) – actor
• Kathy Evison (born 1963) – actress, Lonnie Henderson on SeaQuest DSV
• Joe Flanigan (born 1967) – actor, Major/Lt. Colonel John Sheppard on Stargate Atlantis
• Michele Greene (born 1962) – actress, singer, and songwriter
• Matthew Gray Gubler (born 1980) – actor, director, Dr. Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds
• Corinna Harney (born 1972) – model, actress, 1992 Playboy Playmate of the Year
• Veronica Hart (born 1956) – 1980s adult film actress
• Annette Haven (born 1954) – 1970s and 1980s adult film actress
• Adam Hicks (born 1992) – actor, singer, dancer
• Jenna Jameson (born 1974) – adult film actress and entertainer
• Bryce Johnson (born 1977) – actor, Josh Ford on Popular
• Rebekah Kochan (born 1984) – actress
• Michelle Krusiec (born 1974) – actress, One World
• Joseph D. Kucan (born 1965) – video game developer, director, actor, screenwriter
• Darryl Lenox (1966–2023) – comedian
• Jennifer Lyon (1972–2010) – actress, competitor on '
• Jena Malone (born 1984) – actress, musician, photographer
• Lily Mariye (born 1964) – actress, Lily Jarvik on ER
• Meaghan Jette Martin (born 1992) – actress, singer, musician
• Peyton Meyer (born 1998) – actor

N–Z

• Lycia Naff (born 1962) – actress, Ensign Sonya Gomez on '
• Thomas Ian Nicholas (born 1980) – actor, the American Pie films
• Sean Palmer (born 1973) – actor, singer, dancer
• Sasha Pieterse (born 1996) – teen actress, Alison DiLaurentis on Pretty Little Liars
• Kristoffer Polaha (born 1977) – actor
• Edna Purviance (1895–1958) – actress
• Amanda Righetti (born 1983) – actress, Grace Van Pelt on The Mentalist
• Stephanie Romanov (born 1969) – actress, model, Lilah Morgan on Angel
• Paul Schrier (born 1970) – actor, Bulk on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
• Jason-Shane Scott (born 1976) – actor
• Dana Snyder (born 1973) – stand-up comedian, actor, voice artist, Master Shake on Aqua Teen Hunger Force
• Shannyn Sossamon (born 1978) – actress, dancer, model, musician
• Bobby Tonelli (born 1975) – actor
• Cerina Vincent (born 1979) – actress, model, Maya on Power Rangers Lost Galaxy
• Carrie Clark Ward (1862–1926) – silent film actress
• Dawn Wells (1938–2020) – actress, business owner, Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island
• Rutina Wesley – actress, Tara Thornton on True Blood
• Lauren Woodland (born 1977) – actress, Brittany Marsino on The Young and the Restless

Music

• Vernon Alley – jazz bassist
• Amadour – singer-songwriter, pianist, writer, multidisciplinary artist
• Cosmo Baker – New York-based DJ, music producer
• Joyce Collins – jazz pianist, singer
• Rick DeJesus – lead vocals for band Adelitas Way
• Daniel de los Reyes – percussionist
• Dino – DJ, singer-songwriter and record producer
• Leah Dizon – gaijin tarento, singer, and gravure idol in Japan
• Julie Elias – Christian musician
• Baby Keem – rapper
• Renaldo Lapuz – Filipino-American singer
• Brandon Flowers – lead singer of The Killers
• Dia Frampton – indie rock and pop singer
• Tony Fredianelli – alternative rock musician, formerly with Third Eye Blind
• Nicholas Furlong – singer, songwriter, producer
• Mikalah Gordon – singer, American Idol finalist
• Max Green – musician, co-founder of punk rock band Escape the Fate
• Joshua Guerrero – operatic tenor
• Eric Hester – film and TV composer
• Nikki Holland – singer-songwriter
• Antonia Iacobescu – singer, performer, and model
• JGivens – Christian hip hop musician
• Chris Jones – guitarist
• Kaya Jones – pop singer, formerly with The Pussycat Dolls
• Brian Landrus – jazz saxophonist
• Red Leather – singer
• Jenny Lewis – singer
• Jenny Lee Lindberg – bassist for indie band, Warpaint
• Lorie Line – classically trained pianist, composer
• Manika – singer
• Tommy Marth – saxophone player
• Justin McBride – country music singer
• Monte Money – guitarist and vocalist
• Waddie Mitchell – cowboy poet
• Nikki Nelson – country music singer
• Emma Nevada – operatic soprano
• Ne-Yo – R&B singer, songwriter
• Sunny Ozell – singer-songwriter
• Elvis Presley – singer and actor
• Louis Prima Jr – singer, entertainer, trumpeter, and bandleader
• Ronnie Radke – lead singer for Falling in Reverse
• Dan Reynolds – frontman for Imagine Dragons
• Barbara Robison – lead vocalist for The Peanut Butter Conspiracy
• Jim Root – rhythm guitarist for Slipknot
• Ryan Ross – former lead guitarist, lyricist for Panic! at the Disco
• Chuck Ruff – rock drummer
• Lee Scrivner – songwriter
• Kevin Seconds – vocalist, songwriter, musician
• Shamir – singer-songwriter
• Billy Sherwood – progressive rock musician, record producer, and engineer
• Mark Slaughter – singer and musician, founder of the hard rock band Slaughter
• Spencer Smith – drummer for Panic! at the Disco
• Gavin Templeton – modern jazz saxophonist
• Lynn Truell – drummer for Imperial Teen
• Brendon Urie – lead singer for Panic! at the Disco
• Ronnie Vannucci Jr. – drummer for The Killers
• Willy Vlautin – lead singer for Richmond Fontaine
• Eric Whitacre – composer and conductor
• Whitton – singer-songwriter
• David Yow – lead vocalist for Scratch Acid and The Jesus Lizard
• Dolora Zajick – mezzo-soprano
• Asaiah Ziv – hip hop musician

Film, stage, television and sound production

• Joe Ansolabehere – animation screenwriter and producer
• Kansas Bowling – writer, director, cinematographer, actor
• Gabriel Campisi – author, writer, director, producer
• Glen Charles – Emmy Award-winning television writer
• Les Charles – Emmy Award-winning television writer
• C. Jay Cox (born 1962) – director, screenwriter
• Curtis Hanson – Academy Award-winning filmmaker
• Thomas N. Heffron – screenwriter, director

Authors

• Alta – poet, prose writer and publisher
• Nevada Barr – author of mystery novels
• Susan Berman – journalist, daughter of "Davie the Jew" Berman
• Charles Bock – novelist
• Juanita Brooks – author and historian
• Walter van Tilburg Clark – writer
• Cecelia Holland – historical novelist
• Robert Laxalt – writer
• Adrian C. Louis – author and poet
• James Marshall – children's author and illustrator
• Lloyd Osbourne – novelist
• Lute Pease – journalist and cartoonist
• Sheldon Rampton – editor of PR Watch and author of books on the public relations industry
• Geoff Schumacher – journalist and author
• Harry Shannon – novelist
• David Derek Stacton (1925–1968) – author and poet
• Richard Walton Tully – playwright
• Dave Ulrich – author of books on leadership and human resources
• Claire Vaye Watkins – author of the book Battleborn
• Sarah Winnemucca – Northern Paiute author, activist and educator

Miscellaneous

• Jennifer Allan – model
• Robert Bigelow – businessman
• Johanna Burton – director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
• James E. Casey (1888–1983) – founder, United Parcel Service (UPS)
• Arianny Celeste – model
• Chumlee – businessman
• Kimberley Conrad – model and former wife of Hugh Hefner
• Laura Dahl – fashion designer
• Milton H. Erickson – psychiatrist specializing in medical hypnosis and family therapy
• George Ferris Jr. – engineer, creator of the Ferris Wheel
• Lorenzo Fertitta – Italian-American entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist
• Sean Hamilton – radio personality
• Jennifer Harman – professional poker player
• Corey Harrison – businessman
• Chelsie Hightower (born 1989) – Latin ballroom dancer, Dancing with the Stars
• David Huntsberger (born 1980) – comedian, co-host of the Professor Blastoff podcast
• Jimmy Kimmel – talk show host and comedian
• Dat So La Lee (1829–1925) – basket weaver
• Jennifer Mabus – YouTuber, hiker, Navy spouse
• Sarah Jim Mayo – Washoe basket weaver
• Tony Mendez (1940–2019) – CIA technical operations officer
• Tana Mongeau – internet personality
• Jessica Nigri – cosplay celebrity, promotional model, YouTuber, voice actress, and fan convention interview correspondent
• Pierre Omidyar – billionaire founder of eBay
• Angel Porrino – TV personality, showgirl, Holly's World
• Kevin Rose – Internet entrepreneur
• Bob Tallman – news announcer
• J. Buzz Von Ornsteiner – psychologist and television personality
• Wovoka – Paiute religious leader
• Steve Wynn – casino tycoon; owner of Wynn Resorts Limited

See also

• List of Nevada suffragists
• Lists of Americans

References