List of people from Oklahoma

The following are people who were either born, raised, or have lived for a significant period of time in the U.S. state of Oklahoma.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

Actors, Directors, Screenwriters, Producers

A–M

Lexi Ainsworth (born 1992), actress (General Hospital)
Chet Allen (1928–2011), actor (The Troubleshooters)
Erika Anderson (born 1963), actress
Lou Antonio (born 1934), actor
Royce D. Applegate (1939–2003), actor (seaQuest DSV)
Gene Autry (1907–1998), actor, musician, Major League Baseball team owner
Nicki Aycox (born 1975), actress (Cold Case)
Marshall Bell (born 1942), actor (G vs E)
Sherman Billingsley, actor
William Boyd (1895–1972), actor (Hopalong Cassidy)
Gary Busey (born 1944), actor (The Buddy Holly Story)
T. V. Carpio (born 1981), actress, singer
Irene Champlin (1931-1990), actress (Flash Gordon)
Greyson Chance (born 1997), singer
Lon Chaney Jr (1906–1973), actor (The Wolf Man, Of Mice and Men)
Lonny Chapman (1920–2007), actor
Maree Cheatham (born 1942), actress (Days of Our Lives)
Kristin Chenoweth (born 1968), Tony Award-winning actress (Wicked)
Danny Cooksey (born 1975), actor, voice actor (Diff'rent Strokes)
Candy Clark (born 1947), actress (American Graffiti)
Larry Clark (born 1943), filmmaker (Kids, Ken Park), photographer
Patrick Cranshaw (1919–2005), actor (AfterMASH)
Joan Crawford (1906–1977), Academy Award-winning actress
Burr DeBenning (1936-2003), actor
Michael Dolan (born 1965), actor
Richard Erdman, actor
Blake Edwards (1922–2010), director, writer, producer
Glenda Farrell (1904–1971), actress (Torchy Blane)
Kay Francis (1905–1968), actress
James Garner (1928–2014), actor (The Rockford Files, Maverick, The Great Escape)
Bill Hader (born 1978), actor, writer, comedian (SNL)
Van Heflin (1908–1971), Academy Award-winning actor
Mark Holton (born 1958), actor
Darla Hood (1931-1979), actress (Darla from Little Rascals), Leedley
Clint Howard (born 1959), actor (and Ron's brother)
Jean Speegle Howard (1927–2000), actress, mother of Ron Howard
Rance Howard (born 1928), actor, father of Ron and Clint Howard
Ron Howard (born 1954), director, producer, actor
Ben Johnson (1918–1996), Academy Award-winning actor
Jennifer Jones (1919–2009), actress (The Towering Inferno, Duel in the Sun)
Olivia Jordan (born 1988), actress, beauty pageant winner
Christian Kane (born 1974), actor, singer (Leverage)
Wright King (born 1923), actor, native of Okmulgee
Heather Langenkamp (born 1964), actress (A Nightmare on Elm Street)
Jason London (born 1972), actor (Wildfire)
Dick Lowry (born 1944), director
Thad Luckinbill (born 1975), actor (The Young and the Restless)
Terrence Malick (born 1943), film director
April March (born 1935), burlesque dancer
James Marsden (born 1973), actor (X-Men)
Rue McClanahan (1934–2010), actress (The Golden Girls)
Hayley McFarland (born 1991), actress (Lie to Me)
Beverlee McKinsey (1938–2008), soap-opera actress
Ryan Merriman (born 1983), actor (The Pretender)
Vera Miles (born 1929), actress (The Searchers, Psycho)
Sharron Miller, Emmy winning director, writer, producer
Megan Mullally, actress, dancer, singer (Will & Grace)
Olivia Munn (born 1980), actress, television personality (The Daily Show, The Newsroom)

N–Z

Clarence Nash (1904–1985), voice of Donald Duck
Tim Blake Nelson (born 1964), actor, director (O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Grey Zone)
Chuck Norris (born 1940), actor, martial artist (Walker, Texas Ranger)
Lee Pace (born 1979), actor, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Kinga Philipps (born 1976), actress, television personality
Cindy Pickett (born 1947), actress (St. Elsewhere, Ferris Bueller's Day Off)
Brad Pitt (born 1963), actor and producer
Mary Kay Place (born 1947), actress (The Big Chill)
Megyn Price (born 1971), actress (Rules of Engagement)
Tony Randall (1920–2004), actor (The Odd Couple)
Erik Rhodes (1906–1990), actor, singer
Dale Robertson (1923–2013), film and television actor; later rancher near Yukon, Oklahoma
Will Rogers (1875-1935), actor, columnist, radio personality
Chelcie Ross (born 1942), actor
Will Sampson (born 1933), artist, actor (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest)
Gailard Sartain (born 1946), actor, artist, comedian (Hee Haw, The Buddy Holly Story)
Tobe Sexton (born 1968), actor, filmmaker, singer, dancer (Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare, Offerings)
Ted Shackelford (born 1946), actor (Knots Landing)
Paul Sparks (born 1971), actor (Boardwalk Empire, House of Cards)
G. D. Spradlin (1920–2011), actor (The Godfather Part II)
Lauren Stamile (born 1976), actress (Grey's Anatomy)
Wes Studi (born 1947), actor (Dances with Wolves, Avatar)
Maria Tallchief (1925–2013), ballerina
Paula Trickey (born 1966), actress (Pacific Blue)
Jeanne Tripplehorn (born 1963), actress (Basic Instinct, Big Love)
Countess Vaughn (born 1978), actress (The Parkers)
Heather Wahlquist (born 1977), actress
Randy Wayne (born 1981), actor
Dennis Weaver (1924–2006), actor, (Gunsmoke, McCloud)
Michael Wilson (1914–1978), Academy Award-winning screenwriter
Alfre Woodard (born 1952), Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe Award-winning actress

Athletes

A–G

Xavier Adibi (born 1984), linebacker for the Houston Texans
Troy Aikman (born 1966), quarterback, OU, UCLA and Dallas Cowboys, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, sportscaster
Brent Albright, professional wrestler
Brett Anderson (born 1988), pitcher for the Oakland Athletics
Mark Anderson (born 1983), defensive end for the Buffalo Bills
Kelenna Azubuike (born 1983), shooting guard/small forward for the New York Knicks
David Baas (born 1981), guard and center for the New York Giants
Alvin Bailey (born 1991), offensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks
Dan Bailey (born 1988), placekicker for the Dallas Cowboys
Billy Bajema (born 1982), tight end for the Baltimore Ravens
Jeff Banister (born 1964), MLB catcher, manager of the Texas Rangers
Dallas Beeler (born 1989), pitcher for the Chicago Cubs
Johnny Bench (born 1947), MLB catcher for Cincinnati Reds, member Baseball Hall of Fame
Al Benton (born 1911), Former MLB Pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, and the Boston Red Sox.
Nick Blackburn (born 1982), starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
Brian Bosworth (born 1965), Oklahoma Sooners football and NFL player
Sam Bradford (born 1987), football quarterback, OU and Philadelphia Eagles
Jack Brisco, professional wrestler
Jerry Brisco, professional wrestler
Louise Brough (1923–2014), Hall of Fame tennis player
Josh Brown (born 1979), placekicker for the New York Giants
Mike Brumley (born 1963), third base coach for the Seattle Mariners
Ryan Budde (born 1979), catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks
Bruce Buffer (born 1957), Octagon announcer for UFC main events
Mikey Burnett, UFC fighter
Sol Butler (1895–1954), athlete who competed in football and track and field
Joe Carter (born 1960), Major League Baseball outfielder
Sherri Coale (born 1965), women's basketball coach at University of Oklahoma
Charles Coe (1923-2001), U.S. Amateur Golfer that won Seven Titles
Larry Coker (born 1948), football coach at University of Miami
Nick Cole (born 1984), guard for the Philadelphia Eagles
Bart Conner (born 1958), Olympic gold medal gymnast
Riley Cooper (born 1987), wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles
Bobby Cox (born 1941), Baseball Hall of Fame manager for the Atlanta Braves
Phillip Dillard (born 1986), linebacker for the UFL's Omaha Nighthawks
Tim Flannery (born 1957), third base coach for the San Francisco Giants
Brian Flynn (born 1990), pitcher for the Kansas City Royals
Dominique Franks (born 1987), cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons

Ryan Franklin pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles

Vickie Gates (born 1962), IFBB professional bodybuilder
Bill Goldberg, professional wrestler
Kelly Gregg, OU and NFL player
Jermaine Gresham (born 1988), tight end for the Arizona Cardinals
Matt Grice (born 1981), UFC fighter
Blake Griffin (born 1989), power forward for the Los Angeles Clippers
Taylor Griffin, forward for the Phoenix Suns

H–M

Charlie Haas, WWE professional wrestler
Tommy Hanson (1986–2015), MLB starting pitcher, primarily with the Atlanta Braves
Chris Harris, Jr. (born 1989), cornerback for the Denver Broncos
Mickey Hatcher (born 1955), OU baseball, outfielder for Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins
Andrew Heaney (born 1991), relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels
Rusty Hilger (born 1962), Oklahoma State and NFL quarterback
A. J. Hinch (born 1974), MLB catcher, manager of the Houston Astros
Danny Hodge (born 1932), Olympic champion wrestler
Mat Hoffman, world champion BMX biker
Matt Holliday (born 1980), left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals
Henry Iba (1904–1993), basketball coach, Basketball Hall of Famer
Gabe Ikard (born 1990), center for the Buffalo Bills
Darnell Jackson, forward for the Sacramento Kings
Betty Jameson (1919–2009), golfer in World Golf Hall of Fame
Charlie Johnson, guard for the Minnesota Vikings
Felix Jones, running back for the Dallas Cowboys
Bob Kalsu (1945–1970), Oklahoma Sooners football and Buffalo Bills player, only active professional football player killed in Vietnam War
Deji Karim (born 1986), running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars
Matt Kemp (born 1984), outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Dallas Keuchel (born 1988), pitcher for the Houston Astros
Stacey King, three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls (1991–1993)
Jon Kolb, Oklahoma State and Pittsburgh Steelers center
Hal Lahar (1919–2003), professional football player and college football coach
Steve Largent (born 1954), Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, Pro Football Hall of Famer and politician
Abe Lemons (1922–2002), Oklahoma City University, Pan American University, and Texas Longhorns basketball coach
Ronnell Lewis (born 1990), NFL player for Detroit Lions
Joe Lillard (1905–1978), running back for the Chicago Cardinals
Ray Mallouf (1918–2008), NFL quarterback and punter for the Chicago Cardinals and New York Giants
Mickey Mantle (1931–1995), New York Yankees outfielder, Baseball Hall of Famer
Pepper Martin (1904–1965), St. Louis Cardinals baseball player
Bryan McCann (born 1987), cornerback for the Oakland Raiders
Gerald McCoy (born 1988), defensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"Jumping Jack" McCracken (1911–1958), Basketball Hall of Famer
Leroy McGuirk, professional wrestler and promoter
Mike McGuirk, ring announcer for World Wrestling Federation
R. W. McQuarters (born 1976), former NFL cornerback
Robert Meachem (born 1984), wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers
Jordy Mercer (born 1986), shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Shannon Miller (born 1977), Olympic gold medal gymnast
Garrett Mills (born 1983), tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles
Ryan Minor, Oklahoma Sooners baseball and basketball player
Gil Morgan (born 1946), professional golfer
Marty Mornhinweg (born 1962), offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles
Tommy Morrison (1969–2013), heavyweight champion boxer
Bobby Murcer (1946–2008), professional baseball player and sportscaster

N–R

Rico Noel (born 1989), outfielder for the New York Yankees
Lance Norick (born 1968), NASCAR driver
Daniel Orton (born 1990), center for the Orlando Magic
Bill Owen (1903–1975), NFL offensive tackle
Steve Owen (1898–1964), Hall of Fame NFL player and head coach
Steve Owens (born 1947), Oklahoma Sooners football player and 1969 Heisman Trophy winner
Brad Penny (born 1978), MLB baseball pitcher
Beth Phoenix, professional wrestler
Darrell Porter (1952–2002), MLB baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals
Maurkice Pouncey (born 1989), center for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Pouncey (born 1989), center and guard for the Miami Dolphins
Mark Price (born 1964), basketball player; Enid H.S., Georgia Tech, and Cleveland Cavaliers
Bryant Reeves (born 1973), basketball player, attended Gans high school in eastern Oklahoma, played for Oklahoma State and NBA's Vancouver Grizzlies
Allie Reynolds (1917–1994), Baseball Hall of Famer
Crystal Robinson, New York Liberty, WNBA basketball player
Bullet Rogan (1893–1967), Baseball Hall of Famer
Matt Roney (born 1980), MLB relief pitcher
Jim Ross, WWE announcer
Darrell Royal (1924–2012), football coach at University of Texas
T. J. Rushing (born 1983), cornerback and return specialist for the Detroit Lions
John Russell (born 1961), bench coach for the Baltimore Orioles
Rex Ryan (born 1962), head coach for the Buffalo Bills
Rob Ryan (born 1962), defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys

S–Z

Barry Sanders, running back, Oklahoma State Cowboys Heisman Trophy winner, Football Hall of Famer
Spec Sanders (born 1919), football player for the New York Yankees (AAFC) and New York Yanks
Bill Self (born 1962), basketball coach at the University of Kansas
Lee Roy Selmon (1954–2011), Oklahoma Sooners football player and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee
Jeremy Shockey (born 1980), tight end for the New Orleans Saints
Billy Sims (born 1955), running back Oklahoma Sooners football and Detroit Lions, Heisman Trophy winner
Antonio Smith (born 1981), defensive end for the Denver Broncos
John Smith (born 1965), Olympic gold medalist and wrestling coach
Reggie Smith (born 1986), safety for the Carolina Panthers
Warren Spahn (1921–2003), pitcher, Baseball Hall of Famer
Willie Stargell (1940–2001), outfielder, Baseball Hall of Famer with the Pittsburgh Pirates, known for his ability to hit home runs completely out of stadiums
John Starks (born 1965), basketball player for the New York Knicks
Cory Sullivan (born 1979), outfielder for the Houston Astros
Eddie Sutton (born 1936), Arkansas Razorbacks and Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball coach
Jack Swagger, OU and WWE wrestler
Barry Switzer (born 1937), football coach, Oklahoma Sooners and Dallas Cowboys
Brian Tallet (born 1977), relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals
Ralph Terry (born 1936), pitcher, primarily with the New York Yankees
Jim Thorpe (1887–1953), athlete, Olympic gold medalist, played professional football and Major League Baseball; born in Prague, Oklahoma
Spencer Tillman, All-American running back for the Oklahoma Sooners and CBS television football analyst
Wayman Tisdale (1964–2009), professional basketball player and jazz musician
Bob Tway (born 1959), professional golfer and PGA Championship winner in 1986
Ekpe Udoh (born 1987), player for the Milwaukee Bucks
J. D. Walton (born 1987), center for the New York Giants
Lloyd "Little Poison" Waner (1906–1982), Baseball Hall of Famer
Paul "Big Poison" Waner (1903–1965), Baseball Hall of Famer
"Cowboy" Bill Watts (born 1939), professional wrestler and promoter
J.C. Watts (born 1957), Oklahoma Sooners football quarterback and U.S. Congressman
Brandon Weeden (born 1983), quarterback for the Houston Texans
Wes Welker (born 1981), wide receiver for the Denver Broncos
Jason White (born 1980), Oklahoma Sooners football quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner
Bud Wilkinson (1916–1994), famed Oklahoma Sooners football coach, member of the College Football Hall of Fame
Shelden Williams (born 1983), former NBA player
Reggie Willits (born 1981), left fielder for the Los Angeles Angels
Matt Wiman (born 1983), UFC fighter
James Winchester (born 1989), long snapper for the Kansas City Chiefs
Jamey Wright (born 1974), MLB relief pitcher

Authors

William Bernhardt (born 1960), novelist
John Berryman (1914–1972), poet
Angie Debo (1890–1988), author and Oklahoma historian
Ralph Ellison (1914–1994), writer and scholar
Martin Gardner (1914–2010), author specializing in recreational mathematics
Tony Hillerman (born 1925), journalist, historian, professor, and novelist
S.E. Hinton (born 1948), author and novelist
Nicole Jordan (born 1954), author
Louis L'Amour (1908–1988), western novelist
Billie Letts (1938-2014), novelist
Tracy Letts, playwright, screenwriter, actor
N. Scott Momaday, author, printmaker
Jeff Rowland, cartoonist, author of WIGU
Wilson Rawls (1913–1984), author
Josh Shipp (born 1981), author and motivational speaker
Jim Thompson (1906–1977), novelist
Bill Moyers (born 1934), journalist and public commentator
Jason Nelson (born 1970), internet artist and digital poet

Aviators and astronauts

Thomas and Paul Braniff, airline entrepreneurs, founders of Braniff International Airways
Gordon Cooper (1927–2006), astronaut
Owen K. Garriott (born 1930), astronaut
John Herrington (Chickasaw, born 1958), astronaut
James Jabara (1923–1966) world's first jet ace, and Korean War triple ace with 15 kills
Shannon Lucid (born 1943), astronaut
William R. Pogue (born 1930), astronaut
Wiley Post (1898–1935), first pilot to fly solo around the world, (born in Texas but grew up in Oklahoma)
Will Rogers (Cherokee, 1879–1935), aviator
Thomas Stafford (born 1930), astronaut
Clarence L. Tinker (Osage, 1887–1942), U.S. Army Air Corps general and supreme commander of the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific during World War II

Businesspeople

Rick Bayless (born 1953), restaurateur, chef, PBS television personality
Clay Bennett, chairman, Dorchester Capital, Professional Basketball LLC; owner, Oklahoma City Thunder
James A. Chapman (1881–1966), oil industry businessman
Edward K. Gaylord (1873–1974), founder, Daily Oklahoman
Edward L. Gaylord (1919–2003), editor, Daily Oklahoman; founder, TNN & CMT; owner, Grand Ole Opry
Sylvan Goldman (1898–1984), businessman and inventor of the shopping cart
J. M. Hall (1851–1935), merchant and pioneer of Tulsa, Oklahoma
George Kaiser,^[1] chairman of BOK Financial Corporation
W. W. Keeler (Cherokee, 1908–1987), principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, President and CEO of Phillips Petroleum Company (1968–1973)
Henry Kravis,^[2] co-founder of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
Eugene Lorton (1868–1949), owner, publisher and editor of the Tulsa World
James H. McBirney (1870–1944) founder and president, National Bank of Commerce,^[3]
Sam P. McBirney (1877–1936), founder and vice president, National Bank of Commerce, Tulsa^[3]
Robert M. McFarlin (1866–1942), oil industry businessman
Neal Patterson (born 1950), chief executive officer, Cerner Corporation; owner, Sporting Kansas City soccer team
Waite Phillips (1883–1964), oil industry businessman
T. Boone Pickens, Jr. (born 1928), oil industry businessman
William Skelly (1878–1957), founder of Skelly Oil Company and Spartan School of Aeronautics
Helen Walton (1919–2007), wife of Sam Walton, once richest woman in the world
Sam Walton (1918–1992), founder of Wal-Mart
Tom L. Ward, oil industry businessman
William K. Warren, Sr. (1897–1990), oil industry businessman, founder of Warren Petroleum Corporation and of St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa

Comedians

Bill Hader (b. 1978), actor, comedian
Harris Wittels (1984–2015) television writer, comedian
Alexander Posey (Muscogee Creek, 1873–1908) poet, humorist, journalist, and politician
Will Rogers (Cherokee, 1879–1935), humorist

Criminals

Cattle Annie (1882–1978), female bandit of the American Old West^[4]
Little Britches (born 1879; year of death unknown), female bandit, companion in crime with Cattle Annie^[4]
William K. "Bill" Hale, (died 1962), ringleader of the Osage Indian murders, convicted of murder in 1929.
Richard Lee McNair (born 1958), convicted murderer
Jon Schillaci (born 1971), former FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive
Belle Starr (1848–1889), queen of the outlaws; a female Jesse James
Cameron Willingham (1968–2004), convicted arsonist, whose case spawned a controversy over use of forensic evidence in capital trials

Miss America winners

Jennifer Berry (born 1983), Miss America 2006
Jane Anne Jayroe (born 1946), Miss America 1967
Lauren Nelson (born 1987), Miss America 2007
Susan Powell (born 1959), Miss America 1981
Norma Smallwood (Cherokee, 1909–1966), Miss America 1926, first Miss America of Native American heritage
Shawntel Smith (born 1971), Miss America 1996

Military and political figures

Carl Albert (1908–2000), Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1971 to 1977; born in McAlester, reared in Bugtussle, Oklahoma
Bob Ballinger, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives; reared in Tulsa
Dewey F. Bartlett, Sr. (1919–1979), Oklahoma Governor and U.S. Senator
Dan Boren (born 1973), represents Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional district in the U.S. House
David Boren (born 1941), former Governor of Oklahoma, U.S. Senator and University of Oklahoma president
Donna Campbell (born 1954), physician and member of the Texas Senate; reared in Oklahoma
Joseph J. Clark (Cherokee, 1893–1971), Admiral U.S. Navy and first Native American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy
William J. Crowe (1925–2007), Admiral U.S. Navy and former Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff
Floyd D. Culbertson, Jr. (1908–1989), mayor of Minden, Louisiana (1940–1942); later practiced law in Texas and Tulsa, where he died and is interred at Memorial Park Cemetery
Drew Edmondson (born 1946), state Attorney General
General Tommy Franks (born 1945), Commander of US Central Command, US Invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq
Bo Gritz (born 1939), most decorated Green Beret officer during the Vietnam War
Enoch Kelly Haney (Seminole, born 1940), Senator State of Oklahoma, campaign manager for George P. Nigh during his first successful bid for Governor, Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, artist, sculptor, historian, businessman
Patrick J. Hurley (1883–1963), U.S. Secretary of War under President Herbert Hoover
Jeane Kirkpatrick (1926–2006), U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Perle Mesta (1889–1975), political hostess, U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg
A. S. Mike Monroney (1902–1980), U.S. Senator, sponsor of the Automobile Information Disclosure Act of 1958
Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1927–2003), U.S. Senator, ambassador to India, Ambassador to the United Nations
Donald Lee "Don" Nickles (born 1948), U.S. Senator from Oklahoma 1981–2005
George Nigh (born 1927), two-time Governor of Oklahoma from McAlester, Oklahoma
Tony Perkins (born 1963), director of the Family Research Council and former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Dennis Reimer (born 1939), four-star General, Chief of Staff of the US Army
Alice Mary Robertson (1854–1931), educator, social worker, government official, and politician
Gene Stipe (1926–2012), longest-serving member of the Oklahoma State Senate, from McAlester, Oklahoma
Apollo Soucek (1897–1955 ), test pilot and Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy, born in Medford, Oklahoma
Clarence L. Tinker (1887–1942), Air Force major general killed in action in World War II
Elizabeth Warren (born 1949), US Senator for Massachusetts, Special Advisor for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
J.C. Watts (born 1957), former U.S. representative in the majority leadership; OU Sooners quarterback
Neil Woodward (born 1962), Naval officer, former NASA astronaut
Jim Woolsey (born 1941), former Director of Central Intelligence and head of the CIA (1993–1995)

Musicians

A–M

Hoyt Axton (1938–1999), country music singer-songwriter, wrote "Never Been to Spain"
Chet Baker (1929–1988), jazz trumpeter who helped popularize 1950s cool jazz style
Molly Bee (1939–2009), country singer
Elvin Bishop, singer-songwriter; from Tulsa; hit record "Fooled Around and Fell in Love"
Anita Jane Bryant (1940), singer, former Miss Oklahoma
Bob Bogle, bassist and founding member of The Ventures, member of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Earl Bostic (1913–1965), R&B and jazz musician
Garth Brooks (born 1962), country music singer-songwriter
Don Byas (1912–1972), jazz tenor saxophonist; a leading musician of swing and bebop eras
JJ Cale (1938-2013), country rock (see Tulsa sound)
Henson Cargill (born 1941), country music singer
Jerry Cantrell, musician, lead guitarist and vocalist, Alice in Chains
Gary Chapman (born 1957), Contemporary Christian musician
Charlie Christian (1916–1942), jazz guitarist, member of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, considered father of jazz guitar
Roy Clark (born 1933), country musician
Eddie Cochran, rockabilly musician
Wayne Coyne, member, indie rock band The Flaming Lips
Jesse Ed Davis (Kiowa-Comanche, 1944–1988), Taj Mahal band, session musician post-Beatles, born in Norman
Bob Dunn, musician, invented electric guitar; from Beggs, Oklahoma
Ronnie Dunn (born 1953), half of country music duo Brooks & Dunn
Nokie Edwards (born 1935), lead guitarist of The Ventures, member of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Gail Farrell (born 1947), singer-songwriter, featured performer from The Lawrence Welk Show
John Fullbright, singer-songwriter; from Bearden
David Gates (born 1940), singer-songwriter associated with the band Bread
Vince Gill (born 1957), country musician
Earl Grant (1933–1970), easy listening pianist
Woody Guthrie (1912–1967), folk singer
Glen Hardin (born 1939), musician, piano player
Roy Harris (1898–1979), classical composer
Richard Hart (born 1955), jazz guitarist, composer, arranger, published artist
Lee Hazlewood (1929–2007), singer-songwriter, record producer
Michael Hedges (1953–1997), acoustic guitarist, born in Enid, Oklahoma
Wanda Jackson (born 1938), rockabilly singer, born in Maud, Oklahoma
Brett James (born 1968), country singer-songwriter
Toby Keith (born 1961), country musician
Merle Kilgore (1934–2005), singer-songwriter, manager
Tosca Kramer (1903–1976), violinist, violist, music educator
Fredell Lack (born 1922), violinist
Mel McDaniel (born 1942), country music singer-songwriter
Reba McEntire (born 1955), country singer
Susie McEntire (born 1957), inspirational country singer and storyteller
Roger Miller (1936–1992), singer-songwriter
Leona Mitchell (born 1948), African-American soprano; member, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame

N–Z

Norma Jean (born Norma Jean Beasler in 1938), country music singer
Patti Page (1927–2013), traditional pop music and country music singer
Sandi Patty (born 1957), contemporary Christian music singer
Tom Paxton (born 1937), singer-songwriter
Ben Rector (born 1986), pop singer-songwriter
Steve Ripley (born 1950), songwriter, studio engineer, guitarist, and inventor, leader of rock band, The Tractors
Sam Rivers (born 1923), jazz tenor saxophonist with Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, and Quincy Jones
Joe Don Rooney (born 1975), country music singer, one-third of group Rascal Flatts
Leon Russell (1942-2016), singer-songwriter, pianist and guitarist
Neal Schon (born 1954), lead rock guitarist of Journey
Mark Selby, blues rock musician
Blake Shelton (born 1976), country musician
John Simmons (1918–1979), jazz bassist
Kay Starr (born 1922), pop and jazz singer
Ryan Tedder, frontman, pop rock band OneRepublic
B. J. Thomas (born 1942), singer-songwriter (singer of "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head")
Carrie Underwood (born 1983), country music singer-songwriter, American Idol 2005 winner
Jimmy Webb (born 1946), popular music composer
Bryan White (born 1974), country music singer
Reese Wilson (born 1962), country music songwriter
Claude Williams (1908–2004), jazz musician, Count Basie band
Mason Williams (born 1938), composer ("Classical Gas"), recording artist, comedy writer (Smothers Brothers)
Bob Wills (1905–1975), country music singer-songwriter, leader of band The Texas Playboys
Sheb Wooley (1921–2003), actor and singer (Purple People Eater)

Native Americans

Further information: List of Native American artists from Oklahoma

Bill Anoatubby (born 1945), Governor of the Chickasaw Nation
Lisa Johnson Billy (born 1967), Oklahoma State Legislator; first Woman Native American elected to HD 42; one of the founders of the Native American Caucus; Chickasaw Indian
Black Kettle (1801/07–1868), Cheyenne Chief killed near Cheyenne, Oklahoma, in Roger Mills County
T.C. Cannon (Kiowa/Caddo, 1946–1978), 20th-century Native American artist and poet
Joseph J. Clark (Cherokee Nation, 1893–1971), Admiral in U.S. Navy
George W. Harkins (Choctaw, (1810–1861), attorney, judge, Chief of the Apukshunnubbee District
Wilma Mankiller (1945–2010), first woman Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation
Doris McLemore, (Wichita, 1927–2016), last speaker of the Wichita language^[5]
Quanah Parker (Comanche, c. late 1840s–1911), chief and cofounder of the Native American Church
Peter Pitchlynn (Choctaw, 1806-1881), provisional Choctaw Chief, Choctaw Delegate to Washington, D.C.; buried in the Congressional Cemetery
Pleasant Porter (Muscogee, 1840–1907), Muscogee (Creek) Nation principal chief
Harvey Pratt (Southern Cheyenne, born 1941), Native American forensic artist, Cheyenne peace chief
Will Rogers (Cherokee, 1879–1935), humorist, actor, author, aviator, movie producer
John Ross (Cherokee, 1790–1866), principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, buried at Park Hill, Oklahoma
Sequoyah (Cherokee, 1776–1842), lived in what is now Sequoyah County; blacksmith, teacher, inventor of the Cherokee syllabary
Maria Tallchief (Osage Nation, 1925–2013), first American prima ballerina
Marjorie Tallchief (Osage Nation, 1925–2013), ballerina
Clarence L. Tinker (Osage Nation, 1887–1942), U.S. Army Air Corps general, first American general to die in World War II
Fred Waite (Chickasaw, 1853–1895), cowboy, member of Billy the Kid's gang and politician
Stand Watie (Cherokee, 1806–1871), Brigadier General in the Confederate Army, chief
Della Warrior (Otoe-Missouria, born 1946), first female chairperson of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, president of the Institute of American Indian Arts, executive director of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture

Radio and television personalities

Skip Bayless (born 1951), sports journalist (ESPN First Take)
Walter Cronkite (1916–2009), television journalist
Douglas Edwards (1917–1990), radio and television journalist
Gary England (born 1939), chief meteorologist for KWTV Channel 9
Kathy Lee Gifford (born 1953), television personality, Oral Roberts University graduate
Kayne Gillaspie, television personality and fashion designer
Paul Harvey (1918–2009), radio broadcaster and commentator
Mary Hart (born 1950), television personality, co-host Entertainment Tonight
Glenn Hauser (born 1945), radio broadcaster
Phil McGraw (born 1950), television psychologist
Bill Moyers, television journalist
Bob Murphy (1924–2004), sportscaster, play-by-play for New York Mets
Ross Porter (born 1938), longtime broadcaster for Los Angeles Dodgers
Dan Rowan (1922–1987), comedian and co-host, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Reed Timmer (born 1980), television personality, Storm Chasers
Judy Woodruff (born 1946), television journalist

Scientists, including medicine

Richard E. Berendzen (born 1938), astronomer, author, and professor
Kenneth H. Cooper (born 1931), physician, United States Air Force officer, pioneer of aerobics
David Deming, PhD, author, professor of geology, and political comentator
Edwin R. Gilliland (1909–1973), chemical engineer and professor
Lyle Goodhue (1903–1981), research chemist and American inventor
James Herndon (born 1952), media psychologist
Karl Guthe Jansky (1905–1950), physicist and radio engineer
John York (born 1949), cancer research pathologist

Religious figures

Finis Alonzo Crutchfield (1916–1987), Methodist minister and Bishop of Oklahoma
Paul Vernon Galloway (d. 1990), Methodist minister and Bishop of Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana
Charles William Kerr (1875–1951), first permanent Protestant minister in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Jerry Johnston (born 1959), Southern Baptist clergyman and university administrator, born in Oklahoma City
Robert McGill Loughridge (1809–1900), Presbyterian missionary
Quanah Parker (Comanche, 1852–1911), Native American Church leader and advocate
Oral Roberts (1918–2009), evangelist
John Wilson (Caddo) (ca. 1840–1901), Native American Church roadman
Yahweh ben Yahweh (born Hulon Mitchell Jr.), leader, religious group Nation of Yahweh

Visual artists