List of people from Columbus, Georgia

See also: Category:People from Columbus, Georgia

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The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Columbus, Georgia.

## Arts and culture

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Name  | Image  | Birth  | Death  | Known for  | Association  | Reference

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Bo Bartlett |  | Dec 29, 1955 |  | Realist painter  | Born in Columbus  | [1]
Ricky Bartlett |  | Sep 27, 1972 |  | Actor, radio and television personality  | Born in Columbus  |
Megan Blake |  |  |  | Miss Georgia 1983  | Born in Columbus  |
Bob the Drag Queen (Caldwell Tidicue)  |  | June 22, 1986  |  | Drag queen and comedian, won season 8 of RuPaul's Drag Race | Born in Columbus, studied theater at Columbus State University | \-
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)  | 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]
Amy Sherald |  | Aug 30, 1973 |  | Best known for her portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama  | Born in Columbus  |
Mary Ann Williams |  | Aug 10, 1821 | Apr 15, 1874 | First to propose an annual holiday to decorate soldiers graves (Memorial Day)  | Lived in Columbus  | \-

## Music

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Name  | Image  | Birth  | Death  | Known for  | Association  | Reference

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Robert M. Barr |  | 1918 | 1988 | Conductor of the Jordan High School Band in Columbus (1946–1963)  | Lived in Columbus; chorus director in Fort Benning  | [11]
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  | [12]
Jake Hess |  | Dec 24, 1927 | Jan 4, 2004 | Grammy Award-winning southern gospel singer  | Lived in Columbus  | [13]
Dmitri Matheny |  | Dec 25, 1965 |  | Jazz flugelhornist, composer, educator, producer and recording artist  | Grew up in Columbus  | [14]
Marilyn McCoo |  | Sep 30, 1943 |  | Pop singer  | Lived in Columbus for seven years  | [15]
Curley Money |  | Mar 20, 1925 | Dec 23, 2003 | Rockabilly musician and songwriter  | Lived in Columbus  | [16]
Bebo Norman |  | May 29, 1973 |  | Contemporary Christian musician  | Lives in Columbus  | [17]
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  | [18]
Herrman S. Saroni |  | Feb 1824 | Dec 29, 1900 | Author, composer and inventor credited with starting the Columbus Symphony Orchestra  | Lived in Columbus  | [19]
Keni Thomas |  |  |  | Country music singer and United States Army Ranger | Lives in Columbus  | [20]
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  | [21]
Blind Tom Wiggins |  | May 25, 1849 | Jun 14, 1908 | African-American musical prodigy on the piano  | Owned as a slave in Columbus  | [22]
Tim Wilson |  | Aug 5, 1961 | Feb 26, 2014 | Stand-up comedian and country music artist  | Born and died in Columbus  | [23]

## Business

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Name  | Image  | Birth  | Death  | Known for  | Association  | Reference

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Claud A. Hatcher |  | Aug 20, 1876 | Dec 31, 1933 | Pharmacist; inventor of  RC Cola beverages | Lived in Columbus  | [24]
Randolph Mott |  | Aug 9, 1799 | Jul 20, 1881 | Businessman, unionist  | Lived in Columbus  | [25]
John Pemberton |  | Jul 8, 1831 | Aug 16, 1888 | Pharmacist; inventor of Coca-Cola | Lived in Columbus  | [26]
Robert W. Woodruff |  | Dec 6, 1889 | Mar 7, 1985 | President of The Coca-Cola Company (1923–1954)  | Born in Columbus[27] |

## Military

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Name  | Image  | Birth  | Death  | Known for  | Association  | Reference

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Henry L. Benning |  | Apr 2, 1814 | Jul 10, 1875 | Judge on the Georgia Supreme Court; Confederate Army general; namesake of Fort Benning | Born and died in Columbus  | [28]
Eugene Bullard |  | Oct 9, 1895 | Oct 12, 1961 | First African-American military pilot  | Born in Columbus  | [29]
William Calley |  | Jun 8, 1943 |  | United States Army officer convicted of ordering the My Lai Massacre | Lived in Columbus

## Politics and activism

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Name  | Image  | Birth  | Death  | Known for  | Association  | Reference

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Bubba Copeland |  | May 27, 1974 | Nov 3, 2023 | Mayor of Smiths Station, Alabama (2016–2023)  | Born in Columbus  |
Newt Gingrich |  | Jun 17, 1943 |  | 58th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives | Graduated from Baker High School in Columbus (1961)  | [30]
Petra Kelly |  | Nov 29, 1947 | Oct 1, 1992 | Founder of German Green Party  | Graduated from Baker High School in Columbus (1966)  | [31]
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  | [32]
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  | [33]

## Sports

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### Baseball

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Name  | Image  | Birth  | Death  | Known for  | Association  | Reference

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Reggie Abercrombie |  | Jul 15, 1981 |  | Center fielder for Florida Marlins and Houston Astros | Born in Columbus  | [34]
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  | [35]
Tim Hudson |  | Jul 14, 1975 |  | Four-time All-Star pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants | Born in Columbus  | [36]
Garey Ingram |  | Jul 25, 1970 |  | Second baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers | Born in Columbus  | [37]
Edwin Jackson |  | Sep 9, 1983 |  | All-Star pitcher for MLB teams; World Series champion (2011)  | Attended Shaw High School in Columbus  | [38]
Brian Mallette |  | Jan 19, 1975 |  | Relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers and Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes | Attended Columbus State University | [39]
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  | [40]
Colby Rasmus |  | Aug 11, 1986 |  | Center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays | Born in Columbus  | [41]
Cory Rasmus |  | Nov 6, 1987 |  | Pitcher for the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | Born in Columbus  | [42]
Steven Register |  | May 16, 1983 |  | Relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies | Born in Columbus  | [43]
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  | [44]

### Basketball

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Name  | Image  | Birth  | Death  | Known for  | Association  | Reference

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Sam Mitchell |  | Sep 2, 1963 |  | NBA Coach of the Year Award (2007) for the Toronto Raptors; assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, New Jersey Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves | Born in Columbus  | [45]

### Bodybuilding

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Name  | Image  | Birth  | Death  | Known for  | Association  | Reference

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Lenda Murray |  | Feb 22, 1962 |  | Bodybuilding champion  |  | [citation needed]

### Football

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Name  | Image  | Birth  | Death  | Known for  | Association  | Reference

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Derrius Brooks |  | May 29, 1988 |  | Defensive back for multiple teams  | Born in Columbus  | [46]
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  | [47]
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  | [48]
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  | [49]
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  | [50]
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  | [51]
Mack Strong |  | Sep 11, 1971 |  | Fullback for the Seattle Seahawks; 2× Pro Bowl (2005, 2006)  | Attended Brookstone School in Columbus  | [52]
Cleo Walker |  | Feb 7, 1948 |  | Linebacker for the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons | Born in Columbus  | [53]

### Soccer

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Name  | Image  | Birth  | Death  | Known for  | Association  | Reference

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Marshall Leonard |  | Dec 29, 1980 |  | Defender for the New England Revolution | Attended both Shaw High School and Brookstone School in Columbus  | [54]

### Wrestling

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Name  | Image  | Birth  | Death  | Known for  | Association  | Reference

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Marty Jannetty |  | Feb 3, 1960 |  | World Wrestling Federation wrestler; member of The Rockers tag team  | Born in Columbus  |
Xavier Woods |  | Sep 4, 1986 |  | WWE wrestler  |  | [citation needed]

## References

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1. ^ "Bo Bartlett". Newswise, Inc. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
2. ^ 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.
3. ^ "Donna D'Errico". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
4. ^ Bellware, Daniel (Fall 2016). "Those Huff Girls". Muscogiana. Columbus State University.
5. ^ Bellware, Daniel (Fall 2016). "Those Huff Girls". Muscogiana. Columbus State University.
6. ^ Stempel, Tom (1980). Screenwriter, The Life and Times of Nunnally Johnson. A. S. Barnes. pp. 20. ISBN 978-0-498-02362-0.
7. ^ "Carson McCullers". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
8. ^ Parrish, Robert (1976). Growing Up in Hollywood. Harcourt Brace Jovanivich. p. 3\. ISBN 0-15-137473-2.
9. ^ "George Foster Peabody". rjohara.net. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
10. ^ "Alma Thomas". National Museum of women in the Arts. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
11. ^ "Robert M. Barr". High School Band Directors National Association. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
12. ^ "Justin Guarini". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
13. ^ "Jake Hess". Southern Gospel History. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
14. ^ "Dmitri Matheny". azcentral.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
15. ^ "Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr". Retrieved 26 Oct 2021.
16. ^ "Curley Money". AlabamaMusicOffice.Com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
17. ^ "Bebo Norman". Starpulse.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
18. ^ "Ma Rainey". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
19. ^ "Columbus Symphony Orchestra History". Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
20. ^ "Keni Thomas". Gainesville.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
21. ^ "Danny Whitten". Rovi Corp. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
22. ^ "Blind Tom Wiggins". BlackPast.org. 13 February 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
23. ^ Fernandez, Maria Elena (Feb 27, 2014). "Comedic country singer Tim Wilson dies at 52". NBC News. Today. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
24. ^ "About RC Cola International: Our History". Retrieved 11 Sep 2014.
25. ^ Bellware, Daniel (April 2003). "The Last Battle. Period. Really". Civil War Times Illustrated. 42: 48–56.
26. ^ "John Stith Pemberton". University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
27. ^ "Robert W. Woodruff". University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
28. ^ "Henry L. Benning". Benning-Cobb-Russell Family of Georgia. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
29. ^ "Eugene Bullard". University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
30. ^ "Newt Gingrich". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
31. ^ https://peopleinaction.com/petrakelly/
32. ^ President Mirabeau B. Lamar, tsl.state.tx.us; retrieved March 2008
33. ^ "Superior Court Judges". Columbus Georgia Government. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
34. ^ "Reggie Abercrombie". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
35. ^ "Glenn Davis". Jacksonville.com. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
36. ^ "Tim Hudson". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
37. ^ "Garey Ingram". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
38. ^ "Edwin Jackson". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
39. ^ "Brian Mallette". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
40. ^ "Tony Pierce". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
41. ^ "Colby Rasmus". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
42. ^ "Cory Rasmus". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
43. ^ "Steven Register". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
44. ^ "Frank Thomas". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
45. ^ "Sam Mitchell". Basketball Reference.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
46. ^ "Derrius Brooks". nfl.com. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
47. ^ "Brentson Buckner". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
48. ^ "Roderick Hood". NFL Enterprises LLc. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
49. ^ "DeQuan Menzie". Alabama Crimson Tide. Archived from the original on 10 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
50. ^ "Nate Odomes". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
51. ^ "Otis Sistrunk". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
52. ^ "Mack Strong". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
53. ^ "Cleo Walker". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
54. ^ "Marshall Leonard". Virginia Cavaliers Men's Soccer. Retrieved 26 March 2013.