List of people from Washington (state)

The following is a list of notable people from Washington State – people who were born in, or raised in the U.S. state of Washington, live(d) in Washington, or are strongly associated/have significant relations with the state.

A

 * Nathan Adrian (born 1988) (Bremerton), three-time Olympic gold medalist
 * Sandy Alderson (born 1947) (Seattle), baseball general manager, New York Mets
 * Sherman Alexie (born 1966) (Wellpinit), writer, poet, and filmmaker
 * Laura Allen (born 1974) (Bainbridge Island), actress, The 4400, Dirt, Awake
 * Paul Allen (1953–2018) (Seattle), entrepreneur and philanthropist; co-founder, Microsoft
 * Rick Anderson (born 1956) (Everett), baseball pitching coach,
 * Earl Anthony (1938–2001) (Tacoma), professional bowler
 * Brad Arnsberg (born 1963) (Seattle), baseball pitching coach, Houston Astros
 * Colleen Atwood (born 1948) (Quincy), Academy Award-winning costume designer
 * Earl Averill (1902–1983) (Snohomish), Major League Baseball outfielder in National Baseball Hall of Fame
 * John Aylward (born 1946) (Seattle), actor; ER, The Others, Armageddon

B

 * Red Badgro (1902–1998) (Kent), National Football League end; member, Pro Football Hall of Fame
 * Chris Ballew (born 1965) (Seattle), singer, alternative-rock band The Presidents of the United States of America
 * Bob Barker (born 1923) (Darrington), game show host, The Price Is Right
 * Tony Barnette (born 1983) (Federal Way), relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers
 * Glenn Beck (born 1964) (Mount Vernon), conservative talk radio and television host
 * Welton Becket (1902–1969) (Seattle), architect
 * Caprice Benedetti (born 1966) (Seattle), actress
 * Bruce Bennett (1906–2007) (Tacoma), athlete and actor
 * Barbara Berjer (1920–2002) (Seattle), soap opera actress
 * Steven "Jesse" Bernstein (1950–1991) (Seattle), poet, author, and essayist
 * Jeff Bezos (born 1964) (Seattle), founder and CEO of Amazon
 * Greg Biffle (born 1969) (Vancouver), NASCAR driver
 * Josie Bissett (born 1970) (Seattle), actress
 * Angie Bjorklund (born 1989) (Spokane), basketball player, Chicago Sky
 * Tori Black (born 1988) (Seattle), adult model and pornographic actress
 * Frances Blakemore (1906-1997), artist and author
 * Sheila Bleck (born 1974) (Vancouver), IFBB professional bodybuilder
 * Drew Bledsoe (born 1972) (Ellensburg), football quarterback, New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys
 * Mary L. Boas (1917–2010) (Seattle), mathematician and physics professor, and writer; author, Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences
 * Ralph P. Boas, Jr. (1912–1992) (Walla Walla), mathematician, teacher, and journal editor
 * Jeremy Bonderman (born 1982) (Kennewick), baseball pitcher, Cleveland Indians
 * Bill Bowerman (1911–1999) (Seattle), track coach, University of Oregon; co-founder, Nike
 * Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (1912–1988) (Tacoma), Major, Marine Corps aviator, Flying Ace, Medal of Honor recipient, Navy Cross recipient
 * Avery Bradley (born 1990) (Tacoma), shooting guard for Detroit Pistons
 * Bryan Braman (born 1987) (Spokane), linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles
 * Jesse Brand (born 1976) (Ferndale), singer-songwriter
 * Michael Brantley (born 1987) (Bellevue), outfielder for Cleveland Indians
 * Karan Brar (born 1999) (Redmond), actor
 * Walter Houser Brattain (1902–1987) (Tonasket), Nobel Prize-winning physicist who co-invented the transistor
 * Richard Brautigan (1935–1984) (Tacoma), novelist, poet, and short story writer
 * Isaac Brock (born 1975) (Issaquah), singer, indie rock band Modest Mouse
 * Jon Brockman (born 1987) (Snohomish), power forward for Milwaukee Bucks
 * Gail Brodsky (born 1991), tennis player
 * Arthur C. Brooks (born 1964) (Spokane), social scientist, economist, president of American Enterprise Institute
 * Daniel Bryan (born Bryan Danielson, 1981) (Aberdeen), professional wrestler
 * Linda B. Buck (born 1947) (Seattle), scientist, Nobel Prize winner
 * Travis Buck (born 1983) (Richland), Major League Baseball player for Houston Astros (OF)
 * Ted Bundy (1946–1989) (Tacoma/Seattle), serial killer
 * Billy Burke (born 1966) (Bellingham), actor, Charlie Swan in The Twilight Saga
 * Nate Burleson (born 1981) (Renton), wide receiver for NFL's Detroit Lions
 * Jeff Burlingame (born 1971) (Aberdeen), author, winner of NAACP Image Award and Sigma Delta Chi Award
 * George Washington Bush (1779–1863) (Tumwater), pioneer
 * Raegan Butcher (Snohomish), poet
 * Octavia E. Butler (1947–2006) (Lake Forest Park), science-fiction writer
 * Sarah Butler (born 1985) (Puyallup), actress

C

 * Tom Cable (born 1964) (Snohomish), assistant coach, Seattle Seahawks
 * Dove Cameron (born 1996) (Seattle), actress
 * Dyan Cannon (born 1937) (Tacoma), actress
 * Jerry Cantrell (born 1966) (Tacoma), guitarist for Alice in Chains
 * Maria Cantwell (born 1958) (Edmonds), United States Senator, former VP of RealNetworks
 * Bryan Caraway (born 1984) (Yakima), mixed martial artist
 * Orson Scott Card (born 1951) (Richland), author and professor at Southern Virginia University
 * Harvey Carignan (born 1927), serial killer
 * Brandi Carlile (born 1981) (Ravensdale), musician
 * Chester Carlson (1906–1968) (Seattle), inventor of xerography
 * JoAnne Carner (born 1939) (Kirkland), Hall of Fame golfer
 * Raymond Carver (1938–1988) (Port Angeles), author
 * Neko Case (born 1970) (Tacoma), chanteuse
 * Pat Cashman (Seattle), actor and radio personality
 * James Caviezel (born 1968) (Mount Vernon), actor
 * Ron Cey (born 1948) (Tacoma), All-Star Major League Baseball player
 * Drew Chadwick (born 1992) (Sequim), appeared on The X Factor USA with trio Emblem3
 * Edward Chamberlin (1899–1967) (La Conner), economist
 * Carol Channing (born 1921) (Seattle), actress
 * Valentina Chepiga (born 1962) (Seattle), IFBB professional bodybuilder
 * Dale Chihuly (born 1941) (Tacoma), glass artist
 * Chin Gee Hee (1844–1929) (Seattle), Chinese immigrant, made fortune in Seattle, returned to China as railway entrepreneur
 * Louis Chirillo (born 1961) (Seattle), voice actor
 * Jori Chisholm (born 1975) (Seattle), champion bagpiper
 * Erika Christensen (born 1982) (Seattle), actress
 * Adam Cimber (born 1990) (Puyallup), pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
 * Michael Clarke (born 1946) (Spokane), drummer for The Byrds
 * Beverly Cleary (born 1916) (Yakima), author
 * Chuck Close (born 1940) (Monroe), artist
 * Kurt Cobain (1967–1994) (Aberdeen), Nirvana vocalist and guitarist
 * Erik Coleman (born 1982) (Spokane), football player for Atlanta Falcons
 * Nancy Coleman (1912–2000) (Everett), actress
 * Judy Collins (born 1939) (Seattle), folk singer
 * Hank Conger (born 1988) (Federal Way), catcher for Houston Astros
 * Jeff Conine (born 1966) (Tacoma), former All-Star Major League Baseball player
 * John Considine (1868–1943) (Seattle), impresario; founded one of first vaudeville circuits
 * Chris Cornell (1964–2017) (Seattle), vocalist for Soundgarden and Audioslave
 * Fred Couples (born 1959) (Seattle), professional golfer
 * Randy Couture (born 1963) (Everett), mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, actor
 * Colin Cowherd (born 1962) (Bay Center), sports media personality
 * Ian Crawford (born 1988) (Auburn), affiliated with bands Panic! at the Disco and The Cab
 * Jamal Crawford (born 1980) (Seattle), NBA player for Los Angeles Clippers
 * Bing Crosby (1903–1977) (Spokane), singer and actor
 * Merce Cunningham (1919–2009) (Centralia), dancer and choreographer
 * Anthony Curcio a.k.a. D.B. Tuber (born 1980), armored car robber
 * Colin Curtis (born 1985) (Issaquah), left fielder for New York Yankees

D

 * Joel Dahmen (born 1987) (Clarkston), professional golfer
 * Felecia Danay (born 1972) (Tacoma), pornographic actress
 * David DeCastro (born 1990) (Kirkland), guard for NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers
 * Arthur Denny (1822–1889), early pioneer who founded Seattle
 * Gail Devers (born 1966) (Seattle), athlete, Olympic gold medalist
 * Garret Dillahunt (born 1964) (Selah), actor
 * Corey Dillon (born 1974) (Federal Way), running back for NFL's New England Patriots
 * Westley Allan Dodd (1961–1993) (Toppenish), serial killer
 * Elinor Donahue (born 1937) (Tacoma), actress on Father Knows Best
 * James Doohan (1920–2005) (Redmond), actor, Scotty on Star Trek
 * Jon Dorenbos (born 1980) (Woodinville), long snapper for NFL's Philadelphia Eagles
 * Ryan Doumit (Moses Lake), outfielder for Minnesota Twins
 * Howard Duff (1913–1990) (Bremerton), actor
 * Jessie Duff (Burlington), competitive shooter
 * Bonnie Dunbar (born 1949) (Sunnyside), astronaut
 * Jeff Dye (Kent), stand-up comedian, socialite

E

 * Turk Edwards (1907–1973) (Douglas County), Hall of Fame offensive tackle and coach
 * John Ehrlichman (1925–1999) (Tacoma), counsel to President Richard Nixon
 * Lisa Ellis (born 1982) (Woodinville), professional mixed martial artist
 * Harris Ellsworth (1899–1986) (Hoquiam), Oregon congressman
 * John Elway (born 1960) (Port Angeles), NFL quarterback, two-time Super Bowl winner, Denver Broncos executive
 * Justin Ena (born 1978) (Shelton), NFL linebacker for Philadelphia Eagles
 * Helga Estby (1860–1942) (Spokane), walked across U.S. in 1896

F

 * Anna Faris (born 1976) (Edmonds), actress, starred in Scary Movie series and Just Friends
 * Frances Farmer (1914–1970) (Seattle), actress
 * Joe Feddersen (1953) (Omak), sculptor, painter, photographer
 * Ray Flaherty (1903–1994) (Spokane), football player, coach, Hall of Famer
 * Shirley E. Flynn (born 1929) (Spokane), historian
 * Tom Foley (1929–2013) (Spokane), Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (1989–1995)
 * Russ Francis (born 1953) (Seattle), tight end with New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers
 * Bryan Fuller (born 1969) (Clarkston), writer, creator of Dead Like Me and Pushing Daisies
 * Stacy Marie Fuson (born 1978) (Tacoma), Playboy model, February 1999 Playmate of the Month

G

 * Kenny G (born Kenneth Gorelick, 1956) (Seattle), musician
 * Tess Gallagher (born 1943) (Port Angeles), poet, essayist, writer
 * Nathan Gamble (born 1998) (Tacoma), child actor, The Dark Knight, Marley & Me, Hank
 * Bill Gates (born 1955) (Seattle), founder of Microsoft
 * Ben Gibbard (born 1976) (Bremerton), lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service
 * Andy Gibson (born 1981) (Spokane), country music singer
 * Cam Gigandet (born 1982) (Tacoma), actor
 * Garrett Grayson (born 1991) (Vancouver), quarterback, New Orleans Saints
 * Vernon Greene (1908–1965) (Battle Ground), cartoonist
 * David Guterson (born 1956) (Bainbridge Island), author

H

 * Richard Haag (born 1923) (Seattle), landscape architect, only two-time recipient of ASLA President's Award for Design Excellence
 * Nick Hagadone (born 1986) (Sumner), pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
 * Ivar Haglund (1905–1985) (Seattle), folk singer, restaurateur
 * Matt Hague (born 1985) (Bellevue), first baseman, Toronto Blue Jays
 * Marcus Hahnemann (born 1972) (Kent), goalkeeper for Reading F.C.
 * Jason Hammel (born 1982) (Port Orchard), starting pitcher, Kansas City Royals
 * Thomas Hampson (born 1955) (Spokane), opera singer
 * Jane Hamsher (born 1959) (Seattle), film producer, author, and left-wing blogger
 * Jason Hanson (born 1970) (Spokane), placekicker, Detroit Lions
 * Nick Harmer (born 1975) (Puyallup), bass guitarist for Death Cab for Cutie
 * Melissa Harris-Perry (born 1973) (Seattle), author, TV host, commentator
 * Spencer Hawes (born 1988) (Seattle), NBA player
 * Roman Heart (born 1986) (Bellingham), porn star
 * Phil Heath (Seattle), IFBB Pro, 3X Mr. Olympia
 * Mel Hein (1909–1992) (Burlington), Hall of Fame player for New York Giants
 * Johnny Hekker (born 1990) (Redmond), punter, Los Angeles Rams
 * Mark Hendrickson (born 1974) (Mount Vernon), relief pitcher, Baltimore Orioles
 * Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970) (Seattle), guitarist
 * Frank Herbert (1920–1986) (Tacoma), author of Dune novels
 * Sue Herera (born 1957) (Spokane), CNBC reporter and anchor
 * Josh Heytvelt (born 1986) (Clarkston), professional basketball player
 * Steven Hill (born 1922) (Seattle), actor, Mission Impossible and Law & Order
 * Megan Hilty (born 1981) (Bellevue), actress
 * Gordon Hirabayashi (1918–2012) (Auburn), sociologist
 * Amy Holmes (born 1973) (Seattle), news anchor, TheBlaze TV
 * Joe Ronnie Hooper (1938–1979), soldier, Medal of Honor recipient
 * John Hopcroft (born 1939) (Seattle), theoretical computer scientist
 * Peter Horton (born 1953) (Bellevue), actor and television director; starred in Thirtysomething
 * Ray Horton (born 1960) (Tacoma), NFL cornerback; defensive backs coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers
 * Roy Huggins (1914–2002) (Littell), creator of television series The Fugitive and The Rockford Files
 * Yolanda Hughes-Heying (born 1963) (Bellingham), IFBB professional bodybuilder
 * Fred Hutchinson (1919–1964) (Seattle), Major League Baseball player and manager of Cincinnati Reds

I

 * Travis Ishikawa (born 1983) (Seattle), first baseman for the San Francisco Giants
 * Burl Ives (1909–1995) (Anacortes), Academy Award-winning actor and folk singer

J

 * Henry M. Jackson (1912–1983) (Everett), U.S. Senator, presidential candidate
 * Jonathan Jackson (born 1982), actor
 * Noname Jane (born 1977) (Aberdeen), pornographic actress
 * J. A. Jance (born 1944), author of mystery and horror novels
 * Keith Hunter Jesperson (born 1955) (Selah), serial killer
 * Sally Jewell (born 1956) (Renton), 51st U.S. Secretary of Interior
 * Robert Joffrey (1930–1988) (Seattle), choreographer
 * Denis Johnson (born 1949), writer of Jesus' Son
 * Jason Johnson (born 1979), former Canadian Football League player
 * Matt Johnson (born 1989) (Olympia), safety, Dallas Cowboys
 * Russell Johnson (1924–2014) (Bainbridge Island), actor ("The Professor" on Gilligan's Island)
 * Chuck Jones (1912–2002) (Spokane), animator
 * Gary Lee Jones (born in Washington in 1946), member of Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education from Alexandria, Louisiana
 * Quincy Jones (born 1933) (Seattle), composer, conductor, musician

K

 * Kasey Kahne (born 1980) (Enumclaw), NASCAR driver
 * Bianca Kajlich (born 1977) (Seattle), actress, Jennifer on CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement
 * Richard Karn (born 1956) (Seattle), actor, Home Improvement, Family Feud
 * Chris Kattan (born 1970) (Bainbridge Island), actor and comedian, Saturday Night Live, The Middle
 * Carol Kaye (born 1935) (Everett), musician
 * Jermaine Kearse (born 1990) (Lakewood), wide receiver, Seattle Seahawks
 * John Keister (born 1956) (Seattle), comedian
 * Keone Kela (born 1993) (Seattle), relief pitcher for Texas Rangers
 * Senio Kelemete (born 1990) (Seattle), offensive guard, New Orleans Saints
 * Mick Kelleher (born 1947) (Seattle), MLB infielder and coach
 * Kasey Keller (born 1969) (Olympia), soccer goalkeeper for Seattle Sounders FC, formerly with Team USA
 * Kitty Kelley (born 1942) (Spokane), journalist and author of several best-selling unauthorized biographies
 * Donald M. Kendall (born 1921) (Sequim), chief executive officer, PepsiCo (1971–1986)
 * Brian Kendrick (born 1979) (Olympia), WWE wrestler
 * Myles Kennedy (born 1969) Lead vocalist of Alter Bridge, From Spokane, Washington
 * Shiloh Keo (born 1987) (Bothell), safety for Denver Broncos
 * Hank Ketcham (born 1920) (Seattle), cartoonist, creator of Dennis the Menace
 * Edward Kienholz (1927–1994) (Fairfield), artist
 * Sam Kinison (1953–1992) (Yakima), comedian
 * Dale Kinkade (born 1933) (Hartline), linguist and professor
 * Justin Kirk (born 1969) (Union), actor, Weeds, Jack & Jill
 * Ed Kirkpatrick (born 1944) (Spokane), Major League Baseball player
 * Jon Kitna (born 1972) (Tacoma), NFL quarterback
 * Kitsap, Suquamish leader
 * John Kitzhaber (born 1947) (Colfax), Oregon governor (1995–2003)
 * Mariana Klaveno (born 1979) (Endicott), actress, True Blood
 * Amanda Knox (born 1987) (Seattle), university student accused of murdering Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy
 * Michael Koenen (born 1982) (Ferndale), punter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
 * Max Komar (born 1987) (Lakewood), wide receiver for Chicago Bears
 * Richard Kovacevich (born 1943) (Tacoma), chief executive officer, Wells Fargo

L

 * Jake Lamb (born 1990) (Seattle), third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks
 * Amber Lancaster (born 1980) (Tacoma), actress, model, The Hard Times of RJ Berger, The Price is Right
 * Craig Lancaster (born 1970) (Lakewood), sportswriter, novelist
 * Bertha Knight Landes (1868–1943), Seattle mayor, first female mayor of major U.S. city
 * Mark Lanegan (born 1964) (Ellensburg), singer-songwriter Erik Larsen (born 1962) (Bellingham), comic book writer, artist and publisher
 * Rick Larsen (born 1965) (Arlington), U.S. Representative
 * Gary Larson (born 1950) (Tacoma), cartoonist, creator of The Far Side
 * Richard Lathim (born 1955) (Tri-Cities [Pasco, Richland, Kennewick]), politician, sheriff of Franklin County
 * Brandon Lee (1965–1993), actor, son of Bruce Lee
 * Gypsy Rose Lee (1911–1970) (Seattle), entertainer, subject of musical Gypsy
 * Cassidy Lehrman (born 1992) (Seattle), actress, Sarah Gold on Entourage
 * Leschi (1808–1858), Nisqually chief
 * Jon Lester (born 1984) (Tacoma), starting pitcher for Chicago Cubs
 * Blake Lewis (born 1981) (Redmond), singer and beatboxer, American Idol runner-up
 * Rommie Lewis (born 1982) (Seattle), relief pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays
 * Ryan Lewis (born 1988) (Spokane), producer, musician, video director
 * Brent Lillibridge (born 1983) (Everett), utility player for New York Yankees
 * Tim Lincecum (born 1984) (Bellevue), MLB pitcher, 2008 National League Cy Young winner
 * Mary Livingstone (1905–1983) (Seattle), comedian, wife of Jack Benny
 * Gary Locke (born 1950) (Seattle), Governor of Washington; U.S. Secretary of Commerce; U.S. Ambassador to China
 * Jake Locker (born 1988) (Ferndale), quarterback for Tennessee Titans
 * Kenny Loggins (born 1948) (Everett), singer-songwriter
 * Travis Long (born 1991) (Spokane), outside linebacker for Philadelphia Eagles
 * Sam Longoria (born 1956) (Seattle), producer, visual effects engineer
 * Dane Looker (born 1976) (Puyallup), wide receiver, St. Louis Rams

M

 * Betty MacDonald (1908–1958), children's author
 * Macklemore (Seattle) (born Ben Haggerty, 1983), Northwest hip-hop singer
 * Kyle MacLachlan (Yakima) (born 1959), actor, Desperate Housewives, Twin Peaks, Sex and the City
 * Warren Magnuson (1905–1989), six-term US Senator and Dean of the United States Senate (1979–1981)
 * Sanjaya Malakar (born 1989) (Federal Way), singer, American Idol finalist
 * Blu Mankuma (Seattle), actor; Capt. Joe Reese on Forever Knight
 * Mary Mapes (Burlington), former 60 Minutes producer fired for 2004 Killian documents scandal
 * Charlie Marinkovich (born 1959) (Seattle), singer-songwriter, guitarist for Iron Butterfly
 * Bristol Marunde (born 1982) (Sequim), mixed martial artist
 * Dave Matthews (born 1967) (resides in Seattle), singer-songwriter
 * James Mattis (born 1950) (Pullman), U.S. Secretary of Defense
 * Trevor May (born 1989) (Kelso), relief pitcher, Minnesota Twins
 * Taylor Mays (born 1988), NFL football player
 * Doc Maynard (1808–1873), founding father of Seattle
 * Kevin McCarthy (1914–2010) (Seattle), actor
 * Mary McCarthy (1912–1989) (Seattle), author
 * Mike McCready (born 1966) (Seattle), Pearl Jam guitarist
 * Bear McCreary (born 1979), composer for film, television, video games
 * Darren McGavin (1922–2006) (Spokane), actor, A Christmas Story, Kolchak, The Natural
 * Rose McGowan (born 1973), actress, Paige Matthews on Charmed; attended high school in Seattle
 * Joel McHale (born 1971), actor, comedian; attended high school in Seattle
 * John McIntire (1907–1991) (Spokane), actor, Wagon Train
 * Duff McKagan (born 1964) (Seattle), Velvet Revolver, Guns N' Roses bassist
 * Bonnie McKee (born 1985) (raised in Seattle), singer-songwriter
 * Patricia McPherson (born 1954), actress, Knight Rider
 * Gianna Michaels (born 1983) (Seattle), pornographic actress
 * Marjie Millar (1931–1966) (Tacoma), actress, About Mrs. Leslie, Money from Home
 * Angie Miller (born 1994), singer, American Idol runner-up
 * Roy Miller (born 1987) (Fort Lewis), defensive tackle for Jacksonville Jaguars
 * Martin Milner (born 1931) (Seattle), actor, Adam-12, Route 66, The Swiss Family Robinson
 * Gary Miranda (born 1939), poet
 * Beau Mirchoff (born 1989), actor, MTV's Awkward
 * Patrick Monahan (born 1969), lead singer for band Train
 * Jeffrey Dean Morgan (born 1966) (Seattle), actor, Watchmen, Grey's Anatomy, Magic City
 * Jeff Monson, mixed martial artist, UFC fighter
 * Mark Morris (born 1956) (Seattle), dancer and choreographer
 * Adam Morrison (born 1984) (raised in Spokane), professional basketball player
 * Robert Motherwell (1915–1991) (Aberdeen), abstract expressionist painter
 * Dejounte Murray (born 1996) (Seattle), professional basketball player
 * Patty Murray (born 1950) (Bothell), U.S. Senator
 * Edward R. Murrow (1908–1965) CBS News correspondent; attended high school in Edison and Washington State University
 * PZ Myers (born 1957) (Kent), scientist, professor University of Minnesota Morris
 * Randy Myers (born 1962) (Vancouver), MLB four-time All-Star relief pitcher

N

 * Craig T. Nelson (born 1944) (Spokane), actor, The Incredibles, Coach, Parenthood
 * Billy North (born 1948) (Seattle), former Major League Baseball player
 * Krist Novoselic (born 1965), Nirvana bassist

O

 * Pat O'Day (born 1934), KJR radio disc jockey, considered godfather of Seattle rock music scene
 * Eric O'Flaherty (born 1985) (Walla Walla), pitcher, Oakland Athletics
 * Apolo Anton Ohno (born 1982) (Seattle), Olympic speed skater
 * Danny O'Keefe (born 1943) (Spokane), musician
 * John Olerud (born 1968) (Seattle), Major League Baseball first baseman
 * Deanna Oliver (born 1952) (Spokane), actress, Toaster from The Brave Little Toaster and its sequels
 * Gregg Olsen (born 1959) (Seattle), true crime author
 * Tyler Olson (born 1989) (Spokane), Major League Baseball pitcher
 * Robert Osborne (born 1932) (Colfax), film historian, TV personality
 * Lyle Overbay (born 1977) (Centralia), MLB first baseman
 * Logan Owen (born 1995) (Bremerton), professional cyclist, Cannondale–Drapac
 * Seena Owen (born 1894) (Spokane), actress, Queen Kelly, Victory

P

 * Janis Paige (born 1922) (Tacoma), actress
 * Chuck Palahniuk (born 1962) (Pasco), novelist and freelance journalist
 * Jaebeom Park (born 1987), member of Korean music group 2PM
 * J. P. Patches (born Chris Wedes; 1928–2013), clown; hosted one of the longest-running locally produced children's program in U.S. history
 * Janice Pennington (born 1942), model, The Price is Right
 * Jay Pickett (born 1961) (Spokane), actor, Port Charles, General Hospital
 * Mark Pigott (born 1954), chairman and chief executive officer, Paccar
 * Chris Pratt (born 1979) (raised in Lake Stevens), actor, Everwood, Parks and Recreation
 * Megyn Price (born 1971) (Seattle), actress
 * Cory Procter (born 1982) (Gig Harbor), guard for Miami Dolphins
 * Dorothy Provine (born 1935 in Deadwood, South Dakota), singer, actress, attended University of Washington, died in Bremerton
 * Henry Prusoff (1912–1943) (Seattle), tennis player

R

 * Benji Radach (born 1979) (Castle Rock), professional mixed martial artist
 * Ella Raines (1920–1988) (Snoqualmie Falls), actress
 * Ford Rainey (Centralia), actor
 * Blair Rasmussen (born 1962) (Auburn), basketball player, Denver Nuggets
 * John Ratzenberger (born 1947), Cliff Clavin on Cheers
 * Pamela Reed (born 1949) (Tacoma), actress
 * Dave Reichert (born 1950) (raised in Kent), Congressman, law enforcement officer
 * Ann Reinking (born 1949) (Seattle), actress, dancer, choreographer
 * Jason Repko (born 1980) (Richland), outfielder for Minnesota Twins
 * John Requa (born 1967) (raised in Burien), screenwriter, Cats & Dogs and Bad Santa
 * Roger Revelle (born 1909) (Seattle), scientist, pioneer of global warming studies
 * Don Rich (born 1941) (Olympia), guitarist, singer with Buck Owens
 * Davey Richards (born 1983), professional wrestler
 * Gary Ridgway (born 1949), serial killer
 * Luke Ridnour (born 1982), point guard for Minnesota Timberwolves; attended high school in Blaine
 * Theodore Rinaldo (Snohomish) (1944–2000), convicted child sex offender
 * James Robart (born 1947) (Seattle), federal judge
 * Tom Robbins (born 1936), best-selling novelist, worked for The Seattle Times
 * Howard P. Robertson (born 1903) (Hoquiam), cosmologist
 * Laurent Robinson (born 1985) (Fort Lewis), wide receiver for Dallas Cowboys
 * Nate Robinson (born 1984) (Seattle), guard for Golden State Warriors
 * Jimmie Rodgers (born 1933) (Camas), pop singer
 * Jarred Rome (Marysville), Olympic discus thrower, bodybuilder
 * Emily Rose (born 1981), actress, ER, Brothers & Sisters, John from Cincinnati
 * Brandon Roy (born 1984) (Seattle), shooting guard for Portland Trail Blazers
 * Kathryn Ruemmler (born 1971) (Richland), White House Counsel to President Barack Obama
 * Ann Rule (born 1935), true-crime author; attended University of Washington; worked with the Seattle Police Department
 * Merrilee Rush (born Merrilee Gunst, 1944) (Seattle), singer, "Angel of the Morning"
 * Gerri Russell (born 1962), romantic fiction author
 * Rick Rydell (born 1963) (Seattle), radio talk show host, author, outdoors writer
 * Mark Rypien (born 1962) (raised in Spokane), quarterback for Washington Redskins, MVP of Super Bowl XXVI, philanthropist

S

 * Sa–Sm


 * Ryne Sandberg (born 1959) (Spokane), MLB player and manager, member of Baseball Hall of Fame
 * Larry Sanger (born 1968), Wikipedia co-founder
 * Ron Santo (1940–2010) (Seattle), third baseman and radio broadcaster for Chicago Cubs; member of Baseball Hall of Fame
 * Robert (Bob) Satiacum (1929–1991), Puyallup tribal leader, American Indian activist
 * Dan Savage (born 1964), writer of advice column Savage Love and editor of Seattle weekly The Stranger
 * Brian Scalabrine (born 1978) (raised in Enumclaw), professional basketball player
 * Ivyann Schwan (born 1983), child actress, Parenthood, Problem Child 2
 * Dick Scobee (1939–1986), astronaut, commander of Space Shuttle Challenger
 * Seattle (c. 1786–1866), Duwamish/Suquamish leader and diplomat
 * Daniel Seavey (born 1999) (Vancouver), singer-songwriter, contestant American Idol season 14
 * Kyle Secor (born 1957) (Tacoma), actor
 * Joe Shell (1918–2008), California politician
 * Roger Shimomura (born 1939) (Seattle), artist, professor at University of Kansas
 * Tre Simmons (born 1982) (Seattle), professional basketball player
 * Sir Mix-a-Lot (born Anthony Ray, 1963), hip-hop artist
 * Doug Sisk (born 1957) (Renton), MLB pitcher
 * Grady Sizemore (born 1982) (Seattle), MLB player, three-time All-Star, Silver Slugger award winner
 * Tom Skerritt (born 1933), actor; lives in Lake Washington
 * Alex Smith (born 1984) (Seattle), quarterback for Kansas City Chiefs
 * Jeff Smith (1939–2004) (Seattle), food expert, television personality
 * Shawn Smith (born 1965), rock musician
 * Smohalla (c. 1851–1895), Sahaptin spiritual leader


 * Sn–Sz


 * Tom Sneva (born 1948) (Spokane), 1983 Indy 500 champion, 2-time USAC champion
 * Travis Snider (born 1988) (Everett), MLB outfielder
 * Quin Snyder (born 1966) (Mercer Island), head coach of NBA's Utah Jazz
 * Hope Solo (born 1981) (Richland), goalkeeper for United States women's national soccer team
 * Quintin Sondergaard (1925–1984) (Seattle), western television actor
 * Steven Souza (born 1989) (Everett), outfielder for Arizona Diamondbacks
 * Jack Owen Spillman (Spokane) (born 1960), serial killer, "Werewolf Butcher"
 * Layne Staley (1967–2002), vocalist for Alice in Chains
 * Isaiah Stanback (Seattle) (born 1984), wide receiver on New York Giants
 * Lyn Stanley, born in Tacoma, jazz singer since 2013
 * Rick Steves (born 1955) (Edmonds), authority on European travel
 * Jonathan Stewart (born 1987) (Fort Lewis), running back for New York Giants
 * Ryan Stiles (born 1959) (Seattle), actor, comedian, The Drew Carey Show, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Two and a Half Men
 * Robert Stock (born 1989), MLB baseball player
 * John Stockton (born 1962) (Spokane), Hall of Fame player for NBA's Utah Jazz
 * Mel Stottlemyre (born 1941), pitcher and coach for New York Yankees; lives in Issaquah
 * Keaton Stromberg (born July 16, 1996) (Sequim), appeared on The X Factor USA with trio Emblem3
 * Wesley Stromberg (born December 6, 1994) (Sequim), appeared on The X Factor USA with trio Emblem3
 * Robert Stroud (1890–1963) (Seattle), convict, "Birdman of Alcatraz"
 * Rodney Stuckey (born 1986), NBA player
 * Michael Swango (born 1954), physician, serial killer
 * Julia Sweeney (born 1959) (Spokane), actress, comedian, Saturday Night Live
 * Gloria Wilson Swisher (born 1935) (Seattle), composer and educator

T

 * Miesha Tate (born 1986) (Tacoma), UFC mixed martial artist
 * Chrissy Teigen (born 1985) (Snohomish), Sports Illustrated swimsuit model
 * Daniel Te'o-Nesheim (born 1987), NFL defensive end; lived in Mill Creek
 * Jason Terry (born 1977) (Seattle), NBA player for Milwaukee Bucks
 * Kim Thayil (born 1960), guitarist for grunge band Soundgarden
 * Isaiah Thomas (born 1989) (Tacoma), point guard for Los Angeles Lakers
 * Brian Thompson (born 1959) (Ellensburg), actor'
 * Cappy Thompson (born 1952), glass artist
 * Nick Thune (born 1979) (Seattle), actor, comedian, and musician
 * Earl Torgeson (1924–1990) (Snohomish), Major League Baseball player
 * Rachel Trachtenburg (born 1993), drummer, singer of Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players
 * Desmond Trufant (born 1990), NFL cornerback for Atlanta Falcons
 * George Tsutakawa (1910–1997) (Seattle), sculptor and painter
 * Ann Tyrrell (1909–1983) (Whatcom County), actress, Private Secretary and The Ann Sothern Show

U

 * Blair Underwood (born 1964) (Tacoma), actor, L.A. Law, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Ironside
 * Misty Upham (born 1982) (Auburn), actress
 * Brian Urlacher (born 1978) (born in Pasco, but raised in New Mexico), linebacker for the Chicago Bears

V

 * Greg "The Hammer" Valentine (born 1951) (Seattle), professional wrestler
 * Courtney Vandersloot (born 1989) (Kent), player with WNBA's Chicago Sky
 * Eddie Vedder (born 1964), vocalist for Pearl Jam; lived in Seattle

W

 * Chris Walla (born 1975) (Bothell), guitarist for Death Cab for Cutie
 * Maiara Walsh (born 1988), actress, singer, Ana Solis on Desperate Housewives and Meena Paroom on Cory in the House
 * Bryan Walters (born 1987), wide receiver for San Diego Chargers
 * Jennifer Warnes (born 1947) (Seattle), singer
 * Martell Webster (born 1986), NBA player, Minnesota Timberwolves
 * Zoe Weizenbaum (born 1991) (Seattle), actor
 * Adam West (born 1928) (Seattle), actor; played Batman on TV series (1966–1968)
 * Myles White (born 1990) (Tacoma), wide receiver for New York Giants
 * Sammy White (1928–1991) (Wenatchee), Major League Baseball player
 * Sean White (born 1981) (Pullman), relief pitcher for Boston Red Sox
 * Bernie Whitebear (born Bernard Reyes; 1937–2000), American Indian activist
 * Christopher Wiehl (born 1970) (Yakima), actor
 * Lis Wiehl (born 1961), legal analyst for Fox News; author
 * Michael Winslow (Spokane) (born 1958), actor and comedian; Cadet Jones in Police Academy films
 * Marcus Williams (born 1986) (Seattle), NBA player
 * Marvin Williams (born 1986) (Bremerton), NBA player for Charlotte Hornets
 * Terrence Williams (born 1987) (Seattle), NBA player for Houston Rockets
 * Ann (born 1950) and Nancy Wilson (born 1954), members of Heart; lived in Bellevue
 * Rainn Wilson (born 1968) (Seattle), actor, The Office

Y

 * Takuji Yamashita (born 1874), early 20th-century civil-rights pioneer
 * Robert Lee Yates (Spokane) (born 1952), serial killer
 * DeAndre Yedlin (born 1993), soccer player
 * Henry Yesler (Seattle), entrepreneur; considered to be one of Seattle's founding fathers

Z

 * Constance Zimmer (born 1970) (Seattle), actress, Entourage, Boston Legal, House of Cards