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

 * Kathy Augustine (1956–2006) – Nevada State Controller (from 1999 until her death)
 * Walter Baring (2017 2018) – 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
 * Jim Gibbons (born 1944) – 28th Governor of Nevada
 * Carolyn Goodman – Mayor of Las Vegas (since 2012)
 * Oscar Goodman – Mayor of Las Vegas (2002–2012)
 * 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
 * Velma Bronn Johnston (1912–1977) – animal-rights activist
 * 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
 * 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 Committee on Foreign Relations
 * Vail M. Pittman (1880–1964) – 19th Governor of Nevada and 19th Lieutenant Governor of Nevada
 * Harry Reid (born 1939) – United States Senate Minority Leader (since 2005)
 * Willard Hughes Rollings (1948–2008) – historian of Native Americans
 * Marco Rubio (born 1971) – U.S. Senator from Florida (Since 2011)
 * 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

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

Athletes

 * 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
 * Rocky Biddle – former MLB pitcher
 * Michael Blazek – pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers
 * Avery Bradley – player for the Detroit Pistons
 * Dan Bria – pitcher for Centenary College of Louisiana
 * Kris Bryant – player for the Chicago Cubs
 * Kurt Busch – NASCAR driver
 * Kyle Busch – NASCAR driver
 * Billy Campfield – former NFL running back
 * Gina Carano – 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
 * Marty Cordova – Major League Baseball left fielder
 * Scott Cousins – former MLB outfielder
 * Harvey Dahl – offensive guard for the Atlanta Falcons
 * Brian Dallimore – former infielder for the San Francisco Giants
 * Ted Davidson – MLB relief pitcher
 * 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 – boxer, lawyer, sports agent
 * Lawrence Guy – defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens


 * H–M


 * Ray Handley – former football player; New York Giants head coach
 * Bryce Harper – Major League Baseball player
 * Carey Hart – freestyle motocross racer, pro BMX rider
 * Will Hernandez – guard for the New York Giants
 * Steven Jackson – professional football player
 * Ben Jacobs – professional football player
 * Nick Johnson – professional basketball player in the NBA
 * Colin Kaepernick – 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 – Major League Baseball player
 * Julia Mancuso – Olympic alpine ski racer, gold and silver medalist
 * Brandon Marshall – professional football player
 * Josh Mauga – 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
 * Harry Newman (1909–2000) – All-Pro football quarterback
 * Tommy Pham – outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals
 * Amy Purdy – snowboarder
 * Donn Roach – MLB pitcher
 * Drew Robinson – utility player for the Texas Rangers
 * 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
 * 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
 * Stevenson Sylvester – linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers
 * Brad Thompson – former MLB pitcher
 * 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
 * C. J. Watson – professional basketball player
 * Joe Wieland – MLB pitcher
 * Duke Williams – professional football player in the NFL
 * Matt Williams – Major League Baseball third baseman and manager
 * Aarik Wilson – long jumper
 * Charles Wright – professional wrestler
 * Barry Zito – Major League Baseball starting pitcher
 * Jason Zucker – NHL hockey player

Actors

 * A–M


 * Ben Alexander (1911–1969) – actor
 * Mädchen Amick (born 1970) – actress, Shelly Johnson on Twin Peaks
 * Toni Basil (born 1943) – singer-songwriter, actress
 * Deanna Brooks (born 1974) – actress, model
 * Reno Browne (1921–1991) – film actress, equestrian, pilot
 * Nicolas Cage (born 1964) – actor, filmmaker
 * 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 (born 1932) – 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 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
 * 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
 * Jennifer Lyon (1972–2010) – actress, competitor on Survivor: Palau
 * Jena Malone (born 1984) – actress, musician, photographer
 * Lily Mariye (born 1964) – actress, Lily Jarvik on ER
 * Meaghan Jette Martin (born 1992) – actress, singer, musician


 * N–Z


 * Lycia Naff (born 1962) – actress, Ensign Sonya Gomez on Star Trek: The Next Generation
 * Thomas Ian Nicholas (born 1980) – actor, the American Pie films
 * Sean Palmer (born 1973) – actor, singer, dancer
 * Mr. Pete (born 1980) – adult film actor and director
 * 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 (born 1938) – 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
 * 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
 * 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
 * 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
 * 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
 * Waddie Mitchell – cowboy poet
 * Nikki Nelson – country music singer
 * Ne-Yo – R&B singer, songwriter
 * Sunny Ozell – singer-songwriter
 * 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
 * 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
 * Georgie Sicking – cowboy poet and former rancher in Churchill County
 * 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
 * James E. Casey (1888–1983) – founder, United Parcel Service
 * 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
 * Sean Hamilton – radio personality
 * Jennifer Harman – professional poker player
 * 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
 * Tony Mendez (1940–2019) – CIA technical operations officer
 * 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
 * Steve Wynn – casino tycoon; owner of Wynn Resorts Limited