List of people from Columbus, Georgia

See also: Category:People from Columbus, Georgia

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

Arts and culture

Name	Image	Birth	Death	Known for	Association	Reference
Bo Bartlett		Dec 29, 1955		Realist painter	Born in Columbus	[1]
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

Name	Image	Birth	Death	Known for	Association	Reference
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

Name	Image	Birth	Death	Known for	Association	Reference
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

Name	Image	Birth	Death	Known for	Association	Reference
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

Name	Image	Birth	Death	Known for	Association	Reference
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]
Nikema Williams		Jul 30, 1978		U.S. representative for Georgia	Born in Columbus	[34]

Sports

Baseball

Name	Image	Birth	Death	Known for	Association	Reference
Reggie Abercrombie		Jul 15, 1981		Center fielder for Florida Marlins and Houston Astros	Born in Columbus	[35]
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	[36]
Tim Hudson		Jul 14, 1975		Four-time All-Star pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants	Born in Columbus	[37]
Garey Ingram		Jul 25, 1970		Second baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers	Born in Columbus	[38]
Edwin Jackson		Sep 9, 1983		All-Star pitcher for MLB teams; World Series champion (2011)	Attended Shaw High School in Columbus	[39]
Brian Mallette		Jan 19, 1975		Relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers and Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes	Attended Columbus State University	[40]
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	[41]
Colby Rasmus		Aug 11, 1986		Center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays	Born in Columbus	[42]
Cory Rasmus		Nov 6, 1987		Pitcher for the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	Born in Columbus	[43]
Steven Register		May 16, 1983		Relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies	Born in Columbus	[44]
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	[45]

Basketball

Name	Image	Birth	Death	Known for	Association	Reference
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	[46]

Bodybuilding

Name	Image	Birth	Death	Known for	Association	Reference
Lenda Murray		Feb 22, 1962		Bodybuilding champion		[ citation needed ]

Football

Name	Image	Birth	Death	Known for	Association	Reference
Derrius Brooks		May 29, 1988		Defensive back for multiple teams	Born in Columbus	[47]
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	[48]
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	[49]
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	[50]
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	[51]
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	[52]
Mack Strong		Sep 11, 1971		Fullback for the Seattle Seahawks; 2× Pro Bowl (2005, 2006)	Attended Brookstone School in Columbus	[53]
Cleo Walker		Feb 7, 1948		Linebacker for the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons	Born in Columbus	[54]

Soccer

Name	Image	Birth	Death	Known for	Association	Reference
Josh Casarona		Apr 12, 1992		Defender	Born in Columbus	[55]
Duane Holmes		Nov 6, 1994		Midfielder; United States international	Born in Columbus	[56]
Marshall Leonard		Dec 29, 1980		Defender	Attended both Shaw High School and Brookstone School in Columbus	[57]

Wrestling

Name	Image	Birth	Death	Known for	Association	Reference
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

1. "Bo Bartlett". Newswise, Inc. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
2. Gunn, Olivia (June 21, 2019). "Columbus native receives high recognition for creating Google doodle in honor of Juneteenth". www.wtvm.com. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
3. "Donna D'Errico". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved March 26, 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 March 27, 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 March 27, 2013.
10. "Alma Thomas". National Museum of women in the Arts. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
11. "Robert M. Barr". High School Band Directors National Association. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
12. "Justin Guarini". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
13. "Jake Hess". Southern Gospel History. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
14. "Dmitri Matheny". azcentral.com. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
15. "Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr" . Retrieved October 26, 2021.
16. "Curley Money". AlabamaMusicOffice.Com. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
17. "Bebo Norman". Starpulse.com. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
18. "Ma Rainey". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
19. "Columbus Symphony Orchestra History". Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
20. "Keni Thomas". Gainesville.com. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
21. "Danny Whitten". Rovi Corp. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
22. "Blind Tom Wiggins". BlackPast.org. February 13, 2008. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
23. Fernandez, Maria Elena (February 27, 2014). "Comedic country singer Tim Wilson dies at 52". NBC News. Today . Retrieved August 26, 2014.
24. "About RC Cola International: Our History" . Retrieved September 11, 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 March 27, 2013.
27. "Robert W. Woodruff". University of Georgia Press. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
28. "Henry L. Benning". Benning-Cobb-Russell Family of Georgia. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
29. "Eugene Bullard". University of Georgia Press. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
30. "Newt Gingrich". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved March 26, 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. "WILLIAMS, Nikema". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
35. "Reggie Abercrombie". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
36. "Glenn Davis". Jacksonville.com. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
37. "Tim Hudson". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
38. "Garey Ingram". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
39. "Edwin Jackson". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
40. "Brian Mallette". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
41. "Tony Pierce". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
42. "Colby Rasmus". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
43. "Cory Rasmus". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
44. "Steven Register". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
45. "Frank Thomas". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
46. "Sam Mitchell". Basketball Reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
47. "Derrius Brooks". nfl.com. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
48. "Brentson Buckner". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
49. "Roderick Hood". NFL Enterprises LLc. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
50. "DeQuan Menzie". Alabama Crimson Tide. Archived from the original on March 10, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
51. "Nate Odomes". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
52. "Otis Sistrunk". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
53. "Mack Strong". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
54. "Cleo Walker". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
55. "#16 Josh Casarona". Atlanta Silverbacks FC . Archived from the original on October 17, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
56. "Duane Holmes". United States Soccer Federation . Retrieved June 13, 2025.
57. "Marshall Leonard". Virginia Cavaliers Men's Soccer. Retrieved March 26, 2013.