Famous People From Atlanta: Icons, Trailblazers, and Local Legends

Atlanta has a reputation as a city that creates stars. From music and movies to politics, sports, and business, many well-known figures either grew up in Atlanta, were born here, or built their careers in the city.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are just learning about the city, knowing some of its most famous people gives you a deeper sense of local pride—and a fun way to connect places you see every day with the people who walked those same streets.

Why Atlanta Produces So Many Famous People

Atlanta’s role as an economic, cultural, and transportation hub of the South makes it a natural launchpad for talent. Several local factors help explain why so many famous people are connected to the city:

• A long history of civil rights leadership and political organizing
• A powerful Black cultural influence, especially in music and arts
• A massive film and TV production industry
• Strong colleges and universities that attract talent nationwide
• A thriving sports scene with major professional teams
• A growing tech and business ecosystem

Many of Atlanta’s most famous people are closely tied to local neighborhoods, schools, churches, and institutions you can still visit today.

Civil Rights Leaders and Political Figures From Atlanta

Atlanta is often called the “cradle of the Civil Rights Movement,” and many of its most famous residents are leaders who changed American history.

Martin Luther King Jr.

• Born: Atlanta, 1929
• Famous for: Leader of the American civil rights movement

Key local connections:

• Grew up in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood
• Preached at Ebenezer Baptist Church (407 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312)
• His childhood home and church are part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta

If you’re in the city, walking Auburn Avenue gives a powerful sense of how tightly Atlanta’s landscape is tied to King’s life.

Coretta Scott King

• Famous for: Civil rights leader, activist, and wife of Martin Luther King Jr.

Atlanta connections:

• Helped establish The King Center (449 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312), which is still a central place for learning about civil rights, justice, and nonviolence.

John Lewis

• Famous for: Civil rights icon and longtime member of the U.S. House of Representatives

Atlanta connections:

• Represented Georgia’s 5th Congressional District, which includes much of Atlanta
• Spoke frequently at Atlanta events, colleges, and churches
• Honored across the city, including the John Lewis Freedom Parkway

Mayors and Political Leaders

Atlanta has produced and attracted several nationally recognized political figures:

• Maynard Jackson – First Black mayor of Atlanta and one of the most influential modern leaders in city history. The Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport co-name honors him.
• Andrew Young – Former Atlanta mayor, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., and close ally of Martin Luther King Jr.
• Stacey Abrams – Former Georgia House Minority Leader and national political figure associated with voting rights advocacy; often linked with Atlanta’s modern political landscape.

For residents, these leaders are not just names in history books—they helped shape local policies, neighborhoods, and institutions still visible today.

Music Superstars From Atlanta

Atlanta is a music powerhouse, especially in hip-hop, R&B, and pop. If you live in the city, you see their influence in local studios, venues, and even street murals.

Hip-Hop and Rap Artists

Atlanta is one of the global centers of hip-hop culture. Some of the most famous artists with deep Atlanta roots include:

• OutKast (André 3000 and Big Boi)
  • Helped define the “Dirty South” sound
  • Connected to neighborhoods around East Point and greater Atlanta
• Ludacris
  • Built his career while working at an Atlanta radio station before becoming a major rapper and actor
• T.I.
  • Often called the “King of the South”; frequently references Atlanta streets and neighborhoods in his music
• Jeezy
• Gucci Mane
• Future
• Migos (from nearby North Atlanta suburbs but heavily associated with the Atlanta rap scene)
• 21 Savage (built his career in the Atlanta scene)

Local note: Many of these artists record or have recorded in Atlanta-based studios located around Midtown, downtown, and the Westside, and they frequently reference local streets, clubs, and neighborhoods in their lyrics.

R&B and Pop Artists

• Usher – Raised in the Atlanta area and developed as an artist here
• Toni Braxton – Associated with the Atlanta area and its music community
• Monica – Atlanta-born R&B singer with strong local connections
• Ciara – Became part of the Atlanta music ecosystem early in her career

If you’re exploring music in Atlanta, local venues like State Farm Arena, Tabernacle, and smaller clubs across Edgewood, East Atlanta Village, and Little Five Points often host rising talents who see these big names as local role models.

Film and TV Stars Linked to Atlanta

Atlanta’s booming film and TV industry—sometimes called the “Hollywood of the South”—means many famous actors and creators either come from Atlanta or work here regularly.

Actors and Entertainers From or Closely Tied to Atlanta

• Donald Glover (Childish Gambino)
  • Creator and star of the TV series “Atlanta”, which is set and filmed in the city
  • Known for blending music, TV, and film, often spotlighting Atlanta culture
• Chloë Grace Moretz
  • Born in Atlanta and later moved to pursue acting
• Dakota and Elle Fanning
  • Born in Conyers, Georgia, part of the greater Atlanta metro area
• Kenan Thompson
  • Grew up in the Atlanta area before becoming a longtime cast member on “Saturday Night Live”

Atlanta as a Filming Location

Even when celebrities aren’t from Atlanta, many major movies and shows are filmed here due to the state’s film-friendly infrastructure. Studios and production centers are found in and around the city, such as:

• Tyler Perry Studios – Located at the former Fort McPherson site in southwest Atlanta
• Large production facilities in nearby areas like Fayetteville and Trilith Studios (formerly Pinewood)

If you live in Atlanta, you may spot film crews downtown, in Midtown, or in neighborhoods like Inman Park or Virginia-Highland, where many productions use local streets as backdrops.

Comedians and TV Personalities From Atlanta

Atlanta has long been a place where comedians and TV hosts build their craft.

• Jeff Foxworthy – Grew up in the Atlanta area and became one of the most recognized stand-up comedians in the U.S.
• Lakeith Stanfield – While born in California, he rose to wider prominence through the series “Atlanta”, connecting him closely with the city’s on-screen identity.
• Ryan Seacrest – Raised in the Atlanta area before becoming a nationally known TV and radio personality.

Atlanta’s comedy clubs, such as those found in Buckhead and Midtown, continue to be places where future household names test material and build a following.

Sports Stars With Atlanta Roots

Atlanta has a deep bench of professional and collegiate athletes who are known worldwide.

Football (NFL and Beyond)

• Cam Newton
  • Born in Atlanta, attended Westlake High School
  • Went on to win a Heisman Trophy and become an NFL MVP
• Julio Jones
  • While not from Atlanta, he became a local legend playing for the Atlanta Falcons
• Deion Sanders
  • Played for the Atlanta Falcons early in his Hall of Fame career, helping shape the city’s football identity

High school football across metro Atlanta is highly competitive, and many future college and pro stars come out of schools in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties.

Basketball

• Dwight Howard
  • Born in Atlanta and starred at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy before becoming an NBA All-Star
• Shareef O’Neal and other players have trained and developed in the city’s extensive youth basketball networks.

The Atlanta Hawks, based at State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303), draw both local talent and global stars, and many players stay connected to the city through youth camps and charity work.

Baseball

• Hank Aaron
  • While not born in Atlanta, he is one of the city’s most revered sports figures due to his time with the Atlanta Braves
  • Honored at Truist Park and throughout the city
• Numerous other MLB players have come through the Braves’ farm system or Atlanta-area high schools and colleges.

Authors, Scholars, and Cultural Figures From Atlanta

Beyond entertainment and sports, Atlanta has produced influential writers, thinkers, and cultural leaders.

• Margaret Mitchell
  • Author of Gone With the Wind
  • Lived in Atlanta; the Margaret Mitchell House (979 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309) is a local landmark open to visitors
• Alice Walker
  • Author of The Color Purple, born in Eatonton, Georgia, and long associated with Georgia’s literary tradition, often discussed at Atlanta-area literary events
• Spike Lee
  • Born in Atlanta before growing up in New York
  • Frequently speaks about his Atlanta birth and Georgia roots

Atlanta’s universities—Emory University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, and others—have hosted and fostered many notable scholars, activists, and authors who influence national and global conversations.

Business, Tech, and Media Leaders From Atlanta

Atlanta is also known for business and entrepreneurship, and many well-known figures got their start or built major operations here.

• Ted Turner
  • Founded CNN in Atlanta, establishing the city as a global media hub
  • Turner’s work helped make downtown Atlanta a center for international news
• Arthur Blank
  • Co-founder of The Home Depot
  • Owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC
  • Strongly connected to Atlanta through philanthropy and sports investments
• Numerous startup founders and tech leaders in fintech, logistics, and software now call Atlanta home, especially around Midtown’s Tech Square and the West Midtown tech corridor.

If you’re interested in business history or networking, Atlanta’s civic and business organizations often reference these figures as examples of the city’s entrepreneurial character.

Famous Women With Strong Atlanta Connections

Many of Atlanta’s most recognizable names are women who have made significant contributions in entertainment, activism, and culture.

• Gladys Knight
  • Iconic soul singer born in Atlanta
  • Often associated with the city’s rich musical and church traditions
• Kandi Burruss
  • Singer, songwriter, and TV personality; part of the group Xscape
  • Deep ties to Atlanta’s music and reality TV scene
• Jernei “NeNe” Leakes
  • Known from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” which brought Atlanta’s lifestyle and neighborhoods into national pop culture
• Keisha Lance Bottoms
  • Former mayor of Atlanta who rose to national prominence during her time in office

These figures have helped shape how the world sees Atlanta’s culture, style, and identity, especially through television, social media, and public leadership.

Where You Can Feel the Influence of Famous Atlantans

If you’re in the city and want to connect with the stories of famous people from Atlanta, there are several places that make their legacies feel real and local:

Key Sites to Visit

• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
  • Auburn Avenue area, including King’s birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center
• The King Center
  • 449 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  • Focuses on nonviolence, civil rights, and King family legacy
• Ebenezer Baptist Church
  • 101 Jackson St NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  • Historic and current church site associated with the King family
• Margaret Mitchell House
  • 979 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Museum and historic site for the author of Gone With the Wind
• State Farm Arena & Truist Park
  • Home to major sports teams and often used for concerts by Atlanta-born music stars
• Tyler Perry Studios (closed lot to the public but important to know)
  • Southwest Atlanta site symbolizing Atlanta’s role in Black-owned film and TV production

Everyday Spots With Famous Connections

• Neighborhoods like Sweet Auburn, West End, and Westside – Linked to civil rights activism, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and emerging creative scenes
• Edgewood and East Atlanta Village – Known for live music, where upcoming artists hope to follow in the footsteps of Atlanta’s music legends

Quick Reference: Some Well-Known People From or Deeply Connected to Atlanta

Atlanta’s list of famous people is long and constantly growing. Whether you’re walking through Sweet Auburn, catching a game at Truist Park, or seeing a new show filmed in Midtown, you are often just a few steps away from the places that shaped some of the most influential people in modern American culture.