It’s beginning to look like Christmas in Savannah
Santa and Mrs. Claus help light Savannah’s Christmas Tree and Plant Riverside District unveils their Gingerbread House.
Savannah has many famous faces that were born or lived in the area at some point in their lives.
Some are well known, some might make you think, ‘huh, I didn’t know they were born here!’
Here’s a list (alphabetically) of famous Savannahians who were born, raised or made Savannah their home.
Famous people from Savannah, GeorgiaDiana Agron, actress
Dianna Agron is an American actress, singer, and dancer, best known for her role as Quinn Fabray on the TV show “Glee.” She was born in 1986, in Savannah.
Big Boi, rapper
Antwan André Patton, also known as Big Boi, is an American rapper, songwriter and record producer, best known as one half of the iconic hip-hop duo OutKast, alongside Andre 3000. He was born on Feb. 1, 1975, in Savannah.
Paula Deen, Restaurateur
Paula Deen is an American celebrity chef, cookbook author, and television personality known for her Southern-style cooking. She owns a restaurant in Savannah, called the Lady & Sons.
Bucky Dent, athlete
Russel Earl O’Dey, also known as Bucky Dent, was born in 1951 in Savannah. He is a former professional baseball player and manager, best known for his time as a shortstop with the New York Yankees.
Demarcus Dobbs, athlete
Demarcus Dobbs is a former American football player who played as a defensive end in the NFL. He was born in 1987 in Savannah. He also played college football at the University of Georgia.
Pervis Ellison, athlete
Pervis Ellison is a former professional basketball player who played as a center in the NBA. He was born in Savannah in 1967. He gained the nickname “Never Nervous Pervis” during his college career at the University of Louisville, where he led his team to an NCAA Championship in 1986.
Desmond Harrington, actor
Desmond Harrington is an American actor born in 1976 in Savannah. He gained fame for his role as Detective Joey Quinn on the hit TV series “Dexter.”
J.G. Hertzler, actor
J.G. Hertzler is an American actor and author, best known for his role as General Martok in the TV series “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” He was born in 1950 in Savannah.
Miriam Hopkins, actress
Miriam Hopkins was an American actress known for her work during the Golden Age of Hollywood. She was born in 1902 in Savannah. She gained fame for both her dramatic and comedic roles.
Flau’jae Johnson, rapper and athlete
Born in Savannah, Flau’jae Johnson is a rising star in both the music and sports worlds. She’s known for her talents as a rapper and a basketball player for the LSU Tigers of the SEC. She gained national attention as a contestant on “America’s Got Talent” and “The Rap Game,” where she showcased her lyrical skills.
James Keach, actor and producer
James Keach is an American actor, producer, and director, known for his work in film and television. He was born in 1947 in Savannah.
Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts
Juliette Gordon Low was an American youth leader and the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. She was born in 1860 in Savannah. She established the first Girl Scout troop in Savannah in 1912.
Kevin Mawae, athlete
Kevin Mawae is a former professional American football player who had an impressive career as a center in the NFL. He was born in Savannah in 1971. He played professionally for 16 years, playing on the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans.
James Lord Pierpont, songwriter
James Lord Pierpont was an American songwriter and composer, best known for writing the classic Christmas song “Jingle Bells.” Pierpont lived in Savannah later in his life, where he became the organist and music director at the Unitarian Church.
Josh Reddick, athlete
Josh Reddick is a professional baseball player known for his time as an outfielder in the MLB. He was born in 1987 in Savannah. Reddick played on the Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Diana Scarwid, actress
Born in Savannah in 1955, Diana Scarwid is an actress best known for her work in the movie “Mommie Dearest” where she played Christina Crawford. She also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Sonny Seiler, Owner of Uga lineage
Sonny Seiler is a well-known attorney from Savannah. He is most famous for being the owner of the University of Georgia’s beloved mascot, Uga, the English Bulldog. He’s also known for his role in the book and movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
Nolan Smith, athlete
Nolan Smith is a talented football player who played as a linebacker for the University of Georgia Bulldogs. He was born in 2001 in Savannah. He plays in the NFL on the Philadelphia Eagles.
Clarence Thomas, Supreme Court Justice
Clarence Thomas is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was born in Pin Point, which is a small community near Savannah.
Indiana Vassilev, athlete
Born in Savannah in 2001, Indiana Vassilev is an American soccer player who plays as a forward for St. Louis City SC in Major League Soccer.
Raphael Warnock, senator
Born in Savannah, Raphael Warnock is a pastor and politician serving as a U.S. Senator of Georgia.
Dusty Zeigler, athlete
Dusty Zeigler is a former American football player who played as a center in the NFL. He was born in 1973 in Savannah. Zeigler played college football at the University of Notre Dame and went on to play professionally for the Buffalo Bills and the New York Giants.
Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.