List of people from Arkansas

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This is a list of notable people from Arkansas. Individuals on this list are either native-born Arkansans or emigrants who moved to Arkansas as their permanent home.

Actors

• Joey Lauren Adams (born 1968), actress
• Katherine Alexander
  (1898–1981), actress
• Bronco Billy Anderson
  (1880–1971), vaudeville actor
• Wes Bentley (born 1978), actor
• Rodger Bumpass (born 1951), actor, best known for voicing Squidward Tentacles from the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants
• Miriam Byrd-Nethery (1929–2003), actress
• Natalie Canerday (born 1962), actress, Sling Blade, October Sky
• John Carter (1927–2015), actor, originally from Conway County
• The Nanny
• television series
• Clark Duke (born 1985), actor, Greek, Hearts Afire
• Kimberly Foster (born 1961), actress, Dallas
• Gauge (born 1980), adult film actress
• Gil Gerard (born 1943), actor
• Norris Goff (1906–1978), actor, best known as Abner of Lum and Abner
• Elizabeth Gracen (born 1961), actress, Highlander: The Raven
• Tess Harper (born 1950), actress
• Georgia Holt (1926–2022), actress, singer; mother of Cher
• Arthur Hunnicutt (1910–1979), actor, known for his portrayal of wise, grizzled, old rural characters
• Brent Jennings (born 1969)
• Brandon Keener (born 1974), actor
• Donnie Keshawarz (born 1969), actor
• Alan Ladd (1913–1964), actor
• Chester Lauck (1902–1980), actor, best known as Lum of Lum and Abner
• Marjorie Lawrence (1907–1979), actress, Metropolitan Opera diva
• Jacob Lofland (born 1996), actor
• Josh Lucas (born 1971), actor
• Laurence Luckinbill (born 1934), actor
• Rudy Ray Moore (1927–2008), actor
• Ben Murphy (born 1942), actor, Alias Smith and Jones, Lottery!
• Corin Nemec (born 1971), actor
• George Newbern (born 1964), actor
• Dick Powell (1904–1963), actor and director; founder of Four Star Television
• William Ragsdale (born 1961), actor, Herman's Head, Grosse Pointe
• Leon Russom (born 1941), actor, Prison Break
• Wonderful Smith (1911–2008), actor and comedian
• Norman Snow (1950–2022), actor
• Mary Steenburgen (born 1953), Oscar-winning actress
• Kobe Tai (born 1972), adult film actress
• Billy Bob Thornton (born 1955), actor, Oscar-winning screenwriter
• Karri Turner (born 1966), actress
• Karmyn Tyler (born 1974), actress
• Sheryl Underwood (born 1963), actress, comedian, radio host
• Jerry Van Dyke (1931–2018), actor, comedian, brother of Dick Van Dyke; resided on his ranch near Malvern

Artists

• Larry D. Alexander (born 1953), artist and writer
• Danielle Bunten Berry (1949–1998), video game designer
• John Braden (1949–2004), writer, producer, director
• Roy Buchanan (1939-1988), guitarist, singer, songwriter
• Carl Ward Dudley
  (1910–1973), filmmaker and producer
• George Fisher (1923–2003), political cartoonist
• David Gordon Green (born 1975), filmmaker
• Kenneth Johnson
  (born 1942), screenwriter, director
• E. Fay Jones (1921–2004), architect and designer
• Oliver Lake (born 1942), jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer, poet, and visual artist
• Evan Lindquist (born 1936), artist, printmaker, Artist Laureate of Arkansas
• Nate Powell (born 1978), comic book artist
• Effie Anderson Smith (1869–1955), impressionist landscape painter, educator, feminist
• Harry Thomason (born 1940), television producer
• Edward Washburn (1831–1860), painter of The Arkansas Traveler
• Donald Roller Wilson (born 1938), painter
• Symone (drag queen) (born 1995), Model, actress & Winner of Rupaul's Drag Race
• Amy Lee (born 1981), lead singer of Evanescence
• Jason Truby (born 1973), ex lead guitarist for Living Sacrifice and ex member of P.O.D.

Authors

• Margot Adler (1946–2014), journalist and correspondent
• Brian Biggs (born 1968), author, illustrator, graphic artist
• Dee Brown
  (1908–2002), author, historian, novelist
• Cosmopolitan magazine
• Nancy A. Collins (born 1959), author
• John Gould Fletcher (1886–1950), poet
• John Grisham (born 1955), novelist
• Dave Grossman (born 1956), author
• Laurell K. Hamilton (born 1963), horror/fantasy author
• Deborah Mathis (born 1953), journalist and author
• Peter McGehee (1955–1991), novelist
• Qui Nguyen, playwright and screenwriter
• Charles Portis (1933–2020), novelist
• Leora Bettison Robinson (1840-1914), writer
• John Robert Starr (1927–2000), journalist
• Gina Wilkins
  (born 1954), novelist
• Miller Williams (1930–2015), poet
• C. Vann Woodward (1908–1999), historian
• Carolyn D. Wright (1949–2016), poet

Businesspeople

• William T. Dillard (1914–2002), head of Dillard's Department Stores
• Max Frauenthal (1836–1914), Civil War hero, leading Conway merchant, and founding father of Heber Springs
• Walter E. Hussman Jr. (born 1947), founder of WEHCO Media, Inc.
• Johnelle Hunt (born 1932), co-founder of J. B. Hunt Transportation Services
• Johnnie Bryan Hunt (1927–2006), co-founder of J. B. Hunt Transportation Services
• John Harold Johnson (1918–2005), founder of Johnson Publishing Company
• Jerry Jones (born 1942), owner of the Dallas Cowboys since 1989
• Stephen Jones
  (born 1964), executive vice president/COO of the Dallas Cowboys
• McDonnell Aircraft
• Infor Global Solutions
• Jackson T. Stephens (1923–2005), oilman and investment banker
• Warren Stephens (born 1957), president, chairman, and CEO of Stephens Inc.
• Don Tyson (1930–2011), Tyson Foods
  Poultry processing
• John H. Tyson (born 1953), former CEO of Tyson Foods
• Alice Walton (born 1949), daughter of Sam Walton, founded Llama Company
• Jim Walton (born 1948), son of Sam Walton, chairman of Arvest Bank
• John T. Walton (1946–2005), son of Sam Walton, former chairman of True North Venture Partners
• Rob Walton (born 1944), son of Sam Walton, former chairman of Walmart
• Wal-Mart
  Inc.
• Kemmons Wilson (1913–2003), Holiday Inn hotel founder
• Forrest L. Wood (1932–2020), founder of Ranger Boats

Military figures

• John Hanks Alexander (1864–1894), pioneering African-American naval officer
• James "Mo" Alley, World War II veteran and member of the famed "Easy Company
  "
• normalize relations with Vietnam
  , president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Chair Emeritus of the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, Military Police Hall of Fame
• William N. R. Beall (1825–1883), Confederate Brigadier General
• U.S. Army casualty in WWI
• Solon Borland (1808–1864), Confederate Brigadier General
• Maurice "Footsie" Britt (1919–1995), World War II soldier, Medal of Honor recipient, Distinguished Service Cross recipient, Silver Star recipient, first American soldier to receive the three highest medals for bravery; NFL player; Lt. Governor of Arkansas
• William L. Cabell (1827–1911), Confederate Brigadier General
• Thomas J. Churchill (1824–1905), Confederate Major General
• Wesley Clark (born 1944), U.S. Army general, NATO Commander
• Patrick Cleburne (1828–1864), Confederate Major General
• James Conway (born 1947), US Marine Corps Lieutenant General
• William Orlando Darby (1911–1945), first commander of the US Army Rangers
• Herman Davis (1888–1923), Distinguished Service Cross recipient and World War I sniper
• Thomas P. Dockery (1833–1898), Confederate Brigadier General
• Edward Walter Eberle (1864–1929), U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations
• James F. Fagan (1827–1893), Confederate Major General
• PBY pilot, received Medal of Honor
  for rescuing 15 downed aircrew members by landing his aircraft under enemy fire
• Daniel C. Govan (1829–1911), Confederate Brigadier General
• Carlos Hathcock (1942–1999), Marine sniper
• Alexander T. Hawthorn
  (1825–1899), Confederate Brigadier General
• Thomas Hindman (1828–1868), US Congressman and Confederate Major General
• Lucius Roy Holbrook (1875–1952), US Major General
• George Izard (1776–1828), US Army General, War of 1812
• Field E. Kindley (1896–1920), World War I flying ace
• Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964), US General of the Army, Medal of Honor recipient
• Ewell Ross McCright (1907–1990), US Air Force Captain, World War II, Prisoner of War and Legion of Merit recipient
• Pierce McKennon (1919–1947), World War II fighter ace veteran of RAF Eagle Squadron, 335thFS/4thFG, 20 German aircraft destroyed
• Evander McNair (1820–1902), Confederate Brigadier General
• Dandridge McRae (1829–1899), Confederate Brigadier General
• Albert Pike (1809–1891), Confederate General, Freemason
• John S. Roane (1817–1867), Brigadier General
• Albert Rust (1818–1870), Confederate Brigadier General
• James C. Tappan (1825–1906), Confederate Brigadier General
• John Thach (1905–1981), US Navy Admiral, World War II flying ace
• Frank Glasgow Tinker (1909–1939), Spanish Civil War volunteer fighter pilot
• Corydon M. Wassell (1884–1958), U.S. Navy physician and medical missionary
• Archibald Yell (1797–1847), brigadier general, killed at the Battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican–American War

Musicians

• American Idol
• Black Oak Arkansas (formed 1963), Southern rock hillybilly psycho-boogie band
• Big Bill Broonzy (1903–1958), blues singer-songwriter and guitarist
• Shirley Brown (born 1947), soul singer
• Sonny Burgess (1929–2017), Sun recording artist
• Sarah Caldwell (1924–2006), opera conductor and director, violinist
• Glen Campbell (1936–2017), country singer-songwriter, and actor
• Johnny Cash (1932–2003), country singer-songwriter
• Floyd Cramer (1933–1997), musician, most known for his piano instrumental "Last Date"
• Roscoe Dash (born 1990), rapper
• Iris DeMent (born 1961), country/folk singer-songwriter
• Jim Dickinson (1941–2009), musician and producer
• Beth Ditto (born 1981), singer with The Gossip
• Bob Dorough (1923–2018), jazz musician and voice of Schoolhouse Rock!
• Jimmy Driftwood (1907–1998), folk musician/songwriter, wrote "The Battle of New Orleans"
• Barbara Fairchild (born 1950), country and gospel singer
• Tav Falco (born 1945), musical performer, performance artist, actor, filmmaker, and photographer
• Sandford C. Faulkner (1803–1874), wrote fiddle tune "Arkansas Traveler"
• Bankroll Freddie (born 1994), rapper
• Lefty Frizzell (1928–1975), country music singer-songwriter
• Al Green
  (born 1946), singer
• Charles Christian Hammer (1953–2004), classical guitarist
• Ronnie Hawkins (1935–2022), rock musician
• Levon Helm (1940–2012), rock musician
• Barbara Hendricks (born 1948), opera singer
• John S. Hilliard (1947–2019), composer
• Wayland Holyfield (born 1942), songwriter
• country musician
• Louis Jordan (1908–1975), jazz musician and bandleader
• Tracy Lawrence (born 1968), country musician
• Amy Lee (born 1981), rock musician
• Robert Lockwood Jr. (1915–2006), blues musician
• W. Francis McBeth (1933–2012), composer
• Robert McFerrin (1921–2006), operatic baritone
• Patsy Montana (1914–1996), country musician
• Ben Moody (born 1980), rock musician
• Justin Moore (born 1984), country musician
• Charlotte Moorman (1933–1991), cellist, performance artist
• Conlon Nancarrow (1912–1997), composer
• Ne-Yo (born 1979), R&B musician, songwriter
• Joe Nichols (born 1976), country music artist
• Smokie Norful (born 1975), gospel singer (reared in Arkansas)
• Walter Norris (1931–2011), pianist and composer
• K.T. Oslin
  (1942–2020), country musician
• Twila Paris (born 1958), gospel musician
• Art Porter Jr. (1961–1996), jazz saxophonist
• Art Porter, Sr.
  (1934–1993), jazz pianist
• Florence Price (1887–1953), composer
• Collin Raye (born 1960), country musician
• Wilbur Stephen "Bill" Rice (born 1939), country musician
• Charlie Rich (1932–1995), rockabilly, jazz, blues, country, and gospel musician and pianist
• Pharoah Sanders (1940–2022), jazz saxophonist
• W. Stephen Smith (born 1950), baritone opera singer, voice teacher and author
• William Grant Still (1895–1978), composer
• Fred Tackett (born 1945), songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
• Johnnie Taylor (1934–2000), vocalist
• Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915–1973), vocalist, guitarist, the first great recording star of gospel music, considered the "godmother of rock and roll"
• Conway Twitty (1933–1993), rock and roll and country music singer
• Michael Utley (born 1985), songwriter, actor, musician, bit actor, member of Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band and Club Trini
• Junior Walker (1931–1995), Motown saxophonist
• William Warfield (1920–2002), vocalist
• Lenny Williams (born 1945), singer
• Otis Williams (born 1941), singer
• Sonny Boy Williamson II (1899–1965), blues musician
• Viper (rapper) (born 1971) rapper, producer
• Shawn Camp
  Darrell DeShawn Camp (born 1966), Reprise recording artist, songwriter (Two Pina Coladas), “Sis Draper” series of songs written with Guy Clark, lead singer/guitarist for The Earls of Leicester

Political figures

• US Representative
  1969–1993
• Dale Alford (1916–2000), US Representative from Little Rock 1959–1963; unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate in Democratic primary in 1962 and 1966
• Denny Altes (born 1948), former member of both houses of the Arkansas State Legislature; Vietnam War veteran from Fort Smith
• Morris S. Arnold (born 1941), US Appeals Court judge
• Richard S. Arnold (1936–2004), US Appeals Court judge
• Duncan Baird (born 1979), Arkansas state budget director since 2015; Republican former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
• Bob Ballinger (born 1974), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Washington, Carroll, and Madison counties
• Jonathan Barnett (born 1955), state representative for Benton and Washington counties
• governor of Arkansas
• Mary ElizabethBentley
  (born 1961), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Perry, Pope, Yell, and Conway counties since 2015; businesswoman and former nurse in Perryville
• Edwin Ruthvin Bethune
  (born 1935), US Representative 1979–1985
• Solon Borland (1808–1864), US Senator
• Drew Bowers (1886–1985), Republican gubernatorial nominee in 1926 and 1928; assistant U.S. attorney in Little Rock
• David Branscum (born 1958), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Searcy County
• Kelly Bryant (1908–1975), secretary of state
• Dale Bumpers (1925–2016), U.S. Senator and Arkansas Governor
• Preston C. Bynum (1939–2018), lobbyist and politician

C–D

• Arkansas State Senate in the 20th century, 1969 to 1978; Church of Christ minister retired in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Ronald R. Caldwell
  (born 1951), Republican member of the Arkansas State Senate from Cross County
• Hattie Caraway (1878–1951), first woman U. S. Senator
• Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives
• Francis Adams Cherry (1908–1965), governor 1953–1955
• Marvin Childers (born 1961), former state representative from Mississippi County, lawyer and lobbyist for poultry industry in Little Rock
• Marshall Chrisman (born 1933), Republican state representative from Franklin and Johnson counties, 1969–1970; gubernatorial candidate, 1980 and 1982
• Alan Clark (born 1960), Arkansas Republican state senator from Garland County
• Ann Clemmer (born 1958), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representative from Saline County; professor of political science at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock
• Bill Clinton (born 1946), 42nd president of the United States
• Chelsea Clinton (born 1980), daughter of Bill and Hillary
• U.S. Secretary of State (2009–2013), and 2016
  Democratic nominee for president
• Carl B. Close (1907–1980), Louisiana politician; native of Conway County
• Osro Cobb (1904–1996), lawyer, Republican politician from Montgomery County and later Little Rock
• Sterling R. Cockrill (1925–2022), Republican former politician from Pulaski County; urban planner, businessman, artist
• Henry W. Conway
  (1793–1827), territorial delegate
• John R. Cooper (born 1947), Republican member of the Arkansas State Senate from Craighead County
• Donnie Copeland (born 1961), Pentecostal pastor in North Little Rock and Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for District 38, 2015 to 2017^[1]
• Tom Cotton (born 1977), U.S. Senator from Arkansas since 2015
• Bruce Cozart (born 1955), politician and developer from Hot Springs
• Marion H. Crank (1915–1994), Speaker of the Arkansas House, 1963–1964; Democratic gubernatorial nominee, 1968
• Danny K. Davis
  (born 1941), U.S. Representative from Illinois
• Gary Deffenbaugh (born 1949), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Van Buren in Crawford County
• Jay Dickey (1939–2017), U.S. Representative from Arkansas's 4th congressional district, 1993–2001
• Jim Dotson (born 1978), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Bentonville
• Dan Douglas
  (born 1957), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Bentonville
• Trevor Drown (born c. 1970), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Pope and Van Buren counties since 2015

E–G

• Lance Eads (born 1968), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Washington County since 2015; unseated Randy Alexander in 2014 Republican primary
• Les Eaves (born 1967), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for White County since 2015
• Joycelyn Elders (born 1933), former Surgeon General of the United States
• Jane English
  (born 1940), member of the Arkansas State Senate from North Little Rock since 2013; former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
• Jon Eubanks
  (born 1951), state representative for Logan County since 2011
• Joe Farrer (born 1962), state representative from Lonoke County
• Orval Eugene Faubus (1910–1994), governor 1955–1967
• Jake Files (born 1972), state senator from Fort Smith since 2011
• Charlene Fite (born 1950), Republican state representative for Crawford County since 2013
• Lanny Fite (born c. 1949), Republican state representative for Saline County since 2015, former county judge
• Scott Flippo (born 1980), state senator from Baxter, Boone, and Marion Counties; businessman in Bull Shoals
• Stephanie Flowers (born 1953), state senator from Pine Bluff and former state representative; attorney
• Vivian Flowers (born c. 1969), state representative from Pine Bluff
• Clay Ford (1938–2013), member of both the Arkansas and Florida House of Representatives
• Vince Foster (1945–1993), Presidential aide
• Woody Freeman
  (born 1946), businessman and 1984 Republican gubernatorial nominee
• J. William Fulbright (1905–1995), U.S. Senator
• Augustus H. Garland
  (1832–1899), U.S. Attorney General
• Jeremy Gillam (born 1976), Republican state representative from Lonoke County
• John W. Grabiel (1867–1928), Republican gubernatorial nominee in 1922 and 1924
• Michael John Gray (born 1976), Democratic member of the Arkansas House for Independence, Jackson, White, and Woodruff counties since 2015
• Michelle Gray (born 1976), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representative for Independence, Izard, Sharp, and Stone counties since 2015
• Governor of Nevada
  1999 to 2007; Arkansas native

H–K

• Kim Hammer (born 1958), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Saline County; Baptist clergyman in Benton
• John Paul Hammerschmidt (1922–2015), former U.S. Representative of Arkansas's 3rd congressional district; congressional sponsor of the Buffalo National River
• Fonda F. Hawthorne (born 1956), Democratic former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Little River County
• John Heiskell
  (1872–1972), US Senator and newspaper publisher
• real estate developer in Russellville
• Jim Hendren (born 1963), member of the Arkansas State Senate from Benton County since 2013; former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
• Kim Hendren (born 1938), former member of the Arkansas State Senate and the Arkansas House of Representatives from Benton County
• Ben C. Henley (1907–1987), Arkansas state Republican chairman 1955–1962, lawyer and businessman in Harrison
• J. Smith Henley (1917–1997), federal judge in Fayetteville, retired to senior status in Harrison; brother of Ben Henley
• Bart Hester (born 1977), Arkansas state senator from Benton County
• Jimmy Hickey Jr. (born 1966), Arkansas state senator from Texarkana
• Grant Hodges (born 1990), Arkansas state representative for Benton County since 2015
• Jim L. Holt
  (born 1965), Republican politician
• Mike Huckabee (born 1955), governor 1996–2007
• Asa Hutchinson (born 1950), former US representative
• Donna Hutchinson (born 1949), member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Benton County
• Jeremy Hutchinson
  (born 1974), Arkansas state senator
• Tim Hutchinson (born 1949), former US representative and former US senator
• Timothy Chad Hutchinson (born 1974), former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Benton County
• Lane Jean (born 1958), Arkansas state representative from Columbia, Lafayette, and Miller counties; former mayor of Magnolia
• Bob Johnson (born 1953), Democratic member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Pulaski County since 2013; former justice of the peace
• James D. Johnson (1924–2010), Arkansas Supreme Court Justice, segregationist leader
• Robert W. Johnson (1814–1879), U.S. and Confederate States Senator
• J. B. Judkins
  , Arkansas state senator, elected president of the state's senate in 1883
• Allen Kerr
  (born 1956), former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Pulaski County

L–M

• Jack Ladyman (born 1947), mechanical engineer and Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Craighead County since 2015
• Benjamin Travis Laney
  (1896–1977), governor
• Andrea Lea (born 1957), Arkansas State Auditor 2015 – 2023; Republican former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Pope County
• Tim Lemons (born c. 1962), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for District 43 in Lonoke County
• Kelley Linck (born 1963), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Marion County
• Blanche Lincoln (born 1960), former U.S. Senator and former U.S. Representative
• Marilyn Lloyd (1929–2018), former U.S. Representative from Tennessee
• A. Lynn Lowe (1936–2010), former Arkansas Republican state chairman and unsuccessful nominee for U.S. House of Representatives (1966) and governor (1978)
• Mark Lowery (1957–2023), member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Pulaski County since 2013
• Robin Lundstrum (born c. 1962), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Benton and Washington counties since 2015
• Mark R. Martin (born 1968), Secretary of State of Arkansas
• John L. McClellan
  (1896–1977), Chairman Senate Appropriations Committee
• Mark McElroy (born 1956), Democratic member of the Arkansas House of Representative for Desha, Chicot and Ashley counties since 2013
• Sid McMath (1912–2003), former Arkansas Governor, trial lawyer, and Marine Corps General
• Stephen Meeks (born 1970), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Faulkner County; brother of David Meeks
• Gary Miller (born 1948), U.S. Representative from California
• Joshua D. "Josh" Miller (born 1981), member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Heber Springs
• House Ways and Means Committee
• Isaac Murphy (1799–1882), Governor of Arkansas

N–R

• Micah Neal (born 1974), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Springdale
• Milton Nicks (born 1950), state representative for Crittenden and Cross counties since 2015; Baptist pastor in Earle, resident of Marion
  , Arkansas
• George E. Nowotny (born 1932), state representative from Sebastian County 1967–1972
• Isaac Parker (1838–1896), "Hanging Judge" of Fort Smith
• Danny L. Patrick
  (1941–2009), Republican state representative from Madison and Carroll counties 1967–1970
• Rebecca Petty (born c. 1970), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Benton County; advocate of child crime victims, resident of Rogers
• Mathew Pitsch (born 1963), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Fort Smith since 2015
• Carolyn Pollan (1937–2021), state representative from Sebastian County 1975–1999
• David Pryor (born 1934), US Senator, governor, US representative; founding dean of the Clinton School of Public Service
• Mark Pryor (born 1963), U.S. Senator; son of David Pryor
• Jim Ranchino (1936–1978), political scientist, consultant, and pollster
• Donald A. Quarles, Deputy Secretary of Defense and communications engineer
• Terry Rice (born 1954), Republican member of the Arkansas Senate, former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives; businessman and rancher in Waldron
• Joseph T. Robinson
  (1872–1937), senate majority leader and vice presidential candidate
• Tommy F. Robinson (born 1942), sheriff, US representative
• Winthrop Rockefeller (1912–1973), Governor of Arkansas
• Winthrop Paul Rockefeller (1948–2006), lieutenant governor
• Mike Ross (born 1961), U.S. Representative 2001–2013; unsuccessful Democratic gubernatorial nominee in 2014
• Laurie Rushing (born 1968), member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Garland and Hot Spring counties since 2015; real estate broker in Hot Springs
• J. T. Rutherford (1921–2006), U.S. Representative from Texas

S–Z

• William H. "Bill" Sample (born 1946), member of both houses of the Arkansas General Assembly from Hot Springs since 2005
• David J. Sanders (born 1975), Arkansas state senator from Pulaski County; former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
• Sarah Huckabee Sanders (born 1982), White House Press Secretary
• Max Sandlin (born 1952), U.S. Representative from Texas
• William S. Sessions (1930–2020), FBI Director
• Ambrose H. Sevier
  (1801–1848), US Senator, "father of Arkansas statehood"
• Lottie Shackelford (born 1941), Democratic National Committee Vice Chair
• Jim Sheets (1931–2020), state representative 1967–1968; first Republican to represent Benton County in legislature in the 20th century
• Mary Lou Slinkard (born 1943), state representative from Benton County since 2009
• Southern Baptist
  missionary
• John W. Snyder
  (1895–1985), U.S. Treasury Secretary
• Vic Snyder (born 1947), US Representative 1997–2011
• William L. Spicer (1918–1991), chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party 1962–1964; intraparty rival of Winthrop Rockefeller
• Greg Standridge (1967–2017), Arkansas state senator for Newton, Pope, Boone, Carroll, and Van Buren counties since 2015; insurance agent in Russellville
• Gary Stubblefield (born 1951), Arkansas state senator from Franklin County
• James Sturch (born 1990), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Independence County since 2015
• Dan A. Sullivan (born 1950), Arkansas state representative for Craighead and Greene counties since 2015
• Dwight Tosh (born 1948), state representative since 2015 from Jonesboro; retired state police officer
• Wallace Townsend (1882–1979), attorney and Republican politician
• DeAnn Vaught (born 1970), farmer and member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Sevier County
• Dave Wallace (born 1948), member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Mississippi and Poinsett counties since 2015; decorated Vietnam War
  veteran
• Wes Watkins (born 1938), U.S. Representative from Oklahoma
• Bruce Westerman (born 1967), majority leader of the Arkansas House
• Frank Durward White (1933–2003), governor 1981–1983
• Eddie Joe Williams (born 1954), state senator and former mayor
• James Lee Witt (born 1944), former FEMA Director
• Judy Petty Wolf (born 1943), former state representative
• Richard Womack (born 1974), state representative from Arkadelphia
• Shawn Womack (born 1972), judge of the Arkansas 14th Judicial District; Republican former member of both houses of the Arkansas legislature from Baxter County
• Jon Woods (born 1977), state senator
• James Word (born c. 1953), Democratic former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Jefferson and Lincoln counties
• Marshall Wright (born 1976), Democratic member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Monroe, St. Francis, Woodruff, and Lee counties since 2011

Scientists and physicians

• Moses T. Clegg (1876–1918), bacteriologist noted for his work in Leprosy^[2]
• Joycelyn Elders (born 1933), former Surgeon General of the United States
• Mary L. Good (1931–2019), former chair and first female member of the American Chemical Society board
• Samuel L. Kountz (1930–1981), pioneer in organ transplant surgery
• Trent Pierce, family practitioner; chairman of the Arkansas Medical Board
• William L. McMillan (1936–1984), National Academy of Sciences physicist noted for his research on superconductors
• Taylor Wilson (born 1994), nuclear physics prodigy; youngest person to achieve fusion, at the age of 14
• Gazi Yaşargil (born 1925), named "Neurosurgery's Man of the Century" by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons

Social figures

• Daisy Bates
  (1914–1999), civil rights leader and activist
• Melba Pattillo Beals (born 1941), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock Nine
• Minnijean Brown-Trickey (born 1941), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock Nine
• Eldridge Cleaver (1935–1998), activist
• Elizabeth Eckford (born 1941), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock Nine
• Ernest Green (born 1941), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock Nine
• Elaine Race Riot
• Scipio Africanus Jones (1863–1943), attorney
• Gloria Ray Karlmark (born 1942), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock Nine
• Carlotta Walls LaNier (born 1942), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock Nine
• Terrence Roberts (born 1941), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock Nine
• Adolphine Fletcher Terry (1882–1976), social activist
• Louise Thaden (1905–1979), aviation pioneer
• Jefferson Thomas (1942–2010), civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock Nine
• Cephas Washburn (1793–1860), Indian missionary

Sportspeople

• James Anderson (born 1989), professional basketball player
• Austin Reaves (born 1998), professional basketball player
• Shawn Andrews (born 1982), professional football player
• Stacy Andrews (born 1981), professional football player
• Herbert (Geese) Ausbie (born 1938), professional basketball player with Harlem Globetrotters
• Gene Bearden (1920–2004), professional baseball player
• Alan Belcher (born 1984), professional MMA Fighter
• Earl Bell (born 1955), Olympic pole vaulter
• Mike Brisiel (born 1983), professional football player
• Lou Brock (1939–2020), professional baseball player, Hall of Famer
• Ray Brown (born 1962), professional football player, Arkansas State University alumnus
• T.J. Brown (born 1990), professional mixed martial arts fighter
• Paul "Bear" Bryant (1913–2016), football coach
• Brandon Burlsworth (1976–1999), college football player
• A. J. Burnett (born 1977), professional baseball player
• Pat Burrell (born 1976), professional baseball player
• Bill Carr (1909–1966), Olympic runner and 2-time gold medalist
• Maurice Carthon (born 1961), professional football player
• Charles Clay (born 1989), professional football player
• Nathaniel Clifton (1922–1990), professional Hall of Fame
  basketball player
• Mike Conley Jr. (born 1987), professional basketball player
• John Daly (born 1966), professional golfer
• Tank Daniels (born 1981), professional football player
• Willie Davis (1940–2010), professional baseball player
• Dizzy Dean (1910–1974), professional baseball player, Hall of Famer
• Bill Dickey (1907–1993), professional baseball player, Hall of Famer
• Sid Eudy (born 1960), professional wrestler
• Jeremy Evans (born 1987), professional basketball player
• Derek Fisher (born 1974), professional basketball player
• Wes Gardner (born 1961), professional baseball player
• Craig Gentry (born 1983), professional baseball player
• Brett Goode (born 1984), professional football player
• Charles Greene (1944–2022), Olympic sprinter
• Ed Hamm (1906–1982), Olympic long-jump gold medalist
• Dan Hampton (born 1957), professional football player, NFL Hall of Fame member
• Dusty Hannahs (born 1993), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Chris Harris (born 1982), professional football player
• Cliff Harris (born 1948), professional football player, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Demetrius Harris (born 1991), professional football player
• Dutch Harrison (1910–1982), professional golfer
• Marcus Harrison (born 1984), professional football player
• Red Hickey (1917–2006), professional football player and coach
• Peyton Hillis (born 1986), professional football player
• Jim Hines (1946–2023), track and field athlete
• Zach Hocker (born 1991), professional football player
• Cedric Houston (born 1982), professional football player
• Don Hutson (1913–1997), professional football player, NFL Hall of Fame member
• Travis Jackson (1903-1987), professional baseball player, Hall of Fame member
• Joe Johnson (born 1981), professional basketball player
• Wes Johnson, professional baseball coach
• Matt Jones (born 1983), professional football player
• Al Joyner (born 1960), track and field Olympian
• Jakob Junis (born 1992), baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants
• Ken Kavanaugh (1916–2007), professional football player and coach
• George Kell (1922–2009), professional baseball player, Hall of Famer
• Don Kessinger (born 1942), professional baseball player and manager
• Greg Lasker (born 1964), professional football player
• Cliff Lee (born 1978), professional baseball pitcher
• Sonny Liston (1932–1970), professional boxer, World Heavyweight Champion
• Sherm Lollar (1924–1977), professional baseball player
• Ryan Mallett (born 1988), professional football player
• Mark Martin (born 1959), championship NASCAR driver
• Darren McFadden (born 1987), professional football player
• Kevin McReynolds (born 1959), professional baseball player
• Bryce Mitchell (born 1994), professional mixed martial arts fighter
• Sidney Moncrief (born 1957), professional basketball player
• Rick Monday (born 1945), professional baseball player, sportscaster
• Malik Monk (born 1998), professional basketball player
• Tommy Morrison (1969–2013), professional boxer, two-time heavyweight champion
• Dustin Moseley (born 1981), professional baseball player
• Larry Nixon (born 1950), professional sport fisherman
• Houston Nutt (born 1957), collegiate football coach; quarterback; basketball player
• Frank Okam (born 1985), professional football player
• Blake Parker (born 1985), professional baseball player
• Jermey Parnell (born 1986), professional football player
• Joe Perry (1927–2011), professional football player
• Mitch Petrus (1987–2019), professional football player
• Scottie Pippen (born 1965), professional basketball player, Hall of Famer
• Elijah Pitts (1938–1998), professional football player and coach
• Bobby Portis (born 1995), professional basketball player
• Anthony Randolph (born 1989), professional basketball player
• Brooks Robinson (born 1937), professional baseball player, Hall of Famer
• Preacher Roe (1916–2008), professional baseball player
• Keena Rothhammer (born 1957), Olympic swimmer
• Johnny Sain (1917–2006), professional baseball player
• Elbert Shelley (born 1964), professional football player
• Rod Smith (born 1970), professional football player
• Drew Smyly (born 1989), professional baseball player
• Drew Sutton (born 1983), professional baseball player
• Barry Switzer (born 1937), football coach
• Jermain Taylor (born 1978), professional boxer
• Cedric Thornton (born 1988), professional football player
• Charley Thornton (1937–2004), sports figure
• Arky Vaughan (1912–1952), professional baseball player, Hall of Famer
• Harry Vines (1938–2006), wheelchair basketball coach
• Lon Warneke (1909–1976), professional baseball player
• Sonny Weems (born 1986), professional basketball player
• Corey Williams (born 1980), professional football player
• Damian Williams (born 1988), professional football player
• DeAngelo Williams (born 1983), professional football player
• Kevin Williams (born 1980), professional football player
• Corliss Williamson (born 1973), professional basketball player
• Payton Willis (born 1998), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Travis Wood (born 1987), professional baseball player

Other Arkansans

• Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College since 2000
• Matt Besser (born 1967), comedian
• James Black (1800–1872), manufacturer of the Bowie knife
• Ben M. Bogard (1868–1951), clergyman
• George W. Bond (1891–1974), educator and college president
• Boogie2988 (born 1974), internet personality. real name Steven Williams
• Richard O. "Dick" Covey (born 1946), astronaut
• Jesse Dirkhising
  (1986–1999), crime victim
• Bill Doolin (1858–1896), outlaw and founder of the Wild Bunch, born in Johnson County
• Mack Ray Edwards (1918–1971), child sex abuser/serial killer; committed suicide by hanging in his prison cell
• Minnie Rutherford Fuller (1868-1946), farmer, broker, temperance leader, suffragist
• Edwin R. Gilliland (1909–1973), chemical engineer
• Elizabeth Ward Gracen (born 1961), Miss America, actress
• Jack Graham (born 1950), pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas
• Connie Hamzy (1955–2021), prolific rock groupie noted as "Sweet, Sweet Connie" in the Grand Funk Railroad 1973 song "We're An American Band"
• Bill Hicks (1961–1994), comedian
• T. J. Holmes (born 1977), CNN weekday anchor
• Rex Humbard (1919–2007), televangelist
• D. N. Jackson (1895–1968), clergyman
• Kenneth Johnson
  (born 1942), writer, director and producer
• Paula Jones (born 1966), sued President Bill Clinton for sexual harassment
• Nan Keohane
  (born 1940), president of Duke University
• Ralphie May (1972–2017), comedian
• Martha Beall Mitchell (1918–1976), wife of John N. Mitchell
• Jeff Nichols (born 1978), screenwriter and director
• Freeman Owens (1890–1979), pioneer in cinematography
• Scott E. Parazynski (born 1961), astronaut
• Theodore Rinaldo (1944–2000), charismatic religious leader, businessman, and convicted child sex offender
• John Selman (1839–1896), outlaw
• Savvy Shields (born 1995), Miss America 2017
• Amarillo Slim (1928–2012), professional poker player
• Steve Stephens, radio and television host
• murderer who killed his family in Lonoke
• Debbye Turner (born 1967), Miss America 1990, television host and news anchor
• Terri Utley (born 1962), Miss USA 1982
• gunslinger
• Roger L. Worsley (born 1937), educator

See also

• List of Arkansas suffragists
• Lists of Americans

References