List of Famous people born in California, United States of America

Walter Stone Tevis was an American novelist and short story writer. Three of his six novels were adapted into major films: The Hustler, The Color of Money and The Man Who Fell to Earth. A fourth, The Queen’s Gambit, was adapted into a mini-series with the same title and shown on Netflix in 2020. His books have been translated into at least 18 languages.

Stanley Roger Smith is a former world No. 1 American tennis player and two-time Grand Slam singles champion who also, with his partner Bob Lutz, formed one of the most successful doubles teams of all time. Together, they won many major titles all over the world. In 1970, Smith won the first year end championship Masters Grand Prix title. Smith's two major singles titles were the 1971 US Open, and 1972 Wimbledon. In 1972, he was the year-ending world No. 1 singles player. In 1973, he won his second and last year end championship title at the Dallas WCT Finals. In addition, he won four Grand Prix Championship Series titles. His name is also used in a popular brand of tennis shoes. In his early years he improved his tennis game through lessons from Pancho Segura, the Pasadena Tennis Patrons, and the sponsorship of the Southern California Tennis Association headed by Perry T. Jones.

Amy Sherman-Palladino is an American television writer, director, and producer. She is the creator of the dramedy series Gilmore Girls, Bunheads, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Joshua Benjamin Trank is an American film director, screenwriter, and editor. He is known for directing the found-footage sci-fi thriller film Chronicle (2012), the superhero film Fantastic Four (2015), and the Al Capone biographical film Capone (2020).

Carla Kristen Esparza is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Largely known for her grappling abilities, Esparza was the first UFC Strawweight Champion, the first Invicta FC Strawweight Champion, and was generally considered the best strawweight fighter in the world while holding each title. She earned the UFC championship by winning a 16-woman tournament that was televised on the reality series The Ultimate Fighter. She also competed in Bellator MMA's first women's tournament. As of January 19, 2021, she is #4 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings and as of January 25, 2021 she is #13 in the UFC women's pound for pound rankings.

Mia Rosales St. John is a Mexican-American professional boxer and former World Boxing Council (WBC) champion in the super welterweight division. She is also the IBA and IFBA lightweight champion. She is also a model, businesswoman, and taekwondo champion.

Todd Marvin Marinovich is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. He played for the Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League and also in the Canadian Football League, Arena Football League, and Development Football International. Marinovich is known for the well-documented, intense focus of his training as a young athlete and for his brief career upon reaching the professional leagues that was cut short primarily because of his addiction to drugs.

Gina L. Gershon is an American actress. She has had roles in the films Cocktail (1988), Red Heat (1988), Showgirls (1995), Bound (1996), Face/Off (1997), The Insider (1999), Demonlover (2002), P.S. I Love You (2007), Five Minarets in New York (2010), Killer Joe (2011) and House of Versace (2013). She has also had supporting roles in FX's Rescue Me and HBO's How to Make It in America. She currently portrays the role of Gladys Jones on The CW teen drama series Riverdale.

Rebecca De Mornay is an American actress and producer. Her breakthrough film role came in 1983, when she starred as Lana in Risky Business. She is known for her role as Debby Huston in the Neil Simon film The Slugger's Wife. De Mornay is also known for her roles in Runaway Train (1985), The Trip to Bountiful (1985), Backdraft (1991), and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992).

Hunter Haley King is an American actress. She is known for portraying Adriana Masters on Hollywood Heights (2012), Summer Newman on The Young and the Restless (2012–present) and Clementine Hughes on Life in Pieces (2015–2019). Earlier in her career she was credited as Haley King, but she has since been credited as Hunter King.