List of Famous people born in Mississippi, United States of America
Cindy Hyde-Smith
Cindy Hyde-Smith is an American politician serving as the junior United States Senator from Mississippi, in office since 2018. A member of the Republican Party, she was previously the Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce and a member of the Mississippi State Senate.
Laura Bailey
Laura Bailey is an American voice actress and singer. At the age of 18, she made her anime debut as Kid Trunks in the Funimation dub of Dragon Ball Z. Her other anime credits include Emily / Glitter Lucky in Glitter Force, Tohru Honda in Fruits Basket, Lust in Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the title character in the Funimation dub of Shin-Chan, and Maka Albarn in Soul Eater. She is a cast member of the web series Critical Role, playing Vex'ahlia ("Vex"), Jester Lavorre, and Imogen Temult.
Rodney Hood
Rodney Michael Hood is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Mississippi State and Duke Universities before declaring for the NBA Draft. Hood was drafted in 2014 by the Utah Jazz; and in 2018, he was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was then traded to Portland in 2019.
Jimmy Buffett
James William Buffett is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, actor, and businessman. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett has recorded hit songs including "Margaritaville" and "Come Monday". He has a devoted base of fans known as "Parrotheads".
Ray J
William Ray Norwood Jr., known professionally as Ray J, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, television personality, actor, and entrepreneur. Born in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Carson, California, he is the younger brother of recording artist and actress Brandy Norwood and the first cousin of rapper Snoop Dogg. In January 2017, he competed in the nineteenth season of the UK reality television programme Celebrity Big Brother.
Medgar Evers
Medgar Wiley Evers was an American civil rights activist in Mississippi, the state's field secretary for the NAACP, and a World War II veteran who had served in the United States Army. He worked to overturn segregation at the University of Mississippi, end the segregation of public facilities, and expand opportunities for African Americans, which included the enforcement of voting rights.
RJ Mitte
Roy Frank Mitte III is an American actor, best known for playing Walter "Flynn" White Jr. on the AMC series Breaking Bad (2008–2013). Like his character on the show, he has cerebral palsy. After moving to Hollywood in 2006, he began training with personal talent manager Addison Witt. They sought acting opportunities where his disability would serve to educate viewers, which led him to audition for the role in Breaking Bad.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf is an American former professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for nine years with the Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings and Vancouver Grizzlies.
Mike Espy
Alphonso Michael Espy is an American politician who served as the 25th United States Secretary of Agriculture from 1993 to 1994. He was both the first African American and first person from the Deep South to hold the position. A member of the Democratic Party, Espy previously served as the U.S. Representative for Mississippi's 2nd congressional district from 1987 to 1993.
Tori Bowie
Frentorish "Tori" Bowie is an American track and field athlete, who primarily competes in the 100 m and the 200 m. She has a personal record of 6.95 m for the long jump, set in 2014. She is the 2017 100m world champion, a 2016 Olympian and a three-time Olympic medalist.