20 Most Famous People from Guyana

20 Most Famous People from Guyana

*Originally published by Lilian in October 2022 and Updated in May 2024

Guyana, sometimes known as the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, is a nation in northern South America. Due to its close cultural, historical, and political ties to other Caribbean nations and the Caribbean Community, it is regarded as being in the Caribbean area (CARICOM).

The Atlantic Ocean to the north, Brazil to the south and southwest, Venezuela to the west, and Suriname to the east are Guyana’s neighbours. Guyana, after Uruguay and Suriname, is the third-smallest sovereign state on the South American mainland, with a total area of 215,000 square kilometres (83,000 sq mi).

Just like any other country, it has produced some of the best celebrities that we’re sure you don’t know about. Read on and get to know them.

1. Eddy Grant

Eddy Grant by Stuart Sevastos from Wikimedia Commons

Montague, Edmond Guyanese-born British musician “Eddy” Grant performs. Jo-Ann Greene, a writer for Allmusic, observed: “Eddy Grant belongs to a select group of musicians because he has not only successfully spanned the musical spectrum but also been at the forefront of genres and even invented one of his own.

The artist has carved his own path through the music industry, claiming it as his own as a pop star, reggae radical, musical businessman, and inventor of ringbang.”

2. Red Café

American rapper Jermaine Denny is better known for his stage moniker Red Café. He is a member of Akon’s Konvict Muzik, Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, Ciroc Entertainment, and DJ Clue’s Desert Storm label and was born to Afro-Guyanese parents.

3.C. C. H. Pounder

CCH Pounder by vancoeur from Wikimedia Commons

Carol Christine Hilaria Pounder, also known by her stage name C. C. H. Pounder, is an American actress who was born in Guyanese. She has acted in a lot of movies, television plays, miniseries, and films for television, in addition to making cameos on well-known television programs.

She acted in the FX Networks police drama The Shield from 2002 to 2008 as Detective Claudette Wyms. She played the character Mo’at in James Cameron’s movie Avatar in 2009. She now has recurring appearances as DA Tyne Patterson on the TV show Sons of Anarchy and Irene Fredric in the TV show Warehouse 13.

4. Mad Professor

Guyanese dub music producer and engineer Mad Professor is well-known for his original compositions and remix efforts. He is regarded as one of the foremost producers of the second generation of dub music and had a significant role in bringing dub into the digital era.

He has worked with both classic reggae and dub performers including Lee “Scratch” Perry, Sly and Robbie, Pato Banton, Jah Shaka, and Horace Andy as well as artists from other genres like Sade, Massive Attack, The Orb, and Brazilian DJ Marcelinho da lua.

5. Ezekiel Jackson

Ezekiel Jackson by Mark Hodgins from Wikimedia Commons

Guyanese bodybuilder and wrestler Rycklon Stephens compete internationally. He is contracted with WWE and goes by the ring name Ezekiel Jackson. Stephens, who won the ECW Championship in February 2010 and is acknowledged by WWE as the final ECW Champion, is a former world champion. He was also the Intercontinental Champion once.

6. Clive Lloyd

Clive Lloyd by boolywood hungama from Wikimedia Commons

Former West Indies cricketer Clive Hubert Lloyd is a CBE and AO recipient. He received the Wisden Cricketer of the Year award in 1971. Between 1974 and 1985, he led the West Indies as their captain, guiding them to the position of preeminent Test-playing nation, which they held until the latter half of the 1990s. He is one of the best Test captains of all time. Under his leadership, the team went 27 games without a loss, including 11 straight victories.

In 1966, he made his Test debut. At the Test level, Lloyd amassed almost 7,500 runs at a 46.67 batting average. In his Test career, he smashed 77 sixes, which ranks sixth among all players. He participated in domestic cricket competitions for both Lancashire in England and his native Guyana. Lance Gibbs, a spin bowler, is his cousin. Since his retirement as a player, Lloyd has stayed actively involved in cricket, coaching, commentating, and managing the West Indies in the late 1990s. From 2001 until 2006, he served as an ICC match referee.

7. Valerie Amos, Baroness Amos

Baroness Valerie Amos by Richter Frank-Jurgen from Wikimedia Commons

Current UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Ann Amos, Baroness Amos, PC, is the ninth in line. She served as the British High Commissioner to Australia prior to her UN position. She served as the House of Lords leader and Lord President of the Council before being created a Labour life peer in 1997.

Amos became the first black woman to serve in the British Cabinet when she was chosen to replace Clare Short as Secretary of State for International Development on May 12, 2003. Gordon Brown becoming prime minister caused her to resign from the cabinet. After that, Brown that she be appointed as the Special Representative of the European Union to the African Union.

8. Cy Grant

Cy Grant was a Guyanese poet, writer, musician, and actor. Due largely to his appearances on the BBC current affairs program Tonight, he became the first black person to be consistently featured on television in the United Kingdom in the 1950s.

Before founding the Drum Arts Centre in the 1970s, Grant worked as an actor and vocalist after serving in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He was named the Concord Multicultural Festivals’ director in the 1980s.

Grant is a recognized poet and the author of numerous works, including his memoir Blackness and the Dreaming Soul, which was released in 2007. In 1997, Grant was named an Honorary Fellow of Roehampton University, and in 2001, he joined the Scientific and Medical Network.

9. Wilson Harris

Author Sir Theodore Wilson Harris is from Guyana. He began by writing poetry but has since established himself as a renowned novelist and essayist.

His topic matter is reported to be quite varied, and his language is frequently described as abstract and richly metaphorical. One of the most distinctive and avant-garde authors in English postwar literature is Harris.

10. John Rodriguez

John Rodriguez by Votre pseudonyme ici from Wikimedia Commons

Politician John R. Rodriguez was born in Canada but is from Guyana. He formerly represented the Nickel Belt electoral district in the Canadian House of Commons as a member of the New Democratic Party from 1972 to 1980 and from 1984 to 1993. He served as mayor of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, from 2006 to 2010.

11. Cheddi Jagan

One of the most notable people in Guyanese history is still Cheddi Jagan, a name that is closely associated with the country’s politics and independence. As a dentist by trade, Jagan was a founding member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which helped Guyana win its freedom from British colonial control.

He was well respected for his dedication to economic reform and social justice. He is among the most well-known Guyananos due to his policies and vision for a more equal society, which have had an enormous impact on the country over his three terms as president.

12. Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Ukexpat, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shivnarine Chanderpaul is a legendary figure in the world of cricket. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricket players of all time, known for his unorthodox batting stance and resilient performances. Over his two-decade career, Chanderpaul has accumulated numerous accolades and records, including the prestigious ICC Cricketer of the Year title.

His unwavering dedication to cricket and his home country has made him a symbol of national pride and a prominent figure in Guyana, solidifying his status as one of the country’s most renowned citizens.

13. Grace Nichols

Poet and author Grace Nichols is known for her investigation of gender, identity, and culture, as well as her realistic portrayals of Caribbean life. She has received numerous honours and recognitions for her books, including the Commonwealth Poetry Prize, for “I is a Long-Memoried Woman” and “Sunris.”

The complex issues of migration and diaspora life are brought to light by Nichols’ art, which frequently mirrors her personal experiences as a Guyanese living in the UK. She is now regarded as one of the most well-known Guyana natives thanks to her engaging voice and literary works.

14. Clive Lloyd

Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The legendary cricketer Clive Lloyd is most known for having led the West Indies squad during its peak seasons in the 1970s and 1980s. The squad became a powerful force under his leadership, winning the ICC Cricket World Cup twice.

He is now considered a legendary figure in cricket due to his widely recognised vision, strategic ability, and composed demeanour on the pitch. He is among the most well-known Guyananos due to his contributions to both the sport and the international standing of his nation.

15. Roy Heath

Author Roy Heath is well-known for his books that portray Guyanese culture and daily life in fine detail. His writings, which include “The Murderer” and “The Shadow Bride,” explore identity, morality, and the complicated nature of relationships between people.

He has gained both a devoted public and respected status for his careful and sympathetic depiction of Guyanese personalities and communities. He is among the most well-known Guyana natives because of his literary talents and portrayal of Guyanese culture.

16. David A. Granger

Wilsom Dias/Agência Brasil, CC BY 3.0 BR, via Wikimedia Commons

A well-known figure in Guyana politics and national development, David A. Granger served as the nation’s president before taking a leave of absence. Granger, a veteran military officer, prioritised economic expansion, environmental preservation, and social harmony during his administration.

He is dedicated to his country’s advancement and his support of environmentally friendly projects, even in the face of obstacles during his term. He is now among Guyana’s most well-known citizens as a result.

17. Forbes Burnham

As the founder of the People’s National Congress (PNC), Forbes Burnham played a significant role in Guyana’s politics. A pivotal period in Guyana’s transition to independence and development was the period he held as prime minister from 1964 to 1980.

Then, in 1980, he was elected President of Guyana, a post he held until his passing in 1985. To make Guyana a major player on the global scene while negotiating the challenges of Cold War geopolitics, Burnham is remembered for his work during his reign advancing socialist principles and the non-aligned movement.

18. Roy Fredericks

Famous for his work as an opening batsman in the 1960s and 1970s, Roy Fredericks was a notable West Indian cricket player. He developed himself as a key member of the West Indies cricket team with his aggressive style of play, greatly influencing its triumphs during the sport’s prime.

He gained legendary status in cricket due to his remarkable performances on the international stage, which included exceptional innings against some of the most formidable bowling attacks in history.

19. Martin Carter

Martin Carter was a famous Guyanese poet whose poetry touches on political, revolutionary, and human spirit subjects. He is frequently praised for being the “Poet of Resistance.” His poetry, which represented the struggle against injustice and colonialism, came into being during the independence movements in Guyana and the wider Caribbean.

He is a significant figure in Caribbean literature because of his lyrical poetry, which combines introspection with a universal plea for freedom and human dignity.

20. Walter Rodney

L.A. Cityview 35, University of Southern California, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Walter Rodney has made significant contributions to Caribbean politics and research as an academic, political activist, and historian. A critical critique of African socioeconomic and political development can be found in his key article, “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa.”

Rodney is a social justice activist who is best shown by his support of the working class and his involvement in the Black Power struggle in the Caribbean and North America. Sadly killed in 1980, Rodney’s influence as an activist and philosopher lives on, making him one of Guyana’s most well-known citizens.

Is there anyone that is your favourite that we’ve left off the list, let us know!