20 Most Famous People from Pennsylvania

20 Most Famous People from Pennsylvania

Originally Published by Nellian in September 2022, Updated by Vanessa R. in September 2023, and Updated by Nellian in May 2024.

The “Keystone State” as history buffs may call it, is the birthplace of American democracy. It’s home to Independence Hall (former Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia) where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. 

On top of that, this Northeastern region of the United States prides itself on many firsts. Pittsburgh is where the first baseball stadium was built in 1909, and Philadelphia was where the first computer existed in 1946. 

Additionally, Philadelphia witnessed the first piano in America built there in 1775. Also, the first public zoo in the United States was the Philadelphia Zoo which was started by Benjamin Franklin.

That is not all,  Indiana County remains the “Christmas Tree” capital of the world, while Hershey is the “Chocolate Capital” of the U.S. and there is more.

Subsequently, dozens of celebrities including singers, rappers, sportspersons, and actors come from Pennsylvania. Most of these people have successful careers and as such, they have gained widespread fame across the globe.

Here are the 20 most famous people from Pennsylvania. 

Will Smith by Tech Crunch from Wikimedia Commons

Bradley Cooper at the premiere of The Hangover by Ian Smith from Wikimedia Commons

 

Kobe Bryant by Keith Allison from Wikimedia Commons

Rapper Meek Mill was booked into the Chester Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania in 2017 after a parole violation by the Philadelphia Police Department from Wikimedia Commons

11.  Jimmy Stewart

Jimmy Stewart, a legendary figure in Hollywood and a soldier of World War II, was born and raised in Indiana, a small town in Western Pennsylvania, where his influence may still be felt today. The star of such classic films as “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “It’s A Wonderful Life,” “The Philadelphia Story,” and “Harvey” has a statue and a museum in the town. In July 1997, Stewart, at 89 years old, passed away.

12. Charles Bronson 

Charles Bronson was an actor best known for playing a tough guy. His career lasted for almost five decades. Before returning to the United States, the Purple Heart recipient appeared in films like “The Dirty Dozen,” “The Magnificent Seven,” and “Death Wish.” At the age of 81, Bronson passed away from pneumonia in 2003.

13. Mac Miller

Nicolas Völcker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rapper Mac Miller, who was from Pittsburgh, is well known for including references to his city and state in his songs. A few examples of these references are the high schools he attended, the parks and playgrounds where he spent his childhood, the neighborhood sports teams, and certain roads and neighborhood names. Even the locations that were used for his music video shoots in Pittsburgh were used by the artist, whose real name was Malcolm McCormick.

14. George Benson

Pittsburgh is where George Benson, a former child prodigy, was born. He began his career as a guitarist but has since added the talents of a soul jazz vocalist and songwriter.

As Pittsburgh was a well-liked stop for musicians traveling to the bright lights of New York City, Benson has a special affection for his hometown and attributes it to the development of his and other people’s careers.

15. Patti LaBelle

John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Patti LaBelle is a singing icon who was born in Philadelphia and still calls Pennsylvania home. She was known as the “Godmother of Soul” because of her impact on several musical styles that combined gospel and R&B. In the 1970s, she played a crucial role in the Philadelphia Soul movement.

LaBelle continues to admire Philadelphia and says the city’s harmonious combination of music, culture, and people makes her want to stay forever.

16. Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol was a visual artist, film director cum producer. He grew up in Pittsburgh, where he was also born on August 6, 1928. He was an important figure in the pop art movement and an influential artist of the second half of the 20th century.

Some of Warhol’s best-known works include Campbell’s Soup Cans (1962) and Marilyn Diptych (1962) paintings. Empire (1964) and Chelsea Girls (1966) were experimental film pieces. The Exploding Plastic Inevitable (1966–67) was a multimedia event work.

Better still, he is credited with inspiring the expression “15 minutes of fame,” which became widely used. He was also the founder of Interview magazine, which has existed since 1969. He also authored several books.

Even after his death on February 22, 1987, at 58 years, his paintings are some of the most expensive artworks at auctions.  His 1963 Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster) sold for $105 million in 2013. In 2022, 1964’s Shot Sage Blue Marilyn sold for $195 million.

17. Bill Cosby

The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

William Henry Cosby Jr. is a former comedian, actor, spokesman, and media personality. He hails from Philadelphia where he was born on July 12, 1937. He gained prominence through The Cosby Show (1984–1992). Cosby played the role of Cliff Huxtable gaining fame as “America’s Dad”.

Moreover, his accolades include Grammy Awards, and Primetime Emmy Awards among honorary degrees spread across his career. In 2014, his career was marred by sexual assault allegations. This scandal saw some of his awards revoked and several media organizations pulled reruns of The Cosby Show and other TV shows in which the actor starred.

18. Christina Aguilera

Christina María Aguilera grew up in different places including Pittsburgh. The singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality was born in New York City on December 18, 1980. Her four-octave vocal range has earned her the reference, “Voice of a Generation”.

Besides, her work incorporates social contemporary themes like feminism, sexuality, LGBT culture, and more. She debut acting as a child on The All-New Mickey Mouse Club (1993–1994). Aguilera’s breakthrough in music came in 1999 with her self-titled album.

Better still, some of her hit singles include Genie in a Bottle (1999), Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You) in 2000, Beautiful (2002), Ain’t No Other Man, Hurt in 2006, and more. She boasts Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, a Guinness World Record, and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

19. Joe Biden

Adam Schultz, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. the 46th and current president of the United States since 2021 was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on November 20, 1942. Before his presidential regime, he served as vice president under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017.

To add on, for most of his political career, he represented Delaware in the United States Senate from 1973 to 2009. Some of his achievements include overseeing the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law in 2022.

Biden also helped resolve the 2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis. His leadership triggered the end of the Afghanistan war by the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

20. Grace Kelly

Coloring: Pierre Tourigny from Gatineau, Canada, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Grace Patricia Kelly was an actress born in Philadelphia on November 12, 1929. Her marriage to Monaco Prince Rainier III in 1956 until her death in 1982 elevated her to Princess of Monaco.

Kelly’s acting career gained acclaim in the early to mid-1950s. Some of her successful performances were in Fourteen Hours (1951), Mogambo (1953), Dial M for Murder (1954), To Catch a Thief (1955), and more.

These are the 20 most famous people from Pennsylvania, whose contribution is appreciated in their state, the country, and beyond.