25 Famous People From Cincinnati

Amy Yasbeck at GalaxyCon Louisville in 2019 by Super Festivals from Wikimedia Commons

25 Famous People From Cincinnati

Cincinnati was known as “The Queen City” in the 1820s because of its culture and civilization at the time. Furthermore, in 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first openly professional baseball club.

In the late 1860s and beyond the city earned the moniker “City of Seven Hills” because of its landscape. The nickname was sparked by the spectacular view formed by the hills that stretch from the east bank to the west bank of the Ohio River.

Additionally, the Italianate architecture of the 19^th century is preserved to the present day. Hence these qualities and many more have elevated Cincinnati to become Ohio’s third-largest city. Subsequently birthing great personalities with local and international influence.

Here are 25 Famous People from Cincinnati.

1. Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con International by Gage Skidmore from Wikimedia Commons

The American film director, writer, cum producer was born in Cincinnati on December 18, 1946. He is celebrated as a significant figure in the New Hollywood era. Spielberg is also considered a pioneer of the modern blockbuster.

He has won three Oscars and two British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA). Also, four Directors Guild of America Awards, the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1995, and more.

On top of that, several of his films have been categorized as culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. So the films have been inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

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2. Ted Turner

This entrepreneur was born on November 19, 1938, in Cincinnati. Turner is headlined as a media proprietor for founding the Cable News Network (CNN), TNT, and TBS.

He is also a philanthropist and gave $1 billion towards the creation of the United Nations Foundation. Hence chairs the United Nations Foundation board of directors.

3. Katt Williams

Katt Williams in 2018 by MTV International from Wikimedia Commons

A stand-up comedian and actor born on September 2, 1971, in Cincinnati. His notable works include featuring on Wild ‘n Out, and ABC’s sitcom My Wife and Kids which aired from March 28, 2001, to May 17, 2005.

Katt’s skills were also appreciated in the comedy film Friday After Next in 2002 as well as his comedy album It’s Pimpin’ Pimpin’ released in 2009. The comedian has also voiced himself on the Grand Theft Auto IV video game.

4. Doris Day

Studio publicity portrait of Doris Day for the 1960 film Midnight Lace by Universal Pictures from Wikimedia Commons

She was an actress, singer cum activist born as Doris Mary Kappelhoff in Cincinnati on April 3, 1922. She started as a band singer in 1939 and by 1945 she had gained public recognition. From 1947 she worked as a solo artist and recorded over 600 songs.

Day was one of the film greats of the 1950s to 1960s. Her famed film roles were in Pillow Talk (1959), and Love Me or Leave Me (1955). Other films are Calamity Jane (1953) and The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956).

She won a Golden Globe Award in 1989. She was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004. She was issued a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 and has more accolades under her name. She died on May 13, 2019, aged 97 in California.

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5. Kathryn Morris

This actress was born in Cincinnati on 28 January 1969. One of her prominent roles was in playing Detective Lilly Rush in Cold Case. This CBS series ran from September 28, 2003, to May 2, 2010.

Her rise to stardom was the television series Pensacola: Wings of Gold in 1997. She played Lt. Annalisa “Stinger” Lindstrom in this adventure drama series.

6. William Howard Taft

Howard Taft served as the 27th president of the United States from March 4, 1909, to March 4, 1913. He also served as the tenth chief justice of the United States from July 11, 1921, to February 3, 1930.

Taft was appointed to the office of chief justice by President Warren G. Harding. He is the only person who served in both capacities as president and chief justice. He was born on September 15, 1857, and died on March 8, 1930, aged 72.

7. Pete Rose

Pete Rose by Lori Branham from Wikimedia Commons

Rose was an acclaimed professional baseball player and manager from the 1960s to the 1980s. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and the Montreal Expos.

Pete was in the MLB play from 1963 to 1986. He became the manager of the Reds in 1984 and served until 1989. He won three World Series and three batting titles.

Moreover, Rose was the World Series MVP (Most Valuable Player) in 1975 and Rookie of the Year in 1963. He also boasts of two Gold Gloves and has made 17 All-Star appearances.

8. Tyrone Power

The actor was born in Cincinnati on May 5, 1914. He starred in films from the 1930s to the 1950s. His renowned appearances on screen include films such as 1939s Jesse James, Blood and Sand (1941), and Captain from Castile (1947).

His acting prowess extended to stage performances. Power received appreciation as a stage actor in the poem John Brown’s Body as well as in the 1948 play Mister Roberts. He received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1960. He died of a heart attack on November 15, 1958, aged 44.

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9. Russell Wilson

Wilson plays quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He joined Denver Broncos in 2022. He played for the Seattle Seahawks from 2012 to 2021.

In 2019, he was the highest-paid NFL player. As of 2020, Russell was among the top quarterback in NFL history to throw for thirty touchdowns in four consecutive seasons. To add on, he has a minority stake in Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer (MLS). He was born in Cincinnati on November 29, 1988.

10. Amy Yasbeck

Amy Yasbeck at GalaxyCon Louisville in 2019 by Super Festivals from Wikimedia Commons

This actress is known for her role in the sitcom Wings which ran on NBC from 1994 to 1997. She played Casey Chappel Davenport in this television series.

Yasbeck’s other big roles were in Splash, Too in 1988. This was a sequel to the film Splash released in 1984. Further, she starred in Robin Hood: Men in Tights in 1993 and Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995).

11. Jerry Springer

He is a British-American journalist and politician. He was born on February 13, 1944, in England. Springer moved with his family to the United States in 1949 when he was a child. They settled in Queens, New York City.

He practiced law in a Cincinnati law firm and 1971 he was elected to the Cincinnati City Council. Later, Jerry served as the 56th Mayor of Cincinnati from 1977 to 1978.

12. Charles Manson

Charles Manson by California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from Wikimedia Commons

He was a criminal who doubled as a musician. He led a California-based cult called the Manson Family. The gang was made up of about 100 members. In 1969, some of the group members were accused of committing a series of murders.

Following the events, Charles was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy. Though he was not directly involved, his ideology was considered by the prosecution as a form of conspiracy to the murders. He died on November 19, 2017, aged 83.

13. Julie Hagerty

She was born in Cincinnati on June 15, 1955. She starred in films such as Airplane! released in 1980 and Airplane II: The Sequel in 1982.

Hagerty appeared in films like 1985’s Lost in America and What About Bob?  in 1991. Her other film career successes were in A Master Builder (2014), Instant Family (2018), and Marriage Story (2019).

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14. Hudson Leick

Hudson Leick by Kubulla from Wikimedia Commons

This actress was born in Cincinnati on May 9, 1969. She began her career as a model in Japan but transitioned to acting. The actress rose to the limelight when she was cast in the soap opera Melrose Place. It was a prime-time seven-season program aired on Fox from July 8, 1992, to May 24, 1999.

Leick is also popular for appearing on the television series Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001). Hercules: The Legendary Journeys television series that ran from 1995 to 1999 is one of her other famous works.

Additionally, she is a professional Yoga instructor. She doubles as an intuitive counselor and also makes custom bracelets and necklaces.

15. Roger Staubach

He was dubbed “Roger the Dodger” and played quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. Staubach was born in Cincinnati on February 5, 1942.

During his 11-year NFL career, he led the Cowboys to win Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII. He was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl VI. Further, he appeared in Pro Bowl six times throughout his career.

In 1999, he was listed among the 100 Greatest Football Players by The Sporting News. Besides football, he has chaired the Americas region of Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). He held this position until his retirement in 2018.

16. Nikki Glaser

Nikki Glaser performing in August 2016 by Lisa Gansky from Wikimedia Commons

Her birth name is Nicole Rene Glaser. The stand-up comedian was born on June 1, 1984. She has worked as an actress, podcaster, radio host, and television host.

Nikki is acclaimed for hosting the comedy talk show series Not Safe with Nikki Glaser. It premiered on February 9, 2016, on Comedy Central and Much channels. She also starred on 2022’s E! News reality show Welcome Home Nikki Glaser?

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17. Jon Moxley

This professional wrestler was born Jonathan David Good on December 7, 1985, in Cincinnati. He began professional wrestling in 2004. He rose to the spotlight during his tenure on WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) from 2011 to 2019. He went by the ring name Dean Ambrose.

In 2019, Moxley was named Wrestler of the Year by Sports Illustrated magazine. As per the Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) magazine rankings, he was the Most Popular Wrestler of the Year in 2014, 2015, and 2022.

Jon has starred in films such as 12 Rounds 3: Lockdown (2015) and Cagefighter: Worlds Collide (2020). He is currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and performs under the ring name Jon Moxley.

18. Roy Rogers

Roy Rogers in The Carson City Kid, in 1940 by Joseph Kane from Wikimedia Commons

This singer, actor, and television host was born Leonard Franklin Slye in Cincinnati on November 5, 1911. He was referred to as the “King of the Cowboys” in his era.

He starred on The Roy Rogers Show which ran for six seasons on NBC from December 30, 1951, until June 9, 1957. Later in his career, he lent his name to the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchise chain. He died of heart failure on July 6, 1998, at the age of 86, in Apple Valley, California.

19. Andy Biersack

This singer cum band leader was born Andrew Dennis Biersack in Cincinnati on December 26, 1990. He formed the rock band Black Veil Brides in 2006 where he is their lead vocalist.

The rock band’s debut album was We Stitch These Wounds released in 2010. It sold over 10, 000 copies within the first week after its release. Furthermore, it ranked among the top 50 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. What’s more, it topped the Billboard Independent chart.

The Phantom Tomorrow album released in 2021 was their sixth and most recent album. Outside the band, Andy worked on a solo project in 2016. It was his first solo album named, The Shadow Side.

In a Kerrang! Magazine May 2014 interview, Biersack announced he would use the name ‘Andy Black’. The moniker was for his solo project.

20. Hal Sparks

Hal Sparks by Greg Hernandez from Wikimedia Commons

He was born on September 25, 1969, in Cincinnati. He is a stand-up comedian, actor, radio host, and television personality. He is popular for hosting the television show Talk Soup on E! In the arena of film, Sparks is known for playing Michael Novotny on the television series Queer as Folk. It aired from 2000 to 2005.

His role as Donald Davenport in Lab Rats (2012-2016) increased his fan base. He is credited for voicing Tak in both Tak and the Power of Juju television series and video games.

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21. Reichen Lehmkuhl

He was born on December 26, 1973, in Cincinnati. He has served in the military, worked as a lawyer, and is also an entrepreneur.

Lehmkuhl became famous when he won The Amazing Race alongside his then-partner Chip Arndt. It was a CBS adventure reality show. Additionally, his relationship with pop singer Lance Bass in 2006 was highly publicized so it gained him more popularity.

22. Mark Fischbach

Markiplier speaking at the 2018 PAX West in Seattle, Washington by Gage Skidmore from Wikimedia Commons

The YouTuber was born on June 28, 1989. Though he was born and grew up in Hawaii, he started his career in Cincinnati. He is better known as “Markiplier” in the online space.

As per early 2023 reports, he prides himself in over 19 billion video views and over 34 million subscribers. Other than YouTube Fischbach is a co-founder of a clothing company by the name Cloak.

23. Floriana Lima

Lima is an actress and model born in Cincinnati on March 26, 1981. She became famous for playing Maggie Sawyer on Supergirl. This superhero television series was broadcasted on CBS and later on The CW spanning from 2015 to 2021.

Her other significant role was in A Million Little Things. She played Darcy Cooper in season two of this family drama TV series.

24. David Justice

He is a former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter born on April 14, 1966, in Cincinnati. In Major League Baseball, Justice played for Atlanta Braves (1989–1996) and Cleveland Indians (1997–2000).

From 2000 to 2001, he was with the New York Yankees and in 2002, he played for the Oakland Athletics. One of his achievements is the 1990 National League Rookie of the Year Award. He is also a three-time MLB All-Star.

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25. Mark Boone Junior

Mark Boone Junior at the 2012 Comic-Con in San Diego by Gage Skidmore from Wikimedia Commons

The actor was born on March 17, 1955, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His notable roles are in the television series Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014). He was the character Bobby Munson in this action crime drama series.

Mark was also featured on the TV series Last Man On Earth, which premiered on Fox in March 2015. He has been cast in films like Die Hard 2 (1990), Memento in 2000, Batman Begins (2005), and 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003).

Here are extra Famous People From Cincinnati.

Luke Kuechly

He is a former professional football middle linebacker born on April 20, 1991, in Cincinnati. In his National Football League (NFL) career Kuechly played for the Carolina Panthers. In 2012, the Panthers drafted him ninth overall in the NFL Draft.

Luke was the 2012 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. In 2013, he was named the Associated Press (AP) NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Tom Segura

This comedian was born in Cincinnati on April 16, 1979. He is recognized as co-host of the podcast Your Mom’s House alongside his wife and comedian Christina Pazsitzky.

Andy Williams

The singer was born in Iowa on December 3, 1927, but attended high school in Cincinnati at Western Hills High School. During his music career, he recorded 43 albums out of which 15 were gold-certified.

The Andy Williams Show which he hosted from 1962 to 1971 was another source of his fame. He died from bladder cancer on September 25, 2012, at the age of 84.