Top 10 Famous people from Massachusetts

Top 10 Famous people from Massachusetts

Massachusetts is one of the most populous states in the United States. The locals call it The Bay Blue State.

This state is known for its rich influence in American history, and academia. Always a trendsetter, Massachusetts was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.

Several famous people and celebrities call the bay blue state home. Entertainers, athletes, academics, politicians and artists.

These people have made a name for themselves in their respective fields globally. Some of the names may surprise you.

The likes of Matt Damon, Uma Thurman. Matt Leblanc, Steve Carell, Amy Poehler and Conan O’Brien are just some famous people that come from Massachusetts.   

To know more about them, keep reading the top 10 famous people from Massachusetts.

1. Steven Carell – Actor

I bet you know this funny man from the comedy-drama The Office as Michael Scott.

He was the lead character in the show from its premiere in 2005 to 2010. Carell left the show to focus on other projects.

Steve was born in Concord and grew up in Acton. Carell’s father was an electrical engineer, while his mother was a psychiatric nurse.

His role in The Office earned him the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in Television Comedy for this leading role in 2006.

Moreover, Carell won Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for the same show in 2011.

In 2020, Carell was the lead character in the political comedy-drama Irresistible.

2. John Cena – Wrestler

Photo by Gage Skidmore – Wikimedia

John Felix Anthony Cena wears several hats. He is a professional wrestler, an actor, and a former rapper. John Cena is regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

Cena was born and raised in West Newbury, Massachusetts before moving to California in 1998. In California, he trained as a bodybuilder.

A year later, Joh Cena transitioned into professional wrestling and debuted in the Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW).

Then in 2001, John signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). His persona in WWE was that of a derogative rapper. Cena was also featured in a reality TV show together with his then-girlfriend.

3. Benjamin Franklin – Founding Father of the United States

Benjamin Franklin was one of America’s Founding Fathers. Franklin was one of the leaders in Pennsylvania that drafted and signed the draft of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

As a diplomat, he represented the United States in France during the American Revolution. In addition, Franklin was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention.

Franklin was an intellectual who was a prolific writer, an innovator, a publisher, philosopher and so much more.

Some of his scientific inventions include the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove.

There are several landmarks and statues named after Benjamin Franklin. He also appears on the American $100 bill.

4. Edgar Allan Poe – Writer

Photo by Mathew Benjamin Brady – Wikimedia

Edgar Allan Poe is popularly known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre.

Allan is widely considered a central figure of Romanticism in the United States, and of American literature. In addition, he is regarded as the architect of the modern short story.

His standing in literature is based on his creative and philosophical short stories, poems, and critical theories. Poe established a highly influential rationale for the short form in both poetry and fiction.

Edgar’s literary style criticized factors that contributed to a work’s effectiveness or failure. Through his work, Poe demonstrated an excellent command of language.

5. Dr Seuss – Writer

Theodor Seuss Geisel is famous for his work writing and illustrating more than 60 books under the pen name Dr Seuss.

His best-selling books are Green Eggs and Ham, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, Horton Hatches the Egg, Horton Hears a Who, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

He is a renowned children’s author from the 20^th century.  There are 44 children’s books that have been written and illustrated by Dr Seuss. Furthermore, he has produced several films and television programs.

Dr Seuss has received several accolades including two Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, and the Pulitzer Prize.

6. Aly Raisman – Gymnast

Photo by Agência Brasil Fotografias – Wikimedia

Aly is a retired artistic gymnast and two-time Olympian.

She was the captain of the 2012 “Fierce Five” and 2016 “Final Five” U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics teams. The team won gold medals in their respective team competitions.

During the 2012 Olympics, Aly won gold medals in both the team and floor competitions.  She also won a bronze medal on the balance beam.

Raisman was the most decorated gymnast at the Olympic games. This was the same for her teammate Gabby Douglas who also won more than one gold medal.

In 2013, Aly was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Today, Aly is ranked the 3^rd most decorated American gymnast after Shannon Miller and Simone Biles.

7. Susan B. Anthony – Women’s Rights Activist

Susan B. Anthony played an essential role in the women’s suffrage movement. Susan was born into a Quaker family that was committed to social equality.

At the young age of 17, she took it upon herself to collect anti-slavery petitions. She traversed the country supporting women’s suffrage.

During this time, she gave speeches and worked on several state campaigns.

Anthony also worked internationally for women’s rights. She played a key role in creating the International Council of Women, still active to date.

Passionate about her cause, Susan helped to bring about the World’s Congress of Representative Women at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

Susan was the first female citizen to be depicted on U.S. coinage when her portrait appeared on the 1979 dollar coin.

8. Meghan Trainor – Singer

Photo by Ronald Woan – Wikimedia

Meghan Elizabeth Trainor is famous for her debut single All About That Bass. She is a proponent of womanhood, positive body image, and personal empowerment.

These themes are frequently mentioned in her lyrics. Trainor drew her music inspiration from the pop music of the 1950s. Her music is a beautiful blend of pop, R&B, doo-wop and blue-eyed soul.

Other than music, Meghan is a voice actor and was cast in the animated movie Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017) and Playmobil: The Movie (2019).

Meghan also served as a judge on the television talent shows The Four: Battle for Stardom (2018) and The Voice UK (2020).

9. Uzo Aduba – Actress

Uzo Aduba is popularly known for her role as crazy eyes in the Netflix Original series, Orange is The New Black.

It was from this role that Aduba won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2014.

In addition, she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2015 as well as two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series in 2014 and 2015.

After Orange Is the New Black ended, she was cast as politician Shirley Chisholm in the Hulu miniseries Mrs America (2020). She featured alongside Cate Blanchett and Sarah Paulson.

Aduba won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2021.

10. Chirlane McCray – Writer

Photo by Benjamin Kanter – Wikimedia

The final famous person from Massachusetts on our list is Chirlane Irene McCray. She is a writer, editor, and activist.

Chirlane is the wife of former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. McCray was described as her husband’s closest advisor.

In 1979, Chirlane published an essay titled I Am a Lesbian. The essay was described as disruptive by Essence.

McCray’s intention was to dispel the notion that there were no gay black people.

She was also the speechwriter for New York City Mayor David Dinkins, New York State Comptroller Carl McCall and for New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson.