10 Famous People That Live or Lived In Arizona

Jordin Sparks performs on stage during the 2012 USO Gala. Photo By Ash Carter – Wikimedia Commons

10 Famous People That Live or Lived In Arizona

Whether you like a crafted beer, a fine glass of wine, or a good old adventure, Arizona is the place for you. The state is the furthest thing from being boring with over 30 parks and 2 highly rated waterfalls. Also, not having to worry about daylight savings is plus!

Arizona offers a bunch of other cool things including its rich culture of the Native Americans. The cost of living is also more bearable compared to other western states in the U.S.

The Grand Canyon State is home to a number of Hollywood celebrities. Those who prefer a quiet life away from the L.A traffic and New York skyscrapers. The top famous people that live of lived in Arizona include:

1. Ice T – Rapper/Actor/TV Personality

Body Count feat. Ice-T With Full Force 2018. Photo By Stefan Bollmann – Wikimedia Commons

If you are fan of reality TV, then I’m sure you watched Ice Loves Coco sometime around 2011. Ice T, legally Tracy Marrow, was part of main cast of the show that aired on E! in Canada and the U.S.

Before moving to Arizona, the famous rapper spent most of his younger years in New Jersey. He moved to South Los Angeles, California when both his parents passed away from a heart attack. He joined the army and ventured into music in 1980.

 Ice married model Nicole Austin, nickname Coco, in 2002. The two bought their Arizona home in 2007 were they resided and partly shot their reality TV series. They moved to Edgewater, New Jersey in 2012 after completing their 5-bedroom house.

See 10 famous people from New Jersey on this article. 

2. Arie Lutendyk Jr – TV Personality/ Auto-Race Driver

The name might ring a bell to motorsport fans and Bachelor Nation die-hards. Yes, Arie from Season 22 of the Bachelor resides in Scottdale, Arizona.

Before settling in the United States, Arie and his family lived in the Netherlands. They moved to Wisconsin when he was three. He took up racing before becoming a real estate agent in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Arie’s wife, Lauren Burnham, moved into his Arizona home in 2019 where they still live today. The two are parents to their 2-year-old daughter and a set of twins.

3. Michael Phelps – Athlete

Michael Phelps during the 200-meter butterfly on June 12. Photo By JD Lasica – Wikimedia Commons

Michael Phelps is an all-time record holder and retired Olympic swimmer. He is one of the most recognized faces in the world of American sports having won 36 gold medals in the Olympics.

Michael was born and raised in Baltimore. He joined the University of Michigan where he studied and volunteered as a swimming coach. He moved back to Baltimore 4 years later.

In 2015, the long course world recorded holder moved to Arizona with his longtime coach Bob Bowman. A year later, he married his girlfriend Nicole Johnson with whom he had three children. The family of 5 now resides in Paradise Valley, Arizona.

4. Alice Cooper – Singer/Songwriter

Alice Cooper. Photo By Biha – Wikimedia Commons

Saying Alice Cooper was an average rock musician is an understatement. The Godfather of Shock Rock was nothing less of entertaining. His performances on stage were out of the ordinary with electric chairs, fake blood, guillotines, and stage illusions.

Cooper lived in Detroit in his early years, but his family moved to Arizona when he was 13/14. While in high school, he formed a rock band with fellow schoolmates.

The group moved to California after graduating and renamed themselves Alice Cooper. The band broke up and Vincent Furnier legally adopted the band’s name as his own.

Cooper always saw Arizona as his home, so it was no surprise when bought property and settled in Paradise Valley.

Get juicy intel from Elvis Presley in the article an afternoon with the King of Rock and Roll.

5. Rob Halford – Singer

The British heavy metal band Judas Priest at the With Full Force Summer Open Air 2018 in Ferropolis, Germany. Photo By Stefan Bollmann – Wikimedia Commons

English singer Rob Halford was born in the artistic town of Sutton Coldfield, England. He grew up in Walsall and got into music while he was a teenager. His band, Judas Priest, became popular in their country and began doing shows on international stages including in Canada.

In 1985, Rob bought himself a house in Paradise Valley. It is said he fell in love with the warm weather the first time he visited, which was in 1978. He still resides in his Arizona home today.

6. Danica Patrick – Race Driver

Danica Patrick at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2017. Photo By Zach Catanzareti – Wikimedia Commons

Danica Patrick is the proud homeowner of a 700-square-meter mansion on the lush sides of Scottsdale, Arizona. She was born in Wisconsin but spent the better part of her life in Illinois.

Patrick’s passion for racing cars began when she lived in Wisconsin. She participated in competitive races and slowly built her resume. The sport exposed her to several Midwestern states before moving to Indiana.

In May 2018, Danica retired from racing and ventured into business. She has a home in Green Bay, Wisconsin but mainly resides in Scottsdale, Arizona.

7. Bryan Danielson -Wrestler

Daniel Bryan, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Photo By Megan Elice Meadows – Wikimedia Commons

Daniel Bryan starred in the reality TV show Total Bellas alongside his wife, Brie Bella, sister-in-law Nikki Bella, and wrestling companion John Cena. He was born and raised in the U.S but constantly moved from state to state due to his father’s employment.

The Washington native and his family first lived in Aberdeen but moved to Utah after a few years. From Utah, the family of 4 found themselves in Oregon then back in Aberdeen.

Danielson retired from wrestling in 2016. He moved with his wife to Phoenix, Arizona where they lived up until 2020. They are currently in Napa County, California.   

See 10 facts about wrestler Dwayne Johnson ‘The Rock’ by clicking here. 

8. Emma Stone – Actress

Emma Stone arrives at the premiere of “Magic In The Moonlight”. Photo By Eva Rinaldi – Wikimedia Commons

Emma Stone is an award-winning and outstanding actress born in Scottsdale, Arizona. She was raised in the same neighborhood she grew up in before making her first big move.

Emma took up acting at a young age. She was so passionate about it that she convinced her parents to move to Los Angeles, California. She was unlucky in her first trials but was able to land her first role within the same year.

Stone lived in L.A for 5 years before officially moving to New York. In 2016, she returned to Los Angeles. Emma now owns five residential properties, two in California, two in New York, and one recently bought mansion in Texas.

Learn about 10 famous people with anxiety disorder including Emma Stone on this Discover Walks website.

9. Jordin Sparks – Singer/ Songwriter

Jordin Sparks performs on stage during the 2012 USO Gala. Photo By Ash Carter – Wikimedia Commons

The No Air hitmaker is an Arizona native, born in the bustling town of Phoenix. Her family shortly moved to New Jersey where she was raised as her father played professional football.

Jordin schooled in Phoenix. She lived in their Arizona home when she was announced the winner of American Idol Season 6. She became famous after the competition collaborating with A-Star celebrities such as Chris Brown and 2 Chains.

After retiring from music, Jordin settled in Los Angeles, California with her husband, Dana Isaiah, and their 4 years old son.

10. David Spade – Actor/ Comedian

The Australian graffiti artist Lush Sux sprayed the portrait of David Spade. Photo By Isiwal – Wikimedia Commons

David Spade is not only a goofball in his film characters, but also in real life. The Hollywood star quit school to pursue his career in standup comedy before venturing into acting.

David was born in Birmingham, Michigan, but his family moved to Arizona when he was 4. He schooled at Scottsdale Community College where he debuted his career as a standup comedian.

Spade became a household name from his acting roles in Just Shoot me (1997-2003), Grown Ups (2010), and The Ridiculous 6 (2015). He acquired three residential properties in California with his steady paycheck. He resides in Beverly Hills in one of his three homes.

However unhyped Arizona is, these famous people are enough proof that it’s still a sweet spot to have as your hometown. There are plenty of drinks to try out and a number of places to visit. Don’t let the desert pictures fool you.

Learn 15 great facts about Arizona here.