Here are the 5 most famous people from Alabama: Do you agree? (2024)

Lionel Richie is the most famous person from Alabama, according to a recent survey by an aptly named website, Famous People. The pop and R&B star, a Tuskegee native, topped a list of five celebrities highlighted as the most recognized personalities from the state.

Courteney Cox, of “Friends” fame, took the No. 2 spot, followed by Channing Tatum, Mitch McConell and Condoleezza Rice.

Crimson Tide fans may beg to differ, especially during football season, because Alabama coach Nick Saban was nowhere to be found on the short list. Nor was Charles Barkley, Octavia Spencer, Emmylou Harris, Gucci Mane, Bo Jackson, Louise Fletcher, Harper Lee, Hank Williams or Tim Cook.

READ: The 50 most famous people born in Alabama

Results from all 50 states were presented by the site, which described its report this way: “Based on a nationwide survey conducted by entertainment experts at Famouspeople.io, which evaluated over 3,000 personalities from diverse fields such as actors, political figures, singers, athletes and authors, the report delves into the metrics of fame, like, and dislike. ... The latest data is based on a nationally representative survey of the US population, collected during Q2 2023. Individuals were presented with a series of famous people and asked to identify whether or not they are familiar with them.”

The idea behind the rankings, perhaps, is to give us a topic for discussion and argument. (Let’s rally, Hank Sr. fans!) And there’s no denying that all five folks on the Alabama list are household names. Let’s take a closer look.

5. CONDOLEEZA RICE

Rice, 69, a Birmingham native, made her mark on the world as U.S. Secretary of State (2005-2009) and national security adviser (2001-2005) for former President George W. Bush. At the time of her appointment as secretary of state, Rice was the highest-ranking woman in the history of the United States to be in the presidential line of succession. She’s now the director of the Hoover Institution, a public policy think tank at Stanford University, as well as an “author, professor, pianist, golfer, and football fan,” according to her profile on X (formerly known as Twitter).

4. MITCH MCCONNELL

McConnell, 81, a U.S. Senator from Kentucky, has been widely regarded as one of the most influential Republicans in Washington, D.C. He was born in Sheffield and spend part of his childhood in Athens, then moved to Georgia and Kentucky. McConnell, now minority leader in the Senate, was an especially powerful force during his years as the majority leader in the Senate, 2015-2021. He’s now the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history, elected to lead the Republican conference nine times since 2006.

3. CHANNING TATUM

Tatum, 43, a Cullman native, is a member of the Hollywood A list. He has a substantial acting resume that includes the “Magic Mike” franchise, “21 Jump Street” films, “Logan Lucky,” “Dog,” “The Hateful Eight” and “Hail, Caesar!” Tatum’s also known for his roles in “Foxcatcher,” “Dear John,” “The Lego Movie” franchise, a couple of “Step Up” movies and more. He won a People’s Choice Award in 2016 for Favorite Movie Actor for “22 Jump Street.” Time magazine named him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022. The actor has 21 million followers on Facebook, 17 million followers on Instagram and 7.4 million followers on X (formerly Twitter).

READ MORE: Matthew McConaughey on ‘Magic Mike’ co-star Channing Tatum: ‘Money well spent’

2. COURTENEY COX

Cox, 59, a Birmingham native, first earned fame for her role on the smash TV series “Friends.” Her character, Monica Geller, was a neat-freak chef who could be bossy, obsessive, anxious, wacky, kind and caring -- sometimes all at once. Cox also is known for her work in the “Scream” movie franchise and TV series such as “Cougar Town” and “Dirt.” She’s also a director and producer. Cox has been nominated for many awards in the entertainment industry, and has won trophies from Teen Choice, the Screen Actors Guild, People’s Choice and more. Cox has 13 million followers on Instagram and 1.3 million followers on X (formerly Twitter). In February, Cox received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

READ MORE: Alabama people on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, from Hank Williams to Courteney Cox

1. LIONEL RICHIE

Richie, 74, a Tuskegee native, is an iconic pop and R&B star, known for his massively popular solo work and early years with the Commodores. He’s also been an judge on “American Idol” since 2018. Richie’s hit list is long and ultra-recognizable -- ranging from “Brick House” to “Hello” to “Dancing on the Ceiling.” Richie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. He’s a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame. He’s earned four Grammy Awards, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a BET Award, several American Music Awards and an NAACP Image Award. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2022, Richie received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. In 2017, he received a Kennedy Center Honors award for lifetime artistic achievement. In May 2023, Richie was one headliners announced for King Charles’ Coronation Concert on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

READ MORE: Lionel Richie: 10 essential songs recorded by the legendary star from Alabama