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Who Is The Most Famous Person From Cleveland, Ohio?
Cleveland has produced some of the most influential figures in entertainment, sports, and business.
But who would you say is the most famous of them all?
From legendary musicians to sports icons and Hollywood stars, the city has left its mark on the world. Many of these celebrities have amassed massive social media followings, while others have built fortunes through their careers. Some of them you may not know, but most on today’s list are household names.
Whether they grew up in The Land or spent their early years perfecting their craft here, these famous figures have made a lasting impact.
And for argument’s sake – we’ll be looking at people who spent at least a part of their lives in Greater Cleveland. So Cleveland, Akron, Parma – basically everything in Northeast Ohio is fair game today!
Cleveland’s rich culture and blue-collar work ethic shine through its most successful natives. Some of these stars proudly embrace their Cleveland roots, while others may not mention it as often—but the city remains a crucial part of their stories.
This list proves that Cleveland has shaped some of the biggest names in sports, entertainment, and business. Whether they dominate social media, headlines, or history books, these icons all share a connection to The Land.
Here are the 25 most famous people from Cleveland, ranked by their influence, social media following, and wealth.
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1. LeBron James
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The NBA superstar and billionaire businessman put Akron and Cleveland on the map, delivering an unforgettable championship to the Cavaliers in 2016.
2.
3. Stephen Curry
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The Golden State Warriors legend, widely regarded as the greatest shooter in NBA history, was born in Akron while his father, Dell Curry, played for the Cavaliers.
4.
5. Machine Gun Kelly (MGK)
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The rapper-turned-rocker gained worldwide fame with his genre-blending music, high-profile relationships, and massive social media presence.
6.
7. Halle Berry
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The Oscar-winning actress, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, spent her early years in Cleveland before rising to fame in blockbusters like X-Men and Monster’s Ball.
8.
9. Travis Kelce
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The NFL superstar tight end, known for his dominance with the Kansas City Chiefs and relationship with Taylor Swift, grew up in Cleveland Heights.
10.
11. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
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The Grammy-winning rap group revolutionized hip-hop with their melodic flows and remain one of Cleveland’s most legendary music acts.
12.
13. Kid Cudi
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The rapper, singer, and actor changed the music industry with his emotional storytelling and remains one of the most influential artists of his generation.
14.
15. Logan Paul
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The social media sensation turned boxer and WWE star built an empire with his YouTube success, controversial moments, and business ventures.
16.
17. Jake Paul
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Like his older brother Logan, Jake became a YouTube superstar before turning to boxing, where he has drawn massive pay-per-view numbers.
18.
19. Steve Harvey
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The comedian, TV host, and businessman got his start in Cleveland before becoming a household name with Family Feud and countless other projects.
20.
21. Paul Newman
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The legendary actor and philanthropist, known for Cool Hand Luke and The Sting, grew up in the Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights.
22.
23. Drew Carey
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The comedian and host of The Price Is Right proudly reps Cleveland and brought its blue-collar spirit to his hit sitcom, The Drew Carey Show.
24.
25. Arsenio Hall
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The groundbreaking late-night talk show host and comedian changed television with The Arsenio Hall Show, which gave hip-hop and Black culture a major platform.
26.
27. Marc Maron
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The comedian and podcast pioneer turned WTF with Marc Maron into one of the most influential shows in entertainment.
28.
29. Jim Brown
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The Cleveland Browns legend wasn’t just one of the greatest football players of all time—he also made an impact as an actor and civil rights activist.
30.
31. Bob Hope
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The legendary comedian and actor, who became one of Hollywood’s biggest names, spent part of his childhood in Cleveland before taking over radio, TV, and film.
32.
33. Terrence Howard
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The Empire and Hustle & Flow star built a successful Hollywood career after being born in Cleveland.
34.
35. Sarah Jessica Parker
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36.
37. Marilyn Manson
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The controversial rock star and shock performer, who pushed boundaries in music and pop culture, grew up in Canton, near Cleveland.
38.
39. Dave Grohl
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The Foo Fighters frontman and Nirvana drummer was born in Warren, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland, before shaping rock music for decades.
40.
41. Don King
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The legendary and controversial boxing promoter, who worked with Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, built his empire in Cleveland.
42.
43. John D. Rockefeller
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The oil tycoon, once the richest man in the world, started Standard Oil in Cleveland and changed American business forever.
44.
45. Patricia Heaton
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The Emmy-winning actress, best known for Everybody Loves Raymond, was born and raised in the Cleveland area.
46.
47. Joe Walsh
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The legendary guitarist of the Eagles, who helped create some of rock’s most iconic songs, hails from Cleveland.
48.
49. Charles Oakley
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The former NBA enforcer, known for his tough play with the Knicks and Bulls, grew up in Cleveland and never backed down from a fight.