06/17/2025
Ever wonder who the most famous people are from the Scenic City? Here’s our Top 8.
Who’s the most famous in your opinion? Who else should have made the list?
1. Terrell Owens: While Owens wasn’t born in Chattanooga, he did attend UTC, where he ran track and played basketball + football. He went on to become a six-time Pro Bowl selection and shares several NFL records. He also chose to come to Chattanooga to give his NFL Hall of Fame speech.
2. Reggie White: Played for the Howard Hustlin’ Tigers as well as the University of Tennessee. He was also a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers + Carolina Panthers. He’s one of the most awarded players in NFL history and a Hall of Famer.
3. Lori Petty: Known for: “A League of Their Own,” “Point Break,” “Free Willy” + “Orange is the New Black”. Lori Petty has played many a role throughout her career, including the surfer who teaches Keanu Reeves to surf in the thriller “Point Break.”
4. Samuel L. Jackson: Known for: “Pulp Fiction,” Marvel Cinematic Universe, “A Time to Kill,” his voice + a lot more Jackson, who has appeared in more than 100 films, lived on Lookout Street during his childhood. He attended East Fifth Street School and Riverside High, which is now called Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences.
5. Usher: Known for: Singing, acting + dancing career, “The Voice”. He was technically born in Dallas but raised right here in Chattanooga for the most part. He sang in the choir at St. Elmo missionary, where his grandma discovered he had a knack for it.
6. Kane Brown: Chattanooga native who’s an acclaimed music artist.
7. Dennis Haskins: AKA Mr. Belding in “Saved by the Bell” he was born and in Chattanooga and attended ND HS along with UTC where he played basketball and cheered.
8. Leslie Jordan: Known for: “Will & Grace,” “American Horror Story”. He moved to Chattanooga as a child. He performed in the UTC Theater and the Dance Theater Workshop before moving to LA.
