#1Famous people · Columbus
48 famous people were born in Columbus, more of them musicians than in most towns
At the top of the list is the American writer Carson McCullers, covered in 54 languages. 23 of them were born between 1920 and 1969, more than in any other period. Births since 1970 account for 17 of the names. Only 4 of the 351 towns in Georgia with anyone on record list more.
Born here
48
notable people
Best known
Carson McCullers
in 54 Wikipedia languages
First
1852
George Foster Peabody
Youngest
2006
Tana
Most common field
Sports
15 people
Also called it home
1
notable residents
What stands out about Columbus’ famous people
A town of musiciansMusicians make up 7 of the 48, 2.7 times the usual share.Still making names30 were born since 1950, the youngest in 2006.Known worldwideCarson McCullers has an article in 54 languages, more than anyone else from here.48 notable peopleMore than most towns: 48 notable people were born in Columbus.
★ What stands out · Known for
What Columbus is known for
Musicians stand out most, at 2.7 times the usual share.
The usual town: the share across everyone born in the towns gathered so far. Tap a field to see its people.
Through the years
When Columbus’s famous people were born
The 1950s top the chart, with 10 births in the decade.
SportsWriting & ArtsFilm, TV & StageMusicScience & MedicineNotablePolitics & LawMilitaryBusiness
Each dot is a person, stacked by the decade they were born.
The best known
Born in Columbus
First, Carson McCullers (54 languages), then Wayne Brady (39) and Ma Rainey (36).
#1
#2Film, TV & Stage
Wayne Brady
born 1972American actor, comedian, and television personality
39 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
#3Everyone
Everyone else born in Columbus
45 more, best known first.
Nunnally Johnson
1897–1977American screenwriter, film director, producer and playwright
Film, TV & StageWikipedia ↗
Dallas Austin
born 1970American musician, songwriter, record producer, and film producer
MusicWikipedia ↗
No one matches both filters.
A chosen home
Also called Columbus home
Notable people Wikidata lists as living in Columbus, though born elsewhere.
The town’s pick
Town Square →Who’s the most famous person from Columbus?
Pick one and say why. Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Your pick
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Next door
Famous people from the towns next door
Of the towns nearby, Phenix City lists the most people: 25.
From Wikidata and Wikipedia: people whose birthplace is Columbus and whose English Wikipedia article agrees, ranked by how many Wikipedia languages cover each person. People known mainly for crimes, and adult performers, aren’t listed. “The usual town” = everyone born in the towns gathered so far.
Photo credits (17)
- Carson McCullers: Carl Van Vechten, 1959, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Wayne Brady: SAMHSA, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Ma Rainey: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Nunnally Johnson: McFadden Publications, Inc.; no photographer credited, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- David M. Walker: NASA, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Justin Guarini: Jyle Dupuis from Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Joe: Joe_playing_guitar.JPG: FBK derivative work: Novice7, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Marty Jannetty: Smart Mark Greene at English Wikipedia, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Eugene Bullard: The original uploader was Sus scrofa at English Wikipedia. Later versions were uploaded by FranksValli at en.wikipedia., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Helen Parrish: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Nikema Williams: House Creative Committee, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Alma Thomas: Laura Wheeler Waring, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Sam Mitchell: DOD Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Hinton/Released, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Fred Wesley: Alex Const, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Deshauna Barber: Sgt. 1st Class Jim Greenhill, U.S. Army National Guard, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- George Foster Peabody: Adam Cuerden, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Harvey Glance: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons