#1Famous people · Jackson
53 famous people were born in Jackson, more of them soldiers and sailors than in most towns
Articles in 42 languages make the American volleyball player and coach Karch Kiraly the best known. Between 1920 and 1969, 25 were born, the most of any period. Half or more of the towns in Michigan have no one on record, but this one has 17.1 for every 10,000 residents. Births span 1842 to 1996, from Thomas J. O'Brien to Khari Willis.
Born here
53
notable people
Best known
Karch Kiraly
in 42 Wikipedia languages
First
1842
Thomas J. O'Brien
Youngest
1996
Khari Willis
Most common field
Sports
19 people
What stands out about Jackson’s famous people
A town of soldiers and sailorsAmong the 53 people born here, 4 are soldiers and sailors: 2.1 times the usual share.Known worldwideRead in 42 languages, Karch Kiraly is known far beyond the town.Still making namesSince 1950, 24 of them have been born here, the latest in 1996.53 notable peopleMore than most towns: 53 notable people were born in Jackson.
★ What stands out · Known for
What Jackson is known for
Set against the usual town, soldiers and sailors come out 2.1 times as common.
The usual town: the share across everyone born in the towns gathered so far. Tap a field to see its people.
The best known
Born in Jackson
By how many languages cover them, Karch Kiraly comes first (42), then Alfred Worden (36) and Dan Coats (31).
#1
#2
#3Film, TV & Stage
Dan Coats
born 19435th Director of National Intelligence, former United States Senator from Indiana
31 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
Through the years
When Jackson’s famous people were born
More were born in the 1950s than in any other decade: 7.
SportsPolitics & LawWriting & ArtsScience & MedicineFilm, TV & StageMilitaryMusicFaithBusinessNotable
Each dot is a person, stacked by the decade they were born.
Everyone
Everyone else born in Jackson
Of the other 50, 18 are athletes.
Cheslie Kryst
1991–2022American television correspondent, model, Miss USA 2019
Film, TV & StageWikipedia ↗
Kay Arthur
1933–2025International Bible teacher/four-time ECPA Christian Book Award winning author
Writing & ArtsWikipedia ↗
Philip Mirowski
born 1951Economic historian, historian, philosopher, university teacher
Writing & ArtsWikipedia ↗
No one matches both filters.
The town’s pick
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Next door
Famous people from the towns next door
Summit Township has the longest list next door, one name.
From Wikidata and Wikipedia: people whose birthplace is Jackson 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 (24)
- Karch Kiraly: therouterguy, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Alfred Worden: NASA, scanned by Kipp Teague, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Dan Coats: Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Tyler Oakley: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Charles W. Misner: Puzhok, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- William Porter: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Cheslie Kryst: Airborne1901, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Potter Stewart: Robert S. Oakes, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Kara Braxton: Sergeev Pavel, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Tony Dungy: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Clyde L. Herring: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Chris Chocola: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Brent Scott: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Grace Latz: Shev123, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Glenard P. Lipscomb: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Paula Faris: Zacatero, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Byron Carter: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Charles B. Brownson: United States Congress, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Khari Willis: Maize & Blue Nation, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Rick Wise: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Ruth Ward Kahn: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Zelie Emerson: Bain News Service, publisher, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Thomas J. O'Brien: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Della T. Lutes: Bain News Service, publisher, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons