#1Famous people · Newport News
Of the 60 famous people born in Newport News, none is better known than Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald, the American jazz singer, has articles in 100 languages. With 9 performers, the list holds 1.6 times the share found across U.S. towns. The largest group, 30, was born between 1920 and 1969. Births since 1970 account for 26 of the names.
Born here
60
notable people
Best known
Ella Fitzgerald
in 100 Wikipedia languages
First
1905
John Van Ryn
Youngest
2007
Kingston Flemings
Most common field
Sports
27 people
Also called it home
1
notable residents
What stands out about Newport News’ famous people
Known worldwideElla Fitzgerald has an article in 100 languages, more than anyone else from here.Still making namesSince 1950, 39 of them have been born here, the latest in 2007.A town of performersPerformers make up 9 of the 60, 1.6 times the usual share.60 notable peopleNewport News lists 60 notable people, more than most towns.
★ What stands out · The best known
Born in Newport News
Three names lead: Ella Fitzgerald (100 languages), William Styron (52) and Pearl Bailey (40).
#1
#2Writing & Arts
William Styron
1925–2006American novelist and essayist
52 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
#3Through the years
When Newport News’s famous people were born
The 1970s saw the most births of any decade: 11.
SportsWriting & ArtsFilm, TV & StageMusicScience & MedicinePolitics & LawNotable
Each dot is a person, stacked by the decade they were born.
Known for
What Newport News is known for
Set against the usual town, performers come out 1.6 times as common.
The usual town: the share across everyone born in the towns gathered so far. Tap a field to see its people.
Everyone
Everyone else born in Newport News
Another 57, 27 of them athletes.
David Walters
born 1987American swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, world champion, former world record-holder
SportsWikipedia ↗
Johnny Gilbert
born 1928American nightclub singer and entertainer and announcer of Jeopardy!
MusicWikipedia ↗
Chris Slade
born 1971All-American college football player, professional football player, linebacker
SportsWikipedia ↗
No one matches both filters.
A chosen home
Also called Newport News home
Born elsewhere, Dorothy Vaughan lived here.
The town’s pick
Town Square →Who’s the most famous person from Newport News?
Pick one and say why. Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Your pick
No picks yet
Be the first to say who Newport News’ most famous person is.
Or tell us
Next door
Famous people from the towns next door
Close by, the fullest list is Hampton’s, at 58 names.
From Wikidata and Wikipedia: people whose birthplace is Newport News 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 (31)
- Ella Fitzgerald: Lewin/Kaufman/Schwartz, Public Relations, Beverly Hills, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- William Styron: Gotfryd, Bernard, photographer, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Pearl Bailey: William Morris Agency, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Gabby Douglas: Agência Brasil Fotografias, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Frankie Faison: Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Edmund M. Clarke: Dennis Hamilton, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Michael Vick: SRA Moses Ross, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Hazel R. O'Leary: U.S. Department of Energy, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- John Van Ryn: Agence de presse Meurisse, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- David Walters: myuzeme], CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- J. Hillis Miller: The original uploader was Zenohockey at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- David Hornsby: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jay Clayton: Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Tiny Grimes: William P. Gottlieb, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Tripp Phillips: Hameltion, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Scott Darling: Lisa Gansky from New York, NY, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Elton Brown: Bobik, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- S. A. Cosby: Frypie, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Joyce Bulifant: CBS Television, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Queen Esther Marrow: John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Martha Madison: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Brandon Lowe: Erik Drost on Flickr, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- J. C. Mack: Chucktown10, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Marshawn Powell: Dennis Adair, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Aaron Brooks: (Transfered by Maurilbert/Original uploaded by Mtortorich), CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Billy Drummond: Hreinn Gudlaugsson, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Johnny Gilbert: u/saintanthony on reddit:, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Dorothy Vaughan: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Allen Iverson: Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Patton Oswalt: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Charlie Byrd: Raymond Fudge Silver Spring, Maryland, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons