All cities take pride in those that make it big from their city. But in Cleveland, we seem to hold a special place for all those that become famous from our city. We sing their accolades and shut down their critics. These 35 people were all either born or raised in Cleveland and the suburbs of Cleveland and we'll claim them forever.
The 35 Most Famous Celebrities Hailing From Cleveland
By Scene Staff on Sun, Dec 23, 2018 at 1:23 pm
All cities take pride in those that make it big from their city. But in Cleveland, we seem to hold a special place for all those that become famous from our city. We sing their accolades and shut down their critics. These 35 people were all either born or raised in Cleveland and the suburbs of Cleveland and we'll claim them forever.
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Halle Berry
Berry, who grew up in Oakwood and attended Bedford High School and Cuyahoga Community College, won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2002 for her work in the film Monsters Ball. She’ also has starred in many other films like Swordfish, multiple X-Men films, and the Bond film Die Another Day. In 2003, she was named number one on People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People In The World list.
Photo via Wikimedia/Gage Skidmore
Vanessa Bayer
A comedic actress, Bayer starred on Saturday Night Live from 2010 to 2017 and has also starred in the films Trainwreck, Office Christmas Party, Ibiza and more. She was born and raised in the eastern suburb of Orange and attended Orange High School.
Photo via Wikimedia/Behind The Velvet Rope TV
The Miz
Michael Mizanin, a Parma native, first gained fame by appearing on MTV’s The Real World in 2001 and followed it up by appearances on spin-offs like The Gauntlet and Real World/Road Rules Challenge. Mizanin, who attended Normandy High School, turned that fame into becoming one of the biggest WWE stars. Known as The Miz, he has held the WWE Championship and Intercontinental Championship belts.
Photo via Wikimedia/Shamsuddin Muhammad
King
Born in Cleveland, King graduated from John Adams High School and briefly attended Kent State University. He’s known for being a boxing promoter, getting his big break when he promoted the “Rumble in the Jungle” between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. The man with the crazy hair later managed Mike Tyson and was often seen at his side. Tyson ended up suing King for $100 million.
Photo via Wikimedia/U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Sheila DeVera
Born in Cleveland, King graduated from John Adams High School and briefly attended Kent State University. He’s known for being a boxing promoter, getting his big break when he promoted the “Rumble in the Jungle” between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. The man with the crazy hair later managed Mike Tyson and was often seen at his side. Tyson ended up suing King for $100 million.
Photo via Wikimedia/U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Sheila DeVera
Stipe Miocic
The current pride of Cleveland recently lost his UFC Heavyweight Title, but not before defending it more than any fighter in the history of the sport. Multiple times, the Euclid native, who went to Eastlake North High and Cleveland State, has been called the best heavyweight in the history of UFC.
Photo via Scene Archives
Toni Morrison
One of the most decorated writers in American history, Morrison grew up in Lorain. In 1988, she won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel Beloved. In 1993, she was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Then, in 2012, former President Barack Obama awarded Morrison the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Photo via Wikimedia/The White House
Phil Donahue
The white-haired talk show host grew up in the city of Cleveland, with his family living in West Park. He graduated from St. Edward High School as part of the first graduating class. In 1996, Donahue, who began his career as a production assistant at KYW radio and television in Cleveland in 1957, was ranked #42 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.
Photo via Wikimedia/JBach
Terrence Howard
Although he was born in Chicago, Terrence Howard was raised in Cleveland. This famous actor has starred in many films and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in the film Hustle and Flow. He currently stars as the lead actor in the hit television series Empire. Howard has been involved in multiple domestic violence incidents.
Photo via Wikimedia/Master Sgt. Jack Braden
Tracy Chapman
This singer/songwriter grew up in the city of Cleveland. She is known for her hits “Fast Car”, “Talkin’ Bout A Revolution”, and many more. Her albums have gone multi-platinum four times and she’s won four Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her single “Fast Car” and Best Rock Song for “Give Me One Reason.”
Photo via Wikimedia/Hans Hillewaert
Anthony and Joe Russo
These film director brothers got their directing start as graduate students at Case Western Reserve. The Cleveland natives, who attended Benedctine High School, started with the indy film Welcome to Colinwood, based in Cleveland. They are best known for directing the superhero films Captain America: Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: End Game. They also won an Emmy for their directing on the television comedy Arrested Development.
Photo via Wikimedia/Gage Skidmore
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