Famous People Born in California

California has been the birthplace of many influential figures. Explore a curated list of notable individuals born in California — from living celebrities to historical personalities who have shaped their fields. Each profile includes birthplace details and an interactive map to help you explore their origins geographically.

Famous People Born by City

Los Angeles Long Beach Sacramento Concord Oakland San Francisco San Franciso Chinese Hospital Yorba Linda Modesto Tarzana Pomona Santa Clara San Diego San Luis Obispo Lynwood

🗺️ Birthplaces in California

26 Famous People born in California

Paul Beatty (Novelist) - Los Angeles, California, USA (June 9th, 1962)

American novelist and Booker Prize winner.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Actor, Producer) - Los Angeles, California, USA (November 11th, 1974)

American actor and environmental activist known for acclaimed dramatic roles.

Ava DuVernay (Filmmaker) - Long Beach, California, USA (August 24th, 1972)

American filmmaker known for socially conscious narratives.

Billie Eilish (Singer) - Los Angeles, California, USA (December 18th, 2001)

American singer known for minimalist sound and whispery vocals.

Allyson Felix (Athlete, Track and Field) - Los Angeles, California, USA (November 18th, 1985)

American sprinter and the most decorated female track athlete.

Greta Gerwig (Actor, Filmmaker) - Sacramento, California, USA (August 4th, 1983)

American actress and filmmaker noted for modern feminist cinema.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Actor, Filmmaker) - Los Angeles, California, USA (February 17th, 1981)

American actor and filmmaker known for roles in independent and major films.

Tom Hanks (Actor, Filmmaker) - Concord, California, USA (July 9th, 1956)

American actor and filmmaker known for iconic roles across genres.

Kamala Harris (Political Leader) - Oakland, California, USA (October 20th, 1964)

Kamala Harris is a U.S. politician and lawyer who became the first woman, first Black American, and first Asian American to serve as Vice President of the United States.

Etta James (Singer) - Los Angeles, California, USA (January 25th, 1938)

American singer blending blues, soul, and R&B.

Steve Jobs (Entrepreneur) - San Francisco, California, USA (February 24th, 1955)

Co-founder and former CEO of Apple Inc., pioneer of the personal computer revolution

Florence Joyner (Athlete, Track and Field) - Los Angeles, California, USA (December 21st, 1959)

American sprinter known for her world records in the 100m and 200m.

Chloe Kim (Athlete, Snowboarding) - Long Beach, California, USA (April 23rd, 2000)

American snowboarder and Olympic halfpipe champion.

Brie Larson (Actor, Filmmaker) - Sacramento, California, USA (October 1st, 1989)

American actress and filmmaker known for independent and blockbuster films.

Bruce Lee (Actor, Artist, Philosopher, Writer) - San Franciso Chinese Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA (November 27th, 1940)

Hong Kong–American martial artist, actor, and filmmaker whose innovations in martial arts philosophy and influential film work helped popularize martial arts cinema worldwide.

Rami Malek (Actor) - Los Angeles, California, USA (May 12th, 1981)

American actor known for award-winning biographical performances.

Misty May-Treanor (Athlete, Beach Volleyball) - Los Angeles, California, USA (July 30th, 1977)

American beach volleyball player and three-time Olympic champion.

Richard Nixon (Political leader, lawyer) - Yorba Linda, California, USA (January 9th, 1913)

Thirty-seventh President, who opened China but resigned due to Watergate.

Isamu Noguchi (Designer, Sculptor) - Los Angeles, California, USA (November 17th, 1904)

Japanese-American sculptor and designer known for public sculptures and landscape architecture blending East-West aesthetics.

Mark Spitz (Athlete, Swimming) - Modesto, California, USA (February 10th, 1950)

American swimmer who won seven gold medals at the 1972 Olympics.

Hailee Steinfeld (Actress, Musician, Singer) - Tarzana, Los Angeles, California, USA (December 11th, 1996)

American actress and singer known for her Academy Award–nominated role in True Grit and for starring in films like Pitch Perfect as well as the series Hawkeye.

Tom Waits (Actor, Artist, Composer, Singer) - Pomona, California, USA (December 7th, 1949)

American singer, songwriter, composer and actor.

Kerri Walsh Jennings (Athlete, Beach Volleyball) - Santa Clara, California, USA (August 15th, 1978)

American beach volleyball player and three-time Olympic champion.

Shaun White (Athlete, Snowboarding) - San Diego, California, USA (September 3rd, 1986)

American snowboarder and three-time Olympic champion.

Kyle Whittingham (American football player) - San Luis Obispo, California, United States (November 21st, 1959)

American football coach who has served as the head coach of the University of Michigan since 2025.

Venus Williams (Athlete, Tennis) - Lynwood, California, USA (June 17th, 1980)

American tennis player and multiple Olympic gold medalist.