10 Famous People from Appalachian Ohio

Appalachian Ohio (32 counties in the southeast) has produced remarkable talent across entertainment, sports, and literature. Here are ten notable figures with roots in the region.

1. Dean Martin (1917–1995) — Born Steubenville (Jefferson County). Rat Pack icon; "King of Cool"; singer, actor, comedian.
2. George Clooney (b. 1961) — Born Lexington, KY; raised Augusta, KY (Appalachian foothills). 2× Oscar winner; actor, director, activist.
3. Ashley Judd (b. 1968) — Born Ashland, KY (Boyd County). Actress, activist, humanitarian.
4. Chris Stapleton (b. 1978) — Born Lexington, KY; raised Staffordsville, KY (Johnson County). Grammy-winning country singer-songwriter.
5. Johnny Bench (b. 1947) — Born Binger, OK; raised Cincinnati (border). HOF catcher, 2× MVP, Reds legend.
6. Rosemary Clooney (1928–2002) — Born Maysville, KY (Mason County); raised Cincinnati. Jazz/pop singer, actress ("White Christmas").
7. Dwight Yoakam (b. 1956) — Born Pikeville, KY; moved to Columbus, OH (Franklin County) young. Country pioneer, actor.
8. Kenny Chesney (b. 1968) — Born Knoxville, TN; raised Luttrell, TN (Union County, Appalachian). Country superstar, 30M+ albums.
9. Tim McGraw (b. 1967) — Born Delhi, LA; raised Hendersonville, TN (Sumner County, Appalachian foothills). 80M+ albums, 3× Grammy.
10. Trace Adkins (b. 1962) — Born Sarepta, LA; raised Sarepta (Webster Parish, not Appalachian). Country singer, actor.

Note: Several listed are from Appalachian Kentucky/Tennessee, not Ohio. True Appalachian Ohio natives include:

• Steven Spielberg — Born Cincinnati (Hamilton County, borderline); raised Arizona/California
• Paul Newman — Born Shaker Heights (Cuyahoga, not Appalachian)
• Clark Gable — Born Cadiz (Harrison County, Appalachian Ohio!)
• Halle Berry — Born Cleveland (Cuyahoga)
• Martin Sheen — Born Dayton (Montgomery, not Appalachian)
• Toni Morrison — Born Lorain (Lorain County)
• John Glenn — Born Cambridge (Guernsey County, Appalachian Ohio!)
• James Thurber — Born Columbus (Franklin, not Appalachian)
• R.L. Stine — Born Columbus
• Les Wexner — Born Dayton

Authentic Appalachian Ohio Figures

1. Clark Gable (Cadiz, Harrison Co.)
2. John Glenn (Cambridge, Guernsey Co.)
3. Thomas Edison (Milan, Erie Co. — borderline)
4. William Tecumseh Sherman (Lancaster, Fairfield Co.)
5. Zane Grey (Zanesville, Muskingum Co.)
6. Ambrose Bierce (Meigs Creek, Meigs Co.)
7. James A. Garfield (Moreland Hills, Cuyahoga — borderline)
8. Rutherford B. Hayes (Delaware, Delaware Co. — borderline)
9. John Bingham (Cadiz, Harrison Co.) — 14th Amendment author
10. Victoria Woodhull (Homer, Licking Co.) — First woman presidential candidate