List of people from Gainesville, Florida explained

Notable people who live or have lived in Gainesville, Florida include:

Individuals

Musicians

• Charles Bradley, singer^[1]
• Beverly Crawford, gospel singer-songwriter^[2]
• Tay Dizm, musician^[3]
• Don Felder, musician^[4]
• Laura Jane Grace, lead singer and songwriter of Against Me!^[5]
• Gladys Horton, singer for The Marvelettes^[6]
• Timothy Kirkpatrick, drummer
• Bernie Leadon, musician^[7]
• Stan Lynch, musician
• Linda Lyndell, singer^[8]
• Vivek Maddala, musician, composer
• Marce, musician^[9]
• Jeremy McKinnon, singer-songwriter^[10]
• Damien Moyal, singer
• Tom Petty, musician^[11]
• Chuck Ragan, singer-songwriter
• Minnie Riperton, musician^[12]
• Joseph Simmons, musician
• Kaleb Stewart, singer-songwriter
• Stephen Stills, musician^[13]
• Benmont Tench, musician^[14]
• John Vanderslice, musician^[15]
• Chris Wollard, singer-songwriter, musician

Actors, performers

• Merritt Butrick, actor^[16]
• Casey Calvert, actress
• Brittany Daniel, actress^[17]
• Cynthia Daniel, actress^[18]
• Malcolm Gets^[19]
• Darrell Hammond, comedian^[20]
• Robert Hoffman, actor^[21]
• Tom Miller, performance artist^[22]
• Joaquin Phoenix, actor^[23]
• River Phoenix, actor^[24]
• Stephen Root, actor^[25]
• Maya Rudolph, actress, comedian^[26]
• Tyra Sanchez, drag queen, reality television personality^[27]
• Thomas Sanders, actor, singer and Vine & YouTube comedian^[28]

Athletes

• Kenny Bynum, football player (San Diego Chargers)
• Lyubov Denisova, marathon runner^[29]
• Doug Dickey, football coach, Hall of Fame member (University of Florida, University of Tennessee)^[30]
• Chris Doering, football player, NFL, and ESPN Analyst^[31]
• Joel Embiid, basketball player, NBA (Philadelphia 76ers)^[32]
• Taurean Green, basketball player, NBA (Denver Nuggets)^[33]
• Nigel Harris, football player (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)^[34]
• Udonis Haslem, basketball player, NBA (Miami Heat)^[35]
• Clay Helton, football head coach, University of Southern California^[36]
• Al Horford, basketball player, NBA (Boston Celtics)^[37]
• Darrell Jackson, football player, NFL (Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers)^[38]
• Chris Leak, football player, NFL (Chicago Bears)^[39]
• Marty Liquori, Olympic track athlete, TV announcer, jazz guitarist^[40]
• Ryan Lochte, Olympic swimmer^[41]
• Noah Lyles (born 1997), 100/200m runner - olympic bronze medalist and world champion
• Roger Maris, baseball player (Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees)^[42]
• Vernon Maxwell, basketball player (Houston Rockets)^[43]
• Andrew Miller, baseball player (Detroit Tigers)^[44]
• Heather Mitts, soccer player (United States women's national soccer team)^[45]
• Rodney Mullen, professional skateboarder^[46]
• Clinton Portis, football player, NFL (Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins)^[47]
• Chris Richard, basketball player, NBA (Minnesota Timberwolves)^[48]
• Phoenix Sanders (born 1995), baseball pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization^[49]
• Ian Scott, professional football player, NFL (Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers, San Diego Chargers)
• Ben Shelton (tennis), professional tennis player ^[50]
• Emmitt Smith, professional football player, NFL (Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals)^[51]
• Steve Spurrier, football player and coach (University of Florida, Washington Redskins, and University of South Carolina)^[52]
• Steve Tannen, NFL defensive back with the New York Jets (1970, first round pick)
• Tim Tebow, professional football player, NFL (Denver Broncos, New York Jets, New England Patriots)^[53]
• Chris Thompson, football player
• Abby Wambach, soccer player, United States women's national soccer team^[54]
• Scottie Wilbekin (born 1993), Turkish-American basketball player in the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi, playing for Fenerbahçe S.K. (basketball)
• Bernard Williams, sprinter and Olympic gold medalist^[55]
• Jordan Williams, NFL player (New York Giants)^[56]

Writers

• Joel Achenbach, newspaper staff writer and book author^[57]
• Kiki Carter, environmental activist, organizer, musician, writer^[58]
• Harry Crews, Southern Gothic author^[59]
• Nancy Yi Fan, children's book author^[60]
• Lauren Groff, novelist and short story author^[61]
• Joe Haldeman, science fiction author^[62]
• Rebecca Heflin, romance novelist^[63]
• Andrew Knowlton, food writer^[64]
• David Leavitt, author, editor, and English professor at UF^[65]
• Tom Meek, newspaper columnist and writer^[66]
• Ange Mlinko, poet, critic, editor, and tenured poetry professor at UF^[67]

Other notable individuals

• Anthony James Barr, programming language designer (SAS (software)), software engineer, inventor, and businessman^[68]
• Christopher Benninger, American Indian architect who grew up in Gainesville
• Robert Cade, inventor of Gatorade^[69]
• Scott Camil, activist^[70]
• David A. Christian, retired United States Army captain and former candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2012 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania^[71]
• Jamie Dupree, radio news reporter and Washington correspondent^[72]
• Terry Jones, gained national and international attention in 2010 for his plan to burn Qur'ans^[73]
• William R. Maples, forensic anthropologist^[74]
• Dustin Moskovitz, co-founder of Facebook and Asana^[75]
• Charles R. Perry, philanthropist and businessman^[76]
• Scott Ritter, former United Nations Weapons Inspector and convicted sex offender^[77]
• Maggie Taylor, artist^[78]
• John Thompson, mathematician, Fields medalist^[79]
• Jerry Uelsmann, fine art photographer
• Blake R. Van Leer, university president, dean of University of Florida, inventor, civil rights advocate
• Jarvis Johnson, YouTuber and former software engineer^[80]

Music groups

• Against Me!^[81]
• Aleka's Attic
• As Friends Rust^[82]
• Cyne^[83]
• Damien Done^[84]
• The Draft^[85]
• For Squirrels^[86]
• Holopaw^[87]
• Hot Water Music^[88]
• Less Than Jake^[89]
• Mudcrutch^[90]
• Rehasher^[91]
• Sister Hazel^[92]

Notes and References

1. News: Live on Soundcheck: Charles Bradley . https://archive.today/20130620031412/http://www.wnyc.org/articles/features/2011/dec/02/charles-bradley/ . dead . 20 June 2013 . . 2 December 2011 . 18 June 2013 .
2. News: A gospel celebration . . Tinker . Cleveland . January 19, 2011 . June 1, 2011.
3. Web site: Tay Dizm:Biography & History . Birchmeier . Jason . . 2016-04-06.
4. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p17478/biography|pure_url=yes}} Don Felder-Biography ]. . 2007-07-19.
5. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p603214/biography|pure_url=yes}} Against Me!-Biography ]. Allmusic . 2007-07-19.
6. News: Gladys Horton, Marvelettes' Lead Singer, Is Dead. Weber. Bruce. January 27, 2011. New York Times. January 27, 2011. New York City.
7. Web site: Tom Laughon/Maundy Quintet.
8. News: Richards . Glenn . Gainesville's Soul Music History Highlighted In New Book . 8 June 2024 . WUFT . 18 November 2017 . en.
9. News: She's a folk singer on a mission . Wlodawski, Deena . The Gainesville Sun . 6 August 2006 . 2008-04-06.
10. Web site: Jeremy McKinnon Intelius.
11. News: No heartbreak at Petty's Gainesville homecoming . Schlenker, Dave . Ocala Star-Banner . 22 September 2006 . 2007-07-19 . 2007-09-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070928001440/http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060922/NEWS/209220355/1001/NEWS01 . dead .
12. Book: Bronson, Fred . Fred Bronson

    . The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits . Fred Bronson . 400 . Billboard Books . 2003 . 978-0-8230-7677-2.

13. Rock legend Stephen Stills putting roof over heads of University of Florida marching band . Brazda, Christopher . University of Florida Foundation . 7 May 2003 . 2007-07-19 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060923085820/http://www.uff.ufl.edu/News/PressRelease.asp?Story=18 . 23 September 2006 .
14. News: Memories of Petty: How singer found way in area . Wallace . Alice . . September 20, 2006 . 2016-04-06.
15. News: Vanderslice likes to go with the flow -- especially if it's not digital . Vaziri, Aidin . . 26 January 2005 . 2007-07-19.
16. Web site: Merritt Butrick—Biography . . 2008-03-08.
17. Web site: The Game-cast-Brittany Daniel . . 2007-07-19.
18. Web site: Cynthia Daniel Bio . . 2007-07-19 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070930161438/http://www.tv.com/cynthia-daniel/person/69015/biography.html . 2007-09-30 .
19. Web site: Biography—Malcolm Gets as Richard Karinsky . . 2007-09-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070915072547/http://www.carolineinthecity.com/citc/theseries/bio_richard.html . 2007-09-15 .
20. Web site: Saturday Night Live Bios . . 2007-07-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070702043932/http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/bios/Darrell_Hammond.shtml . 2007-07-02 . dead .
21. Web site: Robert Hoffman Biography . Yahoo! Movies . 2008-11-15.
22. News: The Tom Miller Show . Aria, Travis . Gainesville Sun . 23 June 2005 . 2007-07-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120526/http://search.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20050623%2FSCENE%2F206230306%2F1004%2Fentertainment . 29 September 2007 . dead .
23. News: FILM; River Phoenix Is Not Just The Boy Next Door . Shoemer . Karen . 29 September 1991 . . 2008-04-20.
24. Lost in Hollywood: the fast times and short life of River Phoenix . . Glatt . John . April 1995 . 2007-09-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070810171013/http://aleka.org/phoenix/zines/phoeni12.htm . 2007-08-10 .
25. Web site: Stephen Root - Yahoo! TV . . 2007-07-20.
26. Web site: About Gainesville-General Facts . City of Gainesville . 2007-09-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070914055751/http://www.cityofgainesville.org/about/ . 2007-09-14 .
27. http://www.theworldoftyra.com/Site/Bio.html The World of Tyra: Bio
28. Web site: Five Internet Sensations You Should Know About . Sydney Berger . . February 20, 2015 . February 8, 2018.
29. A brief chat with Lyubov Denisova . . Tanser . Toby . 2007-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070818054341/http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0%2C7120%2Cs6-239-379--11796-0%2C00.html . 2007-08-18 . dead .
30. Web site: Tennessean of the Year Doug Dickey . Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame . 2007-09-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070810142735/http://tshf.net/honorees/d-dickey.html . 2007-08-10 .
31. Web site: 2024 . Chris Doering . January 28, 2024 . Pro Football Reference.
32. Web site: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers . 2023-12-01 . www.nba.com . en.
33. Web site: Prospect profile—Taurean Green . National Basketball Association . 2007-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070920125946/http://www.nba.com/draft2007/profiles/TaureanGreen.html . 2007-09-20 . dead .
34. Web site: Nigel Harris Biography . ESPN . 8 June 2024 . en.
35. Web site: Udonis Haslem bio . National Basketball Association . 2007-09-27 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071217100113/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/udonis_haslem/bio.html . 2007-12-17 .
36. News: Klein . Gary . The Clay Helton file: Biographical details about USC's new football coach . 8 June 2024 . Los Angeles Times . 1 December 2015.
37. Web site: Prospect profile—Al Horford . National Basketball Association . 2007-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070902154954/http://www.nba.com/draft2007/profiles/AlHorford.html . 2007-09-02 . dead .
38. Web site: Darrell Jackson/#82/WR . . 2007-09-03.
39. News: Senior Leak will remain starter; freshman Tebow turning heads . . Whiteside . Kelly . 27 July 2006 . 2007-09-03.
40. Web site: Marty Liquori—the musician . Marty Liquori . 2007-09-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071011081425/http://www.martyliquori.com/music.htm . 2007-10-11 .
41. Web site: Bios: Ryan Lochte . . July 28, 2010 .
42. News: Chasing 61 . Capozzi . Joe . The Standard-Times (New Bedford, MA) . 4 August 1998 . 2007-09-03.
43. Web site: NBA.com profile: Vernon Maxwell . . 2009-01-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090201141058/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/vernon_maxwell/bio.html . 2009-02-01 .
44. Web site: Players—Andrew Miller . baseball-reference.com . 2007-09-03.
45. Web site: Heather Mitts . . 2007-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070313143459/http://www.usoc.org/26_13785.htm . 2007-03-13 . dead .
46. Web site: Rodney Mullen Bio . . 2007-09-03 . 2007-08-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070824145449/http://skateboard.about.com/od/proskaterbios/p/ProRodneyMullen.htm . dead .
47. Web site: Clinton Portis/#26/RB . National Football League . 2007-09-03.
48. Web site: Chris Richard info page . National Basketball Association . 2007-09-03.
49. News: Berry . Adam . Phoenix's rise to bigs 'a dream' for USF alum . 8 June 2024 . MLB.com . 14 April 2022 . en.
50. Web site: Ben Shelton - Men's Tennis .
51. Web site: Emmitt Smith Bio . Emmitt Smith (Official Website) . 2007-09-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070223123612/http://www.emmittsmith.com/ssp/bio . 2007-02-23 .
52. News: Gators start Ring of Honor with four former greats . English . Antonya . 1 October 2006 . . 2007-09-03.
53. Web site: Tim Tebow . Tim Tebow (Official Website) . 2007-09-03.
54. Web site: Abby Wambach . United States Olympic Committee . 2007-09-03 . https://archive.today/20070930024133/http://www.usolympicteam.com/26_13777.htm . 2007-09-30 . dead .
55. Web site: Bernard Williams . . 2007-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070930204743/http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/TrackAndFieldArchive/2005/Williams_Bernard.asp . 2007-09-30 . dead .
56. News: Savage . Larry . GHS defensive end Williams commits to Tennessee . The Gainesville Sun . 14 October 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161009013550/http://www.gainesville.com/article/LK/20101014/News/604166223/GS/ . 9 October 2016 . dead.
57. News: Post Magazine . . April 29, 2002 . April 29, 2002.
58. Web site: Dancing Light Bio . Sunblossom Records . 2008-05-20.
59. Web site: Brief Biography . Harry Crews (Official Site) . 2007-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927110609/http://www.harrycrews.com/Personal/Biography/index.html . 2007-09-27 . dead .
60. News: Flight of fantasy . Young . Lucie . 27 January 2007 . . 2007-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070505114849/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=%2Farts%2F2007%2F01%2F27%2Fsmnancy27.xml&page=1 . 5 May 2007 . dead .
61. News: Thomas-Corr . Johanna . 2021-09-11 . Lauren Groff: 'I often get very lonely because my job is very lonely' . 2024-04-22 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
62. Web site: Interview:Joe Haldeman . Mead . Donald . . 23 February 2004 . 2007-09-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070930203616/http://www.strangehorizons.com/2004/20040223/haldeman.shtml . 30 September 2007 .
63. News: Local author wins Florida Writers Association honor. Gainesville Sun. 2016-12-15.
64. Web site: The Next Iron Chef: Cast: Andrew Knowlton . . 2008-06-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080423045225/http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_io/text/0%2C3180%2CFOOD_30216_64997%2C00.html . 2008-04-23 . dead .
65. Web site: David Leavitt . University of Florida, Department of English . 2007-09-07.
66. Web site: Digital Superzooms Make True All-In-One Cameras . Meek . Tom . Gainesville Voice . 2007-09-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071009151134/http://adayincyberville.gainesvillevoice.com/default.asp?item=669451 . 2007-10-09 .
67. Web site: Distant Mandate | Ange Mlinko | Macmillan.
68. Coombs, Joe. "Tony Barr: President/founder of Barr Systems Inc.", The Gainesville Sun, May 15, 2003. Accessed October 11, 2018.
69. Web site: Dr. Robert Cade…saga of the world's best-selling sports drink and the creative physician scientist behind it . Phillips-Han . Arline . University of Florida Health News . 24 February 2003 . 2007-09-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060903033228/http://news.health.ufl.edu/story.aspx?ID=703 . September 3, 2006 .
70. Web site: Freedom Fighter . Orange and Blue . Rhea . Scott . Fall 1998 . 2007-09-03 .
71. Web site: About David. David Christian for U.S. Senate. 7 June 2024. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111106121336/http://christian2012.org/?page_id=74. 6 November 2011.
72. Web site: News/Talk 750 WSB's Washington Correspondent Jamie Dupree . https://web.archive.org/web/20071002222801/http://wsbradio.com/inside/jamie_dupree_bio.html . dead . 2007-10-02 . . 2008-07-07 .
73. News: Harris . Paul . Gallagher . Paul . Terry Jones defiant despite murders in Afghanistan over Qur'an burning . 8 June 2024 . The Observer . The Guardian . 2 April 2011.
74. Web site: William R. Maples . University of Florida Maples Center . 2008-05-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080724101508/http://maples-center.ufl.edu/wrmaples.html . 2008-07-24 .
75. Web site: The most important tech entrepreneurs from all 50 states. Business Insider. July 11, 2015.
76. News: Longtime builder, benefactor Perry dies . Gainesville Sun . 2005-05-11.
77. Book: Conley . Richard Steven . Historical Dictionary of the Clinton Era . 2012 . Scarecrow Press . 978-0-8108-5972-2 . 159 . 8 June 2024 . en.
78. Web site: Maggie Taylor:Solutions beginning with A . Modernbook Gallery . 2007-09-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070820051315/http://www.modernbook.com/maggietaylor.htm . 2007-08-20 .
79. Web site: Faculty Directory, UF Mathematics . University of Florida . 2007-09-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070827080800/http://www.math.ufl.edu/fac/facdir-tab.html . 2007-08-27 .
80. Web site: Hale . James . 2019-09-26 . YouTube Millionaires: Jarvis Johnson On The Pros And Cons Of Being A YouTube Perfectionist . 2023-05-25 . . en-US.
81. News: It's going well for Gainesville's Against Me! . Leslie . Mary . Tallahassee Democrat . 10 August 2007 . 2007-09-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927220333/http://tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070810%2FENT02%2F708100316%2F1019&template=printart . 27 September 2007 .
82. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p375791|pure_url=yes}} As Friends Rust Overview ]. . 2007-09-03.
83. News: HOLLAND . JASON . Hip-hop keeps downtown rap . 8 June 2024 . Gainesville Sun . 27 June 2003.
84. Web site: Ramirez . Carlos . Interview: Damien Moyal (Culture, Shai Hulud, As Friends Rust, Morning Again, On Bodies, Damien Done) . No Echo . 8 June 2024 . en . 29 June 2016.
85. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p709643|pure_url=yes}} The Draft Overview ]. Allmusic . 2007-09-03.
86. News: Gainesville band in fatal crash . . 10 September 1995 . 18 June 2013.
87. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p551735|pure_url=yes}} Holopaw Overview ]. Allmusic . 2007-09-03.
88. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p182511|pure_url=yes}} Hot Water Music Overview ]. Allmusic . 2007-09-03.
89. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p198618|pure_url=yes}} Less Than Jake Overview ]. Allmusic . 2007-09-03.
90. Web site: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers . . 2007-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100325093556/http://rockhall.com/inductees/tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers/ . 2010-03-25 . dead .
91. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p675881|pure_url=yes}} Rehasher Overview ]. Allmusic . 2007-09-03.
92. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p200492|pure_url=yes}} Sister Hazel Overview ]. Allmusic . 2007-09-03.