Former President of the United States, Barack Obama, has the distinction of being the first African-American president of the nation. A civil rights attorney and an academic, he has been credited with bringing about a significant improvement in America’s reputation abroad. His efforts to strengthen international diplomacy was recognized with the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
Actor-producer, Tom Cruise, is an international superstar, heartthrob of millions and is a recipient of numerous awards. The Mission: Impossible star has been one of the most bankable and versatile Hollywood actors since 1980s. Interestingly, he once aspired to be a priest but is now amongst the highest paid actors in the world.
Canadian American actor, Jim Carrey worked as a janitor and a stand-up comedian at club and on stage before entering films and television. His big Hollywood break came with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective which catapulted him to comedy star status. His later films like The Truman Show and Bruce Almighty proved his versatility and won him critical and commercial success.
Canadian clinical psychologist, writer and YouTuber, Jordan Peterson became internationally known in the 2010s for his views on cultural and political issues. He propogates his views and ideas primarily through YouTube and podcasts. He has shared many videos and podcasts that have received millions of views.
Known as the iconic founder of the popular rock band Bon Jovi, Jon Bon Jovi is a record producer and singer-songwriter. In 2012, he was named in Billboard magazine's The Most Powerful and Influential People In The Music Business list. Also a well-known philanthropist, he founded the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation in an attempt to eradicate poverty and homelessness.
Jennifer Coolidge is an American actress. She is known for playing Jeanine Stifler in the sex comedy film series American Pie. Also known for her charity work, Coolidge has had a major impact working with organizations that support animal rights and AIDS assistance. Thanks to her performance in Legally Blonde, her voice has been the subject of a famous impression.
Ralph Macchio is best known for his role in three Karate Kid films and Cobra Kai, a sequel television series. The Outsiders, Eight Is Enough, My Cousin Vinny, Crossroads, Ugly Betty and Hitchcock are some of his other notable films. He’s also been part of some TV projects and took part in the reality television show Dancing with the Stars.
Emilio Estevez is known for acting in movies like The Mighty Ducks, The Breakfast Club and Repo Man as well as Bobby and The Public, the last two of which he also wrote and directed. One of the members of 1980s Brat Pack group of actors, he has also directed television shows like CSI: NY and appeared in music videos.
Known for his portrayal of domineering and aggressive characters in his films, Laurence Fishburne began his stint on screen as a child actor in projects such as Apocalypse Now. The play Two Trains Running won him multiple theater awards. However, fans remember him best as Morpheus from The Matrix.
The Queen of American romantic comedy movies in 1990s, Meg Ryan is best recognised for her role in When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail, all of which earned her prestigious award nominations. After proving her mettle in romantic comedies Meg Ryan showed her versatility as actress by acting in other genre movies. She made her directorial debut with Ithaca.
Billy Ray Cyrus’s song Achy Breaky Heart was the first triple-platinum single in Australia. Its music video made the line dance a trend. Billy has eight top-10 Billboard Hot Country charters. His debut album, Some Gave All, spent the longest time by any debut artist on Billboard 200.
Troyal Garth Brooks is an American singer-songwriter. Having sold over 170 million records worldwide, Brooks is one of the best-selling musicians in the world. He is also the best-selling solo albums musician in the US. Also known for his charitable activities, Garth Brooks established the Teammates for Kids Foundation in 1999, which provides financial support to charities for kids.
Starting her career as a cheerleader, Paula Abdul went on to choreograph music videos for Janet Jackson. She then tried her hand at singing-songwriting and released a highly successful debut studio album. Also an award-winning actress, Paula was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She has also appeared in TV shows like American Idol.
American actor Matthew Broderick has starred in more than 50 films since the 1980s and has also acted in several television shows and theater production. Some of his notable films are War Games, The Cable Guy, Godzilla, The Producers, Finding Amanda and Manchester by the Sea. He was involved in a car crash in 1987 in which two persons were killed.
New Zealand director/producer Peter Jackson is best known for his three-time Academy Award-winning work in The Return of the King, the third part of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The third-highest-grossing director ever, he is also the man behind The Hobbit trilogy and the 2005 film King Kong.
Known for her Academy Award-nominated performance in The Hateful Eight, Jennifer Jason Leigh had started her career at age 9. Fans also loved her in Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle and Margot at the Wedding. She was also seen as Sally Bowles in Sam Mendes’s Broadway production Cabaret.
Sheryl Crow is an American musician, actress, and singer-songwriter. Over the years, Crow has contributed to several film soundtracks, including the iconic theme song for the popular James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies. After being diagnosed with intraductal carcinoma, a form of breast cancer, Sheryl Crow opened the Sheryl Crow Imaging Center by joining hands with her surgeon Kristi Funk.
Julio Cesar Chavez is a Mexican former boxer who won several world championships in three different weight divisions. He also holds several records, such as the most successful world title defenses and most title fights. He has been named in ESPN's 50 Greatest Boxers of All Time list and was made an inductee of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
![Dylan McDermott Dylan McDermott](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/dylan-mcdermott-30085-1.jpg)
Golden Globe-nominated actor Lou Diamond Phillips is best known as Ritchie Valens from the film La Bamba. His performance in the Broadway revival of The King and I earned him a Tony nomination. He has also appeared in a string of TV and radio projects and participated in poker championships.
Nancy Travis is an American actress known for her contribution across all the three major acting mediums. A founding member of Naked Angels, an Off-Broadway theater company, Nancy Travis started acting on Off-Broadway theater before establishing herself in the film and TV industry.
![Steve Young Steve Young](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/steve-young-1.jpg)
Craig Ferguson is a Scottish-American comedian, television host, and author. He helped popularize The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, which he hosted and received the prestigious Peabody Award for the same. A recovering alcoholic, Craig Ferguson has stayed sober since 1992 and is an inspiration to those trying to quit drinking.
![Bonnie Hunt Bonnie Hunt](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/bonnie-hunt-31112-1.jpg)
![John Stockton John Stockton](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/john-stockton-9820-1.jpg)
Virginia Madsen is an American actress. Over the years, Madsen has contributed to the success of several films and TV series, such as Fire with Fire, Modern Girls, Moonlighting, and American Dreams. She is also credited with establishing Title IX Productions, a film production company which she started in 2008.
![Eugenio Derbez Eugenio Derbez](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/eugenio-derbez-13667-1.jpg)
Eugenio Derbez is a Mexican actor and filmmaker best known for co-creating and starring in the family sitcom La familia P. Luche. After establishing himself in the Mexican film industry, he ventured into American films and TV series as well. His feature film Instructions Not Included became the most successful Spanish-language film in US.
Mike Rowe is an American narrator, television host, and former opera singer. He has narrated popular programs on the Discovery Channel, such as How the Universe Works and Deadliest Catch. Also an activist, Rowe joined hands with the 'Association of Equipment Manufacturers' in 2010 in order to create jobs in the manufacturing sector through a campaign named "I Make America".
Nadia Comaneci is a Romanian former gymnast. One of the best-known gymnasts in the world, Comaneci has five Olympic gold medals under her belt. Credited with popularizing gymnastics around the world, Nadia Comaneci was honored by the Laureus World Sports Academy by including her in their Athletes of the 20th Century list in 2000.
Actor, director, and screenwriter Clark Gregg joined the show business after a series of odd jobs. He co-founded the off-Broadway Atlantic Theater Company at the beginning of his career in entertainment and proceeded to join films. He gained international fame for playing Agent Phil Coulson in many Marvel Cinematic Universe films in the 2010s.
The King of Jordan since 7 February 1999, Abdullah II of Jordan is a member of the Hashemite dynasty. He is a 41st-generation direct descendant of Muhammad and the son of King Hussein of Jordan and his second wife, Princess Muna. Upon assuming the throne, he liberalized the economy and implemented numerous reforms. He is a popular monarch.
Trace Adkins is an American country singer renowned for his bass-baritone singing voice. Adkins has recorded many studio albums that have received platinum or gold certification in the US. A multi-talented personality, Adkins also appears on TV and writes books; his autobiography was released in 2007. He is also a member of a non-profit organization called 'Sons of Confederate Veterans'.
Marcia Cross is an American actress best known for playing Bree Van de Kamp in the popular TV series, Desperate Housewives, for which she received a Screen Actors Guild Award and nominations for Primetime Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award.
Tom Ford is an American fashion designer. During his time as the creative director at Gucci, Ford saved the fashion house from near bankruptcy and turned it into a powerhouse. In 2006, he established his eponymous luxury brand and has since been referred to as a style icon and fashion icon; he was named in All-TIME 100 Fashion Icons list.
Adam Baldwin is an American actor known for playing important roles in films like Full Metal Jacket and Ordinary People. Also known for his humanitarian efforts, Baldwin supports Ride 2 Recovery, an organization established for the rehabilitation of veterans wounded in wars. Popular on social media, Baldwin is credited with introducing the hashtag #GamerGate with respect to the GamerGate controversy.
Doc Rivers is a former American basketball player, who in his thirteen seasons played primarily for Atlanta Hawks and was known for his defence. After retirement, he picked up coaching responsibilities for Orlando Magic and in his first year was awarded NBA Coach of the Year. Later, he led Boston Celtics to NBA championship. He is currently the coach of Philadelphia 76ers.
![Jared Harris Jared Harris](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/jared-harris-30092-1.jpg)
![Clyde Drexler Clyde Drexler](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/clyde-drexler-39141-1.jpg)
Entrepreneur John H. Schnatter, also known as Papa John, established Papa John's Pizza in the 1980s, using the money he got after selling his car. He resigned as the CEO of his company in 2018, following a controversy regarding his comments about protests by NFL players.