Famous People Born In Boston

Benjamin Franklin is considered one of the founding fathers of the United States as he was a signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He was a writer, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, an accomplished diplomat and much more. He is a key figure in the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity.

American writer Edgar Allan Poe is regarded as the architect of modern short story, the inventor of the detective-fiction genre and a major contributor towards science fiction genre. The influential writer is recognised for his tales of mystery and macabre. His notable works include The Raven (poem), The Tell-Tale Heart and The Fall of the House of Usher (short stories).

Amongst the most talented actors of his generation, Edward Norton won a Golden Globe Award for his debut film Primal Fear. The formidable actor later went on to work in movies like The Illusionist, The Incredible Hulk, The Birdman and American History X. Norton ventured into film direction with Keeping the Faith. He also supports various environmental and social causes.

From being a drug dealer to going to prison on the charge of attempted murder, Mark Wahlberg's young life was a troubled one. That is till the time he decided to pull himself out of the mess and live a worthy life. His foray into music began his journey which later took him into the world of television and film.

Sylvia Plath was an American short-story writer, novelist, and poet. Plath is credited with popularizing confessional poetry and won a posthumous Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. Sylvia Plath achieved popularity and critical acclaim despite suffering from clinical depression for the most part of her adult life. Her story inspired the 2003 film Sylvia in which she was portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow.

From being a lanky girl who was made fun of in school to becoming Hollywood’s A-list star, actress Uma Thurman has had quite a journey. She worked in various movies before landing on the film that earned her international appreciation, Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. Later, Tarantino's two Kill Bill movies and Mira Nair’s miniseries Hysterical Blindness further boosted her stardom.

Five-time Grammy Award-winning folk singer James Taylor is best known for his hits You've Got a Friend and Fire and Rain. One of Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, he has sold over 100 million records worldwide and has also won the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

From playing a sexual voyeur to a sadomasochistic boss, James Spader has portrayed a variety of roles, establishing himself as a versatile actor. Despite suffering from strong obsessive-compulsive issues, James Spader has managed to succeed as an actor and hence serves as an inspiration to many who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder.

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.

Barbara Walters is an American retired television personality and broadcast journalist. Renowned for her popularity with viewers, Walters appeared as the host of several popular TV shows. A pioneer for women in broadcasting, Walters became the first woman to co-host shows like Today and ABC Evening News. In 1996, she was named in TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Stars list.

Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American philosopher who led the transcendentalist movement that developed in the eastern United States in the 1820s and 1830s. He is credited with popularizing individualism through his numerous lectures and essays. Emerson influenced many thinkers and writers that followed him; he mentored Henry David Thoreau, who went on to become a leading transcendentalist.

Donnie Wahlberg is a singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. Popularly known as the bad boy of New Kids on the Block band, Wahlberg faced up to 20 years in prison after he was charged with arson for setting The Seelbach Hilton on fire. The charge was later reduced and eventually dropped after he agreed to appear in public-service videos.

One of the most revered and decorated actresses of her generation, Allison Janney is famous for playing C. J. Cregg, a role which is regarded as one of the greatest female characters in the history of American television. Also known for her work as an activist, Allison campaigns for issues like addiction recovery, mental health, women's rights, and gay rights.

Madeline Kahn was an American actress, singer, and comedian. She is best remembered for her comedic roles in movies like Young Frankenstein, History of the World, Part I, and High Anxiety. Over the course of her career, Madeline Kahn received several prestigious awards such as the Drama Desk Award, People's Choice Award, and Daytime Emmy Award.

Ben Foster is an American actor best known for playing supporting roles in popular films, such as X-Men: The Last Stand, The Mechanic, 3:10 to Yuma, and Lone Survivor. Ben Foster is a self-made man who established himself in the American film industry after being born to restaurateurs. He continues to attract critical appreciation for his unhinged and intense performance.

Portuguese-American actress, Daniela Rua,h is best known for her role in the TV series, NCIS: Los Angeles. She began acting as a teenager and went on to study performing arts at the London Metropolitan University. She then trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute before commencing her professional career. She works in both Portuguese and American films.

Maura Tierney is an actress who has been contributing immensely to the success of the American film and TV industry since the 1990s. She mainly plays supporting roles, many of which have been worthy of prestigious awards. Maura Tierney is a cancer survivor.

Michelle Thomas was an American comedian and actress known for playing important roles in popular TV series, such as The Cosby Show and Family Matters. Thomas had a promising start—even before commencing her acting career Thomas was crowned International Queen in a pageant—but her career and life were cut short by cancer and she died at the age of 30.

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.

Netflix co-founder, CEO, and chairman Reed Hastings is also a Facebook director since 2011. He has previously served the California State Board of Education and the board of Microsoft. The Stanford alumnus is a Giving Pledge member, actively donates for children’s education and scholarships, and supports charter schools.

Christa McAuliffe was an American astronaut and teacher who died while serving as a payload specialist on board Space Shuttle Challenger, which exploded during STS-51-L. McAuliffe was all set to become the first teacher in space as she was part of the NASA Teacher in Space Project. In 2004, she was posthumously honored with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

Temple Grandin is an American activist and scientist. An outspoken proponent of the neurodiversity and autism rights movements, Grandin is one of the first individuals to document the insights gained from her own experience of autism. She has also authored over 60 scientific papers on animal behavior. Her life and work inspired the 2010 biographical drama film Temple Grandin.

James Remar is an American actor best known for playing Harry Morgan in the popular crime drama mystery TV series Dexter, for which he received nominations at the Saturn Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards. In 2012, his contribution to the American entertainment industry was honored with the Saturn Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Robert Wahlberg is an American actor known for his appearance in films like The Departed and Mystic River. He is also known as the older brother of Mark and Donnie Wahlberg, both established actors and musicians in the American entertainment industry.

Paige Turco is best known as April O'Neil from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie franchise. She has also played significant roles in series such as All My Children, Person of Interest, and The 100. Though she aspired to be a ballerina, an ankle injury made her change her plans.

Jared Diamond is an American historian, geographer, author, and ornithologist. He is best known for his books, The Third Chimpanzee, Collapse, Upheaval, and The World Until Yesterday. His 1997 book Guns, Germs, and Steel earned him the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. In 1999, he was awarded the National Medal of Science. Jared Diamond is currently working as a professor at UCLA.

Katya Zamolodchikova is the drag persona of Brian Joseph McCook. Katya is a drag queen, actor, author, and comedian. She has participated in RuPaul's Drag Race on Logo TV and has appeared in the web series UNHhhh. Regarded as one of the most powerful drag queens in America, she was named “Drag Royalty” by The Queerties in 2020.