Wednesday, April 4, 2012

15 Famous People From Georgia

Georgia is a place where many famous people are from. These are fifteen famous people who are from the beautiful state called Georgia. This is a new series about famous people who were born or from particular states. The next in the series will be famous people from Georgia. These are not all the famous people who were born or from Georgia. These 15 famous people from Georgia were chosen at my discretion. Maybe we should call them Georgia peaches.


Mel Blount-Mel Blount was born in Vidalia, Georgia in 1948; he was a NFL Hall of Fame cornerback who played his entire career for thePittsburgh Steelers. He is considered one of the greatest ever to play his position in the NFL. His physical style of play made him one of the most feared defensive backs in the game at a time when pass interference rules were less stringent than they are now. Mel Blount had four Super Bowl victories during his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers; he won Super Bowl IX, X, XIII and XIV
President Jimmy Carter-President Jimmy Carter was born in Plains, Georgia in 1924; he was the 39th President of the United States and the 76th governor of Georgia. President Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer and a Naval officer. As President, Jimmy Carter created the Department of Energy and the Department of Education, not the best ideas by a President. President Carter strongly emphasized human rights and he fought for them. He is a leading figure in the Habitat for Humanity project. In 1980 President Carter lost his Presidency to President Ronald Reagan. Although many people consider President Carter's Presidency a failure, his peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts since he left the White House makes him one of the most successful ex-President's in history.
Ray Charles-Ray Charles was born in Albany, Georgia in 1930 and died in 2004. He was a very famous blind American musician. Ray Charles sang soul in the 1950's, changed to country and western in the 1960's and became successful with songs like "Georgia on my Mind", "Hit the Road Jack", "and Unchain my Heart"and"I Can't Stop Loving You." Rolling Stone ranked Ray Charles as number 10 on their list of "100 Greatest Artists of all Time" in 2004 and number 2 on their list of "100 Greatest Singers of all Time" in 2008. Ray Charles was considered a genius in the music business and his songs still play in most of our souls.
Ty Cobb-Ty Cobb was nicknamed the Georgia Peach and he was born in Narrows, Georgia in 1886, he died in Atlanta, Georgia in 1961. Ty Cobb was MLB Hall of Fame Outfielder who played most of his career with the Detroit Tigers; he finished his MLB career with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1928. Ty Cobb batted over .400 three times and he won 12 batting titles, finishing his career with 4189 hits. Ty Cobb had a .366 career batting average, 117 home runs and 1939 RBI's, he stole 892 bases, score 2245 runs, stealing home base 54 times in his career. Amazingly, Ty Cobb never won a World Series.
Hulk Hogan-Hulk Hogan was born in Augusta, Georgia in 1953. He is a famous professional wrestler who is currently signed with TNA, Total Non-Stop Action wrestling. He is a former WWF and WCW world Champion; the WWF is now the WWE. Hulk Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, he was a six time WWF champion, a six time WCW World Heavyweight Champion and the winner of the Royal Rumble in 1990 and 1991, and Hulk Hogan is also an actor, TV personality and a musician. He now resides in Tampa, FL
Alan Jackson-Alan Jackson was born in Newman, Georgia in 1958, he is a famous Country Musicsinger, and twenty-five of his songs were country number one hits. Alan Jackson combined mainstream country with Honky Tonk to create his own version of country music; he is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He is one of my all-time favorite country music singers
Bobby Jones (Golfer)-Bobby Jones was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1902 and he died in Atlanta, Georgia in 1979. He was an American amateur golfer and a lawyer by trade. Bobby Jones won the US Open four times, the Open Championship three times, the US Amateur five times and the British Amateur once in 1930. Bobby Jones was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974, converted to Catholicism a week before his death and died from syringomyelia or the effects of the disease
Martin Luther King, Jr.- Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1929 and he was assassinated in Memphis Tennessee in 1968. He was one of the most prominent African-American civil rights leaders in the history of the United States. Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Clergyman who used nonviolent methods following the teachings of Gandhi. We celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday each year on the third Monday in January, his real birthday is January 15th.
Gladys Knight-Gladys Knight was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1944, she is known as the "Empress of Soul". Gladys Knight is a singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian and author. In the 1960's and 1970's Gladys was the leader of the group Gladys Knight and the Pips, the group had many hits including "I Heard it Through the Grapevine and the Grammy Award winning song "Neither one of us Wants to be the First to Say Goodbye" and another Grammy Award winning song "Midnight Train to Georgia, she is now a solo artist.
Spike Lee- Spike Lee was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1957, he is an American film producer, writer, actor and producer. Spike Lee movies are about race relations, urban crime and poverty. Some of his movies are "Do the Right Thing", "Jungle Fever", "Clockers", "He Got Game", "Summer of Sam" and "Malcolm X", Spike Lee is a fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Knicks and he is a friend of Steven Spielberg.
Johnny Mize-Johnny Mize was born inDemorest, Georgia in 1913 and he died in Demorest, Georgia in 1993, he was a MLB Hall of Fame first-baseman who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, the New York Giants and the New York Yankees. Johnny Mize played in MLB for fifteen years, he had a lifetime .312 batting average with 359 home runs and 1337 RBI's. Johnny Mize won five World SeriesChampionships in 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953 with the New York Yankees.
Julia Roberts - Julia Roberts was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1967, she is a famous American movie star. Julia Roberts jumped onto the scene in the comedy Pretty Woman and has been a star since. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2001 for her role as Erin Brockovich, she played in films "My Best Friend's Wedding", "Mystic Pizza", "Notting Hill", "Runaway Bride", and the "Pelican Brief". Julia Roberts has played in many more successful films, her brother is Eric Roberts and her niece is Emma Roberts. Julia Roberts now practices Hinduism and gives time and resources to UNICEF.
Jackie Robinson-Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia in 1919 and he died in 1972- Jackie Robinson played his first season for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. By the end of the season, Jackie Robinson was rookie of the year for the National League. He batted .296 with 12 homers, 48 RBS's, 29 steals, and 125 runs scored. Jackie Robinson played through the 1956 season. He played his whole career with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jackie Robinson broke through the race barrier at a horrible time in American history. Jackie Robinson won one World Championship with the Dodgers in 1955. They defeated the New York Yankees. This was the only championship Jackie Robinson earned in the Major Leagues. Jackie Robinson was a great champion for other African American ballplayers. Because of Jackie Robinson, other African American ballplayers made the trip up into Major League baseball. Now Major League baseball is played without prejudice between black and white men. Jackie Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962
Sugar Ray Robinson-Sugar Ray Robinson was born in Ailey, Georgia in 1921 and he died in 1989, he was one of the greatest boxers of all time. Sugar Ray Robinson had 200 professional fights, he won 173 of those fights, 108 by KO, he lost 19 fights, had 6 draws and 2 no-contests. Sugar Ray Robinson served 15 months in the US Army with Joe Louis and they performed exhibition bouts in front of US troops, he was the Welterweight Champion and the Middleweight Champion, Sugar Ray Robinson probably fought too long in his boxing career, but was broke by the time he retired.
Clarence Thomas-Clarence Thomas was born in Pin Point, Georgia in 1948, he is an Associate Justice in the US Supreme Court of the United States, he succeeded Thurgood Marshall, he is the second African-American to serve on the Supreme Court, he was nominated by President George H. W. Bush, he is generally viewed as the most conservative member in the Supreme Court. Clarence Thomas seeks to uphold what he sees as the original meaning of the United States constitution.
Honorable mentions
The B-52's are a rock and roll band formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976-two members were born in Georgia (Cindy and Ricky Wilson), the other two members were born in New Jersey
Rhett Akins was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1969 and is a country singer-songwriter, he has one number one single called "Don't Get Me Started"
Kim Basinger was born in Athens, Georgia in 1953, she is an actress and a former fashion model who won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in "LA Confidential"
Dakota Fanning was born in Conyers, Georgia in 1994, she is a famous child actress who has played in many films including The Twilight Saga, Charlotte's Web, Man on Fire, War of the World's and the Secret Life of Bees.
Ryan Seacrest was born in Dunwoody, Georgia in 1974, he is best known for being a TV host on E! News and American Idol, he also hosts a syndicated top 40 Radio Show
Paula Dean was born in Albany, Georgia in 1947, she is an Emmy Award television personality, and you can see her on the Food Network hosting her own show called Paula's Home Cooking
Jeff Foxworthy was born in Hapeville, Georgia in 1958; he is a member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and is a redneck comedienne
Holly Hunter was born in Conyers, Georgia in 1958; she is an Academy Award winning actress who also won an Oscar, two Emmy's and a Golden Globe Award
Trisha Yearwood was born in Monticello, Georgia in 1964; she is a strong and confident country music artist who is best known for ballads about vulnerable young women
Herschel Walker is a former NFL running-back who played for the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys; He is now an MMA fighter who fights for Strikeforce
There are a good amount of famous people from Alabama. These are the most famous peaches from Georgia. Georgia is a state that borders Florida and is surrounded by other states. Georgia is where the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Falcons play professional sports. The city of Atlanta is very beautiful at night and obviously Georgia is the peach state.
Sources
Wiki
Buzzle.com
Tundra Times
Yahoo Sports
SHGresources.com

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