Notable People from Kentucky

            Everyone comes from somewhere and everyone calls somewhere home. People like George Clooney, Johnny Depp and Tom Cruise, however, can call Kentucky “home.” There’s a long list of familiar names of people that were either born or raised in the bluegrass, some of those names being: Diane Sawyer, born and raised in Glasgow; Larry Flynt, born in Lakeville; even Charles Manson, raised in Ashland.

            One of the most polarizing figures in the history of sports was born and raised in Louisville. Muhammad Ali, or “The Greatest,” is arguably the best boxer to ever put on gloves. Ali is a three time World Heavyweight Champion, the pioneer behind a handful of boxing techniques and in 1999 was crowned “Sportsman of the Century” by Sports Illustrated.

            More names you may know: Florence Henderson, Jim Varney, Cris Collinsworth, “Papa” John Schnatter, Harland Sanders--all from Kentucky, hell, two-fifths of the Backstreet Boys were born in Lexington.

Stephen Long, student and life-long resident of Kentucky, said, “It really is surprising the number of prominent people that have ties to the state.” The truth is that Kentucky is a great place to begin one’s journey, the names above serve proof to that.