This is a list of notable people (past and present) born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with the city of Mobile, Alabama.
Literature
Winston Groom, author, best known for Forrest Gump
William March, author and World War I veteran
William P. McGivern, author
John Travis Nixon, newspaper publisher in Monroe and Crowley, Louisiana; formerly worked as a journalist in Mobile; died in Mobile in 1909 Stanley R. Tiner, journalist for Mobile Press-Register and The Sun Herald in Biloxi-Gulfport, Mississippi; Tiner and staff won 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Hurricane Katrina coverage
Arts and entertainment
Yolande Betbeze, Miss America 1951
Bob Holly, professional wrestler known as "Hardcore Holly" Bill Moody, professional wrestling manager known as Percy Pringle and Paul Bearer Geoff Ramsey, co-founder of Rooster Teeth Eugene Walter, labeled "Mobile's Renaissance Man" for diverse activities the arts; interred in 1998 in historic Church Street Graveyard by special resolution of the city
Business
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple Inc. Lonnie Johnson, inventor of the Super Soaker
Movie and television
Laverne Cox, actress and producer
Phil Gordon, actor and dialect coach
Orlando Jones, comedian and actor
Jonathan Mangum, host, Let's Make a Deal
Fayard Nicholas, dancer of the Nicholas Brothers
Dan Povenmire, television director, television writer, and producer
Historic
Joseph Stillwell Cain, Jr., largely credited with the rebirth of Mardi Gras celebrations in Mobile after the Civil War; city celebrates Joe Cain Day on the Sunday before Mardi Gras Octavia Walton Le Vert, socialite and writer Joseph Paul Franklin, serial killer
Military
Lloyd Austin, 28th United States Secretary of Defense
Jeremiah Denton, admiral, United States Navy
William Crawford Gorgas, physician and 22nd Surgeon General of the United States Army; known for his work in abating the transmission of yellow fever and malaria John D. New, United States Marine in World War II, only Mobile native to be awarded the Medal of Honor; Cottage Hill Park was renamed Medal of Honor Park in his honor, and Pixie Street was renamed PFC John D. New Drive Admiral Raphael Semmes, captain of the CSS Alabama during the American Civil War; resident of Mobile; the Mobile suburb of Semmes is named in his honor
Music
The Band Perry, sibling country music trio
Jimmy Buffett, vocalist, songwriter and entrepreneur
Elley Duhé, singer and songwriter
James Reese Europe, conductor and composer
Urban Clifford "Urbie" Green, professional jazz trombonist
Allison Moorer, Oscar-nominated songwriter
Bernard Odum, bass player, best known for performing in James Brown's band
Rich Boy, hip hop artist
Ray Sawyer, lead vocalist of Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show
Beverly Jo Scott, singer and songwriter
John "Jabo" Starks, funk and rhythm and blues drummer
Ward Swingle, jazz vocalist
Fred Wesley, jazz and funk trombonist
Cootie Williams, jazz and rhythm and blues trumpeter, performed with Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman