Modesto, California - Notable Residents

Notable Residents

  • As'ad AbuKhalil, professor of political science and commentator on Middle Eastern issues
  • Jack Angel, voice actor provided the voice of Teddy in A.I. Artificial Intelligence, AstroTrain in Transformers, Nikki in Balto.
  • Sonny Barger, Oakland chapter founder of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.
  • Randall Behr, (born Randall Bare), resident conductor, chorus master, and head of music staff, Los Angeles Opera, 1988–1995, graduate of Grace M. Davis High School, Class of 1969.
  • Tony Boselli, 2nd Pick in the 1995 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. 5x Pro Bowler & 3x First Team All-Pro. Born in Modesto.
  • Carol Channing, three-time Tony Award-winning actress and singer.
  • Joe Dillon, MLB player for the Florida Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Tampa Bay Rays.
  • Jack Elam, 1919 to 2003, actor, epitome of the bad guy in films. Elam once attended Modesto Junior College and had a brother who taught there for many years.
  • Jim Fairchild, musician, guitarist, songwriter of Grandaddy, All Smiles and Modest Mouse.
  • Ernest Gallo and Julio Gallo, wine makers, philanthropists.
  • Tony Graziani, Philadelphia Soul quarterback and graduate of Thomas Downey High School.
  • Chuck Hayes, Kentucky Wildcat and Houston Rocket basketball player.
  • Lester Hayes, former American football player.
  • Kirby Hensley, founder of the Universal Life Church.
  • Ray Lankford, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder and graduate of Grace M. Davis High School.
  • Chandra Levy, intern at Federal Bureau of Prisons in Washington DC, whose 2001 disappearance was a major news story.
  • George Lucas, film director, producer, and screenwriter, graduate of Thomas Downey High School, and former student at Modesto Junior College.
  • Jason Lytle, musician, songwriter of indie-rockbands Grandaddy and Admiral Radley
  • Roger Maltbie, golfer and television announcer
  • James Marsters, actor and graduate of Grace M. Davis High School.
  • Shane Minor, country music artist
  • Boaz Myhill, West Bromwich Albion and Wales goalkeeper (birthplace).
  • Timothy Olyphant, actor and 1986 graduate of Fred C. Beyer High School.
  • Heath Pearce, professional soccer player for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer and a graduate of Peter Johansen High School.
  • Lindsay Pearce, contender on The Glee Project.
  • Laci Peterson, murdered wife of Scott Peterson.
  • Scott Peterson, sentenced to death for the murder of his wife, Laci Peterson, and unborn child. The case attracted national attention.
  • Suzy Powell-Roos, three-time track and field Olympian and American Record holder in the Women's Discus. Graduate of Thomas Downey High School.
  • Harve Presnell, actor. He was born in Modesto in 1933 and is a graduate of Modesto High School.
  • Jeremy Renner, Academy Award nominated actor.
  • Kenny Roberts, three-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing champion, former two-time AMA Grand National Champion.
  • Joe Rudi, professional baseball player, 3 time Gold Glove winning outfielder as a member of the 70's era World Champion Oakland A's
  • Mark Spitz, 9-time Olympic swimming gold medalist.
  • Ann Veneman, 27th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
  • Tisha Venturini, member of the gold medal winning U.S. women's national soccer team at the 1996 Olympic Games; from Grace M. Davis High School.
  • Ashley Walker, attended Grace M. Davis High School. Was the star player on the UC Berkeley women's basketball team 2005–2009. Now plays professional basketball overseas.
  • Rust Epique, aka Charles Lopez Rock Star.
  • Erin Cafaro, Olympic gold medalist for 2008 Women's Eight Crew. Graduate of Modesto High School, Class of 2001.
  • Carter Williams, Carter "The Beast" Williams is a professional American kickboxer, boxer and mixed martial artist. He is a former North American Muaythai champion and K-1 World GP in Las Vegas tournament champion.
  • Reeves Nelson, Professional basketball player, currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.
  • Dezmond Castner, YouTube personality

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