10 People You Didn’t Know Were Born In Maryland

CALIFORNIA, Md. — Maryland was one of the first colonies founded in America, and it’s home to plenty of interesting athletes, actors and politicians. There have been many famous people born in Maryland throughout the past few centuries, so here’s a look at 10 individuals you didn’t know were born in Baltimore or other parts of Maryland!

Michael Phelps – Olympic Swimmer

Michael Phelps holds 23 Olympic gold medals, and he’s one of the most prominent athletic swimmers to ever grace the competitive pool. With 28 Olympic medals in total, Phelps holds the record for the most awards in the history of the worldwide sporting event. What many Marylanders may not have yet discovered is that Michael Phelps was actually born in Baltimore in 1985, with a spot on the North Baltimore Aquatic Club partially responsible for his long-term athletic success.

Thurgood Marshall – Supreme Court Justice

Thurgood Marshall made history when he became the first Black Supreme Court justice after President Johnson appointed him in 1967. The lawyer was originally born in Baltimore in 1908, making the famous judge one of America’s most notable Marylanders to serve in a high-ranking position within the government. Marshall was a major proponent for civil rights in the U.S., and some even call him “Mr. Civil Rights,” a nickname referencing his impressive career.

Muggsy Bogues – NBA Player

Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues was the shortest NBA player ever to step foot on the high-stakes competitive court. Standing at about 5-foot-3, Bogues was born in Baltimore in 1965, though he went on to play for the Charlotte Hornets for 10 seasons. Though Muggsy Bogues was much shorter than most of his fellow NBA competitors, he stood out for his impressive talent and speed on the court, even against those taller than him.

Francis Scott Key – Lawyer

Francis Scott Key is an important historical figure in American history, as he wrote the poem that would go on to become known as “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Key was originally born in Frederick County, making him one of the most prominent people from northern Maryland. As an American poet and lawyer, Francis Scott Key was one of the most important Americans born in the 1700s, so it’s fascinating that he was born in the Old Line State.

Anna Faris – Actress

Anna Faris is a comedy actress known for her roles in “Scary Movie,” “Mom,” “The Dictator” and various other popular shows and movies. Faris was born in Baltimore in 1976, though she eventually moved to Washington state for the remainder of her childhood. As Anna Faris is one of the most famous actresses in comedy, her origin story in Maryland is quite an exciting surprise!

Penn Badgley – Actor

Penn Badgley is an actor best known for his star role as Joe Goldberg in the Netflix show “You.” After being born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1986, Badgley lived out much of his early years between Virginia and Washington state. With a résumé including “You,” “Easy A,” and even “Gossip Girl,” Penn Badgley is truly one of the most famous modern celebrities to come from the state of Maryland.

Tom Clancy – Author

Tom Clancy is an American author who wrote numerous military novels, such as “Patriot Games” and “Red Storm Rising.” The author’s novels also went on to inspire a plethora of video games themed around the concepts he created in his writing. Tom Clancy was born in Baltimore and often resided in the Maryland city until his passing in Baltimore in 2013. Clancy even owned part of the Baltimore Orioles, proving his dedication to the state.

David Hasselhoff – Actor

David Hasselhoff is an incredibly popular actor best known for his work on “Baywatch,” “Knight Rider” and “Kung Fury.” With such notoriety, it may be a shock to find out that Hasselhoff was born in 1952 in Baltimore, Maryland’s most notable city. Hasselhoff is a fan of the Baltimore Ravens, though he didn’t live in Maryland for his entire life.

Nancy Pelosi – Politician

Nancy Pelosi was the first woman to become the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Serving in Congress into her 80s, Pelosi has been an important figure in American politics throughout the past few decades, and she’s yet another famous person who was born in Baltimore in 1940. Nancy Pelosi also lived much of her childhood in Baltimore, so she has deep roots in Maryland as a whole.

Frederick Douglass – Abolitionist

Frederick Douglass is an abolitionist who helped end slavery through his inspiring works of writing—most notably his book titled “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.” Though Douglass was born into slavery in Talbot County during the early 1800s, the Marylander escaped when he was 20 years old and moved to New York City for a short time. The massive contributions Frederick Douglass gave to the effort to end slavery will always be his legacy, and his story is an essential part of Maryland history.

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