Every city is proud to claim its natives who end up being famous. And Cleveland, and its surrounding area, has an especially talented bunch of folks who are artistic, athletic, smart and oh so much more. Here’s a list of celebs who not only lived in the area for a time, but also graduated from one of our high schools.
Halle Berry
Bedford High School
Halle Berry may be known for her role in Catwoman, but she won Best Actress for Monster’s Ball, which made her the only African American woman with the award.
Photo via Alexander Horn/Wikimedia CommonsDrew Carey
James Ford Rhodes High School
Drew Carey got his TV start on “The Drew Carey Show,” but now you can find him on “The Price Is Right.”
Photo via GeeJo/Wikimedia CommonsSteve Harvey
Glenville High School
Who’s a great game show host who’s also from Cleveland? If you guessed “Steve Harvey,” then great answer!
Photo via Angela George/Wikimedia CommonsKid Cudi
Shaker Heights High School
Kid Cudi has six studio albums from his time as a solo rapper, but he is also a member of the rock band WZRD.
Photo via Sellahremy/Wikimedia CommonsAlan Ruck
Parma Senior High School
Bueller? You might recognize Alan Ruck as Cameron Frye in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
Photo via Jim Renaud/flickrTerrence Howard
Jane Addams Business Careers Center
Terrence Howard has been in many films, but unfortunately he didn’t make it to “Iron Man 2” as James Rhodes.
Photo via
Gordon Correll/flickrBenjamin Orr
Valley Forge High School
Benjamin Orr was a singer, bassist and co-founder of the band The Cars.
Photo via Classic Film/flickrDick Feagler
John Adams High School
Dick Feagler was an American journalist known as a voice for Clevelanders.
Photo via Feagler & Friends/PBSBob Golic
St. Joseph’s High School
Bob Golic was a defensive tackle for three NFL teams, including six years with the Cleveland Browns.
Photo via Erik Drost/Wikimedia CommonsAndy Borowitz
Shake Heights High School
You may know Andy Borowitz as a writer, comedian and satirist. He created the sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and his column The Borowitz Report.
Photo via Dionic/Wikimedia CommonsBrian K. Vaughan
St. Ignatius High School
If you read comic books or watch TV, you might know Brian K. Vaughan. He has written multiple comic books such as “Ex Machina” and “Paper Girls,” and he also wrote three seasons of “Lost.”
Photo via Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia CommonsJack Riley
St. Ignatius High School
Jack Riley is best known for playing Elliot Carlin in “The Bob Newhart Show” and for voicing Stu Pickles from “The Rugrats.”
Photo via The Bob Newhart ShowJake Ryan
St. Ignatius High School
Jake Ryan has been an inside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers and the Jacksonville Jaguars, which he plays for now.
Photo via Maize & Blue Nation/Wikimedia CommonsLangston Hughes
Central High School
Langston Hughes was a writer — primarily a poet — who played a major role in the Harlem Renaissance.
Photo via Carl Van Vechten/Wikimedia CommonsAnthony and Joe Russo
Benedctine High School
As a Clevelander, it’s nearly impossible not to be proud of the guys who directed “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”, “Captain America: Civil War,” “Avengers: Infinity War” and of course “Avengers: Endgame.”
Photo via Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia CommonsMichael Symon
St. Edward High School
You might catch chef Michael Symon on TV, or you might catch him at one of his Cleveland restaurants.
Photo via elizabeth_kc/flickrPhil Donahue
St. Edward High School
Phil Donahue was the first talk show host that included audience participation in his show.
Photo via
Alan Light/flickrPaul Newman
Shaker Heights High School
Paul Newman won many awards as both an actor and a race car driver, and he was also an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. He also looked like this.
Photo via kate gabrielle/flickrMadeline Manning
John Adams High School
Odds are, Madeline Manning can run faster than you. This Olympic athlete has 10 national titles and a gold medal for the 800 meter race in the 1968 Summer games.
Photo via UPI/Wikimedia CommonsRory O’Malley
St. Ignatius High School
Rory O’Malley is known for his roles as Elder McKinley in Broadway’s “Book of Mormon” and King George III in “Hamilton.”
Photo via Nick Step/Wikimedia CommonsMolly Shannon
Hawken School
If you don’t know Molly Shannon for her time at Saturday Night Live or her role in “Other People,” you have some catching up to do.
Photo via
David Shankbone/Wikimedia CommonsTim Conway
Chagrin Falls High School
Tim Conway has been seen in more than 20 shows and films, including “The Carol Burnett Show.”
Photo via ABC Television/Wikimedia CommonsVanessa Bayer
Orange High School
Vanessa Bayer is best known for Saturday Night Live, but she has been a variety of films since.
Photo via Behind The Velvet Rope TV/Wikimedia CommonsMonica Potter
Euclid High School
You may know Monica Potter from her roles in “Patch Adams,” “Con Air” and the show “Parenthood.”
Photo via
Brian Solis/flickrYvette Nicole Brown
Warrensville High School
You’ve probably seen Yvette Nicole Brown in a commercial, film or TV series, such as “Community.”
Photo via vagueonthehow/Wikimedia CommonsPatricia Heaton
Bay High School
Patricia Heaton is best known for her leading role in “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “The Middle,” but came from the Cleveland area first.
Photo via
Angela George/Wikimedia CommonsLili Reinhart
Bay High School
“Riverdale” fans love Lili Reinhart for her portrayal of Betty Cooper.
Photo via
Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia CommonsLogan Paul
Westlake High School
As a Clevelander, you’re probably not proud of Logan Paul, the guy known for posting the infamous video of a Japanese forest where many have committed suicide.
Photo via
Tanner Fox/Wikimedia Commons