List of famous people from Essex, including photos when available. The people below are listed by their popularity, so the most recognizable names are at the top of the list. Some of the people below are celebrities born in Essex, while others are simply notable locals. If you're from Essex you might already know that these prominent figures are also from your hometown, but some of the names below may really surprise you. This list includes people who were born and raised in Essex, as well as those who were born there but moved away at a young age.
This list contains people like Ron Fogg and Vicki Michelle.
If you want to answer the questions, "Which famous people are from Essex?" or "Which celebrities were born in Essex?" then this list is a great resource for you.Russell Brand
Age: 45Birthplace: Grays, United Kingdom
Russell Edward Brand (born 4 June 1975) is an English comedian, actor, radio host, author, and... moreMaggie Smith
Age: 85Birthplace: England, London
Dame Margaret Natalie Smith (born 28 December 1934) is an English actress. She has had an... moreJamie Oliver
Age: 45Birthplace: Clavering, United Kingdom
James Trevor Oliver (born 27 May 1975) is a British chef and restaurateur. He is known for... moreSarah Kane
Dec. at 28 (1971-1999)Birthplace: Brentwood, United Kingdom
Sarah Kane (3 February 1971 – 20 February 1999) was an English playwright who is known for her... moreJane Leeves
Age: 59Birthplace: Ilford, London, United Kingdom
Jane Elizabeth Leeves (born 18 April 1961) is an English actress, model, producer, comedian,... moreOlly Murs
Age: 36Birthplace: Witham, United Kingdom
Oliver Stanley Murs (born 14 May 1984) is an English singer, songwriter and presenter. He... moreGrayson Perry
Age: 60Birthplace: Chelmsford, England
Grayson Perry (born 24 March 1960) is an English contemporary artist. He is known for his... moreRussell Tovey
Age: 38Birthplace: Billericay, United Kingdom
Russell George Tovey (born 14 November 1981) is an English actor. He is known for playing the... moreCharles Spurgeon
Dec. at 58 (1834-1892)Birthplace: Kelvedon, United Kingdom
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (19 June 1834 – 31 January 1892) was an English Particular Baptist... moreChiwetel Ejiofor
Age: 38Birthplace: Forest Gate, England
Chiwetel Umeadi Ejiofor ( CHOO-ə-tel EJ-ee-oh-for; born July 7, 1977) is a British... moreJack Straw
Age: 74Birthplace: Buckhurst Hill, England
John Whitaker Straw (born 3 August 1946) is a British politician who served as the Member of... moreRoss Kemp
Age: 56Birthplace: London, Barking, United Kingdom
Ross James Kemp (born 21 July 1964) is an English actor, author and investigative journalist.... more
Thomas Tyrwhitt
Dec. at 71 (1762-1833)Birthplace: Wickham Bishops, United Kingdom
Chief instigator in the building of Dartmoor Prison in 1805 and the Plymouth - Princetown... moreLeanne Nagle
Age: 31Birthplace: Colchester, United Kingdom
Mike Holoway
Age: 59Birthplace: Dagenham, London, England
Mike Holoway (born 28 January 1961 in Dagenham, Essex) is a British musician and actor. He was... moreDavid Gandy
Age: 40Birthplace: Billericay, United Kingdom
David James Gandy (born 19 February 1980) is a British model who, after winning a televised... moreSandie Shaw
Age: 73Birthplace: Dagenham, London, England
Sandie Shaw, MBE (born Sandra Ann Goodrich; 26 February 1947) is an English singer. One of the... moreFaris Badwan
Age: 34Birthplace: Bexley, London, United Kingdom
Faris Adam Derar Badwan (born 21 September 1986) is an English musician, best known as the... moreFakir of Ava
Dec. at 78 (1813-1891)Birthplace: Essex, United Kingdom
Isaiah Harris Hughes (25 December 1813 – 24 May 1891), better known as the Fakir of Ava, was a... moreJo Joyner
Age: 43Birthplace: Harlow, United Kingdom
Joanne Mary "Jo" Joyner (born 24 May 1977) is an English actress. She is known for her roles... moreDavid Irving
Age: 82Birthplace: Brentwood
David John Cawdell Irving (born 24 March 1938) is an English author and Holocaust denier who... moreSean Maguire
Age: 44Birthplace: Ilford, London, United Kingdom
Sean Maguire (born 18 April 1976 in Ilford, London) is an English actor and singer, who rose... moreRita Joanne Simons
Age: 43Birthplace: Essex, England
Rita Joanne Simons (born 10 March 1977) is an English actress, singer, and model from London,... moreAnthony Sloman
Age: 75Birthplace: Waltham Abbey, United Kingdom
Anthony B. Sloman (born 6 May 1945 in Waltham Abbey, Essex) is an English film producer and... moreBen Shephard
Age: 45Birthplace: Epping, United Kingdom
Benjamin Peter Sherrington Shephard (born 11 December 1974) is an English television... more
