ReferenceList RulesPeople on this list must have gone to Tuskegee University and be of some renown.
List of famous alumni from Tuskegee University, with photos when available. Prominent graduates from Tuskegee University include celebrities, politicians, business people, athletes and more. This list of distinguished Tuskegee University alumni is loosely ordered by relevance, so the most recognizable celebrities who attended Tuskegee University are at the top of the list. This directory is not just composed of graduates of this school, as some of the famous people on this list didn't necessarily earn a degree from Tuskegee University.
These graduates, like Lionel Richie and Keenen Ivory Wayans include images when available.
This list answers the questions “Which famous people went to Tuskegee University?” and “Which celebrities are Tuskegee University alumni?”1
George Washington Carver
Chemist, InventorBirthplace: Diamond, Missouri
Gender: Male
George Washington Carver (1860s – January 5, 1943), was an American agricultural scientist and... more2
Lionel Richie
Record producer, MusicianAge: 71
Birthplace: Tuskegee, Alabama, United States of America
Gender: Male
Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. (born June 20, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, and... more- 3
Claude McKay
Poet, WriterAge: Dec. at 59 (1889-1948)
Birthplace: Clarendon Parish, Jamaica
Gender: Male
Festus Claudius "Claude" McKay (September 15, 1889 – May 22, 1948) was a Jamaican writer and... more 
4Lonnie Johnson
InventorAge: 71
Birthplace: Mobile, Alabama
Gender: Male
Lonnie George Johnson (born October 6, 1949) is an American inventor and engineer who holds... more- 5
Keenen Ivory Wayans
Television director, ComedianAge: 62
Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
Gender: Male
Keenen Ivory Wayans Sr. (born June 8, 1958) is an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, and a... more - 6
Rickey Smiley
Comedian, Radio personalityBirthplace: Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Gender: Male
Broderick "Rickey" Smiley (born August 10, 1968) is an American stand-up comedian, television... more - 7
Tom Joyner
Television producer, Radio personalityAge: 70
Birthplace: Tuskegee, Alabama, United States of America
Gender: Male
Thomas Joyner (born November 23, 1949) is an American radio host, host of the nationally... more - 8
Teddy Wilson
Jazz Pianist, PianistAge: Dec. at 74 (1912-1986)
Birthplace: Austin, Texas
Gender: Male
Theodore Shaw Wilson (November 24, 1912 – July 31, 1986) was an American jazz pianist.... more - 9
Frank Walker
American football playerAge: 39
Birthplace: Tuskegee, Alabama
Gender: Male
Frank Bernard Walker (born August 6, 1981) is a former American football cornerback. He was... more - 10
Al Green
Politician, LawyerAge: 73
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
Gender: Male
Alexander N. Green (born September 1, 1947) is an American lawyer and politician. Green has... more - 11
Betty Shabazz
Nurse, TeacherAge: Dec. at 63 (1934-1997)
Birthplace: Pinehurst, Georgia, United States of America
Gender: Female
Betty Shabazz (born Betty Dean Sanders; May 28, 1934 – June 23, 1997), also known as Betty X,... more - 12
Ralph Ellison
Novelist, AuthorAge: Dec. at 81 (1913-1994)
Birthplace: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Gender: Male
Ralph Waldo Ellison (March 1, 1914 – April 16, 1994) was an American novelist, literary... more - 13
Ray Nagin
PoliticianAge: 64
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
Gender: Male
Clarence Ray Nagin Jr., also known as C. Ray Nagin (born June 11, 1956), is an American former... more - 14
John A. Lankford
ArchitectAge: Dec. at 72 (1874-1946)
Birthplace: Potosi, Missouri
Gender: Male
John A. Lankford was an American architect. He was the first professionally licensed African... more - 15
Drayton Florence
American football playerAge: 39
Birthplace: Waycross, Georgia
Gender: Male
Drayton Florence, Jr. (born December 19, 1980) is a former American football cornerback who... more - 16Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. (February 11, 1920 – February 25, 1978) was an American fighter... more
- 17
Percy Sutton
Politician, EntrepreneurAge: Dec. at 89 (1920-2009)
Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
Gender: Male
Percy Ellis Sutton (November 24, 1920 – December 26, 2009) was a prominent black American... more - 18
Dimitri Patterson
American football playerAge: 37
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida, United States of America
Gender: Male
Dimitri Jonthiel Patterson (born June 18, 1983) is a former American football cornerback. He... more - 19
Gertrude Nelson
NurseAge: Dec. at 103 (1898-2001)
Birthplace: Colfax, Louisiana
Gender: Female
Gertrude DeWitt Nelson was an African-American military, civilian, and American Red Cross... more - 20
Robert L. Brown
Businessperson, ArchitectAge: 68
Birthplace: Dublin, Georgia
Gender: Male
- 21
Arthur W. Mitchell
Politician, FarmerAge: Dec. at 85 (1883-1968)
Birthplace: La Fayette, Alabama, United States of America
Gender: Male
Arthur Wergs Mitchell (December 22, 1883 – May 9, 1968) was a U.S. Representative from... more - 22
Leon Wagner
Baseball playerAge: Dec. at 70 (1934-2004)
Birthplace: Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States of America
Gender: Male
Leon Lamar Wagner (May 13, 1934 – January 3, 2004) was an American professional baseball left... more - 23
Jake Simmons, Jr.
Joseph Jacob Simmons Jr. (January 17, 1901 – March 24, 1981) was a prominent African-American... more - 24
Richard T. Jones
Film Producer, ActorAge: 48
Birthplace: Kobe, Keihanshin, Japan
Gender: Male
Richard Timothy Jones (born January 16, 1972) is an American actor. Jones is best known for... more - 25
Albert Murray
Biographer, NovelistAge: Dec. at 97 (1916-2013)
Birthplace: Nokomis, Alabama
Gender: Male
Albert L. Murray (May 12, 1916 – August 18, 2013) was an American literary and jazz critic,... more
