Matt Groening, the Portland-born creator of The Simpsons, is arguably the most famous person from Oregon, having won 14 Primetime Emmy Awards and built one of the most successful TV franchises in history. Oregon has produced remarkable talent across science, sport, entertainment, and business, from Nobel laureate Linus Pauling to Nike billionaire Phil Knight. Here are 15 of the most notable Oregonians, compiled based on international recognition, cultural impact, and career achievements, with sources including Forbes, the Nobel Prize website, and verified sports databases.
The Top Ranked Oregonian: Matt Groening
Matt Groening, born 15 February 1954 in Portland, Oregon, is a cartoonist, animator, and producer. He created The Simpsons, one of the most successful entertainment franchises in history, and has won 14 Primetime Emmy Awards across The Simpsons and Futurama. He also developed Disenchantment. In 2012, Groening revealed that Homer Simpson's hometown of Springfield was named after the city in Oregon.
Scientific and Business Legends
Linus Pauling, born 28 February 1901 in Portland and died 19 August 1994, was a pioneering chemist whose work shaped modern science through over 1,200 publications. He is the only person in history to win solo Nobel Prizes in two different fields: the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962. Born in Portland, Pauling remains one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century.
Phil Knight, born 24 February 1938 in Portland, co-founded Nike in Portland and ranks among America's wealthiest individuals. His real-time net worth as per Forbes is $24.8 billion as of October 2026. A Portland native, Knight transformed a small athletic shoe distributor into the world's largest sportswear company.
Literary and Entertainment Stars
Beverly Cleary, born 12 April 1916 in McMinnville, Oregon, and died 25 March 2021, authored beloved children's and young adult fiction that has sold over 90 million copies worldwide. Her characters, including Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins, have captivated readers for generations. She received both the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award and the National Book Award for her contributions to literature.
Sally Struthers, born 28 July 1947 in Portland, is an actress and activist who has appeared in over 70 productions, including the landmark sitcom All in the Family and the drama Gilmore Girls. She won two Emmy Awards for All in the Family and served as a ChildFund spokesperson, advocating for children living in poverty.
Kaitlin Olson, born 18 August 1975 in Portland, developed her craft at the University of Oregon. She has appeared in over 40 productions, including the animated film Finding Dory and the comedy The Heat. She won a 2017 Blimp Award and is best known for her long-running role in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Athletes and Other Notable Figures
Domantas Sabonis, born 3 May 1996 in Portland, plays for the Sacramento Kings as a centre. Born to Lithuanian NBA legend Arvydas Sabonis, he became a three-time NBA All-Star (2020, 2021, 2023) and earned All-NBA Third Team honours in 2024. He previously competed for the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Ndamukong Suh, born 6 January 1987 in Portland, played defensive tackle across multiple NFL franchises, including Detroit, Miami, Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, and Philadelphia, over a 13-year career. A five-time All-Pro selection, he recorded 71.5 career sacks across 199 games. Suh officially announced his retirement in July 2025, one year after the passing of his father.
Terri Irwin, born 20 July 1964 in Eugene, Oregon, is a conservationist, television personality, and zookeeper who operates Australia Zoo in Queensland. She appeared in programmes such as Irwin Family Adventures and continues to champion wildlife conservation worldwide, keeping the Irwin family's mission alive.
Other notable Oregonians include Zach King, a Portland-born online influencer with tens of millions of followers and approximately 23 acting credits; Michael Cassidy, an actor known for Drake & Josh and Hellraiser with 15+ acting credits; Bridgette Wilson, a Gold Beach-born entertainer who won Miss Teen USA 1990 and appeared in Billy Madison; Lisa Brennan-Jobs, a writer and daughter of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, known for her memoir Small Fry; Chael Sonnen, a mixed martial artist with a 30-17 record across 47 fights; and Paige VanZant, a UFC strawweight fighter with an 8-5 MMA record who signed with the Global Fight League in 2025.
Oregon is also famous for its dramatic landscapes, progressive culture, and craft beer scene, as well as being home to Nike's global headquarters in Beaverton. The state is known for its pears, the official state fruit, and grows 95% of the US hazelnut supply. This list features only a few notable celebrities from Oregon, a state with diverse and rich talents.
