Detroit takes a special pride in cultivating and developing talented folks who later make it on a national and international level. We sing their praises as they advance through their careers and continue to create quality movies, music, art, and comedy. Here’s a list of some of the most notable celebs from the Detroit area who have made an impact all around the world.

Aaliyah Rightfully given the title of the Princess of R&B, Aaliyah Dana Haughton, better known by her stage name, Aaliyah, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but was raised in Detroit.  She sang alongside Gladys Knight at the age of 10, and two years later would go on to sign with Jive Records. Her debut album Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number was her big break at age 15. She then graduated from Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts in 1997. Her smooth R&B tracks produced by legendary musicians Timberland and Missy Elliot, and accompanied by sensual and hip-hop inspired choreography, solidified Aaliyah’s position as one of the most influential artists of the ‘90s. With hits such as “One in a Million,” “At Your Best,” “Rock the Boat,” “Try Again,” “We Need a Resolution,” and more, Aaliyah has generated an estimated 24 to 32 million albums worldwide. On August 25, 2001, the singer lost her life after a fatal plane crash at the age of 22. Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock
Anita Baker Just an hour outside of Detroit was where of one of soul music’s most prized voices, Anita Baker, was born. After being abandoned by her mother at the age of 2, Baker moved from Toledo, Ohio, to Detroit, where she was raised by a foster family. In 1982 she signed with Otis Smith’s label, Beverly Glenn, and would go on to release her debut album Songstress — but it wasn’t until 1986 when she became a major hit from her album Rapture under Elektra Records, which sold 6 million copies worldwide. She birthed sweet and soulful hits “Just Because,” “Giving You the Best I Got,” “Sweet Love,” “Angel,” and “I Apologize,” just to name a few . Baker also won eight Grammy Awards throughout her career. DFree / Shutterstock
Big Sean Big Sean’s first major step into the world of hip-hop was being discovered by Kanye West, after freestyling for the established rapper at Detroit’s 102.7 studios in 2005. Two years later, he signed with West’s label GOOD MUSIC. In 2008 he went under contract with Def Jam Records, and he’s been with Jay Z’s Roc Nation since 2014. Big Sean does philanthropy work with the Sean Anderson Foundation, sold over 15 million records, had three albums certified platinum, and received five Grammy nominations, clearly makes him one of the biggest artists out of Detroit. Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock
Dej Loaf You might not want to try this Detroit rapper. In 2014, Dej Loaf, whose real name is Deja Trimble, gained fame after she dropped her track “Try Me,” which peaked at No. 45 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. She has since gone on to sign to Columbia Records, release a second mixtape, and open for Nicki Minaj on the Pinkprint Tour. Photo via
J.K. Simmons J.K. Simmons has starred in five of director Sam Raimi’s films, including the Marvel favorite Spider-Man as J. Jonah Jameson, For the Love of the Game and The Gift. The Oscar award-winner originally wanted to be a singer, and studied at the University of Montana in hopes of becoming a composer. He even has a few Broadway credits under his belt for his roles in Peter Pan and Guys and Dolls.  SD Mack / Shutterstock
Diana Ross Known as the lead singer of Detroit’s 1960s mega girl group, The Supremes, Diana Ross became a breakout solo star with her signature glam looks and soul/pop hits. She’s sung on timeless tunes like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Reach Out and Touch,” “Endless Love,” and “Coming Out.” Ross has also dipped into the acting world, starring in Lady Sings the Blues, Mahogany, The Wiz, and Double Platinum. To this day, Diana Ross is iconic, and her legacy includes over 70 hit singles, two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, over 100 million records sold, and a Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award.  Tinseltown / Shutterstock
Eminem Considered one of the greatest rappers of all time, the 15-time Grammy award-winning recording artist has a truly inspiring story. The rapper dropped out of school in the ninth grade and pursued a career in rap through freestyle battles and radio appearances, and after being taken under the wing of notable east coast producer Dr. Dre, Eminem’s career soared. He created the hit tracks “Lose Yourself,” “Stan,” “My Name Is,”  “The Real Slim Shady,” “Cleaning Out My Closet,” “When I’m Gone,” and more. Photo via
Jack White Jack White is an instrumental genius, and served as the lead singer and guitarist of Grammy award-winning band The White Stripes. White has also had his fair share of film roles, and is a member of the Library of Congress’ National Recording Preservation Foundation. In 2016, he was revealed as one of the four featured artists on Beyonce’s culturally moving sixth studio album, Lemonade, for the rock-inspired track “Don’t Hurt Yourself.” Also, here’s a fun fact; Jack White has never owned a cell phone. MPH PHOTOS / Shutterstock
John Witherspoon Is it Friday Yet? Actor and comedian John Witherspoon is best-known for his role in the Friday film franchise, created by rapper Ice Cube. Photo via
Kash Doll From humble beginnings of trying to provide for her family to being one of this generation’s most admired female rappers, Arkeisha “Kash Doll” Knight makes Detroit’s music roster look even better with her fierce confidence and undeniable pen game. She’s collabed with Lil Wayne, Dreezy, 2 Chainz, and Iggy Azalea, and in 2017, Detroiter Big Sean on his single “So Good.” Kash Doll’s own single “For Everybody” gained her the attention of a wave of music listeners, pulling in over 10 million views on YouTube and becoming a crowd favorite. Photo via
Stevie Wonder Singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer Stevie Wonder is one of the most successful musicians of the 20th century. Wonder signed to Motown Records at age 11, and at age 13 his single “Fingertips” was a No. 1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. He has won a number of awards, including 25 Grammy Awards, and he was inducted into both the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. JStone / Shutterstock
Tee Grizzley Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley stands proud on his Joy Road and Southfield roots, which he mentions in his 2016 banger “First Day Out,” his remarkable single after being released from a nine-month jail sentence. He was the first of his family in generations to attend college, where he enrolled at the University of Michigan to study finance and accounting. Signed to 300 Entertainment and Atlantic Records, Grizzley’s debut album Activated peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 200.  Kahn Santori Davison
Tim Meadows Literally everyone has seen the 2004 teen comedy Mean Girls, or the hundreds of memes inspired by it on social media. You also probably remember the sarcastic and oddly humorous Principle Duvall portrayed by Tim Meadows. However, that wasn’t Meadows’ introduction into the business, as he was also one of the longest tenured cast members on Saturday Night Live. During and after those major projects, Meadows has starred in the 2000 film Ladies Man, Dennis Dugan’s Grown Ups, and current ABC series, Schooled. Photo Courtesy of The Blind Pig
Aretha Franklin Can we get a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T for this Aretha Franklin? She definitely deserves it. The Queen of Soul herself — a legendary vocalist, songwriter, and pianist — was born in Memphis before moving to Detroit when she was 4. She started her love for music early, in the New Bethel Baptist Church located in Detroit. By the late 1960s, she had become one of the biggest voices rising to stardom in the world, using her phenomenal vocals to deliver truth through soul. To this day, Franklin is the most charted female artist in history, with 112 Billboard Hot 100 singles total, and 20 number one R&B singles. Her passing on Aug. 16, 2018, put a hole in the hearts of the music world, but her civil rights activist mantra remains iconic. JStone / Shutterstock
Lizzo Melissa Viviane Jefferson, known as Lizzo, is a singer, rapper, and flautist. She released her debut album Lizzobangers in 2013, her second album Big Grrrl Small World In 2015, and in April 2019 she released her third album Cuz I Love You. Lizzo has toured the U.S. and U.Kl, and in 2014, Time magazine named her one of 14 music artists to watch. Josh Justice
Tim Robinson Actor, comedian and writer Tim Robinson is known for his work as a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live, and more recently for starring in the Netflix series I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson and Comedy Centrals’ Detroiters. Photo via
Donyale Luna Model and actress Donyale Luna became a trailblazer in 1966 when she became the first black model to be featured on the cover of British Vogue. Generally credited as “the first black supermodel,” Luna attended Detroit’s Cass Technical High School. At the age of 33 she passed on from an accidental overdose.  Richard Avedon
Gilda Radner Actress and comedienne, Gilda Radner was one of the original seven castmates of NBC’S Saturday Night Live. An Emmy award-winner and Broadway star, Radner died from ovarian cancer in 1989. She was inducted into the Michigan’s Women’s Hall of Fame in 1992. Photo via
Hughes Brothers Albert and Allen Hughes, better known as filmmaking duo the Hughes Brothers, wrote the story for, co-directed, or co-produced some of the biggest movies from 1993 through the early 2000s. Before their split to go solo, the Hughes Brothers created films such as Menace ll Society, Dead Presidents, The Book of Eli, and more. S_Bukley / Shutterstock
Jalen Rose As a member of the Michigan Wolverines’ “Fab Five,” Jalen Rose continued to exhibit greatness in theNBA. Between 1994 and 2007, Rose played for the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, and the Phoenix Suns. He is now the co-host of ESPN’s Get Up! and he’s founded and contributes to multiple nonprofit organizations, in addition to doing philanthropy work in Detroit and throughout Michigan. Photo via
Jessica Cauffiel Legally Blonde and White Chicks are probably where you’ve seen the humorously animated Jessica Cauffel. She’s also a trained singer, having 20 years of performance experience in jazz, blues, pop, and musical theatre. Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock
Martha Reeves This former politician served as an elected council woman for the city of Detroit from 2005 to 2009 and was also the lead singer of the Motown group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. The group scored over a dozen hits, including their signature “Dancing in the Street.” Reeves got her start in church choir, and after much success with her group she now performs as a solo act. Bengt Nyman/Flickr/CC by 2.0
Proof Notable Detroit rapper and childhood friend to Eminen, Proof made his come-up into the rap game while being a part of hip-hop group D12. Before his solo endeavors and releasing debut Searching for Jerry Garcia, he stood side-by-side with Eminem as his hype man, and completed small acting roles. Proof was fatally shot on April 11, 2006 at the age of 32. Photo via
Royce Da 5’9 Rapper and lyricist Royce Da 5’9 is half of group Bad Meets Evil with Eminem, as well as other groups curated in Detroit. He has written for big producer and artist names such as Dr. Dre and P.Diddy, and his discography includes 13 studio albums, both solo and collaborative. Photo via
Tom Selleck  Tom Selleck has been gracing our screens since the mid-1960s, starring in TV’s most popular series, including Magnum P.I., Three Men and a Baby, Friends, and Blue Bloods. The Emmy award-winning actor has also been seen in multiple commercials, and he played the lead role of Murray in Broadway’s A Thousand Clowns. Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock
Madonna Bow down to the “Queen of Pop!” This singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman is known for pushing boundaries onstage and in music videos. She has been at the top of her game since the ‘80s, has sold more than 300 million records worldwide, and continues to influence other artists.   JStone / Shutterstock
Alice Cooper Alice Cooper’s  take on rock ‘n’ roll involves a series of horror film-themed visuals to accompany the hardcore tone of his music. Cooper, born Vincent Furnier, moved from Detroit to Phoenix in the late 1960s in order to pursue his music career, with bandmates Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway, and Neal Smith (the original band members of Alice Cooper). With a 50-year career, Alice Cooper is still touring the world with supergroup Hollywood Vampires, while also holding the moniker of the Godfather of Shock Rock. Craig Sterken / Photo source
Loni Love From engineering to stand-up comedy, Detroit-born Loni Love has marked her journey through Hollywood with her authentic character personality. The comedienne is one of four hosts for daytime talk show The Real, airing since 2013. Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock
Della Reese The jazz and gospel-singing actress Della Reese achieved legendary status when her career passed the seven-decade mark. At the age of 6, Reese was already singing in her hometown of Detroit, and by her teenage years, she scored a spot touring beside Mahalia Jackson. Reese’s successful music, film, and television career includes a lead role in the series Touched by an Angel (1994-2003); the first talk show to be hosted by a black woman, Della!; and numerous albums and singles released during the 1960s. Della Reese passed away on Nov. 19, 2017. Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock
Jemele Hill Sports journalist Jemele Hill took on the media world by storm after leaving her 12 consecutive years with ESPN. In 2018, the Michigan State University graduate became a writer for The Atlantic, was awarded journalist of the year by the National Association of Black Journalists,  and has become an overall trailblazer for sports news. Photo by Franchesca Lamarre
Ken Jeong That’s Dr. Ken Jeong to you. This physician-turned-comedic actor is known for his role as Ben Chang on the CBS comedy Community, and is co-star to Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis in the popular billion-dollar box office franchise The Hangover. Jeong’s punchlines and personality are what captivate his audience, as well as what landed him a slew of acting gigs. In 2004, Jeong married longtime girlfriend and breast cancer survivor Tran Ho, and they have twin daughters together. Jeong’s first comedy special that premiered on Netflix, You Complete Me Ho, was released earlier this year on Valentine’s Day.  Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock
Keegan Michael Key Actor, comedian, writer, and producer Keegan Michael Key started in Comedy Centrals’ series Key & Peele and spent six seasons as a cast member on Mad TV. He has won several awards, including three Emmys. Hunter Crenian / Shutterstock
Courtney B. Vance Actor and producer Courtney B. Vance is known for The Hunt for Red October (1990), Space Cowboys (2000), and Dangerous Minds (1995). Now married to actress Angela Bassett, Vance attended Detroit Country Day School and graduated in 1978. He first became interested in theatre at Harvard University, and has become an award-winning actor. Vance received a Tony Award for the Broadway play “Lucky Guy,” in which he co-starred with Tom Hanks and Richard Masur. DFree / Shutterstock
Brandon T. Jackson Stand-up comedian and actor Brandon T. Jackson’s interned for local Detroit station, 93.1 FM, and became a guest host for 105.9 FM. Jackson continued reaching for the stars when he moved to L.A. at the age of 18 and was cast as an extra in films Ali, Bowling for Columbine, and the Detroit’s very own 8 Mile. Showtime at the Apollo opened major doors for Jackson, who later scored roles in blockbuster movies such as Roll Bounce alongside Shad “Bow Wow” Moss and Mike Epps, the Percy Jackson franchise as Grover Underwood, and Big Momma’s House with legendary comedian Martin Lawrence. Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock
Kenya Moore Miss USA 1993 winner Kenya Moore has gone from playing small television and film roles to reality TV stardom. Moore graduated from Cass Technical High School and attended Wayne State University for a psychology degree with a minor in communication. In 2008, she joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and in 2015 she took home seventh place in The Celebrity Apprentice 7. Her other appearances have been on Smart Guy, Living Single, The Parkers, The Jamie Foxx Show, Waiting to Exhale, and Deliver Us From Eva. Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock
Smokey Robinson A singer-songwriter,whose career spans over four decades of hits, Robinson has received numerous awards, including the Grammy Living Legend Award, an Honorary Doctorate from Howard University, and the National Medal of Arts Awards from the president of the United States. He has also been inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and the Song-writers’ Hall of Fame. Robinson was the vice president of Motown Records from the early ‘70s until the company was sold in the early 2000s. Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock
Al Jean Screenwriter and producer Al Jean is best known for his work on the iconic cartoon The Simpsons. Born and raised in Farmington Hills, Jean went on to graduate from Harvard University at just 20 years old. He began working in television with Mike Reiss during the 1980s. Ovidiu Hrubaru/ Shutterstock
Ray Parker Jr. The 1984 film Ghostbusters is arguably one of the most popular and influential films of the 20th century. The theme song itself is one reason why it’s so pivotal, and we have writer and performer of the catchy tune Ray Parker Jr. to thank for that. Outside of Ghostbusters, Parker Jr. is one out of four members of the band Raydio, and he’s also had his fair share of acting opportunities. Eugene Powers / Shutterstock
Judy Greer If you’ve seen 13 Going on 30, which is arguably one of the best rom-coms of the 21st century, then you probably remember Livonia native Judy Greer’s notable role as mean girl and Six Chick leader, Lucy Wyman. That’s not all Greer is known for, as her resume runs deep in playing supporting characters in multiple projects like What Women Want, 27 Dresses, Two and a Half Men, The Descendants, Jurassic World, and, in 2018, popular horror franchise, Halloween. Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock
Tom Skerritt Tom Skerritt is a talent that needs no introduction. He’s starred in 40 films and over 200 television episodes. The Detroit Mackenzie High School graduate and Wayne State University attendee’s career has included memorable roles in M*A*S*H, Alien, Top Gun and more. Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock Credit: Shutterstock
Michael Eric Dyson Dyson is an author, preacher, radio host, and professor of sociology at Georgetown University. He’s written or edited more than 20 books, and his last three have appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list. Dyson is also a commentator on National Public Radio, MSNBC, and CNN. Lev Radin / Shutterstock
Xzibit Alvin Nathaniel Joiner, known as Xzibit, is a rapper, actor, and television host. In 1996, his debut album, At the Speed of Life, peaked at No. 74 on the Billboard 200. In addition to being a rap artist, Xzibit expanded his following when he became the host of the reality series Pimp My Ride. More recently, he has starred in the television series Empire. Kathy Hutchins  / Shutterstock
Anna Sui High-fashion designer Anna Sui was named one of the “Top Five Fashion Icons of the Decade” by Time magazine, and she’s received multiple other fashion recognition awards throughout her career. Her unique and relevantly versatile pieces solidify her as one of the most innovative designers of our time. FashionStock.com / Shutterstock
Fred Hammond Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter and producer Fred Hammond got his start from serving as a bass guitarist for notable gospel group the Winans. Hammon then went on to become one of six members to form the group Commissioned, which over the span of its career would create 12 albums, 10 on which Hammond is credited. Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock
Jerry Bruckheimer Jerry Bruckheier is best known for his producing credits in the CSI TV series franchise. He’s also had his hands on films such as Top Gun, Enemy of the State, Pearl Harbor,  Bad Boys, Bad Boys II and more. Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock
Jana Kramer Cast member to one of the biggest TV dramas of the early 2000s, One Tree Hill’s Jana Dupree isn’t just established as an actress, but also a well renowned country singer. With two albums under her belt and successful singles like “Why Ya Wanna” and “I Got the Boy,” the songstress can be seen as a triple threat. She was also a contestant on Dancing With the Stars season four. DFree / Shutterstock
The Winans A gospel music group comprised of three brothers from Detroit, the Winans became pioneers in the field of contemporary gospel. The group has won several awards, including six Grammys. Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock
Betty Shabazz Known as Betty X, Shabazz was an educator and civil rights advocate, who was married to Malcolm X. She passed away in 1997. Photo via
Chris Webber Chris Webber is a five-time NBA All-Star, five-time ALL-NBA Team member, former NBA Rookie of the Year, and a former No. 1 overall NBA draftee. But prior to all of that, Webber led his high school Detroit Country Day to three Michigan State High School Basketball Championships. He went on to become part of the famous Michigan Wolverines’ “Fab Five.” Lev Radin / Shutterstock
David Alan Grier The hit ‘90s comedy sketch series In Living Color put a lot of comedians on the map. Creator Keenen Wayans recruited a number of hilarious talents for this five-season comedy run, including David Alan Grier. Beside big names like Jim Carrey, Tommy Davidson, Kim Wayans, and Jamie Foxx, Grier would begin to carve his career into a successful solo act. Grier has been seen in Boomerang, Jumanji, We the Peeples, as well as recent TV series The Carmichael Show and The Cool Kids. Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock
Marlo Thomas The star of the popular 1960s sitcom That Girl, her most notable role and big break, Marlo Thomas is more than a Hollywood screen queen — she’s also a social activist, author, and producer. In 2014, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama for her contribution to entertainment television . Lev Radin / Shutterstock
Anthony Adams Detroit-born former NFL football player Anthony Adams was a defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears. He is currently taking over Twitter due to his comedic viral videos sometimes accompanied by his son. Adams became a co-host for ABC’s The Great American Baking Show at the beginning of season three and has remained a part of the reality series. Photo via

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Since 1980, Metro Times has been Detroit’s premier alternative source for news, arts, culture, music, film, food, fashion and more from a liberal point of view.