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339 notable alumni U.S. News #25

Notable Alumni of University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Notable alumni of University of Michigan-Ann Arbor include Madonna (Singer, songwriter, "Queen of Pop"), Gerald Ford (38th President of the United States) and Arthur Miller (Playwright and essayist).

College data and admissions

Alumni list

Politics and law

Business

Science and academia

Arts and media

  • Madonna 1958–

    Singer, songwriter, "Queen of Pop"

    Spouse: Sean Penn (Santa Monica College)

  • Arthur Miller 1915–2005

    Playwright and essayist

    Bachelor's degree · Class of 1938

    Spouse: Marilyn Monroe (University of California-Los Angeles)

    Child: Rebecca Miller (Yale University)

  • Lucy Liu 1968–

    Actress, producer and artist

    Also attended: New York University

  • Iggy Pop 1947–

    Singer, lead vocalist of the Stooges

  • James Earl Jones 1931–2024

    Actor acclaimed on stage and screen

    Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1955

    Spouse: Julienne Marie (The Juilliard School)

  • Joe Dassin 1938–1980

    Singer-songwriter successful in France

  • Ann Coulter 1961–

    Conservative political commentator, author and lawyer

    Juris Doctor

    Also attended: Cornell University

  • Selma Blair 1972–

    Actress in Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde

    Also attended: Kalamazoo College, New York University

  • Darren Criss 1987–

    Actor and singer, star of Glee

  • Jessye Norman 1945–2019

    Opera singer and recitalist

    Master's degree

    Also attended: Howard University, Johns Hopkins University

  • Mike Wallace 1918–2012

    Broadcast journalist known for investigative reporting

    Bachelor of Arts

    Child: Chris Wallace (Harvard University)

  • Martha Scott 1912–2003

    Actress in The Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur

    Spouse: Mel Powell (Yale University)

  • Richard Ford 1944–

    Novelist, author of the Frank Bascombe novels

    Also attended: University of California-Irvine, Michigan State University, Washington University in St Louis

  • Christine Lahti 1950–

    Actress and director, Oscar nominee for Swing Shift

    Also attended: Florida State University

  • Gilda Radner 1946–1989

    Comedian, original Saturday Night Live cast member

    Spouse: Gene Wilder (University of Iowa)

  • Ross Macdonald 1915–1983

    Crime novelist, creator of detective Lew Archer

  • Margaret Bourke-White 1904–1971

    Documentary photographer and photojournalist

    Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York, Cornell University, Case Western Reserve University

    Spouse: Erskine Caldwell (Erskine College)

  • Bob McGrath 1932–2022

    Actor known for Bob on Sesame Street

    Also attended: Manhattan School of Music

  • Lawrence Kasdan 1949–

    Filmmaker who wrote and directed Body Heat

  • Theodore Roethke 1908–1963

    Poet, 1954 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry winner

    Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts · English studies · Class of 1936

    Also attended: Harvard University

  • Margo Martindale 1951–

    Actress and 2011 Primetime Emmy winner

    Also attended: Harvard University

  • Tusshar Kapoor 1976–

    Indian actor and film producer

  • Lin Shaye 1943–

    Actress with a career spanning over 50 years

    Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

    Sibling: Robert Shaye (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Columbia University in the City of New York)

  • David Burtka 1975–

    Actor and chef

  • James Oliver Curwood 1878–1927

    Adventure writer and conservationist

  • Bob Black 1951–

    Anarchist, author of The Abolition of Work

  • Ashley Park 1991–

    Actress in Emily in Paris

  • Jean Peters 1926–2000

    Film actress, second wife of Howard Hughes

    Also attended: Ohio State University-Main Campus

    Spouse: Howard Hughes (California Institute of Technology, Rice University)

  • George Crumb 1929–2022

    Avant-garde contemporary classical composer

    Also attended: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    Child: Ann Crumb (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor)

  • Frank O'Hara 1926–1966

    Poet, art critic and curator at the Museum of Modern Art

    Also attended: Harvard University

  • Ruth Hussey 1911–2005

    Actress nominated for an Oscar for The Philadelphia Story

    Also attended: Brown University

    Child: John Longenecker (University of California-Los Angeles, University of Southern California)

  • Ted Raimi 1965–

    Character actor in the Spider-Man trilogy

    Also attended: University of Detroit Mercy, Michigan State University, New York University

    Sibling: Sam Raimi (Michigan State University)

  • Janalynn Castelino 1998–

    Italian-Indian singer-songwriter and doctor

  • Ann B. Davis 1926–2014

    Actress known as housekeeper in The Brady Bunch

    Also attended: Trinity Anglican Seminary

  • José Antonio Abreu 1939–2018

    Venezuelan conductor associated with El Sistema

  • Edmund White 1940–2025

    Novelist and pioneer of gay literature

    Bachelor of Arts · Sinology · Class of 1962

  • Richelle Mead 1976–

    Fantasy author of Vampire Academy

    Also attended: Western Michigan University, University of Washington-Seattle Campus

  • Jesmyn Ward 1977–

    Novelist, 2011 National Book Award for Fiction winner

    Master of Fine Arts

    Also attended: Stanford University

  • Stephen Thomas Erlewine 1973–

    Music critic and former AllMusic senior editor

  • Celeste Ng 1980–

    Novelist and writer

    Also attended: Harvard University

  • David Paymer 1954–

    Actor and television director

  • Elim Chan 1986–

    Hong Kong conductor, San Francisco Symphony music director-designate

    Also attended: Smith College

  • Jessica Cauffiel 1976–

    Actress in Legally Blonde and White Chicks

  • Elizabeth Kostova 1964–

    Author of the debut novel The Historian

    Also attended: Yale University

  • Rima Fakih 1985–

    Miss USA 2010, Lebanese-born model

  • David Alan Grier 1956–

    Actor and comedian known for In Living Color

    Also attended: Yale University

  • Marge Piercy 1936–

    Novelist and poet, author of Woman on the Edge of Time

    Also attended: Northwestern University

  • Gavin Creel 1976–2024

    Musical theater actor and singer, Tony winner

  • Dana Elcar 1927–2005

    Actor in the television series MacGyver

  • Reg E. Cathey 1958–2018

    Actor in House of Cards and The Wire

    Also attended: Yale University

  • Charles Correa 1930–2015

    Indian architect and urban planner

    Also attended: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  • Sanjay Gupta 1969–

    Neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent

    Bachelor of Science

  • Chris Van Allsburg 1949–

    Children's author and two-time Caldecott winner

    Also attended: Rhode Island School of Design

  • Elizabeth Hawley 1923–2018

    Journalist and chronicler of Himalayan expeditions

  • Megan Abbott 1971–

    Crime fiction author and screenwriter

    Bachelor of Arts

    Also attended: New York University

  • Francis Parker Yockey 1917–1960

    Fascist writer, author of Imperium

    Bachelor of Arts

    Also attended: University of Arizona, Georgetown University, University of Notre Dame

  • Don Was 1952–

    Musician, producer and Blue Note Records president

  • Robert McKee 1941–

    Story consultant and screenwriting lecturer

  • Eric Millegan 1974–

    Actor best known for Zack Addy on Bones

  • Miriam Shor 1971–

    Actress known for Hedwig and the Angry Inch

  • Kapila Vatsyayan 1928–2020

    Indian art historian and member of parliament

  • Suad Amiry 1951–

    Palestinian author and architect

  • Carlos Valdez 1989–

    Colombian-American actor in The Flash

  • John Kitzmiller 1913–1965

    American actor with a career in Europe

  • Otto Kruger 1885–1974

    Broadway and film actor

  • Bob James 1939–

    Jazz keyboardist, founder of Fourplay

    Also attended: Berklee College of Music

  • Andrey Malakhov 1972–

    Russian television presenter

    Study abroad

    Also attended: Michigan State University

  • Bruno Campos 1973–

    Brazilian lawyer and former actor

    Also attended: Northwestern University, Northwest University

  • Strother Martin 1919–1980

    Character actor in over 170 film and TV productions

  • Betty Smith 1896–1972

    Novelist, author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

  • Chigozie Obioma 1986–

    Nigerian novelist, author of The Fishermen

  • Dave Coulier 1959–

    Actor and comedian known for Full House

  • Mark Lenard 1924–1996

    Actor who played Sarek in Star Trek

  • Matt Letscher 1970–

    Actor and playwright, The Mask of Zorro

  • Nancy Kovack 1935–

    Actress in Jason and the Argonauts

  • James Wolk 1985–

    Actor in The Crazy Ones, Mad Men and Zoo

  • Mason Adams 1919–2005

    Actor and radio and commercial voice artist

    Also attended: University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Mark Metcalf 1946–

    Actor best known for Animal House

  • Owen Gleiberman 1959–

    Chief film critic of Variety

  • Nina Davuluri 1989–

    Miss America 2014, first Indian American winner

    Also attended: Le Moyne College

  • Dudley Nichols 1895–1960

    Screenwriter and director, Oscar-winning for Best Original Screenplay

  • Michael Dunn 1934–1973

    Actor and singer, Oscar-nominated for Ship of Fools

    Also attended: University of Miami

  • Barrett Foa 1977–

    Actor best known for Broadway theatre

  • Carol Emshwiller 1921–2019

    Avant-garde short story and science fiction writer

    Spouse: Ed Emshwiller (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor)

  • Kenneth Marshall 1950–

    Retired actor

  • David Daniels 1966–

    Countertenor and opera singer

    Attended until 1992

    Also attended: University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

  • Ellen Sandweiss 1958–

    Actress known for The Evil Dead

  • Nargiz Birk-Petersen 1976–

    Lawyer and host of Eurovision Song Contest 2012

    Also attended: Georgetown University

  • Robert Asprin 1946–2008

    Science fiction and fantasy author

    Spouse: Lynn Abbey (University of Rochester)

  • Robert Ashley 1930–2014

    Composer best known for his television operas

    Also attended: Manhattan School of Music

    Spouse: Mary Ashley (Massachusetts College of Art and Design)

  • Donald Patrick Harvey 1960–

    Film, television and voice actor

    Bachelor of Arts

    Also attended: Yale University

  • Stephen Fung 1974–

    Hong Kong actor, singer and filmmaker

  • Vienna Teng 1978–

    Taiwanese-American pianist and singer-songwriter

    Also attended: Stanford University

  • Wen-Ying Tsai 1928–2013

    Chinese-American pioneer of cybernetic and kinetic sculpture

  • Larry Elder 1952–

    Conservative commentator and talk radio host

    Also attended: Brown University

  • Jia Tolentino 1988–

    Staff writer at The New Yorker

    Also attended: University of Virginia-Main Campus

  • Rich Eisen 1969–

    NFL Network host and sportscaster

    Also attended: Northwestern University, Northwest University

  • Rick Bayless 1953–

    Chef and restaurateur specializing in Mexican cuisine

    Also attended: University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

  • Tracy Wolfson 1975–

    CBS Sports sportscaster

  • Ari Melber 1980–

    MS NOW chief legal correspondent and host

    Also attended: Cornell University

Sports

  • Michael Phelps 1985–

    Swimmer with 28 Olympic medals

    Spouse: Nicole Johnson (Moorpark College, University of Southern California)

  • Tom Brady 1977–

    NFL quarterback for 23 seasons

  • Chris Webber 1973–

    Former NBA player, mostly with the Sacramento Kings

  • Franz Wagner 2001–

    German basketball player for the Orlando Magic

    Sibling: Moritz Wagner (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor)

  • Ralph Craig 1889–1972

    Sprinter who won the sprint double at the 1912 Olympics

  • Jamal Crawford 1980–

    NBA guard, played 2000 to 2020

  • Archie Hahn 1880–1955

    Sprinter, first to win Olympic 100 m and 200 m

  • Ralph Waldo Rose 1884–1913

    Track and field athlete, shot putter

  • Meryl Davis 1987–

    Ice dancer, 2014 Olympic champion

  • Glen Rice 1967–

    Former NBA basketball player

    Child: Glen Rice Jr. (Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus)

  • Siobhán Haughey 1997–

    Hong Kong swimmer, two-time Tokyo Olympic silver medallist

  • Eddie Tolan 1908–1967

    Sprinter who set Olympic and world records

  • Jordan Poole 1999–

    NBA player who played college ball at Michigan

  • MaliVai Washington 1969–

    Former professional tennis player

  • Tim Hardaway Jr. 1992–

    NBA basketball player

    Father: Tim Hardaway (University of Texas--El Paso)

  • Michael Woods 1986–

    Canadian professional road cyclist

    Attended until 2008

  • Charlie White 1987–

    Ice dancer

  • Myles Amine 1996–

    Freestyle wrestler representing San Marino

  • Rudy Tomjanovich 1948–

    Former professional basketball player and coach

  • Moritz Wagner 1997–

    German basketball player in the NBA

    Attended until 2018

    Sibling: Franz Wagner (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor)

  • Shelina Zadorsky 1992–

    Canadian soccer player and 2020 Olympic gold medalist

  • David Murray 1909–1973

    Scottish racing driver, founder of Ecurie Ecosse

  • Charles Dvorak 1878–1969

    Pole vault athlete

  • Nick Willis 1983–

    New Zealand runner, two-time Olympic 1500m medalist

  • Fred Schule 1879–1962

    American hurdler

    Also attended: University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Jalen Rose 1973–

    Former basketball player and sports analyst

    Mass communication · Attended until 1994

    Also attended: University of Maryland Global Campus

    Spouse: Molly Qerim (University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac University)

    Father: Jimmy Walker (Providence College)

  • Peter Fleming 1955–

    Tennis player and doubles partner of John McEnroe

  • Margaret Mac Neil 2000–

    Canadian swimmer and Olympic champion

  • Juwan Howard 1973–

    Former NBA player and Michigan head coach

  • Quinn Hughes 1999–

    NHL defenseman and former Vancouver Canucks captain

    Mother: Ellen Weinberg-Hughes (University of New Hampshire-Main Campus)

  • Tyler Clary 1989–

    Swimmer, 2012 Olympic 200m backstroke gold medalist

  • Ekpe Udoh 1987–

    Former NBA player, Atlanta Hawks assistant coach

  • Carl Robie 1945–2011

    Swimmer, 1968 Olympic gold medalist

  • Nik Stauskas 1993–

    Canadian former NBA shooting guard

    Attended until 2014

  • Tiffany Porter 1987–

    British hurdler, competed at 2012 Olympics

    Spouse: Jeff Porter (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor)

    Sibling: Cindy Ofili (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor)

  • DeHart Hubbard 1903–1976

    First Black individual Olympic gold medalist

  • Caris LeVert 1994–

    NBA player who played for Michigan

  • Brandi Rhodes 1983–

    Retired pro wrestler and former AEW executive

  • John Davies 1929–2020

    Olympic breaststroke gold medallist and U.S. federal judge

    Also attended: University of California-Los Angeles, University of Southern California

  • Maceo Baston 1976–

    Former pro basketball player, played for Michigan

  • Maia Shibutani 1994–

    Ice dancer, 2018 Olympic bronze medalist

    Sibling: Alex Shibutani (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor)

  • Mark Gorski 1960–

    Cyclist, 1984 Olympic match sprint gold medalist

  • Trey Burke 1992–

    Former basketball player, Michigan national player of the year

  • Roy Tarpley 1964–2015

    Former professional basketball player

  • Mike Comrie 1980–

    Canadian former NHL ice hockey player

    Spouse: Hilary Duff (Harvard University)

  • Evan Bates 1989–

    Ice dancer, three-time World champion

  • Dylan Larkin 1996–

    NHL center for the Detroit Red Wings

  • Tom Dolan 1975–

    Swimmer, two-time Olympic champion

  • Jayde Riviere 2001–

    Canadian soccer player for Manchester United

  • Marty Turco 1975–

    Former NHL goaltender with Dallas Stars

  • Duncan Robinson 1994–

    NBA player for the Detroit Pistons

    Also attended: Williams College

  • Owen Power 2002–

    Canadian NHL defenceman, first overall pick in 2021

  • Tariq Abdul-Wahad 1974–

    French basketball player and coach

  • Darius Morris 1991–2024

    Former NBA point guard, 41st pick in 2011

  • Jacob Trouba 1994–

    American NHL ice hockey defenseman

  • Alex Shibutani 1991–

    Ice dancer and two-time Olympic bronze medalist

    Sibling: Maia Shibutani (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor)

  • Chris Newton 1973–

    English cyclist and three-time Olympic medalist

  • Eeles Landström 1932–2022

    Finnish pole vaulter, Olympic bronze medalist and politician

  • Carl Hagelin 1988–

    Swedish ice hockey player, two-time Stanley Cup winner

  • Kyle Connor 1996–

    NHL ice hockey player for the Winnipeg Jets

  • Gustavo Borges 1972–

    Brazilian swimmer at four Olympic Games

    Spouse: Bárbara Franco (University of Florida)

  • Peter Vanderkaay 1984–

    Swimmer and Olympic relay gold medalist

  • Ginny Duenkel 1947–

    Swimmer, 1964 Olympic 400m freestyle champion

  • Zach Werenski 1997–

    Columbus Blue Jackets NHL defenseman

  • Rick Steiner 1961–

    Professional wrestler, one of the Steiner Brothers

    Child: Bronson Rechsteiner (Kennesaw State University)

    Sibling: Scott Steiner (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor)

  • Jack Johnson 1987–

    Former NHL defenseman

  • Lawrence Warbasse 1990–

    Road cyclist, 2017 US National Road Race champion

  • Claudia Lau 1992–

    Hong Kong swimmer at the 2016 Olympics

  • Branch Rickey 1881–1965

    Baseball executive who signed Jackie Robinson

  • Jim Harbaugh 1963–

    Head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers

    Father: Jack Harbaugh (Bowling Green State University-Main Campus)

    Child: Jay Harbaugh (Oregon State University)

  • Charles Woodson 1976–

    NFL defensive back for Raiders and Packers

  • Scott Steiner 1962–

    Professional wrestler

    Sibling: Rick Steiner (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor)

  • Derek Jeter 1974–

    Former New York Yankees shortstop

Other fields

  • Ted Kaczynski 1942–2023

    Mathematician and domestic terrorist, the Unabomber

    Doctor of Philosophy · Functional analysis · Class of 1967

    Also attended: Harvard University

    Sibling: David Kaczynski (Columbia University in the City of New York)

  • H. H. Holmes 1861–1896

    American con artist and serial killer

    Also attended: University of Vermont

  • Charles J. Guiteau 1841–1882

    Assassin of President James A. Garfield

  • Larry Nassar 1963–

    Former USA Gymnastics team doctor and convicted sex offender

  • John List 1925–2008

    Mass murderer and long-time fugitive

  • Annie Smith Peck 1850–1935

    Mountaineer, adventurer and professor

    Also attended: Rhode Island College

From Wikidata “educated at” records (including people who attended without graduating), ordered by the number of Wikipedia language editions. Degrees and years follow Wikidata and are left out where it has none.

Alumni network

Colleges that share the most alumni with University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (people who attended both).