New Orleans

Famous Citizens

Well-known New Orleans natives include:

Louis Armstrong (c. 1898–1971), world-renowned jazz musician.

George Washington Cable (1844–1925), author.

Truman Capote (1924–84), author whose works include In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Harry Connick, Jr. (b. 1967), Grammy-winning jazz musician.

Antoine "Fats" Domino (b. 1928), one of the founding fathers of rhythm and blues.

Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829–69), celebrated nineteenth-century pianist.

Lillian Hellman (1907–84), noted author whose works include Julia and The Little Foxes.

George Herriman (1880–1944), cartoonist, best known for Krazy Kat.

Mahalia Jackson (1911–1972), one of the world's greatest gospel singers.

Branford Marsalis (b. 1960), jazz saxophonist, once leader of the Tonight Show band.

Wynton Marsalis (b. 1961), Grammy-winning jazz and classical trumpeter.

Paul Morphy (1837–84), father of modern chess.

Jelly Roll Morton (1890–1941), famous jazz pianist.

Joseph "King" Oliver (1885–1938), cornetist, bandleader, and principal mentor of Louis Armstrong.

Mel Ott (1908–1958), 1930s major league baseball star credited with more than 511 major-league home runs.

Anne Rice (b. 1941), author of best-selling novels featuring vampires.