Famous Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Many anti-mormons try to make people think that church members are “strange.” These anti-mormons don’t care much about the truth. If you know a member of our church, you know that we’re just like other folks. We work hard, play hard, and try to be the best people we can be. We’re good friends and neighbors, just like the other good friends and neighbors you probably have.

Some church members are well known in the Entertainment Industry, Politics, Business, Sports, Science, Education, Literature, and the Military, proving, contrary to anti-mormon claims, that our culture can produce accomplished individuals. Of course, in God’s eyes, we’re all equal, the famous and the not so famous like me! Hope you enjoy this list of famous “Mormons”!

Entertainers

  • A.J. Cook (1978-present, United States): Actress on the T.V. show “Criminal Minds.”
  • Aaron Eckhart (1968-present, United States): An actor from “The Dark Knight” (Two Face), among other movies. He is inactive.
  • Aaron Ruell (1976-present, United States): “Kipp” from “Napoleon Dynamite.”
  • Amy Adams (1974-present, United States): An American actress, currently inactive. “… it instilled in me a value system I still hold true. The basic ‘Do unto others…’, that was what was hammered into me. And love.”
  • Arthur Floyd Gottfredson (1905-1986, United States): A cartoonist best known for his defining work on the Mickey Mouse comic strip.
  • Arthur Kane (1949-2004, United States): Of “The New York Dolls.” He converted to the Church in 1989 and totally changed his life. He was reportedly a temple worker.
  • Ashlee Ashby (United States): Contestant, “Survivor Palau.”
  • Bart Johnson (United States): Coach Jack Bolton in the “High School Musical” movies.
  • Benji and Lacey Schwimmer (United States): Dancers on the American TV show “So You Think You Can Dance?.”
  • Billy Barty (1924ñ2000, United States): An American film actor, best known for his appearance in the movie “Willow.” One of the most famous people of the 20th century with dwarfism.
  • Brady Bluhm (United States): Voice of Christopher Robin one some of the “Winnie the Pooh” movies.
  • Brandon Flowers (1981-present, United States): Frontman of “The Killers.”
  • Brooke White (1983-present, United States): Top 5 contestant in American Idol (season 7).
  • Carmen Rasmusen (1985-present, United States): Contestant: American Idol, Season 2 (2003).
  • Chelsie Hightower (1989-present, United States): Dancer on the American TV shows “So You Think You Can Dance?” and “Dancing with the Stars.”
  • Christian Jacobs (1972-present, United States): Lead singer of “The Aquabats” under the pseudonym “The MC Bat Commander.”
  • Corbin Allred (1979-present, United States): “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” (1993).
  • Cove Reber (United States): The vocalist of the rock band Saosin.
  • David Archuleta (1990-present, United States): Runner-up in American Idol (season 7).
  • Dean Jagger (1903-1991, United States): Oscar-winning actor.
  • Don Bluth (1937-present, United States): Director and producer. “The Rescuers” (1977), “Pete’s Dragon” (1977), “The Secret of NIMH” (1982), “An American Tail” (1986), “The Land Before Time” (1988), “All Dogs Go to Heaven” (1989), “Rock-A-Doodle” (1991), “Thumbelina” (1994), “Anastasia” (1997), and “Titan A.E.” (2000).
  • Donny Osmond (1957-present, United States): Singer, talk-show host.
  • Ellen Wheeler (1961-present, United States): “In 1986 she won the Daytime Award Emmy for ‘Outstanding IngÈnue in a Drama Series’ for her work as Marley and Vicky Love on Another World. In 1988 she won another Daytime Emmy for ‘Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series’, for her work as Cindy Parker Chandler on All My Children. Ellen’s character was one of the first AIDS patients on daytime television.”
  • Gerald “Jerry” R. Molen (1935-present, United States): Producer of “Schindler’s List” (Best Picture, 1993).
  • Gladys Knight (1944-present, United States): Singer from “Gladys Knight and the Pips.”
  • Glen Larson (United States): Producer of “The Six Million Dollar Man” (1973), “Battlestar Galactica” (1978), “B.J. and the Bear” (1978), “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century” (1979), “Magnm P.I.” (1980), “The Fall Guy” (1981), and “Knight Rider” (1982).
  • Glenn Beck (1964-present, United States): Politically-conservative talk-radio and television host.
  • Gordon Jump (1932-2003, United States): Best known as the clueless radio station manager Arthur “Big Guy” Carlson in the TV series “WKRP in Cincinnati” and the incompetent “Piece of Chalief Tinkler” in the sitcom “Soap.” He also played the “Maytag Repairman” in commercials for Maytag brand appliances.
  • Grant Wilson (United States): One half of the “Ghost Hunters” team of paranormal investigators.
  • Gregg Hale (1977-present, United States): Guitar player of “Spiritualized,” Engineer and producer, owner of Lincoln Street Sound Studio.
  • James Valentine (1978-present, United States): Guitarist for “Maroon 5.”
  • Jared Hess (1979-present, United States): Writer and director of “Napoleon Dynamite.”
  • Jared Murillo (1988-present, United States): Dancer in “High School Musical,” backup dancer and ex-boyfriend of Ashley Tisdale, member of boy band “VFactory.”
  • Jenny Jordan Frogley (United States): Singer. If you play the “King Kong” video game, hers is the last voice you hear before you die.
  • Jon Heder (1977-present, United States): The Napoleon Dynamite!!!
  • Jon Peter Lewis (1979-present, United States): Contestant: American Idol, Season 3 (2004).
  • Julianne and Derek Hough (United States): Dancers on the American TV show “Dancing with the Stars.”
  • Katherine Heigl (1978-present, United States): Actress on “Grey’s Anatomy” (raised a member of the church, doesn’t currently practice, but has expressed interest in returning).
  • Kaycee Stroh (1984-present, United States): Actress/dancer in “High School Musical,” “High School Musical 2,” and “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”
  • Kelly Wiglesworth (1977-present, United States): Contestant: “Survivor Borneo” (Season 1, 2000).
  • Ken Jennings (1974-present, United States): Contestant on Jeopardy. Holds the record for the most winnings in Jeopardy history. The press have reported that 10% of his earnings will be donated to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (tithing).
  • Kevin J. Foxe (United States): Producer: “Blair Witch.”
  • Kevin Rahm (1971-present, United States): Star of “Jesse,” “Judging Amy” and “Desperate Housewives.”
  • Kieth Merrill (1940-present, United States): Academy award-winning filmmaker.
  • Larry Bagby (1974-present, United States): Star of “Walk The Line,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” and “Hocus Pocus.”
  • Lena and Kristy Jensen (United States): Contestants: “The Amazing Race 6.”
  • Liriel Domiciano (1981-present, United States): Brazilian pop star icon and classical singer.
  • Luis Abanto Morales (Peru): A famous Peruvian singer, one of the first converts in Peru, currently less active.
  • Marie Osmond (1959-present, United States): Singer, talk-show host.
  • Mireille Enos (United States): Tony award-nominated actress. Surprisingly, she’s in “Big Love,” a T.V. show hostile towards members of the church.
  • Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (United States): The radio program “Music and the Spoken Word,” which broadcasts Tabernacle Choir performances, has been a weekly tradition since 1929 and is the longest continuous network broadcast in history. The choir has won a Grammy and has earned two platinum and five gold albums. In a desperate attempt to be cool, teenagers in Utah have taken up calling the choir’s music “MoTab,” not to be confused with Motown.
  • Moroni Cruz (Brazil): An actor on the Disney Channel in Brazil.
  • Neleh Dennis (1980-present, United States): Contestant: “Survivor Marquesas” (2002). She brought scriptures as her luxury item.
  • Nick Whitaker (1988-present, United States): An American actor who played the lead role in “Benji: Off the Leash!,” and Chase Patterson in “Message in a Cell Phone.” He also appeared in the Disney Channel movies “High School Musical” and “Read It and Weep.”
  • Pat Priest (1936-present, United States): Actress, most well known for portraying Marilyn Munster in “The Munsters.”
  • Reg Wilkins (United Kingdom): Award-winning British LDS photographer.
  • Ricky Schroder (1970-present, United States): An American Golden Globe Award-winning actor. Starred in “Silver Spoons.”
  • Robert Ray, MD, MPP (United States): Cosmetic surgeon from “Dr. 90210.” He was brought to the U.S. by missionaries when he was a child.
  • Ryan Benson (United States): Recent winner of the reality show “The Biggest Loser.”
  • Ryan Raddon (1972-present, United States): A DJ and record producer, also known as Kaskade. “I am a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, otherwise known as Mormons, and I find a lot of peace and happiness in that. I am sure this has had an effect on my sound for the better.”
  • Shawn Nelson (United States): Winner of the reality TV show “Rebel Billionaire.”
  • SheDaisy (United States): Country music singers.
  • The 5 Browns (United States): Sibling concert pianists (Desirae, Deondra, Gregory, Melody & Ryan).
  • Wilford Brimley (1934-present, United States): Actor in “The Thing” (1981), “Hotel New Hampshire” (1984), “The Natural” (1984), and “Cocoon” (1986). Currently on television as the spokesperson for Liberty Medical Diabetic Supplies.
Politicians

  • Angela “Bay” Buchanan (1948-present, United States): US Treasurer during the Reagan presidency.
  • Berkeley Bunker (1906-1999, United States): Former senator (D) Nevada (1940-42).
  • Bob Bennett (1933-present, United States): Current senator (R-Utah), Chief Deputy Whip.
  • Buck McKeon (1938-present, United States): Current representative (R-California).
  • David Gibson (1967-present, Australia): An Australian politician, the first LDS member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.
  • David M. Kennedy (1905-1996, United States): Former secretary of treasury (1969-71); ambassador to NATO (1972-73).
  • David Matthew Kennedy (1905-1996, United States): Secretary of the Treasury.
  • David S. King (1917-2009, United States): Former representative (D) Utah (1959-1963, 1965-67).
  • Dean Heller (1960-present, United States): Current representative (R-Nevada).
  • Elbert Duncan Thomas (1883-1953, United States): Former senator (D) Utah (1933-51).
  • Eni Faleomavaega (1943-present, American Samoa): Current nonvoting representative (American Samoa).
  • Ernest Istook (1950-present, United States): Former representative (R) Oklahoma (1993ø2007).
  • Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994, United States): US Secretary of Agriculture. He went on to become the worldwide leader of the LDS Church.
  • Frank E. Moss (1911-2003, United States): Former senator (D) Utah (1959-77).
  • Gary Herbert (1947-present, United States): Current governor of Utah.
  • George W. Romney (1907-1995, United States): Governor of Michigan.
  • Gordon Smith (1952-present, United States): Former senator (R) Oregon (1997-2009).
  • Grant Hill (1943-present, Canada): Former member of Parliament for the Conservative Party of Canada.
  • Harry Reid (1939-present, United States): Current U.S. Senate Majority Leader, a democrat from Nevada. He is the most powerful senator in the United States.
  • Howard Cannon (1912-2002, United States): Former senator (D) Nevada (1959-83).
  • Howard Nielson (1924-present, United States): Former representative (R) Utah (1983-91).
  • Ivy Baker Priest (1905-1975, United States): US Treasurer.
  • J. Reuben Clark (1871-1961, United States): Former undersecretary of state, U.S. ambassador to Mexico.
  • Jake Garn (1932-present, United States): Former senator (R) Utah (1974-93). The astronaut senator.
  • Jason Chaffetz (1967-present, United States): Current representative (R-Utah).
  • Jeff Flake (1962-present, United States): Current representative (R-Arizona).
  • Jeffrey Max Jones (1958-present, Mexico): Current senator of Chihuahua, Mexico.
  • Jim Gibbons (1944-present, United States): Current governor of Nevada.
  • Jim Matheson (1960-present, United States): Current representative (D-Utah).
  • John Doolittle (1950-present, United States): Former representative (R-California).
  • Jon Huntsman, Jr. (1960-present, United States): Current American Ambassador to China.
  • Julio Guarteche (Uruguay): The head of drug enforcement for the country of Uruguay.
  • Keiko Itokazu (1947-present, Japan): Current member of the Japanese Diet (national legislature) representing Okinawa, Japan.
  • Manuera Benjamin Riwai Couch (1925-1996, New Zealand): A New Zealand politician elected to parliament. We was Maori.
  • Marriner S. Eccles (1890-1977, United States): Former chairman of Federal Reserve Board (1934-48).
  • Michael O. Leavitt (1951-present, United States): Secretary of Health and Human Services during the George Bush presidency.
  • Mike Crapo (1951-present, United States): Current senator (R-Idaho).
  • Mike Simpson (1950-present, United States): Current representative (R-Idaho).
  • Mitt Romney (1947-present, United States): Former governor of Massachusetts, 2008 presidential candidate.
  • Moroni Bing Torgan (1956-present, Brazil): Ex-congressman for the state of Cear·, Brazil.
  • Morris King Udall (1922-1998, United States): Former representative (D) Arizona (1961-91); Presidential Candidate (D). He was an inactive member.
  • Nathan Eldon Tanner (1898-1982, Canada): Former member of the legislative assembly of Alberta, Canada (1935-1952); speaker of the legislature (1936-1937) and minister of lands and mines.
  • Orrin Hatch (1934-present, United States): Current senator (R-Utah).
  • Paula Hawkins (1927-present, United States): Former senator (R) Florida. The first woman senator from that state.
  • Ralph Harding (1929-2006, United States): Former representative (D) Idaho (1961-65)).
  • Reed Smoot (1862-1941, United States): Former senator (R) Utah (1903-1933). Once elected, the U.S. Senate refused to seat him for four years because he was a member of the church.
  • Rex E. Lee (1935-1996, United States): Former U.S. Solicitor General.
  • Richard Swett (1957-present, United States): Former representative (D) New Hampshire (1991-95); U.S. Ambassador to Denmark (1998-99).
  • Rob Bishop (1951-present, United States): Current representative (R-Utah).
  • Stewart Udall (1920-1998, United States): US Secretary of the Interior.
  • Stewart Udall (1920-present, United States): Former secretary of interior (1961-69); representative (D) Arizona (1955-61).
  • Terrel Bell (1921-1996, United States): Secretary of Education during the Reagan Presidency.
  • Terry Rooney (1950-present, England): Current member of British House of Commons.
  • Tom Udall (1948-present, United States): Current senator (D-New Mexico).
  • Wally Herger (1945-present, United States): Current representative (R-California).
  • Wayne Owens (1937-2002, United States): Former representative (D) Utah (1973-75, 1987-93).
  • William H. King (1863-1949, United States): Former senator (D) Utah (1917-1941))[citation needed].
  • William Ide (1796-1852, United States): President of the California Republic. “In 1846, he joined John C. Fremont in the Bear Flag Revolt. They took Sonoma and captured the Mexican Commandante of Northern California. They raised a new flag and declared the independence of the California Republic with Ide as president. When the U.S. declared war on Mexico, Ide and the others joined the U.S. forces thus ending California’s independence.” Ide may be the only Mormon head of state in history, unless rumors about the King of Tonga (or is it Samoa?) are true…
Business

  • Alan Ashton (1942-present, United States): Co-founder and former CEO of WordPerfect Corporation.
  • David Neeleman (1959-present, United States, Brazil): Former CEO and founder, JetBlue Airways; Founder, Azul Linhas AÈreas Brasileiras.
  • Frank L. VanderSloot (United States): The president and CEO of Melaleuca, The Wellness Company, a nutritional, cosmetic, and personal care products company.
  • George W. Romney (1907-1995, United States): Former chairman and president of American Motors Company.
  • J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr. (1932-present, United States): Chairman and CEO, Marriott International (hotels).
  • Jon Huntsman, Sr. (1937-present, United States): Founder of Huntsman Corporation (chemicals). Huntsman is a member of the Forbes 400, where he is currently (2009) ranked the 47th richest man alive.
  • Kay Whitmore (1932-2004, United States): CEO, Eastman Kodak.
  • Kevin B. Rollins (1953-present, United States): Former CEO, Dell Computer Corporation.
  • Larry H. Miller (1944-2009, United States): Businessman (automobiles) and owner of the Utah Jazz.
  • Lt. General Brent Scowcroft (1925-present, United States): Board of directors, Qualcomm.
  • Mitt Romney (1947-present, United States): Former CEO, Bain Capital.
  • Nolan D. Archibald (1943-present, United States): CEO of Black & Decker.
  • Ray Noorda (1924-2006, United States): Former CEO, Novell.
  • Rex Maughan (United States): The founder, president, and CEO of Forever Living Products and Terry Labs. A philanthropist who has given millions to several causes, in 2002 Maughan was listed in the Forbes 400 as the 368th richest man in the world, with a net worth of $600 million.
  • Sheri Dew (1953-present, United States): CEO of Deseret Book, the largest Latter-day Saint book publisher.
  • Stewart Nelson (United States): Former COO, Novell.
Sports

  • Alma Richards (1890-1963, United States): He the first resident of Utah to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games, in 1912, in the running high jump event.
  • Andy Reid (1958-present, United States): Head coach, Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL.
  • Ben Cahoon (1972-present, United States): A slotback with the Montreal Alouettes. He won the award for the Most Outstanding Canadian in the Canadian Football League two years in a row in 2002 and 2003. As of the end of the 2009 CFL season, Cahoon is sixth overall in career receiving yards with 12,586 yards and fourth overall in pass receptions with 950. He is also the all-time leading receiver in Grey Cup history with 632 yards.
  • Billy Casper (1931-present, United States): An American professional golfer who was one of the most prolific tournament winners on the PGA Tour from the mid 1950s to the mid 1970s.
  • Bobby Crosby (1980-present, United States): Shortstop baseball player, Oakland Athletics. He was Rookie of the Year in 2004.
  • Cael Sanderson (1979-present, United States): 2004 Gold medal in wrestling, undefeated NCAA champion. Won four consecutive NCAA titles (1999ø2002). He was the first NCAA wrestler to go undefeated with more than 100 wins. Sports Illustrated named his college career as the second most impressive college sports feat behind Jesse Owens’ four Olympic gold medal world record-setting performance.
  • Cale Iorg (1985-present, United States): Minor league baseball player in the Detroit Tigers organization (baseball). He took a break from Major League Baseball for two years to serve a mission.
  • Dale Murphy (1956-present, United States): Outfielder for the Atlanta Braves (baseball). He was twice the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP), playing for the Atlanta Braves, in 1982 and 1983, and he won the Silver Slugger Award — a newly-established award during Murphy’s career (in 1980) – in the National League outfield four times.
  • Danny Ainge (1959-present, United States): Currently the President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics of the NBA. He played in the NBA for the Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, and Phoenix Suns, and also in Major League Baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays.
  • Danny White (1952-present, United States): A former quarterback and punter for the Dallas Cowboys, and an American football coach in the Arena Football League.
  • Edwin Mulitalo (1974-present, United States): Mulitalo earned a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV.
  • Freddy Rincon (1966-present, Colombia): A retired Colombian football midfielder who played 84 games for the Colombia national team between 1990 and 2001.
  • Gene Fullmer (1931-present, United States): Middleweight boxing champion. Fullmer won the world middleweight championship on January 2, 1957 when he upset the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson by winning a 15-round decision.
  • Guillermo Franco (1976-present, ): An Argentinian-born Mexican football player who plays as a striker. He is currently contracted to West Ham United and also plays for the Mexico national team.
  • Harmon Killebrew (1936-present, United States): First baseman for the Minnesota Twins (baseball). In a 22-year major league career, he was second only to Babe Ruth in American League home runs and retired as the career leader in home runs by a right-handed batter (the record has since been broken). He is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, inducted in 1984.
  • Hayley Palmer (1989-present, New Zealand): New Zealand swimmer and holder of 3 New Zealand swimming records.
  • Israel Folau (1989-present, Australia): Melbourne storm player in National Rugby League. The youngest ever player to represent Australia.
  • Jack Lloyd Yerman (1939-present, United States): He won a gold medal in 4 x 400 m relay at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
  • Jacoby Ellsbury (1983-present, United States): A Major League Baseball outfielder for the Boston Red Sox. Ellsbury is officially enrolled as a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes and is the first Native American of Navajo descent to reach the Major Leagues.
  • Jeff Kent (1968-present, United States): Second basemen for the Los Angeles Dodgers (baseball). Kent won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 2000 with the San Francisco Giants, and is the all-time leader in home runs among second basemen.
  • John Hopoate (1974-present, Australia): Australian representative and now retired player, played in National Rugby League. He is the current Australian heavyweight boxing champion.
  • Johnny Miller (1947-present, United States): An American professional golfer who was one of the most prolific tournament winners on the PGA Tour in the mid-1970s.
  • Jonathan Tavernari (United States, Brazil): A basketball player on the Brazilian nation team who recently won the American Cup. He also plays for BYU.
  • Ken Niumatalolo (1965-present, United States): Head Coach, U.S. Naval Academy football team.
  • Kresimir Cosic (1948-1995, Croatia, Yugoslavia): Player for the Croatian professional basketball team who represented Yugoslavia internationally, a member of FIBA Hall of Fame and Basketball Hall of Fame.
  • Krisnan Inu (1987-present, United States): Parramatta Eels player in National Rugby League. Inu is a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team.
  • Larry Scott (1938-present, United States): The first Mr. Olympia (1965) (body builder).
  • LaVell Edwards (1930-present, United States): Famous head coach, Brigham Young University.
  • Mark Madsen (1976-present, United States): NBA basketball player. Played for the Lakers, Timberwolves, and now the Clippers. Served a mission in Spain, and is still very active. Once went on a date with the Webmaster’s sister. :).
  • Mel Hutchins (1928-present, United States): Fort Wayne Pistons/New York Knicks, 1952 NBA Rookie of the Year and 5 time NBA All-Star.
  • Merlin Olsen (1940-present, United States): Former defensive tackle, Los Angeles Rams. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
  • Milton Queiroz da Paix„o (Tita) (1958-present, Brazil): A famous Brazilian soccer player.
  • Mosiah Rodrigues (1981-present, Brazil): An impressive Brazilian gymnast.
  • Norm Chow (1946-present, United States): The offensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins. He has also been an offensive coordinator for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, the University of Southern California, North Carolina State University, and Brigham Young University.
  • Peter Vidmar (1961-present, United States): Olympic gold medal gymnast in 1984. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. He has a total of three Olympic medals: 2 golds and a silver.
  • Ricardo Rojas (Ricardo Francisco Rojas Trujillo) (1974-present, Chile): A Chilean soccer player who recently played for Colo-Colo in the Liga Chilena de F˙tbol: Primera DivisiÛn.
  • Richard Lambourne (1975-present, United States): 2008 Olympian, on the U.S. indoor volleyball team that won a gold medal.
  • Roy Castleton (1885-1967, United States): The first member of the church to ever play professional baseball. He threw perfect game in the Ohio-Pennsylvania League. New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds in the Pacific Coast League.
  • Roy Halladay (1977-present, United States): A Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies.
  • Rulon Gardner (1971-present, United States): 2000 Gold medalist, an amateur wrestler in the Greco-Roman discipline.
  • Ryan Millar (1978-present, United States): An indoor volleyball player. His team won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in 2008.
  • Scott Mitchell (1968-present, United States): A former professional American football player who was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 4th round of the 1990 NFL Draft.
  • Shawn Bradley (1972-present, United States): Center for the Philadelphia 76ers/New Jersey Nets/Dallas Mavericks. He’s 7 feet 6 inches tall!
  • Steve Young (1961-present, United States): He was named the Most Valuable Player of the NFL in 1992 and 1994, the MVP of Super Bowl XXIX, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005, the first left-handed quarterback to be so honored. He holds the NFL record for highest career passer rating and won six NFL passing titles.
  • Thurl Bailey (1961-present, United States): Forward for the Utah Jazz (NBA), now retired. Bailey is now a singer/songwriter and public speaker. He also delivered the invocation at the 2008 Republican National Convention.
  • Todd Christensen (1956-present, United States): Former tight end, Los Angeles Raiders. Current sports broadcaster for the MountainWest Sports Network.
  • Todd Heap (1980-present, United States): Tight end, Baltimore Ravens. Heap holds the record for most receiving two-point conversions in a single season, with four, during his 2003 season.
  • Torah Bright (1986-present, Australia): 2007 X Games gold medalist, a female snowboarder.
  • Ty Detmer (1967-present, United States): Detmer holds many records for his performance as BYU’s quarterback and won the Heisman Trophy in 1990. He joined the Church as a student at BYU.
  • Vern Law (1930-present, United States): Law was a member of the National League All Star Team in 1960 (baseball). He won the Cy Young Award, and led the National League in complete games that year.
Scientists/Inventors

  • Alan Ashton (1942-present, United States): Invented word processing (WordPerfect).
  • Alvino Rey (1907-2004, United States): Inventor of the pedal steel guitar.
  • Barney Clark (United States): Received the first artificial heart.
  • Don Carlos Edwards (United States): Invented fry sauce.
  • Don Leslie Lind (1930-present, United States): Astronaut with NASA.
  • Edwin Catmull (1945-present, United States): Co-founder of Pixar and current president of Disney-Pixar animation studio.
  • H. Tracy Hall (United States): First to produce synthetic diamonds.
  • Harvey Fletcher (1884-1981, United States): As in Millikan and Fletcher, discoverers of the charge on an electron. He also invented the hearing aid and was president of the American Physical Society.
  • Henry Eyring (1901-1981, Mexico, United States): Pioneered the application of quantum mechanics to chemistry. Received the National Medal of Science. Born in Mexco.
  • James LeVoy Sorenson (1921-2008, United States): Co-inventor of real-time computerized heart monitor and 40 other medical patents. He was the richest man in Utah with an estimated net worth of $4.5 billion at the time of his death.
  • John Moses Browning (1855-1926, United States): A famous gunsmith.
  • Lester Wire (1887-1958, United States): Invented the modern traffic light. The first one was in Salt Lake City!
  • Nolan Bushnell (1943-present, United States): Founded Atari and invented the game “Pong.” He was also owner of Chuck E. Cheese’s for a time.
  • Philo T. Farnsworth (1906-1971, United States): Invented the television.
  • Richard G. Scott (1928-present, United States): One of the nuclear engineers that worked on the first nuclear submarine, then a top secret military project. He currently serves as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.
  • Robert B. Ingebretsen (1948-2003, United States): Developer of the first practical digital audio recording system with Thomas Stockham; received an Academy award in 1999.
  • William Clayton (1814-1879, United States): Invented the odometer.
  • Yukihiro Matsumoto (1965-present, Japan): A Japanese computer scientist and software programmer best known as the chief designer of the Ruby programming language.
Educators

  • Carlos Martins (Brazil): The owner of the “Wizard” franchise of Language Training schools in Brazil.
  • Clayton Christensen (1952-present, United States): Robert and Jane Cizik professor of business administration at Harvard Business School.
  • Dr. V. Lane Rawlins (1937-present, United States): President, Washington State University.
  • Gordon Gee (1944-present, United States): President of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Gee has held more university presidencies than any other American. (Vanderbilt, Brown, University of Colorado, West Virginia University, Ohio State University).
  • James C. Fletcher (1919-1991, United States): President of the University of Utah, 4th and 7th Administrator of NASA.
  • Kim Clark (1949-present, United States): President of BYU-Idaho. Former dean, Harvard Business School. He gave up his position at Harvard when the Church asked him to move to Idaho.
  • Neal A. Maxwell (1926-present, United States): Commissioner of church education, executive vice president of the University of Utah.
  • Richard Bushman (1931-present, United States): Professor of history emeritus at Columbia University.
  • Stanford Cazier (1930-present, United States): President of California State University, Chico (1971ø1979) and Utah State University (1979ø1992).
  • Steven Charles Wheelwright (United States): Senior associate dean, Harvard University.
  • Wilford Gardner (United States): Once served as dean at UC Berkeley.
Authors

  • Anne Perry (1938-present, England): British historical novelist; author of both the “William Monk” and “Thomas Pitt” series, among many other books.
  • Betty Eadie (1942-present, United States): Author of the popular 1992 book on near-death experiences, “Embraced by the Light.”
  • Brandon Mull (United States): Author of the “Fablehaven” series and the “Candy Shop War.”
  • Carol Lynn Pearson (1939-present, United States): Poet, author and playwright.
  • Orson Scott Card (1951-present, United States): Hugo Award and the Nebula Award winner for “Ender’s Game” and “Speaker for the Dead.”
  • Richard Paul Evans (1962-present, United States): Author of the book “The Christmas Box.”
  • Shannon Hale (1974-present, United States): Newbery Honor recipient for her book “Princess Academy.”
  • Stephen R. Covey (1932-present, United States): Author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”
  • Stephenie Meyer (1973-present, United States): Author of “Twilight,” “New Moon,” “Eclipse,” “Breaking Dawn,” and “The Host.”
  • Tracy Hickman (1955-present, United States): Co-author of the popular fantasy series “Dragonlance.”
Military

  • Brent Scowcroft (1925-present, United States): Three-star USAF general (retired) and National Security Advisor under Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush.
  • Bruce Carlson (1949-present, United States): Four-star USAF general (retired) and LDS General Authority.
  • General Antonio Ketin Vidal (Peru): The youngest general in the Peruvian National Police Force, as of 2002.
  • John R. Lasater (1931-present, United States): USAF brigadier general (retired) and LDS general authority.
  • John R. Massaro (1930-present, United States): 8th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.
  • Joseph W. Dailey (1917-2007, United States): 5th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.
  • Paul A. Yost, Jr. (1929-present, United States): Four-star USCG admiral (retired).
  • Robert C. Oaks (1936-present, United States): Four-star USAF general (retired) and LDS general authority.
Other

  • Butch Cassidy (1866-1909, United States): I bet he wasn’t a practicing member, though… :).
  • Christina Aguilera (1980-present, United States): Her parents met at BYU, but divorced when she was seven. Their Church activity after the divorce is unknown, although her mother was still receiving visits from Church members when Christina was nine. Could it be that Christina was baptized? Regardless, she’s not a practicing member any more…
  • Elvis (1935-1977, United States): I don’t think he was baptized, but he did receive missionary discussions while filming Blue Hawaii, part of which was filmed at the Church’s Polynesian Cultural Center.
  • Henry Bigler, Azariah Smith (United States): First identified gold at Sutter’s Mill, starting the California gold rush.
  • Jewel (1974-present, United States): Again, this singer was raised a member, but it’s unclear if she was baptized.
  • Larry King (1933-present, United States): No, not Larry. But his wife is a church member.
  • Roseanne Bar (1952-present, United States): She was a member of the church from age 6 to 16, but left the Church and is now critical of it.

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