List of people from Louisiana
The following are notable people who were either born, raised, or have lived for a significant period of time in the American state of Louisiana.
A
- Mark Abraham, state representative for Calcasieu Parish, effective 2016; incoming state senator, 2020; Lake Charles businessman
- Danneel Ackles, actress, model, One Life to Live, One Tree Hill, Friends with Benefits, Supernatural
- Bert A. Adams, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Vernon Parish
- Bryan Adams, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Jefferson Parish
- Jamar Adcock, politician and banker
- Joe Adcock, major league baseball player from Coushatta
- Trace Adkins, singer-songwriter originally from Sarepta
- Joe W. Aguillard, president of Louisiana College
- Kermit Alexander, NFL player; president of NFL Players Association
- Robert Alford, cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons
- David Allen, productivity consultant, author of Getting Things Done
- August Alsina, singer
- William Alston, philosopher
- Jacques Amans, neoclassical portrait artist
- Barry Jean Ancelet, folklorist
- Andy Anders, state representative from Concordia Parish
- David Andrews, actor, JAG
- Phil Anselmo, singer-songwriter, Pantera
- George Arceneaux, judge
- Scott Arceneaux Jr., musician; member of rap duo Suicideboys
- Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin, musician
- Amédé Ardoin, musician
- Chris Ardoin, musician
- Sean Ardoin, musician
- Louis Armstrong, musician and entertainer
- Jeff Arnold, politician
- Daniel F. Ashford, politician and planter
- Evelyn Ashford, Olympic sprint champion
- Elizabeth Ashley, actress, films and television's Evening Shade
- Nnamdi Asomugha, cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles
- James Benjamin Aswell, US representative and college president
- D. J. Augustin, point guard for the Chicago Bulls
- Lisa Aukland, professional bodybuilder and powerlifter
- Lonnie O. Aulds, politician
- Ray Authement, longest-serving public university president in the United States; president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- The Axeman, serial killer
- Clarence C. "Taddy" Aycock, speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives and lieutenant governor
B
- J. S. Bacon, former state representative from Webster Parish
- Boosie Badazz, rapper
- Larry Bagley, state representative for DeSoto Parish
- Amari Bailey, NBA basketball player
- Richard Baker, former U.S. representative from Louisiana's 6th congressional district
- Scott Baker, starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
- Christine Balfa, musician
- Dewey Balfa, fiddler
- George Ballas, inventor of the string trimmer
- Fredo Bang, rapper
- Larry S. Bankston, politician; son of Jesse Bankston
- Edwards Barham, first Republican elected to Louisiana state senate since Reconstruction
- Mack Barham, judge of the Louisiana Supreme Court
- Danny Barker, singer-songwriter, musician, writer
- Taylor Barras, Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, effective January 11, 2016
- Amy Coney Barrett, [Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court of the United States|associate justice] of the Supreme Court
- Regina Barrow, state representative for East and West Baton Rouge parishes
- Dave Bartholomew, musician, composer, promoter
- Brandon Bass, power forward for the Boston Celtics
- Bryan Batt, actor, Sal Romano on Mad Men
- Arnaz Battle, wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- J. D. Batton, sheriff of Webster Parish
- Carl W. Bauer, politician
- Ralph Norman Bauer, politician
- Hazel Beard, mayor of Shreveport
- P. G. T. Beauregard, general, inventor
- Sidney Bechet, musician
- Odell Beckham Jr., wide receiver for the New York Giants
- Lottie Beebe, politician and educator
- Geoffrey Beene, fashion designer
- Clyde F. Bel Jr., businessman and stare representative for Orleans Parish
- Demetress Bell, offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles
- V. J. Bella, state legislator and fire marshal
- E. J. Bellocq, photographer
- Judah P. Benjamin, U.S. senator, Confederate cabinet member, lawyer in Great Britain
- Michael Bennett, defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks
- Sherman A. Bernard, politician
- Louis Berry, civil rights attorney from Alexandria
- Johnny Berthelot, politician
- B.G., rapper, musician
- Joseph A. Biedenharn, entrepreneur, first to bottle Coca-Cola; settled in Monroe in 1913
- Bienville, French colonial governor, founder of New Orleans
- Robert Billiot, state representative for Jefferson Parish
- Birdman, rapper and record executive
- Stuart Bishop, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Lafayette
- Morton Blackwell, Louisiana Republican political activist, since relocated to Virginia
- Brian Blade, award-winning, Grammy-nominated, jazz musician, bandleader, conductor
- Newton C. Blanchard, governor of Louisiana ; U.S. senator
- Terrence Blanchard, musician, composer
- Kathleen Blanco, governor of Louisiana
- Alexander Boarman, politician
- Walter Boasso, politician, businessman
- Hale Boggs, U.S. representative for Louisiana's 2nd congressional district
- Lindy Boggs, wife of Hale Boggs and his successor in Congress, ambassador to the Vatican
- Thomas Hale Boggs Jr., lawyer and lobbyist, son of Hale and Lindy Boggs
- William Benton Boggs, first mayor of Plain Dealing ; state senator for Bossier and Webster parishes
- Brandon Bolden, running back for the New England Patriots
- Buddy Bolden, musician, potential "inventor of jazz"
- Skip Bolen, photographer
- James E. Bolin, former state representative; former district court judge; retired appeal court judge
- George Washington Bolton, state representative and Speaker of the Louisiana House from Alexandria
- George W. Bond, president of Louisiana Tech University
- James Booker, musician
- Curtis Boozman, state representative from Natchitoches Parish
- Guy Bordelon, Navy flying ace during the Korean War
- Ken Bordelon, former New Orleans Saints linebacker
- Calvin Borel, jockey, winner of 2007, 2009 and 2010 Kentucky Derby
- Pierre Bossier, first U.S. representative from Louisiana's 4th congressional district
- Savannah Smith Boucher, actress
- Sherry Boucher, actress
- MacKenzie Bourg, singer-songwriter and contestant on American Idol season 15
- Charles Boustany, US representative
- Denise Boutte, model, actress, Meet the Browns
- John Boutté, jazz singer
- Shirley D. Bowler, state representative
- Jimmy Boyd, state representative for Bossier Parish 1944–1952
- Betsy Vogel Boze, university president at Kent State University Stark Campus
- Harley Bozeman, politician, journalist, and historian
- Henry Braden, African-American politician
- Terry Bradshaw, Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Fox television commentator
- Elward Thomas Brady Jr., politician
- Thomas "Bud" Brady, politician
- Mike Branch, politician and commercial pilot
- Tim Brando, CBS Sports announcer
- Carl A. Brasseaux, historian and educator
- Ryan Brasseaux, musicologist
- Wellman Braud, musician
- Donna Brazile, author, professor, political analyst for the Democratic Party
- Delvin Breaux, cornerback for the New Orleans Saints
- John Breaux, U.S. senator
- Marc Breaux, director
- Sara "D-D" Breaux, former gymnastics coach
- Tim Breaux, former professional basketball player
- Phanor Breazeale, U.S. representative
- Owen Brennan, restaurateur, Brennan's in New Orleans
- Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana College in Pineville since 2015
- Bri, musician
- Reid Brignac, shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Pat Brister, Republican politician
- Poppy Z. Brite, writer
- Chris Broadwater, politician
- Clifford Cleveland Brooks, politician
- Lawrence Brooks, supercentenarian, World War II U.S. Army veteran
- Overton Brooks, U.S. representative, 1937–1961
- Jared Brossett, New Orleans politician
- Edwin S. Broussard, U.S. senator, 1921–1933
- Jeffery Broussard, zydeco musician
- Marc Broussard, singer-songwriter
- Robert F. Broussard, U.S. representative for Louisiana's 3rd congressional district 1897–1915 and U.S. senator 1915–1918
- Campbell Brown, journalist
- Chad M. Brown, state representative for Iberville and Assumption parish
es, effective January 2016 - Dee Brown, novelist, historian, author of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
- Kalani Brown, player in the Israeli Female Basketball Premier League
- Markel Brown, basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- H. Rap Brown, black activist imprisoned in Georgia
- Henry Newton Brown Jr., state appeals court chief judge
- J. Marshall Brown, politician
- Sharon Brown, 1961 Miss USA
- Terry R. Brown, state representative from Grant Parish since 2012
- Tom Brown, musician
- Troy E. Brown, former member of the Louisiana State Senate from Assumption Parish
- Roy Brun, state representative and judge from Caddo Parish
- Stanley Brundy, basketball player
- George Brunies, musician
- C.L. Bryant, African-American Baptist minister and conservative talk show host over KEEL radio in Shreveport
- Sherri Smith Buffington, politician
- George E. Burch, cardiologist and Tulane Medical School professor
- James Lee Burke, crime novelist, born in Texas, raised in Louisiana
- Paul Burke, actor: Naked City, Twelve O'Clock High, The Thomas Crown Affair
- James Burton, guitarist
C
- George Washington Cable, writer
- Jefferson Caffery, US ambassador; cousin of Patrick T. Caffery and Donelson Caffery
- Patrick T. Caffery, US representative; cousin of Jefferson Caffery and grandson of Donelson Caffery
- Donelson Caffery, US senator; grandfather of Patrick T. Caffery
- Chris Cagle, country music artist
- Burl Cain, warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary
- Etienne J. Caire, Republican candidate for governor of Louisiana in 1928 against Huey P. Long
- George A. Caldwell, building contractor; designed twenty-six public buildings in Louisiana
- Riemer Calhoun, state senator from DeSoto and Caddo parishes
- Bill Callegari, member of the Texas House of Representatives from Harris County; native of Avoyelles Parish
- Jorrick Calvin, cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Foster Campbell, politician
- William Derwood Cann Jr., World War II lieutenant colonel; mayor of Monroe
- Billy Cannon, football player for LSU, Heisman Trophy winner
- Julie Cantrell, author
- Joseph Cao, former U.S. representative; lawyer
- Truman Capote, writer, author of In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany's
- Lindsey Cardinale, American Idol finalist, country singer
- Kitty Carlisle, entertainer and television personality; married to playwright Moss Hart
- Thomas G. Carmody, state representative
- Edward M. Carmouche, politician
- Liz Carmouche, mixed martial arts fighter
- Paul Carr, actor
- Joseph "Bébé" Carrière, la la and Cajun musician
- Lane Carson, first Vietnam War veteran to serve in Louisiana House of Representatives
- Gary Carter Jr., member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the Algiers neighborhood in New Orleans, effective 2016
- Robby Carter, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for East Feliciana, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa parishes, 1996–2008 and since 2016
- James Carville, political consultant and television commentator
- Tommy Casanova, football player, ophthalmologist, politician
- Bill Cassidy, U.S. representative, physician
- Don Cazayoux, politician
- Oliver Celestin, football safety player
- Leonard J. Chabert, politician
- Marty J. Chabert, politician
- Norby Chabert, politician
- Tina Chandler, IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Pokey Chatman, basketball player, WNBA head coach
- Clifton Chenier, Zydeco musician
- Claire Chennault, aviator, general
- Jimmy Childress, state and national championship high school football coach
- Jay Chevalier, singer
- Monnie T. Cheves, educator and state legislator
- Kate Chopin, author
- Philip Ciaccio, state representative, New Orleans City Council member, state circuit judge 1982–1998
- Ben Claassen III, illustrator and comics artist, DIRTFARM
- Morris Claiborne, cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys
- William C. C. Claiborne, first US governor of Louisiana
- Ryan Clark, safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Clem S. Clarke, oilman and politician from Shreveport
- Patricia Clarkson, Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated actress
- Sally Clausen, university president and commissioner of higher education
- Thomas G. Clausen, last elected Louisiana state superintendent of education
- Michael Clayton, wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- A.C. "Ace" Clemons Jr., first Republican state senator since Reconstruction; switched parties in 1970
- Bill Cleveland, Crowley real estate developer and member of both houses of Louisiana state legislature ; defeated for third term in state Senate in 1964 by Edwin Edwards
- Van Cliburn, classical pianist
- George Henry Clinton, politician
- Carl B. Close, politician
- Andrei Codrescu, author
- James E. Cofer, president of University of Louisiana at Monroe, 2002–2010
- J. Frank Colbert, politician
- Luther F. Cole, state representative and associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court
- Hamilton D. Coleman, U.S. representative from Louisiana's 2nd congressional district
- Vincent Coleman, actor
- La'el Collins, offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys
- Landon Collins, safety for the New York Giants
- Tazzie Colomb, IFBB professional female bodybuilder and powerlifter
- Marshall Colt, actor
- Amie Comeaux, country singer
- Ward Connerly, political activist, businessman, and former University of California Regent
- Harry Connick Jr., musician, entertainer, actor
- Harry Connick Sr., district attorney, singer
- Patrick Connick, politician
- John R. Conniff, educator
- Charlie Cook, political analyst
- John Cooksey, US representative
- Donnie Copeland, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives; Pentecostal pastor in North Little Rock, native of Monroe, Louisiana
- Charles C. Cordill, politician
- Daniel Cormier, UFC fighter and Olympic freestyle wrestler
- Lance Cormier, relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Jeff Cox, judge
- Robert Crais, crime novelist
- Oliver Crane, rower
- Clifford Ann Creed, pro golfer
- Scott Crichton, state district court judge in Shreveport
- Greg Cromer, state representative from St. Tammany Parish
- Brenham C. Crothers, politician
- John David Crow, football player and coach, born in Union Parish
- Marvin T. Culpepper, politician
- Charles Milton Cunningham, educator, lawyer, newspaperman, politician
- Milton Joseph Cunningham, state representative and state senator; state attorney general
- Cupid, R&B singer
- Currensy, rapper
- Joseph T. Curry, politician; planter
- Israel B. Curtis, politician from Alexandria
- Jacob Cutrera, middle linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars
D
- Casey Daigle, former MLB pitcher
- Lauren Daigle, Christian music artist
- Mike Danahay, state representative for Calcasieu Parish
- Stormy Daniels, porn actress, stripper
- Jay Dardenne, former state senator, Louisiana secretary of state, and lieutenant governor ; candidate for governor
- George W. D'Artois, Shreveport public safety commissioner
- Buster Davis, wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers
- Edwin Adams Davis, historian
- Glen Davis, power forward and center for LSU and the Los Angeles Clippers
- Jackson B. Davis, attorney and former state senator
- Jimmie Davis, singer, governor of Louisiana
- Willie Davis, Hall of Fame defensive end for the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers
- Keyunta Dawson, defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts
- Jay Dean, mayor of Longview, Texas, 2005–15; incoming Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives, effective 2017; reared in Opelousas
- Cleveland Dear, politician
- Michael E. DeBakey, pioneering cardiovascular surgeon
- Jefferson J. DeBlanc, World War II fighter pilot and flying ace, recipient of the Medal of Honor
- Edmond Dede, musician, composer
- Ellen DeGeneres, comedian, actress, television personality
- Geno Delafose, zydeco musician
- John Delafose, zydeco musician
- Joe Delaney, running back for Northwestern State University and for the Kansas City Chiefs; died saving children from swimming hole
- Jake Delhomme, quarterback for University of Louisiana at Lafayette and for Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII
- David Dellucci, MLB outfielder, played primarily with the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Numa T. Delouche, state representative from Natchitoches Parish
- George Dement, politician
- Tim Dement, amateur boxer who competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics
- James L. Dennis, judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit; former judge of the Louisiana Supreme Court; former state representative
- Catherine Dent, actress, Danni Sofer on The Shield
- Natalie Desselle-Reid, actress
- Lurita Doan, administrator of the General Services Administration under President George W. Bush
- James Dobson, evangelical Christian author, psychologist, founder of Focus on the Family
- William Joseph "Bill" Dodd, politician
- James R. Domengeaux, U.S. representative; French language cultural activist
- Ronald Dominique, serial killer
- Fats Domino, musician
- Caroline Dormon, naturalist, horticulturist, promoter of Kisatchie National Forest
- Glenn Dorsey, defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers
- Lorenzo Doss, cornerback for the Denver Broncos
- Cat Doucet, sheriff
- Early Doucet, wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals
- Michael Doucet, fiddler
- Donna Douglas, actress, The Beverly Hillbillies
- C. H. "Sammy" Downs, member of both houses of the Louisiana legislature from Rapides Parish
- Gil Dozier, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry
- Dee D. Drell, U.S. district judge in Alexandria
- R. Harmon Drew Sr., city judge, state representative
- Richard Maxwell Drew, judge and state representative
- Clyde Drexler, basketball player, University of Houston, NBA and U.S. Olympic team, member of Basketball Hall of Fame
- John Malcolm Duhé Jr., retired state court, U.S. district, and appellate court judge from New Iberia and Lafayette
- Chris Duhon, NBA point guard
- David Duke, former state representative, former Ku Klux Klansman
- Lance Dunbar, running back for the Dallas Cowboys
- Warrick Dunn, NFL running back
- Mark Duper, Miami Dolphins wide receiver
- Adrian G. Duplantier, U.S. district judge and former state senator from Orleans Parish
- Jay Duplass, film director
- Gilbert L. Dupré, politician from St. Landry Parish
- H. Garland Dupré, politician
- Champion Jack Dupree, boxer, musician
- Chad Durbin, MLB pitcher
- Joey Durel, mayor of Lafayette
- Stanwood Duval, federal judge in New Orleans
- Wilbur Dyer, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Rapides Parish
- W.E. "Bill" Dykes, politician
E
- Richard Eastham, actor
- William C. Edenborn, railroad magnate, steel industrialist, inventor
- Rick Edmonds, state representative for East Baton Rouge Parish; Baptist minister
- Mike Edmonson, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police
- Edwin Edwards, governor of Louisiana
- John Bel Edwards, governor of Louisiana
- Lavar Edwards, defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys
- Ronnie Edwards, Baton Rouge politician
- Troy Edwards, football player
- Charles Wheaton Elam, politician
- Joseph Barton Elam Sr., politician
- Allen J. Ellender, member of Congress, United States senator and president pro tem of the Senate
- Frank Burton Ellis, politician
- Faye Emerson, actress
- Julie Emerson, state representative for Lafayette and St. Landry parishes
- E. D. Estilette, politician from St. Landry Parish
- Albert Estopinal, politician
- James R. Eubank, lawyer and member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Rapides Parish
- John D. Ewing, newspaper executive
F
- Jamie Fair, former state representative
- Reid Falconer, state representative for St. Tammany Parish, effective 2016
- Ralph Falsetta, politician from Ascension Parish
- Alan Faneca, NFL offensive guard, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Rick L. Farrar, state representative from Rapides Parish
- Dillon Farrell, center for the San Francisco 49ers
- Clarence Faulk, publisher, broadcaster, businessman from Ruston
- Kevin Faulk, New England Patriots running back, LSU Hall of Famer
- Marshall Faulk, Hall of Fame running back, television commentator
- Trev Faulk, St. Louis Rams linebacker
- William C. Feazel, interim U.S. senator in 1948; former state representative from Ouachita Parish
- Lionel Ferbos, jazz musician from New Orleans
- Jimmy Field, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner
- Cleo Fields, politician
- T. T. Fields, politician
- David Filo, co-founder of Yahoo!
- Olaf Fink, educator and state senator for Orleans Parish 1956–1972
- Jimmy Fitzmorris, politician, lieutenant governor
- Sean Patrick Flanery, actor
- John C. Fleming, U.S. representative; medical doctor
- Dan Flores, historian of the American West
- D. J. Fluker, offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers
- John Folse, chef and restaurateur
- Canray Fontenot, fiddler
- Jerry Fontenot, assistant coach for the Green Bay Packers
- Mary Alice Fontenot, author
- Mike Fontenot, second baseman for the San Francisco Giants
- Elizabeth Erny Foote, judge
- Cheryl Ford, WNBA player
- Faith Ford, actress
- Frankie Ford, singer
- C. B. Forgotston, state government watchdog
- Barbara Forrest, philosopher and prominent critic of the intelligent design movement
- Matt Forte, running back for the Chicago Bears
- Ezola B. Foster, conservative political activist, writer, and politician
- Mike Foster, governor of Louisiana
- Murphy J. Foster, governor of Louisiana
- Pete Fountain, musician
- Mike Francis, businessman, Republican former state party chairman
- Keith Frank, zydeco musician
- Preston Frank, zydeco musician
- Tillman Franks, country musician and manager
- Anthony Freeman, Catholic religious and author
- Mannie Fresh, record producer, musician
- J. Isaac Friedman, state representative and state senator from Natchitoches Parish
- Leon Friedman, state representative from Natchitoches Parish
- W. C. Friley, educator and Baptist clergyman
- Lawrence T. Fuglaar, state representative from Rapides Parish ; drowning victim
- Franklin Fuller, professor emeritus at Tulane University Law School, authority on tax law
- Samuel B. Fuller, founder and president of the Fuller Products Company, publisher of the New York Age and Pittsburgh Courier
- Henry L. Fuqua, governor of Louisiana
- J. B. Fuselier, Cajun musician from Oberlin, Louisiana
- Mike Futrell, politician
G
- Ernest J. Gaines, author
- Randal Gaines, African American; lawyer; educator; state representative for St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes
- Daniel F. Galouye, science fiction writer
- Count Bernardo de Gálvez, Spanish governor; viceroy of New Spain
- John Sidney Garrett, former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Claiborne Parish
- Jim Garrison, former New Orleans district attorney; later a state judge
- Robert T. Garrity Jr., former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Jefferson Parish
- Kevin Gates, rapper
- Chad Gaudin, MLB pitcher
- Tim Gautreaux, author
- Randall Gay, cornerback for the New Orleans Saints
- Johnny Giavotella, second baseman for the Los Angeles Angels
- Philip H. Gilbert, politician; former lieutenant governor
- Mickey Gilley, musician; singer; nightclub owner
- David 'Bo' Ginn, state senator for Morehouse Parish
- George Girard, musician
- Hap Glaudi, New Orleans sports journalist
- Edgar Godbold, president of Louisiana College
- H. N. Goff, state representative from Rapides Parish
- Victor Gold, journalist and political consultant
- John Goodman, actor
- Cletis Gordon, cornerback for the United Football League's Florida Tuskers
- Stephen Gostkowski, placekicker for the New England Patriots
- Louis Moreau Gottschalk, pianist; composer
- Lucille May Grace, first woman in statewide elected office as register of state lands
- Shirley Ann Grau, writer
- Webster "Webbie" Gradney Jr., rapper
- Danny Granger, small forward for the Philadelphia 76ers
- Todd Graves, entrepreneur and founder of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
- Veleka Gray, actress; writer; producer
- Douglas D. "Doug" Green, politician
- Howard Green, nose tackle for the Green Bay Packers
- BenJarvus Green-Ellis, running back for the New England Patriots
- Thomas A. "Tom" Greene, former state senator
- John Grenier, Republican politician in Alabama; born in New Orleans
- Grits Gresham, sportsman; journalist
- J. D. Grey, clergyman
- Robert Groves, sociologist; Director of the United States Census Bureau under U.S. President Barack Obama
- Anthony Guarisco Jr., politician
- Dudley A. Guglielmo, insurance commissioner
- Dick Guidry, politician; businessman from Lafourche Parish
- Greg G. Guidry, member of the Louisiana Supreme Court
- Richard Guidry, advocate of French language in Louisiana
- Ron Guidry, Cy Young Award-winning pitcher for the New York Yankees
- Brandon Guillory, businessman
- Elbert Guillory, politician
- G. Earl Guinn, president of Louisiana College
- Bryant Gumbel, television journalist
- Greg Gumbel, sportscaster
- Buddy Guy, blues musician
H
- Billy Hagan, NASCAR owner and racer, businessman
- Richard T. Haik, United States district judge for the Western District of Louisiana
- Ted Haik, politician
- Jeff Hall, state representative for Rapides Parish
- Joe Hall, la la and Cajun musician
- Pike Hall Jr., judge from Shreveport
- Rusty Hamer, child actor
- Henry E. Hardtner, lumberman, conservationist, politician, founder of Urania
- John Spencer Hardy, lieutenant general in the United States Air Force
- Paul Jude Hardy, state senator, secretary of state, lieutenant governor
- Robert Harling, playwright, screenwriter and film director, wrote Steel Magnolias
- Winsor Harmon, actor, The Bold and the Beautiful
- Lance Harris, state representative
- Will Harris, relief pitcher for the Houston Astros
- Damon Harrison, nose tackle for the New York Giants
- Joe Harrison, state representative
- Ryan Harrison, professional tennis player
- Leonard R. "Pop" Hataway, former sheriff of Grant Parish
- Torrence "Lil Boosie" Hatch, rapper
- Jason Hatcher, defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys
- Kenny Havard, politician
- Elvin Hayes, Hall of Fame basketball player
- Hunter Hayes, country singer
- William Wright Heard, governor of Louisiana
- Bobby Hebert, New Orleans Saints quarterback known as "Cajun Cannon"
- Felix Edward Hébert, journalist, politician
- Paul M. Hebert, judge, Louisiana State University Law Center dean
- Troy Hebert, politician
- Lee Hedges, champion football coach in Shreveport
- Talmadge L. Heflin, former member of the Texas House of Representatives
- Marie Alice Heine, first American Princess of Monaco
- Betty Heitman, Republican politician
- David Heitmeier, state senator for Orleans Parish ; optometrist
- Francis C. Heitmeier, former state senator for Orleans Parish; lawyer and lobbyist
- Knute Heldner, impressionist artist
- Lillian Hellman, playwright and screenwriter
- Devery Henderson, wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints
- Lloyd Hendrick, Shreveport lawyer and state senator for DeSoto and Caddo parish
es - Ellis Henican, journalist, commentator, talk show host
- Jeff Hennessy, trampoline coach
- Leigh Hennessy, world champion gymnast and movie stuntwoman
- Shelley Hennig, actress, Days of Our Lives
- Charlie Hennigan, football player
- Gilbert Franklin Hennigan, politician
- Cameron Henry, politician
- Clarence "Frogman" Henry, singer, musician
- Gloria Henry, actress, CBS's Dennis the Menace
- Bob Hensgens, state representative
- George Herriman, Krazy Kat cartoonist
- Louis Herthum, actor, Murder, She Wrote
- Jacob Hester, fullback for the San Diego Chargers
- Emma Churchman Hewitt, writer, journalist
- W. W. Hicks, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Webster Parish
- Andrew Higgins, shipbuilder, industrialist
- Clay Higgins, U.S. representative for Louisiana's 3rd congressional district, beginning 2017
- Stephanie Hilferty, state representative for Orleans and Jefferson parishes since 2016
- Kenny Hill, NFL defensive back
- Corey Hilliard, offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions
- Quin Hillyer, columnist and editor
- Donald E. Hines, politician and physician
- Walker Hines, state representative from Orleans Parish
- Al Hirt, musician
- Valarie Hodges, politician
- Melvin L. Holden, first African-American mayor of Baton Rouge
- Cheryl Holdridge, actor
- Trindon Holliday, wide receiver and return specialist for the New York Giants
- Earl Holliman, actor
- Harry Hollins, state representative for Calcasieu Parish 1964–1980
- Paul Hollis, state representative from St. Tammany Parish
- Clyde C. Holloway, former US representative; member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission
- Ben F. Holt, politician
- Jay F. Honeycutt, former director of the Kennedy Space Center
- Russel L. Honoré, general during Hurricane Katrina relief
- Dodie Horton, state representative for Bossier Parish, effective 2016
- Son House, blues singer and guitarist
- TJ House, pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
- Alton Hardy Howard, co-founder of Howard Brothers Discount Stores; gospel songwriter
- Jaye Howard, nose tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs
- V. E. Howard, Church of Christ clergyman, founder of radio International Gospel Hour
- W. L. "Jack" Howard, mayor of Monroe and partner of Howard Brothers Discount Stores
- Arlene Howell, Miss USA 1958 and actress: Bourbon Street Beat
- Jerry Huckaby, US representative
- Jefferson D. Hughes III, associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court since 2013
- William Clark Hughes, Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives ; Bossier Parish farmer
- Melvin Hunt, assistant coach of the Dallas Mavericks
- Clementine Hunter, folk artist
- Jeffrey Hunter, actor
- Marcus Hunter, politician
- Carolyn Huntoon, scientist
- Mike "Pete" Huval, politician
I
- Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d'Iberville, founder of the French colony of Louisiana of New France
- Iron Eyes Cody, actor; native of Kaplan
- Walter Isaacson, author; journalist; president and chief executive officer, Aspen Institute
- Barry Ivey, politician
J
- George W. Jack, federal judge
- Wellborn Jack, state representative from Caddo Parish
- Whitfield Jack, Shreveport attorney and United States Army colonel in World War II and United States Army Reserve major general
- Donte Jackson, NFL cornerback
- John M. Jackson, actor, JAG
- Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under Barack Obama
- Mahalia Jackson, gospel singer
- Randy Jackson, guitarist and lead singer of rock band Zebra
- Randy Jackson, musician, entrepreneur, television personality
- Tyson Jackson, defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons
- Brandon Jacobs, running back for the New York Giants
- Angie Jakusz, contestant on Survivor: Palau
- Bradie James, linebacker for the Houston Texans
- Antawn Jamison, NBA player for the Los Angeles Lakers
- Rajarsi Janakananda, former president of the Self-Realization Fellowship
- JayDaYoungan, rapper
- Lemuel Jeanpierre, center for the Seattle Seahawks
- Patrick O. Jefferson, state representative for Bienville, Claiborne, and Lincoln parishes ; lawyer in Arcadia
- Eddie Jemison, actor, Hung, Bruce Almighty, and Ocean's Eleven and its sequels
- T. J. Jemison, clergyman and organizer of the Baton Rouge bus boycott
- Faith Jenkins, attorney, legal commentator, Miss Louisiana 2000
- Mykel Shannon Jenkins, actor, The Bold and the Beautiful
- Woody Jenkins, politician, newspaper publisher
- Bobby Jindal, governor of Louisiana
- Ronnie Johns, politician
- Andrew R. Johnson, state senator and mayor of Homer; named Ashland, Louisiana
- Avery Johnson, NBA player and coach
- Bernette Joshua Johnson, chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court since 2013; associate justice, 1994–2013
- Bill Johnson, jazz musician
- Damaris Johnson, wide receiver and punt returner for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Dan Johnson, Kentucky politician
- Mike Johnson, U.S. representative for Louisiana's 4th congressional district since 2017; Speaker of the United States House of Representatives since 2023; former state representative and constitutional attorney from Bossier Parish
- Quinn Johnson, fullback for the Green Bay Packers
- Toya Johnson, actress
- John Bennett Johnston Jr., U.S. senator ; lobbyist ; state senator ; state representative
- Charlie Joiner, former NFL wide receiver, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Bert Jones, football quarterback, LSU and NFL's Baltimore Colts
- Chad Jones, safety for the New York Giants
- Deion Jones, linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons
- Donnie Jones, punter for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Dub Jones, NFL and AAFC running back
- Edgar Jones, linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Jacoby Jones, wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens
- Perry Jones III, player for the Oklahoma City Thunder
- Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones, president and baseball coach at Grambling State University
- Henderson Jordan, Bienville Parish sheriff, in posse that ambushed Bonnie and Clyde
- Michael I. Jordan, professor at University of California, Berkeley, researcher in machine learning and artificial intelligence
- J. E. Jumonville Jr., state senator and horse breeder from Pointe Coupee Parish
- Juvenile, rapper
K
- Kelly Keeling, singer-songwriter from Houma
- Perry Keith, politician
- William P. Kellogg, member of Congress; governor; United States senator
- Iris Kelso, New Orleans journalist
- Bolivar E. Kemp, U.S. representative
- Bolivar Edwards Kemp Jr., Louisiana attorney general
- John Neely Kennedy, Louisiana state treasurer
- Robert F. Kennon, governor of Louisiana
- Doug Kershaw, musician, singer
- Sammy Kershaw, musician; singer; candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
- Ernie K-Doe, singer; billed himself as the "Emperor of the Universe"
- DJ Khaled, record producer; radio personality; DJ; record label executive
- Salman Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy
- Nat G. Kiefer, state senator from New Orleans
- Catherine D. Kimball, retired chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court
- Claude King, country singer-songwriter; known for "Wolverton Mountain"
- Earl King, musician
- Ralph E. King, physician; state senator from Franklin Parish
- Edith Killgore Kirkpatrick, music educator; former member of Louisiana Board of Regents
- Mark Klein, singer
- Neil Haven Klock, sugar planter; politician from Rapides Parish
- Jeannette Knoll, associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court
- Jesse Monroe Knowles, politician; survivor of the Bataan Death March during World War II
L
- John LaBruzzo, politician
- Eddie Lacy, running back for the Green Bay Packers
- Oliver Lafayette, basketball player
- Ed Lafitte, baseball player
- Jean Lafitte, blacksmith; pirate
- David LaFleur, former NFL player
- Eric LaFleur, attorney and politician
- Greg LaFleur, former NFL player
- Joseph Verbis Lafleur, Roman Catholic priest of the Military Ordinariate of the United States during World War II
- Vanessa Caston LaFleur, attorney and politician
- Juan LaFonta, former state representative for Orleans Parish and New Orleans lawyer
- Papa Jack Laine, bandleader
- Maxie Lambright, football coach
- Dorothy Lamour, actress
- Julius Lamperez, musician
- Katherine LaNasa, actress, Judging Amy
- Bennett Landreneau, major general in the Army National Guard, and adjutant general of Louisiana, 1997–2011
- Mary Landrieu, US senator
- Mitch Landrieu, politician
- Moon Landrieu, judge, politician
- Ali Landry, actress; model; Miss USA
- Jarvis Landry, wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins
- Jeff Landry, politician
- Lisa Landry, comedian
- Nancy Landry, politician
- Eric Laneuville, actor; television director, St. Elsewhere, Room 222
- Nick LaRocca, self-proclaimed "inventor of jazz"
- John Larroquette, actor
- Hank Lauricella, football player; state senator
- Marie Laveau, Voodoo priestess
- Theodore K. Lawless, dermatologist, medical researcher, and philanthropist
- Ladislas Lazaro, politician
- Claude "Buddy" Leach, politician; businessman
- Lead Belly, musician
- Ronald Leary, guard for the Dallas Cowboys
- Dudley J. LeBlanc, politician; businessman; made a fortune in the patent medicine Hadacol
- Fred S. LeBlanc, politician
- Samuel A. LeBlanc I, lawyer; state representative; state court judge; grandfather of Sam A. LeBlanc III
- Conway LeBleu, state representative for Calcasieu and Cameron parishes, 1964–88
- Richard Leche, governor of Louisiana
- Rosie Ledet, musician
- Joseph E. LeDoux, neuroscientist
- David Lee, football player
- Harry Lee, Jefferson Parish sheriff
- Rory Lee, president of Louisiana College
- Keith Lehr, two-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, born and resides in Bossier City
- Iry LeJeune, musician
- John A. Lejeune, Marine Corps general
- Don Lemon, journalist and television anchor; host of CNN Newsroom
- Elmore Leonard, crime and western novelist; born in New Orleans
- Jim Leslie, journalist; advertising executive; assassinated in Baton Rouge
- Jared Leto, actor; lead singer and guitarist of the alternative rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars
- Shannon Leto, drummer of the alternative rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, occasional actor
- Zachary Levi, actor, Less than Perfect, Chuck
- Jerry Lee Lewis, musician
- Keenan Lewis, cornerback for the New Orleans Saints
- Michael Lewis, author; financial journalist; Moneyball, The Blind Side
- Patrick Lewis, center for the Seattle Seahawks
- Rashard Lewis, forward for the Orlando Magic
- Lil Wayne, rapper
- Coleman Lindsey, politician
- Meghan Linsey, musician, singer/songwriter, and contestant on The Voice season 8
- F. A. Little Jr., judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
- Little Walter, blues harmonica player
- Nate Livings, guard for the Dallas Cowboys
- Bob Livingston, member of Congress
- Edward Livingston, member of Congress; United States Secretary of State
- Lloyd, contemporary R&B and hip hop artist
- Bennie Logan, nose tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Earl Kemp Long, governor of Louisiana
- George S. Long, US representative
- Gerald Long, Republican state senator from Natchitoches; only elected Republican official of the Long family
- Huey Pierce Long Jr., governor of Louisiana; US senator
- Jimmy D. Long, politician
- Russell Long, US senator
- Speedy O. Long, US representative; district attorney from La Salle Parish
- Professor Longhair, musician
- John L. Loos, historian
- Joseph Lopinto, state representative from Jefferson Parish
- Morris Lottinger Jr., politician
- Morris Lottinger Sr., politician
- Lance Louis, offensive guard for the Indianapolis Colts
- Aaron Loup, relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Bobby Lowther, only two-sport All-American at Louisiana State University
- Cornelius Lucas, offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions
- Robert L. Lynn, president of Louisiana College 1975–1997
- Ted Lyons, Hall of Fame baseball player
M
- Sherman Q. Mack, politician
- Anthony Mackie, actor, Million Dollar Baby, The Hurt Locker, Captain America
- Magic Sam, blues music pioneer
- John Maginnis, journalist; author
- Mikie Mahtook, outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Karl Malone, Hall of Fame basketball player, mainly with the Utah Jazz
- Jeff Mangum, musician; founder of Neutral Milk Hotel
- Archie Manning, former New Orleans Saints quarterback; father of Eli, Cooper and Peyton
- Cooper Manning, television personality; brother of Eli and Peyton
- Eli Manning, New York Giants quarterback; son of Archie Manning; brother of Peyton and Cooper
- Peyton Manning, retired Denver Broncos quarterback; son of Archie Manning; brother of Eli and Cooper
- Tommy Manzella, shortstop for the Colorado Rockies
- "Pistol" Pete Maravich, basketball player, LSU and NBA Hall of Famer
- Paul Mares, musician
- Anna Margaret, singer
- Angélica María, Mexican actress and singer
- Robert M. Marionneaux, politician
- Branford Marsalis, musician
- Delfeayo Marsalis, trombonist
- Ellis Marsalis Jr., musician; educator
- Ellis Marsalis Sr., poultry farmer; jazz musician; hotelier; civil rights activist
- Jason Marsalis, percussionist
- Wynton Marsalis, musician
- Leonard Marshall, former defensive end, primarily for the New York Giants
- Samuel W. Martien, planter; politician
- Jarell Martin, basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Danny Martiny, politician
- Rod Masterson, actor
- Tyrann Mathieu, free safety and cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals
- Vance McAllister, U.S. representative from Louisiana's 5th congressional district
- Jay McCallum, justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court; former state representative for Lincoln and Union parishes
- James T. McCalman, state senator from Claiborne and Bienville parishes
- Todd McClure, center for the Atlanta Falcons
- John McConathy, professional basketball player and educator
- Mike McConathy, basketball coach at Northwestern State University since 1999; son of John McConathy
- Billy McCormack, Southern Baptist clergyman; national director of the Christian Coalition of America
- Jim McCrery, US representative
- Sidney McCrory, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry
- Jack McFarland, state representative from Winn Parish, effective 2016
- Eugene McGehee, state legislator; judge; from East Baton Rouge Parish
- Tim McGraw, country musician; actor
- John McKeithen, governor of Louisiana
- W. Fox McKeithen, Louisiana secretary of state
- Charles E. McKenzie, U.S. representative
- Baylus Benjamin McKinney, Christian singer-songwriter
- Joe McKnight, tailback for the New York Jets
- A. J. McNamara, state representative; U.S. district judge from Jefferson Parish
- Gil Meche, MLB pitcher
- Leon C. Megginson, LSU professor noted for his clarifying statements about Darwinism
- D. L. Menard, Cajun musician from Erath
- Adah Isaacs Menken, actress
- Emile Meyer, actor
- Jerome Meyinsse, basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Quintin Mikell, safety for the St. Louis Rams
- Lizzie Miles, singer
- Wade Miley, relief pitcher for the Houston Astros
- Larry Miller, musician and accordion maker
- Roderick Miller, politician; lawyer
- Percy "Master P" Miller, musician; actor; record producer; athlete
- Fred H. Mills Jr., politician, pharmacist, banker
- Jordan Mills, offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears
- Newt V. Mills, U.S. representative
- Paul Millsap, power forward for the Utah Jazz
- Alexander Milne, businessman; slave trader; philanthropist
- Barkevious Mingo, outside linebacker for the New England Patriots
- H. Lane Mitchell, Shreveport commissioner of public works
- RJ Mitte, actor, Walt Jr. on Breaking Bad
- Beth Mizell, state senator for St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes since 2016
- Randy Moffett, educator
- Bill Monroe, journalist, host of Meet the Press
- Greg Monroe, center for the Detroit Pistons
- Billy Montgomery, politician; former educator
- Little Brother Montgomery, musician
- Chris Mooney, journalist and author
- Cleo Moore, actress
- Danny Roy Moore, state senator from Claiborne Parish
- Ellen Bryan Moore, register of state lands; captain in Women's Army Corps during World War II
- Mewelde Moore, running back for the Indianapolis Colts
- W. Henson Moore, US representative
- Jackie Moreland, professional basketball player
- Aaron Morgan, outside linebacker and defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cecil Morgan, state legislator; led the impeachment forces against Huey Pierce Long Jr.; executive with Standard Oil Company; dean of Tulane University Law School
- Elemore Morgan Jr., landscape painter and photographer
- Lewis L. Morgan, U.S. representative; gubernatorial runoff candidate
- Oliver Morgan, R&B singer
- Dutch Morial, judge; mayor of New Orleans
- Sergio Rossetti Morosini, diplomat, artist, author; 1975 honorary Louisiana state senator
- Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, member of the New Orleans City Council
- Jean-Paul Morrell, New Orleans lawyer and member of both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature
- Jay Morris, state representative from Ouachita and Morehouse parishes
- deLesseps Morrison Jr., state representative from Orleans Parish
- deLesseps S. "Chep" Morrison, mayor of New Orleans; ambassador to the Organization of American States; three-time gubernatorial candidate
- Logan Morrison, outfielder and first baseman for the Seattle Mariners
- Morgus the Magnificent, fictional horror host
- Paul Morphy, world chess champion
- Garrett Morris, actor and comedian, Saturday Night Live
- Isaac Edward Morse, attorney general of Louisiana; US member of Congress
- Jelly Roll Morton, musician; composer; self-proclaimed "inventor of jazz"
- Alicia Morton, actress
- Alexander Mouton, governor; United States senator
- Jonas Mouton, linebacker for the San Diego Chargers
- Bernhard Müller, colonizer
- W. Spencer Myrick, state legislator from West Carroll Parish
N
- Ray Nagin, mayor of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina; convicted felon
- Kevin Naquin, Cajun accordionist
- Oliver F. Naquin, United States Navy admiral
- Edward F. Neild, architect; from Shreveport
- Ed Nelson, actor, Peyton Place
- Aaron Neville, singer
- Arthel Neville, anchor for Fox News
- Drake Nevis, defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys
- Josephine Louise Newcomb, philanthropist
- Jimmy C. Newman, musician
- Malik Newman, basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Randy Newman, singer-songwriter; pianist
- Francis T. Nicholls, governor of Louisiana
- Lance E. Nichols, actor, Treme
- Taurean Nixon, cornerback for the Denver Broncos
- James A. Noe, governor of Louisiana ; oil driller; broadcaster
- Rico Noel, outfielder for the New York Yankees
- Aaron Nola, MLB All Star baseball pitcher
- William Wiley Norris III, city, district, and circuit court judge from West Monroe
- Solomon Northrup, abolitionist
- Alcide Nunez, musician
- Samuel B. Nunez Jr., politician
- William Harold "Billy" Nungesser, Republican politician
O
- Prentiss Oakley, Bienville Parish sheriff ; in posse that ambushed Bonnie and Clyde in 1934
- Frank Ocean, Grammy Award-nominated R&B singer
- Alton Ochsner, surgeon; medical researcher
- Bob Odom, state agriculture commissioner ; longest-serving individual in that office
- Arthur J. O'Keefe Sr., mayor of New Orleans
- Michael H. O'Keefe, politician; convicted felon
- Henry Warren Ogden, politician
- Shaquille O'Neal, former LSU and NBA player, Basketball Hall of Famer
- Joe "King" Oliver, jazz musician
- Virgil Orr, state representative; vice president, Louisiana Tech University
- Joe Osborn, musician
- Kenneth Osterberger, state senator from East Baton Rouge Parish, 1972–1992; former opponent of David Duke
- Lee Harvey Oswald, presumed assassin of U.S. President John F. Kennedy
- Mel Ott, Hall of Fame baseball player
- George T. Oubre, politician; from St. James Parish
- Darrell Ourso, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from East Baton Rouge Parish
- Jessel Ourso, sheriff of Iberville Parish
- John H. Overton, US senator
P
- Robert Pack, NBA player and coach
- James George Palmer, mayor of Shreveport ; judge, Louisiana Circuit Court of Appeals
- Jonathan Papelbon, closer for the Philadelphia Phillies
- Robert Parish, Hall of Fame basketball player
- John M. Parker, governor of Louisiana
- John Victor Parker, federal judge
- Mel Parnell, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox
- Edward Grady Partin, Teamsters Union business agent in Baton Rouge
- Otto Passman, U.S. representative
- William S. Patout III, sugar grower in Iberia Parish
- Carly Patterson, Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics
- Elfrid Payton, point guard for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association
- Nicholas Payton, musician
- Joe Raymond Peace, football coach
- Kevin Pearson, politician
- Jesse Pearson, actor and screenwriter
- William S. Peck Sr., politician
- Harvey Peltier Jr., politician
- Harvey Peltier Sr., politician
- Walker Percy, author
- Leander Perez, district judge; political boss of St. Bernard and Plaquemine parishes
- Tony Perkins, conservative politician; head of the Family Research Council
- Ralph Perlman, state budget director
- Pauley Perrette, singer and actress
- Ryan Perrilloux, quarterback
- Jonathan W. Perry, politician
- Tyler Perry, television and film producer, writer, actor, director
- Jace Peterson, second baseman for the Atlanta Braves
- Aristos Petrou, musician; member of the rap duo Suicideboys
- Bob Pettit, Hall of Fame basketball player
- Andy Pettitte, former starting pitcher for the New York Yankees and Houston Astros
- Marguerite Piazza, operatic soprano
- Abe E. Pierce III, politician; educator
- Webb Pierce, singer
- Wendell Pierce, actor, Bunk Moreland on The Wire
- Juan Pierre, outfielder for the Miami Marlins
- P.B.S. Pinchback, politician, governor of Louisiana
- Glen Pitre, filmmaker
- Loulan Pitre Jr., lawyer in New Orleans; former state representative for Lafourche Parish
- Montgomery Pittman, actor, screenwriter, producer, known for 77 Sunset Strip
- Vance Plauché, U.S. representative, 1941–1943
- Dustin Poirier, UFC fighter
- Lloyd Harlin Polite, R&B singer
- Leonidas Polk, Confederate general; Episcopal bishop; founder of Sewanee: The University of the South
- Tracy Porter, cornerback for the Oakland Raiders
- Dante Powell, stand-up comedian
- Mike Powell, Shreveport politician
- Robert E. Powell, mayor of Monroe 1979–1996
- Julien de Lallande Poydras, poet, politician
- Phil Preis, politician
- Sister Helen Prejean, activist
- Arthur T. Prescott, educator and founding president of Louisiana Tech University
- Dak Prescott, quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys
- Edward J. Price, state representative for Ascension, Iberville, and St. James parishes
- Louis Prima, musician, entertainer
- Professor Longhair, musician
- Albin Provosty, politician from New Roads
- Paul Prudhomme, chef
Q
- Chris Quinn, point guard for the New Jersey Nets
R
- Paul Rae, actor
- Max Rafferty, author; educator; California politician
- Henry Ragas, early jazz pianist
- Kevin Rahm, actor
- Tanner Rainey, relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals
- Melvin Rambin, politician; banker
- Rueben Randle, wide receiver for the New York Giants
- Kevin Rankin, actor, Friday Night Lights, Trauma, Unforgettable
- Ed Rand, state representative from Rapides Parish
- Joseph E. Ransdell, U.S. representative from Louisiana's 5th congressional district; U.S. senator
- John Rarick, US representative; state court judge
- Clyde V. Ratcliff, politician; planter
- Eddy Raven, singer-songwriter
- Shawn Reaves, actor
- Mac "Dr John" Rebbenack, pianist, singer-songwriter
- Ed Reed, NFL free safety
- Willis Reed, Hall of Fame basketball player with the New York Knicks; NBA head coach
- Pee Wee Reese, Hall of Fame shortstop for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers
- Godfrey Reggio, filmmaker
- Eric Reid, safety for the San Francisco 49ers
- Darius Reynaud, wide receiver and running back for the Tennessee Titans
- Slater Rhea, American singer and TV personality famous in China; born in Alexandria
- Doris Lindsey Holland Rhodes, politician
- Anne Rice, author
- Jerome "Dee" Richard, politician
- Teddy Riley, jazz trumpeter
- Norbert Rilleaux, inventor; engineer
- Neil Riser, state senator, 2008–2020; state representative since 2020
- Randy Roach, mayor of Lake Charles since 2000
- Rob49, rapper
- Cokie Roberts, television journalist; author; daughter of Hale Boggs and Lindy Boggs
- Kay Robertson, television personality
- Phil Robertson, television personality
- Si Robertson, television personality
- Scotty Robertson, basketball coach
- Greg Robinson, offensive tackle for the St. Louis Rams
- W. C. Robinson, educator
- George Rodrigue, "Blue Dog" artist
- Buddy Roemer, governor of Louisiana
- Charles E. Roemer II, state commissioner of administration
- Ned Romero, actor; originally from Franklin
- Ralph L. Ropp, president of Louisiana Tech University
- Leon Roppolo, musician
- Jacques Roy, mayor of Alexandria
- Alvin Benjamin Rubin, federal judge
- Barry Rubin, head strength and conditioning coach of the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL
- Bill Russell, Hall of Fame center for the Boston Celtics; NBA coach
- Weldon Russell, politician; businessman
S
- Jeffrey D. Sadow, political scientist; columnist; educator
- Larry Sale, sheriff of Claiborne Parish
- Joe R. Salter, politician, educator
- Brandon Sampson, basketball player for Hapoel Be'er Sheva of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- A. T. "Apple" Sanders Jr., member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from East Baton Rouge Parish
- Joel Savoy, musician and music producer
- Marc Savoy, musician and accordion builder
- Wilson Savoy, Grammy-winning musician
- Kurtis Scaletta, writer
- Clay Schexnayder, state representative; businessman
- John Schroder, former state representative from Covington; businessman
- Mike Scifres, punter for the San Diego Chargers
- Ashley Scott, actress, model, Jericho, Dark Angel, Birds of Prey
- Nauman Scott, U.S. District Court judge
- Pat Screen, mayor-president of East Baton Rouge Parish
- Alan Seabaugh, state representative
- J.C. Seaman, state representative from Tensas Parish
- Sam Seamans, Anglican Church bishop in Mountain Home, Arkansas; born in Morgan City
- Aaron Selber Jr., businessman and philanthropist
- Joe Sevario, state senator from Ascension Parish, 1976–94
- Henry Clay Sevier, politician
- V. C. Shannon, politician
- Amanda Shaw, actress; singer; fiddler
- B. L. Shaw, former state senator, educator
- Rhonda Shear, beauty queen; television host
- Ben Sheets, MLB pitcher
- Virginia Shehee, first woman elected to Louisiana Senate
- Clarence Shelmon, NFL offensive coordinator
- Kenny Wayne Shepherd, musician
- Alana Shipp, American-Israeli IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Chris Shivers, professional bull rider
- Henry Miller Shreve, inventor; steamboat captain
- Phil Short, state senator; relocated to Virginia
- Rockin' Sidney, zydeco musician
- Richard Simmons, fitness authority; television personality
- Scott M. Simon, state representative
- Tharold Simon, cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks
- Frank P. Simoneaux, state representative from East Baton Rouge Parish
- C. O. Simpkins Sr., state representative from Shreveport; civil rights activist, and dentist
- Cuthbert Ormond Simpkins Jr., physician and historian, reared in Shreveport
- Oramel H. Simpson, governor of Louisiana
- Fulwar Skipwith, diplomat; politician
- Eric Skrmetta, politician
- John Slidell, U.S. senator; Confederate diplomat
- Soulja Slim, musician
- Donald Sloan, guard for the Atlanta Hawks
- Argile Smith, interim president of Louisiana College
- George Luke Smith, U.S. representative from Louisiana's 4th congressional district
- Howard K. Smith, television journalist; reporter
- Jasper K. Smith, politician
- John R. Smith, politician
- Otis Smith, New England Patriots cornerback; Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach
- Patricia Haynes Smith, state representative from Baton Rouge
- Jefferson B. Snyder, politician
- Robert H. Snyder, politician
- Guy Sockrider, politician
- Steven Soderbergh, film producer; screenwriter; cinematographer; director
- Floyd Soileau, record producer
- Jennifer Soileau, former professional soccer player
- Leo Soileau, fiddler
- Ian Somerhalder, actor; model
- Art Sour, State Representative from Shreveport
- James Z. Spearing, politician
- Britney Spears, singer; actress
- Bryan Spears, film and television producer
- Jamie Lynn Spears, actress; singer
- Lynne Spears, author
- Marcus Spears, defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys
- Freddie Spencer, world motorcycle champion
- Mason Spencer, politician
- Tommy Spinks, football player
- Tam Spiva, screenwriter
- Frank Spooner, businessman and politician
- Grove Stafford, state senator for Rapides Parish, 1940–48
- Leroy Augustus Stafford, Confederate brigadier general
- Tom Stagg, judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
- Rusty Staub, MLB right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman
- Craig Steltz, safety for the Chicago Bears
- Alton Sterling, black man fatally shot by a police officer in Baton Rouge
- Elijah Stewart, basketball player for Hapoel Eilat of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Kordell Stewart, NFL quarterback and wide receiver
- Ford E. Stinson, lawyer and state legislator from Bossier Parish
- Julie Stokes, state representative from Jefferson Parish
- Brandon Stokley, wide receiver for the Denver Broncos
- Johnathan Stove, basketball player for Hapoel Galil Elyon of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Michael G. Strain, veterinarian; state representative; Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
- Roy C. Strickland, businessman, politician
- Raymond Strother, political consultant
- Patrick Surtain, NFL cornerback
- Hal Sutton, PGA Tour golfer
- Jimmy Swaggart, evangelist
- Marc Swayze, comic book writer and illustrator
- Stromile Swift, NBA player
- Harold Sylvester, actor, Married... with Children, Today's F.B.I., ''Shaky Ground''
T
- Joseph Talamo, jockey
- Kirk Talbot, state representative from Jefferson Parish
- Irvin Talton, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Webster Parish
- Elmer R. Tapper, politician
- Gregory Tarver, civil rights activist, state senator from Caddo Parish
- Ray Tarver, dentist; represented Natchitoches Parish in state House of Representatives
- Albert Tate, state and federal judge
- Billy Tauzin, US representative; lobbyist
- Dorothy Mae Taylor, first African-American woman in the Louisiana House of Representatives
- Ike Taylor, cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jim Taylor, Hall of Fame fullback, primarily with the Green Bay Packers
- Richard Taylor, Confederate general
- Zachary Taylor, 12th president of the United States; US Army general
- Lloyd George Teekell, politician
- Garrett Temple, point guard for the San Antonio Spurs
- Suzanne Haik Terrell, politician
- Byron Thames, actor and musician, Father Murphy
- Sam H. Theriot, politician
- Ryan Theriot, infielder for the San Francisco Giants
- Major Thibaut, politician
- Keith Thibodeaux, actor
- Ledricka Thierry, politician
- Dallas Thomas, offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins
- Mike Thomas, wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tyrus Thomas, power forward for the Charlotte Bobcats
- Jeff R. Thompson, politician
- Ken Thompson, pioneer of computer science
- T. Ashton Thompson, U.S. representative
- Marcus Thornton, shooting guard for the New Orleans Hornets
- George H. Tichenor, surgeon; pioneer in antiseptics
- David Toms, PGA Tour golfer
- Charles Emery Tooke Jr., lawyer; state senator
- John Kennedy Toole, author of Pulitzer Prize-winning A Confederacy of Dunces
- Reggie Torbor, former NFL linebacker
- Alzina Toups, chef
- Wayne Toups, musician
- Allen Toussaint, New Orleans musician; composer; record producer
- A. Hays Town, architect
- John D. Travis, state representative from East Feliciana Parish, 1984–2000
- David C. Treen, US representative ; governor of Louisiana
- Paul Tulane, businessman; philanthropist
- Ben Turpin, silent film comedian
- Odessa Turner, NFL wide receiver
- Trai Turner, guard for the Carolina Panthers
- Marshall H. Twitchell, politician; planter, diplomat
U
- Chris Ullo, member of both houses of the state legislature from Jefferson Parish
V
- Steve Van Buren, Hall of Fame halfback for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Rose Van Thyn, Holocaust survivor in Shreveport
- Andrew Varona, race car driver
- Troy Verges, country music songwriter
- Jeffrey P. Victory, associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court
- Jacques Villeré, [Louisiana Louisiana Creole people|Creole people|Creole]; governor of Louisiana; general
- Pruitt Taylor Vince, film and television character actor
- David Vitter, U.S. senator
- Jeffrey Vitter, computer science professor and researcher; 17th chancellor of the University of Mississippi
- John Volz, U.S. attorney; prosecuted high-profile corruption cases in the 1980s
- Theo Von, comedian and podcaster
- Cole Vosbury, singer-songwriter, musician, and contestant on The Voice season 5
W
- David Wade, general
- Thomas M. Wade, politician; educator
- Von Wafer, shooting guard for the Orlando Magic
- Joseph David Waggonner Jr., U.S. representative from Louisiana's 4th congressional district
- W. E. "Willie" Waggonner, sheriff of Bossier Parish
- Bryan Wagner, Republican politician; former member of the New Orleans City Council
- Madam C. J. Walker, business tycoon
- Joseph Marshall Walker, governor of Louisiana
- Lillian W. Walker, politician
- Taijuan Walker, starting pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Mike Wallace, wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Ray Walston, actor, My Favorite Martian
- Donald Ellsworth Walter, former U.S. attorney; U.S. district judge in Shreveport
- Rick Ward III, state senator from Iberville Parish
- Henry C. Warmoth, governor of Louisiana during Reconstruction
- Storm Warren, basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Ron Washington, manager for the Texas Rangers
- J. Louis Watkins Jr., judge; politician
- J. D. Watkins, state senator and judge in Webster Parish
- John T. Watkins, state court judge; U.S. representative for Louisiana's 4th congressional district
- Cedric Watson, Creole and Cajun musician
- Muse Watson, actor, Prison Break, NCIS
- Reggie Wayne, wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts
- Carl Weathers, NFL player; actor, Apollo Creed in the Rocky films
- Blayne Weaver, actor
- Corey Webster, cornerback for the New York Giants
- Gus Weill, political consultant and author
- Carl Weiss, physician; purported assassin of Huey Pierce Long Jr.
- Fred Weller, actor, In Plain Sight, Missing Persons
- Rebecca Wells, actress; playwright; author
- Vernon Wells, outfielder for the New York Yankees
- Charcandrick West, running back for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Shane West, actor
- Lloyd F. Wheat, state senator from Natchitoches and Red River parishes
- Bodi White, politician
- Edward Douglass White, chief justice of the United States
- John C. White, Louisiana state superintendent of education
- Malinda Brumfield White, state representative from Bogalusa, effective 2016
- Tony Joe White, singer-songwriter; musician
- Wally Whitehurst, former MLB pitcher
- Lynn Whitfield, actress
- Lenar Whitney, politician
- James Wilcox, novelist
- Jonathan Wilhite, cornerback for the Denver Broncos
- Robert L. Wilkie, Assistant Secretary of Defense
- Aeneas Williams, Hall of Fame defensive back in the NFL
- A. L. Williams, retired football coach
- Brian "Baby" Williams, record executive; record producer; entrepreneur; musician
- Chris Williams, offensive guard for the Chicago Bears
- Doug Williams, NFL quarterback, led Washington Redskins to Super Bowl XXII championship
- Duke Williams, safety for the Buffalo Bills
- Gerald Williams, former Major League Baseball outfielder
- Hank Williams Jr., singer
- Kyle Williams, defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills
- Lucinda Williams, singer-songwriter; musician
- Mary Bushnell Williams, writer, poet, translator
- T. Harry Williams, historian
- Tramon Williams, cornerback for the Green Bay Packers
- Norris C. Williamson, politician
- Edwin E. Willis, US representative
- Tom Willmott, state representative from Jefferson Parish
- Harry D. Wilson, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry
- Justin E. Wilson, Cajun; raconteur; chef; humorist; politician
- Riley J. Wilson, U.S. representative
- Rush Wimberly, politician
- John D. Winters, historian
- Tommy Wiseau, screenwriter; director; producer; executive producer; actor
- Reese Witherspoon, Academy Award-winning actress
- A. Baldwin Wood, inventor; engineer
- Susan Ward, actress; model
- Xavier Woods, safety for the Dallas Cowboys
- J. Robert Wooley, politician
- Orlando Woolridge, NBA power forward for several teams
- Zelma Wyche, politician; civil rights activist
Y
- Andrew Young, politician and civil rights advocate
- Faron Young, country singer and music producer, actor, and songwriter
- Lester Young, musician
- Thaddeus Young, small forward for the Philadelphia 76ers
- YoungBoy Never Broke Again, rapper
Z
- Samuel Zemurray, businessman; philanthropist
- Buckwheat Zydeco, musician