Discover the notable alumni of Ohio State University. The list includes people like Jesse Owens, Kirk Herbstreit, Jack Nicklaus, Roy Lichtenstein & Jayaprakash Narayan. This list of notable alumni is loosely sorted by popularity and has people from different domains of life, such as sportspersons, writers, media personalities, intellectuals & academics and business people etc.

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 1 

Jesse Owens

(American Track and Field Athlete Who Won Four Gold Medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics)

Jesse Owens

Birthdate: September 12, 1913

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Oakville, Alabama, United States

Died: March 31, 1980

Widely regarded as one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time, Jesse Owens' three world records in less than an hour in 1935 came to be known as the greatest 45 minutes ever in sports. He was credited with destroying Adolf Hitler's myth of Aryan supremacy when he won four gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympics.

Jack Nicklaus

Birthdate: January 21, 1940

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio, United States

Jack Nicklaus, also known as “The Golden Bear,” has 18 major golf championships to his credit. He has been part of 164 major golf tournaments and has won 117. He now designs golf courses through his company, Nicklaus Design. He has also authored many golf-related books, including an autobiography.

 3 

Alexa Bliss

(Professional Wrestler: Two-time SmackDown Women's Champion)

Alexa Bliss

Birthdate: August 9, 1991

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio, United States

WWE wrestler Alexa Bliss began her career with the Arnold Classic professional bodybuilding event. She later became the first woman to earn the SmackDown Women's Championship title twice. She is also the first woman to win both the Raw and SmackDown Women's titles and the second Women's Triple Crown Champion.

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 4 

Patricia Heaton

(Actress)

Patricia Heaton

Birthdate: March 4, 1958

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Height: 5'2" (157 cm)

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 5 

Ezekiel Elliott

(American Football Running Back for the Dallas Cowboys Team)

Ezekiel Elliott

Birthdate: July 2, 1995

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Alton, Illinois, United States

Named to Pro Bowl thrice, Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has been the NFL rushing yards leader twice and helped the Cowboys reach the first place in the NFC. He initially played for Ohio State and became a second-team All-American.  He owns stakes in OnCore Golf Technology, Inc. 

 6 

Urban Meyer

(Former American Football Player and Coach)

Urban Meyer

Birthdate: July 10, 1964

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Toledo, Ohio, United States

Urban Meyer is an American football coach who is currently serving as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars which competes in the NFL. He has also coached college football teams like the Ohio State Buckeyes, helping the team win its maiden Big Ten Conference title. He has also worked as an analyst for popular TV networks like Fox Sports.

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 7 

D'Angelo Russell

(Basketball player)

D'Angelo Russell

Birthdate: February 23, 1996

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Louisville, Kentucky

Height: 6'5" (196 cm)

Dwight Yoakam

Birthdate: October 23, 1956

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Pikeville, Kentucky, United States

Dwight Yoakam is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and actor. He is credited with popularizing honky tonk music, which he pioneered. In 2014, his song Guitars, Cadillacs was named in Rolling Stone magazine's 100 greatest country songs list. Yoakam has also starred in several films, such as Sling Blade, Panic Room, and The Minus Man.

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 9 

R. L. Stine

(American Novelist Who was Best Known for His Horror Books for Children)

R. L. Stine

Birthdate: October 8, 1943

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio, United States

Novelist and short-story writer R. L. Stine is popularly referred to as the "Stephen King of children's literature." He has published 100s of horror fiction novels and numerous joke books among others. He is the recipient of many awards, including the Inkpot Award. He is also a TV producer, screenwriter, and executive editor.

 10 

Roy Lichtenstein

(American Pop Artist Who Became a Major Figure in the New Art Movement During the 1960s)

Roy Lichtenstein

Birthdate: October 27, 1923

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, U.S.

Died: September 29, 1997

Roy Lichtenstein was an American pop artist who became a major figure in the new art movement during the 1960s alongside artists like Andy Warhol and James Rosenquist. Among his most famous works are Drowning Girl and Whaam! Roy Lichtenstein was honored with the prestigious National Medal of the Arts in 1995.

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 11 

Dwayne Haskins

(American football player)

Dwayne Haskins

Birthdate: May 3, 1997

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Highland Park, New Jersey, United States

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

 12 

John Havlicek

(Basketball player)

John Havlicek

Birthdate: April 8, 1940

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Martins Ferry, Ohio, USA

Height: 6'5" (196 cm)

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 13 

Greg Oden

(Basketball player)

Greg Oden

Birthdate: January 22, 1988

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, United States

Height: 7'0" (213 cm)

Curtis Lemay

Birthdate: November 15, 1906

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio, United States

Died: October 1, 1990

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 15 

Kim Deal

(Singer)

Kim Deal

Birthdate: June 10, 1961

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Dayton, Ohio, USA

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

Richard Lewis

Birthdate: June 29, 1947

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, U.S

Richard Lewis is an American actor and stand-up comedian. Well-known for his self-deprecating humor, Lewis was named in Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Standups of All Time list. He has also written comic articles for popular publications like Playboy. As an actor, Richard Lewis is best known for playing Marty Gold in the popular sitcom, Anything But Love.

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 17 

Floriana Lima

(American Actress Known for Her Role as ‘Maggie Sawyer’ on the TV Series ‘Supergirl’)

Floriana Lima

Birthdate: March 26, 1981

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Floriana Lima is best known as Maggie Sawyer from the series Supergirl. She initially worked as a production assistant and later played significant roles in series such as Poor Paul, The Mob Doctor, and Lethal Weapon. She also devotes time to charities such as LollipopTheater.org and Every Mother Counts.

 18 

Bob Knight

(Basketball coach)

Bob Knight

Birthdate: October 25, 1940

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Massillon, Ohio, United States

Height: 6'5" (196 cm)

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 19 

Jean Peters

(Actress)

Jean Peters

Birthdate: October 15, 1926

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Canton, Ohio, USA

Died: October 13, 2000

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

Joe Kenda

Birthdate: August 28, 1946

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Herminie, Pennsylvania, United States

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 21 

Phil Ochs

(Singer)

Phil Ochs

Birthdate: December 19, 1940

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: El Paso, Texas, USA

Died: April 9, 1976

 22 

Cardale Jones

(American football player)

Cardale Jones

Birthdate: September 29, 1992

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Height: 6'5" (196 cm)

Recommended Lists: Harlan Ellison

Birthdate: May 27, 1934

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Died: June 28, 2018

Height: 5'3" (160 cm)

 24 

A. J. Hawk

(American football player)

A. J. Hawk

Birthdate: January 6, 1984

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Kettering, Ohio, United States

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

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 25 

Nick Swisher

(Baseball Player)

Nick Swisher

Birthdate: November 25, 1980

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

 26 

Michael Thomas

(American football player)

Michael Thomas

Birthdate: March 3, 1993

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

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 27 

Eddie George

(American Football Players)

Eddie George

Birthdate: September 24, 1973

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

John Kasich

Birthdate: May 13, 1952

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, United States

The 69th Governor of Ohio John Kasich played an important role in the passage of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and the 1996 welfare reform legislation. Kasich has also played an important role as a television news host. Despite being a Republican, Kasich is a prominent critic of Donald Trump; he supported Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential election.

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 29 

Mike Vrabel

(American Football Player Who Played as a Linebacker)

Mike Vrabel

Birthdate: August 14, 1975

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, United States

Mike Vrabel is a former American football player who played as a linebacker for Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Kansas City Chiefs at the National Football League (NFL). After retiring as a player, Mike Vrabel became a coach and is currently working as the head coach of the popular NFL team, Tennessee Titans. 

 30 

Mike Conley, Jr.

(Basketball player)

Mike Conley, Jr.

Birthdate: October 11, 1987

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

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 31 

Orlando Pace

(American football player)

Orlando Pace

Birthdate: November 4, 1975

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Sandusky, Ohio, United States

Height: 6'7" (201 cm)

 32 

Cris Carter

(American Football Player)

Cris Carter

Birthdate: November 25, 1965

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Troy, Ohio, USA

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

Recommended Lists: Kirk Herbstreit

Birthdate: August 19, 1969

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Centerville, Ohio

Popularly known as the analyst for ESPN's College GameDay, Kirk Herbstreit is a sports commentator. He started his career as a football player. Following his retirement as a player, he began his broadcasting career and found much success. He has been associated with ESPN for several years. He is involved in multiple charities including The Make A Wish Foundation.

Coyote Peterson

Birthdate: September 1, 1981

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Newbury Center, Ohio, United States

Height: 5'11" (180 cm)

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 35 

George Steinbrenner

(Businessperson)

George Steinbrenner

Birthdate: July 4, 1930

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Rocky River

Died: July 13, 2010

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

 36 

David Graf

(Best Known for His Role as ‘Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry’ in the ‘Police Academy’ Film Series)

David Graf

Birthdate: April 16, 1950

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Zanesville, Ohio, United States

Died: April 7, 2001

David Graf is best known as Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry from the Police Academy film franchise. He has appeared in series such as Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and The West Wing, too. He has also been part of the Screen Actors Guild national board.

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 37 

Jayaprakash Narayan

(Indian Independence Activist Who is Remembered for Leading the Mid-1970s Opposition Against Prime Minister Indira Gandhi)

Jayaprakash Narayan

Birthdate: October 11, 1902

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Bihar, India

Died: October 8, 1979

Jayaprakash Narayan was a theorist, political leader, socialist, and Indian independence activist. Often referred to as the Hero of Quit India Movement, Jayaprakash Narayan was honored with the prestigious Magsaysay Award in 1965 for Public Service. He was posthumously honored with India's highest civilian award—The Bharat Ratna—in 1999.

Melina Kanakaredes

Birthdate: April 23, 1967

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, United States

Height: 5'7" (170 cm)

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 39 

J. T. Barrett

(American Football player)

J. T. Barrett

Birthdate: January 23, 1995

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Wichita Falls, Texas, United States

Height: 6'2" (188 cm)

 40 

Ryan Shazier

(American football player)

Ryan Shazier

Birthdate: September 6, 1992

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, United States

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

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 41 

Kyle Snyder

(Wrestler)

Kyle Snyder

Birthdate: November 20, 1995

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Woodbine, Maryland, United States

Height: 5'11" (180 cm)

 42 

Luke Fickell

(American Football Player)

Luke Fickell

Birthdate: August 18, 1973

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio, United States

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 43 

Jerry Lucas

(Basketball Player)

Jerry Lucas

Birthdate: March 30, 1940

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Middletown, Ohio, US

Height: 6'8" (203 cm)

 44 

Malcolm Jenkins

(American football player)

Malcolm Jenkins

Birthdate: December 20, 1987

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: East Orange

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

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 45 

Chase Young

(American football player)

Chase Young

Birthdate: April 14, 1999

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Upper Marlboro, Maryland, United States

Height: 6'5" (196 cm)

Larry Sanger

Birthdate: July 16, 1968

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Bellevue

Internet entrepreneur Lawrence Sanger is one of the co-founders of the online encyclopedia Wikipedia. He has also been associated with sites such as Everipedia, Citizendium, and Nupedia. He has, however, been critical of Wikipedia’s credibility after leaving the company in 2002. He is also a philosophy enthusiast and teacher.

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 47 

James Laurinaitis

(American football player)

James Laurinaitis

Birthdate: December 3, 1986

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Wayzata, Minnesota, United States

Height: 6'2" (188 cm)

 48 

Mary Oliver

(Poet, Writer)

Mary Oliver

Listed In:

Birthdate: September 10, 1935

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Maple Heights

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 49 

Mark Coleman

(UFC 10 and UFC 11 Tournament Champion and the First UFC Heavyweight Champion)

Mark Coleman

Birthdate: December 20, 1964

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Fremont, Ohio, United States

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

 50 

Terry McLaurin

(American football player)

Terry McLaurin

Birthdate: September 15, 1995

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

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The ‘Ohio State University’ is one of the most popular institutions in the world. In 1870, it was founded as the land-grant university and was addressed as the, ‘Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College’. When the university started, it initially offered only the agriculture and mechanical subjects to the students. However under the governance of Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president of United States, the institution became a full-fledged establishment offering all the courses. Ever since then, this university has only see a high in life and has been ranked as the ‘third-largest university campus’ in all of United States. Apart from academics, this institution provides its student with life programs, club and recreational sports programs, and many other extra-curricular activities. They also have an exceptional sports team, which is a part of the ‘NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision’. The entire campus is covered over an area of about 2.5 miles, built so beautifully that it is a tourist attraction for most travelers. There are some exceptionally famous and notable alumni of the ‘Ohio State University’, who have made the world proud of their achievements. Not only have they upheld the name of the institution but have also made sure that they have set high standards for the further batches. Some of the known alumnus are, the famous actress, Patricia Heaton or the C.E.O of the ‘L Brands’, Les Wexner or the popular sports legend, ‘Jesse Owens’. They have worked hard and are proud pillars of the ‘Ohio State University’.