Famous People From Jamaica

I figure there are scores of world famous people from Jamaica - although some are more famous than others. But I have to admit, I really marveled at the number of Jamaicans I found that are world beaters, when conducting this research.

Considering also that we are still under 3 million people-only approximately 1/7th the size of New York, this is truly an amazing feat!

They sprung up from varying backgrounds, although many are who we consider 'grassroot' Jamaicans, or those whose families were not from the esteemed class.

The most readily identified are perhaps the musicians, led by Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley), but there are scores of other individuals who truly made our little rock proud.

Below is My Top 30 list (sorted alphabetically), of the most famous people from Jamaica.

If you question my judgment or want to make a suggestion - with reason, please feel free to do so by clicking here.

OK, enough of my chatter, here you go!

Wikipedia also has an nicely extended and categorized list of famous people from Jamaica. Take a look at them HERE [opens in a new window].

I noticed they have a list of popular Jamaican Americans [if you care] as well. Take a peek at them right here as well.

Look out world, you may just be seeing my name appearing on this prestigious list of famous people from Jamaica soon. I hope.[SMILE!]

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Suggest Another Famous Jamaican

Do you know a Jamaican who has done exceptionally well for the country, or in his or her field of work?

Please let us know!

Please include as much detail as possible telling us why he or she should be recognized here.

Other Great Suggestions

Eva Smith
Who was Eva Smith?

Eva Smith was a veteran organizer around issues of equity, discrimination, women and youth rights and educational access.

She ...

Jamaican Thomas Randolph Bell a.k.a Thom Bell
Maestro extraordinaire.

Producer of Delphonics, Spinners, Stylistics New York City, Deniece Williams, James Ingram and very few people know that this ...

Dr. T.P Leacky -the father of the Jamaican Diary Industry
He developed the cattle, Jamaican Hope and more.

Web Articles:
The Gleaner
Thomas Lecky, was born on a small farm in Portland in 1904. He ...

Oliver Samuels - Comedian/Actor/Playwright
Wow this man has been making Jamaicans, and others, laugh for years. His comedies/plays are great. He should be recognized for that if not anything else....

lisa hanna,cindy breakspear,oliver samuels & una clark
Lisa and Cindy; One was miss universe the other miss world.

Oliver Samuels is Jamaica's most famous comedian, and Una Clark is a well known Jamaican ...

Jerome Taylor
Jerome Taylor is the best bowler on the West Indies cricket team.

After just one match playing for Jamaica, he was called into the West Indies series ...

Ziggy Marley
Ziggy is the son of the pride and joy of Reggae, Bob Marley .

I think Reggae is in the blood of the Marleys. Ziggy will forever live and bear the ...

Marcus Mosiah Garvey
Whist forming the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), Marcus Garvey had over 4 million black people under his leadership.

That is a phenomenal ...

Honorable Usain St. Leo Bolt
... World Record Holder of 100m and 200m.

Mr. Bolt brought honorable mention once again to Jamaica, in the same light of a Bob Marley , Marcus Garvey ...

Father Hugh Sherlock - Another Jamaican Social Icon Not rated yet
Hugh Sherlock founded the YMCA and the Boys' Town Sports Club town in Jamaica. He was also a social worker,cricketer also a clergy man. He wrote the much ...

C. Everard Palmer - Jamaican journalist,, author and teacher Not rated yet
C. Everard Palmer was a teacher, Journalist and Author. He has some 16 or more publications to his credit. He wrote children's books for the Ministry of ...

Luther Blissett Not rated yet
Who is YOUR notable Jamaican || More Famous Jamaicans

Luther Loide Blissett (born 1 February 1958) is a former professional footballer and manager,...

nicki minaj Not rated yet
She has made jamaica more populare in her songs.
Who is YOUR notable Jamaican || More Famous Jamaicans

Arthur Wint - winner of Jamaica's first Olympic Gold medal Not rated yet
Arthur Wint won Jamaica's first Olympic Gold medal - the 400 metres in the London, 1948 Games. In the same games, he also won the Silver medal in the 800 ...

Mary Seacole Not rated yet
Famous Jamaican nurse who served in the Crimean War. She did not get as much recognition as Florence Nightingale.

Mary Seacole Hall at the University ...

Oliver Samuels - Best Jamaican Comedian Not rated yet
Oliver Samuels has been thrilling Jamaicans & fans for countless years, with his comedic genius.

He travels abroad with his team of performers, entertaining ...

Peter Tosh - The Bush Doctor Not rated yet
Peter Tosh is the REAL king of Jamaican reggae music .

He taught Bob Marley to play the guitar, member of the wailers then went solo. An absolute ...

Veronica Campbell Brown Not rated yet
Veronica gave Jamaica its first Olympic 200m gold medal.

Webmaster's Note: {6/1/2010}
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she ran the 200m in 21.74 seconds ...

Professor Rex Nettleford Not rated yet
Late professor, dancer and a long list of accomplishments.

Webmaster's Note:
Rex was a distinguished Jamaican scholar, social critic, choreographer,...

Barrington Watson Not rated yet
He is a painter who did a wonderful portrait of Martin Luther King, Jr and some fantastic works as part of a series, The Africananers.

An early sketch ...

Heavy D, Busta Rhymes, Cannibus, Lil' Jon, Kardinall Offishall,KRS-One, DJ Kool Herc, Jam Master Jay, Poor Righteous Teachers, The Notorious B.I.G., Not rated yet
Heavy D, Busta Rhymes, Cannibus, Lil' Jon, Kardinall Offishall, KRS-One, DJ Kool Herc, Jam Master Jay, Poor Righteous Teachers & he Notorious B.I.G.

And ...

Sean Kingston -reggae fusion singer and rapper Not rated yet
This young man, real name Kisean Jamal Anderson, was born (February 3, 1990) and raised in Jamaica and has become a multimillon dollar singer in the u....

The Riddim Twins - SLY Dunbar and ROBBIE Shakespeare Not rated yet
Had to nominate the two, because you can't have one without the other.

For me, the legendary 'twins' are the greatest session musicians in history.

I'...

bob marley - He brought reggae music to me Not rated yet
He brought reggae to the world and to me. He made people aware of Jamaica and introduced many to Rasta who would have never heard of it otherwise.

If ...