The University of Alabama (UA), fondly known as the Crimson Tide, boasts an impressive roster of notable alumni from The University of Alabama who have left indelible marks on sports, politics, literature, business, and beyond. With a global alumni network exceeding 500,000 strong—one of the largest among public universities—these famous graduates of The University of Alabama exemplify the institution's commitment to fostering leaders who drive innovation, policy, and cultural change. This network not only amplifies career opportunities for current students, faculty, and job seekers but also highlights UA's unique position in the heart of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where Southern hospitality meets rigorous academics.
Sports stands out as a powerhouse category, thanks to UA's storied football program under legends like Bear Bryant. Confirmed attendees include NFL Hall of Famers Joe Namath (quarterback, New York Jets, Super Bowl III MVP, graduated 1965) and Bart Starr (Green Bay Packers, five NFL championships, graduated 1956). Modern stars like Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons, multiple Pro Bowls, attended 2008-2011) and Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans, 2015 Heisman winner, graduated 2016) showcase ongoing excellence. These alumni have generated billions in economic impact through the NFL and endorsements, inspiring aspiring athletes considering academic jobs in Tuscaloosa.
In politics, influential leaders from The University of Alabama include former Alabama Governors George Wallace (multiple terms, attended UA) and Don Siegelman (graduated 1968), U.S. Senators Jeff Sessions (JD 1975) and Richard Shelby (attended UA). Their roles in national policy underscore UA's influence on governance, particularly in the Southeast. For a full breakdown, explore the politics alumni list.
Literature and tech add prestige: Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird, Pulitzer winner, law degree 1949) and Jimmy Wales (Wikipedia co-founder, BA 1986). These figures demonstrate UA's liberal arts strength, with implications for creative careers. UA has produced over 100 Rhodes Scholars and Fulbright recipients, per university records, fueling breakthroughs.
The importance of these alumni lies in their real-world impacts—shaping laws, entertaining millions, winning championships—and the networking edge they provide. Job seekers can leverage this via UA's career services or platforms like higher ed jobs, while rating professors at Rate My Professor for The University of Alabama helps choose paths mirroring these successes. Discover more at UA's official alumni site or Wikipedia list. Whether eyeing Alabama jobs or global roles, UA alumni prove the value of a Tuscaloosa education.
The University of Alabama (UA) has produced a remarkable array of notable alumni from The University of Alabama, spanning politics, sports, entertainment, and beyond. These famous graduates of The University of Alabama showcase the Capstone's legacy of excellence, from gridiron legends to Pulitzer-winning authors. Whether you're a prospective student dreaming big or a job seeker eyeing higher ed jobs in Tuscaloosa, exploring these influential leaders highlights UA's impact. Dive into categories below, with entertaining facts on top achievers—check detailed lists like sports figures or politics for more. For faculty insights, visit Rate My Professor for UA courses.
UA alumni have shaped American politics, particularly in the South, with governors and senators driving policy amid historical controversies like civil rights.
Football dominates, with UA's Crimson Tide program birthing NFL stars and coaching icons under legends like Bear Bryant.
From Pulitzer authors to reality TV stars, UA grads entertain globally with storytelling flair.
UA fosters entrepreneurs; while no billionaires top Forbes lists, millionaires like tech pioneers thrive.
No confirmed Nobel laureates or major criminals among top famous graduates. Explore UA's National Alumni Association or Wikipedia list for more. Considering UA? Check academic jobs in Tuscaloosa or rate my professor reviews.
The University of Alabama (UA) boasts a rich legacy of The University of Alabama notable alumni who have made significant impacts across diverse fields, serving as beacons for students, faculty, parents, and job seekers eyeing opportunities in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. These star ratings evaluate alumni achievements based on verified contributions, historical influence, and recent trends from trusted sources like the university's official history page. Ratings use a 10-point scale (✭ for filled stars, ☆ for empty), drawing from over 300,000 living alumni who include NFL Hall of Famers, governors, and innovators. High scores highlight areas where famous graduates of The University of Alabama dominate, inspiring pathways in sports, politics, and business.
Sports Excellence: ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭ (10/10)
UA's Crimson Tide football program has produced icons like Joe Namath (1965 national champion quarterback, Super Bowl MVP) and Bart Starr (NFL champion), fueling a powerhouse NFL pipeline with 57 players drafted in recent years. This dominance underscores UA's role in athletic leadership. Advice: Aspiring athletes or sports managers should immerse in UA's athletic department culture—network via alumni events and pursue degrees in kinesiology. Explore rate-my-professor reviews for UA sports faculty to select top courses, and check academic jobs in Tuscaloosa for coaching roles. View UA sports figures.
Politics & Public Service: ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭☆☆ (8/10)
Notable alumni from The University of Alabama like former Governor George Wallace and U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (JD 1975) shaped national policy. Recent leaders include Congress members, reflecting UA's strong civic engagement. Tip: Politics majors, build resumes with UA's student government; link experiences to higher-ed jobs in administration. Read professor feedback on rate-my-professor at UA.
Entertainment & Arts: ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭☆☆☆ (7/10)
Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird author, Pulitzer winner) exemplifies literary prowess, alongside actors like Tim Hudson. Advice: Creative students, join UA's theater programs for Hollywood breaks; use higher-ed career advice for portfolios. Explore UA's notable alumni page.
Business & Innovation: ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭☆☆ (8/10)
Jimmy Wales (Wikipedia co-founder, attended UA) highlights entrepreneurial spirit, with alumni leading Fortune 500 firms. No billionaires or Nobel laureates (0/10 there), but steady growth in tech startups. Pro tip: Job seekers, target UA's Culverhouse College network for internships; apply via faculty jobs or scholarships. These achievements motivate global audiences considering UA—pair with Alabama academic jobs for local impact.
Ratings inspire by showing UA's alumni network boosts careers: 90% employed post-graduation per recent data. Focus on strengths like sports for visibility, while building skills in emerging fields.
The University of Alabama has produced talented alumni in entertainment fields such as Actors, Musicians, Composers, Gamers, and Chess masters, contributing to film, television, music, and performance arts with their creative works and cultural influence across the United States.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Lindsey | Actor | Physical Education | attended | Beloved character actor famous as Goober Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show and a long-time cast member of Hee Haw. |
| Mel Stewart | Actor | Theater | 1957 | Distinguished actor recognized for portraying Lt. Danko on M*A*S*H and starring in the sitcom That's My Mama. |
| Jo Ann Pflug | Actress | Journalism | unknown | Actress known for her role as Lt. Maria Schneider in the film M*A*S*H and appearances in Operation Petticoat and other TV series. |
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| Hannah Brown | Television Personality | Communication Studies | 2017 | Reality TV star who won season 15 of The Bachelorette, finished third on Dancing with the Stars season 28, and authored a New York Times bestseller. |
| Ben Selvin | Bandleader | unknown | Prolific bandleader and recording artist known as 'The Dean of American Popular Music' with thousands of recordings from the big band era. |
| Ned Beatty | Actor | Drama | attended 1959-1960 | Academy Award-nominated actor best known for his roles in Deliverance (1972) and Network (1976), appearing in over 150 films and numerous TV shows. |
Athletes; The University of Alabama boasts a storied tradition in college athletics, particularly American football, with alumni achieving legendary status in the NFL, NBA, and Olympics, contributing to championships, records, and cultural icons that highlight the university's role in developing elite talent.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Roy Jordan | NFL Linebacker | 1963 | National champion at Alabama, played 14 NFL seasons with Cowboys including Super Bowl VI victory. | |
| AJ McCarron | NFL Quarterback | 2014 | Two-time national champion quarterback at Alabama with multiple bowl MVPs. | |
| Shaun Alexander | NFL Running Back | 2000 | NFL MVP in 2005 with Seahawks after productive Alabama career, rushing for over 6,000 pro yards. | |
| DeVonta Smith | NFL Wide Receiver | 2021 | Heisman Trophy winner and national champion at Alabama, Super Bowl champion with Eagles. | |
| Minkah Fitzpatrick | NFL Safety | 2018 | Jim Thorpe Award winner and national champion at Alabama, multiple-time All-Pro with Steelers. | |
| Calvin Ridley | NFL Wide Receiver | 2018 | National champion at Alabama, prolific NFL receiver with Falcons and Jaguars. | |
| Dont'a Hightower | NFL Linebacker | 2012 | Three-time Super Bowl champion with Patriots after Alabama national title. | |
| Marcell Dareus | NFL Defensive Tackle | 2011 | National champion and Defensive MVP of BCS title game at Alabama. | |
| Ozzie Newsome | NFL Tight End / Executive | 1978 | All-American tight end at Alabama, Hall of Famer, and long-time Ravens GM. | |
| Woodrow Lowe | NFL Linebacker | 1976 | All-American and national champion at Alabama, 12-year NFL career with Chargers. | |
| Bobby Humphrey | NFL Running Back | 1985 | SEC rushing leader at Alabama, productive with Broncos and Dolphins. | |
| Cornelius Bennett | NFL Linebacker | 1987 | Butkus Award winner and national champion at Alabama, six-time Pro Bowler across Bills, Jets, and Falcons. | |
| Robert Horry | NBA Forward | 1992 | Key player on seven NBA championships with Rockets, Lakers, and Spurs after starring at Alabama. | |
| Bart Starr | NFL Quarterback | business administration | 1956 | Led the Green Bay Packers to five NFL championships including the first two Super Bowls, earning two Super Bowl MVPs and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. |
| Joe Namath | NFL Quarterback | 1965 | Guaranteed and delivered victory in Super Bowl III for the New York Jets as an All-American quarterback at Alabama, later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. | |
| Ken Stabler | NFL Quarterback | physical education | 1968 | National champion quarterback at Alabama who won Super Bowl XI with the Oakland Raiders and was named NFL MVP in 1974, earning Hall of Fame honors. |
| Derrick Thomas | NFL Linebacker | 1989 | SEC Player of the Year and consensus All-American at Alabama, recorded 126.5 NFL sacks with the Kansas City Chiefs, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. | |
| Julio Jones | NFL Wide Receiver | communication studies | 2011 | Biletnikoff Award winner and two-time national champion at Alabama, amassed over 14,000 NFL receiving yards across multiple teams including the Falcons and Buccaneers. |
| Mark Ingram II | NFL Running Back | 2011 | Heisman Trophy winner in 2009 and national champion at Alabama, rushed for over 8,000 NFL yards with the Saints and Ravens, earning a Super Bowl ring. | |
| Amari Cooper | NFL Wide Receiver | 2015 | Biletnikoff Award winner and national champion at Alabama, holds Raiders' rookie receiving records and continues as a prolific NFL pass-catcher. | |
| Tua Tagovailoa | NFL Quarterback | 2020 | National championship MVP in 2018 and 2020 at Alabama, now leads the Miami Dolphins with record-setting passing performances. | |
| John Hannah | NFL Offensive Lineman | 1972 | Consensus All-American at Alabama, nine-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer known as one of the greatest offensive guards in NFL history with the Patriots. | |
| Dwight Stephenson | NFL Center | 1978 | Unanimous All-American and national champion at Alabama, six-time All-Pro and Hall of Famer who anchored Dolphins' offensive line. |
This section features alumni associated with politics from The University of Alabama, primarily in U.S. categories including congress members, governors, attorneys general, and judges, with no prominent entries in international politics or royalty and nobility given the institution's American context. These individuals have shaped U.S. policy, judiciary, and state governance through influential roles in legislation and executive leadership.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles J. Cooper | Assistant Attorney General | Law | unknown | Served as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel under Reagan. |
| Liles C. Burke | U.S. District Judge | Law | unknown | Federal judge for the Northern District of Alabama since 2005. |
| Howell Heflin | U.S. Senator from Alabama | Law | 1948 | Long-serving U.S. Senator from 1979 to 1997 and former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. |
| Perry Hooper Sr. | Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court | Law | unknown | Served as Chief Justice from 1995 to 2001 after earlier judicial roles. |
| Richmond Flowers Sr. | Attorney General of Alabama | Law | unknown | Served as Alabama's Attorney General from 1963 to 1967, known for civil rights enforcement efforts. |
| William L. Dickinson | U.S. Representative from Alabama | Law | unknown | Long-serving U.S. Congressman from Alabama's 2nd district from 1965 to 1993. |
| Walter W. Bankhead | U.S. Senator from Alabama | Law | unknown | Served as U.S. Senator from 1931 to 1946 and earlier as U.S. Representative. |
| Edward B. Almon | U.S. Representative from Alabama | Law | unknown | Served as U.S. Congressman representing Alabama's 8th district from 1913 to 1933. |
| George Wallace | Governor of Alabama | Law | unknown | Four-term Governor of Alabama known for his 1960s segregationist stance and later presidential campaigns. |
| Richard Shelby | U.S. Senator from Alabama | Law | 1962 | Longest-serving U.S. Senator from Alabama, retiring in 2023 after roles in House and Senate leadership. |
| Katie Britt | U.S. Senator from Alabama | Law | 2006 | Current U.S. Senator since 2023, previously chief of staff to Richard Shelby and business executive. |
| Jeff Sessions | U.S. Senator from Alabama and U.S. Attorney General | Law | 1975 | Served as U.S. Senator from 1997 to 2017 and as U.S. Attorney General from 2017 to 2018. |
| William J. Baxley | Lieutenant Governor of Alabama | Law | 1964 | Twice-elected Attorney General of Alabama who prosecuted 1970s Ku Klux Klan murders and later served as Lieutenant Governor. |
| Hugo Black | Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court | Law | 1906 | Served as U.S. Senator from Alabama before becoming a Supreme Court Justice from 1937 to 1971, renowned for civil liberties advocacy. |
The University of Alabama has nurtured numerous millionaire and billionaire alumni who have excelled in business, building empires in industries such as wood preservation, publishing services, and homebuilding, while contributing substantially to economic growth and philanthropy in the United States.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Rane | Founder and Executive Chairman, Great Southern Wood Preserving | Finance | 1971 | Self-made billionaire who founded and leads one of the largest producers of pressure-treated wood in the U.S., with a net worth exceeding $1 billion. |
| James T. Stephens | Chairman, EBSCO Industries | Commerce and Business Administration | 1963 | Billionaire leader of EBSCO Industries, a major private holding company with diverse interests in manufacturing and information services. |
| Robert M. Adams Jr. | Founder and Chairman, Adams Homes | Civil Engineering | 1975 | Millionaire entrepreneur who built Adams Homes into one of Florida's largest homebuilders, achieving a net worth of over $500 million. |
