Who Is The Most Famous Brown In The World?

Anime Chris
Updated April 15, 2024 61.3K views 78 items
Ranked By
314 votes
61 voters
Voting Rules
Vote up everyone you recognize with the last name Brown.

How many celebrities with the last name Brown can you think of? The famous Browns below have many different professions, including notable actors with the last name Brown, famous musicians named Brown, and even athletes named Brown.

James Brown is certainly one of the most famous Browns on this list. One of the famous musicians with the last name Brown, he was a funk legend known as the Godfather of Soul. His biggest hits include “I Got You (I Feel Good),” "It's a Man's Man's Man's World,” and “Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud.”

Another of the famous people with the last name Brown is Zac Brown. He is the singer-songwriter best known for his work with the Zac Brown Band. He is also a member of the electronic group Sir Rosevelt. There are also actors and actresses with the last name Brown on this list, such as Yvette Nicole Brown of Community. 

Did we forget one of your favorite famous people with the last name Brown? Just add them to the list. Then be sure to vote up all of the celebrities with the surname Brown that you've heard of! 

Latest additions: Georgia Brown
Over 60 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Who Is The Most Famous Brown In The World?
  • Alton Brown
    1

    Alton Brown

    07/30/1962
    Alton Crawford Brown Jr. (born July 30, 1962) is an American television personality, food show presenter, author, actor, cinematographer, and musician. He is the creator and host of the Food Network television show Good Eats, host of the mini-series Feasting on Asphalt and Feasting on Waves, and host and main commentator on Iron Chef America and Cutthroat Kitchen. Brown is a best-selling author of several books on food and cooking. On Brown's 2017 book tour, he stated Good Eats will have a "sequel", and it would be released in 2018 on the internet. A "recap" series titled "Good Eats Reloaded" aired on Cooking Channel starting in October 2018, and a true sequel series titled Good Eats: The Return premiered on August 25 on Food Network.
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  • James Brown
    2

    James Brown

    05/03/1933
    James Brown, often dubbed "the Godfather of Soul," was a seminal figure in the evolution of rhythm and blues into soul music and funk. Born on May 3, 1933, in Barnwell, South Carolina, Brown's early life was marked by extreme poverty and abandonment. Despite the hardships, he discovered his love for music and performance at a young age, which propelled him to rise above his circumstances and become one of the most influential musical icons of the 20th century. Brown began his career as a gospel singer with the group The Gospel Starlighters. However, his breakthrough came in the mid-1950s when he joined The Famous Flames as a lead vocalist. His electrifying performances and unique blend of rhythm and blues, gospel, and jazz elements soon grabbed international attention. His hit singles such as "Please, Please, Please" and "Try Me" set the stage for a new era of soul music. By the 1960s, Brown had also pioneered funk music with hits like "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)," earning him another title - "the Hardest Working Man in Show Business." Brown's influence extended beyond music. He was an active figure during the Civil Rights Movement, using his platform to advocate for black empowerment and social change. His song "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud" became an anthem for the movement. Despite personal struggles and legal troubles later in life, Brown's legacy as a trailblazer in music and social activism remains intact. His groundbreaking sound and dynamic performances continue to inspire generations of musicians across various genres. James Brown passed away on December 25, 2006, but his music and his message continue to reverberate, underscoring his enduring impact on the world of music and beyond.
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  • Dan Brown
    3

    Dan Brown

    06/22/1964
    Daniel Gerhard Brown (born June 22, 1964) is an American author best known for his thriller novels, including the Robert Langdon novels Angels & Demons (2000), The Da Vinci Code (2003), The Lost Symbol (2009), Inferno (2013) and Origin (2017). His novels are treasure hunts that usually take place over a period of 24 hours. They feature recurring themes of cryptography, art, and conspiracy theories. His books have been translated into 57 languages and, as of 2012, have sold over 200 million copies. Three of them, Angels & Demons (2000), The Da Vinci Code (2003) and Inferno (2013) have been adapted into films. The Robert Langdon novels are deeply engaged with Christian themes and historical fact, and have generated controversy as a result. Brown states on his website that his books are not anti-Christian, though he is on a "constant spiritual journey" himself. He claims that his book The Da Vinci Code is simply "an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate" and suggests that the book may be used "as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith."
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  • Tammie Brown
    4

    Tammie Brown

    09/15/1980
    Tammie Brown, is an American drag performer and recording artist. Brown was a fixture in the Southern California Drag scene, before appearing on the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race and RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race.
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  • Brianna Brown
    5

    Brianna Brown

    10/02/1979
    Brianna Lynn Brown (born October 2, 1979) is an American actress and producer. She is known for her television roles as Lisa Niles in the ABC soap opera General Hospital, and as Taylor Stappord in the Lifetime series Devious Maids.
  • Chris Brown
    6

    Chris Brown

    05/05/1989
    Born in Tappahannock, Virginia, Christopher Maurice Brown, better known as Chris Brown, has become a household name in mainstream music. Developing an interest in music from a young age, he taught himself to sing and dance, inspired by iconic figures such as Michael Jackson. His talent was evident early on and he was signed by Jive Records in 2004 when he was just 15 years old. Chris Brown's debut album, self-titled Chris Brown, was released in 2005 and immediately soared to the top of the charts. This album included the hit single "Run It!", which topped the Billboard Hot 100, making Brown one of the youngest artists to achieve this feat. Over his career, he has won numerous awards, including a Grammy for Best R&B Album for F.A.M.E. in 2012. Brown's discography is extensive and diverse, showcasing his versatile talent as he continues to experiment with different genres and styles of music. However, Brown's journey has not been without controversy. He faced immense criticism following a highly publicized incident involving fellow artist Rihanna in 2009. Despite facing significant backlash, Brown continued to produce music and maintain a strong fanbase. Additionally, he ventured into acting, appearing in films like Stomp the Yard and Think Like a Man. Chris Brown's story is one of both great success and notable controversy, painting a picture of a talented but complex figure in the entertainment industry.
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  • Danny Brown
    7

    Danny Brown

    03/16/1981
    Daniel Dewan Sewell, better known by his stage name Danny Brown, is an American hip hop recording artist from Detroit, Michigan. He is known for his individuality, being described by MTV as "one of rap's most unique figures in recent memory." In 2010, after amassing several mixtapes, Brown released his debut album, The Hybrid. Brown began to gain major recognition after the release of his second album XXX, which received critical acclaim and earned him such accolades as Spin's "#1 hip hop album of the year", as well as Metro Times "Artist of the Year". In 2013, he first obtained Billboard chart placement, with the release of his third album Old, which reached number 18 on the US Billboard 200 chart and spawned three singles, "Dip", "25 Bucks" and "Smokin & Drinkin".
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  • Clifford Brown
    8

    Clifford Brown

    10/30/1930
    Clifford Benjamin Brown (October 30, 1930 – June 26, 1956) was an American jazz trumpeter. He died at the age of 25 in a car accident, leaving behind four years' worth of recordings. He was also a composer of note: his compositions "Sandu," "Joy Spring," and "Daahoud" have become jazz standards.Brown won the Down Beat critics' poll for New Star of the Year in 1954; he was inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1972 in the critics' poll. He influenced later jazz trumpeters such as Booker Little, Freddie Hubbard, and Lee Morgan.
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  • Alison Brown
    9

    Alison Brown

    08/07/1962
    Alison Brown (born August 7, 1962) is an American banjo player, guitarist, composer, and producer. She has won and has been nominated for several Grammy awards and is often compared to another banjo prodigy, Béla Fleck, for her unique style of playing. In her music, she blends jazz, bluegrass, rock, blues as well as other styles of music.
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  • Helen Gurley Brown
    10

    Helen Gurley Brown

    02/18/1922
    Helen Gurley Brown (February 18, 1922 – August 13, 2012; born Helen Marie Gurley) was an American author, publisher, and businesswoman. She was the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine for 32 years.
  • A. Whitney Brown
    11

    A. Whitney Brown

    07/08/1952
    Alan Whitney Brown (born July 8, 1952) is an American writer and comedian best known for work on Saturday Night Live in the 1980s. In addition to writing for the program, he appeared opposite Dennis Miller in a biting satirical Weekend Update commentary segment called "The Big Picture." He won a 1988 Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program, along with Al Franken, Tom Davis, Phil Hartman, Mike Myers, Lorne Michaels and Conan O'Brien. He was also one of the original correspondents on Comedy Central's The Daily Show from 1996 to 1998.
  • Jim Brown
    12

    Jim Brown

    02/17/1936
    Born on February 17, 1936, in St. Simons Island, Georgia, Jim Brown's journey to stardom began with an illustrious career in football. He is best known for his time as a fullback with the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL), where he played for nine seasons from 1957 through 1965. His athletic prowess was evident in his record-breaking performances, earning him recognition as one of the greatest players in NFL history. Brown consistently exhibited remarkable skills, leading the league in rushing yards in eight of his nine seasons. However, Brown's influence extends beyond the football field. Upon retiring from the sport at the age of 30, he transitioned into a successful acting career. He starred in numerous films and television shows, demonstrating his versatility as an entertainer. Some of his notable works include The Dirty Dozen and Ice Station Zebra. Despite his fame and success, Brown has never shied away from using his platform to address social issues. He has been an active advocate for racial equality and has dedicated much of his post-football life to improving the lives of underprivileged youth. In 1988, he founded the Amer-I-Can program, aimed at helping individuals realize their potential and contribute positively to society.
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  • Bobby Brown
    13

    Bobby Brown

    02/05/1969
    Bobby Brown, a name synonymous with the world of R&B music, was born on February 5, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts. His journey into the music industry began at a young age when he co-founded the boy band New Edition in 1978. Known for his distinctive vocal style and energetic performances, Brown quickly became a standout member of the group. With hits like "Candy Girl" and "Mr. Telephone Man", New Edition gained considerable popularity. However, after five years with the band, Brown decided to venture out as a solo artist. Brown's solo career skyrocketed with the release of his second album, Don't Be Cruel, in 1988. The album spawned several hit singles including the title track, "My Prerogative", and "Every Little Step", which won him a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. His unique blend of R&B with hip-hop elements, often referred to as "new jack swing", significantly influenced the sound of popular music in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Despite facing numerous personal and professional challenges, Brown continued to make music and perform, solidifying his place as one of the most influential artists of his generation. Beyond music, Brown's life has been marked by an array of experiences. He was married to the legendary singer Whitney Houston from 1992 until 2007, a relationship that was often under public scrutiny. Their tumultuous marriage was featured in the reality television show Being Bobby Brown. Brown's life took a tragic turn with the premature deaths of Houston and their daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown. His autobiography, Every Little Step, provides an intimate look into his journey, offering fans a deeper understanding of the man behind the music.
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  • Julie Brown
    14

    Julie Brown

    08/31/1958
    Julie Ann Brown (born August 31, 1958) is an American actress, comedian, screen/television writer, singer-songwriter, and television director. Brown is perhaps best known for her work in the 1980s, where she often played a quintessential valley girl character. Much of her comedy has revolved around the mocking of famous people (with a strong and frequently revisited focus on Madonna).
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  • Georgia Brown
    15

    Georgia Brown

    10/21/1933
    Georgia Brown (21 October 1933 – 5 July 1992) was an English singer and actress.
  • Antonio Brown
    16

    Antonio Brown

    07/10/1988
    Antonio Tavaris Brown Sr. (born July 10, 1988) is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Raised in Liberty City, Miami, Brown attended Miami Norland High School, where he competed in both football and track. He played college football at Central Michigan University, where he earned All-American honors in 2008 and 2009 as a punt returner. A sixth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010, Brown has amassed more receptions than any other player since he entered the league. He is a four-time First-team All-Pro (2014–2017), a Second-team All-Pro (2013), and a seven-time Pro Bowler (2011, 2013–2018). After spending most of 2019 and beginning of 2020 as a free agent, Brown signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2020 season, reuniting him with quarterback Tom Brady, and winning Super Bowl LV.
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  • Larry Brown
    17

    Larry Brown

    09/19/1947
    Lawrence Brown Jr. (born September 19, 1947) is a former professional American football player in the National Football League (NFL) who played running back for the Washington Redskins from 1969 to 1976. Raised in nearby Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Schenley High School, his original interest being in baseball. He later developed an overriding interest in football and played college football in Kansas at Dodge City Community College and Kansas State University in Manhattan.
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  • Kevin Brown
    18

    Kevin Brown

    03/14/1965
    James Kevin Brown (born March 14, 1965) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played from 1986 to 2005, leading the American League in wins once and leading the National League in earned run average twice. He was also a six-time All-Star.
  • Havana Brown
    19

    Havana Brown

    02/14/1985
    Havana Brown or DJ Havana Brown is an Australian DJ, singer and dancer. In 2008, Brown signed with Island Records Australia as a DJ for the record company, and began releasing her Crave compilation album series, which featured remixes of songs from other artists. This led to her touring with international artists, including Britney Spears, Rihanna, the Pussycat Dolls, Chris Brown and Enrique Iglesias. Brown made her debut as a recording artist in 2011, with the single "We Run the Night", which reached number five on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart and was certified triple platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The single earned Brown two ARIA Music Award nominations for Breakthrough Artist Single and Highest Selling Single. Following this success, Brown signed a US record deal with Universal Republic via producer RedOne's label 2101 Records. A remix of "We Run the Night", featuring American rapper Pitbull, was produced by RedOne and released in the United States. It reached number one on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart and number 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
  • Zac Brown
    20

    Zac Brown

    07/31/1978
    Zac Brown (born July 31, 1978) is the lead singer and guitarist of the band, Zac Brown Band.
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  • Melanie Brown
    21

    Melanie Brown

    05/29/1975
    Melanie Brown, better known as Mel B or Scary Spice, is an iconic figure in the global music industry. Born on May 29, 1975, in Leeds, England, she started her career with the groundbreaking girl band, Spice Girls, which was formed in 1994. Mel B propelled to international fame as one of the five members of this globally popular quintet. Spice Girls quickly became a sensation, selling over 85 million records worldwide, making them the best-selling female group of all time and etching their name permanently in pop music history. The band's debut album, Spice, released in 1996, was a phenomenal success, topping charts around the world with hit singles like "Wannabe" and "Say You'll Be There." Mel B's talents are not limited to the realms of music alone. After the Spice Girls disbanded in 2000, she embarked on a solo career that once again underscored her versatility. Her debut solo album, Hot, released in 2000, was a testament to her unique musical style, blending elements of pop and R&B. In addition to music, Mel B ventured into television, hosting shows like This Is My Moment (2001-2002) and starring in Broadway productions like Rent (2004). She solidified her presence in TV by taking up roles as a judge on popular reality shows, including America's Got Talent and The X Factor. Beyond her flourishing career, Mel B is also known for her advocacy. She has been vocal about her experiences with domestic abuse, inspiring many with her resilience and strength. She published her candid autobiography, Brutally Honest, in 2018, which details her struggles with mental health, substance abuse, and a volatile marriage.
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  • Kwame Brown
    22

    Kwame Brown

    03/10/1982
    Kwame Hasani Brown (born March 10, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player. He was the first overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards, and was the first number one draft pick to be selected straight out of high school. Over his career, he has played for the Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Bobcats, Golden State Warriors, and Philadelphia 76ers.
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  • Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
    23
    Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (April 18, 1924 – September 10, 2005) was an American musician from Louisiana and Texas known for his work as a blues musician, as well as other styles of music. He spent his career fighting purism by synthesizing old blues, country, jazz, Cajun music and R&B styles. His work also encompasses rock and roll, rock music, folk music, electric blues, and Texas blues.He was an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, who played an array of musical instruments, including the guitar, fiddle, mandolin, viola, harmonica and drums. He won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album in 1983 for his album, Alright Again!. He is regarded as one of the most influential exponents of blues fiddle and has had enormous influence in American fiddle circles. Brown's two biggest musical influences were Louis Jordan and T-Bone Walker.
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  • Ian Brown
    24

    Ian Brown

    02/20/1963
    Ian George Brown (born 20 February 1963) is an English singer and multi-instrumentalist. He was the lead singer of the alternative rock band the Stone Roses from their formation in 1984. Following the split in 1996, he began a solo career, releasing seven studio albums, a greatest hits compilation, a remix album, an 11 disc box set titled Collection and 19 singles. He returned to singing for the Stone Roses in 2011, although this did not spell the end of his solo endeavours, on October 25th 2018 releasing First World Problems through Virgin/EMI records. He had a cameo appearance in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
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  • Dustin Brown
    25

    Dustin Brown

    11/04/1984
    Dustin Brown (born November 4, 1984) is an American professional ice hockey right winger for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). The 13th overall pick of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Brown has spent his entire 14-year NHL career with the Kings. He led the Kings to the 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup championships and in 2012 became the first Kings captain and second American captain (behind Derian Hatcher) to win the Stanley Cup with a six-game victory over the New Jersey Devils. During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, he played for ZSC Lions in the Swiss National League A. Brown is noted for his physical playing style, consistently ranking among NHL leaders in hits and penalties drawn, and his reserved, lead-by-example approach to his former captaincy.Internationally, Brown has represented the United States at three World Championships, winning a bronze medal in 2004, and two World Junior Championships. He won a silver medal as an alternate captain of the United States national team at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Brown received the 2011 NHL Foundation Player Award for his extensive charity work in the Los Angeles community.
  • Derren Brown
    26

    Derren Brown

    02/27/1971
    Derren Brown (born 27 February 1971) is an English mentalist, illusionist, and author. Since his television debut with Derren Brown: Mind Control in 2000, Brown has produced several other shows for the stage and television in both series and specials. His 2006 stage show Something Wicked This Way Comes and his 2012 show Svengali won him two Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment. He has also written books for magicians as well as the general public. Brown does not claim to possess any supernatural powers and his acts are often designed to expose the methods of those who do assert such claims, such as faith healers and mediums. In his performances, he often says that his effects are achieved through "magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection, and showmanship".
  • Mike Brown
    27

    Mike Brown

    07/19/1963
    Michael Brown (born July 19, 1963) is an American retired professional basketball player and occasional minor league coach and NBA assistant coach. A durable 6'9" power forward/center, he played at George Washington University in the early 1980s, where he received the nickname "The New Washington Monument."After four years of college ball, Brown was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the third round of the 1985 NBA Draft. Brown would go on to play eleven seasons in the NBA, earning a reputation as a workhorse in the low post in limited minutes as a reserve as a member of the Bulls, the Utah Jazz, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Phoenix Suns. He retired with NBA career totals of 3,130 points and 2,762 rebounds. He also played professionally in Italy for Aurora Desio (1985–1986), Teamsystem Bologna (1995) and Viola Reggio Calabria (1996–1998). Brown was an assistant coach for the Las Vegas Slam of the ABA for the 2001-02 season. From 2002 through 2004, he was an assistant coach for the National Basketball Development League's Roanoke Dazzle. In 2004, he replaced Jeff Capel as head coach of the D-League's Fayetteville Patriots.During the 2007-08 NBA season, Brown worked as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls. He was signed primarily to work with the Bulls' young centers and power forwards.Brown does live radio remotes at different restaurants with Marty Rodick in Las Vegas, NV on Saturday & Sunday.
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  • Sawyer Brown
    28
    Sawyer Brown is an American country music band. It was founded in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, by Mark Miller (lead vocals, guitar), Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard (keyboards), Bobby Randall (guitars), Joe "Curly" Smyth (drums), and Jim Scholten (bass guitar). The five musicians were originally members of country singer Don King's road band, but chose to stay together after King retired in 1981. After competing on the television competition series Star Search and winning that show's grand prize, they signed to Capitol Records in 1984. The band recorded for Capitol between then and 1991, and for Curb Records between then and 2005, except for a short time in 2003 when they were signed to Lyric Street Records. Duncan Cameron, formerly of the Amazing Rhythm Aces, replaced Randall in 1991, and Shayne Hill replaced him in 2004. Sawyer Brown has released eighteen studio albums and has charted over fifty times on the Hot Country Songs charts, including three No. 1 singles: "Step That Step" (1985), " Some Girls Do" (1992), and "Thank God for You" (1993). The band's sound is largely defined by country pop and rock music influences, with cover versions of songs by George Jones, Michael Johnson, and Dave Dudley also among their hit singles. Artists with whom they have collaborated include Randy Scruggs, Joe Bonsall, and Mac McAnally.
  • Sarah Joy Brown
    29

    Sarah Joy Brown

    02/18/1975
    Sarah Joy Brown, sometimes credited simply as Sarah Brown (born February 18, 1975), is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for originating the role of Carly Corinthos on the American daytime drama General Hospital from 1996 to 2001. For the role, she won three Daytime Emmy Awards. In 2008, she returned to General Hospital in a different role, Claudia Zacchara. She exited General Hospital once again in 2009 and began appearing on The Bold and the Beautiful in the newly created role of Aggie Jones.Brown appeared as Madison James on Days of Our Lives from October 2011 until the character's death in August 2012.
  • Bobbie Brown
    30

    Bobbie Brown

    10/07/1969
    Bobbie Jean Brown (born October 7, 1969), sometimes credited as Bobbie Brown-Lane, is an American actress, model and former beauty pageant contestant. She appeared in the video for Warrant's glam metal anthem "Cherry Pie" and the cover of the album of the same name.