University Of Washington Notable Alumni

Discover the notable alumni of University Of Washington. The list includes people like Bruce Lee, Anna Faris, Rainn Wilson, David Foster & Jean Smart. This list of notable alumni is loosely sorted by popularity and has people from different domains of life, such as writers, film & theater personalities, scientists, sportspersons and miscellaneous etc.

Vote for Your Favourite University Of Washington Notable Alumni

Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

 1 

Bruce Lee

(The Most Influential Martial Artist of All Time)

Birthdate: November 27, 1940

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States

Died: July 20, 1973

An iconic actor and martial artist, Bruce Lee, in his short life, gained international fame and developed his own form of martial arts, Jeet Kune Do. In films, he debuted as a child actor and became a huge Hollywood star after the release of his last film Enter the Dragon.

 2 

Anna Faris

(American Actress Who is Known for Her Performances in Comedic Roles)

Birthdate: November 29, 1976

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Baltimore

Actress Anna Faris is known for her comedic roles, especially as the lead in the commercially successful Scary Movie films. Lost in Translation, Brokeback Mountain, Just Friends, The House Bunny, The Dictator, Calgary and Overboard are some of her other notable films. She has also acted in television sitcoms like Friends and Mom. Anna Faris has been featured on the covers of several magazines.

Birthdate: September 12, 1944

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Galveston, Texas, United States

Died: July 4, 2003

Barry White was an American musician, composer, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Renowned for his bass-baritone voice, White was one of the most popular vocalists of his generation. Having sold more than 100 million records worldwide, Barry White is counted among the best-selling musicians of all time.

Recommended Lists:

 4 

Rainn Wilson

(Best Known for His Role as 'Dwight Schrute' on the NBC sitcom 'The Office')

Birthdate: January 20, 1966

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States

Rainn Wilson is an actor and writer who used his popularity to make his YouTube channel, SoulPancake, a success. Also a climate change advocate, Wilson made a documentary titled The Idiot’s Guide to Climate Change, based on his trip to Greenland. He is known for his charitable works and has adopted a vegan diet since adopting Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs.

Recommended Lists:

Birthdate: July 30, 1981

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Richland, Washington, United States

Height: 5'9" (175 cm)

 6 

Joel McHale

(Best Known for His Role as 'Jeff Winger' on the NBC sitcom 'Community')

Birthdate: November 20, 1971

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Rome, Italy

Actor, comedian, and producer Joel McHale is best known for hosting the television series The Soup. He was interested in sports as a young boy but shifted his focus to acting while in college and earned his master's degree in acting. Even though he is more popular as a television actor, he has appeared in many films too.

Recommended Lists:

 7 

David Foster

(Musician who Chaired 'Verve Records' (2012 to 2016))

Birthdate: November 1, 1949

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Victoria, Canada

Canadian musician, composer, and arranger David Foster is a prominent figure in the international music scene and has worked with the likes of  Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, and Madonna. The winner of 16 Grammy Awards, he has also been nominated for the Academy Awards thrice. He launched the David Foster Foundation to help sick children.

Birthdate: September 13, 1951

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States

Active in the field of entertainment for over 40 years, actress Jean Smart began her career in regional theater. After finding much fame as a stage actress, she started taking up TV and film roles as well. She has given many critically acclaimed performances and is the winner of three Primetime Emmy Awards.

Recommended Lists:

Birthdate: February 22, 1959

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Yakima, Washington, United States

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

 10 

Nate Robinson

(American Former Professional Basketball Player)

Birthdate: May 31, 1984

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States

Nate Robinson is a former professional basketball player who has played in the NBA for the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics,  Golden State Warriors, and Chicago Bulls. He went professional in 2005 and became the NBA's first three-time slam dunk champion in 2010. He retired in 2018. He now runs a restaurant in Rainier Beach.

Recommended Lists:

 11 

Frank Herbert

(Science Fiction Author Best Known for His 1965 Novel 'Dune' & Its Sequels)

Birthdate: October 8, 1920

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington, United States

Died: February 11, 1986

American author, newspaper-journalist, book-reviewer, lecturer, photographer, and ecological consultant Franklin Herbert is most noted for his 1965 sci-fi novel Dune and its five sequels. Dune won the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award and spearheaded the Dune franchise. The novel is cited as the best-selling sci-fi novel in history while the series is counted among the classics of the genre.

 12 

Nancy Wilson

(Guitarist and Backing Vocalist in the Rock Band 'Heart')

Birthdate: March 16, 1954

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States

Nancy Wilson is a celebrated musician, singer, songwriter and composer.  A guitar virtuoso from the age of ten, she joined the rock band Heart in early 1970s, releasing numerous albums with them. She released her first solo studio album in 2021.

Recommended Lists:

 13 

Markelle Fultz

(Basketball player)

Birthdate: May 29, 1998

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Upper Marlboro, Maryland, United States

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

 14 

Amanda Knox

(Wrongful conviction of the murder of Meredith Kercher)

Birthdate: July 9, 1987

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States

Amanda Knox is an American woman who made headlines when she was convicted for the murder of Meredith Kercher in Italy. After spending almost four years in prison, Amanda was definitively acquitted after a new trial that found her not guilty. Her story inspired books and documentaries; Knox's memoir Waiting to Be Heard became popular.

Recommended Lists:

 15 

Emily Compagno

(Journalist, TV Host)

Birthdate: November 9, 1979

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Oakland, California, United States

Height: 5'7" (170 cm)

 16 

Kenny G

(Smooth Jazz Saxophonist and One of the Best-Selling Musicians of All Time)

Birthdate: June 5, 1956

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States

Kenneth Bruce Gorelick, better known as Kenny G, is a best-selling jazz saxophonist who has sold over 75 million records and even owns a line of saxophones. He is also a certified pilot and a skilled golfer who has participated in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am seven times.

Recommended Lists:

Birthdate: March 17, 1949

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Townsend, Montana

Patrick Duffy is an American actor known for contributing immensely to the success of the popular TV soap opera Dallas where he portrayed the role of Bobby Ewing. Predominantly a TV actor, Duffy became a household name in the USA during the 1970s. A longtime member of Soka Gakkai International, Duffy is credited with popularizing Nichiren Buddhism in the USA.

 18 

Bob Sapp

(Mixed Martial Artist, Kickboxer and Professional Wrestler)

Birthdate: September 22, 1973

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

Height: 6'5" (196 cm)

Recommended Lists:

 19 

Garret Dillahunt

(Best Known for His Roles in the Film ‘No Country for Old Men’ and TV Sitcom ‘Raising Hope’)

Birthdate: November 24, 1964

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Castro Valley, California, United States

Garret Dillahunt is best known as Dr. Jody Kimball-Kinney from The Mindy Project and as Burt Chance from Raising Hope. He has also appeared in major roles in Fear the Walking Dead, Hand of God, and Deadwood, and has been part of films such as 12 Years a Slave.

 20 

Dyan Cannon

(First Woman to be nominated for Oscars Both in Front of and Behind the Camera)

Birthdate: January 4, 1937

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington, United States

Dyan Cannon is best known for her Academy Award-nominated roles in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice and Heaven Can Wait. She has also written, directed, and produced the Academy Award-nominated film Number One. She has appeared in series such as Ally McBealand Three Sisters, too.

Recommended Lists:

 21 

Richard Karn

(Actor and Game Show Host Known for His Role ‘Al Borland’ in the TV Series ‘Home Improvement’)

Birthdate: February 17, 1956

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States

Richard Karn is an American actor and former game show host. He is known for hosting the popular game show, Family Feud, and for playing Al Borland in the television series Home Improvement. Karn used the popularity, which he achieved through Home Improvement, to author a couple of books on home renovation, such as House Broken and Handy at Home.

 22 

Frances Farmer

(American Actress and Television Hostess)

Birthdate: September 19, 1913

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States

Died: August 1, 1970

Height: 5'6" (168 cm)

Recommended Lists:

 23 

Jeannette Rankin

(Feminist Politician & the First Woman to be Part of the US Congress and Only from Montana)

Birthdate: June 11, 1880

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Missoula

Died: May 18, 1973

Jeannette Rankin scripted history as the first female member of the US Congress. A feminist, she was also associated with the women’s suffrage movement. Earlier, the Republican worked as a dressmaker, a furniture designer, and a teacher. She was the only legislator to vote against war after the Pearl Harbor incident.

 24 

Rick Steves

(Travel writer)

Birthdate: May 10, 1955

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Edmonds, Washington, USA

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

Recommended Lists:

 25 

Tim Lincecum

(Baseball Player)

Birthdate: June 15, 1984

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Bellevue, Washington, USA

Height: 5'11" (180 cm)

 26 

Brandon Roy

(Basketball player - Shooting guard, Basketball coach)

Birthdate: July 23, 1984

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States

Height: 6'6" (198 cm)

Recommended Lists:

 27 

Warren Moon

(American Footballer)

Birthdate: November 18, 1956

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

 28 

Ann Dunham

(American Anthropologist and Mother of Former United States President, Barack Obama)

Birthdate: November 29, 1942

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Wichita, Kansas, United States

Died: November 7, 1995

Ann Dunham was the mother of former U.S. President Barack Obama. She was an economic anthropologist and worked for the betterment of rural Indonesian women. She had met Barack Obama Sr. while studying at the University of Hawaii. She had worked with USAID, the Ford Foundation, and Bank Rakyat Indonesia.

Recommended Lists:

 29 

Linda Lee Cadwell

(Widow of Bruce Lee & Author of the Bruce Lee Biography 'Bruce Lee: The Man Only I Knew')

Birthdate: March 21, 1945

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Everett, Washington, United States

Linda Lee Cadwell, former wife of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, is a teacher and author who met Bruce at a Kung Fu workshop in Seattle. Her memoir Bruce Lee: The Man Only I Knew inspired Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story. She was a trustee of the Bruce Lee Foundation.

 30 

Dejounte Murray

(Basketball player)

Birthdate: September 19, 1996

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States

Height: 6'4" (193 cm)

Recommended Lists:

 31 

Matisse Thybulle

(Basketball player)

Birthdate: March 4, 1997

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Height: 6'5" (196 cm)

Birthdate: September 20, 1941

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington, United States

Recommended Lists:

 33 

Lynn Shelton

(Film director)

Birthdate: August 27, 1965

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Oberlin, Ohio, U.S.

Died: May 16, 2020

 34 

Robert Osborne

(Actor, Television actor, Biographer, Film actor, Historian, Journalist, Screenwriter, Cinematographer, Film producer)

Birthdate: May 3, 1932

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Colfax

Died: March 6, 2017

Best known for his over two-decade-long stint as a Turner Classic Movies host, Robert Osborne also gained fame for his penning The Official History of the Academy Awards and the National Film Book Award-winning 50 Golden Years of Oscar. A qualified journalist, he also wrote columns for The Hollywood Reporter.

Recommended Lists:

 35 

Kelsey Plum

(Basketball player)

Birthdate: August 24, 1994

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Poway, California, United States

Height: 5'8" (173 cm)

Birthdate: November 3, 1930

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Topeka, Kansas, United States

Height: 5'2" (157 cm)

Recommended Lists:

 37 

Detlef Schrempf

(German-American Former Professional Basketball Player Who Played As a Small Forward / Power Forward)

Birthdate: January 21, 1963

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Leverkusen, Germany

Detlef Schrempf is a German-American former basketball player who played for popular NBA teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Seattle SuperSonics, and Portland Trail Blazers. A three-time NBA All-Star, Schrempf helped the SuperSonics reach the NBA Finals in 1996. Also known for his charitable work, Schrempf formed the Detlef Schrempf Foundation to help local charities.

Birthdate: March 25, 1988

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Spokane, Washington, United States

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

Recommended Lists:

 39 

Pamela Reed

(Actress)

Birthdate: April 2, 1949

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington, USA

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

 40 

Ann Sothern

(Former actress in the 1949 film, A Letter to Three Wives)

Birthdate: January 22, 1909

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Valley City, North Dakota, United States

Died: March 15, 2001

Height: 5'1" (155 cm)

Recommended Lists:

 41 

Ann Rule

(Author of True Crime Books, Famous for Her Book 'The Stranger Beside Me', About Serial Killer Ted Bundy)

Birthdate: October 22, 1931

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Lowell, Michigan, United States

Died: July 26, 2015

True crime author Ann Rule had initially been a policewoman and was also well-versed in criminology and psychology. She first gained attention with her book The Stranger Beside Me, which relates her experiences of working with Ted Bundy, a volunteer at a suicide hotline, who later murdered several women.

Birthdate: October 10, 1959

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Spokane, Washington, United States

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

Recommended Lists:

 43 

Christina Chang

(Actress)

Birthdate: June 29, 1971

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Taipei, Taiwan

 44 

Zakir Hussain

(One of the Most Famous Tabla Players in India)

Birthdate: March 9, 1951

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Zakir Hussain is an Indian musician, tabla virtuoso, percussionist, composer, and music producer. Widely regarded as one of the greatest tabla players of all time, Hussain has received many prestigious awards in his illustrious career. In 1990, he was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. In 2002, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award.

Recommended Lists:

Birthdate: July 5, 1940

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Monroe, Washington, U.S.

Died: August 19, 2021

 46 

Angela Rye

(Political commentator)

Birthdate: October 26, 1979

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Recommended Lists:

Birthdate: April 5, 1989

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Mission Hills, California, United States

Height: 6'6" (198 cm)

 48 

David A. Johnston

(American Volcanologist Who was Caught in the Midst of the Eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980)

Birthdate: December 18, 1949

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Died: May 18, 1980

David A. Johnston was an American volcanologist who was caught in the midst of the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. Johnston was killed during the eruption and his body was never found. David A. Johnston's life and career have inspired several documentaries, docudramas, and films.

Recommended Lists:

 49 

John Ross

(American football player)

Birthdate: November 27, 1995

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Long Beach, California, United States

Height: 5'11" (180 cm)

 50 

Jerramy Stevens

(American football player)

Birthdate: November 13, 1979

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Boise, Idaho, United States

Height: 6'7" (201 cm)

Recommended Lists:

Popularly known as UW or simply Washington, University of Washington was founded in 1861 and is a public flagship research university based out of Seattle, Washington. Occupying over 20 million gross square footage of space, the university finds itself with the continuing historical record with one of the highest operating and research budgets in the United States. University of Washington offers various graduate, post graduate and doctoral programs in over 140 departments of studies such as Business, Arts and Science, Law, Medicine, Engineering and Public Health. UW is constantly graded among the top 15 universities in the world by numerous international publications and is a prominent member of the Association of American Universities. The university practices sustainability and pro-environmental methods by the use of renewable sources of energy, in fact the electricity of the whole campus in Seattle runs only on renewable energy. As per the 2016 statistics of U.S rankings by U.S. News & World Report, UW finds itself tied in the 16th place among public universities in the United States. With over 54,000 individuals as a part of the student body, Washington University is rich in diversity as it offers various diversity leadership programs. Many prominent celebrated and influential personalities have been a part of the university as students. Michael P. Anderson, Irv Robbins, William H. Gates Sr, Bruce Lee and Kenny G are a few of the many celebrities who are alumni’s of UW. Here is the full-list of notable individuals who were a part of University Of Washington.