Memphis is famous for many things including its world-renowned music scene, the once home of Elvis Presley, and the Peabody ducks that people from around the world would travel to visit (pre-COVID that is).
But did you know that the southern city is also the birthplace and once home to a range of famous celebrities, including Justin Timberlake?
For this reason and in celebration of Justin’s upcoming 40th birthday set to take place on 31 January 2021, we wanted to share with you a list of famous celebrities that you didn’t know were born in Memphis:
- Justin Timberlake, the singer, songwriter, actor and record producer is best known as one of the lead singers in NSYNC, one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. After the band split up in 2002, Timberlake continued to establish himself as a solo artist and is today one of the world’s best-selling music artists. Justin was born and raised in Memphis, and is said to have learnt how to sing at the Shelby Forest Baptist Church in the southern city, where his father was the choir director.
- Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul is of course from the city of soul. She’s most famous for her songs “Respect”, “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)”, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “I Say a Little Prayer”. Franklin was also a civil rights activist and a strong supporter of Native American rights. Aretha was born in Memphis in 1942 to a large musical family, and later in life was inducted into the prestigious Memphis Music Hall of Fame, alongside other famous names including Justin Timberlake, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
- Morgan Freeman, is known for his iconic and deep voice and is one of the most respected figures in modern US cinema. He has starred in iconic movies such as The Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby, Deep Impact and Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy. Freeman was born in Memphis in 1937 as the youngest of five children. Full circle, and Freeman now co-owns Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale TN, a town located just outside of Memphis and recognised for its Delta blues roots.
- Kathy Bates was born in Memphis in 1948 and raised in the southern city as the youngest of three girls. Kathy later become a multi-awardwinning actress, taking out an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes. She has starred in several blockbuster films such as Titanic, Fried Green Tomatoes and Annie.
- Ginnifer Goodwin, was born in Memphis in 1978, and attended St. Mary’s Episcopal School in the southern city. Now, she is a famous American actress, who has starred in movies such as Walk the Line, He’s Just Not That Into You, Something Borrowed and Zootopia.
- Cybill Shepherd, was born in Memphis in 1950, where she grew up and later attended the southern city’s East High School. During this time, she also won the “Miss Teenage Memphis.” Cybill is now a famous American actress and former model, who has appeared in films such as The Heartbreak Kid, Taxi Driver and Chances Are with Robert Downey Jr.
- Mary Church Terell, was born in Memphis in 1863, and later went on to be one of the first African-American women to earn a college degree and was a renowned national civil rights activist.
Although we are unable to visit Memphis right now and all of the places our favourite stars were born and grew up, rest assured the southern city will be waiting with open arms for when the time is right to do so again.
For further information about Memphis and all the city has to offer, visit: https://www.
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