Who are your favorite celebrities that are from the great city of Bakersfield, California? Maybe you didn’t even realize that there’s actually a long list of actors, actresses, athletes, and all types of famous talent who called Bakersfield “Home”. Below we’ll share with you a few of our favorites!
Merle Haggard – Merle was born in Oildale, California, during the Great Depression. He had a troubled childhood after the death of his father, and he was found himself on the wrong side of the law several times in his youth. After being released from San Quentin State Prison in 1960, he managed to turn his life around and launched a successful country music career. He gained popularity with his songs about the working class that occasionally contained themes contrary to the prevailing anti-Vietnam War sentiment of much popular music of the time.
Jonathan Howsmon Davis, also known as JD, JDevil, or J Devil, is an American singer, musician, and songwriter. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman of nu metal band Korn, who are considered the pioneering group of the nu metal movement.
Buck Owens – Alvis Edgar Owens Jr., known professionally as Buck Owens, was a singer, musician, songwriter and band leader. He was the front man for Buck Owens and the Buckaroos, which had 21 No. 1 hits on the Billboard country music charts.
Frank Gifford – Francis Newton Gifford was an American football player, actor, and television sports commentator. After 12 years of playing a halfback and flanker for the New York Giants, he continued to contribute to the sport as a play-by-play announcer and commentator for 27 years on ABC’s Monday Night Football.
Derek Mears – Derek is an American actor and stuntman. He often appeared in horror and science-fiction titles, and he came into prominence by portraying Jason Voorhees in the 2009 remake of Friday the 13th. His film roles also include The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007), Predators (2010), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013), and Alita: Battle Angel (2019). On television, he played the title character in the series Swamp Thing (2019).
We could go on and on with celebrities, singers, athletes, writers, directors, and notables from our city of Bakersfield. Merle Haggard, Jonathan Davis, Buck Owens, Frank Gifford and Derek Mears are only a handful of some of our favorites but there are many, many more!