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Danny Glover in Ecuador protesting against Lago Agrio oil field. Photo by Cancillería del Ecuador –

10 Most Famous people from San Francisco

San Francisco is the 12^th largest metropolitan statistical area in the United States with 4.7 million people.

This city has the 4^th largest economic output, with a GDP of $592 billion as of 2019.

Surrounded by the Bay Area, the city is known as the hub of sciences and arts. Additionally, it is the home to several educational and cultural institutions.

There are numerous theatres and live performance venues. This is therefore home to several famous artists, actors, actresses, linguists, and politicians.

These people have made a great impression on the entertainment industry and popular culture.

In our list today, we have narrowed it down to people who were born specifically in San Francisco.

Check out the 10 most famous people from San Francisco.

1. Robert Frost – Poet

Robert Frost celebrating his 85th Birthday. Photo by Walter Albertin –

Robert Frost was a famous poet. Some of his renowned poems are The Gift Outright, stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, Birches, Mending Wall, and The Road Not Taken. 

His first work ever was published in England and later on in the United States. Critics describe his work as an accurate narrative of life in the countryside, especially during the early 20^th century.

Additionally, most of his work is full of everyday American conversations. He used these themes to scrutinize intricate social and philosophical issues.

With several honorary awards, Frost remains to be the only American to receive 4 Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. 

His exemplary work earned him the public literary figure, almost an artistic institution, a rare recognition in the United States.

In 1960, Frost was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his poetic works. Further, he was named poet laureate of Vermont in 1961.

2. Joe DiMaggio – Baseball Player

Joe was one of the best hitters and fielders as well as one of the best all-around players in history.

He dropped out of high school in 1930 at the age of 16 and focused on professional baseball.

DiMaggio played daily at the dairy-wagon parking lot. This was a large space that was used for parking space by milk drivers who parked their horses and wagons.

During his early day, DiMaggio used rocks for bases and would also use a roll of bicycle tape to patch up the ball.

His best years on the pitch were between 1936 and 1951. He played for the Yankees and won 9 World Series titles.

After retiring, DiMaggio was entered into the Hall of Fame in 1955.

3. Danny Glover – Actor & Political Activist

Danny Glover in Ecuador protesting against Lago Agrio oil field. Photo by Cancillería del Ecuador –

Glover is popularly known for his lead role in the film Lethal Weapons as Roger Murtaugh.

His other famous films include The Colour Purple, To Sleep with Anger, Predator 2, Angels in the Outfield, and Operation Dumbo Drop.

Danny’s first appearance in the theatre was with the American Conservancy Theatre workers in San Francisco.

Additionally, he trained with Jean Shelton at the Shelton Actors Lab in San Francisco. He credits Shelton for his success as an actor.

Other than acting, Glover is an activist who uses his art to support and advocate for the rights of union workers.

Glover was the UN Goodwill Ambassador in 2018. He met several global leaders and members of marginalized communities.    

4. William Randolph Hearst – Businessman

William Hearst. Photo by Harris Ewing –

Hearst was a famous businessman who owned the largest media company in the United States known as Hearst Communications.

His newspaper was had the largest circulation in the country. The newspaper was popular because of its sensationalism and coverage of human interest stories.

He got into the publishing business in 1887 together with Mitchell Trubitt. His father, Senator George Hearst, owned The San Francisco Examiner.

The peak of his business was when he owned more than 30 major papers in major cities in America.

Later, Hearst added magazines and created one of the largest media industries in the world.  

He owned Hearst Castle which is on a hill overlooking the scenic Pacific Ocean near San Simeon. Today, the Castle a designated as a National Historic Landmark.

5. Darren Criss – Actor

You probably remember him from the teen drama, Glee. The role gave him a head start in his acting career.

Additionally, Darren received an Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his leading role as spree killer Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.

Other than screen acting, Chris has featured in Broadway shows and has released several recordings as a soloist and in a band.

Chris is a founding member and co-owner of StarKid Productions, a musical theatre company based in Chicago.

He advocates for LGBTQ rights and is a supporter of the Trevor Project.

6. Clint Eastwood – former Mayor & Actor

Clint grew up in San Francisco and rose to become the mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California from 1986 to 1988.

Eastwood also had a successful career as an actor and is one of the most recognized in Hollywood. He is also a well-respected award-winning director in the world.

His successful career in the film industry has earned him several awards like Director and Best Picture for Unforgiven (1992) and the sports drama Million Dollar Baby (2004).

He was the Academy Award nominee for Best Actor. His other accolades include 4 Academy Awards, 4 Golden Globe Awards, 3 César Awards, and an AFI Life Achievement Award.

In his long career in film, Clint has featured in more than 50 films. Subsequently, he has directed and produced great films since 1971.

7. Margaret Cho – Comedian

Photo by Danlev –

Cho is best known for her stand-up routines that she uses to critique social and political problems, especially regarding race and sexuality.

Her big break on screen was between 1994 and 1995 after featuring in the ABC sitcom All-American Girl. This established her career as a stand-up comic.

Cho is also an entrepreneur who has invested in fashion and music. She owns a clothing line among other successful businesses.

As a proud supporter of LGBTQ rights, Cho has won several awards for her philanthropic efforts.

In 2008, the city of San Francisco deputized her as a marriage official after the State of California legalized same-sex marriages.

8. Isadora Duncan – Dancer

Photo by Arnold Genthe –

Isadora was a dancer who performed both in the US and all over Europe. She was raised in California and left the country when she was 22.   

Miss Duncan first lived and worked in Western Europe before settling in the Soviet Union in her later years.

As a young girl back in California, Isadora took a great interest in dance and even became a dance teacher. She was self-taught and improved on her dance moves as she got better.

She first moved to Chicago where she joined Augustin Daly’s company after a successful audition. A few years later she moved to New York and attempted ballet which she found to be disappointing.

As a professional dancer, Isadora found the commercial side of this distracting. She preferred natural movement as opposed to rigid dances like ballet.

Isadora died aged 50 in Nice, France.

9. Naomi Wolf – Author

Photo by Thomas Good –

Miss Wolf is a popular feminist author and journalist. She became popular in 1991 after publishing her first book The Beauty Myth.

Later, she was appointed as a spokeswoman for the feminist movement. Popular feminists like Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan praised her work while Camille Paglia was her greatest critic.

She also acted as a political advisor to Bill Clinton and Al Gore during the presidential campaigns in the 1990s.

In the recent past, Wolf has been described by the media as a conspiracy theorist. She has also been accused of spreading misinformation on terrorism and epidemics.

10. Dianne Feinstein – Politician

Dianne went to Stanford University where she graduated in 1955. After graduation, she got employed by the local government in San Francisco.  

In 1978, she was the first female president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. This was after the assassination of Mayor George Moscone and City Supervisor Harvey Milk by Dan White.

During her tenure, she led the renovation of the city’s cable car system. Additionally, she oversaw the 1984 Democratic National Convention.

As of 2022 aged 88, Feinstein is said to be the oldest sitting U.S. senator. She hopes to seek re-election in 2024.