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Arts & Letters

Novelists, poets, musicians, actors, directors and designers who made the country's culture.

All Literature & Drama Music Film, Television & Comedy Visual Arts & Design
Role: Any Actor 58 Novelist 46 Singer 39 Songwriter 31 Musician 30 Filmmaker 26 Painter 26 Composer 18 Poet 14 Author 11 Photographer 11 Comedian 10 Activist 9 Founder 8 Playwright 8 Sculptor 8 Educator 7 Broadcaster 6 Journalist 6 Rapper 6 Designer 5 Illustrator 5 Producer 5 Choreographer 4 Executive 4
Order: Most notable By term A–Z Born earliest Born latest Longest lived Shortest lived

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Quincy Jones 1933–2024MusicArranged for Sinatra and Basie, scored the films, and produced Thriller.Berry Gordy b. 1929MusicFounder of Motown, who turned an 800-dollar family loan into the Sound of Young AmericaSam Phillips 1923–2003MusicFounder of Sun RecordsAhmet Ertegun 1923–2006MusicCo-founder of Atlantic RecordsJohn Hammond 1910–1987MusicRecord man who signed Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.