Many people hail from some of Alabama’s most charming small towns, including some of today’s biggest celebrities. A few of them were surprising to us and might be a shock to you, too. Listed below are nine celebrities from Alabama. While most of these celebrities are still alive today, a few of them have sadly passed away – leaving a huge impact on us all. Take a look below to learn a little about these famous people born in Alabama. Of course, at the end, you must tell us who shocked you the most.

1. Helen Keller - Tuscumbia

Known as "The First Lady of Courage," Helen Keller was the first ever blind-deaf person to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama in 1880.

2. Courteney Cox - Mountain Brook

Courteney Cox is an actress who's best known for playing the role of Monica Geller on the hit television series "Friends." She hails from Mountain Brook, Alabama, a charming suburb of Birmingham.

3. Mae Jemison - Decatur

In 1992, Mae Jemison, a Decatur, Alabama native, became the first African American woman to travel in space.

4. Harper Lee - Monroeville

Harper Lee was born in 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama. She's the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the 1960 novel "To Kill a Mocking Bird."

5. Channing Tatum - Cullman

Channing Tatum, who's best known for his "Magic Mike" movies, hails from Cullman, Alabama.

6. Rosa Parks - Tuskegee

Rosa Parks was born in 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama. In 1955, she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus. She later became known as "The First Lady of Civil Rights" and "The Mother of the Freedom Movement."

7. Lionel Richie - Tuskegee

Also from Tuskegee, Alabama is Lionel Richie. Born in 1949, Richie was the lead singer of The Commodores. Today, he's one of three judges on American Idol.

8. Mia Hamm - Selma

Mia Hamm, a Selma, Alabama native, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in women's soccer. She's also one of the world's greatest female soccer players of all time.

9. Randy Owen - Fort Payne

Randy Owen is from Fort Payne, Alabama and is the lead singer of the country rock band Alabama. A few of the band's greatest hits include "Song of the South," "Dixieland Delight," and "Mountain Music."

Did you already know that these nine celebrities hail from Alabama? Who was the most surprising name on the list? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you can think of any other celebrities from Alabama, please feel free to share those with us as well.

Did you know you can tour Ivy Green: Birthplace of Helen Keller? It's one of Alabama's top house museums.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/alabama/small-town-birthplace-al/

Want to learn more facts about Alabama? History buffs will love this self-guided walking tour through Birmingham.