Which famous celebrities are alumni of Arizona colleges? Here’s a list

Arizona has its fair share of alumni from its universities who later went on to fame and glory.

Here are just some celebrities who attended either Northern Arizona University, the University of Arizona or Arizona State University.

Jimmy Kimmel

The famous late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel attended Arizona State University, which is where he got his start working with radio.

Garry Shandling

The famous comedian, who grew up in Tucson, attended the University of Arizona. He died March 24, 2016.

Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt, a Tucson native, attended University of Arizona before she recorded her chart-topping songs “You’re No Good” and “Blue Bayou.”

Pat Tillman

Pat Tillman was killed in Iraq after he left his football career to join the Army. He attended ASU and played football for the Sun Devils before being drafted by the NFL.

Diana Gabaldon

Diana Gabaldon is a Northern Arizona University alum known for her best-selling Outlander books, which feature romance, history and time travel.

Raul Castro

Raul Castro, who got his law degree from the University of Arizona, was the 14th governor of Arizona.

Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson has a psychology degree from ASU and is well known for his golfing abilities.

Geraldo Rivera

TV host Geraldo Rivera graduated from the University of Arizona in 1965 with a degree in business administration.

Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds is an ASU graduate and a household name in Major League Baseball. However, he has seen his reputation tarnished with allegations of steroid use.

Andy Devine

Cowboy actor Andy Devine was born in Flagstaff and attended NAU for a time. One of his most familiar roles was as Guy Madison in the 1951 Western series “Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok.”

Jerry Bruckheimer

Before Jerry Bruckheimer was the award-winning producer he is today, he attended University of Arizona. He is known for his work with “CSI,” “Top Gun,” and “Black Hawk Down.”

Doug Hopkins

Doug Hopkins co-founded the Gin Blossoms during his time at ASU. He is responsible for hits like “Hey Jealousy” and “I Found Out About You.” He graduated in 1984 with a degree in sociology.

David Spade

David Spade is an Arizona State University alumnus who became famous as a cast member of Saturday Night Live in the 1990s. He’s also Kate Spade’s brother-in-law. 

David Foster Wallace

Author David Foster Wallace received a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Arizona.

John Hughes

Famous movie director from the ’80s John Hughes attended the University of Arizona before dropping out his junior year.

Seamus Dever

Seamus Dever, left, an actor on the TV show Castle, earned bachelor’s degrees in theater performance and broadcast journalism in 1997 from Northern Arizona University.

Darren Woodson

Before playing for the Dallas Cowboys and being an ESPN analyst, Darren Woodson played football for ASU. He graduated in 1992.

Kourtney Kardashian

Kourtney Kardashian and her siblings are famous for their TV show, but before “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” debuted, she attended University of Arizona.

Ladimir Kwiatkowski

Ladimir Kwiatkowski starred in the unforgettable TV show the Wallace & Ladmo Show. He also attended ASU, graduating in 1953 with a degree in journalism.

Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski played football for University of Arizona before being drafted into the NFL and playing for the Patriots.

Danny White

Danny White attended ASU before playing for the Cowboys. He went on to coach arena football. He returned to ASU to receive his degree in agribusiness in 1995.

Kristen Wiig

Actress Kristen Wiig attended the University of Arizona as an art student.

Al Michaels

NBC Sports play-by-play announcer Al Michaels graduated from Arizona State University in 1966 with a degree in journalism.

Luke Walton

Luke Walton is a former NBA basketball player and is currently acting as the interim head coach for the Golden State Warriors. Before his NBA career, he played for University of Arizona until he graduated in 2003.

Ted Degrazia

Artist Ted DeGrazia played trumpet and landscaped to pay for his University of Arizona education. He is considered the most reproduced artist in the world.

James Byrkit

James Byrkit, writer and director, earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 1991 from Northern Arizona University. Byrkit is a co-writer of Rango, a 2011 animated movie starring Johnny Depp. Rango won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2012.

James Harden

Former ASU and current Houston Rockets star James Harden reacts as he has his number retired during a halftime ceremony Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015 in Tempe, Ariz. James Harden may be a well-known basketball player because of his time with Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets, but he got his start at ASU. His number was even retired in February 2015.

Kate Walsh

Before playing Addison Montgomery on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice,” Kate Walsh attended University of Arizona.

Todd Heap

Todd Heap attended ASU before playing professional football for the Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals.

Barry Goldwater

Barry Goldwater is a University of Arizona alum and a five-term U.S. senator who ran for president in 1964. He is one of the state’s best-known political figures and credited for re-starting the American conservative movement.

Jeff Pendergraph

Jeff Pendergraph graduated from ASU with an economics degree in 2008. He has gone on to play with the Portland Trailblazers and Indiana Pacers

Savannah Guthrie

“Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie appears on the set during a broadcast in New York. Guthrie graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in journalism.

Nick Foles

Before playing for the Eagles, quarterback Nick Foles was a standout player with the University of Arizona.

Anthony Robles

Wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg, attended ASU and graduated in 2011 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. He has written a book and become a motivational speaker.

Jon Kyl

The former U.S. Senator received his law degree from the University of Arizona.

J.A. Jance

Author J.A. Jance graduated from University of Arizona.

Greg Kinnear

Actor Greg Kinnear graduated from University of Arizona in 1986. He went on to star in movies such as “As Good As It Gets” and “Little Miss Sunshine.”

Kate Spade

Fashion designer Kate Spade graduated from Arizona State University in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism.

Lynda Carter

Best known for her “Wonder Woman” character, actress Lynda Carter attended Arizona State University for two years before dropping out to pursue a career in entertainment.

Doug Ducey

This Arizona businessman and the state’s 23rd governor graduated from Arizona State University in 1986 with a degree in finance. 

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie spent two years studying media arts at the University of Arizona. She is known for her work as an American fashion designer, television personality and author.