by Frances Simon

Created on: April 23, 2008   Last Updated: December 04, 2008

Phoenix is a thriving metropolitan area with Gucci shops as well as Native American jewelry stores, and a Four Seasons Hotel as well as the old-style motel courts. With such variety within the city, it is only natural that that there is a large and varied list of people who at one time have called Phoenix home.

When many people think of Phoenix they think of old west law and order. Though the justice system has changed greatly in the last century, Phoenix continues to be home to a number of nationally recognized politicians. Most famous of these is the current presumptive republican candidate for president, John McCain. Though not born in Phoenix, he has long called it home, and has been one of its political representatives for over twenty years.

The first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor is a resident of Phoenix. Until she retired from the bench, she held the all important swing vote. Frequently, votes for cases heard by the Supreme court would be equally divided, with four conservatives and 4 liberals splitting the vote. O'Connor's vote was key to the decision, and in many cases was the deciding vote.

If you were alive (and walking and talking) during the 1964 presidential campaign, you may very well remember the bumper sticker that read "Au H20 64." Translated from the scientific into English this roughly reads Goldwater in 1964. Barry Goldwater, born in 1909 in Phoenix while Arizona was still a territory, was a long time politician and legislator, who also ran against LBJ in the 1964 presidential election.

Perhaps you have heard of Joe Arpaio, the sheriff of Maricopa County where Phoenix is located. Sometimes called the "toughest sheriff in the country," he has employed some unusual tactics in running the local jails. Not only did he reinstitute chain gangs, but he also makes the male inmates wear pink. His latest dictate was that women working on chain gangs must wear shirts that read "I am a drug addict."

Located only 400 miles from Hollywood, it is no wonder that dozens of people in the field of entertainment have at one time lived in Phoenix. Stevie Nicks, former singer with Fleetwood Mac, Linda Carter, who played Wonder Woman, and writer/director Steven Spielberg are three of the most well-known.

As home to three major sports teams, Phoenix produces more than its share of athletes. Dallas Cowboy quarterback Danny White hails from Phoenix. Winner of the 2004 Indianapolis 500, Buddy Rice also grew up in Phoenix. NBA basketball stars Mike Bibby, Channing Frye, and Richard Jefferson all attended high school in Phoenix.

Phoenix is in the midst of a massive metropolis, with millions of people who call it home, and many more who have lived there in the past. Though many people leave or pass through Phoenix while developing their careers, many of these return to once again call Phoenix home.

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