Famous Taft High School Alumni
Voting Rules
People on this list must have gone to Taft High School and be of some renown.
List of famous alumni from Taft High School, with photos when available. Prominent graduates from Taft High School include celebrities, politicians, business people, athletes and more. This list of distinguished Taft High School alumni is loosely ordered by relevance, so the most recognizable celebrities who attended Taft High School are at the top of the list. This directory is not just composed of graduates of this school, as some of the famous people on this list didn't necessarily earn a degree from Taft High School.
Examples of graduates on this list include Ice Cube and Stanley Kubrick.
This list answers the questions “Which famous people went to Taft High School?” and “Which celebrities are Taft High School alumni?”- Lisa Kudrow, an American actress, writer, and producer, is renowned for her ability to bring laughter and depth to the characters she portrays. Born in Los Angeles in July 1963, Kudrow is recognized as one of the most influential comedians in the entertainment industry. Her passion for acting was evident at an early age and has carried her through a successful career spanning more than three decades. Kudrow's breakthrough role came with the portrayal of Phoebe Buffay in the legendary television sitcom Friends. Throughout its ten-season run from 1994 to 2004, Kudrow's eccentric character won the hearts of millions worldwide. For her performance, Kudrow was awarded the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1998. This role placed her firmly on the map as one of Hollywood's sought-after comedic actors. Beyond Friends, Kudrow continued to demonstrate her versatility and talent. She co-created and starred in the critically acclaimed HBO series The Comeback, earning two more Primetime Emmy nominations. Furthermore, Kudrow lent her voice to several animated films and showcased her dramatic abilities in films like The Opposite of Sex and Wonderland. In addition to her acting pursuits, she also took on producing roles, further expanding her influence in the industry.
- Age: 61
- Birthplace: Encino, California, USA
- Born on January 30, 1980 in Miami, Florida, Wilmer Valderrama is a multifaceted talent largely recognized for his contributions to the world of entertainment. Of Venezuelan and Colombian descent, he moved with his family to Venezuela at an early age, returning to the United States during his teenage years. His unique multicultural background has undoubtedly shaped his diverse career, allowing him to leave a significant mark across various mediums in the entertainment industry. Valderrama's breakthrough came with his iconic role as Fez in the popular television sitcom That '70s Show. The quirky foreign exchange student character became a fan favorite, demonstrating Valderrama's comedic prowess and earning him numerous accolades. However, his versatility extends beyond comedy. He has shown his dramatic skills in series like NCIS and Grey's Anatomy, proving his ability to adapt and perform across different genres. Beyond acting, Valderrama has also made strides as a producer, director, and voice actor. He notably lent his voice to the Disney Junior animated series Handy Manny, where his portrayal of the titular character has been praised for promoting positive cultural representation. Off-screen, Valderrama is known for his philanthropic endeavors. He serves as an ambassador for multiple charities, utilizing his platform to effect positive change and raise awareness for various causes. In particular, he has shown commitment to youth empowerment and Latino community issues.
- Age: 44
- Birthplace: Miami, Florida, USA
- Jane Wiedlin, a talented musician, produced music for many Hollywood productions. Wiedlin worked on a variety of projects during her early entertainment career, including "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" (1989), "Clue" (1985) and "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" (1982) starring Sean Penn. She also contributed to "Night of the Creeps" (1986) starring Jason Lively, "Party, Party" (1982) and the William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy smash hit "Star Trek IV" (1986). In the nineties, Wiedlin's music continued to appear on the silver screen, including in films like the comedy sequel "Vegas Vacation" (1997) with Chevy Chase, the dramatic adaptation "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" (1997) with Mira Sorvino and the anthology "Karaoke Verite" (1999) with C Depp. Her work was also in the comedic drama "200 Cigarettes" (1999) with Ben Affleck. Wiedlin's music was also featured in the dramedy "Man About Town" (2006) with Ben Affleck, the animated comedy "Live Freaky! Die Freaky!" (2006) with Tim Armstrong and the Adam Sandler comedy "Jack and Jill" (2011). Wiedlin's music was most recently used in "The End of the Tour" (2015). In addition to her music, Wiedlin also appeared on-screen in the Karen Black drama "Firecracker" (2006) and "Stuck!" (2010).
- Age: 66
- Birthplace: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, USA
- Jason Bateman, an esteemed actor, director, and producer in American entertainment, boasts an impressive career spanning over four decades. Born in Rye, New York, in 1969, he ventured into the world of acting at a tender age, following the footsteps of his older sister, Justine Bateman. His breakthrough came in 1981 when he landed a role in the television series Little House on the Prairie. However, it was his portrayal of Michael Bluth in the critically acclaimed sitcom Arrested Development that catapulted him to international fame and earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. He has showcased his versatility by venturing into directing and producing, demonstrating a keen eye for detail and storytelling. His directorial debut came with the black comedy Bad Words in 2013. Since then, he has helmed several episodes of television shows including Arrested Development and Ozark, the latter earning him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. A staunch advocate for education, Bateman completed his General Educational Development (GED) after dropping out of high school to focus on his acting career. His journey from child star to respected actor, director, and producer is a testament to his resilience, adaptability, and undying love for his craft.
- Age: 55
- Birthplace: Rye, New York, USA
- Dana Michelle Plato (born Dana Michelle Strain; November 7, 1964 – May 8, 1999) was an American actress known for her role as Kimberly Drummond on the U.S. television sitcom Diff'rent Strokes from 1978 to 1986. After leaving the cast of Diff'rent Strokes, Plato attempted to establish herself as a working actress, with mixed success: she worked sporadically in made-for-TV movies and in independent films, and did voice-over work. At the age of 34, after years of struggling with poverty and substance abuse, Plato died from an overdose of prescription drugs.
- Age: Dec. at 34 (1964-1999)
- Birthplace: Maywood, California, USA
- Maureen Denise McCormick (born August 5, 1956) is an American actress, singer and author. She portrayed Marcia Brady on the ABC television sitcom The Brady Bunch, which ran from 1969 to 1974 and reprised the role in several of the numerous Brady Bunch spin-offs and films, including The Brady Kids, The Brady Bunch Hour, The Brady Brides and A Very Brady Christmas (1988). McCormick also appeared in The Idolmaker (1980) as well as a wide range of other supporting film roles. In the 1980s and 1990s, she ventured into stage acting, appearing in a variety of different roles and productions such as Wendy Darling in Peter Pan and Betty Rizzo in Grease. McCormick also had a brief career as a recording artist, releasing four studio albums with the Brady Bunch cast as well as touring with them. Her only release as a solo artist to date is a country music album, When You Get a Little Lonely (1995). Despite professional success on The Brady Bunch and its spin-offs, McCormick struggled largely in her personal life in the years following the original series' end. Addictions to cocaine and quaaludes, as well as bouts of depression and bulimia, all contributed to McCormick losing her reputation for reliability as an actress. Since the 2000s, she has appeared on several reality television series such as VH1's Celebrity Fit Club, CMT's Gone Country (which led to a short-lived spin-off series led by McCormick, Outsiders Inn) and the Australian version of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, as well as guest spots on a wide range of television series. In 2008, McCormick published an autobiography, Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice, which debuted at number four on The New York Times bestseller list and garnered significant publicity and mild controversy.
- Age: 68
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
- This likable performer of 1980s sitcoms and TV-movies branched out from light juvenile roles to more demanding work on stage and cable TV in the 1990s. Still best known as the academic underachiever and dedicated shopper Mallory Keaton on the hit sitcom "Family Ties" (NBC, 1982-89), Bateman entered show business after her younger brother Jason joined the final season of "Little House on the Prairie." She went to her brother's agency and soon found work in commercials by age 15. After initially reading for a small part in the pilot of "Family Ties," Bateman began her seven season stint as a sitcom regular in 1982. She garnered two Emmy nods for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work in the 1985/86 and 1986/87 seasons. While the character of Mallory did grow in complexity over the course of the series' run, Bateman displayed greater diversity in her outside projects.
- Age: 58
- Birthplace: Rye, New York, USA
- David Stephen Koz is an American jazz saxophonist.
- Age: 61
- Birthplace: USA, Encino, California
- Born as O'Shea Jackson in South Central Los Angeles, California, Ice Cube embarked on a journey that would see him rise from the harsh realities of inner-city life to become an influential figure in the entertainment industry. He first gained prominence as a member of the groundbreaking hip-hop group N.W.A., where his incisive lyrics and powerful delivery helped define the genre of gangsta rap. His talent for storytelling was further honed with his solo career, producing hits like It Was a Good Day and Check Yo Self, which have since become anthems of the era. However, Ice Cube's talents weren't confined to the music studio. He made a successful transition to acting, starring in critically acclaimed films such as Boyz n the Hood, Friday, and the Barbershop series. His performances showcased his versatility, equally adept at drama as he was at comedy. Behind the scenes, Ice Cube also found success as a film producer and director, further cementing his status as a multifaceted artist. In addition to his pursuits in music and film, Ice Cube has been a vocal advocate for social change. His lyrics often reflect the struggles and injustices faced by African-American communities, and he has used his platform to raise awareness about these issues. Despite his fame and success, Ice Cube remains firmly rooted in his community, using his influence to effect positive change. His story is one of resilience and determination, a testament to the power of art as a tool for social commentary and transformation.
- Age: 55
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
- Jordan Robert Farmar (born November 30, 1986) is an American former professional basketball player who last played for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). In high school, he was named the Los Angeles Times High-School Player of the Year in 2003–04. Playing for UCLA in college, he was the Rivals.com National Freshman of the Year in 2004–05. Farmar was selected 26th overall in the first round of the 2006 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Lakers, he won two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010.
- Age: 38
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
- Karin Jan Smithers (born July 3, 1949) is an American actress. She is best known for playing Bailey Quarters on the CBS sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati (1978–1982).
- Age: 75
- Birthplace: North Hollywood, California, USA
- Eazy-E, born as Eric Lynn Wright on September 7, 1964, made his mark in the world of hip-hop music. The Compton-born artist achieved fame as a rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur, ultimately earning recognition as one of the founding fathers of gangsta rap. An audacious character, Eazy-E's life was characterized by his constant defiance of societal norms, which resonated through his music, impacting an entire generation. Wright started his journey in the notoriously dangerous streets of Compton, California. The harsh realities of his environment became a gateway to his career in music. His experiences led to the formation of Ruthless Records, a label that provided an outlet for artists who adopted a grittier, more authentic approach to hip-hop. The record label achieved monumental success with acts like N.W.A, a groundbreaking group that included Eazy-E himself, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella. N.W.A's explicit lyrics and raw portrayal of street life in their music significantly shaped the direction of hip-hop culture. Eazy-E's impact on music was cut short when he tragically passed away on March 26, 1995. Despite his untimely death, his contributions to the music industry are undeniable. His fearlessness in bringing the realities of street life into mainstream music gave voice to the voiceless and paved the way for many contemporary artists. His legacy continues to inspire, his influence can be traced in the works of countless artists, and his fearless narratives continue to resonate within the annals of hip-hop history.
- Age: Dec. at 31 (1963-1995)
- Birthplace: Compton, USA, California
- Cherie Ann Currie (born November 30, 1959) is an American musician, actress and artist. Currie was the lead vocalist of the Runaways, a rock band from Los Angeles, in the mid-to-late 1970s. After the Runaways, she became a solo artist. Then she teamed up with her identical twin sister, Marie Currie, and released an album with her. Their duet "Since You Been Gone" reached number 95 on US charts. Their band was called Cherie and Marie Currie. She is also well known for her role in the movie Foxes.
- Age: 65
- Birthplace: USA, Encino, California
- Gabriel Stefan Kapler (born July 31, 1975) nicknamed "Kap", is an American former professional baseball outfielder, who is the manager for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). Kapler was a 57th-round draft pick (1,487th overall) by the Detroit Tigers in the 1995 MLB draft. His MLB playing years spanned from 1998 through 2010, for the Tigers, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays (except for the 2007 season, which — having briefly retired as a player — he spent managing the Greenville Drive of the South Atlantic League, the Single-A affiliate of the Red Sox). Kapler also spent part of the 2005 season playing for the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League. After permanently retiring as a player, Kapler served as a coach for the Israeli national baseball team, in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, and as Director of Player Development for the Dodgers from 2014 through 2017. Kapler was named the manager of the Phillies, beginning with the 2018 season.
- Age: 49
- Birthplace: Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
- Robin R. Yount (; nicknamed,"The Kid", and "Rockin' Robin", born September 16, 1955) is an American former professional baseball player. He spent his entire 20-year career in Major League Baseball as a shortstop and center fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers (1974–93). After being drafted in 1973, Yount advanced to the major leagues just one year later at the age of 18. He won two American League Most Valuable Player awards. In 1982, the led the Brewers to a World Series appearance. In 1999, Yount was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Since his retirement as a player, Yount has held several roles as a baseball coach.
- Age: 69
- Birthplace: Danville, Illinois
- Jeffrey Michael "Jeff" Fisher (born February 25, 1958) is a former American football coach and player. He served as a head coach in the National Football League (NFL) for 22 seasons, primarily with the Houston / Tennessee Oilers / Titans franchise. He coached the Titans for 17 seasons and the St Louis / Los Angeles Rams for five seasons. Fisher became the coach of the Titans towards the end of the 1994 season during their tenure as the Houston Oilers and was the team's first coach when they relocated to Tennessee. He continued to coach the Titans until after the end of the 2010 season when the Titans and Fisher mutually agreed to part ways. Following a season away from football, Fisher was hired as the head coach of the Rams in 2012 and coached the team during their last four years in St. Louis. He remained the head coach of the Rams during the franchise's return to Los Angeles in 2016, but was fired near the end of the season.Fisher's most successful season was in 1999, when he led the Titans to the franchise's first (and only) Super Bowl appearance in XXXIV, which ended in close defeat by the St. Louis Rams for their first Super Bowl title. However, despite compiling a winning record as a head coach, Fisher's career has been noted for an overall lack of success, having only obtained six winning seasons and postseason appearances in over two decades in the NFL. He holds the record for the most regular-season losses by an NFL head coach at 165, tied with Dan Reeves.
- Age: 66
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, Culver City, California
- Erik Francis Schrody (born August 18, 1969), known by his stage name Everlast, is an American musician, singer, rapper and songwriter, known for his solo work and as the front-man for hip hop group House of Pain. He was also part of the hip hop supergroup La Coka Nostra, which consists of members of House of Pain and other rappers. In 2000, he received a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal with Latin Rock musician Carlos Santana for "Put Your Lights On".
- Age: 55
- Birthplace: USA, New York, Valley Stream
Quincy D. Watts (born June 19, 1970) is a former American athlete, winner of two gold medals at the 1992 Summer Olympics.- Age: 54
- Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
Daniel Berdichevsky
Daniel Berdichevsky, also known as DemiDec Dan and "the Alpaca-in-Chief", is a noted figure in international education, the application of online social networks, and in the design of persuasive technologies. Berdichevsky is also the founder of DemiDec, a corporation that provides study materials for the United States Academic Decathlon and annually hosts the World Scholar's Cup.- Age: 48
Kelly Paris
Baseball playerKelly Jay Paris (October 17, 1957 – May 27, 2019) was a professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, and the Chicago White Sox. He played as a third baseman and shortstop.- Age: 67
- Birthplace: Encino, California
- Kevin Curtis Kennedy (born May 26, 1954) is a former manager in American Major League Baseball and a former television host for Fox Sports' baseball coverage. He was given the nickname "The Skipper" by Fox Sports due to his prior managerial career. Kennedy joined the Tampa Bay Rays broadcast team for the 2009 baseball season as a replacement for Joe Magrane.
- Age: 70
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
- Lawrence Edward Dierker (born September 22, 1946) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, manager, and broadcaster. During a 14-year baseball career as a pitcher, he pitched from 1964–1977 for the Houston Colt .45s/Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals. He also managed the Astros for five years (1997–2001).
- Age: 78
- Birthplace: Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Pete LaCock
Baseball playerRalph Pierre "Pete" LaCock, Jr. (born January 17, 1952) is a former Major League Baseball first baseman/outfielder. He batted and threw left-handed. In 1975, he hit the only grand slam of his career, in the final appearance by St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson.- Age: 72
- Birthplace: Burbank, California
Rick Auerbach
Baseball playerFrederick Steven "Rick" Auerbach (born February 15, 1950) is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball. He played from 1971-1981 with the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, and Seattle Mariners. Rick Auerbach hit 9 career homeruns through an 11-year career.- Age: 74
- Birthplace: Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California
Larry Yount
Baseball playerLawrence King "Larry" Yount (born February 15, 1950 in Houston, Texas) is a former professional baseball player. Yount (whose younger brother is Hall of Famer Robin Yount) holds the unique distinction of being the only pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to appear in the official record books without ever actually having faced a batter. In his only major league appearance—on September 15, 1971—he had to leave the game during his warm-up pitches due to injury.- Age: 74
- Birthplace: Houston, Texas
- Larry Donelle Drew II (born March 5, 1990) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He won the John R. Wooden High School Player of the Year Award in 2008 before starting his college basketball career with the North Carolina Tar Heels. He went on to win a national championship in 2009 with the Tar Heels before deciding to leave the program in 2011. He transferred to the UCLA Bruins' program, where he played one season and broke the single-season school record for assists. Drew was named to the All-Pac-12 first team. He won a gold medal with the United States national team at the FIBA AmeriCup in 2017.
- Age: 34
- Birthplace: Encino, California
Holly Beth Vincent
Songwriter, SingerHolly Beth Vincent (born Holly Beth Cernuto in 1956) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. In her youth Vincent sang and played drums and guitar in several bands and took part in the Los Angeles punk scene. In 1978, she formed Holly and the Italians and moved to London, England, where the band was welcomed by the British press and gained a recording contract with Virgin Records on the strength of the single "Tell That Girl to Shut Up". Holly and the Italians' debut album The Right to Be Italian had a troubled and long production and was a commercial failure, which led to the band's dissolution at the end of 1980, after a US tour supporting The Clash and the Ramones. Vincent recorded under her name the album Holly and the Italians in the UK and was then deported to the US by the British authorities. She went to live in New York City, where she was a member of The Waitresses for a short time and played in other local groups. In 1990, she moved to Los Angeles and two years later recorded the album America with a new band that she had formed called The Oblivious. The album Vowel Movement followed in 1994, as a collaboration with Concrete Blonde singer Johnette Napolitano. Vincent continues to write and record and recently has released albums mainly in digital format, including two collections of tech house music.- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
- Justin Deaon Tryon (born May 29, 1984) is a former American football cornerback. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He also played for the Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants.
- Age: 40
- Birthplace: Pacoima, Los Angeles, California
