Notable Alumni of Kent State University at Kent

Darrell Issa 1953–

U.S. representative from California, businessman

Also attended: Siena Heights University, Kent State University at Stark

Andrew Puzder 1950–

U.S. Ambassador to the European Union, businessman

Also attended: Washington University in St Louis

Nancy Hollister 1949–

First female governor of Ohio

Betty Sutton 1963–

Former US Representative and Ohio appeals judge

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1985

Also attended: University of Akron

Emilia Sykes 1986–

US representative for Ohio's 13th district

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 2007

Also attended: University of Florida

Spouse: Kevin Boyce (Central Michigan University, University of Toledo)

Father: Vernon Sykes (Harvard University, University of Akron)

Robert E. Cook 1920–1988

Attorney, judge and politician

Thomas M. Reynolds 1950–

Former US representative from New York

Philip B. Crosby 1926–2001

Businessman and author in quality management

G. William Domhoff 1936–

Sociologist and author of Who Rules America?

Also attended: University of Miami, Duke University

John de Lancie 1948–

Actor and voice actor

Also attended: The Juilliard School

Child: Keegan de Lancie (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Michael Keaton 1951–

American actor, filmmaker and producer

Spouse: Caroline McWilliams (Carnegie Mellon University)

Child: Sean Douglas (Washington University in St Louis)

Steve Harvey 1957–

TV host and comedian, hosts Family Feud

Also attended: West Virginia University

Drew Carey 1958–

Comedian, actor and game show host

Bruno Kirby 1949–2006

Actor known for When Harry Met Sally

Irwin Keyes 1952–2015

Actor known for Hugo on The Jeffersons

Matt K. Miller 1960–

Actor, stand-up comedian and playwright

Chrissie Hynde 1951–

Founding member and lead singer of the Pretenders

Joe Walsh 1947–

Guitarist and singer with the Eagles

Ray Wise 1947–

Actor best known for Twin Peaks

David Sedaris 1956–

Humorist, comedian and author

Also attended: School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Western Carolina University

Mark Mothersbaugh 1950–

Co-founder of Devo, composer

Stephen R. Donaldson 1947–

Fantasy novelist, author of Thomas Covenant series

Also attended: College of Wooster

Quinton Flynn 1964–

Voice actor, voice of Raiden in Metal Gear

Also attended: Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Dav Pilkey 1966–

Children's author, cartoonist and illustrator

Nate Torrence 1977–

Actor, voice of Clawhauser in Zootopia

Steve Tracy 1952–1986

Actor in Little House on the Prairie

Alaina Reed Hall 1946–2009

Actress and singer, Olivia on Sesame Street

Spouse: Kevin Peter Hall (George Washington University)

Ablade Glover 1934–

Ghanaian painter and educator

Also attended: Ohio State University-Main Campus

Jeff Richmond 1961–

Composer and director for 30 Rock

Spouse: Tina Fey (University of Virginia-Main Campus)

De'Angelo Wilson 1979–2008

Actor and rapper known for 8 Mile

Brad Warner 1964–

Sōtō Zen teacher, author and punk bassist

Peter Kuper 1958–

Alternative comics artist and illustrator

Blitz the Ambassador 1982–

Ghanaian rapper, filmmaker and musician

Gerald Casale 1948–

Co-founder and bassist of the band Devo

Donald Erb 1927–2008

Composer of large orchestral works

Bachelor of Science

Also attended: Cleveland Institute of Music

Cece Bell 1970–

Author and illustrator of graphic novel El Deafo

Also attended: College of William and Mary

Spouse: Tom Angleberger (College of William and Mary)

Curt Cacioppo 1951–

Composer, pianist and university teacher

Also attended: Harvard University, New York University

Kelu Chao

Deputy CEO of US Agency for Global Media

Dolph Ziggler 1980–

Professional wrestler

Also attended: Arizona State University-Tempe

Sibling: Ryan Nemeth (Xavier University)

Jang Mi-ran 1983–

South Korean Olympic weightlifter

Master's degree

Julian Edelman 1986–

Former NFL wide receiver with the Patriots

Bachelor's degree · Business management · Class of 2019

Also attended: College of San Mateo

Gerald Tinker 1951–

1972 Olympic 4x100m relay gold medalist

Ben Curtis 1977–

Professional golfer, 2003 Open Championship winner

Danniel Thomas 1992–

Jamaican shot putter

Nick Saban 1951–

American football coach

Lou Holtz 1937–2026

College football coach, former Notre Dame head coach

Child: Skip Holtz (Holy Cross College)

Thomas Jefferson 1962–

Sprinter, 1984 Olympic 200 m bronze medalist

Thurman Munson 1947–1979

New York Yankees catcher and seven-time All-Star

James Flynn 1907–2000

Fencer, 1948 Olympic team sabre bronze medallist

Marvin Jones 1993–

Professional basketball player

Nate Reinking 1973–

Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach and former player

Jenna Hellstrom 1995–

Former Canadian women's soccer player

Paul Warfield 1942–

NFL wide receiver for the Browns and Dolphins

Also attended: Ohio State University-Main Campus

Mark Anthony Graham 1973–2006

Canadian Olympic athlete and soldier killed in Afghanistan

Also attended: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Josh Kline 1989–

Former NFL offensive guard

Michael Scott 1986–

Former professional basketball player

Reginald Jagers III 1994–

Discus thrower, 2017 Summer Universiade gold medalist

Andy Sonnanstine 1983–

Former MLB starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays

Jim Zoet 1953–

Canadian former NBA player and Olympian

Seema Rao 1970–

India's first female special forces trainer

Also attended: Harvard University