Who Are the Most Notable People From Cumming, Georgia?

Located in Forsyth County and part of the Atlanta Metropolitan area is the city of fewer than 6,000 people, Cumming, Georgia. Cumming is the only part of Forsyth Country that is incorporated. The city was named in honor of a distinguished military officer, Col. William Cumming who served in the War of 1812.

History of Cumming

Cumming has had a long and somewhat troubled history that dates back to the Cherokee and Creek Indians, and the war for the land that occurred there. While the Cherokee won that battle, their troubles were not over. Early settlers came to the area in the early 1800’s with the discovery of gold. This lead to the relocation by a treaty of the then inhabitants, the Cherokee Indian people.

The early 1900’s brought racial battles to the area between white and black citizens. This prompted the governor of Georgia to declare martial law and the removal of black citizens from the city. Racism continued to impact Cumming, GA during this point in history after the governor took no action against the bands of night-riders who targeted the black citizens who lived there. Racial prejudice and violence carried on through the 1980’s, making Cumming the subject of many films, books, and interviews.

Famous people from Cumming, Georgia

There have been many successful people who have come from this area. We will share with you some of the notable people who were born or came from Cumming, Georgia.

Roger L. Worsley – College Administrator

• Roger L. Worsley is an award-winning leader in the field of education. He was named Outstanding Educator of America in 1971 and Leader of Education in 1974.
• He has been featured in many books that site influential educators of the United States. Dr. Worsley is also an accomplished writer.

Luke Appling

• Major League player for the Chicago White Sox.
• Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964.

Zac Brown – Zac Brown Band

• Zac Brown is the founder and leader of the Zac Brown Band. He is a triple-platinum, Country music icon.
• Zac is the 11th of 12 children, and he was raised in Cumming.

Actors and Actresses

Skyler Day

• Best known for roles in Gigantic (Teen Nick) and Parenthood (NBC).
• Acted in a dozen movies and more than 30 television parts.

Kelli Giddish

• Best known for her roles on NYPD (NBC) and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
• He has acted in 5 movies but is a skilled television actress in a very popular series.

Junior Samples

• Junior Samples was a much-loved comedian in the 1960s and 1970s.
• He became known for his 14-year run on the show Hee Haw.

Laura Thompson

• Co-host of Harry Potter podcast “Mugglecast.” Laura Thompson is the only female host of this award-winning podcast that began in 2005 and has had more than 200 episodes.

Billy Magnussen

• Born in New York, but he lived in Cumming, Georgia from the age of 10, Magnussen is an accomplished actor. He has a long list of performances in stage, film, and television.
• In 2017, Billy Magnussen was nominated for “Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play” for his performance in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.”