Top 10 Best People Named John

Some names carry more weight than others, and John is one of those names that seems to pop up everywhere you look. Presidents, musicians, authors, actors, athletes... even the guy who wrote your favorite book report in middle school probably had a good chance of being named John.

It's a name that has been worn proudly for centuries, showing up in history books, on stages, and in headlines around the world.

1. John Lennon

   

   John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (born John Winston Lennon, 9 October 1940-8 December 1980), was an English singer, songwriter, musician, and political activist. He rose to worldwide fame as the co-founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the... read more

   The best there ever was, and the best there ever will be!

   Isn't it obvious?

   Amazing musician.

2. John F Kennedy

   

   John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 - November 22, 1963), commonly known as JFK, was the 35th president of the United States, serving from January 1961 until his assassination. His presidency was marked by the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, the Bay of Pigs Invasion in April 1961, the signing... read more

   Amazing president.

3. John Steinbeck

   

   John Ernst Steinbeck Jr. was an American author of 27 books, including 16 novels, six nonfiction books, and five collections of short stories. He is best known for works such as The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, and East of Eden. Steinbeck received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962.

   An amazing author and journalist whose central focus involved a mixture of gritty realism and idyllic philosophy, presented in simplistic prose infused with purposeful, countless allusions and extended metaphors - much like those featured in Classical Greek literature. His best-known works include The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, and Of Mice and Men.

   Not only was he an author, but I'd also dub him more aptly as an artist of the first degree - a true craftsman!

4. John Adams

   

   John Adams was born on October 30, 1735, in Braintree, Massachusetts, in an area that later became part of Quincy. He served as the second president of the United States from March 4, 1797, to March 4, 1801. He died on July 4, 1826, at the age of 90.

5. John Candy

   

   John Franklin Candy, who lived from October 31, 1950, to March 4, 1994, was a Canadian actor and comedian. He gained recognition as a cast member of the sketch-comedy series SCTV from 1976 to 1984. Candy became a beloved film star through roles in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Uncle Buck, and Cool... read more

   A self-deprecating, sweet soul with immeasurable talent. One of the best comedians to ever grace the screen. Despite sometimes playing boisterous, over-the-top characters, his performances often reflected remarkable restraint and good taste. I still can't help but smile when I watch one of his films!

   He was truly one of a kind with a unique approach. He's sorely missed, and how we need his gentle wit, especially in this current climate!

6. John Travolta

   

   John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer, and singer. He rose to fame in the 1970s after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office hits Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978). Travolta later experienced a resurgence in popularity with roles... read more

7. John Wayne

   

   Marion Robert Morrison, known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed Duke, was an American actor, director, and producer. He became a major box-office draw during Hollywood's Golden Age, particularly known for his roles in Westerns and war films. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for True Grit... read more

   John Wayne made 175 movies, spanning 50 years. When I think of Westerns or war movies, his name is the first to pop into my head.

8. John McCain

   

   John Sidney McCain III (August 29, 1936 - August 25, 2018) was an American politician and military officer. He served as a United States Senator from Arizona from January 1987 until his death.

   Before that, he held two terms in the United States House of Representatives. McCain was the Republican... read more

   True American hero. First-class statesman. He possessed such class and grace. May he rest in peace forever with our Lord.

9. John Belushi

   

   John Adam Belushi (January 24, 1949 - March 5, 1982) was an American comedian, actor, singer, and musician. He was one of the seven original cast members on Saturday Night Live, known for his intense energy and raucous comedic style.... read more

10. John Bonham

    

    John Henry Bonham (31 May 1948-25 September 1980) was an English musician best known as the drummer of the rock band Led Zeppelin. Born in Redditch, Worcestershire, Bonham, nicknamed "Bonzo," is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential drummers in history. Noted for his speed, power, fast... read more

    A better musician than John Lennon could ever be.

    Amazing drummer.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    John Bosco

    
12. ?

    John P. Higgins

    
The Contenders

13. John Paul Jones

    

    John Baldwin, better known by his stage name John Paul Jones, is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger, and record producer. He is best known as the bassist for the English rock band Led Zeppelin. Years after Led Zeppelin disbanded, Jones joined the supergroup Them Crooked... read more

14. John Legend

    

    John Roger Stephens, known professionally as John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He has won multiple Grammy Awards, as well as an Emmy Award, Academy Award, Tony Award, and Golden Globe, making him one of the few EGOT winners. Legend has also appeared in television and... read more

    All of me will vote for all of John Legend because he is the beauty, and no one is the beast. (He sings All of Me and Beauty and the Beast.)

15. John Entwistle

    

    John Alec Entwistle was an English singer, songwriter, composer, musician, and record producer. He is best known as the bassist for the rock band The Who, where his innovative style and powerful playing contributed significantly to the group's sound.

16. John Goodman

    

    John Stephen Goodman is an American actor and comedian. He rose to fame for his portrayal of Dan Conner on the ABC television series Roseanne, a role that earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in 1993. Goodman frequently works with the Coen brothers and has appeared in several of their films... read more

17. John Ritter

    

    Jonathan Southworth Ritter was an American comic actor. He was the son of singing cowboy star Tex Ritter. He was also the father of actors Jason Ritter and Tyler Ritter.

    Hilarious, witty, and remarkable. Another classic comedian who established his own special brand of humor.

    While he possessed many influences and drew inspiration from them, he also adapted his act to reflect the zaniness of his own character. A true original and such an incredibly sweet man who lobbied rigorously for the rights of disabled individuals, especially those with Cerebral Palsy, as his brother was affected with the disorder.

    Always in our hearts.

18. John Deacon

    

    John Richard Deacon, born August 19, 1951, is a retired English musician best known as the bassist for the rock band Queen. He joined the band in 1971 and contributed to several of its biggest hits, including Another One Bites the Dust and You're My Best Friend. Deacon retired from music in 1997 and... read more

19. Pope John Paul II

    

    Pope John Paul II (born Karol Józef Wojtyła, 18 May 1920-2 April 2005) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 16 October 1978 until his death in 2005. He was canonized as a saint in 2014 and is referred to by some Catholics as Saint John Paul the Great. He's remembered... read more

20. John Kenneth Galbraith

    

    John Kenneth "Ken" Galbraith was a Canadian-American economist, public official, and diplomat. He was a leading proponent of 20th-century American liberalism and served in several key roles during the administrations of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson. Galbraith... read more

21. John Denver

    

    Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer-songwriter, actor, activist, and humanitarian, whose greatest commercial success was as a solo singer starting in the 1970s.

    He was known for hits such as Take Me Home, Country Roads, Annie's Song, and Rocky... read more

22. John Williams

    

    John Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. He is widely recognized for creating some of the most iconic film scores in history, including those for Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and the first three Harry Potter films. Williams has frequently collaborated with director Steven Spielberg... read more

23. John Lewis

    

24. John Malkovich

    

    John Gavin Malkovich, born on December 9, 1953, is an American actor, producer, director, and fashion designer. Over his career of more than four decades, he has appeared in over 70 films, earning widespread acclaim.

    He received Academy Award nominations for his roles in Places in the Heart and... read more

25. John the Baptist

    

26. John Dolmayan

    

    John Dolmayan is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American songwriter and drummer. He is best known as the drummer for the rock band System of a Down. During the band's hiatus, Dolmayan released a solo cover album titled These Grey Men, which features guest vocalists such as Serj Tankian, M. Shadows, Franky... read more

27. John Cena

    

    John Felix Anthony Cena Jr. (/ˈsiːnə/. Born April 23, 1977) is an American professional wrestler, rapper, actor, and reality television show host signed to WWE, where he is currently associated with the SmackDown brand.

    Cena began his professional wrestling career in 1999 with Ultimate Pro Wrestling... read more