Dave Alvin, musician, founder of Downey-based rockabilly band The Blasters with brother Phil Bob Bennett, contemporary Christian musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, was born in Downey Paul Bigsby, father of the modern electric solid-body guitar, built in 1948, and creator of the Bigsby vibrato William Bonin, serial killer; was Downey resident during his crime spree The Carpenters (singer-musicians Karen and Richard) moved to Downey in 1963, originally to an apartment complex called the Shoji on 12020 Downey Ave, later moving to a house that still stands on Newville Avenue which can be seen on the cover of their album, Now & Then; after the duo's success, they built two apartment buildings still located on 5th St. Miranda Cosgrove, actress and singer, star of iCarly Art Cruz, musician and songwriter, current drummer of Lamb of God Rosario DeSimone (1873–1946), Downey-based crime boss Walt Faulkner, Indy car driver, first rookie to win pole position at Indianapolis 500 Ed Fiori, professional golfer Terry Forcum, 1983 World Champion professional long drive golfer was born in Downey Ty France, professional baseball player Donavon Frankenreiter, surfer and musician Kevin Gross, former Major League Baseball pitcher for Los Angeles Dodgers and Anaheim Angels Dan Henderson, mixed martial artist Demos Shakarian, businessman and founder of Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International Brian Haner, Musician/Comedian James Hetfield, Metallica frontman Leon Hooten, former baseball player for Oakland Athletics Robert Illes, Emmy-winning TV writer and producer Allison Iraheta, musician, American Idol Season 8 contestant Kerry King, Slayer guitarist Evan Longoria, an All-Star third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays, San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks, was born in Downey Darren McCaughan, professional baseball player for the Seattle Mariners, was raised in Downey. Ira J. McDonald, Los Angeles City Council member, 1941–43, Downey civic leader Ron McGovney, original Metallica bassist, spent school years in Downey Bob Meusel, baseball star for New York Yankees who played with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, lived and died in Downey Riki R. Nelson, oil painter Tom Nieto, professional baseball player George Pajon Jr., Grammy Award-winning recording and performing artist Lena Park, South Korean singer Wayne Rainey, former American Grand Prix motorcycle racer, was born in Downey Kimmy Robertson, actress best known for her role as Lucy Moran in Twin Peaks Rich Rodriguez, Major League Baseball pitcher 1990–2003 Paul Ruffner, pro basketball player Kenneth Shelley, figure skater, U.S. champion and Olympian, was born in Downey Dennis Sproul, NFL player JoJo Starbuck, figure skater, U.S. champion and Olympian, grew up in Downey Aimee Teegarden, actress (Friday Night Lights) and fashion model Alanna Ubach, actress Joan Weston, queen of Roller Derby, grew up in Downey "Weird Al" Yankovic, musician and parody artist, was born in Downey Joslyn Davis, host of Clevver TV and YouTube personality, was raised in Downey. Andrew Robert Young, U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso (appointed 2016), was born in Downey. Stephanie Zavala, professional bowler, 2021 PWBA Rookie of the Year, resides in Downey.
Dave Alvin, musician, founder of Downey-based rockabilly band The Blasters with brother Phil Bob Bennett, contemporary Christian musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, was born in Downey Paul Bigsby, father of the modern electric solid-body guitar, bu,ilt in 1948, and creator of the Bigsby vibrato William Bonin, serial killer; was Downey resident during his crime spree The Carpenters (singer-musicians Karen and Richard) moved to Downey in 1963, originally to an apartment complex called the Shoji on 12020 Downey Ave, later moving to a house that still stands on Newville Avenue which can be seen on the cover of their album, Now & Th:en; after the duo's success, they built two apartment buildings still located on 5th St. Miranda Cosgrove, actress and singer, star of iCarly Art Cruz, musician and songwriter, current drummer of Lamb of God Rosario DeSimone (1873–1946), Downey-based crime boss Walt Faulkner, Indy car driver, first rookie to win pole position at Indianapolis 500 Ed Fiori, professional golfer Terry Forcum, 1983 World Champion professional long drive golfer was born in Downey Ty France, professional baseball player Donavo,n Frankenreiter, surfer and musician Kevin Gross, former Major League Baseball pit?cher for Los Angeles Dodgers and Anaheim Angels Dan Henderson, mixed martial artist Demos Shakarian, businessman and founder of Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International Brian Haner, Musician/Comedian James Hetfield, Metallica frontman Leon Hooten, former baseball player for Oakland Athletics Robert Illes Emmy-winning TV writer and producer Allison Iraheta, musician, American Idol Season 8 contestant Kerry King, .Slayer guitarist Evan Longoria, an All-Star third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays, San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks, was born in Downey Darren McCaughan, professional baseball player for the Seattle Mariners, was raised in Downey. Ira J. McDonald, Los Angeles City Council member, 1941–43, Downey civic leader Ron McGovney, original Metallica bassist, spent school years in Downey Bob Meusel, baseball star for New York Yankees who played with Babe Ruth and ?Lou Gehrig, lived and died in Downey Riki R. Nelson oil painter Tom Nieto, professional baseball player George Pajon Jr., Grammy Award-winning recording and performing artist Lena Park, South Korean singer Wayne Rainey, former American Grand Prix motorcycle racer, was born in Downey Kimmy Robertson, actress best, known for her role as Lucy Moran in Twin Peaks Rich Rodriguez, Major League Baseball pitcher 1990–2003 Paul Ruffner, pro basketball player Kenneth Shelley, figure skater, U.S. champion and Olympian, was born in Downey Dennis Sproul, NFL player JoJo Starbuck, figure skater, U.S. champion and Olympian, grew up in Downey Aimee Teegarden, actress (Friday Night Lights) and fashion model Alanna Ubach, actress Joan Weston, queen of Roller Derby, grew up in Downey "Weird Al" Yankovic, musician and parody artist, was born in Downey Joslyn Davis, host of Clevver TV and YouTube personality, was raised in Downey. Andrew Robert Young, U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso (appointed 2016), was born in Downey. Stephanie Zavala professional bowler, 2021 PWBA Rookie of the Year, resides in Downey.