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Famous People You Never Knew Were From Sheffield

Divya Behl ‐ Content & Marketing Specialist
10.06.25 – 03 Mins Read
A large, ornate stone building with towers and arched windows stands behind a fountain and green trees in Sheffield, while people walk across a paved square on a sunny day with scattered clouds.

Sheffield has been home to some of the world’s biggest stars. From music legends to renowned actors, many global names grew up here before making it big.

Let’s find out how many of these stars you knew were born in Sheffield.

Stars from Sheffield

Musicians, Athletes, Actors and many other famous personalities are from the Steel City. Some played in local pubs while others left for Hollywood. If you are staying in the city for the next few years, you may just bump into one of them.

Sean Bean

Sean Bean

Sean Bean is England’s most versatile actor. Born in Handsworth, Sheffield, Shaun Mark Bean discovered his love for acting early on. He won a scholarship to Drama school at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) during his early years of acting. Soon after, he landed a role in the popular trilogy ‘The Lord of the Rings’, making himself a household name worldwide. He also starred in James Bond, The Island, Troy and National Treasure and series like Game of Thrones, Family Guy and more.

Bean is known for his charm, talent and distinctive Yorkshire accent. His ability to bring complex characters to life captivates audiences.

Jessica Ennis Hill

Jessica Ennis-Hill

Jessica is a famous British track and field athlete known for doing heptathlon. She won the gold medal in the Heptathlon at the London Olympic Games in 2012. She is also a former World and European champion.

Born and bred in Sheffield, Jessica was introduced to athletics at the age of 11. She was keen to excel and won numerous awards, including the Sheffield Federation for School Sports Whitham Award at the age of 14. She previously studied at the University of Sheffield and continues to live and train in the city.

Jessica Ennis-Hill is one of Britain’s greatest female athletes, who is making her city proud with her incredible versatility in sprinting, jumping, and throwing events.

Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan

Michael is a former England cricket captain who spent his childhood in Sheffield. He was born in Eccles, Greater Manchester and moved to Sheffield at the age of 9. During his school days, he showed interest in both cricket and football, but chose cricket as he grew up.

Following the 2002/03 Ashes, Michael was ranked as one of the best batsmen in the world. He has many more notable achievements throughout his career, achieving 18 centuries and over 5000 test run scores. He later moved to being a broadcaster and cricket commentator.

Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys

The Indie Rock band Arctic Monkeys was formed in 2002. Having their roots in Sheffield, the band took over the world in 2006 with their fastest-selling debut album in the British music industry, ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’. They won a total of seven Brit Awards. And headlined the Glastonbury Festival in 2007 and 2013.

Arctic Monkeys are known for their raw, energetic sound and sharp lyricism. They released several albums, winning numerous awards for Best British Band and Best Album. Despite their success, the band remained connected to Sheffield.

You will always find Arctic Monkeys referencing Sheffield’s streets and culture in their music.

Sheffield is home to some remarkable people who have made their mark on the world. The success of these Sheffielders shows that talent can come from any corner of the world, reminding us that you can also begin big if you make the right choices. People like Michael Vaughan and Jessica Ennis Hill are a testament to the endless possibilities that lie within its streets. If you’re planning to move to the city and are looking for student accommodation in Sheffield, explore our premium studios in the heart of the city.