Arts and Entertainment:
* Dennis Quaid: Actor, born in Albuquerque.
* Demi Lovato: Singer and actress, born in Albuquerque.
* Cheech Marin: Actor and comedian, born in Albuquerque.
* Peter Coyote: Actor, born in Albuquerque.
* Gene Hackman: Actor, raised in Santa Fe.
* Val Kilmer: Actor, studied at the University of New Mexico.
* Shia LaBeouf: Actor, spent time in New Mexico filming "Transformers."
* Melissa Etheridge: Singer-songwriter, resided in Santa Fe.
* Willie Nelson: Musician, spent time in Santa Fe.
* Jackson Browne: Musician, resided in Santa Fe.
* Georgia O'Keeffe: Artist, lived and worked in Abiquiú.
* Robert Mapplethorpe: Photographer, worked in Santa Fe.
* R. Crumb: Cartoonist, lived in Santa Fe.
Politics and Government:
* Bill Richardson: Former Governor of New Mexico, US Ambassador to the United Nations.
* Tom Udall: Former US Senator from New Mexico.
* Martin Heinrich: US Senator from New Mexico.
* Deb Haaland: US Secretary of the Interior, former Congresswoman from New Mexico.
* Steve Pearce: Former US Congressman from New Mexico.
* Michelle Lujan Grisham: Governor of New Mexico.
Science and Technology:
* Dr. V.S. Ramachandran: Neuroscientist and author, born in New Delhi, but known for his work at the University of California, San Diego.
* Dr. Jane Goodall: Primatologist and anthropologist, lived in Taos for a period.
Sports:
* Kenny Chesney: Country music singer, born in Knoxville, Tennessee, but has a strong connection to New Mexico through his support of the New Mexico State University Aggies.
* Jason Witten: Former NFL tight end, born in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, but attended New Mexico State University.
* Spencer Haywood: Former NBA player, born in Silver City, New Mexico.
* Dennis Johnson: Former NBA player, born in Albuquerque.
Other:
* Geronimo: Apache leader and war chief, lived in the San Simon Valley of New Mexico.
* Billy the Kid: Outlaw, lived and operated in the Lincoln County War in New Mexico.
* D.H. Lawrence: English writer, lived and wrote in Taos.
* Willa Cather: Novelist, wrote about New Mexico in her book "Death Comes for the Archbishop."
This is just a small sample of the many famous people with connections to New Mexico. The state has a rich and diverse history and culture that has produced many talented and influential individuals.