This is a list of famous and notable people from Tamil Nadu, India. This would include persons who are known to a large number of people and is not based on the extent of their popularity. Neither is the list viewed from the context of the present. Their fame could be brief, what matters is that they were well-known during the peak of their popularity.

• CN Annadurai, popularly known as Anna , former Chief Minister
• Kamal Haasan
• M Karunanidhi , former Chief Minister
• Mahesh Bhupathi, tennis player
• Mani Shankar Aiyar, politician
• P Chidambaram
• Sivaji Ganesan
• Prof.Karmegha Konar, Tamil Poet

People whose native is not Tamil Nadu, but lived/live in Tamil Nadu

• Thanthai Periyar, Kannadiga who is popularly known for his rationalism
• J Jayalalithaa, Kannadiga who is present Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and also an actress
• RajniKanth who is one of the most popular tamil actor, was born in Bangalore

See also: List of people by India state