The inaugural class pf the Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience Hall of Fame includes:

Walter Anderson (1903-1965), a painter born in New Orleans who resided in Ocean Springs.

William Faulkner (1897-1962), an author who was born in New Albany and grew up in Oxford.

Morgan Freeman (1937-), an actor who was born in Memphis and raised in Charleston.

John Grisham (1955-), an author who was born in Jonesboro, Ark., and resides in Oxford and Charlottesville, Va.

Jim Henson (1936-1990), a puppeteer, who was born in Greenville and spent much of his childhood in Leland.

Robert Johnson (1911-1938), a bluesman who was born in Hazlehurst.

James Earl Jones (1931-), an actor born in Arkabutla.

B.B. King (1925-2015), a bluesman born in Berclair.

George Ohr (1857-1918), a potter born in Biloxi.

Elvis Presley (1935-1977), an entertainer born in Tupelo.

Leontyne Price (1927-), a soprano born in Laurel.

Jimmie Rodgers (1897-1933), a musician born in Meridian.

Sela Ward (1956-), an actor born and raised in Meridian.

Muddy Waters (1915-1983), a bluesman born in Issaquena.

Tennessee Williams (1911-1983), an author born in Columbus who spent his childhood in Clarksdale.

Oprah Winfrey (1954-), an entertainer born in Kosciusko.

Eudora Welty (1909-2001), an author born in Jackson.

Richard Wright (1908-1960), an author born in Roxie.