There are many celebrities who live in Sarasota, FL, either full-time or as “snowbirds,” escaping harsh winters in other states to enjoy the area’s warm weather and beautiful beaches. Some celebrities have come and gone over the years, settling into Sarasota while conducting business in nearby Clearwater or Tampa and then leaving again as needed.

While you might not see paparazzi chasing limousines around the city of Sarasota, you might spot some well-known faces in the city if you know who to look for, and where to look! Check out this quick list of celebrities who live in Sarasota, FL, and some who have made their way through the city over the years.

Celebrities Who Live in Sarasota, FL

Are you surprised to hear about celebrities who live in Sarasota, FL? The city offers residents lots of amenities year-round, so there is little wonder that these remarkable people call the area home, or maintain a home in the city to enjoy when they can.

Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson is best known as the lead singer of AC/DC, an incredibly successful rock band known the world over. Their album “Back in Black” remains one of the highest-selling rock albums of all time! Johnson has traveled and performed all over the world with AC/DC and, with his fellow bandmates, was inducted into the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

Born in 1947 in the United Kingdom, Johnson and his wife Brenda now make Sarasota their home, with a luxury waterfront property on Bird Key. While enjoying a somewhat lowkey lifestyle in and around Sarasota, the former rocker is also known for collaborating with local musicians on various projects.

Joe Perry

Yet another rocker now makes Sarasota home! Joe Perry is a founding member of the bands Aerosmith and Hollywood Vampires, where he has performed with such legends as Tyler Perry, Alice Cooper, and Johnny Depp.

While Perry and his wife Billie have a main residence in Vermont, they spend quite a bit of time at their second home on Longboat Key. Perry also still performs as the band Hollywood Vampires offers a number of live shows throughout the year, the proceeds of which are typically donated to charity.

Stephen King

Stephen King’s haunting horror novels are often set in his native Maine and surrounding states. However, King and his wife, fellow novelist Tabitha King, also maintain a home in Osprey, where they can get away from the cold northeastern winters and enjoy some sunshine and blue sky year-round!

King has sold some 350 million books in his lifetime, with many of those stories having been developed into motion pictures, TV shows, and other specials. However, King is also known for his outspokenness on various political topics, and has even been spotted participating in various marches around Sarasota and nearby Bradenton.

Jerry Springer

As host of one of the most popular daytime TV shows ever broadcast, Jerry Springer is a fixture in American culture. His namesake talk show, which first aired in 1991, soon became famous for exploring every aspect of dysfunctional families and relationships, exposing adultery and racism and everything in between!

While his talk show might be known for guest outbursts and over-the-top theatrics, Springer also enjoys a lowkey life as a Sarasota resident. It’s reported that he gets away from the New York recording studio as often as possible to stay at his home on Bird Key. He is also often seen dining in many downtown Sarasota restaurants or simply enjoying a walk along the city’s beautiful beaches.

Martina Navratilova

The former tennis champion Martina Navratilova is often seen around downtown Sarasota, enjoying a lowkey lifestyle. Navratilova is often considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, having won 18 grand slam singles titles, 31 doubles titles, and 10 mixed doubles titles over the course of her career.

Known for her charity support as well as her successful career, Navratilova has also done volunteer work for various causes around the city. She is also an outspoken gay and transgender rights activist and has even marched for various causes in the state.

Graeme Edge

The acclaimed drummer and songwriter for the soulful band The Moody Blues, Graeme Edge owns a home along the Manatee River in nearby Bradenton. Even after retiring from the band, Edge continues to tour and perform when he’s not relaxing in the Florida sunshine!

Dick Vitale

Dick Vitale is a household name to sports fans all over America! The one-time sportscaster now resides in the Sarasota-Bradenton area with his wife, Suzanne. Vitale is also the author of several sports-themed books and has appeared in many commercials over the years, where you can always recognize his trademark phrase, “Awesome, baby!”

Celebrities Who Live in Sarasota, FL – In the Past

Whether they needed to move due to family issues or a career change or passed away in death, the city has been host to many other celebrities who live in Sarasota, FL, over the years, including:

Jack Perkins

A one-time war correspondent, journalist, and host of A&E’s Biography, Jack Perkins was often considered one of the most well-respected journalists in the country. After moving to Casey Key off the coast of Florida, Perkins also hosted A Gulf Coast Journal for Tampa’s WEDU-TV channel. Perkins died in 2019 at a private home in Nokomis, Florida, at age 85.

Jane Lynch

Known for her statuesque figure as well as her acting skills, Jane Lynch earned several primetime Emmy awards over the course of her career. She is best known for her appearance in the hit series Glee as well as a string of roles in movies and television.

In 202, Lynch married her partner, clinical psychologist Lara Embry, and the two made their home in Embry’s native Sarasota. After their divorce was finalized in 2014, it was speculated that Lynch left the home to Embry and no longer resides in Sarasota.

Rosie O’Donnell

Known for her sarcastic wit and sharp comedic skills, Rosie O’Donnell once owned a beautiful beachfront home in Sarasota. The house reportedly boasted French oak floors, custom cabinets, and many other luxury features. After purchasing the home in 2013 for a reported $5 million, O’Donnell then sold it in 2015 for just above her purchase price.

“Macho Man” Randy Savage

“Macho Man” Randy Savage was one of the most memorable wrestlers in the WWE. Savage was known for his colorful costumes and bronze skin, and was seen in various commercials when he wasn’t in the ring. Savage was born in Sarasota and maintained a residence in the area until his untimely death in 2011.

Where Do Most Celebrities Live in Florida?

Whether a celebrity loves a never-ending nightlife with chic nightclubs and trendy restaurants or prefers to relax on the beach, they can easily find a Florida city that has just what they need! Check out a few popular cities that have seen their fair share of celebrity residents or visitors near Sarasota:

Miami

Miami is a popular hotspot for celebrities, as the city boasts a wealth of nightclubs, shops, and other attractions. Its close proximity to the ocean also means opportunities for surfing, boating, deep sea fishing, and whatever else you love while in the tropics!

The city of Miami saw a surge in popularity after the TV show Miami Vice aired in the late 80s, and was again popularized by the Will Smith song Going to Miami. Along with Smith, celebrity residents have included actor Matt Damon, singer Gloria Estefan, rapper Sean Combs, boxer Floyd Mayweather, singer and actress Jennifer Lopez, actor Christian Slater, supermodel Elle Macpherson, tennis superstar Anna Kournikova and her husband Enrique Iglesias, singer and drummer Phil Collins, and many others.

Orlando

Located in central Florida, Orlando is prized for its lush golf courses and family-friendly attractions. Celebrities that live in or have lived in Orlando include golfer Tiger Woods, basketball star Shaquille O’Neill, and singer Joey Fatone.

Clearwater

While the city of Clearwater offers beautiful beaches and lots of museums and other attractions, it’s also the home to a somewhat famous Scientology center. As such, the city and nearby areas have been home to the like of actors Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and Kirstie Alley, as well as Lisa Marie Presley, all practicing Scientologists. Nearby Palm Harbor is also the home of former Scientologist Mike Rinder, who appeared alongside actress Leah Remini on the TV show Scientology and the Aftermath, featuring former members of the church sharing their stories.

The Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are a series of small breakaway peninsulas along Florida’s coast, making up the southernmost region of the United States. The laidback lifestyle and year-round sunshine have drawn many celebrities to Key Largo, Key West, and other nearby areas over the past decades. Residents of the keys have included authors Shel Silverstein, Judy Blume, and Ernest Hemingway, and singer Jimmy Buffett.

Palm Beach

Known for its opulent beaches and private resorts, Palm Beach is home to many famous millionaires and billionaires. Famous residents have included singer Billy Joel, podcasters Rush Limbaugh, and Howard Stern, former investor Bernie Madoff, and famed business owners the Koch brothers.

Singer Rod Stewart has reportedly also owned a home in Palm Beach County since at least 2015! The city is also home to Mar-a-Lago, the private resort owned by former president Donald Trump and which is often host to many members of the Trump family.

Other celebrity Florida residents

Many other celebrities live in Sarasota, FL, and various areas around the state, either nearby a popular city or to get away from the hustle and bustle of popular areas! For example, wrestler John Cena lives in Land ‘O Lakes, Florida, with his wife Shay, whom he met in Tampa.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, one of the most popular actors working today, keeps a home in Southwest Ranches, Florida, situated between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Sisters Venus and Serena Williams, two of the most successful tennis players to ever grace the courts, live in Jupiter. While both enjoy luxurious properties, Venus has reportedly said that her home doesn’t have a tennis court, to help her separate her work from her home life!

TV celebrity “Judge Judy” lives with her husband part-time in Naples, Florida. They reportedly once owned a luxury condo in the city, which they then sold in favor of a home near a quiet lagoon in the same city.

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen moved to Florida with her husband, NFL superstar Tom Brady, when the latter signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. The couple reportedly have a home in Indian Creek near Miami Beach, which is a full three-hour drive from Raymond James Stadium where Brady plays!

Former rapper Vanilla Ice now spends his days as a contractor and property flipper in and around Wellington, Florida. He also has a home on the DIY network with the TV show The Vanilla Ice Project, showcasing his projects.

Singer and actress Cher is also a longtime Florida resident. The performer reportedly owns a six-bedroom, seven-bathroom home on La Gorce Island, off Miami Beach. Football star Tim Tebow also has a home situated right on a golf course in Jacksonville, Florida, allowing him to hit the links whenever he wants.

Actress Julia Roberts also has a home on Fisher Island, off the coast of Miami. Baseballer Derek Jeter reportedly boasts a luxury apartment in Miami and a home in Tampa!

The Many Millionaires & Celebrities Who Live in Sarasota, FL

If you live in Sarasota, there might be a millionaire right next door! The city and its surrounding areas regularly attract some of the wealthiest people in the country, including people who are simply rich enough to live in such a beautiful area.

According to a 2021 report released by pods, there are some 17,000 millionaires living in the Sarasota area, with about 2,450 having a net worth of $5 million or more. (https://www.pods.com/blog/2021/04/living-in-sarasota-florida/) That same report says that Sarasota is the second most popular spot in the state for drawing millionaires from other parts of the country.

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed this quick list of celebrities who live in Sarasota, FL, and are ready to keep your eyes open the next time you’re in the city or lounging on the beach. You never know who you might spot when you’re in the beautiful city of Sarasota!