Over the years, the Valley has become the home of people who have made their mark in the sports or entertainment world. The Valley is quickly becoming a popular place for celebrities to call home, thanks to the beautiful winters and our proximity to California. You may see them in nightclubs, restaurants or even the grocery store. Here’s a handful of celebrity faces you may have seen around the Gilbert area.
Chester Bennington
Chester Bennington – Best known as the lead vocalist of Linkin Park, Bennington was born here in the Valley to a nurse and a police detective. Now the frontman for Stone Temple Pilots, Bennington calls Gilbert home. He has lived with his wife and children in Gilbert since 2008. A tattoo enthusiast, Bennington has done promotions with Club Tattoo, a popular tattoo parlor in Tempe, Arizona that is owned by Sean Dowdell, Chester’s friend since high school.
Roy Wayne Farris – Better known by his ring name The Honky Tonk Man,Farris entered the World Wrestling Federation in 1986. Honky made his televised WWF debut on the September 28, 1986 episode of Wrestling Challenge, defeating Terry Gibbs. Known especially for his Elvis impersonator gimmick, the Honky Tonk Man ended up being a villain in the manner of Andy Kaufman during his tenure with the WWF. After spurts of activity in the WWF and WCW, Farris has since been on the independent wrestling circuit. Since 1993, Farris has lived with his family here in Gilbert.
Dave Burba – The former MLB pitcher for several teams during his 15-year major league career, including the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians. Burba’s professional record was 115–87, with 1,398 strikeouts, and a 4.49 ERA. Burba recorded nearly 1,400 strikeouts as a major leaguer.
Christina Birch: Christina Birch is a remarkable Gilbert, Arizona, native whose career has taken her from the classroom and cycling track to NASA. Born in Mesa and raised in Gilbert, Birch earned degrees in mathematics, biochemistry, and molecular biophysics from the University of Arizona before completing a Ph.D. in biological engineering at MIT. She later became a competitive track cyclist, earning multiple national championships and international medals. In 2021, NASA selected Birch as an astronaut candidate, adding another impressive chapter to her already diverse career.
Lindsey Stirling: Lindsey Stirling is an American musician, violinist, singer, songwriter, and dancer known for combining energetic violin performances with choreography and electronic, classical, pop, and rock influences. Born in Santa Ana, California, she grew up in Gilbert, Arizona, where she attended Greenfield Junior High and Mesquite High School. She began learning violin at age five and later gained national attention as a quarter-finalist on America’s Got Talent in 2010. Stirling went on to build a major online following through her YouTube channel, releasing popular music videos such as “Crystallize” and developing a distinctive style that blends violin playing with dance. Her albums include Lindsey Stirling, Shatter Me, Brave Enough, Artemis, and Snow Waltz, among others.
MyKayla Skinner: MyKayla Skinner is a former American artistic gymnast and Olympic medalist who was born and raised in Gilbert, Arizona. She began competing at the elite level as a teenager and became known for her powerful vault and floor routines. Skinner won three team gold medals at the World Championships and earned a bronze medal on vault at the 2014 World Championships. She later competed for the University of Utah, where she became a two-time NCAA champion and earned multiple collegiate honors. In 2021, Skinner represented the United States as an individual at the Tokyo Olympics, winning a silver medal in the vault final. She retired from competitive gymnastics after the Olympics, leaving behind an impressive career that included five Olympic, World Championship, and NCAA gold medals combined.
And wait! These celebs may have wonderfully confident, Hollywood-style smiles. At Gibbons Dental office, We want our Gilbert community to enjoy healthy, confident smiles they’re proud to share. So, don’t wait to schedule a routine dental visit. Your dentist Gilbert, AZ can evaluate your oral health and discuss whether cosmetic dental procedures may be right for you.