This is a list of notable ethnic Kazakhs.
Actors, filmmakers and fashion models
Farhat Abdraimov (1966–2021), actor Shaken Aimanov (1914–1970), film director, actor Berik Aitjanov (born 1979), actor, film producer Dinmukhamet Akhimov (born 1948), actor Damir Amangeldin (born 2002), actor Emir Baigazin (born 1984), actor, film director Timur Bekmambetov (born 1961), film director Khadisha Bukeyeva (1917–2011), theater and film actress C.C.TAY (born 2000), singer and actress Eva Dedova (born 1992), actress Ruslana Korshunova (1987–2008), international fashion model Sergei Lukyanenko (born 1968), author, screenwriter Sabira Maykanova (1914–1994), actress Rashid Nugmanov (born 1954), film director Linda Nigmatulina (born 1983), actress Venera Nigmatulina (born 1962), actress Gulshat Omarova (born 1968), writer, film director and actress Darezhan Omirbaev (born 1958), film director, screenwriter Kuman Tastanbekov (1945–2017), actor Vladimir Tolokonnikov (1943–2017), actor Gulnara Sarsenova (born 1961), film producer Alyona Subbotina (born 1990), international fashion model Bayan Yessentayeva (born 1974), producer, television presenter, actress Samal Yeslyamova (born 1984), actress
Artists
Altynai Asylmuratova (born 1961), ballerina Dilka Bear (born 1977), painter Agimsaly Duzelkhanov (born 1951), artist Aigana Gali (born Ayganim Sadykova, 1981), multimedia artist Aisha Galimbaeva (1917–2008), painter and educator Gulfairus Mansurovna Ismailova (1929–2013), artist, actress Lazzate Maralbayeva (born 1951), painter and architect Sergey Kalmykov (1891–1967), painter, draughtsman and writer Abilkhan Kasteev (1904–1973), painter Zhenis Kakenuly Nurlybayev (born 1965), painter Rustam Khalfin (1949–2008), painter Leyla Mahat (born 1970), artist, curator, gallery director, associate professor Almagul Menlibayeva (born 1969), artist Shaken Niyazbekov (1938–2014), artist, designer of the flag of Kazakhstan Edige Niyazov (1940–2009), photographer Malik Oskenbay (born 1966), artist, sculptor Yesken Sergebayev (born 1940), sculptor Chezhina Svetlana (born 1985), comic book artist Ural Tansykbayev (1904–1974) Ola Volo (born 1989), Canadian muralist of Kazakh descent
Writers and poets
Zharaskan Abdirash – poet Karina Abdullina (born 1976) – poet and singer Daniyar Adilbekov (born 1989) - journalist Ibrahim Altynsarin (1841–1889) – pedagogue, writer Mukhtar Auezov (1897–1961) – writer, public figure Ahmed Baitursynuli (1873–1937) – poet, writer, pedagogue and politician Alikhan Bukeikhanov (1866–1937) – writer, political activist and environmental scientist Mir Yakub Dulatuli (1885–1935) – poet, writer and a leader of Alash Orda government Bukhar-zhirau Kalmakanov (1693–1789) – poet Aigul Kemelbayeva (born 1965) – prose writer and literary critic Baqytjan Kanapyanov (born 1951) – poet and lyricist Mukaghali Makatayev (1931–1976) – akyn, poet Bakhyt Kenjeev Russian poet and writer Bauyrjan Momyshuly (1910–1982) – writer, hero of the Soviet Union during World War II Sabid Mukanov (1900–1973) – poet and writer Gabit Musirepov (1902–1985) – writer, playwright Seitzhan Omarov (1907–1985) – writer Ibrahim Qunanbaiuly (1845–1904) – poet, composer and philosopher Saken Seifullin (1894–1939) – poet and writer, national activist Mukhtar Shakhanov (born 1942) – writer, lawmaker, ambassador Oljas Suleimenov (born 1936) – poet, politician, and anti-nuclear activist Aigerim Tazhi (born 1981) – poet Sultanmahmud Toraygirov (1893–1920) – poet and writer Tauman Torekhanov (born 1931) – writer, journalist and executive editor Muhammed Shoqan Qanafiya Shynghysuly Walikhanov (1835–1865) – scholar, ethnographer and historian Ahmad Yasawi (1106–1166) – poet and Sufi (Muslim mystic) Zhambyl Zhabayuly (1846–1945) – akyn, student of Suinbay Muhammedjan Jumabayev (1893–1938) – writer, publicist, founder of modern Kazakh literature Qabdesh Zhumadilov (1936–2021) – writer
Businessmen
Mukhtar Ablyazov (born 1963), BTA Bank Bulat Abilov (born 1957), Sun & Wind Electric Stations Vladimir Kim (born 1960), KAZ Minerals Vyacheslav Kim (born 1969), Kaspi.kz Timur Kulibayev (born 1966), Halyk Bank, son-in-law of Nursultan Nazarbayev Oleg Novachuk (born 1971), Kazakhmys Dzhambulat Sarsenov (born 1961), Kazenergy Margulan Seisembayev (born 1966), Seimar
Composers and musicians
Dilnaz Akhmadieva (born 1980), pop singer Jania Aubakirova (born 1987), pianist Roza Baglanova (1922–2011), opera singer Kulyash Baiseitova (1912–1957), opera singer Marat Bisengaliev (born 1962), violinist and director of orchestras Alan Buribayev (born 1979), conductor Dos Mukasan (formed 1967), rock and pop music group Zhanar Dugalova (born 1987), singer Nagima Eskalieva (born 1954), singer Imanbek (born 2000), DJ and record producer Makpal Isabekova (born 1984), singer Darkhan Juzz (1990–2023), indie pop singer, songwriter, sound producer and musician Shamshi Kaldayakov (1930–1992), composer Nurzhan Kermenbayev (born 1989), singer Stanislav Khegai (born 1985), pianist Almas Kishkenbayev (born 1985), singer Kristian Kostov (born 2000), Bulgarian-Russian singer of Kazakh descent Erzhan Kulibaev (born 1986), Spanish violinist of Kazakh descent Erik Kurmangaliev (1959–2008), opera singer Maria Mudryak (born 1994), operatic soprano Mayra Muhammad-kyzy (born 1969), opera singer Ninety One (formed 2015), Qpop band Aisha Orazbayeva (born 1985), violinist Kairat Nurtas (born 1989), singer Makhambet Otemisuly (1804–1846), akyn, composer, leader of rebellious movement against Russian Empire Dimash Qudaibergen (born 1994), singer with songs in 13 languages Roza Rymbayeva (born 1957), singer Madina Saduakasova (born 1979), opera singer Kurmangazy Sagyrbaev (1823–1896), composer, instrumentalist and folk artist Altynay Sapargalieva (born 1989), singer Eldar Sattarov (born 1973) Scriptonite (born 1990), rapper, singer-songwriter Rinat Shakirov, (1962– ), pianist and composer Maira Shamsutdinova (1890–1927) Baluan Sholak (1864–1919), singer, composer Amir Tebenikhin (born 1977), pianist Bibigul Tulegenova (born 1929), opera singer Daneliya Tuleshova (born 2006), singer Kayrat Tuntekov (born 1986), singer Ulytau (formed 2001), Folk metal, Neo-classical metal Anastasiya Usova (born 1988), singer Tolkyn Zabirova (born 1970), singer Zhambyl Zhabayuly (1846–1945), Kazakh traditional folksinger Gaziza Zhubanova (1927–1993), composer Ziruza (born 1997), Q-pop singer Akmaral Zykayeva (born 1985), artist, singer-songwriter
Heads of state
Abu'l-Mansur Khan (1711–1781), khan of Middle jüz, leader of Kazakh Khanate (1771–1781) Abu'l-Khair Muhammed Khan (1693–1748), khan of the Kazakh Junior jüz (1725–1748) Burunduk Khan (?–1511), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1480–1510) Esim Khan (?–1628 (1643)), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1598–1628 (1643)) Janibek Khan (1428–1480), founder and co-leader of Kazakh Khanate (1465–1480) Qasim Khan (1445–1521), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1510–1521) Muhammed Khan (1480–1523), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1521–1523) Tahir Khan (?–1533), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1523–1533) Ahmed Khan (?–1536), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1533–1536) Haqnazar Khan (1509–1580), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1538–1580) Salqam-Jahangir Khan (1610–1652), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1643–1652) Kenesary Khan (1802–1847), khan of all three jüzes (1841–1847) Kerei Khan (?–1465), founder and co-leader of Kazakh Khanate (1456–1465) Tauke Khan (?–1718), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1680–1718) Dinmukhamed Kunaev (1912–1993), First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Kazakh SSR (1960–1962, 1964–1986), Prime Minister, President Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences Nursultan Nazarbayev (born 1940), President of Kazakhstan Jumabay Shayahmetov (1902–1966), First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Kazakh SSR (1946–1954), former NKVD officer who participated in repressions against Kazakh people
Philosophers
Miftahetdin Akmulla (1831–1895), educator, poet and philosopher Shakarim Qudayberdiuli (1858–1931), poet, theologian, philosopher Ibrahim Qunanbaiuly (1845–1904), poet, translator, composer and philosopher. Ahmad Yasavi (1106–1166), poet and Sufi (Muslim mystic)
Politicians and activists
Vladimir Vasilyev (politician) Baurzhan Abdishev, Soviet army veteran and Kazakhstani politician Gulshara Abdykhalikova (born 1965), politician Byrganym Aitimova (born 1953), ambassador, minister, former Komsomol leader who supported Soviet government rogue actions against Kazakh people during Jeltoqsan Zhanar Aitzhanova (born 1965), politician, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations Office at Geneva Daniyal Akhmetov (born 1954), Prime Minister Akhmet Baitursynov (1873–1937), poet, writer and politician Nurlan Balgimbayev (1947–2015), Prime Minister Osman Bahadur (1899–1951), fighter for the freedom of the Kazakh people in Xinjiang Alikhan Bukeikhanov (1866–1937), writer, political activist and environmental scientist Tamara Duisenova (born 1965), politician, e Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population Mir Yaqub Dulatuli (1885–1935), poet, writer and a leader of Alash Orda government Kabibulla Dzhakupov, former Chair of the Mazhilis from 2014 to 2016 Janabil (1934–2024), politician in China Guljan Karagusova (born 1950), member of Majilis, Minister of Labour and Social Protection Ashat Kerimbay (born 1947), politician in China Oralbeg Abdu Kerimovic, Secretary General of the government of Kazakhstan Yurii Khitrin, Prosecutor General Dinmukhamed Kunaev (1912–1993), soviet politician, First Secretary of the Kazakh Communist Party between 1960–1962 and 1964–1986 Muhambet Kopeev (born 1949), Kazakh senator, former Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan and Mazhilis, former Minister of Emergency Situations Eset Kotibaruli (1803–1889), leader of the anti-colonial war against Russian Empire Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed (born 1960), senator, former Deputy Chairman of the Nur Otan, and former advisor to the President of Kazakhstan Asqar Mamin (born 1965), former Prime Minister Karim Massimov (born 1965), former Prime Minister Nursultan Nazarbayev (born 1940), first President of Kazakhstan and founder of the Nur Otan party Bolat Nurgaliyev (born 1951), diplomat Makhambet Otemisuly (1804–1846), akyn, composer, leader of rebellious movement against Russian Empire Toleutai Raqymbekov (born 1964), politician Qairat Rysqulbekov (1966–1988), participant in Jeltoqsan protests, posthumous Hero of Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev (born 1946), politician, Secretary of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mustafa Shokay (1890–1941), leader of the Kokand revolt (1917) against the Bolsheviks Älihan Smaiylov (born 1972), current Prime Minister Oljas Suleimenov (born 1936), poet, politician, and anti-nuclear activist Imangali Tasmagambetov (born 1956), Prime Minister Isatay Taymanuly (1791–1838), leader of rebellious movement against Russian Empire Marat Tazhin (born 1960), Foreign Minister Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (born 1953), Foreign Minister, Prime Minister, and current President of Kazakhstan Janseiıt Tüimebaev (born 1958), Minister of Education and Science Aman Tuleyev (born 1944), governor of Kemerovo Oblast, Russia Mukhamedzhan Tynyshpaev (1879–1953), Kazakh engineer, ethnographer, historian, and political activist Akhmetzhan Yessimov (born 1960), Kazakh politician and former chairman of Samruk-Kazyna Adilbek Zhaksybekov (born 1954), politician, State Secretary, Minister Sayragul Sauytbay (born 1977), physician, headteacher, whistleblower and political activist from China about the persecution of Uyghurs in China, she was now based in Washington DC and elected as a Vice President of East Turkistan Government-in-Exile
Military
Nurken Abdirov (1919–1942), fighter pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union Galiy Adilbekov (1908–1943), The only Kazakh tank brigade commander of World War II Aidyn Aimbetov (born 1972), fighter pilot and cosmonaut Toktar Aubakirov (born 1946), first Kazakh in space, MP