Chris Van Allsburg (1949 - ) An American illustrator and writer of children's books. He won Caldecott Medals for illustrations in his books The Polar Express and Jumanji. Born in Grand Rapids, MI (276) William Boeing (1881 - 1956) An American aviation pioneer who founded the Boeing Aircraft company. Born in Detroit, MI (622) Ralph Bunche (1904 - 1971) American political scientist and diplomat who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 for his mediation in Israel. He was the first African American to receive this. He also received the Medal of Freedom from President John F. Kennedy. Born in Detroit, MI (395) Ellen Burstyn (1932 - ) Born Edna Rae Gillooly. An American actress. The first woman to win both the Tony Award and the Academy Award in the same year. Born in Detroit, MI (704) Roger Chaffee (1935 - 1967) An American naval officer and aviator, aeronautical engineer, test pilot and NASA astronaut in the Apollo program. He was killed during a pre-launch test for the Apollo 1 mission. Born in Grand Rapids, MI (722) Madonna Louise Ciccone (1958 - ) An American singer, songwriter, actress and businesswoman. Some of her hit singles include "Material Girl," and "Vogue." She has also acted in such movies as A League of Their Own, and Evita. Born in Bay City, MI (265) Alice Cooper (1948 - ) Born Vincent Damon Furnier. An American rock singer, songwriter, musician and actor whose career spans more than five decades. Considered by fans to be "The Godfather of Shock Rock." Born in Allen Park, MI (1311) Francis Ford Coppola (1939 - ) An American film director, producer and screenwriter. Some of his best known works include the Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now, Patton, and The Black Stallion. Born in Detroit, MI (705) James Oliver Curwood (1878 - 1927) An American action-adventure writer and conservationist. Some of his works include "Son of the Forests," and "Nomads of the North." At least 18 movies have been based on or inspired by his novels and short stories. Born in Owosso, MI (723) Thomas Dewey (1902 - 1971) Dewey was the Republican nominee for President in both 1944 and 1948. In 1948, the polls showed him holding such a large lead that the newspapers printed the headline "Dewey Wins!" However, Truman won the election. Born in Owosso, MI (706) Edna Ferber (1885 - 1968) An American novelist, short story writer and playwright. Her works inspired several musicals including "Show Boat" and "Cimarron." She also won the Pulitzer Prize for her book "So Big." Born in Kalamazoo, MI (707) Henry Ford (1863 - 1947) An American industrialist and founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903. He is also known as the father of modern assembly lines in mass production. Born in Greenfield Township, MI (268) Daniel Gerber (1873 - 1952) An American manufacturer of baby food. Developed canned baby food in 1927 after a pediatrician suggested straining foods for his young daughter. Born in Douglas, MI (269) Julie Harris (1925 - 2013) An American stage, screen, and television actress. She won five Tony Awards and three Emmy Awards. Harris is also a member of the American Theatre Hall of Fame. Born in Grosse Pointe, MI (708) William Redington Hewlett (1913 - 2001) An American engineer and co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard Company in 1939. Born in Ann Arbor, MI (709) Betty Hutton (1921 - 2007) Born Elizabeth June Thornburg. An American stage, film, and television actress, comedian and singer. She starred in The Fleet's In, Let's Face It, The Perils of Pauline and Annie Get Your Gun. Born in Battle Creek, MI (798) Magic Johnson (1959 - ) Born Earvin Johnson, Jr. Retired American Basketball player that led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA titles in the 1980s. Born in Lansing, MI (273) | Julie Krone (1963 - ) Born Julieann Louise Krone. A retired American jockey. The first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race when she won the Belmont Stakes in 1993. Born in Benton Harbor, MI (710) Charles Lindbergh (1902 - 1974) An American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist. He was the first person to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean. His nicknames were Slim, Lucky Lindy, and The Lone Eagle. Born in Detroit, MI (274) John Mitchell (1913 - 1988) The first US Attorney General to ever be convicted of illegal activities and imprisoned. He was a member of CREEP (Committee to Re-elect the President) and was involved in the Watergate scandal. Born in Detroit, MI (711) Harry Morgan (1915 - 2011) Born Harry Bratsberg. An American actor. Best known as Colonel Sherman T. Potter on M*A*S*H (1975-83), and Detective Bill Gannon on Dragnet (1967-70). He has appeared in more than 100 films. Born in Detroit, MI (1393) Gilda Radner (1946 - 1989) An American comedian and actress. Radner won an Emmy Award, and became well known for her role on Saturday Night Live. Born in Detroit, MI (712) Della Reese (1931 - ) Born Delloreese Patricia Early. An American actress, singer, game show panelist, talk show host and ordained minister. She started her career as a gospel, pop and jazz singer. Best known for playing Tess in the television show "Touched by an Angel." Born in Detroit, MI (713) Burt Reynolds (1936 - ) An American actor, director and producer. He starred in films like Hustle and Smokey and the Bandit, The Longest Yard and Boogie Nights. Born in Lansing, MI (97) Mitt Romney (1947 - ) Born Willard Mitt Romney. An American politician and businessman. He was the Republican Party's nominee for President of the United States in the 2012 election. He was the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003-2007. Born in Detroit, MI (1720) Diana Ross (1944 - ) Born Diana Ernestine Earle Ross. An American singer, actress, record producer and songwriter. She was the lead singer of the Supremes which was the most successful vocal group as well as one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. She left the Supremes in 1970 and had a solo career with 6 number 1 hits including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Touch Me in the Morning," and "Endless Love." Born in Detroit, MI (714) Bob Seger (1945 - ) An American rock singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist. He enjoyed a great deal of national success between 1976 and 1987. Born in Detroit, MI (715) Tom Selleck (1945 - ) A Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning American actor. Selleck is best known for his starring role in the television show "Magnum P.I." and as NYPD Commissioner Frank Reagan in Blue Bloods. Born in Detroit, MI (716) David Spade (1964 - ) An American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, television personality, and voice artist. He was a cast member on Saturday Night Live and starred in various films and television shows. Born in Birmingham, MI (24) Potter Stewart (1915 - 1985) An Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He was appointed in 1958 by President Eisenhower. Stewart was known for using a constructionist interpretation of the Constitution. Born in Jackson, MI (717) Danny Thomas (1912 - 1991) Born Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz. An American nightclub comedian and television and film actor and producer whose career spanned five decades. Best known for starring in the television show Make Room for Daddy. He was the founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Born in Deerfield, MI (719) Lily Tomlin (1939 - ) Born Mary Jean Tomlin. An American actress, comedian, writer, and producer. She has starred in such films as 9 to 5, All of Me and The Beverly Hillbillies. She voiced Ms. Frizzle in the television series "The Magic School Bus" and appeared in Laugh-In, Murphy Brown and West Wing. Born in Detroit, MI (718) Margaret Whiting (1924 - 2011) A singer of popular American music during the 1940s and 1950s. Some of her hits included "Baby It's Cold Outside," "Blind Date," and "All Through the Day." Born in Detroit, MI (720) Stevie Wonder (1950 - ) Born Stevland Hardaway Morris. An American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and instrumentalist. He was a child prodigy and signed a music contract at the age of 11. He has won 25 Grammy Awards and an Acadamy Award for his singing. He also has over thirty top ten hits. Born in Saginaw, MI (721) |
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