ThingsToDo.com Logo Things to do in Minnesota

Famous People from Minnesota


Walter Abel (1898 - 1987) An American stage and film character actor. He appeared in over 200 films beginning with silent films. Born in St. Paul, MN (1232)

Walden Lee "Pug" Ainsworth (1886 - 1960) An admiral of the United States Navy. For his role in commanding destroyer and cruiser task forces in the Pacific during World War II, he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit. Born in Minneapolis, MN (1234)

Frank Albertson (1909 - 1964) An American character actor. He had supporting roles in the films It's a Wonderful Life and Psycho. Born in Fergus Falls, MN (1235)

Wendell Richard Anderson (1933 - ) An American politician and the 33rd Governor of Minnesota from 1971 to 1976. In late 1976, he resigned the governor's office in order to be named U.S. Senator to replace Walter Mondale, who had been elected Vice President of the United States. Born in Saint Paul, MN (1227)

Sydney Anderson (1881 - 1948) A Representative from Minnesota. Born in Zumbrota, MN (1228)

Richard Dean Anderson (1950 - ) An American television and film actor, producer and composer. Best known as the lead actor in the television series MacGyver and the lead actor of the series Stargate SG-1. Born in Minneapolis, MN (1229)

Louie Perry Anderson (1953 - ) An American stand-up comedian. He created the cartoon series Life with Louie, has written three books, and was the initial host of the second revival of the game show Family Feud, from 1999 to 2002. Born in Minneapolis, MN (1230)

Loni Kaye Anderson (1945 - ) An American actress, perhaps best-known for playing the role of Jennifer Marlowe on the television sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. Born in Saint Paul, MN (1236)

Clyde Elmer Anderson (1912 - 1998) More commonly known as C. Elmer Anderson, was an American politician. and served as the 28th Governor of Minnesota from 1951 to 1955. Born in Brainerd, MN (1238)

James Arness (1923 - 2011) Born James Aurness. An American actor, best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke for 20 years. Born in Minneapolis, MN (1226)

Lew Ayres (1908 - 1996) Born Lewis Frederick Ayres III. An American actor, probably best known for his roles as German soldier Paul Baumer in All Quiet on the Western Front and as Dr. Kildare in several movies. Born in Minneapolis, MN (1223)

Lynsey Marie Bartilson (1983 - ) An American film, television and stage actress. Best known for playing Lily Finnerty on the sitcom Grounded for Life. Born in Edina, MN (1222)

Chief Bender (1884 - 1954) Born Charles Albert Bender. He was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. When he retired from playing, he was a major league coach, minor league manager, college manager and professional scout. Born in Brainerd, MN (282)

Elmer Austin Benson (1895 - 1985) Was an American lawyer and politician from Minnesota. Born in Appleton, MN (1221)

Patty Berg (1918 - 2006) Born Patricia Jane Berg. An American professional golfer. One of the greatest female golfers ever. She also founded the U.S. Ladies' Professional Golfers' Association. Born in Minneapolis, MN (283)

Richard Carlson (1912 - 1977) An American actor, television and film director, and screenwriter. Some of his films include King Solomon's Mines, Creature from the Black Lagoon and Riders to the Stars. Born in Albert Lea, MN (1220)

Arlene Carol Dahl (1928 - ) An American movie actress and former MGM contract star, who achieved notability during the 1950s. Some of her films include Reign of Terror, Three Little Words and Journey to the Center of the Earth. Born in Minneapolis, MN (1219)



Carol Dempster (1901 - 1991) An American film actress of the silent film era. Some of her films include The Girl Who Stayed at Home, The Love Flower, Isn't Life Wonderful and America. Born in Duluth, MN (1218)

Richard Dix (1893 - 1949) Born Ernst Carlton Brimmer. An American motion picture actor who achieved popularity in both silent and sound film. His standard on-screen image was that of the rugged and stalwart hero. Born in St. Paul, MN (1217)

Bob Dylan (1941 - ) Born Robert Allen Zimmerman. An American singer-songwriter, artist and writer. His songs of protest made him a hero to the civil-rights and student movements of the 1960s. Born in Duluth, MN (294)

F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896 - 1940) An American author of novels and short stories. Famous for his characters and sense of style. His most famous work was The Great Gatsby. He was seen as one of the greatest authors of the 20th century. Born in St. Paul, MN (284)

James Earle Fraser (1876 - 1953) One of the most prominent American sculptors of the first half of the 20th century. Much of his work is in Washington DC including statues at the National Archives and the U.S. Supreme Court. His work also includes coins and medals. Born in Winona, MN (972)

Judy Garland (1922 - 1969) Born Frances Ethel Gumm. An American actress, singer and vaudevillian. Most famous for her role as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. She is the youngest recipient (at 39 years of age) of the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in the motion picture industry. Born in Grand Rapids, MN (285)

Garrison Keillor (1942 - ) Born Gary Edward Keillor. An American author, storyteller, humorist and radio personality. Known as the host of the radio show "A Prairie Home Companion". Born in Anoka, MN (288)

Sinclair Lewis (1885 - 1951) Born Harry Sinclair Lewis. An American novelist, short-story writer and playwright. The first American to win the Nobel Prize for literature, he wrote of small town life such as Main Street. Born in Sauk Centre, MN (286)

Roger Maris (1934 - 1985) An American professional baseball player. While playing for the Yankees made history hitting 61 home runs in a single season. Born in Hibbing, MN (290)

Charles H. Mayo (1865 - 1939) An American medical physician who was one of the founders of the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic is regarded as one of the foremost medical treatment and research institutions in the world. Born in Rochester, MN (295)

William J. Mayo (1861 - 1939) Physician who founded the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Born in Le Sueur, MN (296)

Eugene McCarthy (1916 - 2005) An American politician, poet, and long-time member of the U.S. Congress from Minnesota. Born in Watkins, MN (298)

Walter Frederick Mondale (1928 - ) 42nd Vice-President of the United States (1977 - 1981). U.S. Senator from Minnesota from 1964 to 1976 and the Democratic Party's presidential candidate in 1984. Born in Ceylon, MN (297)

Greg Mortenson (1957 - ) An American humanitarian, professional speaker, writer, and former mountaineer. Mortenson is the co-founder and director of the non-profit Central Asia Institute, and founder of the educational charity Pennies For Peace. Born in St. Cloud, MN (1231)

Winona Ryder (1971 - ) Born Winona Laura Horowitz. An American actress. Some of her movies include The Age of Innocence, Mermaids, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Mr Deeds and Black Swan. Born in Olmsted County, MN (291)

Charles Schulz (1922 - 2000) An American cartoonist best known for the comic strip Peanuts. Regarded as one of the most influential cartoonists of all time. Born in Minneapolis, MN (292)

Richard W. Sears (1863 - 1914) Manager, businessman and the founder of Sears, Roebuck and Company. Born in Stewartville, MN (293)