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Famous People from Nevada


Wovoka (1856 - 1932) Northern Paiute religious leader who founded the Ghost Dance movement. Also known as Jack Wilson. Born in Smith Valley, NV (355)

Eva Bertrand Adams (1908 - 1991) She was appointed Director of the U.S. Mint by President Kennedy in 1961 and remained in that post until 1969. Born in Wonder, NV (941)

Andre Agassi (1970 - ) Champion tennis player who has won 8 Grand Slam singles tournaments and an Olympic gold medal in singles. Considered to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Born in Las Vegas, NV (352)

Ben Alexander (1911 - 1969) Born Nicholas Benton Alexander. An American motion picture actor. He played Officer Frank Smith in the television series Dragnet. Born in Goldfield, NV (356)

Helen Delich Bentley (1923 - ) An American politician and a former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the State of Maryland (1985-95). Born in Ruth, NV (942)

James E. Casey (1888 - 1983) An American businessman who founded the United Parcel Service (UPS). Born in Candelaria, NV (353)

Hobart Cavanaugh (1886 - 1950) An American character actor in films and on stage. He worked in vaudeville, on Broadway and he appeared in more than 180 films. Born in Virginia City, NV (944)

Abby Dalton (1935 - ) Born Marlene Wasden. An American actress. She appeared in numerous television shows including Falcon Crest, Maverick and Hennesey. Born in Las Vegas, NV (945)



Jack Kramer (1921 - 2009) Born John Albert Kramer. A champion tennis player during the 1940s who had the number one spot for many years. Today he is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Born in Las Vegas, NV (360)

Paul Dominique Laxalt (1922 - ) An American politician who was the 22nd Governor of Nevada from 1967 to 1971 and a U.S. Senator from 1974 to 1987. Born in Reno, NV (949)

Patricia Ryan Nixon (1912 - 1993) Born Thelma Catherine Ryan. First Lady of the United States from 1969-1974. She was the wife of former president Richard Nixon. Born in Ely, NV (354)

Lute Pease (1869 - 1963) Born Lucius Curtis Pease. Made his mark on the world in many fields. Reporter, prospector, editor and Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist. Born in Winnemucca, NV (946)

Edna Purviance (1895 - 1958) Born Olga Edna Purviance. Actress made famous in silent movies with Charlie Chaplin such as The Kid. Born in Paradise Valley, NV (358)

Harry Reid (1939 - ) An American politician and the senior U.S. Senator from Nevada. He has served as the Majority Leader, Minority Leader and Minority and Majority Whip. Born in Searchlight, NV (947)

Sarah Hopkins Winnemucca (1844 - 1891) Prominent female Paiute activist and educator. First Native American woman to gain a copyright and publish in the English language. She also worked as a translator for the U.S. Army during the Bannock War. Born in , NV (359)