Famous People from Iowa

John Taylor Adams (1862 - 1939) Was a noted businessman in the Dubuque, Iowa area and also a former Chairman of the Republican National Committee. Born in Dubuque, IA (1443)

Julie Adams (1926 - ) Born Betty May Adams. Was an American film and television actress, sometimes credited as Julia Adams or Betty Adams. Born in Waterloo, IA (1660)

Bess Streeter Aldrich (1881 - 1954) Was an American author. Born in Cedar Falls, IA (1444)

Fran Allison (1907 - 1989) Was an American television and radio comedian, personality and singer. She is best known for her starring role on the weekday NBC-TV puppet show Kukla, Fran and Ollie, which ran from 1947 to 1957, occasionally returning to the air until the mid 1980s. The trio also hosted The CBS Children's Film Festival, introducing international children's films, from 1967-77. Born in La Porte City, IA (1661)

Lewis Burr Anderson (1922 - 2006) Was an American actor and musician, most famous for being the third and final actor to portray Clarabell the Clown on Howdy Doody between 1954 and 1960. He was also a musician. He famously spoke Clarabell's one and only line on the program on the show's final episode in 1960, with a tear visible in his eye, "Goodbye, kids." Born in Kirkman, IA (1445)

Adrian Constantine (Cap) Anson (1852 - 1922) Known as the greatest baseball player of the 19th century. Born in Marshalltown, IA (163)

Thomas Duane "Tom" Arnold (1959 - ) Is an American actor and comedian. He has starred in many films, most notably True Lies (1994). He was the host of The Best Damn Sports Show Period for four years. Born in Ottumwa, IA (1446)

John Ora Bailey (1880 - 1959) Was an American judge and politician in the state of Oregon. He was the 27th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court, serving on Oregon's highest court from 1933 to 1950. Bailey also served in the Oregon House of Representatives and the Oregon State Senate. A native of Iowa and Harvard graduate, he began his public service as an assistant attorney general. Born in Grinnell, IA (1447)

Theodore J. "Ted" Bauer (1909 - 2005) Was an American Infectious disease specialist who was head of the Communicable Disease Center (now known as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) from 1953 to 1956,[1] and who also served as Assistant Surgeon General of the United States. Born in Iowa City, IA (1448)

Norman Bourlag (1914 - 2009) Norman Bourlag was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 in recognition of his contributions to world peace through increasing food supply. Born in Cresco, IA (744)

Johnny Carson (1925 - 2005) Comedian that hosted The Tonight Show for 30 years; Grew up in Norfolk. Born in Corning, IA (165)

Clyde Cessna (1879 - 1954) One of the outstanding pioneers of aviation. Born in Hawthorne, IA (187)

William "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846 - 1917) Pony Express rider, cavalry scout, buffalo hunter, and showman in the late 1800s. Born in LeClaire, IA (167)

Bob Feller (1918 - 2010) Baseball player. A member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Many consider him to be the premier right-handed pitcher in baseball history. Born in Van Meter,, IA (168)

Dan Gable (1948 - ) Wrestler/Coach. Won a gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics without surrendering a point. Two-time Olympic head coach (1980 and 1984). As a coach at Iowa, he won 15 NCAA team titles in 22 years and 22 straight Big Ten Conferences. titles; born in Waterloo. Born in Waterloo, IA (169)

Fred Grandy (1948 - ) Politician and actor who was made famous in the Love Boat. Born in Sioux City, IA (170)

Herbert Hoover (1874 - 1964) The 31st President of the United States. Born in West Branch, IA (171)

Glenn Miller (1904 - 1944) Bandleader and Composer of many famous songs including "In the Mood," and "Moonlight Serenade". Born in Clarinda, IA (173)

Theodore "Ted" Waitt (1963 - ) Is an American billionaire who was a co-founder of Gateway, Inc. Born in Sioux City, IA (976)

Henry Wallace (1888 - 1965) Vice President of the United States and secretary of agriculture during the depression. Born in Orient, Adair County, IA (174)

John Wayne (1907 - 1979) Actor who became famous for his hero image in western and war movies. Born in Winterset, IA (176)

Meredith Willson (1902 - 1984) Writer of the famous Broadway musical The Music Man. Born in Mason City, IA (175)

Grant Wood (1891 - 1942) Artist. Painted his most famous painting "American Gothic" in 1930. Born in Anamosa, IA (177)