Famous People from Minnesota

Walter Abel (1898 - 1987) Was an American stage and film character actor. Born in St. Paul, MN (1232)

Walden Lee "Pug" Ainsworth (1886 - 1960) Was 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) Was an American character actor who made his debut in a minor part in Hollywood at age 13. Born in Fergus Falls, MN (1235)

Wendell Richard Anderson (1933 - ) Is an American politician and was the 33rd Governor of Minnesota from January 4, 1971 to December 29, 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) Was a Representative from Minnesota. Born in Zumbrota, MN (1228)

Richard Dean Anderson (1950 - ) Is an American television and film actor, producer and composer. Born in Minneapolis, MN (1229)

Louie Perry Anderson (1953 - ) Is an American stand-up comedian Anderson 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 (1946 - ) Is 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. Born in Brainerd, MN (1238)

James Aurness (1923 - ) Is a retired 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 was an American actor, probably best known for his role as Dr. Kildare in several movies, which was apt since originally he had studied medicine at the University of Arizona. Born in Minneapolis, MN (1223)

Lynsey Marie Bartilson (1983 - ) Is an American film, television and stage actress. Born in Edina, MN (1222)

Charles "Chief" Bender (1884 - 1954) The first pitcher in baseball to win six World Series games; played for the Philadelphia Athletics. 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) 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) Richard Carlson was an American actor, television and film director, and screenwriter. Born in Albert Lea, MN (1220)

Arlene Carol Dahl (1928 - ) Is an American movie actress and former MGM contract star, who achieved notability during the 1950s. Born in Minneapolis, MN (1219)

Carol Dempster (1901 - 1991) Was a American film actress of the silent film era. Born in Duluth, MN (1218)

Richard Dix (1893 - 1949) Born Ernst Carlton Brimmer was 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 - ) Songwriter and singer whose 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) Author famous for his characters and sense of style as in 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) Was an American sculptor and the foremost portrait sculptor of his generation. born in Winona, Minnesota Born in Winona, MN (972)

Judy Garland (1922 - 1969) Singer and Actress most famous for her role as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Born in Grand Rapids, MN (285)

Garrison Keillor (1942 - ) Author and host of "A Prairie Home Companion". Born in Anoka, MN (288)

Sinclair Lewis (1885 - 1951) 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) Baseball player that 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) Physician who founded the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. 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) U.S. Senator from Minnesota. Professor, author, and poet. Born in Watkins, MN (298)

Walter Frederick Mondale (1928 - ) 42d vice-president of the United States (1977 - 1980); Democratic candidate for president of the United States in 1984. Born in Ceylon, MN (297)

Greg Mortenson (1957 - ) Is an American humanitarian, writer, and former mountaineer. Mortenson is the co-founder (with Dr. Jean Hoerni) 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 - ) Actress named after her birthplace, Winona, known in movies The Age of Innocence and The Crucible. Born in Olmsted County, MN (291)

Charles Schultz (1922 - 2000) Cartoonist that created the comic strip Peanuts about Charlie Brown. Born in Minneapolis, MN (292)

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