Famous Kansans

Kirstie Alley

1951-2022

Kirstie Louise Alley was an Emmy Award-winning actress that grew up in Wichita. She is well known for playing major roles in shows such as Cheers and Veronica's Closet, as well as the Look Who's Talking movie series from the late 80s and early 90s. She also made an appearance on Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan in 1982.

Ed Asner

1929-2021

Ed Asner grew up in Kansas City. Asner was an iconic actor (best known as his portrayal of Lou Grant on the 'Mary Tyler Moore Show' and its spin-off series 'Lou Grant', and as Carl Fredricksen in Pixar's animated classic, 'Up') and was the president of the Screen Actors Guild. 

Annette Bening

1958-present

Annette Bening was born in Topeka in 1958 and spent her early childhood in Wichita. Annette Bening is an actress known both for her powerful stage performances (nominated twice for a Tony award) and her iconic film appearances (a four-time Academy Award nominee and BAFTA, SAG and Golden Globe winner ). Audiences may know her best from her roles in American Beauty, Being Julia, and Captain Marvel. 

Melissa Etheridge

1961-present

Melissa Etheridge was born in Leavenworth in 1961. Etheridge is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist. She is an Academy Award winner with her original song, "I Need to Wake Up" and a two-time Grammy award winner and fifteen-time nominee. Her largest-selling album to date is 'Yes I Am', 6-time platinum-certified. 

Bridget Everett

1972-present

Born in 1972 in Manhattan. Bridget is a comedian, singer, actress, and cabaret performer. While she gained notoriety for her controversial cabaret acts, her most iconic work to date may be a semi-autobiographical show she developed for HBO, "Somebody Somewhere". Set in her hometown of Manhattan, with plenty of references for eagle-eyed MHK fans to catch, this poignant show delves into the world of Sam, a 40-something who is looking for happiness, community and a sense of belonging after the loss of her sister. 

Langston Hughes

1901-1967

Langston Hughes found himself moving around a lot as a child but was mainly raised in Lawrence. Known for his "jazz poetry", he also made headway as a playwright, columnist, novelist, and social activist. Hughes took a major leading role in a movement now known as the Harlem renaissance, where a surge in African American arts and literature flourished in the 1920s. Although a controversial figure to many, Hughes is still considered one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

William Inge

1913-1973

Born in Independence in 1913. Attended the University of Kansas before becoming a playwright. Won a Pulitzer Prize for Picnic. Won an Academy Award for the original screenplay for Splendor in the Grass. Discover more: William Inge Collection & William Inge Center for the Arts 

Donavan LaMond Johnson (XV)

1985-present

Donovan LaMond Johnson, better known by his stage name XV is a rapper and hip-hop artist from Wichita. His name represents the Roman Numerals for the number "15", which is when he began his career in music. XV began to gain national recognition after he released Everybody's Nobody in 2009. His unique style blends the elements of soul and hip-hop into one genre.

Buster Keaton

1895-1966

Born in Piqua in 1895. Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton is known in the film industry as the 'Great Stone Face,' a nickname earned by pairing his slapstick physical comedy with a stoic, deadpan expression. He is best known for his silent films, of which Roger Ebert hailed him as the "greatest actor-director in the history of movies". His masterpiece may just be 'The General', a film co-directed and starred in by Buster, which has been hailed by Orson Welles as, "The greatest comedy ever made... and perhaps the greatest film ever made."

Martina McBride

1966-present

Martina McBride was born in 1966 in Sharon. She is a country music singer-songwriter and record producer. She has won the Country Music Association's 'Female Vocalist of the Year' four times and the Academy of Country Music's 'Top Female Vocalist' award three times. She is also a 14-time Grammy nominee. 

Hattie McDaniel

1893-1952

Hattie McDaniel was born in 1893 in Wichita. She became the first Black actor to win an Oscar, for her portrayal of 'Mammy' in 'Gone With the Wind.' She continued to build a storied career in Hollywood as an actress, singer-songwriter and comedian. 

Andy McKee

1979-present

Andy McKee is a fingerstyle guitarist and musician that is from Topeka. An avid self-taught guitar player, McKee dropped out of high school to focus his attention on becoming a professional guitar player. He released his first album independently and it wasn't until he began to be discovered on YouTube that he was able to find genuine success with record labels. Andy was one of the first musicians to gain fame from YouTube and has described himself as "just this guy from Topeka, Kansas, who kind of blew up on the Internet about a week before Christmas"

Logan Mize

1985-present

Logan Mize is a country music artist/songwriter from Clearwater signed to Big Yellow Dog Music. Mize music has charted in the top 50 in many Billboard rankings and has been streamed tens of millions of times over Spotify. He has also opened for multiple headlining acts, including Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry, Leann Rimes, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley,

Janelle Monáe

1985-present

Janelle Monáe Robinson was born in Kansas City in 1985. She is a singer-songwriter, rapper, and actress. If you've been watching the NBA recently, then you've probably heard a verse from her song "Float" when featuring the upcoming primetime games. In addition to having her music featured in the NBA, Monáe is an eight-time Grammy nominee and stars in films including 'Hidden Figures,' 'Moonlight,' 'Antebellum,' 'Knives Out 2', and 'Harriet.' 

Gordon Parks

1912-2006

Born near Fort Scott in 1912. Became the first African-American photographer to work at magazines like Life and Vogue, and the first to work for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration. Parks was also the first Black director and producer of major motion pictures, including 'The Learning Tree' and 'Shaft'. 

Cassandra Peterson

1951-present

Born in Manhattan in 1951. Cassandra Peterson is best known for her iconic character creation, 'Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.' The Elvira character is legendary in the horror and b-movie scenes. Her acting repertoire goes beyond the raven-haired bombshell, with appearances in films and tv shows like 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure' and 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'.

Rob Riggle

1970-present

Rob Riggle grew up in Overland Park and attended Shawnee Mission South High School. Known as the funniest guy in his graduating class, he later went on to study theater and film at KU. He joined the Marine Corps while in college as a reservist and eventually retired in 2013 after 23 years of service. His television and movie career is best known for his gigs on Comedy Central's The Daily Show and NBC's Saturday Night Live. He also has taken comedic roles in movies such as Talladega Nights and The Hangover.

Paul Rudd

1969-present

Paul Rudd grew up in Lenexa and attended the University of Kansas. He is an actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He may be best known for his roles in 'Clueless', 'Anchorman', 'Wet Hot American Summer', 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife', and multiple films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as 'Ant-Man.'

Jon Reed Sims

1947-1984

Jon Reed Sims was born near Lebanon in 1947, but later moved to a farm closer to Smith Center. He studied music at both Fort Hays State and Wichita State Universities. He went on to become a choral conductor most known for founding the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, America's first openly gay choral grouping. He also founded Golden Gate Performing Arts, Inc., an organization whose mission was to unify like-minded musical groups. 

Michael Stevens (Vsauce)

1986-present

Michael Stevens is from Stillwell and is best known under his YouTube channel name: Vsauce. His YouTube content goes deep into topics that span the domains of science, logic, philosophy, and perceptual illusions. His extraordinary public speaking skills have earned him over 2 billion total views with over 18 million subscribers and counting. He is considered by some to be a leading figure in the online and virtual education world. 

Eric Stonestreet

1971-present

Born in Kansas City in 1971. Eric Stonestreet is an actor and comedian best known for his portrayal of Cameron Tucker on 'Modern Family,' as the host of 'Domino Masters' and as the voice of Duke in 'The Secret Life of Pets' franchise.

Jason Sudeikis

1975-present

Jason Sudeikis grew up in Overland Park. He is an Emmy award-winning actor, comedian, and writer. He is perhaps best known for his tenure on 'Saturday Night Live' and 'Ted Lasso,' a comedy series that he co-created, writes, and stars in.

Vivian Vance

1909-1979

Born in Cherryvale in 1909. Vivian Vance was an Emmy award-winning actress and singer that is best known for her iconic role as Ethel Mertz on 'I Love Lucy.' 

Kevin Willmott

1959-present

Kevin Willmott grew up in Junction City and is an Academy Award Winning American film director and screenwriter. Willmott's films, such as  Ninth Street, C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America, and Bunker Hill are known for focusing on black issues and struggles in the US. He also directed the movie Jayhawkers where he told the story of Wilt Chamberlain, Phog Allen, and the 1956-1957 KU men's basketball team. Kevin Wilmott is also a professor of film at the University of Kansas.

Robert Ballard

1942 - Present

Robert Ballard was born in Wichita and is best known for discovering the wreck of the Titanic in 1985. Ballard received numerous degrees, including his Ph.D., and also had a long military career, mainly as a reservist in the Navy.  His work as an oceanographer and marine geologist has pioneered deep-diving submersibles and laid the foundations for deep-sea archaeology. 

George Washington Carver

1864-1943

George Washington Carver moved around throughout his life but spent many of his years in Fort Scott, Olathe, and eventually finishing high school in Minneapolis. Most known for his contributions to the agricultural sciences, Carver discovered and advocated for newly improved farming methods and crop rotation strategies. Not only were his findings incredibly useful for the practice of agriculture, but they were also instrumental in our modern understanding of food health and nutrition. His eventual rise to fame allowed him to be admired by both Roosevelt Presidents and Calvin Coolidge. 

Clyde Cessna

1879-1954

Clyde Cessna grew up in Rago and was known for being quite mechanical on the family farm. Cessna is known for having his interest in aviation spurred after witnessing an exhibition in Kansas in 1910. After learning the mechanics and physics of flight, Cessna went on with partners Walter Beech and Lloyd Stearman to establish the Travel Air Manufacturing Company in Wichita. He was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1978.

Walter P. Chrysler

1875-1940

Walter Chrysler was born in Wamego in 1875 and grew up in Ellis. Though he is best known for founding the Chrysler Corporation in 1925, his career managing large-scale industrial operations began in the railroad sector. After gaining new interest in the newly developing automobile industry, Chrysler began to work for the Buick Motor Company in 1911 and instantly oversaw the success of the production line. He was given the Time Magazine 'Man of the Year' award in 1928 and was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1967.

FRED HARVEY

1835-1901

Fred Harvey was an entrepreneur from England famous for his "Harvey House" restaurants serving rail passengers. He is often accredited with starting the very first restaurant chain in the US. Perhaps the pioneer of modern restaurant tourism, part of his company still operates in today's broader hospitality industry. The Fred Harvey Museum is located at his former residence in Leavenworth.

Jack Kilby

1923-2005

Jack Kilby was a Nobel Prize-winning electrical engineer from Great Bend who helped with the realization of the first integrated circuit while working at Texas Instruments (TI). He essentially co-invented and patented the handheld calculator and the thermal printer. Kilby's brilliance also had him leading top-notch engineers to create new military, industrial, and commercial uses of microchip technology. He earned numerous scientific awards and received many honorary doctorate-level degrees throughout his career. Now, you'll find many awards in computer science and engineering named after him.

George F. Sternberg

1883-1969

George Fryer Sternberg was a paleontologist born in Lawrence that was best known for his of "fish-within-a-fish" discovery in Gove County, Kansas. A Xiphactinus audax was found with a recently eaten Gillicus arcuatus within its stomach. He also served as a field paleontologist and curator of the museum of natural history at Fort Hays State University in Hays. You can visit the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, an interactive natural science museum in Hays that is also named in dedication to him.

Charles Curtis

1860-1936

Born in Topeka in 1860. Curtis was a member of the Kaw Nation and was the first person of color to be elected Vice President of the United States. In addition, he also represented Kansas as a U.S. Senator and Representative. 

Robert J. Dole

1923-2021

Robert (Bob) J. Dole was born in Russell in 1923. Dole was actually recruited in 1941 by Phog Allen out of high school to play for the KU men's basketball team. However, his time at KU was interrupted by the start of WWII. Dole enlisted in 1942 and served in a combat role, where he was seriously injured while fighting in Italy. After the war, Dole would eventually finish his undergraduate studies and also earn a law degree from Washburn University in 1952. Bob Dole went on to become a well-known and respected U.S. congressman, senator, and presidential candidate. 

Dwight D. Eisenhower

1890-1969

Dwight D. Eisenhower grew up in Abilene, Kansas. 'Ike' was the 34th president from the 34th state. He had a distinguished military career 1926-1952, including as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. President Eisenhower served two terms whose notable actions include signing the Civil Rights Act of 1957, enforcing federal court orders for school integration, and starting the Interstate Highway System. 

Marlin Fitzwater

1942-present

Marlin Fitzwater was born in Salina in 1942 but spent most of his early years in nearby Abilene. His career in Washington, D.C., was rather extensive, having the opportunity to work for the Appalachian Regional Commission, the US Dept. of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US Dept. of the Treasury, and the White House. At the White House, Marlin served as the Press Relations assistant for President Ronald Reagan and as the eventual Assistant to the President and Press Secretary to President George H.W. Bush.

Harland E. Priddle

1931-present

Harland Priddle was born in 1931 during the days of the Dust Bowl in Hutchinson. During the Korean War, he enlisted in the Air Force and ended up retiring as a Colonel after 22 years of service. He served as the Secretary to both the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Department of Commerce. He also served as the deputy director of the White House Communications Agency under President Nixon and is the author of the book, On The Sidelines Of History By Harland E. Priddle: My Life's Journey From The Farm House To The White House And Back.

John Brown

1800-1859

John Brown was born in Connecticut in 1800 and didn't come to Kansas until he was 55. He is best remembered in Kansas as a controversial leader in the abolitionist movement in the days leading up to the civil war, also known as the "Bleeding Kansas" years. Brown led several successful raids and street skirmishes against pro-slavery forces near the cities of Osawatomie,  Lawrence, and Lecompton. You can visit these historical sites such as the John Brown State Historic Site,  Black Jack Battlefield, and the Marais des Cygne Massacre Site.

Amelia Earhart

1897-1937

Born in Atchison in 1897. Began taking flying lessons in 1920. Became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in 1932. She is widely regarded as the most influential American figure in aviation in the late 1920s and throughout the 1930s. Amelia, and her navigator Fred Noonan, ultimately vanished in 1937 near the end of a flight around the world.  Investigations to bring Amelia and Fred home still continue to this day, more than 80 years after their disappearance. 

James Naismith

1861-1939

James Naismith is best remembered as the inventor of basketball. While Naismith was born in Canada, he was hired in 1898 by the University of Kansas to coach basketball, teach physical education, and serve as chaplain. Interestingly enough, Naismith, the game's original rule maker, statistically has the worst coaching record of all KU men's basketball coaches (and the only one with a losing record). He retired from KU in 1937 and passed away in Lawrence in 1939. You can see his original rules of basketball at the DeBruce Center, which is right next to "Phog" Allen Fieldhouse.

Isaac Goodnow

1814-1894

Emigrated to Kansas in 1855 and was one of the leaders in the free-state movement. One of Manhattan's founders, he helped establish Bluemont College, which later became Kansas State University. Goodnow also started Kansas State Teachers Association.

Carry Nation

1846-1911

Caroline Amelia Moore, or Carry Nation, was a staunch prohibitionist that sparked a crusade in 1899 to close the local "joints" in Medicine Lodge. She would eventually escalate into a career of saloon-smashing in Kiowa in 1900. Also known as the "Hatchet Granny," Carry Nation was arrested 30 or so times from 1900 to 1910 for destroying saloons with axes. While she is often known for her radical commitments, she is also credited with starting safehouses for women and children suffering from domestic abuse. You can visit her old home in Medicine Lodge that she sold in order to 

William Allen White

1868-1944

William Allen White was born in Emporia in 1868 and attended the University of Kansas. He first made his mark in the press by purchasing the Emporia Gazette in 1895. As a highly skilled publisher, newspaper editor, and author, White became famous in his 1896 "What's the Matter with Kansas" editorial. Ironically, he is often considered one of the most beloved writers and authors from Kansas. William Allen White was also a friend of former President Teddy Roosevelt during the Progressive Era of the early 20th century.

Gilbert Baker

1951-2017

Born in Chanute and raised in Parsons, Gilbert Baker was an influential activist in the gay rights movement. He is best known as the creator of the rainbow flag, a symbol that has become synonymous with the movement. To celebrate Baker's contributions, his hometown has created the Gilbert Baker Film Festival, an event that recognizes and celebrates LGBTQIA+ creators. 

Erin Brockovich

1960-Present

Erin Brockovich was born in Lawrence in 1960. She is an acclaimed consumer advocate and environmental activist who was instrumental in building a case against Pacific Gas & Electric Company, a case that inspired the Oscar-winning film, 'Erin Brockovich. '

Phog Allen

1885-1974

Forrest Clare "Phog" Allen was born in Missouri but spent most of his adult life in Kansas. He is known as the "Father of Basketball Coaching," and over the course of 39 seasons, led the Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team to 3 national titles and 24 conference championships. The highly famous "Phog" Allen Fieldhouse was named in his honor. Through the span of over 50 years of coaching basketball, his record was 746-264.

Clint Bowyer

1979-present

Born in Emporia, for 16 cup series seasons, Clint held a steady pace on the leaderboards. He started 546 races, notching 10 NASCAR Cup Series titles. He also claimed the 2008 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, eight Xfinity wins, and three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victories. He earned respect on and off the track, from his first race in 2005 until his last in 2020. Today, Clint is an analyst for the NASCAR Cup Series.

Jennifer Jo Cobb

1973-Present

Born in Kansas City, Jennifer competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Whelen Euro and XFINITY Series. She is the highest finishing female driver in overall points for a season. She holds the most starts by a woman in NASCAR and has broken into the 200+ mph club with a land speed record.

Adrianna Franch

1990-Present

Adrianna Franch is from Salina and played high school goalkeeper for Salina South. She went on to play college soccer for Oklahoma State and is considered one of the best goalkeepers in school and Big 12 conference history. Coming out of college, she was selected sixth overall in the 2013 college draft of the NWSL. She is a current member of the US Women's National Team.

Maurice Greene

1974-Present

Maurice Greene was born and raised in Kansas City and attended  F.L. Schlagle High School. He is a former 100 m world record holder with a time of 9.79 seconds and won both a Bronze and Silver medal in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Mitch Holthus

1957-present

Mitch Holthus, the "Voice of the Chiefs," best known for his signature "TOUCHDOWN, KAN-SAS CITY!" whenever the Chiefs make it to the end zone, is a native of Smith Center. A natural-born talent for calling sporting events over the radio, Mitch began calling games for his high school. Shortly after graduating from Kansas State, he began radio broadcasting basketball and football games for the school. Mitch joined the Chiefs Radio Network in 1994 and is the current play-by-play announcer.

Walter Johnson

1887-1946

Born in Humboldt, Walter Johnson was also known as "Barney", the "Big Swede", and the "Big Train". His pitching career in the MLB is considered one of the greatest of all time. He held the strikeout record for a total of 56 years, and many of his records, including all-time shutouts, remain untouched to this day. He was one of the first five inaugural members of the baseball hall of fame.

Jordy Nelson

1985 - Present

Jordy Nelson was born in Manhattan but raised in the nearby smaller town of Riley. As an outstanding small-town athlete, Nelson went on to play college football for Kansas State under Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Snyder. He is best known for his 11-year career as an NFL wide receiver, where he played for the Packers and Raiders. During his time with the Packers, Nelson was a member of the Super Bowl XLV winning roster against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played a crucial role in their victory with over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown.

Terence Newman

1978 - Present

Terence Newman is a native of Salina and attended Salina Central High School. Newman was an outstanding multi-sport athlete and excelled in numerous positions within the sport of football. As one of the top in-state prospects for Bill Snyder's Kansas State Wildcats, he eventually went on to win the Jim Thorpe award for top defensive back in the nation his senior season. Newman was highly sought after for the 2003 NFL draft and was selected 5th overall by the Dallas Cowboys, where he spent most of his professional career. 

Barry Sanders

1968-Present

Barry Sanders was born in Wichita and played high school football at Wichita North. He is considered by some to have been one of the most elusive and skilled running backs to have ever played professional football. His stellar college career for Oklahoma State earned him 34 newly set Division I FBS records, including the impressive 37 rushing touchdowns in a single season. Sanders went on to spend 9 seasons with the Detroit Lions, where, in that relatively short time frame accumulated over 15,000 rushing yards over his career.

Wayne Simien

1983-Present

Wayne Simien was born in Leavenworth. Simien grew up a big fan of the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team in the nearby city of Lawrence. Simien was arguably one of the best high school basketball players in Kansas history and was impressively recruited to play for KU. His time at KU was well spent, having made two final fours and obtaining one national runner-up, Simien also managed to average a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds per game his senior season. Though his time in the NBA was short-lived due to injuries, Simien managed to claim an NBA title with the 2006 Miami Heat.

Darren Sproles

1983-Present

Darren Sproles is a former NFL running back and return specialist that grew up in Olathe and played high school football for Olathe North. Sproles was an excellent high school athlete and was recruited to play for the Kansas State Wildcats. He finished fifth in Heisman voting during his junior season after leading the FBS with just under 2000 rushing yards. Despite his shorter stature, Sproles was highly sought after by many NFL teams as he was drafted in the fourth round by the San Diego Chargers. He currently holds the record for most all-purpose yards in a single season with 2,696 and touchdowns caught by a person under 5'7" with 32.

BILL SNYDER

1939-Present

Bill Snyder is a former hall-of-fame football coach of the Kansas State Wildcats. He spent some of his early childhood years in Salina, but he is most remembered for his legacy in Manhattan as the coach that ultimately rebuilt the K-State football team. His two tenures at K-State were tremendously successful. Snyder won two Big-12 titles, amassed an impressive 215–117–1 overall record, and received numerous national-level coaching awards. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015 and has one of the most highly respected coaching trees in college football.

Katie Sowers

1986-Present

Katie Sowers was born in Hesston and is the first openly LGBTQ+ NFL coach and the first woman to coach in the Super Bowl. She has served as an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, and Kansas City Chiefs. Sowers is the Director of Strategic Athletic Initiatives at Ottawa University. She also serves as the Defensive Coordinator and Director of Operations for the Ottawa University Women’s Flag Football team. The team won the national championship in their inaugural season. 

Jackie Stiles

1978-Present

Jackie was born in Kansas City, Kansas, and raised in Claflin and was a WBCA All-American at Claflin High School. Stiles went on to play college basketball at Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University), where she became the first Division I women's player to score more than 1,000 points in a season. Her senior year, she won the Wade Trophy which honors the best women's college basketball player, and the Broderick Cup, which honors the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. After being selected fourth overall in the 2001 WNBA draft and winning rookie of the year, her professional career was cut short due to injuries.

Lynette Woodard

1959-Present

Lynette Woodard was born in Wichita and played high school basketball for Wichita North, where she helped her team win two state titles. She spent her college career at the University of Kansas and earned her place as one of the most respected KU basketball alumni. Woodard is also widely regarded as perhaps the greatest female college basketball player of all time. Her all-time scoring record of 3,649 points is still standing despite it not being official in the NCAA history books due to her career occurring before the NCAA sponsored women's athletics.