Famous Kansans

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. '

John Brown

1800-1859

Born in Connecticut in 1800; came to Kansas at age 55. Brown played a significant abolitionist role during "Bleeding Kansas" years, leading several successful battles against pro-slavery forces. 

Walter P. Chrysler

1875-1940

Born in Wamego in 1875. Grew up in Ellis. Learned about machinery and repair in the Ellis Union Pacific shop. Founded Chrysler Corporation in 1924.

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

Born in Russell in 1923. Served in World War II. Received a law degree from Washburn Municipal University, Topeka, in 1952. Went on to become U.S. congressman, senator and presidential candidate.

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. 

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. 

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. 

Isaac Goodnow

1814-1894

Emigrated to Kansas in 1855. Leader in the free-state movement. One of Manhattan's founders. Helped establish Bluemont College, which later became Kansas State University. Started Kansas State Teachers Association.

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 

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. 

Janelle Monáe

1985-present

Janelle Monáe Robinson was born in Kansas City in 1985. She is a singer-songwriter, rapper, and actress. Monáe is an eight-time Grammy nominee, and stars in films including 'Hidden Figures', 'Moonlight', 'Antebellum', 'Knives Out 2', and 'Harriet'. 

James Naismith

1861-1939

James Naismith was 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. He retired from KU in 1937 and passed away in Lawrence in 1939.

Carry Nation

1846-1911

Started a crusade in 1899 to close the local "joints" in Medicine Lodge. Launched a career of saloon-smashing in Kiowa in 1900. Arrested some 30 times from 1900 to 1910 for destroying saloons with axes.

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'.

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. 

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.' 

William Allen White

1868-1944

Born in Emporia in 1868. Bought The Emporia Gazette in 1895. Publisher, newspaper editor, author, made famous by his 1896 "What's the Matter with Kansas" editorial.