Famous People from Illinois

Jane Addams (1860 - 1935) Earned a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in helping the inner city poor. Born in Cedarville, IL (136)

Anthony Joseph Adducci (1937 - 2006) Was a pioneer of the medical device industry in Minnesota. He is best known for co-founding Guidant Corp. precursor Cardiac Pacemakers, inc., now part of Boston Scientific, the company that manufactured the world's first lithium battery powered artificial pacemaker. Born in Chicago, IL (1233)

Eddie Albert (1906 - 2005) Born Edward Albert Heimberger A stage, screen, and television actor whose film credits include Roman Holiday (1953) and I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955). Born in Rock Island, IL (756)

Robert O. Anderson (1917 - 2007) Founder of ARCO Oil & Gas; lives in Roswell. Born in Chicago, IL (398)

Michael Ian Black (1971 - ) Born Michael Ian Schwartz, is an American comedian, actor, writer and director. Born in Chicago, IL (911)

Bonnie Blair (1964 - ) The only American woman to Win a U.S. record of five individual gold medals over three Olympic Games; She is a speedskater. Born in Champaign, IL (400)

Tom Bosley (1927 - 2010) Thomas Edward "Tom" Bosley was an American actor, best known for portraying Howard Cunningham on the long-running ABC sitcom Happy Days. Additionally, he appeared on the series Murder, She Wrote and Father Dowling Mysteries, and originated the title role of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical Fiorello!, earning the 1960 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical. Born in Chicago, IL (1419)

Hillary Rodham Clinton (1947 - ) Lawyer, politician, First Lady to President Bill Clinton, First Lady elected to the United States Senate. Born in Chicago, IL (139)

Miles Davis (1926 - 1991) Trumpeter, Composer, Bandleader, and Artist. Born in Alton, IL (151)

Walt Disney (1901 - 1966) Creator of Mickey Mouse and founder of the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Theme Parks; lived in Hollywood. Born in Chicago, IL (41)

Fred Dubois (1851 - 1930) American politician who served 2 terms in the U.S. Senate. Born in Crawford County, IL (131)

Abigail Scott Duniway (1834 - 1915) Journalist and woman-suffrage leader. She is also the author of many books including Captain Gray's Company; lived in Lafayette. Born in Groveland, IL (487)

George Ferris (1859 - 1896) Inventor of the Ferris wheel. Born in Galesburg, IL (142)

Harrison Ford (1942 - ) Actor made famous in Star Wars and as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark and its' sequels. Born in Chicago, IL (141)

Gloria Foster (1933 - 2001) Was an American actress, most known for her stage performances portraying an array of African-American characters, including her acclaimed roles, in plays In White America and Having Our Say winning three Obie Awards during her career. Born in Chicago, IL (1275)

Arnold Friberg (1913 - 2010) Was an American illustrator and painter noted for his religious and patriotic works. He is perhaps best known for his 1975 painting The Prayer at Valley Forge, a depiction of George Washington praying at Valley Forge. Born in Winnetka, IL (1413)

Dorothy Hamill (1956 - ) Olympic gold medallist and professional ice skater with the Ice Capades; grew up in Riverside. Born in Chicago, IL (70)

Black Hawk (1767 - 1838) Sauk leader who led the Indians in the Black Hawk War. Born in Rock Island, IL (137)

Ernest Hemingway (1899 - 1961) Nobel Prize winning author; best known for his novel "The Old Man and the Sea". Born in Oak Park, IL (143)

James "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837 - 1876) A scout and U.S. marshall in the Old West. Born in Troy Grove, IL (194)

Burl Ives (1909 - 1995) Was an American actor, writer and folk music singer. Born in Hunt City, IL (1041)

Fred MacMurray (1908 - 1991) Was an American actor who appeared in more than 100 movies and a highly successful television series during a career that spanned nearly a half-century, starting in 1930 and extending into the 1970s. Born in Kankakee, IL (1281)

Marlee Matlin (1965 - ) The youngest recipient (21) to win an Oscar for an acting role. Born in Morton Grove, IL (145)

Bill Murray (1950 - ) Actor made famous in Saturday Night Live and movies such as Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day. Born in Wilmette, IL (146)

Ronald Wilson Reagan (1911 - 2004) The 40th President of the United States. Born in Tampico, IL (147)

Carl Sandburg (1878 - 1967) Pulitzer Prize winning author of Abraham Lincoln; The War Years.He was also a poet, historian, balladeer, and folklorist. Born in Galesburg, IL (148)

Shel Silvertstein (1930 - 1999) Author of children's books such as Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Giving Tree. Born in Chicago, IL (149)

Clyde Tombaugh (1906 - 1997) The astronomer who discovered the planet Pluto; grew up in Burdette. Born in Streator, IL (193)

Robin Williams (1951 - ) Actor made famous in the television show Mork and Mindy and movies such as Patch Adams and Toys. Born in Chicago, IL (150)