# Famous people born in your home town. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 27, 2018, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241 "2018-04-27T21:28:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/1 "2018-04-27T21:28:39Z")
I don’t know if we’ve done this thread before, but how many famous people have been born in the same town as you? Obviously, lots of people have been born in large cities such as New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, but my home town of Johnstown, PA, has its share of famous people. By famous, I mean well-known national or international figures, not just regionally. Obviously, not all of these people lie within everyone’s interests, sports figures particularly, but each of these people are well-known within their field. Johnstown can claim [Carroll Baker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carroll_Baker), Academy Award nomininee for Best Actress in 1956. [Ray Scott](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Scott_(sportscaster)), lead football announcer for CBS Sports. He called the first two Super Bowl games, as well as many other NFL games, and was also the play-by-play voice of the Green Bay Packers. [Pete Vuckovich](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Vuckovich), American baseball pitcher who won the 1982 American League Cy Young Award with the Milwaukee Brewers. [Jack Ham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Ham), linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers who played on four Super Bowl champion teams. [Tim Kazurinsky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Kazurinsky), former SNL cast member, famous for playing Officer Sweetchuck in the _Police Academy_ series of movies. [Steve Ditko](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Ditko), Marvel Comics artist and co-creator of the Amazing Spider-Man. [Emil Sitka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Sitka), who appeared in many short films and features with the Three Stooges. He was known as the Fourth Stooge and was one of only two actors who had worked with Moe, Curly, and Shemp Howard, Larry Fine, Joe Besser, and Joe DeRita. [Jerry Peloquin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Airplane) original drummer for the Jefferson Airplane. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/2 "2018-04-27T21:36:05Z")
Not many from Jefferson City, Missouri. That may vary according to your interests, though, I saw a few in the Wikipedia list that were interesting I’d never known about before. The two main ones I remembered off the top of my head were golfer John Daly and baseball pitcher Tom Henke. I have a baseball signed by him somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/3 "2018-04-28T01:35:20Z")
I dunno if he was born here but he lived in my city and went to the high school across the street from where I’m sitting. **Denzel Ward** , the kid who was picked 4th in the NFL draft last night. I know, sports, sorry. BUT it’s really recent news so maybe he’s well-known, this moment? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/4 "2018-04-28T01:49:40Z")
Maybe not exactly famous, but do you remember Megan Meier from the MySpace suicide case? She and her primary harassers lived in the little suburb I grew up in. Megan went to the small parochial school I attended. Awful story. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/5 "2018-04-28T02:07:54Z")
Mostly hockey players, for both where I was born (Labrador City) and where I grew up (Grand Falls, now Grand Falls-Windsor). The exceptions (I know of) are singer [Damhnait Doyle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damhnait_Doyle), from Lab City, and actor [Gordon Pinsent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Pinsent) from Grand Falls. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/6 "2018-04-28T02:49:58Z")
I grew up in a small town and it’s even possible I’m the most famous person born there. Various famous names passed through – Albert Einstein, Benjamin Britten, Anne Meara, Walter Matthau, John Sebastian – but none stayed for any length of time. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/7 "2018-04-28T03:12:50Z")
Famous. Hmm. I will count that as people who have Wikipedia pages. So my friend [Simon McKinney](https://www.google.com.au/search?q=simon+mckinney&ie=UTF-8) will not count. Or my brother. There’s not many. Dunedin, New Zealand, is at the arse end of a country at the arse end of the world. [Alan Dale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Dale). [Robert Sarkies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Sarkies). [Ryan O’Kane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_O%27Kane). [Colin Wilson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Wilson_(comics)). ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/8 "2018-04-28T04:00:36Z")
I’m from Topeka, Kansas, and we have quite a number of well known people. I’d like to claim Rex Stout, but he was born elsewhere and came here in early infancy. Same for Ron Evans, the astronaut. Others actually born here include: Karl Menninger, doctor Gwendolyn Brooks, poet Nancy Landon Kassebaum, politician and US Senator, daughter of Alf Landon Linda Brown, she was a girl in the Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka Charles Curtis, VPOTUS Peter Max, artist Annette Bening, actress Aaron Douglas, Harlem Renaissance artist For the OP, don’t forget Victor Heiser, a doctor in the public health field. 1888 flood survivor. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/9 "2018-04-28T04:05:47Z")
Forgot Mike Torrez, the baseball player. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/10 "2018-04-28T04:34:46Z")
I think it’s hilarious how some towns (like mine) build up some fourth-tier performer or politician all because of where they happened to be born. “You’ve got to come back and visit in the summer. It sucks less, you’ll actually see the sun, and Chip Zien’ll be here for the Cow Chip Toss.” “I hear he’s cutting the ribbon on our first Ethnic Restaurant!” “On your left, you’ll see the childhood home of Chip Zien… there’s his mom, you’ve GOT to wave!” Seriously, they should just have a week-long Zienapalooza (and hand out Zien 'zines). Oh, who’s Chip Zien? Well, in the mid-80s, I remember thinking that the panning of his one big acting role wasn’t fair, because he was hindered by a duck suit. That’d be a Howard The Duck suit. ---
**Author:** ![Buttercup\_Smith](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buttercup_smith/32/473_2.png) [@Buttercup\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buttercup_Smith)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/11 "2018-04-28T04:56:21Z")
Too many to count from Macon, Georgia. To name a few Jason Aldean, The Allman Brothers, Little Richard and Otis Redding. There are many many more. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/12 "2018-04-28T05:28:04Z")
I’m from Oyster Bay, New York…so is the writer and extremely mysterious individual Thomas Pynchon. Theodore Roosevelt wasn’t born there, but stayed there in the summer. ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/13 "2018-04-28T05:52:18Z")
Majel Barrett (1932–2008), television (Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation). Barrett was born in Columbus, Ohio. Beverly D’Angelo (1951– ), film (National Lampoon’s Vacation series). D’Angelo was born and raised in Columbus. Dody Goodman (1915–2008), television (Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman). Goodman was born in Columbus. Tom Poston (1921–2007), television (Newhart); husband of Suzanne Pleshette. Poston was born in Columbus. Josh Radnor (1974– ), television (How I Met Your Mother). Radnor was born and raised in Columbus. Philip Michael Thomas (1949– ), actor. Thomas was born in Columbus. Terry Glenn (1974–2017), Ohio State University and NFL wide receiver. Glenn was born and raised in Columbus. Jack Nicklaus (1940– ), pro golfer, winner of a record 18 golf majors and member of World Golf Hall of Fame. Nicklaus was born in Columbus and attended the Ohio State University. He won the 1961 NCAA Championship while playing for the school. Archie Griffin (1954– ), only two-time Heisman Trophy winner. Griffin attended Eastmoor High School, then the Ohio State University and won the Heisman Trophy twice as a running back for the OSU Buckeyes. Randy Savage (1952–2011 ), professional wrestler, former WWE champion. Savage was born in Columbus Eddie Rickenbacker (1890–1973), World War I fighter pilot, “Ace of Aces”. Rickenbacker was born and raised in Columbus Prescott Bush (1895–1972), U.S. Senator elected from Connecticut, father and grandfather of Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, respectively. R. L. Stine (1943– ), author. Stine was born and raised in Columbus, attended the Ohio State University. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/14 "2018-04-28T07:02:38Z")
These people. Shane Dawson, 29. Snoop Dogg, 46. Rapper. Jennette McCurdy, 25. Russell Westbrook, 29. Basketball Player. Tay-K 47, 17. Rapper. Jenni Rivera (1969-2012) Jazmine Lucero, 25. Musical.ly Star. Nicolas Cage, 54. Movie Actor. Of whom I have only heard of Snoop Dogg and Nicolas Cage. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/15 "2018-04-28T07:27:42Z")
I don’t live in no stinkin’ town;) But, near enough to count: David Pryor. US senator and Gov. of Arkansas Johnny Cash Bear Bryant And some famous Opera Singer, can’t recall her name. We’ve had several NFL players. My 1st cousin played for the St.Louis Cardinals for 2 seasons in the 90s. ETA Susan (Henley) McDougal famous for going to jail for contempt of court defending Clinton went to highschool with me. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/16 "2018-04-28T07:37:23Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > \ > There’s not many. Dunedin, New Zealand, is at the arse end of a country at the arse end of the world. Wasn’t Poopie McPoopface born there? ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/17 "2018-04-28T08:23:31Z")
Oliver Smith. [Oliver Smith (designer) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Smith_(designer)) He was a theatrical scenic designer, who designed the set for virtually every Broadway musical you can name in the 50s-60s, Nominated for the Tony Award 25 times, won ten of them. Bet you never heard of him. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/18 "2018-04-28T10:54:24Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > Wasn’t Poopie McPoopface born there? There is a chocolate factory. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/19 "2018-04-28T12:25:51Z")
main person I think of lately is Evan Rachel Wood of Westworld [Evan Rachel Wood - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Rachel_Wood) ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241/20 "2018-04-28T13:29:17Z")
Houston has far too many to list. However, they have a page for them: > **[List of people from Houston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Houston)** > > This is a list of people who were born, were raised, or have lived in Houston, Texas. > See also: List of companies in Houston > See: List of colleges and universities in Houston And of course, to top off the list: Me! 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-born-in-your-home-town/813241.md?page=2)