Looking up famous people from Wisconsin there are a few big name actors. I think I might have to pick…
Wisconsin / Frank Lloyd Wright
Not very. They moved to Nebraska when Johnny was very young.
And as for Minnesota, I’d say Bob Dylan trumps Judy Garland.
Kentucky / Abraham Lincoln – or possibly Muhammad Ali worldwide
I’d have thought both Al Gore and Duke Ellington were better known.
John Glenn is probably AS famous, plus he gets out more.
In the past, Clark Gable.
However, I will see all of them and raise you Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers.
Nitpick: Only one Wright brother – Wilbur was born in Indiana. But Edison is an excellent choice.
Probably LBJ.
Quite a few Musicians: Buddy Holly, Willie Nelson, Bob Wills, George Jones, etc.
I don’t know - Abraham Lincoln is weirdly huge around the world.
Alabama - Helen Keller? Hank Aaron? Willie Mays?
Vermont – Rudy Vallee
Not so much now, of course, but, at his height, he was extremely popular nationwide.
Maybe Hank Williams (Sr.)?
From my home state of origin, Indiana, in addition to the ones already mentioned:
Hoagy Carmichael
James Whitcomb Riley
Janie Fricke (I grew up just down the road from her)
Michael Jackson
My adopted home state of Tennessee is a bit harder. Most famous Tennesseans, historical or current, tend to have been born elsewhere. But for the extra points, Minnie Pearl (aka Sarah Cannon or Mrs. Henry Cannon) from Centerville, who became famous performing on the Grand Ol’ Opry.
Washington has musicians Bing Crosby, Jimi Hendrix, and Kurt Cobain. From business, there’s Bill Gates and Paul Allen.
I forgot about Al Gore. You can make a good point about him having rised to prominence in DC as well.
I’d argue that at these days Marvin Gaye is more famous than Duke Ellington.
Florida would probably be Pat Boone (Jacksonville) or Tom Petty (Gainesville). Petty is worth bonus points. IMO these two are the most internationally famous Floridians.
I was looking at a list of politicians/political activists born in MA. Shortening the list a bit…
John Adams
John Quincy Adams
Samuel Adams
George H. W. Bush
Calvin Coolidge
John Hancock
Abbie Hoffman
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Edward M. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy
John F. Kerry
Tip O’Neill
Paul Revere
Malcolm X
For Kansas, I think it is probably Amelia Earhart.
Add:
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
James Dean
Steve McQueen
Larry Bird
The rest of the Jackson clan, including Janet Jackson
John Dillinger
Including the resides-here bonus points, I’d say the first Hoosier mentioned, John Mellencamp, and Larry Bird are the winners; overall fame would be Michael Jackson by a landslide, followed by Janet.
I thought of the Wright Bros but figured (perhaps incorrectly) Armstrong was more internationally known. Totally forgot about Edison. I’d say he’s definitely at least as famous as Armstrong.
I’d go with Tom Petty as well. Not only is he probably one of the most famous Floridians, but he talks about Florida (and specifically Gainsville) enough that the ‘slightly more then just casual’ Petty fan is usually aware of his hometown.
ETA: Oh, that reminds me Howie Epstein is from Milwaukee. In fact, he’s buried about ten minutes from where I’m sitting right now.
Most famous person born here (NC) … hmm.
Andy Griffith? Elizabeth Dole? Richard Petty? Billy Graham? I guess it depends on what kind of famous you are looking for …
(Contrary to some folks’ beliefs, neither Michael Jordan nor James Taylor was born here, though they are strongly associated with the state).