It is quite hard to single out that one individual that could get the title of the most famous person from one state, but somehow, we have done it. This is our list, and the people that we think deserve to be mentioned here.
50. Vermont: Calvin Coolidge
He was born in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. Coolidge went to two very prestigious Vermont academies, and after that, he attended Amherst College in Massachusetts. Calvin served as the 30th President of the United States, and he was known for heavily advocating racial equality.
49. Wyoming: Jackson Pollock
Pollock’s family moved to California when he was 10 months old, but he was born in Cody, Wyoming. He is one of the most famous American abstract painters of all time. There is even a movie about his life, where Ed Harris is playing him.
48. North Dakota: Phil Jackson
He grew up in Montana, but Jackson attended high school and college in North Dakota. He now holds the NBA record for the most overall titles (13) and 11 titles as head coach. Many will agree that he is the best NBA coach in the history of the sport.
47. South Dakota: Tom Brokaw
Brokaw was born in Webster, and he grew up in Yankton. He attended the University of South Dakota. We know him as an investigatory journalist, but also for being the anchor and managing editor for NBC News for 22 years. Brokaw also hosted three major NBC News programs: NBC Nightly News, Meet the Press and The Today Show.
46. Alaska: Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin was John McCain’s running mate for the Republican party during the 2008 election. She became popular for her cheeriness and funny catchphrases.
45. Delaware: Caesar Rodney
Caesar Rodney was a source of pride for the state of Delaware because he was an important figure during the Revolutionary War. He was the President of the Delaware colony during that time. Rodney was born and raised in Kent County.
44. Montana: Evel Knievel
The real name of this daredevil Evel Knievel is Robert Knievel Jr. He is the most famous person from the state of Montana, born and raised in Butte. Evel Knievel was the most popular during the ‘60s and 70’s. In his career, he attempted more than 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps.
43. Rhode Island: Viola Davis
Viola was born in South Carolina, but she grew up in the state of Rhode Island. She was attending Rhode Island College and Julliard. Davis was the first black actress that received three nominations for Academy Awards, winning one, and this woman is the only black person to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting. She also received a Tony and an Emmy. She has a leading role in a popular show How to Get Away with Murder.
42. New Hampshire: Adam Sandler
He is known for The Waterboy, Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, and Big Daddy. At one moment, during the ‘90s he was the most popular comedian. Sandler grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire.
41. Maine: Stephen King
Every fan of horror novels knows him. He has an English degree from the University of Maine, but he started writing stories in his high school years. Stephen King is a brilliant writer and an important part of the United States literary scene. The famous author was born in Portland, Maine, but after living in several towns, his family returned to a small city Durham, Maine.
40. Hawaii: Barack Obama
The most famous person from the state of Hawaii is definitely Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. He was the first African-American President in the history of the country. Obama was born in Honolulu and graduated from Punahou High School there.
After high school, he moved to Los Angeles where he attended Occidental College.
39. Idaho: Ezra Pound
Ezra moved to Europe as an adult, but he was born and raised in Hailey, Idaho. He was an expatriate American poet and critic and an important figure in the early modernist poetry movement. Pound was influenced by Chinese and Japanese poetry, and now, the world of poetry is influenced by his work.
38. West Virginia: Don Knotts
Don Knotts is best known for portraying Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show, a sitcom from the ‘60s. He got five Emmy Awards for this role. He was born and raised in Morgantown in West Virginia. Don graduated from West Virginia University, and after that, he appeared in many movies and television shows. He is a legendary actor and comedian.
37. Nebraska: Warren Buffet
American business magnate and investor, Warren Buffet was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He is one of the most successful businessmen in the United States history. His net worth is estimated at $90 billion. But Buffet is also known as a philanthropist and has a second-highest amount given to charity around $31 billion.
36. Nevada: Andre Agassi
Born and raised in Las Vegas, and still lives there. Andre Agassi is one of the most popular tennis players of all time. He won eight Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal. He is retired now and works as a tennis trainer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOfWLSKanRo
35. New Mexico: Neil Patrick Harris
You know him from the hit TV show How I Met Your Mother. Neil was born in Albuquerque, and he grew up in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He is also known for his roles in Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle and Murder She Wrote. Harris won four Emmy Awards and one Tony.
34. Kansas: Buster Keaton
Keaton was from a small town of Piqua in Kansas, he lived there until he moved to New York when he was 21. This man was best known for his silent films, where he showed his trademark facial expression, and from there, the nickname “The Great Stone Face” came. Apart from acting, he was also a film director, producer, screenwriter, and a stunt performer.
33. Arkansas: Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash, an all-time favorite was born in Kingsland, but he grew up in Dyess, Arkansas. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. His performances were spectacular, and the songs he wrote were like poetry. The people loved him back in the days, and they continue to love him today.
32. Mississippi: Elvis Presley
He was an icon and the King of Rock and Roll. Elvis was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. Firstly he was a showman, and he knew how to get the crowd to go crazy. The famous musician mixed blues, country, and rock and made unique songs. He was also very charismatic and fun, everyone wanted to be like Elvis. Even if he is not around anymore, we can still feel his impact on music today.
31. Utah: Butch Cassidy
He was born in England, but he grew up in Circleville, Utah. He is one of the most famous robbers that ever lived. Cassidy was the leader of a gang known as the “Wild Butch” in the American Old West. This man robbed trains and banks all over North and South America. Some say he even did it in Europe.
30. Iowa: John Wayne
John Wayne was among the top box office draws for three decades. He set the stage for the Western genre, and he starred in over 80 films becoming a global star earning the nickname “The Duke.” This great actor was born in Winterset, Iowa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPe2hXSTTPU
29. Connecticut: Benedict Arnold
Arnold was a member of the United States Army during the fight for the independence. He was a military officer for the United States, but in 1780 he decided to defect to the British. Benedict was born and raised in Norwich, Connecticut.
28. Oklahoma: Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe won multiple Olympic gold medals and was also a professional athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. Thorpe was born in Prague, Oklahoma. There aren’t many athletes like him today.
27. Oregon: Matt Groening
A man responsible for the most popular cartoon in the United States and around the world, The Simpsons, is Matt Groening. He was born in Portland, and he based the fictional town of Springfield in the famous series after his hometown. Groening is also a creator of TV shows Futurama and Disenchantment.
26. Kentucky: Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln was born in Hodgenville, Kentucky, and he served as the 16th President of the United States. He also led the United States through the American Civil War. Abraham Lincoln was an integral force in the abolishing of slavery and the most iconic leader that the United States has ever seen.
25. Louisiana: Louis Armstrong
Armstrong was born and raised in New Orleans. Now the main airport in New Orleans is named after him. He was a composer, singer and a trumpeter and one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz.
24. Alabama: Rosa Parks
The most integral figure in the Montgomery Bus Boycott was Rosa Parks. She refused to give her seat to a white passenger, and she became the first lady of civil rights. Rosa was also known as the mother of the freedom movement and a fighter for racial equality.
23. South Carolina: Joe Frazier
Joe Frazier is an all-time great boxer and was an undisputed heavyweight champion. He was born and grew up in Beauford, South Carolina. His nickname was Smokin’ Joe, and he even won a match against the iconic Muhammad Ali.
22. Colorado: Jack Dempsey
A world championship fighter, Jack Dempsey was from Manassa, Colorado. He built a global brand around his name. His nickname was Kid Blackie, and he was the world heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926.
21. Minnesota: Bob Dylan
An artist who has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades. Bob Dylan was born in Duluth and raised in Hibbing. He won a Nobel Prize, an Academy Award, and 11 Grammy Awards.
20. Wisconsin: Oprah
Oprah is an American media executive, talk show host, television producer and philanthropist. She had a horrifying childhood, but she worked her way into becoming a successful entrepreneur. She is best known for her talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show and is now a billionaire ranked as the most influential woman in the world.
19. Maryland: Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman helped free around 70 enslaved individuals in 13 missions. She was born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland. Harriet managed to escape and to free many family members. She made a network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.
18. Missouri: Walt Disney
Walt Disney started out as an animator and he became a pioneer of the American animation industry who introduced several developments in the production of cartoons. The Disney brand is one of the most successful ever. Now there are Disney theme parks, films and all sorts of brilliant merchandises.
17. Tennessee: Dolly Parton
The most famous person from Tennessee is Dolly Parton, and the whole state loves her. She started singing at an early age and managed to become a massive star. Dolly was born and raised in Pittman Center, Tennessee. Apart from being a singer, Parton is an actress, writer, producer, and philanthropist.
16. Indiana: Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson is one of the most popular entertainers in the world and one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He is The King of Pop. His influence on pop culture will live on forever. This charismatic and talented singer and dancer was born and raised in Gary, Indiana.
15. Massachusetts: Ben Franklin
There are many noteworthy people from Massachusetts, but we decided to give this title to Benjamin Franklin. He is one of the most important people in this country’s history. He was a politician, Freemason, scientist, civic activist, diplomat and last but definitely not the least one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
14. Arizona: Cesar Chavez
Cesar is known for his promotion of Latino American civil rights. He fasted for 25 days to illustrate the poor conditions of people who were working in the fields. Chavez co-founded the National Farm Workers Association and was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona.
13. Washington: Bill Gates
Gates was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. A man who is responsible for the change in the world of technology, when he founded Microsoft. This man gave the world personal computers and became one of the richest humans of all-time. Bill is also a philanthropist, and he has one of the highest amounts given to charity, around $35 billion.
12. Virginia: George Washington
George Washington is one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the 1st President. In the American Revolutionary War, he led Patriot forces to victory over the British. It can be said that General George Washington is the most popular person in the whole state. He was born in Westmoreland Country, Virginia, but he grew up in Fairfax County on Mount Vernon.
11. New Jersey: Frank Sinatra
There is no doubt that this is one of the most influential artists in the music industry of the 20th century. He was responsible for changing music from swing to something slower and more personal. Sinatra was born and raised in Hoboken, New Jersey. His charismatic personality opened the doors for his acting career too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onWf4_yl-pY
10. Michigan: Henry Ford
American captain of industry and the founder of the Ford Motor Company. Henry’s utilization of the assembly line enabled him to produce a mass amount of cars at normal prices. People can only thank him for making the general public possible to buy cars. The auto industry boomed in Michigan, where Henry Ford was born.
9. North Carolina: Michael Jordan
Jordan was born in Brooklyn, but he was raised in Wilmington, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina and after that, he became one of the greatest basketball players in the world. This man led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA Championships and also created the Jordan brand which is now globally popular.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL–gQ2AvJY
8. Georgia: Martin Luther King Jr.
The most famous person from Atlanta, Georgia, where he was born and raised, is Martin Luther King Jr. He is the father of the Civil Rights Movement. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his fight against racism and many marches including the famous March on Washington in 1963.
7. Ohio: LeBron James
One of the best basketball players of all-time LeBron James, born in Akron, Ohio. He was a child prodigy and still plays like a pro. The famous athlete opened up a school in his native home state for children from impoverished backgrounds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFL3_WkOa9M
6. Pennsylvania: George Marshall
Born and raised in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, George Marshall is the most important person from this state. From the United States Army, he rose to become Chief of Staff under presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. He was also a Secretary of State, and had a significant role in the Allied victory. Marshall created the Marshall Plan with which he planned to help Europe rebuild properly.
5. Illinois: Ronald Reagan
Reagan was the 40th President of the United States and before that he was a Hollywood actor and trade union leader. Prior to the presidency, he was also a 33rd Governor of California. Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois.
4. New York: Donald Trump
There are many notable people from the state of New York, but at this point, Donald Trump is the most recognizable figure from this state. He grew up in Jamaica, Queens. Before becoming the 45th President of the United States, he was a business magnate and television personality.
3. Florida: Tom Petty
Petty started his career when he was 18 years old. He is one of America’s most treasured musicians who won three Grammy Awards and sold around 80 million records worldwide. Two of his most iconic songs are “Free Fallin” and “American Girl.” Tom was born and raised in the college town of Gainesville.
2. Texas: Willie Nelson
American musician, singer, songwriter, poet, actor and activist, Willie Nelson. He is one of the most recognized artists in country music. This man still continues to advocate for a number of causes. Willie was born and raised by his grandparents in Abbott, Texas.
1. California: Clint Eastwood
The most iconic American actor of all-time. He became globally known as an actor in western movies. His most popular films are five Dirty Harry movies, where he plays antihero cop, Harry Callahan. He still acts and directs even though he’s 80 years old. Clint Eastwood was born in San Francisco, but he grew up in Piedmont, California.
