Who's from your Hometown?

[eightyseven]

There have been a few threads devoted to our hometowns and now I'm curious to see how much we all know! Are there any famous/notable people (besides all you wonderful people I adore!) from your hometown or area? Here's what I've got:

Rockville, Maryland-
All we've got that I know of is Tori Amos. She actually went to my high school and was Homecoming Queen back in the day, or so I read. Though apparently, she wants nothing to do with the school and has quickly turned down any offers to come and speak at graduation, etc. I think Joan Jett went to high school in Wheaton, MD too- about 15 minutes from me.

*EDIT: If you all could or want to, please name your hometowns too!

[missaf]

Baby Jessica who got the baboon heart.

[Paul Fannin]

Jim Willoughby...He was on the mound for Boston in the 1975 World Series when the famous bunt by Ed Armbrister of Cincinnati was fielded by catcher Carlton Fisk and fired into centerfield. The Red Sox howled batter interference to no avail.

Jim Fannin...Afternoon drive time news anchor at KOH 780, the blow torch of Reno and Northern Nevada

[ScreamingChicken]

Memphis, TN

Kathy Bates
Cybill Shepherd
Michael Jeter
Tim McCarver
Dixie Carter
Rick Dees
Wink Martindale
Aretha Franklin
Shelby Foote
Justin Timberlake
"Nature Boy" Ric Flair
Jerry "The King" Lawler

and the other "king", Elvis Presley:rolleyes:

[BigCutieCindy]

Leominster, Massachusetts

Johnny Appleseed

[xoxoshelby]

Elmira, NY:

Tommy Hilfiger
Eileen Collins (astronaut)
Brian Williams (news)
Mark Twain

[Kimberleigh]

Van Cliburn (the concert pianist)
Terry Bradshaw
Joe Ferguson
Johnny Cochran

Shreveport Louisiana

[PrettyKitty]

Stockton, CA...the ones I know about.

Dave Brubeck (jazz musician)
Jose Hernandez (astronaut)
Chris Isaak (singer/songwriter)
Pavement (1990's indie rock band)
Grant Lee Phillips (singer/songwriter) member of band, Grant Lee Buffalo
Alex Spanos (billionaire/owner of San Diego Chargers)
Me! (hehe) jk

[sweetnnekked]

Wyckoff, New Jersey

Only two I could find:

1) Tara Reid - Actress best known for playing "Bunny" in "The Big Lebowski"

2) Constantine Maroulis - Actor, Writer and Lead Singer of Hard Rock Band "Pray for the Soul of Betty"
(although born in Brooklyn, N.Y., his family moved to Wyckoff when he was 5, where he grew up).

[Wayne_Zitkus]

Morristown, NJ:

Gene Shalit - "Today Show" movie critic - his family ran a drugstore on the main street.

Marvin Marx - one of the writers on "The Honeymooners" TV Series.

Pete Lucia - drummer for Tommy James & The Shondells; lived in nearby Morris Plains, attended Morristown High School (my alma mater) a year or two ahead of my older sister.

Thomas Nast - political cartoonist who created the donkey and elephant symbols for the Democratic and Republican parties, and our modern depiction of Santa Claus. Lived in town for a number of year; his house has a plaque in front of it.

Samuel F. B. Morse - he invented the telegraph in a barn just north of town, which still stands. He was assisted by a local man named Alfred Vail - a school nearby (which I attended) is named after Vail.

Morris Frank - founder of the Seeing Eye, which is headquartered just outside town. They train dogs and students n the streets of Morristown.

Craig Newmark - founder of Craig's List. He lived in Morris Plains, but he and I attended Morristown High together.

[TheSadeianLinguist]

Jamestown, TN:

Mark Twain - He only lived here for a few years as a kid, and here's the really stupid part: In a rainy area, they built his memorial statue out of wood. It rotted back in the early 1990's.

Alvin C. York - A WWII hero who had a movie based on him. He was played by Gary Cooper.

[TraciJo67]

Twin Cities, MN (or thereabouts):

Ashton Kutcher
Prince
Jessica Lange (Stillwater)
Bob Dylan (Duluth)
F Scott Fitzgerald
Walter Mondale
Winona Ryder (from Winona, MN)
Charles Schultz

I cringe while typing it, but I suppose I should add Jesse Ventura to the list :doh:

[LillyBBBW]

Boston, MA

*Bobby Brown
Tracey Chapman
Paula Cole
Marcia Cross
Dennis Leary
Jay Lenno
David Lee Roth
*Donna Summer
Mark Wahlberg

*lived within a few blocks of where I grew up.

[Blackjack]

Cheshire, Connecticut.

One actor I like, one who I've never heard of, and one who I hate.

Ron Palillo (http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0657676/) of "Welcome Back, Kotter". I have the same hometown as Horshack!

Jay Bontatibus (http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0095213/), never heard of him before.

And the one who I hate...

*Sigh*

James Van Der Beek (http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0004735/).

EDIT: Oh, and Ernest Borgnine (http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0000308/) lives in the next town over.

EDIT EDIT: Also, Brian Leetch of the NHL grew up here, and ESPN's Chris Berman lives here.

[Wayne_Zitkus]

Here's who Wikipedia has listed for Morristown, NJ:

Some noted current and former residents:

Caroline Fillmore, wife of Millard Fillmore, was born in Morristown.

Linda Hunt was born in Morristown.

Fran Lebowitz was born in Morristown.

Roddy Mancuso Big Brother (reality show) contestant.

Craig Newmark founder of craigslist.org was born in Morristown.

Joseph Nye attended Morristown Prep School for Boys (now the Morristown-Beard School).

Dorothy Parker attended Miss Dana's School, a finishing school in Morristown.

Alfred Vail, inventor of the Morse code

Tom Verlaine founder of the art punk band Television was born in Morristown.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morristown%2C_NJ#Noted_residents

[LJ Rock]

Some famous people from Lowell, MA:

Jack Kerouac (famous author and "beat" poet)
Ed McMahon (Heeeeeeeeeeres Johnny! lol)
Boney James (jazz saxophonist)
James McNeil Whistler (the pianter of "Whistler's Mother")
Bette Davis (legendary actress)
Michael Chiklis (The Comish! lol)

and of course.... ME! ;)

and for the record: SHAFT never lived in Lowell (and if you are a true Lowellian, you will get that joke. LOL)

PS - I have always kind of struggled with the answer to the question, "What is your hometown?" since I have moved around so much in my lifetime. But I have spent a good majority of my life living in or around Lowell, Massachusetts (even though I don't live anywhere near there now.) So I guess that Lowell is as close to a hometown for me as I will ever get.

[~angelpassion~]

Elmira, NY

Mark Twain--well actually his wife was from here. He spent most of his adult life writing here. He, wife and their children are buried here.

Hal Roach --Director and Producer, "It is a wonderful life" there is even a reference about Elmira in the movie. When the cop says he needs to hurry up and get home to Elmira.

Eileen Collens. Astronaut, first female Space Shuttle Commander

Ernie Davis --- the first Black man to win the Heisman Trophy.

Brian Williams -- News anchor for NBC nightly news.

Tommy Hilfiger -- fashion designer.

These are a few from Elmira. I know there are a few more but can't think of them right now.

[butch]

Here's a few folks from my high school:
Olympic Gold-medalist Dominique Dawes
Comic/Actor Judah Friedlander
Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Lineman Hank Fraley

And from my city but not my high school, half of Hootie and the Blowfish (I can't remember which 2, except that I know it isn't the lead singer).

Oh, I think Joan Jett went to Rockville High, not Wheaton.

[Sandie_Zitkus]

Hometown - East Brunwsick, New Jersey

Only semi-famous person I know of: Michael Barkan (weather guy turned sports guy) I went to High School with him and we graduated the same year.

From Wikipedia (who knew??):

The ska-punk bands Catch 22, Downsized, and Streetlight Manifesto.
Clothing Designer Marc Ecko
Actress Hallie Kate Eisenberg and brother, Jesse Eisenberg
Long Shot Hero frontman Christopher Irons
NFL punter Josh Miller
Olympic games gold medalist Heather O'Reilly
MTV VJ/Rolling Stone writer Matt Pinfield
World War II hero Philip Streczyk
Radio personality Z100's Greg T The Frat Boy
Artist James Crawford Thom
Writer Henrietta Christian Wright
Reality Show Contestant Lenny Veltman (The Apprentice 5)
Classical pianist Sophia Yan
Two of the Jersey Girls

[moonvine]

I was born and lived until I was 5 in Portsmouth, Virginia:

Virginia C. Andrews – aka V.C. Andrews, mystery and horror writer.
Ruth Brown – Grammy-award winning singer and entertainer.
LaTasha Colander – track and field sprint star, 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist (4x400m)
Missy Elliott – rapper
Perry Ellis – fashion designer.
Tommy Facenda – singer and songwriter
Shadow Morton – aka George Morton, record producer and songwriter.
Tommy Newsom – musician featured in Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen.
Patton Oswalt – comedian and television actor.
William Russ – actor
Bill Schneider – political commentator for CNN.
Wanda Sykes – actress, comedian, and comedy writer.
Swamp Dogg – aka Jerry Williams – singer and songwriter.
Nicole Wray – rapper and protege of Missy Elliott.

I lived from the age of 5 until the age of 18 in Chesapeake, Virginia:

Dre' Bly – professional football player with the Detroit Lions.
Stewart Copeland – drummer for rock band The Police and jazz ensemble Animal Logic.
Michael Copon – star of One Tree Hill and winner of VH1's But Can They Sing?
Michael Cuddyer – professional baseball third baseman for the Minnesota Twins.
Kenny Easley – professional football player with the Seattle Seahawks.
DeAngelo Hall – professional football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons
Alonzo Mourning – professional basketball player for the Miami Heat.
Darren Perry – football player with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ricky Rudd – professional NASCAR race car driver.
B.J. Upton – professional baseball shortstop for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays; drafted #2 overall in 2002.
Justin Upton – B.J.'s younger brother, a professional baseball player drafted #1 overall in 2005 by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
David Wright – professional baseball starting third basemen for the New York Mets
Patrick Bond – Phenom wrestler starting 197lb wrestler University of Illinois .
Ed Beard– professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers.
Ashton Lewis, NASCAR driver
Elton Sawyer, NASCAR

[eightyseven]

Here's a few folks from my high school:
Olympic Gold-medalist Dominique Dawes
Comic/Actor Judah Friedlander
Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Lineman Hank Fraley

And from my city but not my high school, half of Hootie and the Blowfish (I can't remember which 2, except that I know it isn't the lead singer).

Oh, I think Joan Jett went to Rockville High, not Wheaton.

You went to Gaithersburg High? Nice! I graduated from Richard Montgomery back in the day... err, 2005... haha :p

[eightyseven]

Wyckoff, New Jersey

Only two I could find:

1) Tara Reid - Actress best known for playing "Bunny" in "The Big Lebowski"

I hate to be picky... while I LOVE Lebowski (alot), Tara Reid being "best" known for playing Bunny? I don't think so. Did you happen to see American Pie? She was arguably the lead female... and as far as 90s movies go, AP was much more widely viewed than Lebowski- which is borderline cult classic. I know... I sound like a snob, I apologize! But if anything... that gives Wyckoff even more street cred! My dad's best friend from high school lived there for a while if I recall... LOL.

[rainyday]

Portland, Oregon

Chuck Palahniuk
Gus Van Sant
Jean Auel
Matt Groening
Beverly Cleary
Abigail Scott Duniway
Urula Le Guin
Jane Powell
Lindsey Wagner
among others


(Tonya Harding purposely left off the list)

[love dubh]

I actually couldn't FIND anyone famous from Clifton, New Jersey, so I will use my college town, New Brunswick.

* Michael Douglas, actor born in New Brunswick
* Anthony Walton White Evans (1817–1886), engineer born in New Brunswick
* All involved in the Hall-Mills Murder case of the 1920's
* Mark Helias, (1950- ) jazz bassist
* Adam Hyler, (1735-1782), Privateer during the American Revolutionary War
* Robert Wood Johnson I, (1845-1910), businessman
* Robert Wood Johnson II, (1893-1968), businessman
* Joyce Kilmer, (1886-1918), poet born in New Brunswick
* Franke Previte, composer born in New Brunswick
* William Henry Vanderbilt (1821-1885), businessman born in New Brunswick

Yes, Robert Wood Johnson medical school is in New Brunz, as is a segment of UMDNJ.

The popular hardcore band THURSDAY hails from NoFunzwick, and wrote "Dying In New Brunswick" among other songs about it.

The Brunz has a thriving hardcore music scene too. I'm sure more popular bands than Thursday have come from it.

[JoyJoy]

Edmond, Oklahoma (where I lived from 11 yrs old - 23 yrs old, but consider "home")

Shannon Miller, Olympic Medalist (my cousin went to school with her)
Bob Tway, golfer, won the PGA Championship in 1986 (there is a PGA golf course in Edmond - Oak Tree)

Edmond is essentially part of OKC...these people are from OKC:

Johnny Bench, baseball player
Ralph Ellison, writer
Dale Robertson, actor

Other famous Okies (http://www.50states.com/bio/okla.htm):

Carrie Underwood, Mary Hart, Geronimo, "Pretty Boy" Floyd, Joan Crawford, Bart Conner, Lon Chaney, Gene Autry, James Garner, Will Rogers, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Toby Keith, Woody Guthrie, Iron Eyes Cody, Mickey Mantle, Reba McEntire, Paul Harvery, Ron Howard, Bill Moyers, Brad Pitt, Tony Randall, , Dan Rowan, Jim Thorpe, several astronauts....and....who could ever deny the influential group...Hansen.

Oh...and....umm....Dr. Phil. :doh:


Aaaand, for those who might be interested, here's more trivia about Edmond (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmond,_Oklahoma): :D

"Edmond is a rapidly growing suburban city in Oklahoma County (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_County%2C_Oklahoma), Oklahoma (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma) in the central part of the state. It is the sixth largest city in the state of Oklahoma and is one of the fastest growing cities within the Oklahoma City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City%2C_Oklahoma) Metropolitan Area, and is home to the University of Central Oklahoma (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Central_Oklahoma). As of July 1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_1), 2003 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003), the city had 71,643 residents, and will soon have 100,000. The city limits are located on the northern border of OKC. Two major highways connect OKC to Edmond: The Broadway Extension (US-77) runs though the center of the city and I-35 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-35) runs along the eastern side.
Being the highest point along the Sante Fe rail line in Oklahoma Territory, Edmond was originally named "Summit" and was a watering and sanding point for the railroad in the 1880's. The town was given its current name (after an engineer on the railroad) by the Santa Fe railroad headquarters in Topeka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topeka) after the Oklahoma Land Run (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_Land_Run) of 1889. Today the UCO Jazz Lab is located at the heart of Edmond and is immensely popular with locals, whether they be college students or suburbanites. It's also the proud hometown of many famous folks, including 5-time Olympic gold-medalist Shannon Miller and NASA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA) astronaut and Space Shuttle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle) commander Shannon Lucid.

Edmond was also the spot in Oklahoma where the famous Route 66 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Route_66) turned southward toward Oklahoma City. Historical signs mark the old highway (now State Highway 66) as it enters from the east of town (near the Round Barn (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Round_Barn&action=edit) of Arcadia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcadia), goes directly into the heart of historic downtown Edmond, then turns south on its way to the state capitol building and points west.
Edmond was the site of the post office (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Postal_Service) massacre on August 20 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_20), 1986 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986), in which fourteen people were killed and six wounded by Patrick Sherrill (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Sherrill), an ex- postman who then committed suicide (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide). This event was the second in a string of postal employee murder-suicides (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder-suicide) throughout the U.S. that led to the term "going postal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going_postal)". A memorial to the victims of that tragic event currently stands outside of the U.S. Post Office in downtown Edmond.
Controversy erupted in 1996 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996) when MetroChurch, a non-denominational church in east Edmond, began planning for the erection of a 163 foot cross adjacent to Interstate 35, the main thoroughfare of the town. The story attracted both local and national press coverage. City zoning disputes were eventually resolved and the structure was completed in 1998 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998). In 2001, Metro Church voted to merge with Life Church.
The city was also the subject of a U.S. Supreme Court case in which a Christian cross was depicted on the city seal, raising issues concerning the Establishment Clause (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Establishment_Clause) of the U.S. Constitution. In May of 1996, the Supreme Court let stand a Federal Appeals Court ruling ordering the city to remove the cross from the seal. A replacement icon has yet to be agreed upon, resulting in the curiously vacant spot on the city's seal."

[love dubh]

New York-New Jersey English (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York-New_Jersey_English)

Interesting! :D

[altered states]

David Berkowitz. Donald Trump. Joey Ramone.

[ValentineBBW]

Norfolk, Nebraska

Hometown of Johnny Carson


I did a quick search for the state and found the following:

Grace Abbott (1878 - 1939) Social reformer that helped to write the Social Security Act; born in Grand Island.

Grover Cleveland Alexander (1887 - 1950) One of the greatest pitchers in baseball history; born in Elba.

Fred Astaire (1899 - 1987) Actor famous for his dance steps; born in Omaha.

Marlon Brando (1924 - ) Actor who won an Academy Award for The Godfather; born in Omaha.

Warren Buffett (1930 - ) Successful stock investor; born in Omaha.

Johnny Carson (1925 - 2005) Entertainer and host of the Tonight Show; grew up in Norfolk.

Henry Fonda (1905 - 1982) Actor who won an Academy Award for On Golden Pond; born in Grand Island.

Gerald R. Ford (1913 - ) 38th President of the United States; born in Omaha.

Joyce C. Hall (1891 - 1982) Founder of Hallmark Cards; born in David City.

Malcolm X (1925 - 1965) Civil rights leader; born in Omaha.

J. Sterling Morton (1832 - 1903) Secretary of Agriculture and founder of Arbor Day; from Nebraska City.

Kay Orr - (1987-1991) The first Republican woman governor in U.S. history

Red Cloud (1822 - 1909) Oglala Sioux leader who defeated the U.S. Army in many battles; born in Nebraska.




Max Baer boxer, Omaha
Bil Baird puppeteer, Grand Island
George Beadle geneticist, Wahoo
Dick Cavett TV entertainer, Gibbon
Montgomery Clift actor, Omaha
James Coburn actor, Laurel
Sandy Dennis actress, Hastings
Mignon Eberhart author, Lincoln
Harold Edgerton inventor, Fremont
Ruth Etting singer, actress, David City
Jay W. Forrester inventor, Climax
Bob Gibson baseball player, Omaha
Hoot Gibson actor, Tememah
Howard Hanson composer, conductor, Wahoo
Leland Hayward producer, Nebraska City
David Janssen actor, Naponee
Susette La Flesche artist, Omaha
Francis La Flesche ethnologist, Omaha
Frank W. Leahy football coach, O'Neill
Irish McCalla actress, Pawnee City
Dorothy McGuire actress, Omaha
Nick Nolte actor, Omaha
Roscoe Pound educator, legal scholar, Lincoln
Mari Sandoz author, Sheridan Cty
Standing Bear Indian rights advocate, leader
Inga Swenson actress, Omaha
Robert Taylor actor, Filley
Paul Williams singer, composer, actor, Omaha
Don Wilson announcer, Lincoln
Julie Wilson singer, actress, Omaha
Darryl F. Zanuck film producer, Wahoo

[HassanChop]

I actually couldn't FIND anyone famous from Clifton, New Jersey, so I will use my college town, New Brunswick.

* Michael Douglas, actor born in New Brunswick
* Anthony Walton White Evans (1817–1886), engineer born in New Brunswick
* All involved in the Hall-Mills Murder case of the 1920's
* Mark Helias, (1950- ) jazz bassist
* Adam Hyler, (1735-1782), Privateer during the American Revolutionary War
* Robert Wood Johnson I, (1845-1910), businessman
* Robert Wood Johnson II, (1893-1968), businessman
* Joyce Kilmer, (1886-1918), poet born in New Brunswick
* Franke Previte, composer born in New Brunswick
* William Henry Vanderbilt (1821-1885), businessman born in New Brunswick

Yes, Robert Wood Johnson medical school is in New Brunz, as is a segment of UMDNJ.

The popular hardcore band THURSDAY hails from NoFunzwick, and wrote "Dying In New Brunswick" among other songs about it.

The Brunz has a thriving hardcore music scene too. I'm sure more popular bands than Thursday have come from it.


More from NJ:
Danny Devito
Jon Bon Jovi
Jack Nicholson
Ray Liotta
Count Basie
John Travolta
Bruce Springsteen
Derek Jeter
Tom Cruise
Frank Sinatra............................

[bf61]

Point Pleasant, NJ! :D

Kirsten Dunst
and
Diamond Dallas Page

[Fuzzy]

So are we talking your birthplace, where you were raised, where you ran away to for a short time with that friend from school, where ripley is from, or where you live now?

[altered states]

So are we talking your birthplace, where you were raised, where you ran away to for a short time with that friend from school, where ripley is from, or where you live now?

Yeah, I get you. I moved around a lot as a kid, and though it was all within a relatively small area (NYC metro), I can't really claim a home town. The longest I lived in one place was Brooklyn, but I don't feel that it's home. I used Queens, NY, where I was born.

[gypsy]

Brantford, Ontario:

Wayne Gretzky, hockey player
Jay Silverheels, "Tonto" from the Lone Ranger
Phil Hartman, Comedian
Michelle Nolden, actress (who incidentally, I went to school with)
Grahame Greene, actor

...there are a bunch of others...but I'll be damned if I know who they were.

[bigsexy920]

Well since no one is from Dover where I currently live I did the City that I was born in. Jersey City NJ

Heather Gardner, hip-hop music artist who was a castmember on the first season of the MTV reality television show, The Real World.

Malcolm Jamal-Warner, The Cosby Show

Dennis James, television game show host and telethon emcee.

Joseph Krumgold, winner of two Newbery Awards

Nathan Lane, actor

Marilyn McCoo, singer, was with group The Fifth Dimension.

Walter Dean Meyers, bestselling author of young adult/children's books.

"Newsboy" Moriarty who ran the numbers game in Hudson County, New Jersey and left $2.5 million dollars in the trunk of a car while he was in jail.

Mary Philbrook, champion of equal rights for women.

Stanley Poreda, heavyweight boxer in the 1930s.

Kevin Powell, journalist, poet, author and activist who was a castmember on the first season of the MTV reality television show, The Real World.

Eddie August Schneider, pilot who set airspeed records

Martha Stewart, entrepreneur

Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner of the National Football League

Flip Wilson, comedian

[Zandoz]

Defiance Ohio

About the only one that comes to mind is Sam Hornish, Jr. (indy car driver, 2-time IRL champion, winner of 2006 Indianapolis 500)

[activistfatgirl]

Growing up in rural michigan, no one of real notability is from my area. However, Jeff Bridges went to my school. Until he dropped out. Um...there was someone else...maybe? A fun dynamic, everyone is somebody out in the corn fields!

[EmJay]

This is a fun post!

Syracuse NY:

Tom Cruise lived here...from here? Not sure.
Richard Gere
The Baldwin Brothers
Bobcat Goldwaith
Dick Clark attended Syracuse University

It's amazing what a small world we live in.

[rainyday]

EmJay, did you post on the NAAFA boards long, long ago? I was sitting here trying to remember where I remembered the name from, then it hit me. :) Welcome.

[Rainahblue]

San Francisco.... I miss it so...:(

My family is from San Francisco originally, but we spread out all over the West coast and lived in Oakland, Long Beach, LA, and lots of little cities that pepper the Bay area. I know of quite a few famous people from my hometown and I'm sure there are tons more, but I only remember the ones I personally like.

Bruce Lee
Margaret Cho
Isadora Duncan
Ansel Adams
Courtney Love
Lisa Bonet
Natalie Wood
Clint Eastwood
Shirley Jackson


Here's something I'm really proud of!
My parents went to high school with OJ Simpson!
:D Awesome!
You do know I'm kidding right?

My Aunt Tina and Cindy Herron of En Vogue ('member them?) were best friends growing up and still keep in touch. She was at my aunt's wedding, and often sent her free tickets for stuff, which I always drooled over.

My Uncle Gee and Uncle Chris used to pick on this skinny kid who would rap on the same street corner every weekend, but they eventually let him tag along when they went to (adult) clubs. His name was Calvin Brodus aka Snoop Dogg.

My aunt Dottie, who was a model in the 70s, dated Bobby Bonds (Barry Bond's father) for a little while, but they broke up eventually.

My family has lots of cool stories about the at-that-time-unknown people they grew up with. I especially love to hear my oldest uncle talk about some of the people he knew who eventually went on to Motown.:)

Rain

[fatgirlflyin]

Fresno, Ca


Phil Austin - Writer, Actor ("The Firesign Theatre")
Robert Beltran - Actor (Star Trek Voyager)
Deborah Blum - Pulitzer Prize winner was a reporter for the Fresno Bee.
Frenchy Bordagaray - Baseball player appeared in two World Series
Bruce Bowen - NBA player
Gregory Boyington "Pappy" Boyington WWII Ace, lived in Fresno in his later years.
Gary Brecher - Military writer and columnist who has claimed to be from Fresno.[11]
David Carr - NFL quarterback, attended Fresno State.
Frank Chance - Baseball Hall of Famer, first-baseman in the famous "Tinker to Evers to Chance" double-play combination of the early twentieth century Chicago Cubs
Cher - Singer-actress attended Fresno High School
Mike Connors (born Krekor Ohanian) - Actor, star of TV series Mannix.
Victor Conte - Founder of BALCO
Cynthia Contreras - Coloratura Opera Singer
Young Corbett III - Professional Boxer
Trent Dilfer - Super Bowl-winning quarterback
Henry Ellard - Professional football player
William Everson - Poet
Kevin Federline - Dancer-singer
Andy Finch - US Olympic Snowboarding Team
Brian Kenney Fresno - musician, Fresno proponent
Matt Giordano - NFL safety
Victor Davis Hanson - Scholar, historian, author
David Harris - Draft resistance leader during Vietnam War
Pat Howell - Football player
Kirk Kerkorian - Billionaire businessman
Daryle Lamonica - Football player
Claude "Pop" Laval - Photographer/historian [citation needed]
Philip Levine - Poet
Larry Levis - Poet
Audra McDonald - Actress-singer, Tony Award winner
Tim McDonald - Former NFL Player
Barry McGuire rock/folk singer, songwriter
James Porteous - Inventor
Les Richter - NFL player
William Saroyan - Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and novelist
Gary Scelzi - Four-time NHRA champion, three with Top Fuel, one with Funny Car
Tom Seaver - Baseball player
David Seville (born Ross Bagdasarian) - songwriter-recording artist (The Chipmunks)
Kopi Sotiropulos actor, local tv personality
Gary Soto - Author, Poet
DeShawn Stevenson - NBA player
Brian Turner - Poet
Bill Vukovich - Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner
Del Webb - Real estate developer
Ickey Woods - Former dancing fullback for Cincinnati Bengals.
J.P Mannox - Television actor for The Disney Channel
Joel C. Abels - Local theatre director, former California Raisin Mascot, Vocalist

[sobie18]

Auburn, New York

1. Manowar (Heavy Metal band)
2. Kevin Polcovich (buddy from high school who played for the Pittsburg Pirates)


yee-haw!

[Rainahblue]

Fresno, Ca


Phil Austin - Writer, Actor ("The Firesign Theatre")
Robert Beltran - Actor (Star Trek Voyager)
Deborah Blum - Pulitzer Prize winner was a reporter for the Fresno Bee.
Frenchy Bordagaray - Baseball player appeared in two World Series
Bruce Bowen - NBA player
Gregory Boyington "Pappy" Boyington WWII Ace, lived in Fresno in his later years.
Gary Brecher - Military writer and columnist who has claimed to be from Fresno.[11]
David Carr - NFL quarterback, attended Fresno State.
Frank Chance - Baseball Hall of Famer, first-baseman in the famous "Tinker to Evers to Chance" double-play combination of the early twentieth century Chicago Cubs
Cher - Singer-actress attended Fresno High School
Mike Connors (born Krekor Ohanian) - Actor, star of TV series Mannix.
Victor Conte - Founder of BALCO
Cynthia Contreras - Coloratura Opera Singer
Young Corbett III - Professional Boxer
Trent Dilfer - Super Bowl-winning quarterback
Henry Ellard - Professional football player
William Everson - Poet
Kevin Federline - Dancer-singer
Andy Finch - US Olympic Snowboarding Team
Brian Kenney Fresno - musician, Fresno proponent
Matt Giordano - NFL safety
Victor Davis Hanson - Scholar, historian, author
David Harris - Draft resistance leader during Vietnam War
Pat Howell - Football player
Kirk Kerkorian - Billionaire businessman
Daryle Lamonica - Football player
Claude "Pop" Laval - Photographer/historian [citation needed]
Philip Levine - Poet
Larry Levis - Poet
Audra McDonald - Actress-singer, Tony Award winner
Tim McDonald - Former NFL Player
Barry McGuire rock/folk singer, songwriter
James Porteous - Inventor
Les Richter - NFL player
William Saroyan - Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and novelist
Gary Scelzi - Four-time NHRA champion, three with Top Fuel, one with Funny Car
Tom Seaver - Baseball player
David Seville (born Ross Bagdasarian) - songwriter-recording artist (The Chipmunks)
Kopi Sotiropulos actor, local tv personality
Gary Soto - Author, Poet
DeShawn Stevenson - NBA player
Brian Turner - Poet
Bill Vukovich - Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner
Del Webb - Real estate developer
Ickey Woods - Former dancing fullback for Cincinnati Bengals.
J.P Mannox - Television actor for The Disney Channel
Joel C. Abels - Local theatre director, former California Raisin Mascot, Vocalist

Out of all of those interesting and cool people, Kevin Federline just sticks out like a... :rolleyes:

[fatgirlflyin]

Out of all of those interesting and cool people, Kevin Federline just sticks out like a... :rolleyes:


LOL doesn't he though?

[AnnMarie]

No one really "famous" is from my growing up/home town, but Whoopi goes there, summers, and actually tends bar in a local joint (true!).

:)

[toni]

NEWARK, NJ

Joe Pesci
Shaq
Jason Alexander
Whitney Houston

[MisticalMisty]

Ardmore Oklahoma:

S. N. Goldman
Inventor of shopping cart
Ardmore, Oklahoma City


Argus Hamilton
Comedian
Ardmore


Rue McClanahan
Actress
Ardmore

Bill Dalton
Outlaw
Ardmore


Norman Oklahoma *lived there 4 years*

C. J. Cherryh
Author
Norman


Yvonne Chouteau
Ballerina
Norman


Bart Conner
Gymnast
Norman


James Garner
Actor
Norman

Billy Sims
Football
Norman


George M. Sutton
Artist
Norman


Barry Switzer
Football
Norman


Dennis Weaver
Actor
Norman


Bud Wilkinson
Football
Norman


http://www.ok.gov/famous_ok.html

[FreeThinker]

Although I don't really recognize all the names, here's who showed up when I googled.

(Copied and pasted...I didn't know why so many of them were considered famous)





Raffi Armenian, conductor, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony

Don Beaupre, retired NHL ice hockey player

Christopher Chalmers, freestyle swimmer

John Robert Columbo

Gary Cowan, golfer

Tim Deegan, winner of the 2006 MuchMusic VJ Search competition

Woody Dumart, NHL ice hockey player, who with Milt Schmidt and Bobby Bauer made up the Boston Bruins famous Kraut line

Chris Giesbrecht, musician

Helix, a popular heavy metal band

Jill Hennessy, actress, Law & Order (1993-1996), Crossing Jordan

William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada's tenth, and longest serving, prime minister

Merrick Jarrett, folk singer, (Mariposa Folk Festival)

Lennox Lewis, retired boxer

Ross Macdonald, pseudonym for Kenneth Millar, author, mystery writer, creator of Lew Archer

Danny Michel, musician

Scott Manning, stunt pilot and former professional Canadian football player.

Margaret Millar, author, mystery writer, wife of Ross Macdonald

David Morrell, award winning author, creator of Rambo

Moe Norman, golfer

Carl Arthur Pollock, industrialist, Electrohome Ltd

Jeremy Ratchford, actor, Cold Case Files

Jason Reso, professional wrestler (competes in TNA under the name "Christian Cage")

Frank J. Selke, NHL manager

Milt Schmidt, NHL ice hockey player, who with Woody Dumart and Bobby Bauer comprised the Boston Bruins Kraut line

Dave Sim, creator of the comic book Cerebus the Aardvark

Darryl Sittler, retired NHL ice hockey player

Scott Stevens, retired NHL ice hockey player

Karen Redman, Liberal member of the Canadian House of Commons

Paul Reinhart, retired NHL ice hockey player

Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP member of the Canadian House of Commons

Homer Watson, landscape artist

Mike West, backstroke swimmer

Walter P. Zeller, the founder of Canada's largest discount department store chain, Zellers, was born near the city



Those in bold type were the ones I knew came from here.

I used to see Dave Sim at the comic book shop, and at the arcade.

There are many other local musicians I know, but I guess they aren't famous enough...




.

[FreeThinker]

James Garner
Actor
Norman


Dennis Weaver
Actor
Norman


Cool! :cool:

[Esme]

Famous folks from MY hometown.. (Saginaw, MI)

Stevie Wonder

Serena Williams

Theodore Roethke (one of my favorite poets- probably the other two names are more recognizable.):cool:

[EmJay]

EmJay, did you post on the NAAFA boards long, long ago? I was sitting here trying to remember where I remembered the name from, then it hit me. :) Welcome.
That wasn't me....but thanks for the "welcome".

[love dubh]

Defiance Ohio

About the only one that comes to mind is Sam Hornish, Jr. (indy car driver, 2-time IRL champion, winner of 2006 Indianapolis 500)

I think "Defiance Ohio" is also a band. :]

[out.of.habit]

Rod Serling* - Creator of The Twilight Zone (The high school here even has a "Rod Serling School of Fine Arts... and it makes sense that we're all so strange.)
Johnny Hart - Cartoonist of B.C. and The Wizard of Id

Edwin A. Link - Inventor of the flight simulator used in pilot training

David Sedaris - Comedian and Author of "Me Talk Pretty One Day"

Amy Sedaris - Actress

Anthony George - Soap Opera Actor

Jack Sharkey - Heavyweight Boxing Champion

Lorna Wallace - Pop Artist

Elmar Oliveira - World renouned violinist

*Those I'm familiar with.
(Also according to Wiki)

[cute_obese_girl]

No one really. But Michelle Pfeiffer is from Midway City, CA (the next municipality over from my town). Other than that the closest I can get is a woman named Laura Mooney. She was a child actress in the 80s and 90s, but didn't do anything too famous. Probably the biggest thing she did was She's Out of Control with Tony Danza and Mickey Dolenz' daughter. She's on IMDB, that should count right? :)

[The Kid]

Westchester County, NY.

John Jay, founding father, co-author of the Federalist Papers, and the first U.S. Supreme Court justice.

Martha Stewart, the famous home maker lady.

Ralph Lauren, the clothing designer lives nearby.

Andy Milonakis from The Andy Milonakis show on MTV went to my high school, and apparantly lived in my town.

Chevy Chase, The late Christopher Reeve and Vanessa Williams all live/lived around my county.

Rapper, DMX, lives nearby, or did for sometime.

Stanley Tucci apparantly went to my high school and was raised in my hometown.

Felicity Huffman, from the show Desperate Housewives, and now married to William H. Macy, was born in my hometown.



I guess that's it.

[snuggletiger]

Jamestown, TN:

Mark Twain - He only lived here for a few years as a kid, and here's the really stupid part: In a rainy area, they built his memorial statue out of wood. It rotted back in the early 1990's.

Alvin C. York - A WWII hero who had a movie based on him. He was played by Gary Cooper.

Sergeant York won the Medal of Honor during WWI for single handedly capturing a hill that the germans had a machine gun on :) Supposedly he took out over 100 Germans on his one man assault up the hill.