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Famous People
Born in Missouri Living or Lived in Missouri
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Famous people
born in Missouri, many famous people were born, are living, or have lived in Missouri
part of their lives, two that
come to mind born or lived right here in the Missouri Ozarks are
country music entertainers Narvel Felts and Porter Wagoner.
Complete list of
famous people born in Missouri, or that have lived in Missouri part of their lives,
or have contributed something nationally recognized while living
here. Our favorites
and those from the Ozarks are
highlighted below.
If you know someone not on our list of those famous and
born in Missouri, or that have lived in Missouri most of their lives,
or have contributed something nationally recognized while living
here that
we may have left out, please contact us
with the information and we will be happy to add them.
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Narvel Felts - T
Graham
Brown
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Narvel
Felts was born November 11, 1938 in Keiser
Arkansas, moved to
Bernie
Missouri at the
age of 14, Narvel still calls
MO home and resides there today in
Malden,
they even has a street
named in his honor, Narvel has given
Missouri more recognition than many other
famous Missourians calling Missouri home.
Narvel turned 70
November
11, 2008 and is still rockin' and
performing today. To learn more about
Narvel, his tour dates, bio, etc. go to the
Narvel Felts
website.
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Narvel Felts
The Early
years
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Porter Wagoner:
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Porter Wagoner in one of his famous famous suits
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Porter Wayne
Wagoner, (August 12, 1927 – October 28,
2007) was born in the West Plains Missouri.
In 1949 when visiting Nashville and the
Grand Ole Opry, Porter heard Hank Williams
sing Lovesick Blues. By 1950, he was working
in Vaughn’s butcher shop on the town square
and singing (and reading commercials) on a
15-minute early morning show over local
radio KWPM in his hometown.
Porter Wagoner's’ big smile, Nudie suits,
songs and personality have made him an icon
in country music. known as The Thin Man From
West Plains Missouri.
To learn
more about Porter, his music, bio, etc. go
to the
Porter Wagoner
website.
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Porter Wagoner
The Early
years
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Famous people
born in Missouri, many famous people were born or lived in Missouri
most of their lives, two that
come to mind born or lived right here in the Missouri Ozarks are
country music entertainers Narvel Felts and Porter Wagoner.
Complete list of
famous people born or lived in Missouri most of their lives with our favorites
and those from the from the Ozarks
highlighted below.
If you know someone not on our
list of those famous and
born in Missouri, or that have lived in Missouri most of their lives,
or have contributed something
nationally recognized while
living here that
we may have left out, please contact us
with the information and we will be happy to add them.
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Contents:
1. Athletics
2. Art, Literature, Journalism
3. Aviation & Aeronautics
4. Business
5. Entertainment Group: Comedians, Music, Television Radio, Music,
Miss USA
6. Infamous Missourians
7. Military & War
8. Other Famous Missourians
9. Public Office
10. Science & Medicine
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1. Athletics:
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Forrest Clare "Phog" Allen, 1885-1974, basketball coach,
Jamesport
•
Henry Armstrong , 1912–1988, boxer, born in Mississippi but grew up
in St. Louis
•
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra,
Major League Baseball and Aphorist, born May 12 1925 in ST. Louis
•
Bill Bradley, born 1943, Basketball Hall of Famer, U.S. Senator,
born in Crystal City
• Harry Caray, 1914–1998, baseball broadcaster, born in St. Louis
•
Mort Cooper, 1913–1958, baseball pitcher, born in Atherton
•
Walker Cooper, 1915–1991, baseball catcher and coach,
•
Joe Crede, born 1978, baseball third baseman,
•
Dwight F. Davis, 1879–1945, Tennis player, founder of the Davis Cup
• Carl Edwards, NASCAR driver, born 1979 in Columbia
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Ryan Howard, born 1979, baseball player,
• Glen Jacobs, Born 1967 professional wrestler and actor,
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Ben A. Jones, 1882–1961, thoroughbred horse trainer
•
Horace A. "Jimmy" Jones , 1906–2001, thoroughbred horse trainer
• Jamie McMurray, NASCAR driver, born in Joplin
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Stan Musial, born 1920, Baseball Player
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Randy Orton, born 1980, professional wrestler
•
Kareem Rush, NBA champion with the L.A. Lakers
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Mike Rucker, defensive end,
• Kenny Schrader, NASCAR driver, born in Fenton
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Casey Stengel, 1890 – 1975, Baseball Hall of Famer, Kansas City
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Payne Stewart, 1957–1999, golfer,
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Rusty Wallace, NASCAR driver, born in Fenton Mo
• Kenny Wallace, NASCAR driver, born in St. Louis
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Mike Wallace, NASCAR driver Fenton MO
•
Justin Gage, NFL wide receiver for the Chicago Bears and Tennessee
Titans,
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Justin Smith, Defensive End for the Bengals and 4th overall pick in
the 2001 NFL Draft,
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Brad Smith, NFL Wide Receiver for the New York Jets,
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Luke Snyder, professional
bull rider, born 1982 in Raymore
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Matt Bohon, professional bull
rider, born 1983 in Sedalia
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Matthew Korklan, born 1983, professional wrestler,
2. Art, Literature, Journalism:
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Maya Angelou, born 1928, author and poet
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Thomas Hart Benton, 1889–1975, painter
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George Caleb Bingham, 1811–1879, artist, born in Virginia but moved
to central Missouri
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William S. Burroughs, 1914–1997, author
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Samuel Clemens, 1835–1910, "Mark Twain", humorist, writer and
lecturer
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Lester Dent, 1904–1959, author Doc Savage novels
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T. S. Eliot, 1888–1965, poet, dramatist and literary critic
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Eugene Field, 1850–1895, writer and poet
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William Least Heat-Moon, born 1940, , travel writer
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Robert A. Heinlein, 1907–1988, science fiction author
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Langston Hughes, 1902–1967, African-American poet, novelist and
playwright
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Donald Judd, 1928-1994, artist
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Dennis L. McKiernan, born 1932, author
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Marianne Moore, 1887–1972, poet and writer
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Joseph Pulitzer, 1847–1911, journalist known for
creating St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the prestigious
Pulitzer Prize, emigrated to the United States in 1864, in 1868 settled
in St. Louis
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Charles Marion Russell, 1864–1926, artist
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Kimora Lee Simmons, model, author, born in St. Louis
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Sara Teasdale, 1884–1933, poet
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Laura Ingalls Wilder, 1867–1957, writer and author of the book
Little House on the Prairie, born in
Wisconsin, in 1894 moved to Mansfield, Missouri
Ozarks
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Tennessee Williams, 1911–1983, playwright (born in Mississippi but
grew up in St. Louis)
3. Aviation & Aeronautics:
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Janet Lynn
Kavandi Ph.D., astronaut, Deputy Director of flight crew operations,
Johnson Space
Center, born
July 17, 1959, Springfield
Missouri Ozarks
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Charles Lindbergh, 1902–1974, aviator first solo non-stop
trans-Atlantic flight in 1927, born in Detroit
Michigan but lived in
St. Louis
4. Business:
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Bill Lear, 1902–1978, inventor, founder of Lear Jet Corp., born in
Hannibal
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James Cash Penny ,(J. C. Penney) 1875–1971, businessman and entrepreneur, born in Hamilton
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John Q. Hammons, hotel
entrepreneur
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Sam Walton founder of Wal-Mart, moved to Shelbina Mo in 1923,
graduated from the University of Missouri.
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Jack C. Taylor, born 1923, founder of Enterprise Rent-A-Car,
billionaire philanthropist
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James Smith McDonnell, 1899-1980, Founder of McDonnell Aircraft
Corporation, later McDonnell Douglas
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Adolphus Busch, 1839-1913, founder of Anheuser-Busch (the world's
largest brewer) born in
Wiesbaden,
Germany, moved to St. Louis.
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August A.
Busch, 1865 - 1934
son of Adolphus Busch,
President and CEO of Anheuser-Busch from 1913-
1934 born December 29, 1865 in St. Louis
5. Entertainment Group:
• Film & Theater
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Robert Altman, 1925–2006, film director
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Scott Bakula, born 1954, actor
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Josephine Baker, 1906–1975, dancer, singer, actress
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Wallace Beery, 1885–1949
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Linda Blair, born 1959, actress, famous for her role in The
Exorcist
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Conlan Carter, born 1934, retired actor
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Don Cheadle, born 1964, actor
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Anthony Cistaro, actor
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Chris Cooper, born 1951, actor
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Robert Cummings, 1908–1990, actor
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Don S. Davis, born 1942, actor
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Walt Disney,1901–1966, film
producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor and animator born in Illinois,
raised in Missouri
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Cliff Edwards,1895–1971, actor, musician. The voice of Jiminy
Cricket.
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Jenna Fischer, born 1974, actress
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Phyllis Fraser, 1915-2006, actress, journalist, children's book
publisher, wife of Bennett Cerf and Robert F.
Wagner Jr. Born in Kansas City
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Friz Freleng, 1905–1995, film producer, director, screenwriter, and
animator
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Betty Garrett, born 1919, actress
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John Stephen Goodman, actor, born June 20 1952 in Affton Mo
• Lucas Stephen Grabeel, actor,
song writer, born 1984 in Springfield,
Missouri Ozarks
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Betty Grable, 1916–1973, actress, singer, dancer and World War II pin-up
girl, St. Louis
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Eddie Griffin (born 1968), actor, comedian
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Davis Guggenheim (born 1963), Academy Award-winning director,
producer
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James Gunn (born 1970), film director and screenwriter.
• Edward (Ed) Asner, born
November 15, 1929, actor, born in Kansas City, MO
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Sean Gunn (born 1974), actor
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Jean Harlow (1911–1937), actress and sex symbol
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John Huston (1906–1987), film director
• Don Johnson (born 1949), film and television actor,
born in Flat Creek,
Missouri Ozarks
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Andreas Katsulas (1946–2006), actor
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Kevin Kline , actor, (born 1947 in St. Louis
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David Koechner (born 1962), actor, comedian
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John Milius (born 1944), screenwriter, director and producer
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Dan O'Bannon (born 1946), film director and screenwriter
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Geraldine Page (1924–1987), Academy Award and Emmy Award winning
actress
• Brad Pitt, actor, born Dec. 18, 1963 in Ok, moved shortly after
birth to Springfield, MO Ozarks
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William Powell (1892–1984), Academy Award-nominated actor (born in
Pennsylvania, but raised in Missouri)
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Vincent Price (1911–1993), actor
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Ginger Rogers (1911–1995), actress, dancer and partner with Fred
Astaire
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Craig Stevens (1918–2000), actor
• Kathleen Turner, actress, born June 19th 1954, Springfield,
Missouri Ozarks
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Dick Van Dyke born 1925, actor born in West Plains,
Missouri Ozarks
• Dennis Weaver (June 4th 1924 - Feb. 24 2006), actor, born in
Joplin
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Jane Wyman (born 1914), actress, former wife of Ronald Reagan
• Comedians
• Cedric Antonio Kyles, "Cedric The Entertainer",
born 1964 Jefferson City
• Redd Foxx (December 9,
1922 – October 11,
1991), comedian, starred in Sanford and Son,
born in
St. Louis
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Dick Gregory (born 1932), comedian, social activist
• Music
• Jan Howard, (born March 13, 1930) Country music legend, singer,
songwriter and actress, born in
West Plains, Missouri Ozarks.
Jan
Howard's website.
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Ahmad Alaadeen born 1934, jazz saxophonist and composer
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Burt Bacharach, pianist, composer, born May 12th 1928, Kansas City
• Chuck Berry (born Oct. 18 1926), rock musician, St. Louis
• Neal E. Boyd, opera
recording artist, America's Got Talent Winner, born
November 18, 1975
in Sikeston
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Grace Bumbry (born 1937), soprano
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Sarah Caldwell (born 1924), opera conductor
• Gilbert Ray 'Speck' Rhodes, (July 16, 1915 -March 19, 2000)
country music musician, comedian,
best known as a member of the porter Wagoner show, born in West
Plains,
Missouri Ozarks
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Helen Cornelius (born 1941), country singer, Monroe City
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Sheryl Crow, singer-songwriter, born on February 11, 1962,
Kennett, Missouri
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Eminem (born 1972), rap musician
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Sara Evans, Country music star
• Narvel Felts,
born November
11, 1938, recording artist, born in Arkansas, raised in Malden
• Bob Ferguson, December 30,
1927 – July 22,
2001, Country music songwriter and producer,
Willow Springs Missouri Ozarks
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Bob James, award-winning smooth
jazz musician, born 1939 in Marshall, Missouri
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Scott Joplin (1867–1917), ragtime musician and composer, born in
Texas but considered Sedalia, Missouri
to be home base
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Dan Landrum (born 1961), Hammer dulcimer player, featured
instrumentalist with Yanni
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Michael McDonald (born 1952), singer, former Doobie Brothers
frontman
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Pat Metheny (born 1954), jazz guitarist and musician
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Nelly (born 1974), rap musician, (born in Texas and raised in St.
Louis)
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Charlie "Bird" Parker (1920–1955), jazz saxophonist and composer
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Basil Poledouris (born 1945), film soundtrack composer
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David Sanborn (born 1945 in Tampa, Florida and grew up in Kirkwood,
Missouri), award-winning smooth
jazz musician
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Trent Tomlinson (born Jul 3, 1975), singer-songwriter
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Rhonda Vincent, award-winning bluegrass music, lived in Greentop
• Porter Wagoner, (August 12, 1927 – October 28, 2007) Grand Old Opry member and country music
legend,
West Plains Missouri Ozarks
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Bob Walkenhorst, founder and lead singer of alternative rock band
The Rainmakers
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Aaron Dontez Yates -
Tech N9ne, rapper, Kansas City
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Kimberly Wyatt, singer/dancer pussycat dolls
• The Urge, rock band from 1987-2005, St. Louis
• Gravity
Kills, rock band from 1994–2003, St. Louis
• Story of
the Year, rock band, Louisville, MO
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Louise Post, founder and lead singer/guitarist of alternative rock
band Veruca Salt
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David Cook, born 1982, 2008 American Idol winner from Blue Springs,
MO
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Ludo rock band, formed in St. Louis
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Leroy Van Dyke,
born Oct. 24, 1929 in Mora Missouri
• Television Radio
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Bob Barker, born 1923, television game show host, spent most of
his youth on the Rosebud Indian
Reservation in South Dakota, went to high school and collage in
Springfield, Missouri Ozarks
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Walter Cronkite, born 1916, television journalist
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Rush Limbaugh, born January 12, 1951, political commentator, Cape
Girardeau
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Marlin Perkins, 1905–1986, zoologist and host of Mutual of Omaha's
Wild Kingdom
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April Scott, born 1979, model, Deal or No Deal and SOAPnet's Soap
Talk
• Miss USA - Miss America
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Debbye Turner, Miss
America 1990, Miss Columbia & Miss Missouri 1989,
not born in Missouri but educated
at University of Missouri Columbia
and lived in St. Louis
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Shandi Finnessey (born 1978), Miss USA 2004, born in Florissant,
Missouri
6. Infamous Missourians:
• Ken Lay, 1942–2006, Robbed millions from investors/employees
pension fund, chairman and CEO of Enron,
born in Tyrone
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Frank James, 1843–1915, classified as an outlaw depending on whose
story you believe,
• Jesse James, 1847–1882, classified as an outlaw depending on
whose story you believe, born
in Clay County, now named
Kearney
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Cole Younger, 1844–1916, outlaw
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John Younger, outlaw
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Bob Younger, outlaw
• Jim Younger, outlaw
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Bob Ford, outlaw that gunned down Jesse James,
• Kate "Ma" Barker, born October 8, 1873 in Ash Grove,
Missouri
Ozarks
7. Military & War:
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Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War Union Army General, (Born in Ohio) On April 11, 1854, Grant resigned from the
Army, and moved with his family to Missouri for a few years, Civil War started in
1861, returned to the
Army and on to become President.
Ulysses
S. Grant National Historic Site.
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Sterling Price, Confederate General for Missouri State Guard
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Omar Bradley (1893–1981), World War II general last 5 star general
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John J. Pershing (1860–1948), soldier and General of the Armies
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Arthur Lee Willard, (1870-1935), US Navy Admiral, buried at
Arlington National Cemetery,
Arthur Lee Willard, Rear Admiral, United States Navy
8. Other Famous Missourians:
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Dred Scott, litigant in the famous Dred Scott Decision, lived in St.
Louis
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Helen Andelin born 1920, author Fascinating Womanhood
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Calamity Jane 1852 – 1903, Indian fighter and frontierswoman
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Dale Carnegie 1888–1955, public and motivational speaker
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George Washington Carver (c. 1864 – 1943), botanist
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Mary Ranken Jordan (869–1962, philanthropist and community
advocate
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Emmett Kelly 1898–1979, clown
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Phyllis Schlafly born 1924, conservative political activist and
author
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Raleigh Shaver 1872–1937 Farmer and philanthropist
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Rajiv Tarigopula born 1992, Scripps National Spelling Bee finalist
2003-06, placed 4th in two consecutive
years; National Vocabulary
Championship finalist 2008
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George Thampy born 1987, Scripps National Spelling Bee champion
2000, staff member 2006
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Roy Wilkins 1901–1981, civil rights activist
9. Public Office:
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John Ashcroft born 1942, U.S. Attorney General, 2001–2005
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John Claggett Danforth (born 1936), former U.S. Senator and
Ambassador to the U.N.
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Thomas Hart Benton, 1782–1858, U.S. Senator
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Christopher S. "Kit" Bond, born 1939, Current senior U.S. Senator
of Missouri. At 33, Bond became the
youngest Governor of Missouri in
1973
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Pete Wilson, born 1933, Former California Governor and Senator
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Bill Bradley, born 1943, U.S. Senator, Basketball Hall of Fame
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Jean Carnahan, appointed
to the Senate, the first woman to represent Missouri in the
Senate,
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Budd Dwyer, 1939–1987, politician
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J. William Fulbright, 1905–1995, U.S. Senator, established the
Fulbright Fellowships
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Richard Gephardt, born 1941, former Democratic leader in the U.S.
House of Representatives and
candidate for president
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Claire McCaskill, the first woman elected U.S. senator from Missouri,
born July 24, 1953 in Rolla
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Nellie Tayloe Ross, 1876–1977, first female governor of a U.S.
State
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Harry S. Truman, 1884–1972, 33rd President of the United States
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David King Udall, 1851–1938, born in Missouri, served in Arizona
Legislature
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Harold Volkmer, born 1931, served as Assistant Attorney General of
Missouri, then served in U.S. House of
Representatives
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Roy Blunt, former Republican speaker of the House and
majority whip
10. Science and medicine:
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George Washington Carver, 1864 – 1943, botanist
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Charles Stark Draper, 1901–1987,, Inventor
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Edwin Hubble, 1889–1953, astronomer
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Virginia Eshelman Johnson, born 1925 psychology researcher
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Jack Kilby (1923–2005, inventor of the integrated circuit
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William Howell Masters, 1915–2001, Gynecologist
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Lewis Stadler, 1896–1954, A.K.A., L.J. Stadler Maize, Geneticist
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Andrew Taylor Still, 1828–1917, physician and founder of
Osteopathic medicine
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If you know someone else famous
born in Missouri or that lived in Missouri most of their life that
we may have left out please contact us
with the information and we will be happy to add them.
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