Famous people from Minnesota

25 Most Famous people from Minnesota

Minnesota is a land of great natural beauty, historical significance, and rich cultural heritage. It is also known for producing many talented artists, including famous actors and other famous people.

We are taking a look at the most famous people from Minnesota and other notable personalities from this state.

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What Famous Actors Hail from Minnesota?

Minnesota has a long list of famous actors who hail from the state. Some of the most notable ones are Josh Hartnett, Vince Vaughn, and Garrett Hedlund.

Josh Hartnett

Born on July 21, 1978, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Josh Hartnett is a famous American actor and producer.

He first rose to fame in the late 1990s for his roles in the films “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later” and “The Faculty.” He is best known for his role as Captain Danny Walker in the 2001 war film “Pearl Harbor”.

Hartnett continues to act in movies and TV series and is a respected figure in the entertainment industry.

Vince Vaughn

Vince Vaughn is another famous actor from Minnesota. He was born in Minneapolis on March 28, 1970. Vaughn is an American actor, producer, and screenwriter.

He is best known for his roles in the comedy-dramas “Wedding Crashers” and “The Break-Up.” Vaughn has also appeared in various other films, including “Old School,” “Dodgeball,” and “Into the Wild.”

Garrett Hedlund

Garrett Hedlund was born on September 3, 1984, in Roseau, Minnesota. Hedlund is an American actor, model, and singer. He first rose to fame for his role as Patroclus in the 2004 epic war film “Troy.”

He has also starred in various other movies such as “Friday Night Lights,” “Tron: Legacy,” and “Mudbound.” Hedlund is a talented actor and one of the most famous movie stars from Minnesota.

Who Are Other Famous People from Minnesota?

Apart from the famous actors, Minnesota has produced many other notable personalities. Here are a few examples:

Mike Farrell

Mike Farrell is the famous American actor and activist born on February 6, 1939. He was raised in West Hollywood, California, but was actually born in St. Paul, Minnesota.

He is best known for his role in the TV series “M*A*S*H” and has won two Emmy Awards for his acting.

Chris Pratt

Chris Pratt is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker who was born in Virginia, Minnesota, on June 21, 1979. It is a small town in northern Minnesota.

Pratt rose to fame for his role as Andy Dwyer in the NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation.” He has also appeared in several major films, including “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Jurassic World,” and “The Magnificent Seven.”

Richard Dean Anderson

Richard Dean Anderson was born on January 23, 1950, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is an American actor and producer, best known for his role as Angus MacGyver in the TV series “MacGyver.”

He has also appeared in various other movies and TV shows, including “Stargate SG-1” and “Pandora’s Clock.” In the series Stargate SG-1 he often references going home to Minnesota for fishing.

He has since left Minnesota but still keeps to his roots.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder, was born in Winona, Minnesota. However, she lived in the state for only six months as her family moved to California soon after. Later on, she moved to the twin cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, to attend the local high school.

Ryder burst onto the Hollywood scene in the late 1980s with her breakthrough role in the movie Lucas.

She then went on to star in numerous critically acclaimed movies such as Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands, Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence, and Girl, Interrupted, which earned her a Golden Globe award.

Izaac Wang

Izaac Wang is an American actor best known for his work on Good Boys (2019) and Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) Izaac Wang is a talented young actor who was born in Minnesota.

He gained recognition for his remarkable performance in the hit comedy movie “Good Boys” released in 2019, where he played the role of Soren.

His comedic timing and natural acting skills stole the hearts of the audience, and he quickly gained popularity among the younger generation.

Recently, he lent his voice to the animated Disney movie “Raya and the Last Dragon” released in 2021, where he voiced the character of Boun.

Tac Fitzgerald

Tac Fitzgerald is an American film actor, born in St Paul Minnesota. He appeared on Black Hawk Down, Hear on Earth and Down and Country.

Judy Garland

Judy Garland was born in Gerand Rapids Minnesota in 1922.  She rose to fame at a young age, starring in numerous films and musicals throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

One of her most iconic roles was that of Dorothy in the Academy Award winning film “The Wizard of Oz”.

Garland’s performance in the film cemented her status as a beloved Hollywood icon and cultural legend. She continued to work in the film industry throughout her life, earning critical acclaim for her roles in films like “A Star is Born” and “Meet Me in St. Louis”.

You can visit her childhood home and see some of her memorabilia: Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids Minnesota

Judy Garland Museum

Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel was born in Ely, Minnesota on March 3, 1982. She began her career as a singer, but later shifted her focus to acting.

Biel is best known for her roles in popular television series like “7th Heaven”, and films like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Total Recall”.

She has received critical acclaim for her work in independent films, and has also been involved in various charitable endeavors. 

Seann William Scott

Seann William Scott was born on October 3, 1976, in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. He is an American actor, comedian, and producer.

Scott rose to fame for his role as Steve Stifler in the “American Pie” film series. He has also appeared in several other movies, including “Road Trip,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” and “Goon.”

Prince Rogers Nelson

Born Prince Rogers Nelson, but more commonly know as Pring. He was a famous American musician, singer, and songwriter who was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

He was known for his innovative music styles that combined various genres, including funk, rock, and R&B.

Prince’s career spanned over four decades, during which he released numerous iconic albums and songs, including “Purple Rain” and “Kiss.” Today you can visit his home in Chanhassen MN.

Paisly Park

Leigh Cook

Leigh Cook, born in Minnesota, is an American actress known for her role in the classic teen film “She’s All That.”

Her performance in the movie earned her widespread recognition and she became a household name among audiences. She has also had notable roles in other films and television shows over the years.

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is a famous musician born and raised in Duluth MN. He is known for his unique and influential style of folk music, often highlighted through his poignant lyrics and unusual vocal delivery. 

Dylan is widely considered to be one of the greatest songwriters of all time, with iconic hits like “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin'” cementing his place in music history. 

Despite his many accolades, Dylan continues to push boundaries and inspire new generations of artists. 

What TV Series Stars Are from Minnesota?

Minnesota has also produced some of the most talented TV series stars that people across the world are now noticing. Here are a few examples:

Louie Anderson

Louie Anderson is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and TV host. Born on March 24, 1953, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Anderson has appeared in many TV shows, including “Perfect Strangers,” “Grace Under Fire,” and the cartoon series “Life with Louie.”

Vincent Kartheiser

Vincent Kartheiser was born on May 5, 1979, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is best known for his role as Pete Campbell in the TV series “Mad Men.”

He has also appeared in various other films and TV shows, including “Angels in the Outfield,” “Columbus Day,” and “A.P. Bio.”

Peter Krause

Peter Krause is a well-known actor who was born in Minnesota. He has appeared in a number of popular TV shows including Parenthood and 911. However, Krause is perhaps best known for his role in the hit series Six Feet Under.

In addition to his successful acting career, Krause has also been in the headlines for his romantic relationships.

He dated Gilmore Girls actress Lauren Graham for several years, which is interesting given that Krause is a Midwesterner, born and bred in the frigid winter weather of Minnesota.

In fact, according to Graham, Krause’s upbringing taught her how to embrace the cold.

What Other Famous People Were Born in Minnesota?

Apart from famous actors and TV series stars, Minnesota has produced many other famous people. Here are a few examples:

James Arness

James Arness was born on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was an American actor and best known for his starring role as Marshal Matt Dillon in the TV series “Gunsmoke.”

He has also appeared in many movies such as “The Sea Chase,” “Hondo,” and “Big Jim McLain.”

Nick Swardson

Nick Swardson was born on October 9, 1976, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer.

Swardson has appeared in various films and TV shows such as “Reno 911!,” “Grown Ups 2,” and “The Benchwarmers.”

Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange was born on April 20, 1949, in Cloquet, Minnesota. She is an American actress and best known for her starring role in the film “Tootsie.”

She has also appeared in many other movies such as “King Kong,” “Cape Fear,” and “Blue Sky.” Lange is one of the most famous film actresses from Minnesota.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald was an American writer born in St. Paul, Minnesota.

He is famously known for his novel “The Great Gatsby,” which has become one of the most celebrated works in American literature.

Fitzgerald wrote numerous other stories and novels, including “This Side of Paradise” and “Tender Is the Night,” that portrayed the decadence and excess of the roaring twenties.

His beautifully crafted prose and vivid characters continue to captivate readers to this day. 

What is the University of Minnesota Known for in Regards to Famous Actors?

The University of Minnesota has produced some talented actors over the years. Here are a few examples:

Peter Graves

Peter Graves was born on March 18, 1926, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was an American actor, best known for his role in the TV series “Mission: Impossible.”

Graves had also appeared in many movies such as “The Long Gray Line” and “Airplane!”

Kevin Sorbo

Kevin Sorbo was born on September 24, 1958, in Mound, Minnesota. He is an American actor and best known for his starring role in the TV series “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.”

He has also appeared in various other movies and TV shows, including “Andromeda” and “Two and a Half Men.”

James Hong

James Hong was born on February 22, 1929, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is an American actor and best known as a character actor, with over 600 credits to his name.

Some of his more popular credits include “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” “Blade Runner,” and “Kung Fu Panda.”

Minnesota has produced some of the most famous actors and other famous people in the world. From movie stars to TV series stars, comedians to character actors, and everything in between, Minnesota has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

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