15 Famous People From Indiana

Indiana became our 19TH state on December 11, 1816. The capital of Indiana is in Indianapolis, IN which is the second largest state capital. Indiana means land of the Indians or Indian Land because Indians lived in Indiana for many thousands of years before Indiana became a state. Indiana's bird is the Cardinal, the flower is a peony and the tree is Tulip Tree. Indiana is one of our fifty states, is a beautiful place to visit and a great place to live. Here are 15 famous people from Indiana.


David Letterman (1947 - ) David Letterman was born in Indianapolis, IN in 1947, he is famous for being a comedian and a late night talk show host on the the Late Show With David Letterman. David Letterman is also a television and film producer. His birthday is April 12, 1947.


Shelley Long (1949 - ) Shelley Long was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1949. Shelley Long is an American actress best known for her role as Diane Chambers in the popular sitcom Cheers, for which she won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress and two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress. Her birthday is August 23, 1949.


Larry Bird (1956 - ) Larry Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana in 1956. He is an NBA Basketball Hall of Famer who led the Boston Celtics to three NBA championships (1981, 1984, 1986). He also spent time as the coach of the Indiana Pacers. I met Larry Bird about fifteen years ago and he signed a basketball for me without charge. Larry Bird's birthday is December 7, 1956.


Steve McQueen (1930 - 1980) Steve McQueen was born in Beech Grove Indiana in 1930 and he died in 1930. Steve McQueen was an American movie actor nicknamed "The King of Cool." His "anti-hero" persona, made him one of the top box-office draws of the 1960s and 1970s. McQueen received an Academy Award nomination for his role in The Sand Pebbles. His other popular films include The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, The Thomas Crown Affair, Bullitt, The Getaway, Papillon, and The Towering Inferno. In 1974 he became the highest paid movie star in the world. Steve McQueen's birthday is March 24, 1930. He died young from cancer which he believed was caused by asbestos in movie sound stage insulation


Avery Franklin Brooks (1948 - ) Avery Franklin Brooks was born in Evansville, Indiana in 1948. He is an American actor, jazz musician, opera singer and college professor. Brooks is best known for his television roles as Benjamin Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Hawk on Spenser: For Hire and its spinoff A Man Called Hawk, and his film role in American History X. His birthday is October 2, 1948.


John Cougar Mellencamp (1951 - ) John Cougar Mellencamp was born in Seymour, Indiana in 1951. John Cougar Mellencamp is a singer, songwriter and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was most famous in the 1970's and 1980's. His birthday is October 7, 1941.


Jim Davis (1945 - ) Jim Davis was born in Marion, Indiana in 1945 and he is the creator of Garfield. He was born on July 28, 1945.


James Dean (1934 - 1955) James Dean was born in Marion, Indiana in 1934 and he died in 1955 in a car crash. James Dean was famous for movies like Rebel Without a Cause and East of Eden. James Dean's birthday is February 8, 1931


John Dillinger (1903 - 1934) John Dillinger was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1903. He was an American bank robber in the Midwest during the early 1930s. He was considered to be a dangerous criminal who was involved in the deaths of several police officers, robbed at least two dozen banks and four police stations, escaped from jail twice and was idolized by some as a modern-day Robin Hood. John Dillinger was killed in 1934 while attempting to flee, he was shot three times and died. John Dillinger's birthday is June 22, 1903.


Jane Pauley (1950 - ) Jane Pauley was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1950. She is a television journalist who hosts Dateline and was the host of NBC's Today program. Jane Pauley is married to Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau, they have three children together. Jane Pauley's birthday in October 31, 1950.


Colonel Harland Sanders (1890 - 1980) Colonel Harland Sanders was born in Henryville, Indiana in 1890 and he died from old age in 1980. Colonel Sanders was the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, better known as KFC. He lived in Corbin, Kentucky and died in Louisville. Colonel Sanders birthday is September 9, 1890.


Red Skelton (1913 - 1997) Red Skelton was born in Vincennes, Indiana in 1913 and he died in 1997. Red Skelton was an American comedian who was best known as a top radio and television star from 1937 to 1971. Skelton's show business career began in his teens as a circus clown and went on to vaudeville, Broadway, films, radio, TV, night clubs and casinos, all while pursuing another career as a painter. Red Skelton's birthday is July 18, 1913.


Brendan Fraser (1968 - ) Brendan Fraser was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1968. He is a Canadian-American actor of stage and screen. He has starred in many major Hollywood films, including The Mummy film series (which are the coolest movies he starred in), Crash, Dudley Do-Right, Looney Tunes: Back in Action, George of the Jungle and Journey to the Center of the Earth. His birthday is December 3, 1968


Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009) Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana. He is one of the greatest singers, songwriters, dancers ever. Michael Jackson became famous as a singer of the Jackson 5 and earned millions during his solo career and became the King of Pop. He died in 2009 through a forced overdose by his doctor. Michael Jackson's birthday is August 29, 1958.


Wilbur Wright (1867 - 1912) Wilbur Wright was born in Millville, Indiana in 1867 Invented the first airplane with his brother Orville Wright; He, along with his brother, also made the first controlled human air flight. His birthday is April 16,1867.


Indiana is one of our great fifty states. Indiana is a place where many great people were born. These are the fifteen most famous people who were born in the state of Indiana. I lived in Indiana and I have been to Indianapolis. It is a great place to visit and a great place to live. Indiana is a place filled with history and the future will be filled with more great American adventures.