Illinois is a pretty great place to call home. Anyone who is from Illinois usually wears it proudly, even celebrities! We decided to take a deep dive into the most famous people from Illinois, and some of these faces might surprise you. Here’s a little Illinois trivia for you – how many of these famous people did you know were born in Illinois?
- Betty White was born in Oak Park.
David Shankbone/Flickr This actress, author, comedian, and animal rights enthusiast was born in Oak Park, Illinois on January 17, 1922.
- Bob Odenkirk was born in Berwyn.
Gage Skidmore/Flickr You might recognize this famous Illinois face from shows like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
- Harrison Ford was born in Chicago.
Steve Jurvetson/Flickr Indiana Jones himself was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1942 and still has a residence in his home city.
- Ludacris was born in Champaign.
Eva Rinaldi/Flickr While he might rap about all different area codes, this Fast & The Furious Star was born in Illinois.
- Melissa McCarthy was born in Plainfield.
torbakhopper/Flickr One of the greatest comedians of all time, Melissa McCarthy was born and raised in Plainfield, Illinois before taking Hollywood by storm.
- Bill Murray was born in Evanston.
David Shankbone/Flickr Bill Murray has had a career spanning decades in the movie biz. But did you know he was born in Evanston, Illinois?
- Jennifer Morrison was born in Chicago.
Jennifer Morrison/Flickr Jennifer Morrison, known for her work on This Is Us and Once Upon A Time was born in Chicago and grew up in Arlington Heights.
- Andre Iguodala was born in Springfield.
Keith Allison/Flickr He can slam dunk with the best of them. This basketball star was born in Springfield, Illinois.
- Suze Orman was born in Chicago.
LinkedInPulse/Flickr This financial guru reaches millions across the world with her tips and analytics. But she began her journey in Chicago, Illinois.
- John Malkovich was born in Christopher.
vhfvictorfelder/Flickr While this actor, director, writer, and producer was born in Christopher, Illinois, he actually grew up in Benton. His father was a state conservation direction who published Outdoor Illinois, a well-known conservation magazine.
- Dick van Dyke grew up in Danville.
Kristin Dos Santos/Flickr While van Dyke was born in Missouri, he actually grew up in Danville, Illinois.
- Owen Daniels was born in Naperville.
Keith Allison/Flickr This two-time Pro Bowl selection was born in Illinois and eventually played college football for the University of Wisconsin.
- Patricia Arquette was born in Chicago.
Ibsan73/Flickr Arquette, who has quite a few television and movie credits under her belt, was born in April 1968 in Chicago, Illinois.
Of course, we know that there are plenty more famous people from Illinois that didn’t make this list. What celebrities in Illinois did we miss? Let us know in the comments section! We hope to make a part two in the future with more famous faces.
David Shankbone/Flickr
This actress, author, comedian, and animal rights enthusiast was born in Oak Park, Illinois on January 17, 1922.
Gage Skidmore/Flickr
You might recognize this famous Illinois face from shows like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
Steve Jurvetson/Flickr
Indiana Jones himself was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1942 and still has a residence in his home city.
Eva Rinaldi/Flickr
While he might rap about all different area codes, this Fast & The Furious Star was born in Illinois.
torbakhopper/Flickr
One of the greatest comedians of all time, Melissa McCarthy was born and raised in Plainfield, Illinois before taking Hollywood by storm.
Bill Murray has had a career spanning decades in the movie biz. But did you know he was born in Evanston, Illinois?
Jennifer Morrison/Flickr
Jennifer Morrison, known for her work on This Is Us and Once Upon A Time was born in Chicago and grew up in Arlington Heights.
Keith Allison/Flickr
He can slam dunk with the best of them. This basketball star was born in Springfield, Illinois.
LinkedInPulse/Flickr
This financial guru reaches millions across the world with her tips and analytics. But she began her journey in Chicago, Illinois.
vhfvictorfelder/Flickr
While this actor, director, writer, and producer was born in Christopher, Illinois, he actually grew up in Benton. His father was a state conservation direction who published Outdoor Illinois, a well-known conservation magazine.
Kristin Dos Santos/Flickr
While van Dyke was born in Missouri, he actually grew up in Danville, Illinois.
Keith Allison/Flickr
This two-time Pro Bowl selection was born in Illinois and eventually played college football for the University of Wisconsin.
Ibsan73/Flickr
Arquette, who has quite a few television and movie credits under her belt, was born in April 1968 in Chicago, Illinois.
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Famous People From Illinois September 23, 2021 Marisa Roman What is Illinois known for? Outside of the celebrities in Illinois, we’ve outlined above, what are some notable things that Illinois is known for? From famous towns to historical moments, Illinois has a lot of things that cement its place in the country. For instance, did you know that 85 percent of the state is covered in cornfields? Check out this list of the 16 greatest things Illinois is known for. What are the best small towns in Illinois? Here are some fun facts about Illinois - we have a ton of small towns worth visiting and one of them is Metropolis, the town where Superman was born and raised! Okay, Metropolis isn’t the only small town to check out. Take a look at this list of the most beautiful, charming towns in Illinois. Some of these gems might just surprise you. What are the best things about living in Illinois? Ready for some Illinois trivia? Where can you find the best hot dogs in Illinois? The fast-casual restaurant known as Portillo’s offers up some of the best Chicago-style hot dogs in the Midwest. This is just one of many reasons why living in Illinois is the absolute greatest. We also have one of the greatest cities in the world as our capital, tons of great sports teams, and a plethora of outdoor adventures to take.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Famous People From Illinois
September 23, 2021
Marisa Roman
What is Illinois known for? Outside of the celebrities in Illinois, we’ve outlined above, what are some notable things that Illinois is known for? From famous towns to historical moments, Illinois has a lot of things that cement its place in the country. For instance, did you know that 85 percent of the state is covered in cornfields? Check out this list of the 16 greatest things Illinois is known for. What are the best small towns in Illinois? Here are some fun facts about Illinois - we have a ton of small towns worth visiting and one of them is Metropolis, the town where Superman was born and raised! Okay, Metropolis isn’t the only small town to check out. Take a look at this list of the most beautiful, charming towns in Illinois. Some of these gems might just surprise you. What are the best things about living in Illinois? Ready for some Illinois trivia? Where can you find the best hot dogs in Illinois? The fast-casual restaurant known as Portillo’s offers up some of the best Chicago-style hot dogs in the Midwest. This is just one of many reasons why living in Illinois is the absolute greatest. We also have one of the greatest cities in the world as our capital, tons of great sports teams, and a plethora of outdoor adventures to take.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Outside of the celebrities in Illinois, we’ve outlined above, what are some notable things that Illinois is known for? From famous towns to historical moments, Illinois has a lot of things that cement its place in the country. For instance, did you know that 85 percent of the state is covered in cornfields? Check out this list of the 16 greatest things Illinois is known for.
What are the best small towns in Illinois?
Here are some fun facts about Illinois - we have a ton of small towns worth visiting and one of them is Metropolis, the town where Superman was born and raised! Okay, Metropolis isn’t the only small town to check out. Take a look at this list of the most beautiful, charming towns in Illinois. Some of these gems might just surprise you.
What are the best things about living in Illinois?
Ready for some Illinois trivia? Where can you find the best hot dogs in Illinois? The fast-casual restaurant known as Portillo’s offers up some of the best Chicago-style hot dogs in the Midwest. This is just one of many reasons why living in Illinois is the absolute greatest. We also have one of the greatest cities in the world as our capital, tons of great sports teams, and a plethora of outdoor adventures to take.
