We all know that Nebraska produces the best of everything, including people. The following 30 famous people from Nebraska have all made their home state proud while leaving a permanent mark on history. Take a look below to see how many of these famous people you already knew were from the “Cornhusker State.”

  1. Astronaut Clayton Anderson was born in Omaha in 1959.

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  1. Legendary dancer and actor Fred Astaire was born in Omaha in 1899.

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  1. Professional baseball player Wade Boggs was born in Omaha in 1958.

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  1. Beloved actor Marlon Brando was born in Omaha in 1924.

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  1. Renowned businessman and philanthropist Warren Buffet was born in Omaha in 1930.

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  1. Comedian, actor, and television host Johnny Carson was raised in Norfolk.

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  1. Celebrated frontier author Willa Cather lived in Nebraska from the age of nine.

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  1. Television host Dick Cavett was born in 1936 in Gibbon.

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  1. Former Vice President Dick Cheney was born in Lincoln in 1941.

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  1. Crazy Horse, Oglala Lakota Sioux Warrior, was imprisoned and killed in 1877 in what is now Nebraska following the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

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  1. Mannheim Steamroller musician Chip Davis moved to Omaha in the 1970s.

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  1. Bob Devaney, former Huskers football coach, resided in Lincoln from 1962 until his death in 1997.

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  1. Adam DeVine, actor and comedian, graduated from Millard South High School in Omaha in 2002.

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  1. Actor David Doyle, a.k.a. Bosley on the television show Charlie’s Angels, was born in Omaha in 1929.

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  1. Academy Award-winning actor Henry Fonda was born in 1905 in Grand Island.

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  1. Former U.S. President Gerald Ford was born in Omaha in 1913.

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  1. Retired St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson was born in Omaha in 1935.

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  1. Memorable professional wrestler Gorgeous George was born in Butte in 1915.

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  1. TV and movie actress Marg Helgenberger was born in Fremont in 1958.

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  1. Author and founder of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard was born in Tilden in 1911.

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  1. The Walking Dead actress Emily Kinney was born in Wayne in 1985.

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  1. Emmy Award-winning actress Swoosie Kurtz was born in Omaha in 1944.

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  1. Comedian Larry the Cable Guy (Daniel Lawrence Whitney) was born in Pawnee City in 1963.

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  1. Musician Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes was born in Omaha in 1980.

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  1. Legendary football player, Cornhuskers coach, and politician Tom Osborne was born in Hastings in 1937.

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  1. Alexander Payne, a director and Academy Award-winning screenwriter, was born in Omaha in 1961.

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  1. Andy Roddick, a retired professional tennis player, was born in Omaha in 1982.

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  1. Indie singer-songwriter Elliott Smith was born in Omaha in 1969.

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  1. Prolific author and screenwriter Nicholas Sparks was born in Omaha in 1965.

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  1. Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank was born in Lincoln in 1974.

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These 30 famous people from Nebraska are proof that the “Cornhusker State” grows more than just corn and cows. We produce outstanding entertainers, politicians, and sports figures who are known and admired by people from around the world.

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Address: Nebraska, USA

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famous people from nebraska August 18, 2022 Jennifer Young What are 10 fun facts about Nebraska? Just when you thought you knew everything there is to know about Nebraska, you learn something new. Listed below are 10 fun facts about Nebraska. Even though you might know most of these true facts about Nebraska, a few of them just might surprise you.

  1. Nebraska was the birthplace of Kool-Aid. In 1927, this popular drink powder was invented in Hastings, Nebraska by Edwin Perkins.
  2. The largest weight room in the United States, which covers 3/4 of an acre, is located at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.
  3. The Henry Doorly Zoo, which is home to the largest indoor rainforest, is located in Omaha, Nebraska.
  4. Nebraska is one of the country’s less-populated states.
  5. In Omaha, Nebraska stands a Chef Boyardee statue that’s six feet tall.
  6. Because of a law in the late 1800s, merchants in Lehigh, Nebraska weren’t allowed to sell donut holes.
  7. The largest mammoth fossil in the world is on display at the University of Nebraska State Museum.
  8. Nebraska has more miles of river than any other U.S. state.
  9. The “Tree Planter’s State” was Nebraska’s original nickname.
  10. Nebraska’s official insect is the honeybee. Who are three celebrities from Nebraska who eventually became Academy Award-winning actors or actresses? There are many celebrities from Nebraska, including several that have gone on to become famous actors or actresses. Listed below are three celebrities in Nebraska that have won an Academy Award, or even two.
  11. Hilary Swank In 1974, Hilary Swank was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. She’s won two Academy Awards for Best Actress: Boys Don’t Cry (2000) and Million Dollar Baby (2005).
  12. Henry Fonda Henry Fonda was born in Grand Island, Nebraska in 1905. In 1982, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor: On Golden Pond.
  13. Marlon Brando, Jr. In 1924, Marlon Brando, Jr. was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He won two Academy Awards for Best Actor: On the Waterfront (1955) and The Godfather (1973).

The OIYS Visitor Center

famous people from nebraska

August 18, 2022

Jennifer Young

What are 10 fun facts about Nebraska? Just when you thought you knew everything there is to know about Nebraska, you learn something new. Listed below are 10 fun facts about Nebraska. Even though you might know most of these true facts about Nebraska, a few of them just might surprise you.

  1. Nebraska was the birthplace of Kool-Aid. In 1927, this popular drink powder was invented in Hastings, Nebraska by Edwin Perkins.
  2. The largest weight room in the United States, which covers 3/4 of an acre, is located at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.
  3. The Henry Doorly Zoo, which is home to the largest indoor rainforest, is located in Omaha, Nebraska.
  4. Nebraska is one of the country’s less-populated states.
  5. In Omaha, Nebraska stands a Chef Boyardee statue that’s six feet tall.
  6. Because of a law in the late 1800s, merchants in Lehigh, Nebraska weren’t allowed to sell donut holes.
  7. The largest mammoth fossil in the world is on display at the University of Nebraska State Museum.
  8. Nebraska has more miles of river than any other U.S. state.
  9. The “Tree Planter’s State” was Nebraska’s original nickname.
  10. Nebraska’s official insect is the honeybee. Who are three celebrities from Nebraska who eventually became Academy Award-winning actors or actresses? There are many celebrities from Nebraska, including several that have gone on to become famous actors or actresses. Listed below are three celebrities in Nebraska that have won an Academy Award, or even two.
  11. Hilary Swank In 1974, Hilary Swank was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. She’s won two Academy Awards for Best Actress: Boys Don’t Cry (2000) and Million Dollar Baby (2005).
  12. Henry Fonda Henry Fonda was born in Grand Island, Nebraska in 1905. In 1982, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor: On Golden Pond.
  13. Marlon Brando, Jr. In 1924, Marlon Brando, Jr. was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He won two Academy Awards for Best Actor: On the Waterfront (1955) and The Godfather (1973).

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Just when you thought you knew everything there is to know about Nebraska, you learn something new. Listed below are 10 fun facts about Nebraska. Even though you might know most of these true facts about Nebraska, a few of them just might surprise you.

  1. Nebraska was the birthplace of Kool-Aid. In 1927, this popular drink powder was invented in Hastings, Nebraska by Edwin Perkins.

  2. The largest weight room in the United States, which covers 3/4 of an acre, is located at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

  3. The Henry Doorly Zoo, which is home to the largest indoor rainforest, is located in Omaha, Nebraska.

  4. Nebraska is one of the country’s less-populated states.

  5. In Omaha, Nebraska stands a Chef Boyardee statue that’s six feet tall.

  6. Because of a law in the late 1800s, merchants in Lehigh, Nebraska weren’t allowed to sell donut holes.

  7. The largest mammoth fossil in the world is on display at the University of Nebraska State Museum.

  8. Nebraska has more miles of river than any other U.S. state.

  9. The “Tree Planter’s State” was Nebraska’s original nickname.

  10. Nebraska’s official insect is the honeybee.

Who are three celebrities from Nebraska who eventually became Academy Award-winning actors or actresses?

There are many celebrities from Nebraska, including several that have gone on to become famous actors or actresses. Listed below are three celebrities in Nebraska that have won an Academy Award, or even two.

  1. Hilary Swank

In 1974, Hilary Swank was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. She’s won two Academy Awards for Best Actress: Boys Don’t Cry (2000) and Million Dollar Baby (2005).

  1. Henry Fonda

Henry Fonda was born in Grand Island, Nebraska in 1905. In 1982, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor: On Golden Pond.

  1. Marlon Brando, Jr.

In 1924, Marlon Brando, Jr. was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He won two Academy Awards for Best Actor: On the Waterfront (1955) and The Godfather (1973).