These Are 8 of the Most Famous People From Indiana – Do You Know All of Them?

Famous people often have humble, easily-forgotten roots. Who would ever expect a renowned actor or celebrated sportsman to be from their hometown or state? Here are eight famous people born in places like Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and even Greenfield, Indiana with whom you may not have known you share a birthplace.

David Letterman

Born in Indianapolis in 1947, David Letterman always admired his father’s ability to be the life of the party. But it wasn’t until he graduated college and heard the Paul Dixon Show on the radio that he moved into a career in radio broadcasting and television hosting. Starting as a radio host in college before moving to weather reporting on television, no one would’ve expected Letterman to become the host of Late Night with David Letterman and Late Show with David Letterman from 1982 to 2015.

He currently hosts My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman on Netflix and has inspired some of today’s most successful late-night hosts – such as Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon.

Janet Jackson

Born in 1966 in Gary, Indiana, Janet Jackson began making a name for herself in 1976 as part of the television show The Jacksons.
She appeared in more television series in the late 70s and early 80s before officially becoming a pop icon in 1982 by signing with A&M Records and releasing her third and fourth albums with them.

From there, Janet Jackson broke records in sales, won awards like Grammys and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, got blacklisted, and started her own record label – Rhythm Nation. But she never forgot where she started in Indiana, as evidenced by her upcoming documentary series Janet Jackson: Family First.

Kyle Gibson

Kyle Gibson was born in Greenfield, Indiana in 1987, and if you’d asked him what career he would pursue as a child, his answer would’ve been baseball. Growing up in Greenfield, a strong senior year as a pitcher at Greenfield-Central High School led Gibson to be named All-East Player of the Year and join Indiana’s All-Star Team.

Following this, he played in the minor leagues from 2009 to 2013 after passing up a 2006 MLB Draft selection by the Philadelphia Phillies to play college baseball. He ended up making his debut as a major league player in 2013 and is currently on a one-year
contract with the Baltimore Orioles.

Axl Rose

Born William Bruce Rose Jr. in Layfayette, Indiana in 1962, Axl Rose is best known as Guns N’ Roses’s co-founder, lead vocalist, and lyricist. After immersing himself in the rock and roll scene in L.A., Rose co-founded Guns N’ Roses and created a debut album that became the best-selling debut album of all time in the U.S.

After finishing the Use Your Illusion Tour in 1994, Rose disappeared from the public eye, and Guns N’ Roses disbanded due to personal and musical differences. In 2001, he re-emerged as the band’s sole member due to legally obtaining the band name.
A 2020 tour, multiple cartoon appearances, and the release of two singles in 2021 showcase Rose’s intention to continue performing.

Steve McQueen

Born in Beech Grove, Indiana in 1930 as Terrence Stephen McQueen and passing away in Mexico in 1980, Steven McQueen made a name for himself as an anti-hero American actor from the late 50s to the 70s.

After years of hardship as a youth and a stint in the United States Marine Corps until an honorable discharge in 1950, McQueen studied acting in New York before moving to L.A. to pursue Hollywood jobs. McQueen had roles from The Sand Pebbles to The Great Escape, and let’s not forget his iconic car chase through San Francisco in Bullitt. Steve McQueen became the highest-paid movie star in 1974 as part of The Towing Inferno before passing away from cancer caused by asbestos exposure in 1980.

Larry Bird

Born in West Baden, Indiana in 1956 and raised in nearby French Lick, Larry Bird has a stellar basketball record. From the all-time scoring leader in Springs Valley High School to a college star beginning a decade-long rivalry with Magic Johnson, Bird made a name for himself, leading to a 13-season career with the Celtics in the NBA.

He’s the only person in NBA history to get Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year during his career. He coached the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000 and was president of basketball operations for them from 2003 to 2017 – briefly retiring in 2012 before returning in 2013.

Adam Driver

Despite being born in California in 1983, Adam Driver was raised in his mother’s hometown of Mishawaka, Indiana.
Spending time in the U.S. Marine Corps before being accepted at Juilliard School, Driver’s acting career began with a Broadway debut in 2010 as part of the cast of Mrs. Warren’s Profession.

He was first recognized for his supporting role in Girls, but we know him best as Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
He has multiple Emmys and Academy Awards and founded Arts in the Armed Forces – a nonprofit providing free arts programming to active-duty American military members and their families.

Jenna Fischer

Everyone remembers The Office, but did you know Jenna Fischer—born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1974—played Pam Beesly and became a producer for the show’s final season? Raised in Missouri, Fischer began performing at six by helping her mother teach an acting workshop.

While her acting career was slow to develop, she directed her own mockumentary, LolliLove, and performed as a guest on shows like That 70’s Show and What I Like About You before landing the role of Pam Beesly in 2005. Since then, she’s been in many successful films, became the co-host of the podcast Office Ladies, and published a book – The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide.

Indiana: Where Stars are Born

Now that you know about some of the most famous people in areas like Indianapolis and Greenfield, Indiana, you’ll never tire of spreading the knowledge of your hometown when someone visits!