List of people from Joliet, Illinois

The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Joliet, Illinois. For a similar list organized alphabetically by last name, see the category page People from Joliet, Illinois.

Acting

John Barrowman (born 1967), actor (Doctor Who, Torchwood)
Nora Bayes (1880–1928), actress, singer, and comedian
John Beck (born 1943), actor (The Other Side of Midnight, Rollerball)
Jodi Carlisle (born 1960), actress (The Wild Thornberrys)
Tyler Christopher (born 1972), actor (General Hospital)
JoAnn Dean Killingsworth (1923–2015), actress and dancer, first person to play Snow White at Disneyland^[1]
Andy Dick (born 1965), comedian, actor, musician and producer (NewsRadio)
Janina Gavankar (born 1980), actress, musician (True Blood)
Kathryn Hays (1933–2022), actress (As the World Turns)
Mercedes McCambridge (1916–2004), actress; 1949 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (All the King's Men, Giant)
Melissa McCarthy (born 1970), actress and comedian (Mike & Molly, Bridesmaids)
Nick Offerman (born 1970), actor, comedian, and carpenter (Parks and Recreation)
Larry Parks (1914–1975), stage and film actor (The Jolson Story)
Anthony Rapp (born 1971), stage and film actor and singer (Rent)
Lynne Thigpen (1948–2003), Tony Award-winning stage, film and TV actress (Carmen Sandiego, The Paper, Godspell)
Audrey Totter (1917–2013), actress (Lady in the Lake, Our Man Higgins)
Vince Vieluf (born 1970), actor (Rat Race)

Academics, arts, and writing

Ann Bannon (born 1932), pulp fiction writer
William Lincoln Bakewell (1888–1969), able seaman on Shackleton Antarctic expedition
Thomas Bojeski (1946–1974), notable poet writing under the name of Thomas James
Charles Bowden (1945–2014), educator and writer
Robert Todd Carroll (1945–2016), publisher of The Skeptic's Dictionary and fellow of Committee for Skeptical Inquiry
James Downey (born 1952), head writer for Saturday Night Live
Wendy Anderson Halperin, children's book illustrator and writer
John Houbolt (1919–2014), aerospace engineer
Mort Kondracke (born 1939), political commentator and journalist
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (born 1933), children's and young adult fiction author
Robert Novak (1931–2009), syndicated columnist, author, conservative political commentator
Adam Rapp (born 1968), novelist, playwright, screenwriter, filmmaker and musician
Johan Reinhard (born 1943), anthropologist, archaeologist
James J. Stukel (born 1937), 15th President of the University of Illinois (born in Joliet)
Edwin Way Teale (1899–1980), naturalist, photographer, Pulitzer Prize-winning author
Lester Frank Ward (1841–1913) botanist, paleontologist, and sociologist; born in Joliet.
Adele Fay Williams (1859–1937), artist and newspaper writer, born in Joliet

Business

John D. Goeken (1930–2010), founder of MCI Inc. and Airfone
John Fremont McCullough (1871–1963), co-founder of Dairy Queen; opened first store in Joliet in 1940
William Cornelius Van Horne (1843–1915), pioneering Canadian railway executive
Mike Wolfe (born 1964), owner of Antique Archaeology; cast member of American Pickers

Crime

Milton Johnson (born 1950), serial killer

Military

Joseph F. Ambrose (1896–1988), World War I veteran
Earl N. Franklin (1917–2003), colonel of the United States Air Force and Tuskegee Airman
Frank Perconte (1917–2003), D-Day veteran, member of Easy Company, 506th parachute infantry regiment, and portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers by James Madio

Modeling

Adrianne Curry (born 1982), model, best known as the first winner of America's Next Top Model
Lois Delander (1911–1985), Miss America 1927

Music

Charlie Adams (born 1954), drummer for Chameleon and Yanni, spokesman for Autism Society of America
John Barrowman (born 1967), Scottish singer, actor, dancer, musical performer and media personality; 1985 graduate of Joliet West High School
Jimmy Chamberlin (born 1964), drummer, songwriter and producer of The Smashing Pumpkins
Mark Carman (born 1960), Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter, musician, singer
Edward Joseph Collins (1886–1951), pianist and composer
Da Brat (born 1974), born Shawntae Harris, Grammy-nominated rapper and actress; first female solo rap act to have platinum-selling album
Five Pointe O, alternative rock music group, active 1999–2003
Janina Gavankar (born 1980), actress and musician
Buffalocomotive, rock band formed in 2004 that recorded the theme song for Inked
Frank Marocco (1931–2012), accordionist
Don Murray (1904–1929), jazz clarinet and saxophone player
Kerry Muzzey (born 1970), film and television composer
Ron Nelson (1929–2023), composer of classical and semi-classical music, retired music educator
Ann Nesby (born 1950), R&B, gospel, and dance music singer/songwriter and actress, former lead singer of Sounds of Blackness
Doug Pinnick (born 1950), bass guitarist, songwriter, and co-lead vocalist for King's X
Lionel Richie (born 1949), Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and record producer, composer of the Academy Award-winning song "Say You, Say Me"
Steve Rodby (born 1954), bass guitarist for Pat Metheny Group
Elisabeth Withers, neo-soul and R&B singer-songwriter

Politics and law

Edward C. Akin (1852–1936), Illinois Attorney General and Mayor of Joliet^[2]
Meade Baltz (1912–1994), businessman and Illinois state legislator^[3]
Richard J. Barr (1865–1951), Illinois State Senator and Mayor of Joliet^[4]
William G. Barr (1920–1987), Illinois state representative and businessman^[5]
Joel Aldrich Matteson (1808-1873), 10th Governor of Illinois
George H. Munroe (1844–1912), Illinois State Senator and businessman
Lewis E. Reed (born 1962), first African-American president of the Board of Aldermen in St. Louis, Missouri (2007–2022)
Richard Terrin (1890–1958), lawyer, military theorist and Asia expert
Lawrence M. Walsh Sr. (born 1948), Illinois State Senator and farmer

Religion

Lawrence Jenco (1934–1996), Roman Catholic priest and author; taken hostage in Beirut in January 1985 and held for 564 days
Roger Kaffer (1927–2009), auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet (1985–2002)

Sports

Baseball

Sweetbreads Bailey (1895–1939), pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and Brooklyn Robins
Rylan Bannon (born 1996), third baseman in the New York Mets organization
Jesse Barfield (born 1959), outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Yomiuri Giants (Japan)
Sean Bergman (born 1970), pitcher for five MLB teams and one team in the NPB league of Japan
Bobby Burke (1907–1971), pitcher for the Washington Senators and Philadelphia Phillies
Kevin Cameron (born 1979), pitcher for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics
Mark Carlson (born 1969), umpire in Major League Baseball
Kelly Dransfeldt (born 1975), shortstop for the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox
Brian DuBois (1967–2023), pitcher for the Detroit Tigers
Gordie Gillespie (1926–2015), coach, member of College Baseball Hall of Fame
Mike Grace (born 1970), pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies
Mark Andrew Grant (born 1963), pitcher for six MLB teams
Bill Gullickson (born 1959), pitcher for six MLB teams; played baseball at Joliet Catholic Academy^[6]
Larry Gura (born 1947), pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals
Bill Haller (1935–2022), American League umpire and official 1961–1985
Jack Hendricks (1875–1943), outfielder and manager for several MLB teams
Ed Lagger (1912–1981), pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics
Mark Leiter (born 1963), pitcher for eight MLB teams
Bernice Metesch (born 1929), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
Chris Michalak (born 1971), pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds
Bill Moran (1869–1916), catcher and left fielder for the St. Louis Browns and Chicago Colts
Margaret Murray, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
Steve Parris (born 1967), pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Jack Perconte (born 1954), infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, and Chicago White Sox; sports writer
Jeff Reed (born 1962), catcher with six MLB teams
Ed Spiezio (born 1941), third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and Chicago White Sox^[7]
Scott Spiezio (born 1972), infielder for the Oakland Athletics, Anaheim Angels, Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals^[8]
Bill Sudakis (1946–2021), third baseman for six MLB teams

Basketball

Cathy Boswell (born 1962), 1984 Gold Medal Olympian USA women's basketball
Bulbs Ehlers (1923–2013), played basketball for Purdue and NBA's Boston Celtics
Jeremy Fears Jr. (born 2005), point guard for Michigan State
Terry Gannon (born 1963), player for North Carolina State 1983 NCAA champions, sportscaster for NBC Sports and the Golf Channel
Bill Jones (born 1958), center for Northern Iowa Panthers and in Australia's National Basketball League; captained Adelaide 36ers to 1986 NBL Championship
Ed Mikan (1925–1999), center for the Chicago Stags, Rochester Royals, Philadelphia Warriors, Indianapolis Olympians, and Boston Celtics
George Mikan (1924–2005), Hall of Fame center and coach for DePaul and five-time NBA champion Minneapolis Lakers
Roger Powell (born 1983), small forward for Illinois 2005 NCAA finalists and NBA's Utah Jazz
Allie Quigley (born 1986), All-Star guard for WNBA's Chicago Sky
Alando Tucker (born 1984), small forward and shooting guard for Wisconsin, 2007 Big Ten Player of the Year; NBA's Phoenix Suns

Football

Mike Alstott (born 1973), fullback, 6-time Pro Bowl selection for the Super Bowl XXXVII champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pete Bercich (born 1971), player and assistant coach for the Minnesota Vikings
Gordie Gillespie (1926–2015), college football coach
Mike Goolsby (born 1982), linebacker for the St. Louis Rams
Harlan Gustafson (1917–1984), 1939 All-America end for University of Pennsylvania
George Hartong (1896–1973), center for the Chicago Cardinals
Elmer Madarik (1922–1974), running back for the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins
Eric Parker (born 1979), wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers
Pug Rentner (1910–1978), halfback and quarterback for the Boston Redskins and Chicago Bears
Daniel Ruettiger (born 1948), college football player, motivational speaker; inspiration for film Rudy
Eric Steinbach (born 1980), guard for the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns
Tom Thayer (born 1961), center and guard for the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins
Jim Valek (1928-2005), player and head coach for University of Illinois

Martial arts

Randall Kleck, martial artist; World Karate Union Hall of Fame^[9]

Motorsports

Danny Kladis, Indianapolis 500 driver and inductee of the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame

Wrestling

Juice Robinson, professional wrestler in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling, 3rd IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion

References

^ Chawkins, Steve (2015-06-25). "JoAnn Dean Killingsworth dies at 91; Disneyland's first Snow White". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2015-07-22.
^ 'Illinois Blue Book 1897,' Biographical Sketch of Edward C. Akin, pg. 134
^ 'Illinois Blue Book 1971-1972,' Biographical Sketch of Meade Baltz, pg. 162-163
^ 'Illinois Blue Book 1949–1950,' Biographical Sketch of Richard J. Barr, pg. 215
^ 'Illinois Blue Book 1969-1970,' Biographical Sketch of William G. Barr, pg. 270-271
^ "Bill Gullickson Stats - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
^ The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia. Sterling Publishing. 2007. p. 924. ISBN 978-1-4027-4771-7.
^ "Scott Spiezio Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
^ "Invitation to join Joliet West High School Alumni". Classmates.com. Retrieved 20 August 2017.

[latimes-1] Chawkins, Steve (2015-06-25). "JoAnn Dean Killingsworth dies at 91; Disneyland's first Snow White". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2015-07-22.

[2] 'Illinois Blue Book 1897,' Biographical Sketch of Edward C. Akin, pg. 134

[3] 'Illinois Blue Book 1971-1972,' Biographical Sketch of Meade Baltz, pg. 162-163

[4] 'Illinois Blue Book 1949–1950,' Biographical Sketch of Richard J. Barr, pg. 215

[5] 'Illinois Blue Book 1969-1970,' Biographical Sketch of William G. Barr, pg. 270-271

[6] "Bill Gullickson Stats - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 20 August 2017.

[7] The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia. Sterling Publishing. 2007. p. 924. ISBN 978-1-4027-4771-7.

[8] "Scott Spiezio Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved October 30, 2012.

[9] "Invitation to join Joliet West High School Alumni". Classmates.com. Retrieved 20 August 2017.

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