Homegrown Celebrities

KC Heartland has been home to a number of celebrity artists, designers, performers and athletes. Check out some of our more notable homegrown celebrities.

Sports

• Tom Watson | Professional Golfer; Six time PGA Tour player of the year; Designed National Golf Club of KC Golf Course
• Jackie Robinson | First African American Major League Baseball Player; Played for the Kansas City Monarchs
• George Brett | Hall of Fame Baseball Player; Played for the Kansas City Royals

Film & TV

• Paul Rudd | Actor and People's Sexiest Man Alive 2021
• Jason Sudeikis | Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Award Winning Actor
• Don Cheadle | Golden Globe Winning Actor
• Chris Cooper | Academy Award Winning Actor
• Robert B. Altman | Golden Globe Winning Director
• Erich “Mancow” Muller | Actor and Radio Personality
• Dianne Wiest | Academy Award Winning Actress
• Joan Crawford | Academy Award Winning Actress
• Craig Kilborn | Sports Broadcaster and Television Host
• Eric Stonestreet | Primetime Emmy Award Winning Actor
• Trai Byers | NAACP Image Awards Nominated Actor
• Heidi Gardner | Actress and Saturday Night Live Comedian
• Rob Riggle | Actor and Saturday Night Live Comedian

Musicians

• Kevin Morby | American Musician, Singer and Songwriter
• Charlie Parker | Legendary Jazz Saxophonist
• Melissa Etheridge | Grammy Award Winning Singer
• Eminem | Grammy Award Winning Rapper
• Count Basie | Legendary Bandleader and Pianist
• Pat Metheny | Grammy Award Winning Jazz Guitarist
• David Cook | Singer; American Idol Season 7 Winner
• Tech N9ne | Award-Winning Rapper and Singer

Artists

• Walt Disney | Creator of Mickey Mouse; Attended Kansas City Art Institute 

Politicians

• Harry S. Truman | 33rd President of the United States

Authors

• Ernest Hemingway | Renowned author of American classics; Reporter for the Kansas City Star
• Gretchen Rubin | Best-selling author
• Gillian Flynn | Author and Screenwriter

Fashion

• Kate Spade | Founder and namesake designer of Kate Spade brand