Homegrown Celebrities

Homegrown Celebrities

Kansas City has been home to a number of celebrity artists, designers, performers and athletes. Check out some of our more notable homegrown celebrities.
Paul Rudd During The Big Slick

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