Famous People Born In Chicago

One of the finest comedians of all time, Robin Williams began his career as a stand-up comedian and soon moved to act in television and films. Though widely recognised for his comedic skills, the immensely talented Williams proved his versatility by taking up and successfully performing more serious roles in films like Good Will Hunting and The Fisher King.

With an extensive career spanning six decades, veteran actor Harrison Ford is a major figure in Hollywood. The recipient of many prestigious awards, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award, he is one of the highest-grossing domestic box office stars of all time. Besides acting, he is a licensed pilot of both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

Walt Disney is considered to be the forerunner of the American animation industry. He has won 22 Oscars and holds the record for most Academy Awards earned by an individual as a film producer. His The Walt Disney Company‍ has produced many successful animation films. He later established amusement theme park, Disneyland, in 1955, which has since grown manifold.

With an Olympic gold medal and three NBA championships, Dwyane Wade is one of the most decorated former American basketball players of the 21st century. Also a well-known philanthropist, Dwyane Wade founded The Wade's World Foundation in 2003; the foundation helps community-based organizations promote education and social skills for children. He also supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Regarded as one of the most popular and influential jazz musicians of the previous century, Quincy Jones is known for his work with other legendary artists like Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra. As the first African-American to find success at the Academy Awards ceremony, Quincy has influenced a host of black musicians and songwriters.

Bobby Fischer began as a chess prodigy in his teens and went on to become the youngest "grandmaster," at 15. His participation in a politically controversial match in Yugoslavia led to the revocation of his U.S. passport and his arrest. He spent the final years of his life in Iceland.

CM Punk is an American retired professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. CM Punk is one of the first independent wrestlers to have achieved tremendous success in WWE; his success served as a precedent for other independent wrestlers. Over the years, CM Punk has influenced and inspired popular wrestlers like Seth Rollins, Adam Cole, and Rhea Ripley.

American professional basketball player, Anthony Davis plays, for the National Basketball Association’s Los Angeles Lakers. He is the youngest player to score at least 59 points in a NBA game. He was a member of the US men’s national basketball team which participated in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The team was undefeated in London and won the gold medal.

Wife of the former U.S President, Barack Obama, and one of the most popular First Ladies of the United States, Michelle Obama is a celebrity in her own right. She is still very popular and is a sought-after speaker around the globe and often lends her voice to issues like poverty awareness, education, nutrition, women’s rights, immigration and racism.

Michael Clarke Duncan was one of the most popular actors best known for his portrayal of John Coffey in the fantasy drama film The Green Mile. Apart from acting in films and TV series, he was also featured in several video games, such as SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs, Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone, and The Suffering: Ties That Bind.

One of the original cast members of the popular TV show Saturday Night Live, John Belushi was known for his great comic skills. Unfortunately, he struggled in his personal life with drug addiction and eventually died of combined drug intoxication at the age of 33. He posthumously received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Derrick Rose is a basketball player who became the youngest player to receive the NBA Most Valuable Player Award; he received it at the age 22. Despite struggling with knee injuries throughout his career, Rose has managed to stay focused and is currently playing for the Detroit Pistons. In 2018, he came up with a scholarship program called The Rose Scholars to help students.

Shel Silverstein was an American writer, playwright, songwriter, and cartoonist. Renowned for his children's books, songs, and cartoons, Silverstein's works have been translated into over 30 languages. The recipient of many prestigious awards, such as Grammy Awards, Shel Silverstein was posthumously inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame.

American actress Gina Rodriguez, who portrayed Jane Villanueva in the popular TV series Jane the Virgin, is also known for her involvement with charities and philanthropic efforts; in 2016, she was named in Oprah Winfrey's SuperSoul 100, a list of influential leaders and visionaries. Rodriguez also serves as an inspiration to several young Latina actresses.

Former child model turned actress Jennifer Morrison gained international fame for her role in the medical drama series House. After beginning her career as a child model, she developed a love for acting. She studied at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company before taking up acting projects. She eventually ventured into direction, making her directorial debut in 2017.    

Philip K. Dick was an American writer who was known for his work that explores varied social and philosophical themes. Dick's novels have inspired films like Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report, and The Adjustment Bureau. In 2005, his novel Ubik was included in Time magazine's list of 100 greatest novels published in English since 1923.

Jennifer Beals is an American actress who received appreciation for her portrayal of Alex Owens in the 1983 romantic drama film Flashdance. Over the years, she has also been an ardent advocate for gay rights; she received the Ally For Equality Award for her support for the LGBT community. She also works closely with charities like the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

As the founder of Playboy magazine, Hugh Hefner changed the way people viewed nudity. Known for his enviable lifestyle, he resided in luxury mansions along with his Playboy Playmates. Also a well-known philanthropist, Hefner made significant donations to various causes. He also supported freedom of expression and sexual liberation.

Patti Smith is an American singer-songwriter. Referred to as the punk poet laureate, Smith became an influential figure of the punk rock movement with the release of her album Horses. Many world-renowned musicians, such as Madonna and Michael Stipe, have cited Smith as their inspiration. Even actresses like Ellen Page and Maria Doyle Kennedy have called Smith a major influence.

American actor and comedian John C. Reilly soared to fame with his role in the war drama Casualties of War and his Academy Award-nominated role in Chicago. A musician, too, he performs with his own band. He was also nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the play True West.

Famous American journalist, Maria Shriver, is recognised for her long association with NBC. Her documentary series The Alzheimer’s Project earned rave reviews and she later founded the nonprofit organization, 'The Women's Alzheimer's Movement'. As the former First Lady of California– she was married to Arnold Schwarzenegger when he was the governor of California– she involved herself in numerous charity works.

Chief Keef is a hip-hop sensation who has revolutionized the drill and trap sub-genres. His track I Don’t Like was remixed by Kanye West and was featured on the Billboard Rap Top 20. He was dropped by the label Interscope for several legal issues and then formed his own label.

Dan Castellaneta is an American actor, screenwriter, comedian, and voice actor. Over the years, Castellaneta has played a major role in the success of the animated sitcom The Simpsons in which he has been voicing one of the main protagonists, Homer Jay Simpson. Unlike Homer Simpson, Dan Castellaneta is a teetotaler and vegetarian and exercises regularly.

Michael Crichton was an American filmmaker and author. He wrote several science-fiction books, which have sold more than 200 million copies. Many of his books, such as The Andromeda Strain, Jurassic Park, Congo, Rising Sun, and Disclosure, have been adapted into highly successful films. He is also credited with creating the popular medical drama TV series, ER.

Chloe Bennet is an American singer and actress best known for playing Daisy Johnson / Quake in the superhero TV series Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. She serves as an inspiration to those suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety as she revealed in 2018 that she has been suffering from these conditions since childhood.

The younger brother of iconic comedian and actor John Belushi, Jim Belushi followed in his brother's footsteps to become a comedian and actor. He is also a passionate cannabis cultivator and plans to open a cannabis dispensary in Downtown Portland.

Anna Chlumsky is an American actress best known for portraying Vada Sultenfuss in the 1991 coming-of-age comedy-drama film My Girl. Chlumsky, who started her career as a child artist, went on to establish herself as an actress in the film and TV industry. She contributed immensely to the success of the comedy television series Veep.

Lil Durk is an American singer-songwriter and rapper. He is credited with founding a rap collective and record label called Only the Family (OTF). Over the years, Lil Durk has faced many legal issues, including his arrest for unlawfully carrying a weapon. He has also been involved in feuds with other rappers, such as Tyga, The Game, and Tay600.

Billy Zane is an American actor best known for portraying Caledon Hockley in the 1997 epic romance film Titanic. He then went on to play a crucial role in the success of films, such as The Believer, which was showcased at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival where it won the Grand Jury Prize.