Famous People Born In Gary

The King of Pop and an international superstar, Michael Jackson was a musical entertainer whose work – both with Jackson 5 and solo – won accolades and hearts worldwide. Equally popular were his unique dance moves that created sensation and shaped future dance styles. Amongst the most successful entertainers of all time, Jackson was later accused of child molestation.  

A member of the prominent Jackson family, Janet Jackson is a singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. Popularly known for her innovative and socially conscious songs, she was considered a sex icon in her youth. Beginning her career as a teenager, she went on to become one of the world's best-selling music artists of all time.

Alex Karras was an American footballer, sportscaster, actor, and professional wrestler. A four-time Pro Bowl player, Karras was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame. In 1977, he was also inducted into the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame. As an actor, he is remembered for playing George Papadopolis in the TV series, Webster.

Nobel laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz is best known for his work on the theory of markets with asymmetric information. The MIT alumnus has taught at prestigious institutes such as Harvard and Stanford and currently teaches at Columbia University, He has been an economic advisor to the U.S. government, too.

Frank Borman is an American former US Air Force colonel, test pilot, aeronautical engineer, businessman, and NASA astronaut. The commander of Apollo 8, Borman was the first of 24 astronauts to have flown to the Moon. In 1982, Frank Borman was made an inductee of the International Space Hall of Fame.

The daughter of singer parents, Deniece Williams grew up singing gospel. Though she initially aspired to be a nurse and an anesthetist, she later took up music full-time and began performing at nightclubs. The Grammy-winning artist soared to fame with tracks such as They Say and I Believe in You.

William Marshall was an American opera singer, actor, and director. He is best remembered for playing the titular character in the 1972 blaxploitation horror film Blacula and its 1973 sequel Scream Blacula Scream. During his career, Marshall also performed on stage and in TV series. He received the Emmy Award for his performance in As Adam Early in the Morning.

Becky Quick is an American TV news presenter best known for co-anchoring CNBC's financial news shows On the Money and Squawk Box. Prior to working for CNBC, Quick worked for The Wall Street Journal where she played an important role in launching the publication's website in 1996. As part of her job, Quick has interviewed influential personalities including Bill Gates.

Dianne Durham was an artistic gymnast who won the all-around senior title at the women's US National Championships in 1983, becoming the first African American athlete to do so. She suffered from injuries that put a premature end to her brilliant career, and she had to retire in 1985. Later on, she ran the Skyline Gymnastics school in Chicago. 

James McCracken was an American operatic tenor who achieved immense popularity performing at the Metropolitan Opera in the 1960s and 1970s. One of the most successful dramatic tenors of all time, James McCracken is best remembered for playing the titular role in Verdi's popular opera, Otello.

Robert Collins Truax was a pioneering rocket engineer and a Navy captain. Among his adventurous ventures was the supposed space tourism rocket named Volksrocket, which he had planned to build with Evel Knievel, but which eventually remained unused. He also founded Truax Engineering, which catered to sea launch missions.