University Of Wisconsin–Madison

Discover the notable alumni of University Of Wisconsin–Madison. The list includes people like Jim Jordan, Virgil Abloh, Tammy Baldwin, Joe Thomas & Tony Evers. This list of notable alumni is loosely sorted by popularity and has people from different domains of life, such as miscellaneous, intellectuals & academics, writers, leaders and sportspersons etc.
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 1 
JJ Watt
(One of the Greatest Defensive Linemen of All Time)
JJ Watt
44
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 22, 1989
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Pewaukee, Wisconsin, United States

JJ Watt is an American football player who currently plays defensive end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He also plays defensive tackle in some situations. Sports Illustrated named him its Sportsperson of the Year in 2017. He is regarded as one of the greatest defensive ends in NFL history. Besides sports, he co-hosts the Fox game show, Ultimate Tag.

 2 
Frank Lloyd Wright
23
Listed In: Architects
Birthdate: June 8, 1867
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Richland Center, Wisconsin, United States
Died: April 9, 1959

Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect who designed over 1,000 structures in a career spanning 70 years. A pioneer of organic architecture, Wright influenced three generations of architects by playing a critical role in the 20th century's architectural movements. His structure Fallingwater is called America's best architectural work and Wright is considered the greatest architect America has ever produced.

 3 
Virgil Abloh
(Fashion designer)
Virgil Abloh
15
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: September 30, 1980
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Rockford, Illinois, U.S.

Virgil Abloh is not just a designer but also a qualified architect. He has been a DJ, too. Apart from heading Louis Vuitton's menswear collection as its artistic director, he also became the first Black designer to lead a major fashion brand. He has also launched the luxury streetwear label Off-White.

 4 
Abraham Maslow
(American Psychologist Who was Known for Creating Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs)
Abraham Maslow
15
Birthdate: April 1, 1908
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: June 8, 1970

Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist best remembered for creating an idea in psychology called Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Maslow, who advocated self-actualization, is also credited with co-founding the school of transpersonal psychology. In 1967, he was adjudged Humanist of the Year by the popular non-profit organization, American Humanist Association.

 5 
Joan Cusack
(Actress and Comedian Best Known for Her Roles in the Comedy-Drama Films: ‘Working Girl’ and ‘In & Out’)
Joan Cusack
25
Birthdate: October 11, 1962
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States

Actress and comedian, Joan Cusack was born to a family with a legacy in acting. Talented and ambitious from a young age, she started by playing small roles in films before gaining popularity with her performance in the comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live. She has also acted in numerous critically acclaimed films.

 6 
Gena Rowlands
(Retired American Actress)
Gena Rowlands
9
Birthdate: June 19, 1930
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Cambria, Wisconsin, United States

Gena Rowlands had an expansive screen and stage career spanning over six-decades. Her remarkable performances won her several accolades including four Emmy and two Golden Globe awards and an Honorary Academy Award. Two of her memorable performances includes in films A Woman Under the Influence and Gloria, both written-directed by her late-husband John Cassavetes and earned her Academy Award nominations.   

 7 
Bell Hooks
Bell Hooks
14
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 25, 1952
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Hopkinsville, Kentucky, United States
Died: December 15, 2021
 8 
Jonathan Taylor
(American football player)
Jonathan Taylor
15
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 19, 1999
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Salem, New Jersey, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 9 
Melvin Gordon
(American football player)
Melvin Gordon
9
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 13, 1993
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 10 
Fredric March
(One of Hollywood's Most Celebrated, Versatile Stars of the 1930s and 1940s)
Fredric March
4
Birthdate: August 31, 1897
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Racine, Wisconsin, United States
Died: April 14, 1975

Fredric March was an American actor best remembered for his versatility. One of the most celebrated actors during the 1930s and 1940s, Fredric March won two Academy Awards for Best Actor and two Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Play; he is one of two actors to have received both the Tony Award and Academy Award twice.

 11 
Dale Chihuly
(Glass Artist)
Dale Chihuly
10
Birthdate: September 20, 1941
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington, United States
 12 
Joe Thomas
(Football player)
Joe Thomas
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 4, 1984
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Brookfield, Wisconsin, United States
Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
 13 
Eric Heiden
(American Former Long Track Speed Skater, Road and Track Cyclist and Five-Time Olympic Gold Medalist)
Eric Heiden
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 14, 1958
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Eric Heiden is a former track cyclist, road cyclist, and long track speed skater. At the 1980 Winter Olympics, Heiden won five individual gold medals, setting one world record and four Olympic records in the process. The most successful athlete at the 1980 Winter Olympics, Heiden won more gold medals than all other nations except East Germany and Soviet Union.

 14 
Dick Cheney
(46th Vice President of the United States (2001 - 2009))
Dick Cheney
46
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 30, 1941
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Lincoln, Nebraska, United States

Dick Cheney was the vice president of the US from 2001 to 2009. He is considered to be one of the most powerful vice presidents ever and also one of the most unpopular politicians in the history of the US. He played an important role in America’s response to the September 11 attacks and backed the US invasion of Iraq.

 15 
Uta Hagen
(German-American Theatre Practitioner and Actress)
Uta Hagen
4
Birthdate: June 12, 1919
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Göttingen, Germany
Died: January 14, 2004
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 16 
Charlie Trotter
(American Chef and Restaurateur)
Charlie Trotter
1
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: September 8, 1959
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Wilmette, Illinois, United States
Died: November 5, 2013
 17 
Cole Caufield
(American Professional Ice Hockey Right Winger)
Cole Caufield
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 2, 2001
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mosinee, Wisconsin, United States
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 18 
Saule Omarova
(Lawyer)
Saule Omarova
2
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: November 2, 1966
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: West Kazakhstan Province, Kazakhstan
 19 
James White
(Football player)
James White
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 3, 1992
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 20 
Sam Dekker
(Basketball player)
Sam Dekker
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 6, 1994
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Sheboygan, Wisconsin, United States
Height: 6'8" (203 cm)
 21 
Suzy Favor Hamilton
(American Former Middle-Distance Runner)
Suzy Favor Hamilton
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 8, 1968
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States

Suzy Favor Hamilton is a former middle-distance runner who participated in the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Summer Olympics, representing the USA. Favor broke many hearts when she turned to prostitution which in turn ended her career as an athlete. She claimed mental illness as the reason for her downfall and is currently serving as a speaker at mental health conferences.

 22 
Carrie Coon
(Best Known for Her Role as ‘Nora Durst’ in the TV Series ‘The Leftovers’)
Carrie Coon
12
Birthdate: January 24, 1981
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Copley, Ohio, United States
Carrie Coon is best known as Nora Durst from the series The Leftovers and as Margo Dunne from the film Gone Girl. She was nominated for an Emmy for her role in the series Fargo and won a Theatre World Award for the play Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 
 23 
Greta Van Susteren
(News Anchor for 'Newsmax TV')
Greta Van Susteren
13
Birthdate: June 11, 1954
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Appleton, Wisconsin, United States

Lawyer Greta Van Susteren gained fame as an anchor for CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. She is best known for her 14-year stint on Fox News's On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren and for MSNBC’s For the Record with Greta. She was named one of Forbes's most powerful women.

 24 
Jill Soloway
(Director)
Jill Soloway
0
Birthdate: September 26, 1965
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
 25 
Jim Jordan
(Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 4th District)
Jim Jordan
35
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 17, 1964
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Urbana, Ohio, United States
 26 
Travis Frederick
(American Football player)
Travis Frederick
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 18, 1991
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Sharon, Wisconsin, United States
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 27 
Ryan McDonagh
(American Professional Ice Hockey Defenseman)
Ryan McDonagh
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 13, 1989
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 28 
Tammy Baldwin
(Political Leader)
Tammy Baldwin
17
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 11, 1962
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Madison, Wisconsin, USA
 29 
Macdonald Carey
(Actor)
Macdonald Carey
0
Birthdate: March 15, 1913
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Sioux City, Iowa, United States
Died: March 21, 1994
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 30 
Mel Tucker
(American Football coach)
Mel Tucker
10
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 4, 1972
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States
 31 
Herb Kohl
(Politician)
Herb Kohl
4
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: February 7, 1935
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
 32 
John Searle
(Philosopher)
John Searle
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: July 31, 1932
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado, United States
 33 
Dany Heatley
(Canadian Former Professional Ice Hockey Winger)
Dany Heatley
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 21, 1981
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 34 
Nancy Dickerson
(American journalist)
Nancy Dickerson
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 19, 1927
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, United States
Died: October 18, 1997
 35 
Beau Allen
(American football player)
Beau Allen
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 14, 1991
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Minnetonka, Minnesota, United States
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 36 
Tony Evers
(Politician)
Tony Evers
16
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: November 5, 1951
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Plymouth, Wisconsin Plymouth, Wisconsin, U.S.
 37 
Troy Vincent
(American football player)
Troy Vincent
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 8, 1970
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Trenton, New Jersey, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 38 
Delmore Schwartz
(Writer)
Delmore Schwartz
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 8, 1913
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died: July 11, 1966
 39 
Kevin Zeitler
(American football player)
Kevin Zeitler
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 8, 1990
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 40 
Corinna Everson
(American Bodybuilder and Actress)
Corinna Everson
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 4, 1958
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Racine, Wisconsin, United States
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 41 
David Susskind
(Producer)
David Susskind
0
Birthdate: December 19, 1920
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States
Died: February 22, 1987
 42 
Darrell Bevell
(Coach, American football player)
Darrell Bevell
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 6, 1970
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Yuma, Arizona, United States
 43 
Clifford D. Simak
(Fiction writer)
Clifford D. Simak
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: August 3, 1904
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Millville, Wisconsin, United States
Died: April 25, 1988
 44 
Jerry Bock
(Composer)
Jerry Bock
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: November 23, 1928
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Died: November 3, 2010
 45 
Zachery Ziemek
(American Decathlete)
Zachery Ziemek
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 23, 1993
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Itasca, Illinois, United States
Height: 3'3" (99 cm)
 46 
Mohammed Ahmed
(Canadian Long-Distance Runner and Olympic Silver Medalist)
Mohammed Ahmed
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 5, 1991
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mogadishu, Somalia

Olympic silver medalist Canadian long-distance runner Mohammed Ahmed scripted history as Canada’s first medal winner at the 5,000m at both the World Championships and the Olympics. The Somalia-born athlete spent a part of his childhood in Kenya, before moving to Canada at age 11.

 47 
Jennifer Arcuri
(American Entrepreneur, Video Producer and Actress)
Jennifer Arcuri
2
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: 1985
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: United States
 48 
Paul Weyrich
(American Religious Conservative, Political Activist and Commentator)
Paul Weyrich
2
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: October 7, 1942
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Racine, Wisconsin, United States
Died: December 18, 2008

Co-founder of The Heritage Foundation and the Free Congress Foundation, Paul Weyrich was credited with coining the term “moral majority.” Initially a political journalist and anchor, he was later associated with the Republican Party. In his final years, he was wheelchair-bound due to a spinal injury and underwent an amputation.

 49 
Graham Mertz
(American Football Player)
Graham Mertz
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 6, 2000
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: United States
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 50 
S.I. Hayakawa
(Canadian-born American Politician and Academic)
S.I. Hayakawa
3
Birthdate: July 18, 1906
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Died: February 27, 1992