Menu

Uniquely Minnesota: Minnesotan Celebrities

Photo by Erica Loeks

by | Dec 22, 2017

These iconic people got their start in Minnesota. From Judy Garland to Prince, Minnesota is the homeland of many of America’s household names.

Amy Adams

The actress made her professional debut on the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ stage, the largest dinner theater in the country.

Amy Adams at the Toronto International Film Festival 2012

Bob Dylan

The iconic singer-songwriter was born in 1941 in the lakeshore town of Duluth.

Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’ LP

Chris Pratt

The crowd-pleasing comedian in “Parks and Recreation,” star of “Jurassic World,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” superhero was born in the iron-range city of Virginia.

Chris Pratt speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International, for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Visit F. Scott Fitzgerald’s home on Summit Avenue in St. Paul.

The first page of “The Great Gatsby”, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Garrison Keillor

The previous host of Minnesota Public Radio show, “A Prairie Home Companion,” calls Minnesota home, and you can pick up one of his favorite volumes at his Common Good Books in St. Paul.

Garrison Keillor at the Wilshire Theatre in Los Angeles

Josh Hartnett

Everyone’s favorite heartthrob from the early 2000s hails from St. Paul and lived on South Minneapolis’ Lake of the Isles for a brief stint.

Josh Hartnett speaking at the 2014 San Diego Comic Con International, for “Penny Dreadful”

Judy Garland

Somewhere over the rainbow Judy Garland was born. No, it was actually Grand Rapids in northern Minnesota.

Screenshot of Judy Garland from the trailer for the film “The Wizard of Oz”

Laura Ingalls Wilder

While the famous pioneer girl and author of Little House on the Prairie series traveled around the Midwest during her life, Walnut Grove, a small community in southern Minnesota, became the memorable setting of the popular TV show based on her books.

Little House on the Prairie Book at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, Pepin Wisconsin

Prince

Shrouded in mystery and a cult-like following, Prince’s impact on Minnesota was immense. Schedule a tour at Paisley Park, Prince’s personal residence and recording facility in Chanhassen, for a glimpse into the late artist’s life.

Sinclair Lewis

The first U.S. writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature was born in Sauk Centre.

“Babbitt”, by Sinclair Lewis

 

 

Minnesota Made

These iconic products also have their roots in our great state.

3M: Post-It Notes and Scotch tape

Abdallah Candies

Aveda cosmetics

Dairy Queen

Dogwood Coffee

Faribault Woolen Mill Co.

Hormel: Spam

Red Wing shoes

Summit Brewing Co.

Surly beer

Arctic Cat Polaris

Need some more insider info?

The writers at Visit Twin Cities are here to answer any questions you're still left with as a visitor or potential visitor to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro region. Click below to send us a message, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This