Top 15 Most Famous People from Indiana

Top 15 Most Famous People from Indiana

*Originally published by Faith on October 2022 and Updated by Vanessa R in September 2023

The state of Indiana popularly known as the Hoosier State is located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America. It is the 38^th largest state in terms of the area it occupies and the 17^th most populous state in the country. This means that there are a lot of people who are in different fields of trade and different cultures that reside here.

Therefore,  many notable people in the country will be from the state as it has many people. This article will explore the ten most famous people from Indiana and discover what they did to make them famous.

1 Michael Jackson

A picture of Michael Jackson by Constru-centro-Wikimedia

The singer was born in Gary, Indiana. He is one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20^th century and is also referred to as the King of Pop. Michael Jackson changed the way people perceive music. He was also responsible for creating the never-ending craze with his chart-topping bangers. It is believed that he gave life to pop and rock.

A true music propeller, it was his exceptional gift and prodigious talent that made him a global sensation. His numerous awards and honorific titles, including “King of Pop” and “Artist of the Decade, Generation, Century, and Millennium,” bear witness to his enthralling musical career. His supremely endowed music won the hearts of millions around the world, cementing him as a global figure in popular culture for nearly four decades.

2. Janet Jackson

The American singer and songwriter was born in Gary, Indiana. She is the sister to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson but has risen up to be a notable musician in her own right. The musician appeared in a comedy series in the 1980s  known as Good Times before branching out and starting her musical carrer on her own. Her record Control whih she released in 1986 had five singles that did exceptionally well and topped several charts like the Rhythm and Blues Charts. Her career then grew and she released more songs that were well received by the listeners. The atist is also an actress and has featured in several films.

3. David Letterman

David Letterman began his career in broadcasting in his hometown after graduating from Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis and Ball State University in Muncie. He worked as a talk show host on the radio and as an announcer and weekend weatherman on television. He is currently on CBS and he hosts The Late Show with David Letterman.

4 Larry Bird

Larry Bird playing for the Celtics. Steven Carter from Northern New England, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dubbed as one of the greatest players in NBA history, Larry Bird was born in  West  Baden, Indiana and raised in French Lick, Indiana. the athlete was considered one of the best shooters of all times. He was drafted into the NBA in 1978 and played for the Celtics all through the duration of his career from 1973 to 1992 which is quite amazing as most players change teams.

Bird made great achievements in his career including winning three NBA championships with the team, being awarded the NBA most valuable player from 1984 to 1986. Even after his retirement, Larry Bird continued making an impact in the field of basketball as he coached the Indiana Pacers from 1997 and led them to the NBA finals in 2000.

5. Jenna Fischer

The actress was born in 1974 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is famed for her role in the Sitcom The Office’ where she is portrayed as Pam Beesly. Jenna started her acting career at an early age and she was only six years old when she gave her first performance.

While she was starting, she appeared in small roles in television shows and movies until she caught her big break when she landed a role in The Office. The show was aired for nine seasons which allowed the actress to create a name for herself. Furthermore,  she has written a book and is still active in the acting scene.

6 Adam Driver

Adam Driver at the Star Wars: The Last Jedi Japan Premiere Red Carpet. Photo by Dick Thomas-Wikimedia

Adam Driver is an actor who rose to prominence as Adam Sackler in the HBO comedy-drama series Girls, which aired from 2012 to 2017, for which he received three consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

The actor rose to prominence for his role as the main antagonist Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, first in The Force Awakens (2015) and then in The Last Jedi (2017). He founded Arts in the Armed Forces (AITAF), a non-profit that provides theatrical performances to all branches of the military in the United States and abroad.

7 Jonathan D. George

A photo of Jonathan George. U.S Air Force, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Born in Indiana, Jonathan George is one of the other notable people that hails from Indiana. Jonathan worked in the United States Air force for 30 years from 1981 to 2011. During his time in the service, he worked in various positions in the government and the military. Some of the positions he held include the national security advisor to the president, member of the national security council and the director of strategic capabilities policy. The military man represented the state well as he was able to work in powerful positions in the government.

8 Mike Epps

Mike Epps. photo by Kristen Wong-

Mike Epps is an actor, producer, and stand-up comedian. He is best known for his roles as Day-Day Jones in Next Friday and its sequel, Friday After Next, as well as “Black Doug” in The Hangover and The Hangover Part III. He voiced Boog in Open Season 2 in place of Martin Lawrence, with whom he co-starred in the comedy Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins as “Reggie,” Roscoe’s cousin who was played by Lawrence.

9 Jim Gaffigan

Jim Gaffigan. Photo by Hunter Khan-Wikimedia

Jim Gaffigan was born in Chesterton, Indiana. He is an actor, stand-up comedian, producer and writer. The content that he produces mainly focuses on fatherhood, religion, food, laziness and general observations that he makes. The comedian uses little profanity when delivering his message which has earned him the title of a clean comic.

Jim has had a successful career in that he has released several successful comedy series that include Cinco, Quality Time, Mr Universe and Obsessed. All of these comedy series have received Grammy nominations which shows that he does a spectacular job.

10. Scott Rolen

He was born in Evansville, Indiana, on April 4, 1975. Former Major League Baseball third baseman Scott Rolen played in the game as a professional baseball player. He had his 17-year career playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Cincinnati Reds.

At third base, Rolen was well-known for his outstanding defensive abilities, earning eight Gold Glove Awards in his career. In addition, he won seven All-Star games and the 2006 World Series with the Cardinals. With 2077 hits, 316 home runs, and 1287 RBIs over his career, he announced his retirement in 2012.

11. Axl Rose 

Kreepin Deth, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Axl Rose’s name is widely recognized within the hard rock community. He was one of the finest musicians of all time and was born William Bruce Rose, Jr. in Lafayette, Indiana. Before Rose attained that title, things weren’t easy, though. Until he moved to California, trouble followed him throughout his youth. He created the band Hollywood Rose and legally changed his name to W. Axl Rose there. He then became a member of the glam metal group L.A. Guns.

The band’s success was evident in the following decades. “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” “It’s So Easy,” and “One in a Million” are some of their well-known singles. Around 100 million records have been sold globally by Guns N’ Roses. The group is among the most successful musical acts ever. Guns N’ Roses member Rose was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. To this day, the band is constantly performing and recording.

12. Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert, a musician, songwriter, and actor, is also from Indiana. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1982. He was an American Idol candidate in 2009, so you may be familiar with him.

Despite placing as a finalist that season, Lambert has gone on to enjoy considerable success with his albums and Queen tours. He was one of those creatives that isn’t scared to experiment with different genres.

13. J.J. Johnson

Linda Wolf, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The most popular trombone of all time is the next performer, who comes from Indianapolis, Indiana. J.J. Johnson was a revolutionary trombone player for more than 40 years, as well as a composer, arranger, and musician.

In the church, Johnson first picked up a musical instrument and mastered the piano. He started playing the trombone at age 14 because he didn’t like the sound of the baritone saxophone in high school. He joined many bands after high school in the Midwest, where he developed his well-known improvised style.

14. Joshua Bell

Joshua Bell, a violin prodigy who was born in 1967 in Bloomington, Indiana, is considered the most active violinist of his time. Bell’s mother recalls his using rubber bands to mimic the songs he heard her play on the piano as a young child by stretching them around the handles of his dresser drawers. At the age of four, he began violin lessons with the renowned Josef Gingold.

15. Hoagy Carmichael

NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Hoagy Carmichael, an American pianist, composer, singer, and actor, was born in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1899 to a low-income family. Despite this, he rose to become one of the 20th century’s most significant figures in popular music.

At college, Carmichael formed a band, where he discovered his purpose. He had also met the well-known trumpeter Louis Armstrong, with whom he would eventually work.