Famous Kansans » Arts » Performance
Film
Kirstie Alley
See also under Television.
Film credits include: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Blind Date (1984), Look Who's Talking (1989), Look Who's Talking Too (1990), For Richer or Poorer (1997) and many others.
Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle
- Born: March 24, 1887
- Died: June 29, 1933
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Smith Center
Achievement:
Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle was an actor whose acting and directing career spanned four decades. He was one of the most popular and highest paid actors in the 1910s and 1920s, served as a mentor to Charlie Chaplin and gave Buster Keaton and Bob Hope their film debuts. He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His film credits include: The Rounders (1914), Mable and Fatty's Simple Life (1915), The Butcher Boy (1917), The Life of the Party (1920) and many others.
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress
Ed Asner
See also under Television.
Film credits include: El Dorado (1967), Gus (1976), JFK (1991), The Bachelor (1999), Elf (2003) and many others.
Hugh Beaumont
See also under Television.
Film credits include: South of Panama (1941), Objective, Burma! (1945), The Blue Dahlia (1946), The Mole People (1956) and many others.
Annette Bening
- Born: May 29, 1958
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Topeka
Achievement:
Annette Bening is a film actress who has played roles in over 30 films. She is a four-time Academy Award nominee, two-time Golden Globe Award winner, Screen Actors Guild Award winner and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her film credits include: The Great Outdoors (1988), Bugsy (1991), The American President (1995), Mars Attacks! (1996), American Beauty (1999), Being Julia (2004), The Kids are Alright (2010) and many others.
Photo by Steve Granitz
Del Close
- Born: March 9, 1934
- Died: March 4, 1999
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Manhattan
Achievement:
Del Close was an actor, writer, improviser and teacher who was considered one of the premier influences on modern improvisational theatre. He was co-author of the book The Truth in Comedy which outlines techniques now common in longform improvisational theatre. His film credits include: American Graffiti (1973), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), The Untouchables (1987), The Blob (1988) and other films.
Some of the notable student he taught comedy to include: Dan Aykroyd, Jim & John Belushi, John Candy, Tina Fey, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Amy Poehler, Eric Stonstreet and many others.
Photo by Bill Black / Chicago Sun-Times
R. Lee Ermey
- Born: March 24, 1944
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Emporia
Achievement:
R. Lee Emery is a former U.S. Marine Corps drill sergeant who became a film, television, and voice actor who is often cast in roles of authority figures. He was a nominee for a Golden Globe Award in 1988. His film credits include: Apocalypse Now (1979), Full Metal Jacket (1987), Mississippi Burning (1988), Se7en (1995), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), The Watch (2012) and many others.
Photo courtesy of dodlive.mil
Alan Fudge
See also under Television.
Film credits include: The Man from Independence (1974), Airport 1975 (1974), Brainstorm (1983), The Natural (1984), Edward Scissorhands (1990) and other films.
Dennis Hopper
- Born: May 17, 1936
- Died: May 29, 2010
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Dodge City
Achievement:
Dennis Hopper was an actor who starred in films, on television and was a screenwriter and director. He was a two-time Golden Globe nominee, two-time Academy Award nominee, MTV Movie Award winner and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His film credits include: Rebel Without a Cause (1955), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Easy Rider (1969), Apocalype Now (1979), Hoosiers (1986), Speed (1994) and many others.
Photo courtesy of IMDb
Don Johnson
See also under Television.
Film credits include: A Boy and His Dog (1975), Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1980), In Pursuit of Honor (1995), Tin Cup (1996), When in Rome (2010), Django Unchained (2012) and many others.
Buster Keaton
- Born: October 4, 1895
- Died: February 1, 1966
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Piqua
Achievement:
Buster Keaton was an actor whose acting career spanned six decades and he was known as "The Great Stone Face" for his trademark of physical comedy with a stoic, deadpan expression. He is recognized as one of the greatest male actors of all time and one of the greatest directors of all time. He was awarded an Honorary Academy Award in 1960 and was awarded two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His film credits include: Our Hospitality (1923), The Navigator (1924), The General (1927), Speak Easy (1932), The Lovable Cheat (1949), Sunset Boulevard (1950), Around the World in 80 Days (1956), It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1960) and many others.
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress
Emmett Kelly
- Born: December 9, 1898
- Died: March 28, 1979
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Sedan
Achievement:
Emmett Kelly was a circus performer who created the memorable clown figure "Weary Willie." He performed with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus from 1942-1956. His film credits include: The Greates Show on Earth (1952).
Photo by Glenn Embree
Shirley Knight
See also under Television.
Film credits include: The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960), Sweet Birth of Youth (1962), Endless Love (1981), Indictment: THe McMartin Trial (1995), As Good As It Gets (1997), Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009), Our Idiot Brother (2011) and many others.
Hattie McDaniel
- Born: June 10, 1895
- Died: October 26, 1952
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Wichita
Achievement:
Hattie McDaniel was an actress who appears in over 75 films, was a professional singer-songwriter, stage actress and radio performer. She was the first African-American woman to sing on the radio and was the first African-American to win an Academy Award for her role in Gone with the Wind. She was awarded two different stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is a member of the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame. Her film credits include: Show Boat (1936), Saratoga (1937), Gone with the Wind (1939), Mickey (1948) and many others.
Photo courtesy of America's Black Holocaust Museum
Gordon Parks
- Born: November 30, 1912
- Died: March 7, 2006
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Fort Scott
Achievement:
Gordon Parks was a film writer and director and in 1969 became the first African-American to direct a major Hollywood production when he directed the film adaptation of his autobiographical novel, The Learning Tree. His film credits include: The Learning Tree (1969), Shaft (1971), Shaft's Big Score! (1972), The Super Cops (1974) and other films.
See also under Fine Art.
Photo courtesy of biography.com
Cassandra Peterson
- Born: September 17, 1951
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Manhattan
Achievement:
Cassandra Peterson is an actress whose acting career has spanned five decades playing mostly small roles in films and on television. She is most known for her on-screen horror hostess character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Her film credits include: Cheech & Chong's Next Movie (1980), The Sting II (1983), Stroker Ace (1983), Pee Wee's Big Adventure (1985), Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988) and others films.
Photo by Victoria Pearson
Rob Riggle
See also under Television.
Film credits include: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), Step Brothers (2008), The Hangover (2009), The Other Guys (2010), 21 Jump Street (2012), The Internship (2013) and several others.
Paul Rudd
- Born: April 6, 1969
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Raised in Overland Park
Achievement:
Paul Rudd is an actor who has starred in both films and on television. He is a four-time MTV Movie Award nominee, and a Screen Actors Guild Award nominee. His film credits include: Clueless (1995), The Object of My Affection (1998), Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004), Role Models (2008), Dinner for Schmucks (2010), Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013), Ant-Man (2015) and many others.
Photo by Chris Pizzello / AP
Inger Stevens
See also under Television.
Film credits include: The Buccaneer (1958), A Guide for the Married Man (1967), Hang 'Em High (1968) and other films.
Milburn Stone
See also under Television.
Film credits include: The Fighting Marines (1935), Mystery Plane (1939), The Great Alaskan Mystery (1944), Invaders from Mars (1953) and many others.
Eric Stonestreet
See also under Television.
Film credits include: Almost Famous (2000), The Island (2005), Bad Teacher (2011), Identity Thief (2013) and other appearances.
Jason Sudeikis
See also under Television.
Film credits include: Semi-Pro (2008), The Rocker (2008), What Happens in Vegas (2008), The Bounty Hunter (2010), Horrible Bosses (2011), The Campaign (2012), We're the Millers (2013) and others.
Vivian Vance
See also under Television.
Film credits include: The Secret Fury (1950), The Blue Veil (1951), The Great Race (1965).
Dee Wallace
- Born: December 14, 1948
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Kansas City
Achievement:
Dee Wallace is an actress whose career has spanned five decades, appearing on television in in more than 85 films. She is known as a "Scream Queen" as a majority of her films have been in the horro genre. Her film credits include: The Stepford Wives (1975), The Hills Have Eyes (1977), 10 (1979), The Howling (1981), E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Cujo (1983), Critters (1986), Halloween (2007) and many others.
Photo courtesy of imdb.com
Stage
Shirley Knight
See also under Television.
Stage credits include: Three Sisters (1964), We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1966), Kennedy's Children (1975) and many others.
Vivian Vance
See also under Television.
Stage credits include: Music in the Air (1932-1933), Anything Goes (1934-1935), Skylark (1939-1940) and other appearances.
Television
Kirstie Alley
- Born: January 12, 1951
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Wichita
Achievement:
Kirstie Alley is an actress who has starred in both films and on television. She is an two-time Emmy Award winner and eight-time nominee, a six-time Golden Globe Award nominee, winning once, a Screen Actors Guild Award nominee and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her television credits include: The Hitchhiker (1985-1987), North and South (1985-1986), Cheers (1987-1993), Veronica's Closet (1997-2000), The King of Queens (2006), Dancing with the Stars (2011-2012), Kirstie (2013-present) and other appearances.
Photo by Matt Sayles / AP
Ed Asner
- Born: November 15, 1929
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Raised in Wyandotte County
Achievement:
Ed Asner is a film, television and voice actor whose career has spanned seven decades. He is a five-time Golden Globe Award winner, seven-time Emmy Award winner, two-time Screen Actors Guild Award winner, former president of the Screen Actors Guild and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His television credits include: Gunsmoke (1964), Mission: Impossible (1969), The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977), Roots (1977), Lou Grant (1977-1982), The X-Files (1998), Hawaii Five-0 (1975, 2012) and other appearances.
Photo by William D. Moss / Department of Defense
Hugh Beaumont
- Born: February 16, 1909
- Died: May 14, 1982
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Lawrence
Achievement:
Hugh Beaumont was a film and television actor who appeared in dozens of films, mostly uncredited roles and on several television show. He was best known for playing the character Ward Cleaver on the television show Leave it to Beaver. His television credits include: Racket Squad (1952-1953), The Public Defender (1954-1955), Lassie (1955-1956), Leave it to Beaver (1957-1963), Petticoat Junction (1966-1967), Mannix (1968-1970) and other appearances.
Photo by ABC Photo Archives
R. Lee Ermey
See also under Film.
Television credits include: Miami Vice (1987), The X-Files (1995), History Channel's Mail Call (2002), Scrubs (2002), House M.D. (2005, 2008), History Channel's Lock N' Load with R. Lee Ermey (2009) and other appearances.
Scott Foley
- Born: July 15, 1972
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Kansas City
Achievement:
Scott Foley is an actor who has appeared in numerous television shows from the 1990s to the present. His television credits include: Dawson's Creek (1998), Felicity (1998-2002), Scrubs (2002-2004, 2009), House M.D. (2005), The Unit (2006-2009), Cougar Town (2009- 2010), Grey's Anatomy (2010-2012), True Blood (2011-2012), Scandal (2013-2014) and other appearances.
Photo by Dave Kotinsky / Getty Images
Alan Fudge
- Born: February 27, 1934
- Died: October 10, 2011
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Wichita
Achievement:
Alan Fudge was an actor whose career spanned four decades, appearing in films and many of the top-rated television shows in the U.S. His television credits include: Gunsmoke (1972), M*A*S*H* (1975), Man from Atlantis (1977-1978), Hawaii Five-0 (1974, 1976, 1979), Eischied (1979-1980), Dallas (1985), MacGyver (1986-1987), Matlock (1987, 1989, 1991), 7th Heaven (1997-2007), The Office (2009) and other appearances.
Photo by NBC Television
Dean Hargrove
- Born: July 27, 1938
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Iola
Achievement:
Dean Hargrove is a murder-mystery television writer and producer whose career spanned five decades. He is a five-time Emmy Award nominee, winning once and a two-time Edgar Allan Poe Award nominee. His television credits include: My Three Sons (1964), The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1965-1967), Columbo (1971-1973), Matlock (1986-1995), Jake and the Fatman (1987-1992), Father Dowling Mysteries (1989-1991), Diagnosis: Murder (1993-2002) and many others.
Photo by Chris Betros
Dennis Hopper
See also under Film.
Television credits include: The Twilight Zone (1963), Bonanza (1964), Gunsmoke (1965), Saturday Night Live (Host 1990), 24 (2002), Crash (2007) and other appearances.
Don Johnson
- Born: December 15, 1949
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Raised in Wichita
Achievement:
Don Johnson is an actor who has starred in films and on television and is also a musician. He is an Emmy Award nominee, and Golden Globe Award nominee and winner and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His television credits include: Kung Fu (1973), From Here to Eternity (1980), Miami Vice (1984-1989), Nash Bridges (1996-2001), Eastbound & Down (2010-2012) and other appearances.
Photo by Jason Merritt / Getty Images
Buster Keaton
See also under Film.
Television credits include: The Buster Keaton Show (1950), Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents (1954), The Donna Reed Show (1958), The Twilight Zone (1961) and other appearances.
Emmett Kelly
See also under Film.
Television credits include: What's My Line? (1956), The Jackie Gleason Show (1957), The DuPont Show of the Week (1962), The Clown and the Kids (1967), The Carol Burnett Show (1970, 1976).
Shirley Knight
- Born: July 5, 1936
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Goessel
Achievement:
Shirley Knight is a film and television actress whose career has spanned six decades. She is a two-time Academy Award nominee, a Golden Globe Award winner, three-time Emmy Award winner and Tony Award winnder. Her television television credits include: Buckskin (1958-1959), Thirtysomething (1987-1990), Law & Order (1991), NYPD Blue (1995), ER (2002), Desperate Housewives (2005-2007), Hot in Cleveland (2010) and other appearances.
Photo courtesy of shirleyknight.net
Sarah Lancaster
- Born: February 12, 1980
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Overland Park
Achievement:
Sarah Lancaster is a television actress who has appeared in television shows since the early 1990s. Her television credits include: Saved by the Bell: The New Class (1993-1996), Dawson's Creek (2000), That '70s Show (2002), Scrubs (2002-2003, 2006), Everwood (2003-2005), What About Brian (2006-2007), Chuck (2007-2012) and other appearances.
Photo courtest of imdb.com
Cassandra Peterson
See also under Film.
Television credits include: Fright Night (1970), Fantasy Island (1978-1983), Happy Days (1979), Movie Macabre (1981-1984), CHiPs (1982-1983), Nash Bridges (1997), Elvira's Movie Macabre (2010-2011) and other appearances.
Jeff Probst
- Born: November 4, 1961
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Wichita
Achievement:
Jeff Probst is a television actor who has surved as host and producer of one of the longest running reality television shows, Survivor. He is a four-time Emmy Award winner, hosted his own talk show and has appeared on numerous daytime and late-night talk shows. His television credits include: Rock & Roll Jeopardy (1999), Survivor (2000-present), How I Met Your Mother (2011), The Jeff Probst Show (2012-2013), Two and a Half Men (2013) and many other appearances.
Photo by Monty Brinton / CBS
James Reynolds
- Born: August 10, 1946
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Oskaloosa
Achievement:
James Reynolds is an actor best known for his role on the soap opera Days of Our Lives. He is a two-time Emmy Award nominee and a five-time National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Award Nominee. His television credits include: The Incredible Hulk (1979), Diff'rent Strokes (1979-1980), The Dukes of Hazzard (1981), Generations (1990-1991), Seinfeld (1994), Days of Our Lives (1981-present) and other appearances.
Photo by Lesley Bohm
Rob Riggle
- Born: April 21, 1970
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Raised in Overland Park
Achievement:
Rob Riggle is a former U.S. Marine Corps officer who left the military and became a comedian. He has appeared in numerous films and television shows and had done voice work for movies and television. He is an Emmy Award nominee and MTV Movie Award nominee. His television credits include: Saturday Night Live (2004-2005), The Daily Show (2006-2008), The Office (2006), Arrested Development (2006), Gary Unmarried (2009-2010), 30 Rock (2011), Modern Family (2013) and other appearances.
Photo courtesy of Comedy Central
Paul Rudd
See also under Film.
Television credits include: Friends (2002-2004), Reno 911! (2006-2007), Saturday Night Live (Host in 2008, 2010 and 2013), Parks and Recreation (2012) and other appearances.
Inger Stevens
- Born: October 18, 1934
- Died: April 30, 1970
- Connection to Kansas: Raised in Manhattan
Achievement:
Inger Stevens was a film and television actress whose rising career was cut short. Known for her role in the television series The Farmer's Daughter she was a Golden Globe Award winner and two-time Emmy Award nominee. Her television credits include: Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1957), Bonanza (1959), The Twilight Zone (1960), Route 66 (1960-1961), The Farmer's Daughter (1963-1966) and other appearances.
Photo by Sid Avery
Milburn Stone
- Born: July 5, 1904
- Died: June 12, 1980
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Burrton
Achievement:
Milburn Stone was a film and television actor whose career spanned five decades and was best known for playing the character of Doc Adams on the television series Gunsmoke. He was an Emmy Award winner, Golden Globe Award nominee, awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, member of the Western Performers Hall of Fame and member of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. His television credits include: The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (1951), Dragnet (1952), Racket Squad (1953), Gunsmoke (1955-1975) and other appearances.
Photo courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
Eric Stonestreet
- Born: September 9, 1971
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Kansas City
Achievement:
Eric Stonestreet is an actor that has starred in both films and on television. He is a two-time Emmy Award winner for his work on the television show Modern Family, a two-time Screen Actors Guild Award winner and a three-time Golden Globe Award nominee. His television credits include: Dharma & Greg (1999), Malcolm in the Middle (2000), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2001-2005), Modern Family 2009-present) and othe appearances.
Photo by Jeff Nicholson
Jason Sudeikis
- Born: September 18, 1975
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Raised in Overland Park
Achievement:
Jason Sudeikis is an actor who has played characters in both film and on television and also works as a voice actor. He made a name for himself as a cast-member of the television show Saturday Night Live. His television credits include: Saturday Night Live (2003-2013), 30 Rock (2007-2010), It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2010-2011),Eastbound & Down (2012-2013) and other appearances.
Photo by Mark Seliger / GQ Magazine
Vivian Vance
- Born: July 26, 1909
- Died: August 17, 1979
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Cherryvale
Achievement:
Vivian Vance was an actress who starred in Broadway productions, in films and on television. She was a four-time Emmy Award nominee and won in 1954, is a member of the Television Academy Hall of Fame and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her television credits include: I Love Lucy (1951-1957), The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (1957-1960), The Red Skelton Show (1960-1964), The Lucy Show (1962-1968) and other appearances.
Photo by Maurice Seymour
Dee Wallace
See also under Film.
Television credits include: Starsky and Hutch (1977), Taxi (1979), The Twilight Zone (1985), Together We Stand (1986-1987), The New Lassie (1989-1992), JAG (1997), Felicity (2001), My Name is Earl (2007) and other appearances.
Voice
Ed Asner
See also under Television.
Voice credits include: Gargoyles (1994-1997), Spider-Man (1994-1998), A Chirstmas Carol (1997), Up (2012) and many others.
R. Lee Ermey
See also under Film.
Voice credits include: The Simpsons (1995), Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Father of the Pride (2004), SpongeBob SquarePants (2007), Toy Story 3 (2010), Family Guy (2011) and many others.
Bill Farmer
- Born: November 14, 1952
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Pratt
Achievement:
Bill Farmer is a veteran voice actor who has provided character voices in numerous films, television shows and video games. He is an Emmy Award nominee and currently is the voice of Disney characters Goofy, Pluto and Horace Horsecollar. His voice credits include: Mighty Mouse, the New Adventures (1988), Goof Troop (1992-1993), A Goofy Movie (1995), A Bugs Life (1998), The Iron Giant (1999), Mickey Mouse Works (1999-2001), House of Mouse (2001-2002), Cars (2006), Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006-present) and many others.
Photo by David Livingston / Getty Images
Hattie McDaniel
See also under Film.
Voice credits include: Melony Hounds (1926), The Optimistic Do-Nut Hour (1931), The Beulah Show (1947).
Rob Riggle
See also under Television.
Voice credits include: American Dad! (2009-2010), Ugly Americans (2011), Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (2011), The Lorax (2012), The Cleveland Show (2010-2012).
Jason Sudeikis
See also under Television.
Voice credits include: The Cleveland Show (2009-2013), Epic (2013), Robot Chicken (2013).
Kari Wahlgren
- Born: July 13, 1977
- Died:
- Connection to Kansas: Born in Hoisington
Achievement:
Kari Wahlgren is a voice actress who has provided the voice for characters in numerous films, television shows and video games. Her film credits include: The Wild (2006), Shrek the Third (2007), Bolt (2008), Aliens in the Attic (2009), Tangled (2010), Planes (2013) and many others.
Television credits include: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002-2005), Naruto (2004-2006), Ben 10 (2006-2008), Phineas and Ferb (2008-2013), The Penguins of Madagascar (2009-2010), Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness (2010-2013) and many others.
Video game credits: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008), Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011), Lego Batman 2: DC Super Hereos (2012), Halo 4 (2012) and many others.
Photo courtesy of kariwahlgren.net