List of people from Minnesota

This is a list of notable persons who were born or spent important time in the American state of Minnesota. People not born in Minnesota are marked with §.

A

Johan Arnd Aasgaard (1876–1966) – president, Concordia College; president, Norwegian Lutheran Church of America
Barkhad Abdi § – Somali-American actor
Ed Ackerson (1965–2019) – musician and producer (Polara, Flowers Studio)
Corey Adam – stand-up comedian
Amy Adams § (born 1974) – actress
Anthony Adducci § (1937–2006) – inventor of the worlds first lithium-battery-powered pacemaker
Peter Agre (born 1949) – co-recipient, 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry (shared with Roderick MacKinnon)
Faysal Ahmed (born 1985) – Somali-American actor
Walden L. Ainsworth (1886–1960) – admiral, U.S. Navy
Eddie Albert § (1906–2005) – actor, gardener and humanitarian activist
Frank Albertson (1909–1964) – actor
Grady Alderman § (1938–2018) – Minnesota Vikings football player
Cole Aldrich (born 1988) – Minnesota Timberwolves basketball player
Cyrus Aldrich § (1808–1871) – member of U.S. Congress
John G. Alexander § (1893–1971) – member of U.S. Congress
Brother Ali (Ali Newman) § (born 1977) – hip-hop artist
Beau Allen (born 1991) – NFL nose tackle
Bob Allison § (1934–1995) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
Kyle Altman (born 1986) – soccer player
Luis Walter Alvarez § (1911–1988) – experimental physicist, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1968
Janis Amatuzio (born 1950) – forensic pathologist
A. A. Ames § (1842–1911) – politician
Elmer L. Andersen § (1909–2004) – 30th governor of Minnesota, businessman, philanthropist
Herman Carl Andersen § (1897–1978) – member of U.S. Congress
Alan Anderson (born 1982) – basketball player
Barry Anderson (born 1954) – judge
Brad Anderson (born 1969) – professional wrestler
Clyde Elmer Anderson (1912–1998) – 28th governor of Minnesota; 30th and 33rd lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Dan Anderson (1920–2003) – psychologist
Eugenie Anderson (1909–1997) – U.S. Ambassador to Denmark and Bulgaria; first woman appointed U.S. ambassador
Frank Anderson (1870–1931) – South Dakota Supreme Court justice
Gary Anderson § (born 1959) – Minnesota Vikings football player
Gene Anderson (1933–1991) – professional wrestler
Glen H. Anderson (born 1938) – former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Larry Anderson (born 1952) – actor
Liz Anderson (1927–2011) – songwriter
Loni Anderson (born 1945) – actress (WKRP in Cincinnati), former wife of Burt Reynolds
Louie Anderson (1953–2022) – comedian, television personality (Life with Louie, Family Feud)
Marc Anderson – percussionist
Nick Anderson (born 1990) – relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
Ole Anderson (born 1942) – professional wrestler
Patricia Anderson (born 1966) – politician, business owner, 17th state auditor
Paul Anderson (born 1943) – judge
Richard Dean Anderson (born 1950) – television actor (MacGyver, Stargate SG-1)
Russ Anderson – actor
Russell A. Anderson (1942–2020) – judge
Scott D. Anderson (1965–1999) – author, engineer, military aviator, Cirrus Airframe Parachute System test pilot
Sydney Anderson (1881–1948) – member of U.S. Congress
Wendell Anderson (1933–2016) – 33rd governor of Minnesota; U.S. senator
August H. Andresen § (1890–1958) – member of U.S. Congress
Christopher Columbus Andrews § (1829–1922) – soldier, diplomat, and author
LaVerne Andrews (1911–1967) – contralto singer of 1940s sister act The Andrews Sisters
Maxene Andrews (1916–1995) – soprano singer of The Andrews Sisters
Patty Andrews (1918–2013) – lead singer of The Andrews Sisters
Sacar Anim (born 1997) – basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
Kofi Annan § (1938–2018) – 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations
Henry M. Arens § (1873–1963) – member of U.S. Congress; 26th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Richard Arlen (1899–1976) – actor
Thomas H. Armstrong § (1826–1891) – banker, lawyer, legislator, 5th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Dave Arneson (1955–2009) – game designer, co-creator of D&D, creator of the first fantasy RPG world (Blackmoor)
James Arness (1923–2011) – actor (Gunsmoke)
Dorothy Arnold (Olson) (1917–1984) – film actress, first wife of baseball star Joe DiMaggio
Jeanne Arth (born 1935) – tennis player
Robert Asp (1923–1980) – builder and captain of the maiden voyage of the Hjemkomst
Antoine Auguelle § – explorer
Horace Austin § (1831–1905) – 6th governor of Minnesota
Roger Awsumb § (1928–2002) – children's television host of Lunch With Casey
Hy Averback (1920–1997) – director, producer, actor, and production manager
John T. Averill § (1825–1889) – member of U.S. Congress
Lew Ayres (1908–1996) – actor

B

Tim M. Babcock (1919–2015) – politician
Michele Bachmann § (born 1956) – politician
David Backes (born 1984) – hockey player
Sarah Bacon (born 1996) – Olympic silver medalist, Diving 3m Synchro
Tim Bagley (born 1957) – character actor, Strip Mall, Will & Grace
Bill Baker (born 1956) – hockey player
Melvin Baldwin § (1838–1901) – member of U.S. Congress
Joseph H. Ball (1905–1993) – U.S. senator
Keith Ballard (born 1982) – hockey player for the Vancouver Canucks
Maria Bamford (born 1970) – comedian and actress
Ann Bancroft (born 1955) – polar explorer, first female to reach both the North and South Poles
Dominique Barber (born 1986) – Houston Texans football player
Marion Barber III (1983–2022) – Dallas Cowboys football player
Robert Baril – stand-up comedian
Dean Barkley (born 1950) – U.S. senator
Elizabeth A. Barnes – climate scientist
Lynsey Bartilson (born 1983) – actress
Alphonso Barto – 7th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Carol Bartz (born 1948) – president and chief executive officer of Yahoo!
Emma Bates (born 1992) – long-distance runner
Earl Battey § (1935–2003) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
Elgin Baylor § (1934–2021) – basketball player
Charles Baxter (born 1947) – author
John C. Beale (born 1948) – EPA consultant, convicted felon
Dick Beardsley (born 1956) – former world-class marathoner, motivational speaker
Tracy Beckman (born 1945) – government official, politician, business owner and manager
James Bede § (1856–1942) – member of U.S. Congress
Nicholas Joseph Begich (1932–1972) – member of U.S. Congress
James Ford Bell § (1879–1961) – business leader, philanthropist, founder of General Mills
Troy Bell (born 1980) – basketball player
Clyde Bellecourt (1936–2022) – Native American civil rights organizer
Nick Bellore (born 1989) – Seattle Seahawks football player
Sharon Sayles Belton (born 1951) – first African-American mayor of Minneapolis
Charles "Chief" Bender (1884–1954) – Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
Dorothy Benham (born 1955) – Miss America 1977
Paris Bennett § (born 1988) – singer
Tony Benshoof (born 1975) – luger, Olympian
Elmer Austin Benson (1895–1985) – 24th governor of Minnesota; U.S. senator
Joanne Benson (born 1943) – 44th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
William Benton (1900–1973) – U.S. senator
Juan Berenguer § (born 1954) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
Patty Berg (1918–2006) – golfer, founding member of the LPGA
Carl Rudolf Berghult (1905–2000) – mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
Robert Bergland (1928–2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture; member of U.S. Congress
Tim Bergland (born 1965) – hockey player
Herb Bergson (1956–2022) – mayor of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin
Nate Berkus (born 1971) – interior designer, author and television personality
Jason Behr (born 1973) – actor
John Bernard § (1893–1983) – member of U.S. Congress
Philip Berrigan (1923–2002) – peace activist, Christian anarchist, and Roman Catholic priest
Bill Berry (born 1958) – R.E.M. drummer
Jessica Biel (born 1982) – actress (7th Heaven), married to Justin Timberlake
Bernie Bierman § (1894–1977) – college football coach
Big Eagle (c. 1827–1906) – leader of a band of Mdewakanton Sioux Indians
John Binkowski (born 1979) – politician
Matt Birk (born 1976) – Minnesota Vikings football player
Andy Bisek (born 1986) – Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler, two-time world bronze medalist
Harry Blackmun § (1908–1999) – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Matt Blair § (1950–2020) – Minnesota Vikings football player
Jason Blake (born 1973) – hockey player for the Anaheim Ducks
John Blatnik (1911–1991) – member of the U.S. Congress
Jerome Blatz – politician
Kathleen A. Blatz (born 1954) – judge and politician
Theodore C. Blegen (1891–1969) – historian and author
Floyd E. Bloom (born 1936) – medical researcher specializing in chemical neuroanatomy
Josh Blue § (born 1978) – comedian
Carol Bly (1930–2007) – short-story writer
Mary Bly (born 1962) – novelist and professor
Robert Bly (1926–2021) – writer
Bert Blyleven § (born 1951) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
Eduard Bøckmann (1849–1927) – ophthalmologist, physician and inventor
Haldor Boen § (1846–1936) – member of U.S. Congress
Roman Bohnen (1901–1949) – actor
Pat Boland (1906–1971) – football coach
Greg Boll (born 1960) – politician, activist
Brian Bonin (born 1973) – hockey player
Jeremy Borash (born 1977) – wrestling announcer
Madeleine Bordallo (born 1933) – politician
Lorraine Borg (1923–2006) – All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
Norman Borlaug § (1914–2009) – agricultural scientist; recipient, 1970 Nobel Peace Prize
Rudy Boschwitz § (born 1930) – U.S. senator
Lyman Bostock § (1950–1978) – baseball player
Todd Bouman (born 1972) – quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars
Kevin Bowe (born 1961) – songwriter, record producer and musician
Lloyd Wheaton Bowers § (1859–1910) – Solicitor General
Gregory A. Boyd (born 1957) – pastor, theologian, author
Charles John Brand (1879–1949) – Chief of the Bureau of Markets of the United States Department of Agriculture
Joe Brinkman (born 1944) – umpire
Ivar Brogger (born 1947) – actor, The Bold and the Beautiful and Invasion
Herb Brooks (1937–2003) – 1980 Olympics ice hockey coach, Minnesota Golden Gophers coach, Minnesota North Stars coach
Neal Broten (born 1959) – Minnesota North Stars ice-hockey player
Jim Brower (born 1972) – baseball player
Aaron Brown (born 1948) – broadcast journalist
Bill Brown § (1938–2018) – Minnesota Vikings football player
Brianna Brown (born 1979) – actress
Joey Browner § (born 1960) – football player
Brownmark (Brown Mark or Mark Brown) (born 1962) – musician and producer
Bob Bruer § (born 1953) – football player and coach
Tom Brunansky § (born 1960) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
Bobby Bryant § (born 1944) – Minnesota Vikings football player
Rich T. Buckler § (1865–1950) – member of U.S. Congress
Clarence Buckman § (1851–1917) – member of U.S. Congress
Warren E. Burger (1907–1995) – Chief Justice of the United States
Michael C. Burgess (born 1950) – physician and politician
Tom Burgmeier (born 1943) – baseball player
Joseph A. A. Burnquist § (1879–1961) – 19th governor of Minnesota; 20th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Jerry Burns (1927–2021) – Minnesota Vikings football coach
Tom Burnett (1963–2001) – passenger on United Airlines Flight 93
Pierce Butler (1866–1939) – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Dominique Byrd (born 1984) – football player for the Arizona Cardinals
Thomas R. Byrne – politician

C

Melvin Calvin (1911–1997) – recipient, 1961 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Karlyn Kohrs Campbell (born 1937) – academic
Gino Cappelletti (1934–2022) – former collegiate, AFL and NFL wide receiver
Rod Carew § (born 1945) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
Ron Carey – politician
Arne Carlson § (born 1934) – 37th governor of Minnesota
Bruce A. Carlson (born 1971) – commander, Air Force Materiel Command
Curt Carlson (1914–1999) – businessperson (Carlson Companies, Radisson Hotels)
Gretchen Carlson – beauty queen, anchor
John Carlson (born 1984) – tight end for the Arizona Cardinals
Kelly Carlson (born 1976) – actor
Kyle and Lane Carlson (born 1978) – models
Richard Carlson (1912–1977) – actor
Herb Carneal (1923–2007) – Minnesota Twins baseball announcer
David Carr (1956–2015) – journalist for The New York Times
William Leighton Carss § (1865–1931) – member of U.S. Congress
Anthony Carter § (born 1975) – Minnesota Timberwolves basketball player
Kiki Carter (Kimberli Wilson) § (born 1957) – environmental activist, organizer, musician, songwriter, and columnist
Ryan Carter (born 1983) – hockey player for the New Jersey Devils
Jonathan Carver § (1710–1780) – explorer
Bob Casey (1925–2004) – Minnesota Twins public-address announcer
Patrick Casey (born 1978) – writer and actor
Dave Casper (born 1951) – Hall of Fame NFL offensive lineman and tight end, primarily with the Oakland Raiders
James Castle § (1836–1903) – member of U.S. Congress
Tracy Caulkins (born 1963) – swimmer
James M. Cavanaugh § (1823–1879) – member of U.S. Congress
Chelsea Charms (born 1976) – model
Derek Chauvin (born 1976) – former police officer, murderer of George Floyd
Sam Childers § (born 1962) – former gang biker, founder of Angels of East Africa located in Sudan
Leeann Chin – founder of the Leeann Chin Chinese restaurant chain^[1]
Tom Chorske (born 1966) – hockey player
Chief Chouneau (William Cadreau) (1888–1946) – baseball player
Victor Christgau (1894–1991) – member of U.S. Congress
Theodore Christianson (1883–1948) – 21st governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
Theodore Christianson (1913–1955) – Associate Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court, son of Governor Christianson
Charles A. Christopherson (1871–1951) – politician
Nick Ciola (Dominic Ciola or Caesar) – musician
Moses E. Clapp (1851–1929) – U.S. senator
Frank Clague § (1865–1952) – member of U.S. Congress
Harlan Cleveland (1918–2008) – Club of Rome member, founding dean for the H. H. Humphrey Institute, politician
Elizabeth Close (1912–2011) – pioneering female architect in Minneapolis
David Marston Clough § (1846–1924) – 13th governor of Minnesota; 12th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Ben Clymer (born 1978) – hockey player
Cobi (born 1986) – musician^[2]
Eddie Cochran (1938–1960) – musician
Diablo Cody § (born 1978) – screenwriter
Ethan Coen (born 1957) – screenwriter, director, producer
Joel Coen (born 1954) – screenwriter, director, producer
William Colby (1920–1996) – director of the CIA
Chris Coleman (born 1961) – politician
Nick Coleman (1950–2018) – columnist
Nick Coleman (1925–1981) – politician
Norm Coleman § (born 1949) – U.S. senator, mayor of Saint Paul
Louis L. Collins – 23rd lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Mo Collins (born 1965) – comedic actor
William J. Colvill § (1830–1905) – colonel of the 1st Minnesota Infantry at the battle of Gettysburg, 3rd Minnesota Attorney General
Tom Compton (born 1989) – Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle
Ada Comstock (1876–1973) – educator and president of Radcliffe College
Solomon Comstock § (1842–1933) – member of the U.S. Congress
Chester Adgate Congdon § (1853–1916) – lawyer and capitalist
George Contant (1864 – date of death unknown) – train robber; later lectured against crime
Katherine M. Cook (1876–1962), educator and government official who specialized in rural education
Rachael Leigh Cook (born 1979) – actor, model
Roger Cooper (born 1944) – teacher, politician
Marisa Coughlan (born 1974) – model and actor
Carter Coughlin – football player
Gratia Countryman (1866–1953) – influential librarian
Christopher Cox (born 1952) – chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; U.S. representative
Fred Cox § (1938–2019) – Minnesota Vikings football player, inventor of Nerf football
Brian Coyle (1944–1991) – openly gay politician
Christopher J. Cramer – University of Minnesota chemistry professor and vice president for research
Geno Crandall – basketball player with Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
Seymour Cray § (1925–1996) – founder Cray Research, supercomputer architect, inventor
Joseph Crétin § (1799–1857) – first Roman Catholic bishop of Saint Paul
Ward Cuff (1914–2002) – NFL running back and placekicker
Daunte Culpepper § (born 1977) – former Minnesota Vikings football player
Randall Cunningham § (born 1963) – former Minnesota Vikings football player
Robert E. Cushman Jr. (1914–1985) – Commandant of the Marine Corps

D

Arlene Dahl (1925–2021) – actress
Nicole, Erica and Jaclyn Dahm (born 1977) – models
Craig Dahl (born 1985) – New York Giants football player
Cathee Dahmen (1945–1997) – supermodel in the 1960s and 1970s
Shawn Daivari (born 1984) – professional wrestler
Ian Anthony Dale (born 1978) – actor
Sean Daley (born 1972) – hip-hop artist
Teresa Daly (born 1956) – politician
Chad Daniels (born 1975) – comedian
Billy Dankert – singer-songwriter, drummer
Barry Darsow (born 1959) – professional wrestler
Charles Russell Davis § (1849–1930) – member of U.S. Congress
Cushman Davis (1838–1900) – 7th governor of Minnesota; U.S. senator
Ike Davis (born 1987) – first baseman for the Oakland A's
Stuart Davis § (born 1971) – musician and songwriter
Frank A. Day – 13th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Morris Day (born 1957) – musician and composer
Vox Day § (born 1968) – publisher, writer, musician and video game designer
George Dayton (1857–1938) – banker, businessperson
Mark Dayton (born 1947) – former U.S. senator, 40th governor of Minnesota
Julia Dean (1878–1952) – actress
Eric Decker (born 1987) – football player
Gary DeCramer (1944–2012) – politician, educator
Midge Decter (born 1927) – neoconservative journalist
Jake Deitchler (born 1989) – Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler
Marguerite De La Motte (1902–1950) – silent film actress
William Demarest (1892–1983) – film and television actor
Dr. Demento (born 1941) – radio personality (aka Barret Eugene Hansen)
Carol Dempster (1901–1991) – actor
Tony Denman (born 1979) – actor
Edward Devitt (1911–1992) – member of U.S. Congress
Kate DiCamillo (born 1964) – children's author
Dez Dickerson (born 1955) – guitarist and singer
Gordon R. Dickson (1923–2001) – author
Jessie Diggins (born 1991) – Olympian, first American woman to win the cross-country skiing World Cup
Alan Dinehart (1889–1944) – actor
Richard Dix (1893–1949) – actor
Gil Dobie (1878–1948) – college football coach
Farrell Dobbs (1907–1983) – Trotskyist politician, trade unionist
Tod Dockstader (1932–2015) – composer of electronic music
Pete Docter (born 1968) – director, writer, animator, Up, WALL-E, Monsters, Inc.
William Dodd – historian, American ambassador to Nazi Germany
Chris Doleman (1961–2020) – Minnesota Vikings football player
Ignatius L. Donnelly (1831–1901) – member of U.S. Congress, 2nd lieutenant governor of Minnesota, author
Frank Doran – politician
Kelly Doran (born 1957) – businessperson
Michael Doran § (1827–1915) – politician
Gary Doty (born 1948) – politician and former mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
Marjory Stoneman Douglas (1890–1998) – journalist, writer, feminist, and environmentalist
William O. Douglas (1898–1980) – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Jeffrey Douma – choir director
Birdie Draper (1916–2005) – parachutist and stunt performer
Julia Duffy (born 1951) – comedic actor
John Lewis Dyer (1812–1901) – pioneering Methodist circuit rider; left Minnesota in 1861 for Colorado
Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut § (1639–1710) – French explorer
Ryan Dungey (born 1989) – supercross and motocross racer
Mark H. Dunnell § (1823–1904) – member of the U.S. Congress
David Durenberger (born 1934) – U.S. senator
Richard Dworsky (born 1953) – pianist and composer
Sally Dworsky – singer-songwriter
Bob Dylan (born 1941) – singer-songwriter, musician, poet
Joanell Dyrstad (born 1942) – 43rd lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Kari Dziedzic, politician
Walt Dziedzic, politician and businessman

E

Patrick Eaves § (born 1984) – professional hockey player
Charles Eastman § (1858–1939) – Dakota writer, doctor, lobbyist, co-founder of Boy Scouts of America
Adolph Olson Eberhart § (1870–1944) – 17th governor of Minnesota; 17th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Richard Eberhart (1904–2005) – poet
Tony Eckstein (1923–2009) – politician, veterinarian, veteran
Frank Eddy (1856–1929) – member of U.S. Congress
Linda Eder § (born 1961) – Broadway star and recording artist
Alonzo J. Edgerton § (1827–1896) – U.S. senator
Jim Eisenreich (born 1959) – Minnesota Twins player
Christian Elder (born 1968) – stock-car driver
Kimberly Elise (born 1967) – actor
David Ellefson (born 1964) – musician
Paul Ellering (born 1953) – professional wrestler
Carl Eller § (born 1942) – Minnesota Vikings football player
John F. Elliott (1920–1991) – professor of metallurgy
Keith Maurice Ellison § (born 1963) – politician
Franklin Ellsworth (1879–1942) – member of U.S. Congress
Gil Elvgren (1914–1980) – pin-up artist
LaFayette Emmett – politician
Jonette Engan (born 1951) – politician, activist
Siri Engberg – curator of visual arts, Walker Art Center
Ralph Engelstad (1930–2002) – businessperson
Leif Enger – author
Elmer William Engstrom (1901–1984) – engineer
Fred Enke (1897–1985) – college basketball coach
Eric Enstrom – photographer
Matt Entenza (born 1960) – politician, former gubernatorial candidate
Arlen Erdahl (1931–2023) – member of the U.S. Congress
Louise Erdrich (born 1954) – novelist, poet, children's author
Bryan Erickson (born 1960) – hockey player
Ethan Erickson (born 1973) – actor, Fashion House
Scott Erickson (born 1968) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
Wendell Erickson (1925–2018) – politician, educator, veteran
Mike Erlandson – politician, corporate executive
Gilbert Esau (1919–2012) – politician, veteran
Helga Estby (1860–1942) – noted for her walk across the United States during 1896
Alayna Ertl (2010–2016) – murder victim
Clarence I. Evenson (1890–1981) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and mayor of Moorhead
John O. Evjen (1874–1942) – author, church historian and professor of theology
Douglas Ewart § (born 1946) – instrument builder and musician
Eyedea (born Mike Averill, aka Oliver Hart) (1982–2010) – underground rapper

F

Cliff Fagan (1911–1995) – high school basketball referee
Mike Farrell (born 1939) – actor (M*A*S*H)
Mike Farrell (born 1978) – hockey player
Ciatrick Fason § (born 1982) – Minnesota Vikings football player
Chris Faust § (born 1955) – photographer
Tammy Faye Messner (1942–2007) – televangelist, singer
George William Featherstonhaugh § (1780–1866) – explorer
John Fedo (born 1950) – former mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
Jay Feely (born 1976) – placekicker for the New York Jets
Trevor Fehrman (born 1981) – actor
Jim Finks § (1927–1994) – Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears executive
David Fischer (born 1988) – hockey player
Mardy Fish (born 1981) – tennis player
F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) – novelist, short story writer
Frances Scott Fitzgerald (1921–1986) – writer, journalist
Larry Fitzgerald (born 1983) – football player
Marcus Fitzgerald (born 1985) – football player
David Flair (born 1979) – professional wrestler
Ric Flair § (born 1949) – professional wrestler
Richard E. Fleming (1917–1942) – sailor
Loren Fletcher § (1833–1919) – member of U.S. Congress
George Floyd (1973–2020) – murder victim
Michael Floyd (born 1989) – football player
Patrick Flueger (born 1983) – actor, The 4400
Thomas Fluharty – illustrator
Harry Flynn § (1933–2019) – Roman Catholic archbishop
Vince Flynn (1966-2013) - author
John R. Foley (1917–2001) – politician
Steve Foley (1959–2008) – drummer, member of The Replacements
Henry Fonda § – actor, attended the University of Minnesota; born in Nebraska
John M. Ford § (1957–2006) – science-fiction author and poet
Al Franken § (born 1951) – political humorist, author, radio commentator, U.S. senator
Thomas Frankson (1869–1939) – lawyer, real estate developer, politician; 22nd lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Donald M. Fraser (1924–2019) – mayor of Minneapolis, member of U.S. Congress
James Earle Fraser (1876–1953) – sculptor
Jeff Frazee (born 1987) – hockey player
David Frederickson (born 1944) – politician, farmer, former president of National Farmers Union
Dennis Frederickson (born 1939) – politician, farmer, veteran
Orville Freeman (1918–2003) – 29th governor of Minnesota, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Frederick William Freking (1911–1998) – Roman Catholic Bishop
Bill Frenzel (1928–2014) – member of U.S. Congress
Thomas Friedman (born 1953) – journalist, columnist, author
Lindsay Frost (born 1962) – actor
Daniel Fry (1908–1992) – alien-spaceship passenger
Aurilla Furber (1847–1898) – poet, writer
Allen J. Furlow (1890–1954) – member of U.S. Congress

G

Chad Gable (born 1986) – professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler; competed at 2012 Summer Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling
Wanda Gág (1893–1946) – author, illustrator
John Gagliardi § (1926–2018) – St. John's College football coach
Greg Gagne § (born 1961) – baseball player
Greg Gagne (born 1948) – professional wrestler
Verne Gagne (1923–2015) – former professional wrestler and amateur wrestler, founder of American Wrestling Association, U.S. alternate at 1948 Olympics in freestyle wrestling
Daniele Gaither (born 1972) – comic actor
Thomas J. Galbraith – politician
Richard Pillsbury Gale (1900–1973) – member of U.S. Congress
William Gallagher (1875–1946) – member of U.S. Congress
Jane Gallop (born 1952) – professor, feminist
Chick Gandil (1887–1970) – baseball player
Roy Alexander Gano (1902–1971) – Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy
Ron Gardenhire § (born 1957) – manager of the Minnesota Twins
Judy Garland (1922–1969) – singer, actor
Lorraine Garland – folk singer and fiddler
Edward R. Garvey § – activist, lawyer, and politician
Mike Garvey (born 1962) – stock-car driver
Charles Gilbert Gates – owned first home air conditioner in the United States in 1914
Larry Gates (1915–1996) – actor
Phyllis Gates (1925–2006) – interior designer and former wife of Rock Hudson
Herbjørn Gausta (1854–1924) – landscape artist
Ben Boo (1925–2021) – politician and mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
Ron "Boogiemonster" Gerber (born 1968) – disc jockey, pop music historian, and engineer
J. Paul Getty (1892–1976) – entrepreneur, philanthropist, founder of Getty Oil Company
John L. Gibbs – 14th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Tom Gibis (born 1964) – voice actor
Cass Gilbert § (1859–1934) – architect
Tom Gilbert – hockey player
Stan Gilbertson (born 1944) – hockey player
John Gilfillan § (1835–1924) – member of U.S. Congress
Terry Gilliam (born 1940) – actor (Monty Python), writer, director
Sid Gillman (1911–2003) – football coach
Charles A. Gilman – 9th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Robert R. Gilruth (1913–2000) – aviation and space pioneer
Dan Gladden (born 1957) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
Billy Glaze (1944–2015) – serial killer
Arne Glimcher (born 1938) – art dealer, founder of Pace Gallery, film producer and director
Tony Glover (1939–2019) – musician, music critic
James B. Goetz § (1936–2019) – radio executive and the 38th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
William H. Goetzmann § (1930–2010) – historian
Adam Goldberg (born 1980) – NFL tackle/guard
Godfrey G. Goodwin (1873–1933) – member of U.S. Congress
Genevieve Gorder (born 1974) – designer, television personality (Trading Spaces)
Samuel Y. Gordon – 19th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Willis Arnold Gorman § (1816–1876) – lawyer, soldier, politician
Irving I. Gottesman § (1930–2016) – behavior geneticist, psychologist
Billy Graham § (1918–2018) – evangelist, former president of Northwestern College
Moonlight Graham § (1876–1965) – doctor, baseball player
Rod Grams (1948–2013) – U.S. senator; member of U.S. Congress
Mary GrandPré – illustrator (Harry Potter books)
Bud Grant § (1927–2023) – former Minnesota Vikings football coach
Jim "Mudcat" Grant § (1935–2021) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
Charles Hinman Graves § (1839–1928) – Army officer, politician, diplomat, and mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
Peter Graves (Peter Aurness) (1926–2010) – actor (Mission: Impossible television series, Airplane!, 7th Heaven)
Dennis Green (1949–2016) – Minnesota Vikings football coach
Lauren Green (born 1958) – beauty queen, anchor
Steven Greenberg (born 1950) – musician ("Funkytown"), record producer
Robert Grenier (born 1941) – poet
Ingebrikt Grose (1862–1939) – founding president of Concordia College
Joan Growe (born 1935) – former Minnesota Secretary of State
Gabriele Grunewald (1986–2019) – middle-distance runner
Ann Morgan Guilbert (1928–2016) – actress, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Nanny
Bill Gullickson (born 1959) – baseball player
Gil Gutknecht § (born 1951) – former member of U.S. Congress
Joe Guyon (1892–1971) – Hall of Fame NFL player
Cristian Guzmán § (born 1978) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
Gia Milinovich (born 1969) Television presenter

H

Tom Hagedorn (born 1943) – member of the U.S. Congress
Ra'Shede Hageman § (born 1990) – football player
Gulbrand Hagen (1864–1919) – newspaper editor and publisher
Harold Hagen (1901–1957) – member of U.S. Congress
Molly Hagan (born 1961) – actress
Camilla Hall (1945–1974) – artist, college trained member of the Symbionese Liberation Army
Darwin Hall § (1844–1919) – member of U.S. Congress
Osee M. Hall § (1847–1914) – member of U.S. Congress
Philo Hall (1865–1938) – politician
Walter Halloran (1921–2005) – priest, chaplain
Kittel Halvorson § (1846–1936) – member of U.S. Congress
C. J. Ham (born 1993) – fullback for the Minnesota Vikings
Trina Hamlin – singer-songwriter
Winfield Scott Hammond § (1863–1915) – 18th governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
Brad Hand (born 1990) – pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
Greg Handevidt § (born 1965) – musician, attorney
Alan Hangsleben (born 1953) – hockey player
Dick Hanley (1894–1970) – football player and head coach
Jack Hannahan (born 1980) – third baseman for the Cleveland Indians
Ben Hanowski (born 1990) – professional hockey player
Courtney Hansen (born 1975) – television host and personality, syndicated columnist, author, and actress
Agatha Tiegel Hanson § (1873–1959) – poet, writer, and editor
Duane Hanson (1925–1996) – post-modern sculptor
Olof Hanson § (1862–1933) – deaf architect
Jeff Hanson § (1978–2009) – singer-songwriter, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist
Har Mar Superstar (Sean Tillmann) (born 1978) – entertainer
Poppy Harlow (born 1982) – news anchor, reporter and journalist for Forbes.com and CNN
Brian Harper § (born 1959) – baseball player
Tim Harmston § – stand-up comedian
Donald Harris (1931–2016) – composer and music teacher
Irving Harris (1910–2004) – businessperson
William H. Harries § (1843–1921) – member of U.S. Congress
Napoleon Harris § (born 1979) – football player
Ryan Harris (born 1985) – football player
Samantha Harris (born 1973) – television hostess, Dancing with the Stars, Entertainment Tonight
Ellen Hart § (born 1949) – mystery novelist
Grant Hart (1961–2017) – musician
Brynn Hartman (Vicki Omdahl) (1958–1998) – actor
Josh Hartnett (born 1978) – actor
Sid Hartman (1920–2020) – sports writer
Jon Hassler (1933–2008) – author
Mike Hatch (born 1948) – attorney general
Brenton G. Hayden – entrepreneur
Bernt B. Haugan (1862–1931) – minister, politician, and temperance leader
Randolph E. Haugan (1902–1985) – editor, author and publisher
Louis J. Hauge Jr. (1924–1945) – sailor
Marty Haugen (born 1950) – composer
Pete Hautman § (born 1952) – novelist
John Hawkes (born 1959) – actor
Joel Heatwole § (1856–1910) – member of U.S. Congress
Mitch Hedberg (1968–2005) – absurdist comic
Bret Hedican (born 1970) – hockey player
Garrett Hedlund (born 1984) – actor
Tippi Hedren (born 1930) – actor
Pudge Heffelfinger (1867–1954) – football player and coach, College Football Hall of Famer
Michael Hegstrand (1957–2003) – professional wrestler
Lawrence Heinemi (born 1943) – professional wrestler
Steve Heitzeg (born 1959) – composer
Luke Helder (born 1981) – pipe bomber
E. J. Henderson – football player
Seantrel Henderson – football player
Skitch Henderson (Lyle Russell Cedric Henderson) (1918–2005) – pianist, conductor, and composer
Ben Hendrickson (born 1981) – baseball player
Darby Hendrickson (born 1972) – hockey player
Curt Hennig (1958–2003) – professional wrestler
Joseph Curtis Hennig – professional wrestler
Larry Hennig – professional wrestler
Father Hennepin § (1626–1705) – explorer
Holly Henry (born 1994) – The Voice contestant and musician
Abigail and Brittany Hensel (born 1990) – conjoined twins
Barton Hepburn (1906–1955) – actor
Don Herbert (1917–2007) – television host
Maureen Herman § (born 1966) – musician
Bryan Hickerson (born 1963) – baseball player
Wally Hilgenberg – football player
George Roy Hill (1921–2002) – film director
James J. Hill § (1838–1916) – railroad tycoon, founder of Great Northern Railway
Peter Himmelman (born 1960) – songwriter
John H. Hinderaker (born 1950) – lawyer, blogger
Larry Hisle § (born 1947) – baseball player
Charles Hoag § (1808–1888) – scholar
Tami Hoag – novelist
Leroy Hoard § (born 1968) – football player
Jamie Hoffmann – baseball player
Alvin O. Hofstad (1905–1962) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Tobias Hogan – politician
James Day Hodgson (1915–2012) – United States Secretary of Labor and Ambassador to Japan
Joel Hodgson § – comedian and creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000
Einar Hoidale § – member of U.S. Congress
Mary Liz Holberg – politician
William Holcombe § (1804–1870) – first lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Perry Greeley Holden (1865–1959) – professor of agronomy
Justin Holl (born 1992) – hockey player
Bill Holm – poet
Paul Holmgren (born 1955) – hockey player
James Hong (born 1929) – actor
Quinton Hooker (born 1995) – basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
Townsend Hoopes (1922–2004) – soldier
Eric Hoplin – Deputy Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota
Terry Horan (born 1966) – football coach at Concordia College
George A. Hormel § (1860–1946) – founder of Hormel Foods
George "Geordie" Hormel (1928–2006) – musician and recording-studio proprietor
James Hormel (1933–2021) – philanthropist
Jay Catherwood Hormel (1892–1954) – businessman
Aaron Hosack § – football player
Harold Hotelling (1895–1973) – statistician and economist
Sue Metzger Dickey Hough § (1883 – 1980) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
David Housewright (born 1955) – novelist
Phil Housley (born 1964) – hockey player
Guy V. Howard (1879–1954) – U.S. senator
Kent Hrbek (born 1960) – baseball player
Lucius Frederick Hubbard § (1836–1913) – 9th governor of Minnesota
Don Hultz – football player
Ramon Humber – football player
Oliver Humperdink (1949–2011) – wrestling manager
Hubert Humphrey § (1911–1978) – U.S. senator, vice president, and presidential candidate
Muriel Humphrey § (1912–1998) – U.S. senator
Skip Humphrey (born 1942) – Minnesota attorney general
Kris Humphries (born 1985) – power forward for the New Jersey Nets
Torii Hunter § (born 1975) – baseball player
Leonid Hurwicz § (1917–2008) – economist, Nobel laureate
Lloyd Hustvedt (1922–2002) – professor, Norwegian-American scholar
Siri Hustvedt (born 1955) – novelist
Peter Hutchinson (born 1949) – politician and businessperson

I

I Self Devine (born 1972) – musician
Sherwood B. Idso – climatologist, ecologist, soil scientist
Tim Irwin – football player
Bill Irwin – professional wrestler
Scott Irwin (1952–1987) – professional wrestler
Doran Isackson (1938–1989) – politician, farmer
Sharon Isbin (born 1956) – classical guitarist
Ishtakhaba – Lakota chief
Gideon S. Ives – 11th lieutenant governor of Minnesota

J

Carl Richard Jacobi (1908–1997) – author
Lawrence R. Jacobs (born 1959) – political scientist
Jacob F. Jacobson § (1849–1938) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Sada Jacobson (born 1983) – Olympic fencing silver and bronze medalist
Sam Jacobson (born 1975) – basketball player
Jimmy Jam (born 1959) – songwriter, co-founder of Flyte Tyme Productions
Erasmus James (born 1982) – football player
Kathleen Hall Jamieson (born 1946) – professor and author
Harry August Jansen § (1883–1955) – professional magician
Lee Janzen (born 1964) – golfer
Kenny Jay (Kenny Benkowski) (born 1937) – professional wrestler
Sue Jeffers – political activist, radio commentator, businessperson
Claudia Jennings (Mary Eileen Chesterton) (1949–1979) – model and actor
Mason Jennings (born 1975) – pop-folk singer-songwriter
Carl Jensen (1920–1988) – politician, attorney, veteran
Doron Jensen (born 1957) – businessperson
Jim Jensen (1926–1999) – sportswriter
Richard A. Jensen (1934–2014) – author
Diane Jergens (1935–2018) – actor
Herb Joesting (1905–1963) – college and professional football player
Bob Johnson (1931–1991) – hockey coach
Brad Johnson § (born 1968) – football player
Craig Johnson (born 1972) – hockey player
Dan Johnson (born 1979) – baseball player
Dean Johnson (born 1947) – politician
Dewey Johnson (1899–1941) – member of U.S. Congress
Earl V. Johnson (1913–1942) – aviator
Erik Johnson (born 1988) – hockey player
George W. Johnson (1894–1974) – politician and mayor of Duluth
Gordon Johnson (born 1952) – bass guitarist
Jellybean Johnson (Garry George Johnson) (born 1956) – songwriter, producer and musician
Jim Johnson (born 1962) – hockey player
John Albert Johnson (1861–1909) – 16th governor of Minnesota
Josh Johnson (born 1984) – baseball player
Leon H. Johnson (1908–1969) – president of Montana State University
Magnus Johnson § (1871–1936) – U.S. senator; member of U.S. Congress
Marcus Johnson (born 1981) – football player
Mark Johnson (born 1957) – hockey player
Mark Steven Johnson (born 1964) – director and screenwriter, Ghost Rider, Daredevil
Marlene Johnson (born 1946) – 42nd lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Paul Johnson (1936–2016) – hockey player
Reynold B. Johnson (1906–1998) – inventor and computer pioneer
Ron Johnson – U.S. senator for Wisconsin
Scott W. Johnson (born 1940) – lawyer, blogger
Spencer Johnson – football player
Tyler Johnson (born 1998) – football player
Lance Johnstone (born 1973) – football player
Frederick McKinley Jones (1893–1961) – inventor, cofounder of Thermo King
Jacques Jones (born 1975) – baseball player
Ray W. Jones – 16th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Tre Jones – NBA basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs
Tyus Jones (born 1996) – NBA basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies
Bennie Joppru (born 1980) – football player
Cameron Jordan (born 1989) – football player
Steve Jordan § (born 1961) – football player
Carl O. Jorgenson (1881–1951) – politician
Bradley Joseph (born 1965) – composer, pianist, keyboardist
Walter Judd § (1898–1994) – member of U.S. Congress
Jerry Juhl (1938–2005) – television and movie writer, puppeteer
Dan Jurgens (born 1959) – writer and illustrator

K

Jim Kaat (born 1938) – baseball player
Dory Kahalé (born 1971) – electronic musician and DJ
Timothy M. Kaine (born 1958) – United States Senator from Virginia (2013–), former governor of Virginia (2006–2010)
John Anthony Kaiser (1932–2000) – Roman Catholic priest killed in Kenya
Henry Kalis (1937–2018) – politician, farmer, veteran
Rick Kamla – NBA TV broadcaster
Joe Kapp (1939–2023) – football player
Rich Karlis (born 1959) – football player
Joseph Karth (1922–2005) – member of U.S. Congress
Vincent Kartheiser (born 1979) – actor
Terry Katzman (1955–2019) – producer, sound engineer, archivist, record-store owner
Evan Kaufmann (born 1984) – professional ice hockey player in Germany
Maude Kegg (Ojibwa name Naawakamigookwe) (1904–1996) – writer, folk artist, and cultural interpreter
Tim Kehoe (born 1970) – inventor and author
Garrison Keillor (born 1942) – radio humorist and author (A Prairie Home Companion)
Alexander M. Keith (1928–2020) – judge, politician; 37th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Lisa Keith (born 1960) – singer and backup vocalist
James "J.R." Keller (1907–1972) – politician, farmer, contractor
Melissa Keller (born 1979) – model and actress
Oscar Keller (1878–1927) – member of U.S. Congress
Rachel Keller (born 1991) – actress
Wade Keller – columnist
Devin Kelley – actress, The Chicago Code
John Edward Kelley § (1853–1941) – South Dakota politician
Steve Kelley (born 1953) – politician
Frank Kellogg § (1856–1937) – U.S. senator, U.S. Secretary of State, Kellogg-Briand Pact
Randy Kelly (born 1950) – politician
Tom Kelly (born 1950) – baseball coach
Linda Kelsey (born 1946) – actor
Mark Kennedy (born 1957) – former member of U.S. Congress
Elizabeth Kenny § (1880–1952) – nurse, discovered revolutionary treatment for polio
George Keogan (1890–1943) – basketball coach
Ancel Keys (1904–2004) – nutritionist
Leonard Kibrick (1924–1993) – child actor
Sidney Kibrick (born 1928) – child actor
Jefferson P. Kidder § (1815–1883) – lawyer and jurist
Dana Kiecker (born 1961) – baseball player
Andrew Kiefer § (1832–1904) – member of U.S. Congress
Eddie Kienholz (1889–1974) – college football, basketball, and baseball coach
Mary Kiffmeyer (born 1946) – Minnesota Secretary of State
Craig Kilborn (born 1962) – television personality
John N. Kildahl (1857–1920) – Lutheran church minister, author and educator
Harmon Killebrew § (1936–2011) – baseball player
Ward Kimball (1914–2002) – animator, musician
Charles Kimbrough (born 1936) – actor
William S. King § (1828–1900) – member of U.S. Congress
William W. Kingsbury § (1828–1892) – politician
Sheila Kiscaden – politician
Jeremy James Kissner (born 1985) – actor
Norman Kittson § (1814–1888) – businessperson, politician
Trent Klatt (born 1971) – hockey player
Kurt Kleinendorst (born 1960) – hockey coach
Scot Kleinendorst (1960–2019) – hockey player
Jim Kleinsasser § (born 1977) – football player
John Kline § (born 1947) – member of U.S. Congress
Amy Klobuchar (born 1960) – U.S. senator
Chuck Klosterman (born 1972) – writer
Chris Kluwe § (born 1981) – football player
T. R. Knight (born 1973) – actor
Chuck Knoblauch § (born 1968) – baseball player
Chris Knutson – stand-up comedian
Coya Knutson § (1912–1996) – member of U.S. Congress
Harold Knutson § (1880–1953) – member of U.S. Congress
Paul Koering (born 1964) – politician; rare openly gay Republican
Spider John Koerner (born 1938) – musician
Nikita Koloff (born 1959) – professional wrestler
Jerry Koosman (born 1942) – baseball player
Charlie Korsmo § (born 1978) – actor
Corey Koskie § (born 1973) – baseball player
Kristina Koznick – downhill skier, Olympian
Tommy Kramer § (born 1955) – football player
Herbert Arthur Krause (1905–1976) – American historian
Paul Krause § (born 1942) – football player
Peter Krause (born 1965) – actor
Richard E. Kraus § (1925–1944) – sailor
Mitch Krebs – anchor
Joan B. Kroc (1928–2003) – philanthropist
Pat Kronebusch (1927–2004) – politician, educator
Helen Barbara Kruger (1913–2006) – entrepreneur
William Kent Krueger - crime author
Kris Kuehl (born 1970) – Olympian and discus thrower
Robert T. Kuhn (born 1937) – Lutheran minister
Bernie Kukar – National Football League referee
William F. Kunze (1872–1962) – banker, politician
Tom Kurvers (1962–2021) – hockey player
Ole J. Kvale § (1869–1929) – member of U.S. Congress
Paul John Kvale § (1896–1940) – member of U.S. Congress
Ben Kyle § (born 1981) – musician, songwriter

L

James D. La Belle (1924–1945) – sailor
Manuel Lagos (born 1971) – soccer player
Ann Landers (1918–2002) – columnist for Minneapolis Star Tribune; birth name Eppie Lederer
Lenny Lane (born 1970) – professional wrestler
Odin Langen (1913–1976) – member of U.S. Congress
Jessica Lange (born 1949) – actor
Jim Lange (1932–2014) – television host
Jamie Langenbrunner (born 1975) – hockey player
Josh Langfeld (born 1977) – hockey player
Katherine Lanpher (born 1959) – radio personality, journalist
Gene Larkin (born 1962) – baseball player
Erik Larsen (born 1962) – comic-book writer, artist, and publisher
Gary Larsen (born 1942) – football player
Emily Larson (born 1973) – American politician and former mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
Oscar Larson § (1871–1957) – member of U.S. Congress
Reed Larson (born 1956) – hockey player
George Latimer § (1935–2024) – politician
Roger Laufenburger (1921–2001) – politician, radio announcer, insurance agent
Tom Laughlin (1931–2013) – actor
James Laurinaitis (born 1986) – football player
Trevor Laws § (born 1985) – football player
Matt Lawton § (born 1971) – baseball player
Bernie Leadon (born 1947) – musician
Carrie Lee – beauty queen
Carl Lee – football player
Tammy Lee (born 1971) – businessperson and politician
Pinky Lee (1907–1993) – actor and star of The Pinky Lee Show
Sunisa Lee (born 2003) – Olympic gold medalist
James LeGros (born 1962) – actor
Tom Lehman (born 1959) – golfer
John D. LeMay (born 1962) – actor
Greg LeMond (born 1961) – Tour de France winner
Brock Lesnar § (born 1977) – professional wrestler, folkstyle wrestler, and UFC fighter
Meridel Le Sueur § (1900–1996) – writer
Jon Leuer (born 1989) – basketball player for the Detroit Pistons
Harold LeVander § (1910–1992) – 32nd governor of Minnesota
David Levin – singer-songwriter
Mark LeVoir (born 1982) – offensive tackle for the New England Patriots
Len Levy (1921–1999) – football player and professional wrestler
Bob Lewis (1924–2006) – businessperson, champion race horse owner
Sinclair Lewis (1885–1951) – Nobel Prize-winning novelist
Terry Lewis § (born 1956) – songwriter, co-founder of Flyte Tyme Productions
Walter Liggett (1886–1935) – journalist, newspaper editor
C. Walton Lillehei (1918–1999) – doctor who performed first open heart surgery
John Lind § (1854–1930) – 14th governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
Bruce Lindahl (1919–2014) – Minnesota legislator
Terrance Lindall (born 1944) – artist
Mike Lindell (born 1961) – My Pillow inventor and advisor to President Trump
Charles August Lindbergh, Sr. § (1859–1924) – member of U.S. Congress
Charles Lindbergh § (1902–1974) – aviator, first non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean
Gottfrid Lindsten – 29th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Chris Liwienski – football player
Ben Lohrding, member of Minneapolis band Amateur Hour
Charles M. Loring (1833–1922) – Minneapolis businessman, civic leader, "Father of Park System"
Maud Hart Lovelace (1892–1980) – author
Kirk Lowdermilk – football player
Cal Ludeman (born 1951) – politician, state commissioner, farmer
Ernest Lundeen § (1878–1940) – U.S. senator; member of U.S. Congress
Bob Lurtsema – football player
Bill Luther (born 1945) – member of U.S. Congress
David Lykken (1928–2006) – behavioral geneticist and Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Psychiatry
Joseph Lykken (born 1957) – physicist
Dorothy Lyman (born 1947) – actor, director, and producer
Kelly Lynch (born 1959) – actor
Reggie Lynch (born 1994) – basketball player for Bnei Herzliya of the Israeli Basketball Premier League^[3]
Audra Lynn (born 1980) – model and actor
Jerry Lynn (born 1963) – professional wrestler

M

Melvin Maas (1898–1964) – member of U.S. Congress
John L. MacDonald § (1838–1903) – member of U.S. Congress
Clark MacGregor (1922–2003) – member of U.S. Congress
Mary Mack § (born 1975) – stand-up comedian
Catharine MacKinnon (born 1946) – legal scholar
George MacKinnon (1906–1995) – member of U.S. Congress
Edwin L. MacLean (1890–1968) – Minnesota legislator
Cornell MacNeil – singer
Myles Mace (1911–2000) – Harvard Business School professor
Shane Mack § (born 1963) – baseball player
John Madden (1936–2021) – football coach and commentator
Chris Maddock – stand-up comedian
Amos Magee (born 1971) – soccer player, coach, and front office
Clarence R. Magney (1883–1962) – judge and mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
Warren G. Magnuson (1905–1989) – politician
Tom Malchow (born 1976) – swimmer
Mark Mallman (born 1973) – musician
George Mann (1918–1984) – politician, farmer
Paul Manship (1885–1966) – sculptor
John Mariucci (1916–1987) – hockey coach
Roger Maris (1934–1985) – baseball player
Sharon Marko – politician
June Marlowe (1903–1984) – actor
Kelli Maroney – actress, Ryan's Hope, One Life to Live
Forrest Mars, Sr. (1904–1999) – CEO, Mars, Inc., creator of M&M's
Frank Mars (1883–1934) – founder of Mars, Inc., creator of Milky Way candy bar
E. G. Marshall (1914–1998) – actor
Fred Marshall (1906–1985) – member of U.S. Congress
Jim Marshall § (born 1937) – football player
William Rainey Marshall § (1825–1896) – 5th governor of Minnesota
Theodore Marston (1868–1920) – film director and writer
Billy Martin § (1928–1989) – baseball coach
Homer Dodge Martin § (1836–1897) – painter
Paul Martin (born 1981) – hockey player
James Martinez (born 1958) – Olympic bronze medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling
John Marty – politician
Brownie Mary (Mary Jane Rathbun) (1922–1999) – baker
Bob Mason (born 1961) – hockey player
Shirley Ardell Mason (1923–1998) – abuse victim
Tommy Mason (1939–2015) – football player
Bethanie Mattek-Sands (born 1985) – professional tennis-player
Mark Mattson (born 1957) – neuroscientist
Gene Mauch § (1925–2005) – baseball manager
Joe Mauer (born 1983) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
John Mayasich (born 1933) – hockey player
Wendy Maybury – stand-up comedian
Charles Horace Mayo (1865–1939) – doctor, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic
William J. Mayo (1861–1939) – doctor, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic
William Worrall Mayo § (1819–1911) – doctor, head of St. Mary's Hospital
Joe Mays (born 1975) – baseball player
Ryan McCartan (born 1993) – actor
Eugene McCarthy (1916–2005) – U.S. senator; presidential candidate; member of U.S. Congress
Kevin McCarthy (1914–2010) – actor
James McCleary § (1853–1924) – member of U.S. Congress
Fancy Ray McCloney – stand-up comedian
Betty McCollum (born 1954) – member of U.S. Congress
Ed McDaniel – football player
Randall McDaniel (born 1964) – football player
James E. McDonald (1920–1971) – physicist
Denis McDonough (born 1969) – White House Chief of Staff
Heather McElhatton – writer, reporter, and radio host
Hugh McElhenny § (1928–2022) – football player
Margaret McFadden (1870–1932) – community leader
Bobby McFerrin § (born 1950) – jazz singer
Andrew Ryan McGill § (1840–1905) – 10th governor of Minnesota
Kevin McHale (born 1957) – basketball player
Bethany McLean (born 1971) – author
John McMartin (1929–2016) – actor
Samuel J. R. McMillan § (1826–1897) – judge, U.S. senator
Audray McMillian – football player
Lesley J. McNair (1883–1944) – soldier
Graham McNamee (1888–1942) – broadcaster
Dugan McNeill – guitarist
Pamela McNeill – singer-songwriter
Marcia McNutt – geophysicist, National Academy of Sciences president
Samuel Medary § (1801–1864) – politician, 3rd Governor of Minnesota Territory
Niko Medved (born 1973) – college basketball coach
Ralph Meeker (Ralph Rathgeber) (1920–1988) – actor
Mike Menning (born 1945) – politician, businessman, minister
William Rush Merriam § (1849–1931) – 11th governor of Minnesota
Jeremy Messersmith § – musician
James Metzen (1943–2016) – politician
Breckin Meyer (born 1974) – actor
Ben Meyers (born 1998) – hockey player
Joe Micheletti (born 1954) – hockey player
Doug Mientkiewicz (born 1974) – baseball player
Boris Mikšić (born 1948) – Croatian-born businessman and politician
Keith Millard (born 1962) – football player
Archie H. Miller – 32nd lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Clarence B. Miller (1872–1922) – member of U.S. Congress
Joey Miller (born 1985) – stock-car driver
Stephen Miller § (1816–1881) – 4th governor of Minnesota
Worm Miller (born 1978) – writer, director, and actor
Kate Millett (1934–2017) – feminist and writer
Larry Millett (born 1947) – journalist and author
Tommy Milton (1893–1962) – race car driver
Don Mincher (1938–2012) – baseball player
David Minge (born 1942) – former member of U.S. Congress, state appeals court judge
William D. Mitchell (1874–1955) – U.S. Attorney General
Roger Moe (born 1944) – politician
Don Moen (born 1950) – worship leader and president of Hosanna! Music
Mother Alfred Moes § (1828–1899) – founder of St. Mary's Hospital
Paul Molitor (born 1956) – baseball player, manager
Carol Molnau (born 1949) – 46th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Dorothy Molter (1907–1986) – entrepreneur
Eleanor Mondale (1960–2011) – television host, daughter of Walter Mondale
Joan Mondale § (1930–2014) – second lady of the United States
Walter Mondale (1928–2021) – vice president of the United States, U.S. senator
Robert Mondavi (1913–2008) – winemaker
Warren Moon (born 1956) – football player
Freddy Moore (born 1950) – songwriter
Mewelde Moore (born 1982) – football player
Tom Moore (born 1938) – senior offensive assistant for the Indianapolis Colts
Mike Morin (born 1991) – baseball player
Jack Morris (born 1955) – baseball player
Robert P. Morris § (1853–1924) – member of U.S. Congress
Dorilus Morrison § (1814–1898) – politician
Greg Mortenson – activist
Marnie Mosiman – actor, singer
Randy Moss § (born 1977) – football player
Mee Moua § (born 1969) – politician
Bob Mould § (born 1960) – musician
John Edward Mower § (1815–1879) – businessperson, politician
Karl Mueller (1963–2005) – musician
Peter Mueller (born 1988) – hockey player
Mark Mullaney – football player
Biggie Munn (1908–1975) – football player and coach
Adolph Murie (1899–1974) – biologist, author
Diana E. Murphy (1934–2018) – judge
Willie Murphy (1943–2019) – musician
Rick Mystrom – politician

N

Arthur Naftalin § (1917–2005) – politician
Ellen Torelle Nagler (1870–1965) – biologist, non-fiction writer
Bronko Nagurski § (1908–1990) – football player, professional wrestler
Peter Najarian § (born 1963) – options trader, television personality for CNBC
Joe Nathan (born 1974) – baseball player
Noel Neill (1920–2016) – actor
LeRoy Neiman (1921–2012) – sports artist
Ancher Nelsen (1904–1992) – 34th lieutenant governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
Arthur E. Nelson (1892–1955) – U.S. senator
Cindy Nelson (born 1955) – alpine skier
Darrin Nelson (born 1959) – football player
Edor Nelson (1914–2014) – baseball, football, wrestling, and hockey coach at Augsburg University
Ken G. Nelson (born 1936) – former Minnesota state representative
George Nelson § (born 1950) – astronaut
Holly Nelson – poet, politician
Knute Nelson § (1843–1923) – 12th governor of Minnesota; U.S. senator; member of U.S. Congress
Roy Nelson (1905–1956) – cartoonist
Steve Nelson (born 1951) – football player for the New England Patriots
Pat Neshek § (born 1980) – relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
Don Ness (born 1974) – politician and former mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
Tom Netherton (1947–2018) – singer
Graig Nettles § (born 1944) – baseball player
Ernie Nevers (1902–1976) – Hall of Fame football player
Walter Newton (1880–1941) – member of U.S. Congress
Joseph Nicollet § (1786–1843) – explorer
Tom Niedenfuer (born 1959) – baseball player
Matt Niskanen (born 1986) – hockey player
Richard Nolan (born 1943) – member of U.S. Congress
William I. Nolan (1874–1943) – 24th lieutenant governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
Gena Lee Nolin (born 1971) – actress and model, Baywatch, Sheena
John Nord (born 1959) – professional wrestler
Jeff Nordgaard (born 1973) – basketball player
Michele Norris – radio journalist
William Norris § (1911–2006) – CEO Control Data
Lauris Norstad (1907–1988) – general, commander of NATO forces
Daniel S. Norton § (1829–1870) – U.S. senator
Eunice Norton (1908–2005) – pianist
Greg Norton (born 1959) – musician, chef
Scott Norton (born 1961) – professional wrestler
Frank Nye § (1852–1935) – member of U.S. Congress

O

Tim O'Brien (born 1946) – author
Mac O'Grady (born 1951) – golfer
Joseph P. O'Hara (1895–1975) – member of U.S. Congress
Michael O'Leary (born 1958) – actor
Jim Oberstar (1934–2014) – member of U.S. Congress
Tim Ocel – director
Willie Offord (born 1978) – football player
"Mean Gene" Okerlund (1942–2019) – professional wrestling interviewer and announcer
Kyle Okposo (born 1988) – hockey player
Tony Oliva § (born 1938) – baseball player
Alec G. Olson (born 1930) – member of U.S. Congress; 40th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Earl B. Olson (1915–2006) – founder of the Jennie-O Turkey company
Floyd B. Olson (1891–1936) – 22nd governor of Minnesota
Greg Olson (born 1960) – baseball player
Howard Olson (1937–1996) – politician, farmer
John Olson (1906–1981) – politician, farmer
Katy Olson (1928–2011) – politician, farmer
Kenneth L. Olson (1945–1968) – Vietnam War veteran
Mark Olson (1943–2018) – member of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve
Sigurd Olson (1899–1982) – environmentalist
Ilhan Omar § – politician
Norman J. Ornstein – political scientist
Dave Osborn – football player
T. J. Oshie § – hockey player
Laura Osnes (born 1985) – actor, singer
Peter Ostroushko (1953–2021) – violinist
Rebecca Otto (born 1963) – politician, 18th state auditor

P

Alan Page § (born 1945) – football player and Minnesota Supreme Court justice
John U. D. Page (1903–1950) – soldier
Doug Pagitt – religion author
Floyd Palmer (born 1943) – businessperson
Carl Panzram (1891–1930) – serial killer, author
George Andreas Papandreou (born 1952) – Greek politician
Bob Paradise (born 1944) – hockey player
Alex Pareene – editor-in-chief of Gawker
Zach Parise (born 1984) – hockey player
Robert Ezra Park § (1864–1944) – urban sociologist
Bradford Parkinson (born 1935) – father of the Global Positioning System
Gordon Parks § (1912–2006) – photographer
Emory Parnell (1892–1979) – actor
Nancy Parsons (1942–2001) – actor
Camilo Pascual (born 1934) – baseball player
Brandon Paulson (born 1973) – Olympic silver medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling
Gary Paulsen (born 1939) – author
Jeno Paulucci – founder of Jeno's Frozen Pizza, Chun King Corporation, and Luigino's
Mary Pawlenty – judge, first lady of the state
Tim Pawlenty (born 1960) – 39th governor of Minnesota
Barbara Payton (1927–1967) – actor
Pat Peake (born 1973) – hockey player
Westbrook Pegler (1894–1969) – journalist and writer
Mary Jo Pehl – actor, broadcaster, and writer
Ellen Pence (1948–2012) – scholar and activist in domestic violence prevention
Tim Penny (born 1951) – member of U.S. Congress
Glen Perkins (born 1983) – baseball player
Rudy Perpich (1928–1995) – 34th and 36th governor of Minnesota; 39th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Jim Perry § (born 1935) – baseball player
Melissa Peterman (born 1970) – actor
Christian T. Petersen – board game designer and founder of Fantasy Flight Games
Hjalmar Petersen § (1890–1968) – 23rd governor of Minnesota; 28th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Aaron Peterson – politician
Barbara Peterson – Miss USA 1976
Collin Peterson (born 1944) – member of U.S. Congress
Darrel Peterson (1939–1994) – politician, farmer
Paul Peterson (St. Paul) – musician
Wayne Peterson (1925–2021) – composer, Pulitzer Prize winner
Jake Petricka (born 1988) – baseball player
Anna Augusta Von Helmholtz-Phelan – professor, author
William Wallace Phelps § (1826–1873) – member of U.S. Congress
Reynold Philipsek (born 1952) – musician
Arthur Phillips (born 1969) – author
Don Piccard (1926–2020) – balloonist
Jean Piccard § (1884–1963) – organic chemist, balloonist
Jeannette Piccard § (1895–1981) – teacher, balloonist, priest
Justin Pierre (born 1976) – musician
Janelle Pierzina (born 1980) – actor, model
Bernard Pietenpol (1901–1984) – mechanic, aircraft designer
Zebulon Montgomery Pike § (1779–1813) – explorer
John S. Pillsbury § (1828–1901) – founder of Pillsbury, 8th governor of Minnesota
Chellie Pingree (born 1955) – politician
Robert M. Pirsig § (1928–2017) – author, philosopher
William Pittenger § (1885–1951) – member of U.S. Congress
Mike Ploog (born 1942) – storyboard and comic-book artist
Henry Stanley Plummer (1874–1937) – physician
Mortimer Plumtree (born 1969) – former actor and professional wrestling manager
Shjon Podein (born 1968) – hockey player
Henry Poehler § (1833–1912) – member of U.S. Congress
Carl Pohlad § (1915–2009) – billionaire, baseball owner and philanthropist
Joe Polo (born 1982) – curler and Olympic bronze medalist
Olivia Poole (1889–1975) – inventor
P.O.S – rapper
Vic Power § (1927–2005) – baseball player
Chris Pratt (born 1979) – actor, Everwood, Parks and Recreation
Tom Preissing § (born 1978) – hockey player
Amber Preston § – stand-up comedian
Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus § (1883–1961) – 20th governor of Minnesota
Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus II (1920–1994) – Lutheran minister
Prince (full name Prince Rogers Nelson) (1958–2016) – singer-songwriter, actor, composer
Pat Proft (born 1947) – comedy writer and actor
Joel Przybilla (born 1979) – basketball player
Kirby Puckett § (1960–2006) – Baseball Hall of Famer
George Putnam (1914–2008) – television host
Herbert Putnam § (1861–1955) – Librarian of Congress
William S. Pye (1880–1959) – admiral, U.S. Navy

Q

Becky Quick (born 1972) – co-anchorwoman of CNBC's Squawk Box
Al Quie (1923–2023) – 35th governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
Frank Quilici § (1939–2018) – baseball player
Robb Quinlan (born 1977) – baseball player

R

Brian Raabe (born 1967) – baseball player
Brad Radke (born 1972) – baseball player
Pedro Ramos (born 1935) – baseball player
Alexander Ramsey § (1815–1903) – 2nd governor of Minnesota; U.S. senator
Jim Ramstad § (1946–2020) – member of U.S. Congress
John Randle (born 1967) – football player
Ralph Rapson § (1914–2008) – architect
Baron von Raschke § (born 1940) – professional wrestler
Ahmad Rashad (born 1949) – football player
Erik Rasmussen (born 1977) – hockey player
Edwin W. Rawlings (1904–1997) – chief executive officer, General Mills; USAF general (Ret.)
Dave "Snaker" Ray (1943–2002) – musician
Jeff Reardon (born 1955) – baseball player
Harry Reasoner § (1923–1991) – television journalist
Jake Reed (born 1967) – football player
Oscar Reed – football player
Rich Reese (born 1941) – baseball player
Olli Rehn (born 1962) – European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy
Ember Reichgott Junge – attorney, radio host, and politician
Roger Reinert (born 1970) – American politician and mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
Chris Reitsma (born 1977) – baseball player
Earl Renneke (1928–2021) – politician, farmer
Rip Repulski (1927–1993) – baseball player
Michael Restovich (born 1979) – baseball player
Patrick Reusse – sports writer
Brad Rheingans (born 1953) – former professional wrestler and amateur wrestler; Greco-Roman wrestler for USA at two Olympic Games
Albert E. Rice (1845–1921) – banker, newspaperman, legislator, and the 10th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
Edmund Rice § (1819–1889) – member of U.S. Congress
Henry Mower Rice § (1816–1894) – U.S. senator
Todd Richards – head coach of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets
Kaylin Richardson – downhill skier, Olympian, Nor-Am Champion, US National Champion, World Champion
William B. Richardson – acting lieutenant governor of Minnesota (1936–1937)
Nate Richert (born 1978) – actor
Carl W. Riddick (1872–1960) – member of U.S. Congress
Beth Riesgraf (born 1978) – actress
Martha Ripley § (1843–1912) – physician; founder, Maternity Hospital in Minneapolis
Mark Ritchie (born 1951) – Minnesota Secretary of State
Laila Robins (born 1959) – actress
Jay Robinson (born 1946) – Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler and former University of Minnesota wrestling coach
Koren Robinson – football player
Marcus Robinson (born 1975) – football player
Robyne Robinson – newscaster
Stacy Robinson – football player
Svend Robinson (born 1952) – Canadian politician
Rafael Rodriguez – boxer
Brian Rogowski (born 1970) – professional wrestler
Todd Rohloff (born 1974) – hockey player
Rich Rollins (born 1938) – baseball player
Karl Rolvaag (1913–1990) – 31st governor of Minnesota; 36th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Ole Rolvaag § (1876–1931) – novelist
Richard Rood (1958–1999) – professional wrestler, best known by his ringname "Ravishing" Rick Rude
Mike Rosenthal – football player
Marion Ross (born 1928) – actor
Coleen Rowley (born 1954) – former FBI agent and whistleblower; candidate for Congress in the 2nd District of Minnesota
Dwayne Rudd (born 1976) – football player
Emily Rudd (born 1993) – actor
Donald Eugene Rudolph, Sr. (c. 1921–2006) – soldier
Howard Wads Rundquist (1901–1985) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Jane Russell (1921–2011) – film actress
Elmer Ryan (1907–1958) – member of U.S. Congress
R. T. Rybak (born 1955) – politician, newspaper editor
Winona Ryder (born 1971) – actor

S

Dwight M. Sabin § (1843–1902) – U.S. senator
Martin Olav Sabo § (1938–2016) – former member of U.S. Congress
Saint Dog (Steven Thronson) – rapper from Chisholm, Minnesota; member of the hip-hop group Kottonmouth Kings
Harrison Salisbury (1908–1993) – journalist
Zak Sally – musician
Rudie M. Saltness § (1899–1974) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Ralph Samuelson (1903–1977) – inventor of water skiing, first water-ski jumper and speed skier
John B. Sanborn (1826–1904) – Union Army General, state legislator
John B. Sanborn Jr. (1883–1964) – Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge
Michael J. Sandel (born 1953) – political philosopher, Harvard professor
Charlie Sanders (born 1979) – actor
Tony Sanneh (born 1971) – soccer player
Johan Santana (born 1979) – baseball player
Gary Sargent (born 1954) – hockey player
Gloria Sawai (Gloria Ruth Ostrem) (1932–2011) – author of fiction
Thomas D. Schall § (1878–1935) – U.S. senator, member of U.S. Congress
Dan Schlissel § (born 1970) – record producer, founder of Stand Up! Records and -ismist Recordings
Bruce Schneier (born 1963) – founder and chief technology officer, Counterpane Internet Security
Henry Schoolcraft § (1793–1864) – explorer
Charles M. Schulz (1922–2000) – cartoonist
Richard M. Schulze (born 1940) – founder and chairman, Best Buy
Mae Schunk § (born 1934) – 45th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Kathryn Leigh Scott (Kathryn Kringstad) (born 1945) – author, actor
Seann William Scott (born 1976) – actor
Todd Scott – football player
Briana Scurry (born 1971) – soccer player
Richard Warren Sears (1863–1914) – co-founder, Sears, Roebuck and Company
Mitch Seavey – dog musher
Jerry Seeman – NFL referee and Director of Officiating
Robert Seguso (born 1963) – tennis player
Aaron Sele (born 1970) – baseball player
Conrad Selvig (1877–1953) – member of U.S. Congress
Lyle Sendlein (born 1984) – football player
Joe Senser – football player
Marty Sertich (born 1982) – hockey player
Brian Setzer § – musician
Eric Sevareid § (1912–1992) – television journalist
Stephen Shadegg (1909–1990) – political consultant in Phoenix, Arizona; born in Minneapolis
Kyle Shanahan (born 1979) – football coach
Eddie Sharkey – wrestling coach
Darren Sharper (born 1975) – football player
Clark Shaughnessy (1892–1970) – football coach
Sam Shepard – actor and playwright; lived in Stillwater, Minnesota, with partner Jessica Lange
Marcus Sherels – football player
Sean Sherk (born 1973) – mixed martial artist and former UFC Lightweight Champion
Charles D. Sherwood – 4th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
James Shields § (1810–1879) – U.S. senator
Henrik Shipstead (1881–1960) – U.S. senator
Francis Shoemaker (1889–1958) – member of U.S. Congress
BeBe Shopp (born 1930) – Miss America 1948
Bob Short (1917–1982) – owner of sports teams and politician
Henry Hastings Sibley § (1811–1891) – first governor of Minnesota
Christopher Sieber (born 1969) – actor
Dick Siebert § (1912–1978) – college baseball coach
Gerry Sikorski (born 1948) – member of U.S. Congress
Clifford D. Simak § (1904–1988) – science-fiction writer
Richard Simmons (1913–2003) – actor
George Sitts – convicted murderer
Slug (born 1973) – rapper
Roy Smalley § (born 1952) – baseball player
Jack Smight (1925–2003) – film director
Bruce Smith (1920–1967) – football player; winner, Heisman Trophy
Chad Smith (born 1961) – drummer, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Craig Smith (born 1974) – college basketball coach
Edward Everett Smith – 18th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
George Ross Smith (1864–1952) – member of U.S. Congress
Larry H. Smith (1939–2002) – hockey player
Lyndon Ambrose Smith – 15th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Onterrio Smith § (born 1980) – football player
Phillips Waller Smith (1906–1963) – U.S. Air Force major general
Raonall Smith (born 1978) – football player
Regan Smith § (born 2002) – Olympic swimmer^[4]
Robert Smith § (born 1972) – football player
Wyatt Smith (born 1977) – hockey player
Fred Smoot § (born 1979) – football player
Josiah Snelling § (1782–1828) – first commander of Fort Snelling
Samuel Snider § (1845–1928) – member of U.S. Congress
Samuel F. Snively § (1859–1952) – longest-serving mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
Zach Sobiech (1995–2013) – musician
Ben Sobieski (born 1979) – football player
Konrad K. Solberg – 27th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Kathleen Soliah § (born 1947) – member of the Symbionese Liberation Army
Gordon Solie (Francis Jonard Labiak) (1929–2000) – wrestling announcer
Sammy Solis – baseball player
Jesse Solomon – football player
Spenser J. Somers § (1972–1990) – author
Rich Sommer § (born 1978) – actor
Stephen Sommers § (born 1962) – director
Gale Sondergaard (1899–1985) – Academy Award-winning actress (1936)
John Sontag (1861–1893) – outlaw, born in Mankato
Kevin Sorbo (born 1958) – actor
Richard K. Sorenson (1924–2004) – sailor
Alec Soth (born 1969) – photographer
Ann Sothern § (1909–2001) – actress
Matt Spaeth – football player
Allan Spear § (1937–2008) – state legislator and president of the Minnesota Senate
LaVyrle Spencer – romance novelist
Lili St. Cyr (Willis Marie Van Schaack) (1918–1999) – ecdysiast
Paul St. Peter (also known as George C. Cole and Francis C. Cole) (born 1958) – voice actor
Joan Staley (1940–2019) – actor
Arlan Stangeland § (1930–2013) – member of U.S. Congress
Maurice Stans (1908–1998) – U.S. secretary of commerce
Frank Starkey (1892–1968) – member of U.S. Congress
Harold Stassen (1907–2001) – 25th governor of Minnesota
Ozora P. Stearns § (1831–1896) – U.S. senator
Franklin Steele § (1813–1880) – early settler of St. Anthony, Minnesota
Halvor Steenerson § (1852–1926) – member of U.S. Congress
Andy Steensma (born 1942) – farmer, mayor, politician
Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper (born 1963) – astronaut
Will Steger (born 1944) – polar explorer
Terry Steinbach (born 1962) – Major League Baseball player
Helen Stenborg (1925–2011) – actor
Phil Sterner (born 1960) – politician
Cliff Sterrett – cartoonist
Todd Steussie – football player
Frederick Stevens § (1861–1923) – member of U.S. Congress
John H. Stevens – § (1820–1900) first civilian (non-indigenous) resident of Minneapolis
Gable Steveson (born 2000) – wrestler for the University of Minnesota, 2020 Summer Olympics gold medalist in men's freestyle 125 kg
Jacob H. Stewart § (1829–1884) – member of U.S. Congress
Henry C. Stiening § (1895–1962) – member of the Minnesota Senate
Kenny Stills (born 1992) – wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins
Bob Stinson (Robert Neil Stinson) (1959–1995) – musician
Tommy Stinson (born 1966) – musician
Carl Stockdale (1874–1953) – actor
Cal Stoll (1923–2000) – former coach, Wake Forest, University of Minnesota football
Erik Stolhanske (born 1968) – comedian
Horace B. Strait § (1835–1894) – member of U.S. Congress
Korey Stringer § (1974–2001) – football player
Eric Strobel (born 1958) – hockey player; 1980 Miracle on Ice hockey team member
Chris Strouth (born 1968) – musician, producer, writer and filmmaker
Mike Stuart (born 1980) – hockey player
Scott Studwell – football player
John Stumpf – chairman and chief executive officer, Wells Fargo
Terrell Suggs – football player
George H. Sullivan – 21st lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Clinton Sundberg – actor
Milt Sunde – football player
David C. Sutherland III (1949–2005) – Dungeons & Dragons artist
Steve Sviggum – politician
Curt Swan (1920–1996) – comic book artist
Lori Swanson (born 1966) – Minnesota Attorney General
Nick Swardson (born 1977) – stand-up comedian, actor
Henry Adoniram Swift § (1823–1869) – 3rd governor of Minnesota and 3rd lieutenant governor of Minnesota
William Irvin Swoope § (1862–1930) – lawyer and politician
John Szarkowski (1925–2007) – photographer, historian, director of photography for Museum of Modern Art

T

Taoyateduta (c. 1810–1863) – chief of the Mdewakanton Sioux tribe
Kevin Tapani § (born 1964) – baseball player
Thomas Tapeh § (born 1980) – football player
Fran Tarkenton § (born 1940) – football player
A. J. Tarpley (born 1992) – football player
John Tate (1925–2019) – mathematician; winner, Wolf Prize in Mathematics and the Abel Prize
James Albertus Tawney § (1855–1919) – member of U.S. Congress
Glen Taylor – businessperson
Travis Taylor § (born 1978) – football player
Maureen Teefy (born 1953) – musical-theatre vocalist and actor
Henry Teigan § (1881–1941) – politician
Wayne Terwilliger § (1925–2021) – baseball coach
Adam Thielen (born 1990) – football player
Dontarrious Thomas § (born 1980) – football player
George Thomas (born 1937) – baseball player
Henry Thomas § (born 1965) – football player
John Thomas (born 1975) – basketball player
Butch Thompson (born 1943) – jazz pianist and clarinetist
Lea Thompson (born 1961) – actor, dancer
Stew Thornley (born 1955) – author of books on sports history
Edward John Thye § (1896–1969) – 26th governor of Minnesota; 31st lieutenant governor of Minnesota; U.S. senator
Steve Tibbetts § (born 1954) – guitarist
Mike Tice § (born 1959) – football coach
Cheryl Tiegs (born 1947) – model
Mick Tingelhoff § (born 1940) – football player
Tiny Tim (Herbert Buckingham Khaury) § (1932–1996) – musician
Lio Tipton (born 1988) – third place, America's Next Top Model Cycle 11
Mike Todd (1909–1958) – movie producer
Carrie Tollefson (born 1977) – Olympian and runner
Rose Totino, entrepreneur and executive
César Tovar § (1940–1994) – baseball player
Charles A. Towne (1858–1928) – U.S. senator; member of U.S. Congress
A. C. Townley § (1880–1959) – socialist
Jayne Trcka – bodybuilder and actress
Martin Edward Trench (1869–1927) – sailor, politician
Ian Truitner (born 1972) – filmmaker, entrepreneur
Billy Turner (born 1991) – football player
Taylor Twellman (born 1980) – professional soccer player
Anne Tyler (born 1941) – novelist

U

Kenechi Udeze § (born 1983) – football player
Brenda Ueland (1891–1985) – journalist
Lenore Ulric (1892–1970) – actor
Bob Ulrich (born 1944) – businessperson
Jay Underwood (born 1968) – actor
Jordis Unga § (born 1982) – singer
Anne Ursu – journalist, novelist, blogger

V

John Vachon (1914–1975) – photographer
Norm Van Brocklin § (1926–1983) – NFL quarterback and Minnesota Vikings coach
Carl Van Dyke (1881–1919) – member of U.S. Congress
John Van Dyke § (1807–1878) – politician
Samuel Rinnah Van Sant § (1844–1936) – 15th governor of Minnesota
Shantel VanSanten (born 1985) – actress, model, One Tree Hill
Sofia Vassilieva (born 1992) – child actor
Vince Vaughn (born 1970) – actor
Thorstein Veblen § (1857–1929) – economist, sociologist, author
Bruce Vento (1940–2000) – member of U.S. Congress
Jesse Ventura (born 1951) – retired professional wrestler, political commentator, author, actor, and 38th governor of Minnesota
Zoilo Versalles § (1939–1995) – baseball player
John William Vessey Jr. (1922–2016) – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Jim Vickerman (1931–2021) – politician, senator
Frank Viola § (born 1960) – baseball player
Pamela Vitale § (1953–2005) – murder victim
Andrew Volstead (1860–1947) – member of U.S. Congress; author of the 1919 National Prohibition Act (known informally as the Volstead Act)
Lindsey Vonn (born 1984) – Olympic and world champion skier
Ana Clara Voog (Rachael Olson) (born 1966) – singer-songwriter, musician, performance artist, visual artist, and writer

W

Kevin Wacholz (born 1958) – professional wrestler
James Wakefield § (1825–1910) – 8th lieutenant governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
Harriet G. Walker § (1841–1917) – president, Northwestern Hospital
T. B. Walker § (1840–1928) – lumberman; founder of Minneapolis Public Library; founder of Walker Art Center
DeWitt Wallace (1889–1981) – publisher; founder of Reader's Digest; philanthropist
Steve Walsh (born 1966) – football player
Sean Waltman (born 1972) – podcaster and former professional wrestler
Tim Walz – politician
Lou Wangberg (born 1941) – 41st lieutenant governor of Minnesota
John Warne (born 1979) – musician
Lonnie Warwick – football player
Cadwallader Washburn § (1818–1882) – businessperson; founder of Washburn Mills
William D. Washburn § (1831–1912) – U.S. senator; member of U.S. Congress
Gene Washington § (born 1947) – football player
Vin Weber (born 1952) – member of U.S. Congress
Jon Wefald (born 1937) – educator
Knud Wefald § (1869–1936) – member of U.S. Congress
Mark Weigle (born 1967) – singer-songwriter
Chris Weinke (born 1972) – football player
Jeff Weise (1988–2005) – high school student who committed murder/suicide
Paul Wellstone § (1944–2002) – U.S. senator
Sheila Wellstone (1944–2002) – advocate for human rights, the environment, and peace; wife of Paul Wellstone
Carl L. Weschcke (1930–2015) – businessperson; president and owner, Llewellyn Worldwide
Paul Westerberg (born 1959) – musician
Wes Westrum (1922–2002) – baseball player
Jacob Wetterling (1978–1989) – kidnapped, abused, and murdered in 1989; missing until remains were discovered in 2016
Patty Wetterling § (born 1949) – politician, advocate of children's safety
Alice Wetterlund (born 1981) – actress and comedian
Friedrich Weyerhäuser – businessperson
Lindsay Whalen (born 1982) – WNBA player
David Wheaton (born 1969) – tennis player
Blake Wheeler (born 1986) – hockey player
Ed White – football player
Milo White § (1833–1912) – member of U.S. Congress
Minor White (1908–1976) – photographer
Sammy White § (born 1954) – football player
Royce White - basketball player and political figure
Benson Whitney – U.S. Ambassador to Norway
Richard Widmark (1914–2008) – actor
Roy Wier § (1888–1963) – member of U.S. Congress
James Russell Wiggins (1903–2000) – editor; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Jermaine Wiggins (born 1975) – football player
Laura Ingalls Wilder § (1867–1957) – novelist
Zygi Wilf § (born 1950) – football team owner
Roy Wilkins § (1901–1981) – civil rights leader
Bud Wilkinson (1916–1994) – football player, coach, and broadcaster
Morton S. Wilkinson § (1819–1894) – U.S. senator; member of U.S. Congress
Warren William (Warren William Krech) (1894–1948) – actor
Auburn Williams (born 1990) – singer
Brian Williams (born 1979) – football player
Kevin Williams (born 1980) – football player
Moe Williams (born 1974) – football player
Pat Williams (born 1972) – football player
Stokley Williams (born 1967) – musician
Tom Williams (1940–1992) – hockey player
Walter Jon Williams (born 1953) – writer
John Poage Williamson (1835–1917) – missionary, writer, and member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
Thomas Smith Williamson § (1800–1879) – physician and missionary
Troy Williamson (born 1983) – football player
Paul Willson (born 1945) – actor
August Wilson § (1945–2005) – Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
Dan Wilson – musician
Dorothy Wilson (1909–1998) – actress
Eugene McLanahan Wilson § (1833–1890) – member of U.S. Congress
Rainn Wilson § (born 1966) – actor; Guthrie Theater alumnus
Sheree J. Wilson (born 1958) – actor
Thomas Wilson § (1827–1910) – member of U.S. Congress
Wade Wilson § (1959–2019) – football player
Harold Windingstad (1929–2006) – political activist, farmer
William Windom § (1827–1891) – U.S. senator, member of U.S. Congress
Antoine Winfield (born 1977) – football player
Dave Winfield (born 1951) – Baseball Hall of Fame player
Eliza Winston § (1830– date of death unknown) – freed slave
Roy Winston – football player
Max Winter § (1903–1996) – football team owner
Ted Winter (born 1949) – politician, farmer, insurance agent
Theodore Wirth § (1863–1949) – horticulturalist, Minneapolis Superintendent of Parks; civic planner
Cory Withrow – football player
Wally Wood (1927–1981) – comic-book writer, artist, and independent publisher
Wolfman Jack (Robert Weston Smith) § – radio personality
Jerome J. Workman Jr. (born 1952) – spectroscopist, editor, author
Bryan Thao Worra (born 1973) – poet, writer, and journalist
Al Worthington § (born 1929) – baseball player
John Wozniak (born 1971) – musician
Donald O. Wright (1892–1985) – 35th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
Michael Wuertz (born 1978) – baseball player
Irma Wyman § (born 20th century) – first chief information officer, Honeywell

Y

Cedric Yarbrough (born 1973) – actor, Reno 911!
Dwight York – stand-up comedian
Adam Young (born 1986) – musician
Bill Young (died 2014) – stand-up comedian
Michelle Young (born 1993) – reality television star, The Bachelor Season 25, The Bachelorette Season 18
Yung Gravy (Matthew Hauri) (born 1996) – musician

Z

Steve Zabel (born 1948) – football player
Steve Zahn (born 1967) – actor
Martin Zellar – musician
Kurt Zellers § (born 1969) – state representative
Tom Zenk (1958–2017) – former professional wrestler and bodybuilder
Zach Zenner § (born 1991) – football player
Gary Zimmerman § (born 1961) – football player
Robert Zimmerman (see Bob Dylan)
Andrew Zimmern (born 1961) – television personality, chef, food writer
Cat Zingano (born 1982) – UFC mixed martial artist
Doug Zmolek (born 1970) – hockey player
Fred Zollner (1901–1982) – basketball-team owner
Tay Zonday (born 1982) – musician, prominent YouTuber
Buck Zumhofe – former professional wrestler
John M. Zwach (1907–1990) – member of U.S. Congress

Fictional characters

Riley Anderson, from the Pixar film Inside Out
Paul Bunyan, folklore logger and voyageur
Nick Carraway, narrator of The Great Gatsby
Betty Crocker, food brand character
Marshall Eriksen, from the television sitcom How I Met Your Mother
Henry Gale, from the television series Lost
Marge Gunderson, from the film Fargo
Linda Gunderson, from the animated film Rio
Jolly Green Giant, food brand character
Juno MacGuff, from the film Juno
Angus MacGyver, from the 1980s television series MacGyver
Minnehaha, Native American maiden from Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's poem "The Song of Hiawatha"
Lester Nygaard, from the first season of Fargo
Rose Nylund, from the television sitcom The Golden Girls
Cork O'Connor, protagonist of nineteen crime novels by William Kent Krueger
Pillsbury Doughboy, food brand character
Candy Quackenbush, from Clive Barker's The Books of Abarat novel series
Mary Richards, from the television sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Rocky and Bullwinkle, cartoon characters from the animated television series The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends
Lou Solverson, from the second season of Fargo
Molly Solverson, from the second season of Fargo
Tom Wambsgans from Succession (TV series)
Ben Wyatt, from Parks and Recreation

References

^ Dunbar, Elizabeth (March 12, 2010). "Chinese restaurant founder Leeann Chin dies". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
^ Brewington, Winston E. Jr. (June 7, 2016). "Cobi talks music and his single "Don't You Cry For Me"". EARMILK. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
^ "Reggie Lynch, Basketball Player, News, Stats - Eurobasket". Eurobasket LLC.
^ "Meet the Athletes: Regan Smith". NBC Olympics. April 27, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.

[mpr-1] Dunbar, Elizabeth (March 12, 2010). "Chinese restaurant founder Leeann Chin dies". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved March 22, 2010.

[2] Brewington, Winston E. Jr. (June 7, 2016). "Cobi talks music and his single "Don't You Cry For Me"". EARMILK. Retrieved April 18, 2020.

[3] "Reggie Lynch, Basketball Player, News, Stats - Eurobasket". Eurobasket LLC.

[4] "Meet the Athletes: Regan Smith". NBC Olympics. April 27, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.

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