# Who is the most famous person from Indiana?

> Pop royalty, a Celtics sharpshooter and the man who first flew all started out in one Midwestern state. Some names are household ones; a few will send you to a map.

*By YPB Team · Published September 25, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-indiana*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Michael Jackson**
   The King of Pop, born in Gary, Indiana, in 1958 and the lead voice of the Jackson 5 before Thriller.
2. **David Letterman**
   Indianapolis-born late-night host who fronted Late Night and the Late Show for 33 years.
3. **Larry Bird**
   French Lick native and three-time NBA MVP with the Boston Celtics.
4. **James Dean**
   Raised on a farm in Fairmount, Indiana, and star of Rebel Without a Cause and East of Eden.
5. **Steve McQueen**
   The King of Cool, born in Beech Grove, Indiana, star of Bullitt and The Great Escape.
6. **Kurt Vonnegut**
   Indianapolis-born novelist behind Slaughterhouse-Five and Cat's Cradle.
7. **Wilbur Wright**
   Aviation pioneer born near Millville, Indiana, who flew the first powered airplane with his brother Orville.
8. **Cole Porter**
   Songwriter from Peru, Indiana, who wrote Anything Goes and Night and Day.
9. **John Mellencamp**
   Heartland rocker from Seymour, Indiana, known for Jack & Diane and Small Town.
10. **Axl Rose**
   Guns N' Roses frontman who grew up in Lafayette, Indiana.
11. **Carole Lombard**
   Fort Wayne-born screwball comedy star of the 1930s, known for My Man Godfrey.
12. **Janet Jackson**
   Pop and R&B star born in Gary, Indiana, the youngest of the Jackson siblings.
13. **Jim Davis**
   Cartoonist from Marion, Indiana, who created the Garfield comic strip.
14. **Shelley Long**
   Fort Wayne-born actress who played Diane Chambers on Cheers.
15. **Jane Pauley**
   Indianapolis-born journalist who co-anchored Today and hosts CBS Sunday Morning.

Tags: usa, celebrities, legends, indiana