The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Joliet, Illinois. For a similar list organized alphabetically by last name, see the category page People from Joliet, Illinois.
Acting
Tim Baltz (born 1981), actor and comedian (The Righteous Gemstones) John Barrowman (born 1967), actor (Doctor Who, Torchwood) Nora Bayes (1880–1928), actress, singer, and comedian John Beck (born 1943), actor (The Other Side of Midnight, Rollerball) Jodi Carlisle (born 1960), actress (The Wild Thornberrys) Tyler Christopher (1972- 2023), actor (General Hospital) JoAnn Dean Killingsworth (1923–2015), actress and dancer, first person to play Snow White at Disneyland Andy Dick (born 1965), comedian, actor, musician and producer (NewsRadio) Janina Gavankar (born 1980), actress, musician (True Blood) Kathryn Hays (1933–2022), actress (As the World Turns) Mercedes McCambridge (1916–2004), actress; 1949 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (All the King's Men, Giant) Nick Offerman (born 1970), actor, comedian, and carpenter (Parks and Recreation) Larry Parks (1914–1975), stage and film actor (The Jolson Story) Anthony Rapp (born 1971), stage and film actor and singer (Rent) Lynne Thigpen (1948–2003), Tony Award-winning stage, film and TV actress (Carmen Sandiego, The Paper, Godspell) Audrey Totter (1917–2013), actress (Lady in the Lake, Our Man Higgins) Vince Vieluf (born 1970), actor (Rat Race)
Academics, arts, and writing
William Lincoln Bakewell (1888–1969), able seaman on Shackleton Antarctic expedition Ann Bannon (born 1932), pulp fiction writer Charles Bowden (1945–2014), educator and writer Robert Todd Carroll (1945–2016), publisher of The Skeptic's Dictionary and fellow of Committee for Skeptical Inquiry James Downey (born 1952), head writer for Saturday Night Live Wendy Anderson Halperin, children's book illustrator and writer John Houbolt (1919–2014), aerospace engineer Mort Kondracke (born 1939), political commentator and journalist Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (born 1933), children's and young adult fiction author Robert Novak (1931–2009), syndicated columnist, author, conservative political commentator Adam Rapp (born 1968), novelist, playwright, screenwriter, filmmaker and musician Johan Reinhard (born 1943), anthropologist, archaeologist James J. Stukel (born 1937), 15th President of the University of Illinois (born in Joliet) Edwin Way Teale (1899–1980), naturalist, photographer, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lester Frank Ward (1841–1913) botanist, paleontologist, and sociologist; born in Joliet Adele Fay Williams (1859–1937), artist and newspaper writer, born in Joliet Eric Raddatz, American journalist and filmmaker
Business
John D. Goeken (1930–2010), founder of MCI Inc. and Airfone John Fremont McCullough (1871–1963), co-founder of Dairy Queen; opened first store in Joliet in 1940 William Cornelius Van Horne (1843–1915), pioneering Canadian railway executive Mike Wolfe (born 1964), owner of Antique Archaeology; cast member of American Pickers
Crime Milton Johnson (born 1950), serial killer
Military
Joseph F. Ambrose (1896–1988), World War I veteran Earl N. Franklin (1917–2003), colonel of the United States Air Force and Tuskegee Airman Frank Perconte (1917–2003), D-Day veteran, member of Easy Company, 506th parachute infantry regiment, portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers by James Madio
Modeling
Adrianne Curry (born 1982), model, best known as the first winner of America's Next Top Model Lois Delander (1911–1985), Miss America 1927
Music
Charlie Adams (born 1954), drummer for Chameleon and Yanni, spokesman for Autism Society of America John Barrowman (born 1967), Scottish singer, actor, dancer, musical performer and media personality; 1985 graduate of Joliet West High School Buffalocomotive, rock band formed in 2004 that recorded the theme song for Inked Mark Carman (born 1960), Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter, musician, singer Jimmy Chamberlin (born 1964), drummer, songwriter and producer of The Smashing Pumpkins Edward Joseph Collins (1886–1951), pianist and composer Da Brat (born 1974), born Shawntae Harris, Grammy-nominated rapper and actress; first female solo rap act to have platinum-selling album Five Pointe O, alternative rock music group, active 1999–2003 Janina Gavankar (born 1980), actress and musician Frank Marocco (1931–2012), accordionist Don Murray (1904–1929), jazz clarinet and saxophone player Kerry Muzzey (born 1970), film and television composer Ron Nelson (1929–2023), composer of classical and semi-classical music, retired music educator Ann Nesby (born 1950), R&B, gospel, and dance music singer/songwriter and actress, former lead singer of Sounds of Blackness Doug Pinnick (born 1950), bass guitarist, songwriter, and co-lead vocalist for King's X Lionel Richie (born 1949), Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and record producer, composer of the Academy Award-winning song "Say You, Say Me" Steve Rodby (born 1954), bass guitarist for Pat Metheny Group Elisabeth Withers, neo-soul and R&B singer-songwriter
Politics and law
Edward C. Akin (1852–1936), Illinois attorney general and mayor of Joliet'Illinois Blue Book 1897,' Biographical Sketch of Edward C. Akin, pg. 134 Meade Baltz (1912–1994), businessman and Illinois state legislator'Illinois Blue Book 1971-1972,' Biographical Sketch of Meade Baltz, pg. 162-163 Richard J. Barr (1865–1951), Illinois state senator and mayor of Joliet'Illinois Blue Book 1949–1950,' Biographical Sketch of Richard J. Barr, pg. 215 William G. Barr (1920–1987), Illinois state representative and businessman'Illinois Blue Book 1969-1970,' Biographical Sketch of William G. Barr, pg. 270-271 Joel Aldrich Matteson (1808–1873), 10th governor of Illinois Lucy McBath (born 1960), U.S. representative for Georgia George H. Munroe (1844–1912), Illinois state senator and businessman Lewis E. Reed (born 1962), first African-American president of the Board of Aldermen in St. Louis, Missouri (2007–2022) Richard Terrin (1890–1958), lawyer, military theorist and Asia expert Lawrence M. Walsh Sr. (born 1948), Illinois state senator and farmer
Religion
Lawrence Jenco (1934–1996), Roman Catholic priest and author; taken hostage in Beirut in January 1985 and held for 564 days Roger Kaffer (1927–2009), auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet (1985–2002)
Sports Baseball
Sweetbreads Bailey (1895–1939), pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and Brooklyn Robins Rylan Bannon (born 1996), third baseman in the New York Mets organization Jesse Barfield (born 1959), outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Yomiuri Giants (Japan) Sean Bergman (born 1970), pitcher for five MLB teams and one team in the NPB league of Japan Bobby Burke (1907–1971), pitcher for the Washington Senators and Philadelphia Phillies Kevin Cameron (born 1979), pitcher for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics Harry Caray, baseball broadcaster and Ford C. Frick Award winner who broadcast in Joliet early in his career Mark Carlson (born 1969), umpire in Major League Baseball Kelly Dransfeldt (born 1975), shortstop for the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox Brian DuBois (1967–2023), pitcher for the Detroit Tigers Gordie Gillespie (1926–2015), coach, member of College Baseball Hall of Fame Mike Grace (born 1970), pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies Mark Andrew Grant (born 1963), pitcher for six MLB teams Bill Gullickson (born 1959), pitcher for six MLB teams; played baseball at Joliet Catholic Academy Larry Gura (born 1947), pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals Bill Haller (1935–2022), American League umpire and official 1961–1985 Jack Hendricks (1875–1943), outfielder and manager for several MLB teams Ed Lagger (1912–1981), pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics Mark Leiter (born 1963), pitcher for eight MLB teams Bernice Metesch (born 1929), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player Chris Michalak (born 1971), pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds Bill Moran (1869–1916), catcher and left fielder for the St. Louis Browns and Chicago Colts Margaret Murray, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player Steve Parris (born 1967), pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Devil Rays Jack Perconte (born 1954), infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, and Chicago White Sox; sports writer Jeff Reed (born 1962), catcher with six MLB teams Ed Spiezio (born 1941), third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and Chicago White Sox Scott Spiezio (born 1972), infielder for the Oakland Athletics, Anaheim Angels, Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals Bill Sudakis (1946–2021), third baseman for six MLB teams
Basketball
Cathy Boswell (born 1962), 1984 gold medal Olympian USA women's basketball Bulbs Ehlers (1923–2013), played basketball for Purdue and NBA's Boston Celtics Jeremiah Fears (born 2006), guard for Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball, drafted 7th overall in the 2025 NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans; brother of Jeremy Fears Jr. Jeremy Fears Jr. (born 2005), point guard for Michigan State Terry Gannon (born 1963), player for North Carolina State 1983 NCAA champions, sportscaster for NBC Sports and the Golf Channel Bill Jones (born 1958), center for Northern Iowa Panthers and in Australia's National Basketball League; captained Adelaide 36ers to 1986 NBL Championship Ed Mikan (1925–1999), center for the Chicago Stags, Rochester Royals, Philadelphia Warriors, Indianapolis Olympians, and Boston Celtics George Mikan (1924–2005), Hall of Fame center and coach for DePaul and five-time NBA champion Minneapolis Lakers Roger Powell (born 1983), small forward for Illinois 2005 NCAA finalists and NBA's Utah Jazz Allie Quigley (born 1986), All-Star guard for WNBA's Chicago Sky Alando Tucker (born 1984), small forward and shooting guard for Wisconsin, 2007 Big Ten Player of the Year; NBA's Phoenix Suns
Football
Mike Alstott (born 1973), fullback, 6-time Pro Bowl selection for the Super Bowl XXXVII champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pete Bercich (born 1971), player and assistant coach for the Minnesota Vikings Gordie Gillespie (1926–2015), college football coach Mike Goolsby (born 1982), linebacker for the St. Louis Rams Harlan Gustafson (1917–1984), 1939 All-America end for University of Pennsylvania George Hartong (1896–1973), center for the Chicago Cardinals Elmer Madarik (1922–1974), running back for the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins Eric Parker (born 1979), wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers Pug Rentner (1910–1978), halfback and quarterback for the Boston Redskins and Chicago Bears Daniel Ruettiger (born 1948), college football player, motivational speaker; inspiration for film Rudy Eric Steinbach (born 1980), guard for the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns Tom Thayer (born 1961), center and guard for the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins Jim Valek (1928–2005), player and head coach for University of Illinois
Ice hockey
Taylor House (born 1998), ice hockey player in the PWHL
Martial arts
Randall Kleck, martial artist; World Karate Union Hall of Fame
Motorsports
Danny Kladis, Indianapolis 500 driver and inductee of the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame
Wrestling
Juice Robinson, professional wrestler in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling, 3rd IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion
Boxing
Joseph Awinongya, American Boxing trainer of Ghanaian descent, he's resided at Joliet, Illinois. Born in Ghana,but moved to United States in 1999
References