Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name, derived from the Spanish word (mountain). Montana has several nicknames, none official, including: "The Treasure State" and "Big Sky Country", and slogans that include "Land of the Shining Mountains" and more recently, "The Last Best Place". The state ranks fourth in area, but 44th in population, and accordingly has the third-lowest population density in the United States. The economy is primarily based on services, with ranching, wheat farming, oil and coal mining in the east, and lumber, tourism, and hard rock mining in the west. Millions of tourists annually visit Glacier National Park, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, and three of the five entrances to Yellowstone National Park.

A number of Montanans have become notable for their involvement in acting, animation, directing, classical music, rock music, and opera. Actors include Gary Cooper, who won Academy Awards for Sergeant York (1942) and High Noon (1952), and Myrna Loy, who won a lifetime achievement Academy Award in 1991. Martha Raye was an entertainer who was a strong supporter of, and much beloved by, members of the United States military. Animator Brad Bird won Academy Awards for The Incredibles (2004) and Ratatouille (2007). Director David Lynch has been nominated for four Academy Awards. Jeff Ament is the bassist for Pearl Jam. Soprano Judith Blegen is a member of New York's Metropolitan Opera.

Entertainment and performing arts

Film and TV

Actors

+ Actors from Montana Name Lifetime Montana connection Comments Ref(s) 1939–2018 Born in Billings Actor; played "George Carey" on The Drew Carey Show 1945–present Born in Helena; raised in White Sulphur Springs Actor; played "Faceman" on The A-Team television series 1917–1983 Born and raised in Kalispell Actor; played forest ranger Corey Stuart on the Lassie television series 1949–present Has had a primary home in the Paradise Valley for over 30 years Actor; nominated for six Academy Awards, won once for his portrayal of Otis "Bad" Blake in the 2009 film Crazy Heart (2009) 1971–present Born in Missoula Actor; played "Father Eric" on the television drama Nothing Sacred 1955–present Born in Missoula Actor; comedian; cast member on Saturday Night Live; played the role of Garth in the Wayne's World movies 1901–1961 Born and raised on a ranch near Helena Actor who specialized in westerns; nominated for five Academy Awards and won twice for Sergeant York (1942) and High Noon (1952) 1909–1974 Born in Great Falls Actor; narrator for television series Frontier 1949–present Born in Townsend Actor; played Bobby Ewing on the television drama Dallas 1965–present Born in Glasgow Actress; portrayed Hayley Benson on the television drama Santa Barbara 1948–present Born in Missoula; raised in Kalispell Actor; portrayed Francis "Frank" Martin on the television drama series ER 1975–present Born in Missoula Actor; voiced Shangri Llama in the 2016 animated film Ice Age: Collision Course 1940–2019 Has had a primary home in the Paradise Valley since 1975 Actor; counterculture of the 1960s; star of Easy Rider; son of Henry Fonda; sister of Jane Fonda 1907–1968 Born near Great Falls Actress; vaudeville; television; film; first actress who played Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners with Jackie Gleason 1948–2018 Longtime Paradise Valley resident Actress; played Lois Lane in the four Superman movies opposite Christopher Reeve 1958–present Born and raised in Billings Actor; soap operas; played the second Ned Ashton on General Hospital; played Justin Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives 1914–1984 Born in Butte Actress; nominated for one Academy Award for Stage Door (1937) 1905–1993 Born in Helena; raised in Radersburg Actress; received an Academy Award for lifetime achievement (1991); paired onscreen 14 times with William Powell 1916–2000 Born and raised on a ranch near Brady; attended college in Missoula Actor; specialized in westerns; painter; sculptor; furniture craftsman; stuntman 1924–2001 Attended college in Missoula and later taught there Actor; portrayed working man Archie Bunker in the television sitcom All in the Family 1915–2005 Born in Deer Lodge Actress; film; theatre 1954–present Lives in Paradise Valley Actor; played the lead in Breaking Away, Come See the Paradise, The Rookie, Far from Heaven and The Special Relationship 1916–1994 Born in Butte Actress; standards singer; nurse; strong supporter of American military; toured with the United Service Organizations (USO) during World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War; only woman buried in the Special Forces cemetery at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and was buried with full military honors there though never on active duty; known as "Colonel Maggie" to the American military; an honorary Green Beret; awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1993 for her lifetime support to the American military 1955–present Resided in Missoula and attended University of Montana Actor; known for the television roles of Dr. Emil Skoda on the NBC series Law & Order, music instructor Terence Fletcher in 2014's WhiplashThe Detroit Free Press, "Tribute From The Heart", by Julie Hinds, February 24, 2015, page A1 1933–present Born in Whitefish Actress; film; theatre; television 1879–1960 Born in Butte; attended college in Helena Actress; film; theatre 1980–present Born in Kalispell Actress; nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Brokeback Mountain (2005) and Manchester by the Sea (2016)

Adult entertainers

+ Adult entertainers from Montana Name Lifetime Montana connection Comments Ref(s) 1964–present Born in Helena B-movie actress; Playboy Playmate; dancer 1974–present Attended high school in Fromberg Entrepreneur; pornographic actress 1976–present Born and grew up in Great Falls Adult film entertainer; appeared in Playboy and Penthouse, where she was the "Pet of the Month" for February 2000 and was selected as "Pet of the Year" runner-up; began hosting the Playboy TV erotic instructional show School of Sex in 2008 1947–present Raised in Missoula; attended college in Bozeman B-movie actor; Playboy Playmate; a photo of her went to the Moon's surface with Apollo 12

Directors

+ Directors from Montana Name Lifetime Montana connection Comments Ref(s) 1956–present Born and raised in Billings; attended college in Missoula and Bozeman Film director; screenwriter; specializes in neo-noir films 1946–2025 Born in Missoula Film and television director; nominated for four Academy Awards 1925–1984 Lived at The Murray Hotel in Livingston from 1979 until his death Film director; screenwriter

Other film and TV entertainers

+ Other film and TV entertainers from Montana Name Lifetime Montana connection Comments Ref(s) 1957–present Born in Kalispell Animator; film director; screenwriter; voice actor; won two Academy Award for Best Animated Feature awards: The Incredibles (2004) and Ratatouille (2007) 1965–present Born in Bozeman Screenwriter; television producer; worked on much of the Star Trek franchise 1940–present Spends significant time on his ranch on the West Boulder River near Livingston that he bought in 1989 Television journalist; anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News (1982–2004); author of The Greatest Generation 1979–present Raised in Great Falls; attended college in Missoula Screenwriter; film producer; film director 1911–1974 Born in Cardwell; attended high school in Whitehall; attended college in Bozeman; died in Big Sky Television newscaster; co-anchored the evening news program The Huntley-Brinkley Report 1900–1962 Born in Baker Costume designer 1947–present Spends significant time on his ranch near Choteau, which he bought in 1999 Television host and comedian; hosted the late night television talk show Late Show with David Letterman; has supported several charities in Montana 1934–2018 Born and raised in Billings Animator; worked on Toy Story, Boundin', Toy Story 2, A Bug's Life, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Cars, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and Sesame Street 1964?–present Born and raised in Billings; attended college in Bozeman Screenwriter; recipient of the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (1999) 1935–present Born in Great Falls Film producer; Academy Award winner for and co-producer of Schindler's List (1993) 1977–present Born and raised near Simms Fashion designer; co-founder of fashion line Heatherette 1963–present Raised in Billings Radio talk show host

Musicians

+ Musicians from Montana Name Lifetime Montana connection Comments Ref(s) 1949–present Born in Havre; raised in Chester Pianist 1962–2024 Raised in Missoula Singer; songwriter; guitarist; audio engineer; music journalist 1982–present Raised in Missoula Singer for The Interrupters 1963–present Born in Havre; raised in Big Sandy; attended college and resides in Missoula Bassist of Pearl Jam 1969–present Moved to Montana at age 5; lives in Missoula Jazz singer; granddaughter of A. B. Guthrie Jr. 1938–1999 Lived and died in Victor Folk singer; songwriter; actor 1943–present Raised and attended high school in Missoula Soprano opera singer; member of New York's Metropolitan Opera 1937–2000 Lived in Bozeman Opera baritone 1962–present Raised in Bozeman Hard rock singer and rhythm guitarist; previously in glam metal and pop rock genres; solo artist, formerly of Vixen 1893–1971 Born, raised, and spent his last years in White Sulphur Springs Singer; vaudeville performer; wrote a book about growing up African American in small-town Montana 1961–present Born in Conrad Country western singer and songwriter; co-author of Montana's official lullaby 1952–1997 Born in Helena Singer 1950–present Lives on a ranch near Stevensville Singer; songwriter; actor 1974–present Born and raised in Helena; attended college in Missoula Singer of The Decemberists; brother of Maile Meloy 1893-1971 Born in Wallace, Idaho; raised in Lewistown Operatic soprano 1947–present Lives near and teaches college at Bozeman during summers since 1974 Classical guitarist 1934–2020 Lived in Great Falls, Helena, and Missoula during early adulthood while playing Minor league baseball Country singer; inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame (2000) 1948–present Born in Cut Bank; lives in Kalispell Singer; guitarist; banjo player; songwriter; former member of the Mission Mountain Wood Band; leader of Great Northern 1952–present Born and raised in Missoula Trumpet player; composer 1972–present Raised in Great Falls Singer, beatboxer, comedian 1949–2023 Raised in Miles City New age pianist

Other entertainers

+ Other entertainers from Montana Name Lifetime Montana connection Comments Ref(s) 1988–present Born and raised in Billings Fashion model; beauty queen; television personality; Miss Teen USA 2006; first person from Montana to win a major pageant title 1938–2007 Born and raised in Butte Motorcycle daredevil; father of Robbie Knievel 1962–present Born and raised in Butte Motorcycle daredevil; son of Evel Knievel 1959–present Born in Bozeman Professional wrestler 1938–2007 Born in Missoula Ballet; dancer; choreographer; theatre director

References

External links Montana Historical Society's list of famous Montanans