The following is a list of notable natives, residents, or former residents of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Artists, designers, and architects

Bill Blass, fashion designerDesigner Bill Blass wills $1 million gift to IU Retrieved December 15, 2009. Bob Englehart, editorial cartoonist Richard "Grass" Green, cartoonist John Hambrock, cartoonist Eric Kuhne, architect Dick Moores, cartoonistNational Cartoonists Society Retrieved June 11, 2011 Gray Morrow, comic book illustrator, art director for Spider-Man Bruce Nauman, artist Richard Nunez, artist Frederick William Sievers, sculptor Alvin M. Strauss, architect Egerton Swartwout, architect Brentwood S. Tolan, architect Thomas J. Tolan, architect George Washington Whistler, railroad engineer

Athletes

Baseball Isabel Álvarez, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player Lenna Arnold, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player (1946 Fort Wayne Daisies) Phyllis Bookout, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player (1953 Fort Wayne Daisies) Rob Bowen, MLB (2003–2008) Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics Dottie Wiltse Collins, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (1944–1950), Minneapolis Millerettes, Fort Wayne Daisies) David Doster, MLB (1996, 1999) Philadelphia Phillies Bill Everitt, MLB (1895–1901) Chicago Colts/Orphans, Washington Senators Brent Gaff, MLB pitcher (1982–1984) New York Mets Harold Greiner (1907–1993), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League manager (Fort Wayne Daisies) and restaurant entrepreneur Steve Hargan, MLB pitcher (1965–1972, 1974–1977) Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves Louie Heilbroner, manager, MLB (1900) St. Louis Cardinals Butch Henline, MLB (1921–1931) New York Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Brooklyn Robins, Chicago White Sox Kevin Kiermaier, MLB player (2013–present) Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays Zach McKinstry, MLB player (2020-present) Naomi Meier, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player Bruce Miller, MLB (1973–1976) San Francisco Giants Ralph Miller, MLB (1920–1924) Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Senators Rabbit Nill, MLB (1904–1908) Washington Senators, Cleveland Naps Jarrod Parker, MLB pitcher (2011–2013) Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics Brian Reith, MLB pitcher (2001, 2003–2004) Cincinnati Reds Mike Roesler, MLB pitcher (1989–1990) Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates Andrew Saalfrank, MLB pitcher (2023–present) Arizona Diamondbacks Josh VanMeter, MLB utility (2019–present) Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates Ben Van Ryn, MLB pitcher (1996, 1998) California Angels, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays Eric Wedge, player, MLB (1991–1994) Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies; manager, MLB (2003–2009) Cleveland Indians (2011–2013), Seattle Mariners Andy Woehr, MLB (1923–1924) Philadelphia Phillies

Basketball Curly Armstrong, NBA (1948–1951) Fort Wayne Pistons Dan Godfread, NBA (1990/91–1991/92) Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets Henry James, NBA (1990/91–1997/98) Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks Willie Long, NBA (1973–1974) Denver Rockets Kyle Macy, NBA (1980/81–1986/87) Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers; sportscaster Mason Plumlee, NBA (2013–present) Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers Miles Plumlee, NBA (2012–2020) Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks Bill Roberts, NBA (1948/49–1949/50) Chicago Stags, Boston Celtics, St. Louis Bombers Herm Schaefer, NBA (1948–1950) Minneapolis Lakers Ed Stanczak, NBA (1949/50–1950/51) Anderson Packers, Boston Celtics Caleb Swanigan, NBA (2017–2020) Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings Malik Williams, NBA (2024–present) Toronto Raptors Deshaun Thomas, player for Ohio State

Football Scott Auer, NFL (1984–1985) Kansas City Chiefs Mike Augustyniak, NFL (1981–1983) New York Jets Jason Baker, NFL (2001–2012) San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers Jessie Bates III, NFL (2018–present) Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons Bill Boedeker, NFL (1946–1950) Chicago Rockets, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers Jeremy Bridges, NFL (2004–2011) Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers Johnny Bright, CFL (1952–1964), Calgary Stampeders, Edmonton Eskimos, subject of the "Johnny Bright Incident" Bob Cowan, NFL (1947–1949), Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts John Diettrich, NFL (1987) Houston Oilers Vaughn Dunbar, NFL (1992–1995) New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars Tyler Eifert, NFL (2013–2020) Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars Eric England, NFL (1994–1996) Arizona Cardinals Ricky Ervins, NFL (1991–1995) Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers Trai Essex, NFL (2005–2012) Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII champion Jason Fabini, NFL (1998–2008) New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins Steve Hall, NFL (1996) Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts James Hardy, NFL (2008–2011) Buffalo Bills Jim Juriga, NFL (1988–1991) Denver Broncos Selwyn Lymon, NFL (no professional games played) Miami Dolphins Austin Mack, NFL (2020–present) New York Giants Le'Ron McClain, NFL (2007–2013) Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers Bernard Pollard, NFL (2006–2014) Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans JaMarcus Shephard, football coach for the Oregon State Beavers Emil Sitko, NFL (1950–1952) San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Cardinals Ben Skowronek, NFL (2021–present) Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans Jaylon Smith, NFL (2016–present) Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Las Vegas Raiders Lamar Smith, NFL (1994–2003) Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers Rod Smith, NFL (2015–present) Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders Anthony Spencer, NFL (2007–2015) Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints Joe Tippmann, NFL (2023–present) New York Jets Drue Tranquill, NFL (2019–present) Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs Elmer Wilkens, NFL (1925) Green Bay Packers Rod Woodson, NFL (1987–2003) Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders, Pro Football Hall of Famer

Golf Amanda Blumenherst, U.S. Amateur champion Cathy Gerring, 3-time winner on LPGA Tour Billy Kratzert, 4-time winner on PGA Tour, sportscaster

Hockey Drake Batherson, NHL Ottawa Senators Gracen Hirschy, SDHL (2017–present), Linköping HC Fred Knipscheer, NHL Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues Dale Purinton, NHL (1999/2000–2003/04) New York Rangers

Martial arts Jon Fitch, MMA fighter with UFC Dave Herman, MMA fighter with UFC Becky Levi, MMA fighter

Soccer DaMarcus Beasley, forward and defender Jamar Beasley, forward Rece Buckmaster, defender and midfielder Akil Watts, defender

Olympians Steve Bigelow, swimmer, 1988 Summer Olympics LeShundra "DeDee" Nathan, 2000 Summer Olympics Matt Vogel, swimmer, two-time Olympic gold medalist, 1976 Summer Olympics Sharon Wichman, swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, 1968 Summer Olympics Dan Zehr, swimmer, 1932 Summer Olympics

Volleyball Angie Akers, professional beach volleyball player Lloy Ball, Olympic gold medalist, 2008 Summer Olympics Dr. Don Shondell, author, head coach of Ball State University Cardinals men's volleyball program (1964–1998)

Other Angela Bradburn-Spangler, USA national high jump champion 1994 Wes Malott, professional ten-pin bowler and member of the Professional Bowlers Association Eugene E. Parker, sports agent, 45th in Sports Illustrateds 101 most influential minorities in sports(2007-02-27). More than Just a Game . Big Ten Basketball. Retrieved on June 11, 2009. Ed Viesturs, mountaineer, first American to climb all 14 of the world's 8,000 meter peaks; fifth person ever to do so without the use of supplemental oxygen

Writers E. Jean Carroll, author, journalist Constance Cumbey, author, lawyer Les Edgerton, author Ashley C. Ford, author and essayist Edith Hamilton, author, mythology expert Stephen King, best-selling author (spent parts of childhood in the city) Ross Lockridge Jr., novelist Patricia Lockwood, writer Michael Martone, author George Jean Nathan, author, drama critic, founder of American Spectator William Rockhill Nelson, founder of the Kansas City Star Emmanuel Ortiz, poet, writer Charlie Savage, New York Times reporter, 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner

Business leaders

Gregory W. Becker, final CEO of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) Patrick M. Byrne, president and CEO of Overstock.com Dirk Gates, founder and CEO of Xircom and Xirrus Jeff Hammerbacher, founder of Cloudera Angie Hicks, founder and CMO of AngiesList.com Zach Klein, co-founder of social networking site Vimeo Nord Krauskopf, founder of K&K Insurance; NASCAR Winston Cup Series race car owner (1966–1977) Russell W. Kruse, auctioneer, founder of Kruse International Cook Lougheed, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and Allen County councilman Dale W. McMillen, founder of Central Soya Cosette Simon, philanthropist, politician, first female mayor of Fort Wayne (1985) Chuck Surack, philanthropist, founder of Sweetwater Sound Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's International Kevin Wall, Emmy Award-winning producer, environmentalist, founder of Live Earth Childe Wills, associate of Henry Ford Fred Zollner, industrialist, founder of the NBA and Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons

Inventors and scientists

Sylvanus Bowser, inventor of the gas pump Marion Donovan, inventor of the disposable diaper Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of the television John Henry Holland, pioneer in the field of genetic algorithms Alfred Mellowes, inventor of the electric refrigerator

Media

Julia Barr, two-time Daytime Emmy award-winning actress, All My Children Jill Bennett, actress Nicole Briscoe, 1998 Miss Illinois Teen USA, host of ESPN2's NASCAR Now Eric Bruskotter, actor Dan Butler, actor Ann Colone, broadcaster, talkshow host Jenna Fischer, Emmy-nominated actress, The Office Sharon Gabet, actress Hilliard Gates, sportscaster Molly Hagan, actress Drake Hogestyn, actor Neil LaBute, director, screenwriter, playwright Stephanie Larimore, model, Playboy Playmate of the Month Carole Lombard, Oscar-nominated actress, My Man Godfrey Shelley Long, Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actress, Cheers Marilyn Maxwell, actress Patrick McVey, actor Robert Rusler, actor Andrea Russett, actress, Internet celebrity Chris Schenkel, sportscaster Carrie M. Shoaff, artist, author, potter, playwright, correspondent Herb Shriner, comedian, game show host Nancy Snyderman, MD, journalist, NBC News chief medical editor Zuzanna Szadkowski, actress Lyn Thomas, actress Randy Thompson, actor David Turnley, photographer Peter Turnley, photographer Herb Vigran, actor Dick York, Emmy-nominated actor, Bewitched

Music

Addison Agen, singer and finalist on The Voice Jeoffrey Benward, contemporary Christian singer, songwriter Sonny Charles, soul singer, Checkmates, Ltd., Steve Miller Band Daniel E. Gawthrop, contemporary classical composer Heather Headley, Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway actress and R&B singer Edwin C. Metcalfe, saxophonist with Spike Jones Megan Mullins, country singer Niyoki, gospel musician Amanda Perez, R&B singer Petra, Grammy-winning Christian rock band Downstait, hard rock and alternative metal band Jon Schaffer, heavy metal guitarist, songwriter, Iced Earth Troy Shondell, rock and roll singer, songwriter Jordan Witzigreuter, pop singer (stage name The Ready Set)

Physicians and medical researchers Alice Hamilton, MD, first woman on faculty of Harvard Medical School; sister of Edith Hamilton Jane Henney, MD, first female commissioner of the FDA (1998–2001) Leonard A. Scheele, MD, seventh U.S. Surgeon General (1948–1956) Susan Smalley, Ph.D., first to conduct genome-wide study in ADHD