The Most Famous Person from Indiana, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the person you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 7, 2024 07:12

Understanding who the most famous person from Indiana is can be more than just a fun fact; it's a reflection of cultural influence and historical impact emanating from this state. Such rankings can shine a light on those individuals whose accomplishments or personalities have reshaped society, whether through innovation, entertainment, or leadership. By engaging with these listings, users gain a broader picture of Indiana's significant contributions to the national or even global stage. As rankings update in real time based on user votes, each visitor's participation directly affects the list's outcome. This dynamic voting process encourages a continuous engagement with the content, allowing the list to become a living testament to current public opinion and historical legacy. Thus, casting a vote here is not only easy but also makes a meaningful impact on how these personalities are viewed collectively.

Who Is the Most Famous Person from Indiana?

1

84
votes
Constru-centro · CC BY-SA 4.0

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

Born in Gary, Indiana, Jackson is considered one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
Michael Jackson, also known as the King of Pop, was one of the most successful and influential entertainers of all time. He was an American singer, songwriter, and dancer, who became a global icon for his contributions to music, dance, and fashion.

Best-Selling Album: Thriller - more than 66 million copies sold worldwide

Record Sales: Over 350 million records sold globally

Grammy Awards: Won 13 Grammy Awards and received 39 nominations

Music Videos: Revolutionized the art form with iconic videos like 'Thriller', 'Billie Jean', and 'Beat It'

Moonwalk: Introduced the famous dance move 'Moonwalk' during a performance of 'Billie Jean' on Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever in 1983
Michael Jackson in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous musician from Indiana
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Jackson
- Position 1 of 10 in Most successful celebrities of all time
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous street dancer
- Position 5 of 10 in Most talented boy in the world
- Position 10 of 10 in Most talented child singer in the world
2

22
votes
David Letterman

Born in Indianapolis, Letterman is a legendary television host and comedian.
David Letterman in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in Indiana
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous late-night host
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous person on Netflix
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Sigma Chi
3

26
votes
Kurt Shimala · CC BY-SA 2.0

Larry Bird

Nike

Born in West Baden Springs, Bird is a retired NBA player and coach, known for his time with the Boston Celtics.
The Larry Bird basketball jersey is a classic and highly sought-after sports apparel item. It is named after the legendary NBA player Larry Bird, who played for the Boston Celtics during the 1980s. The jersey features the number 33, which was Bird's jersey number throughout his entire career.

Material: 100% polyester

Design: Sleeveless with a traditional basketball jersey cut

Team Logo: Embroidered Boston Celtics logo on the front

Player Name: Larry Bird

Player Number: 33
Larry Bird in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous white basketball player
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Boston Celtic
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in Indiana
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular basketball jersey
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21
votes
Trailer screenshot · Public domain

James Dean

Born in Marion, Dean was an actor who became a cultural icon for his roles in Rebel Without a Cause and East of Eden.
James Dean in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most attractive man that has ever lived
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in Indiana
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous actor to have ever lived
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous rebels
5

14
votes
WNET-TV/ PBS · Public domain

Kurt Vonnegut

Born in Indianapolis, Vonnegut was a writer known for his satirical novels, such as Slaughterhouse-Five.
Kurt Vonnegut in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in Indiana
6

7
votes
DoD photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen, U.S. Air Force. · Public domain

John Mellencamp

Born in Seymour, Mellencamp is a singer-songwriter who has sold over 40 million albums worldwide.
John Mellencamp in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous musician from Indiana
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in Indiana
7

13
votes
unattributed, see link · Public domain

Cole Porter

Born in Peru, Porter was a composer and songwriter who wrote many popular musicals, including Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate.
Cole Porter in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous musician from Indiana
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in Indiana
8

10
votes
Rich Esteban · CC BY-SA 4.0

Janet Jackson

Born in Gary, Indiana, Jackson is a singer, songwriter, and actress who has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Janet Jackson in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous person from Gary, Indiana
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Jackson
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous musician from Indiana
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous female R&B artist
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in Indiana
9

5
votes
unknown author · Public domain

Hoagy Carmichael

Born in Bloomington, Carmichael was a composer, pianist, and singer known for writing songs like "Stardust" and "Georgia on My Mind."
Hoagy Carmichael in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous musician from Indiana
10

0
votes
iDominick · CC BY-SA 2.0

Ryan Murphy

Born in Indianapolis, Murphy is a television producer known for creating shows like Glee and American Horror Story.
Ryan Murphy in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous TV producer
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Executive Producer
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous person from Gary, Indiana

Missing your favorite person?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for famous person

National and international recognition

Consider the level of recognition the person has achieved beyond the boundaries of Indiana. Has the person gained fame and influence on a global scale?
Achievements and accomplishments

Evaluate the person's significant contributions to their field of expertise, such as entertainment, politics, sports, business, arts, or any other area. Consider awards won, records set, or notable achievements.
Impact and influence

Assess the person's influence on society, culture, or their respective industry. Have they had a lasting impact or brought about significant change?
Popularity and public perception

Measure the person's overall popularity and public image. Are they widely admired and respected by the general public, or do they have a polarizing reputation?
Longevity and sustained success

Consider the person's longevity in their career and sustained success over time. Have they consistently remained in the public eye and maintained relevance?
Historical or cultural significance

Examine whether the person has had a significant impact on the history or culture of Indiana or the United States as a whole.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous person from Indiana. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or person is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2215 views
204 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each person once every 24 hours. The rank of each person is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous person from indiana

Indiana is known for many things - from its love for basketball to its rich history in motorsports. But did you know that the state has also produced some of the world's most famous people? From actors to musicians to politicians, Indiana has contributed significantly to the world of entertainment, sports, and politics. One of the most famous people from Indiana is Michael Jackson. Born in Gary, Indiana, Jackson rose to fame as a singer, songwriter, and dancer. He became one of the most influential figures in the music industry, selling millions of records and inspiring generations with his music and dance moves. Another notable figure from Indiana is David Letterman. Born in Indianapolis, Letterman is a television host, comedian, and writer. He hosted his own late-night talk show for over three decades, earning critical acclaim and becoming a household name in the process. Other famous people from Indiana include Vice President Mike Pence, author Kurt Vonnegut, and basketball legend Larry Bird. With such a rich history in producing world-famous individuals, it's no wonder that Indiana continues to be a source of pride for its residents.