5 Famous People from Minnesota

Minnesota may be the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” but it’s also the homeland to these significant people.

Frank C. Mars (1882-1934)

A native of Hancock, Minnesota, Mars was a successful American business owner who founded the food company Mars, Incorporated. After a failed business venture, Mars founded Mar-O-Bar Co. (which later became Mars, Incorporated) in 1920 to manufacture chocolate candy bars. Mars introduced the Milky Way, known as the world’s first “filled” candy bar, then later created 3 Musketeers and M&Ms.

Charles Shulz (1922-2000)

Shulz was an American cartoonist, most famous for creating the comic strip, Peanuts. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Shulz’s love for drawing began at a young age and, ironically, his drawings (which were later referred to as Peanuts) were rejected by his high school yearbook. This rejection did not stop Shulz as he has become widely regarded as one of the most influential cartoonists of all time and is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Judy Garland (1922-1969)

Garland was an American actress, singer, and dancer born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. She is best known for her role in The Wizard of Oz as Dorothy Gale, but Garland also received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in A Star Is Born (1954) and a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Judgment at Nuremberg. Garland was the first woman to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and was the youngest and first female recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in the film industry. 

Prince (1958-2016)

Prince was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and at the age of seven, he wrote his first song, “Funk Machine.” He was a guitar virtuoso and was known for his flamboyant personality, energetic shows, wide-ranging singing voice, and versatile work. Prince is ranked among the best-selling music artists of all time and received seven Grammy Awards, an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

Lindsey Vonn (1984-present)

Vonn was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and is a former World Cup alpine ski racer on the US Ski Team. She was on skis by the age of two and debuted at the 2002 Winter Olympics at age 17. During her career, she won four World Cup overall championships (one of only two female skiers to do so) and holds the second highest super ranking of all skiers, men or women.