#1Famous people · Indianapolis
Performers stand out among the 28 famous people born in Indianapolis
At the top of the list is the American author Kurt Vonnegut, covered in 121 languages. The next two names are Dan Quayle and Brendan Fraser. More than half were born between 1920 and 1969, 17 in all. 8 of them were born since 1970.
Born here
28
notable people
Best known
Kurt Vonnegut
in 121 Wikipedia languages
First
1889
Clifton Webb
Youngest
2000
Chase Infiniti
Most common field
Film, TV & Stage
11 people
Also called it home
9
notable residents
What stands out about Indianapolis’ famous people
Known worldwideRead in 121 languages, Kurt Vonnegut is known far beyond the town.A town of performersPerformers make up 11 of the 28, 4.2 times the usual share.Still making namesThe most recent birth on the list came in 2000, among 17 since 1950.A chosen home9 more notable people chose to live in Indianapolis, including Oscar Robertson.
★ What stands out · The best known
Born in Indianapolis
By how many languages cover them, Kurt Vonnegut comes first (121), then Dan Quayle (94) and Brendan Fraser (84).
#1
#2Politics & Law
Dan Quayle
born 1947Vice president of the United States from 1989 to 1993
94 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
#3Known for
What Indianapolis is known for
Set against the usual town, performers come out 4.2 times as common.
The usual town: the share across everyone born in the towns gathered so far. Tap a field to see its people.
Through the years
When Indianapolis’s famous people were born
The busiest decade was the 1960s, with 7 births.
Film, TV & StageWriting & ArtsPolitics & LawMusicScience & MedicineSportsNotable
Each dot is a person, stacked by the decade they were born.
Everyone
Everyone else born in Indianapolis
Still to come: 25 more, from 1889 to 2000.
No one matches both filters.
A chosen home
Also called Indianapolis home
Notable people Wikidata lists as living in Indianapolis, though born elsewhere.
The town’s pick
Town Square →Who’s the most famous person from Indianapolis?
Pick one and say why. Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Your pick
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Next door
Famous people from the towns next door
Of the towns around it, Zionsville has the most on record: 9.
From Wikidata and Wikipedia: people whose birthplace is Indianapolis and whose English Wikipedia article agrees, ranked by how many Wikipedia languages cover each person. People known mainly for crimes, and adult performers, aren’t listed. “The usual town” = everyone born in the towns gathered so far.
Photo credits (17)
- Kurt Vonnegut: Bernard Gotfryd / Adam Cuerden, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Dan Quayle: U.S. Department of Defense, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Brendan Fraser: Montclair Film, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- David Letterman: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Washington D.C, United States DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley / Released, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- John Green: vlogbrothers, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Adam Lambert: marcen27 from Glasgow, UK, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Mike Epps: Kristen Wong, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Ryan Murphy: iDominick, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Clifton Webb: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Babyface: Angela George, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Mark Warner: U.S. Senator Mark Warner, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Freddie Hubbard: Tom Marcello Webster, New York, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Wes Montgomery: Published by A&M Records. Photographer uncredited and unknown., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Oscar Robertson: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Scott Dixon: Nick Jacuby Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jake Lloyd: Nightscream, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Kelly Williamson: Scott Ellis, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons