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Famous people · Olean

Of the 27 famous people born in Olean, an unusual share are writers and artists

The best known is the American actor Jeff Fahey, with articles in 37 languages. Second and third on the list are Louis Zamperini and Larry Trask. 14 of them were born between 1920 and 1969, more than in any other period. Born in 1838, Augustus Barrows is the first name on record, and Bryan Hodgson, born in 1987, the most recent.

#1 best knownJeff FaheyFilm, TV & Stage · born 1952
+23more
Born here
27
notable people
Best known
Jeff Fahey
in 37 Wikipedia languages
First
1838
Augustus Barrows
Youngest
1987
Bryan Hodgson
Most common field
Politics & Law
9 people

What stands out about Olean’s famous people

★ What stands out · Known for

What Olean is known for

Writers and artists stand out most, at 1.8 times the usual share.

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 Olean’s famous people were born

Count by decade and the 1930s come out on top, with 4 births.

A new nationMills & railroadsThe American centuryToday1850190019502000Bobby JohnstonJordan RinaldiJon SerlLouis Zamperini
Politics & LawWriting & ArtsSportsFilm, TV & StageNotableScience & MedicineMusicFaithMilitaryBusiness

Each dot is a person, stacked by the decade they were born.

The best known

Born in Olean

The three are covered in 37, 29 and 9 languages: Jeff Fahey, Louis Zamperini and Larry Trask.

Jeff Fahey#1
Film, TV & Stage

Jeff Fahey

born 1952

American actor

37 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
Louis Zamperini#2
Sports

Louis Zamperini

1917–2014

Italian-American middle distance runner and World War II veteran

29 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
LT#3
Notable

Larry Trask

1944–2004

American linguist

9 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
Everyone

Everyone else born in Olean

Still to come: 24 more, from 1838 to 1987.

JL

Jeremy Larner

1937–2026

American academic

Science & MedicineWikipedia ↗
GC

George Harmon Coxe

1901–1984

American writer

Writing & ArtsWikipedia ↗
JO

John Francis O'Hern

1874–1933

Catholic bishop

DI

Donald Innis

born 1931

American architect

Writing & ArtsWikipedia ↗
James F. Hastings

James F. Hastings

1926–2014

American politician

Politics & LawWikipedia ↗
Edward M. Gabriel

Edward M. Gabriel

born 1950

American diplomat

Politics & LawWikipedia ↗
Jordan Rinaldi

Jordan Rinaldi

born 1987

American mixed martial arts fighter

AB

Augustus Barrows

1838–1885

American politician

Politics & LawWikipedia ↗
Bryan Hodgson

Bryan Hodgson

born 1987

American basketball coach

Brynja McDivitt Booth

Brynja McDivitt Booth

born 1972

Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals

Politics & LawWikipedia ↗
DW

Daniel B. Walsh

1935–2018

American politician in New York

Politics & LawWikipedia ↗
HJ

Harry E. Bergold Jr.

1931–1995

American diplomat

Politics & LawWikipedia ↗
HT

Heather Tully

born 1980

American politician

Politics & LawWikipedia ↗
John F. Davidson

John F. Davidson

1908–1989

United States Navy admiral

John W. Holcomb

John W. Holcomb

born 1963

American lawyer

Politics & LawWikipedia ↗
JW

John Wojcik

born 1942

American baseball player

SS

Steven L. Suib

born 1953

Professor of chemistry

Science & MedicineWikipedia ↗
PT

Peter Tomarken

1942–2006

American television personality

Film, TV & StageWikipedia ↗
Sarah E. Kellogg

Sarah E. Kellogg

1870–1957

American politician

Politics & LawWikipedia ↗
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Next door

Famous people from the towns next door

Allegany has the longest list next door: 2.

From Wikidata and Wikipedia: people whose birthplace is Olean 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 (14)