Wednesday, March 21, 2012

THURSDAY THIRTEEN #164

THIRTEEN
ILLUSTRIOUS 
ILLINOISANS

Blago, Blago, Blago! What a black eye you have given this state! Well, here I am, doing my part, to undo this grievous wrong and add a little luster to Illinois' reputation.

So here they are, 13 native-born Illinoisans who done good! I have alphabetized the list, so as not to play favorites.

1. John Belushi -- comedian, actor, original SNL castmember -- Wheaton, 1949

2. Lou Boudreau -- Hall of Fame player, manager and broadcaster -- Harvey, 1917

3. Dan Castellaneta -- Better known as the voice of Homer Simpson -- Oak Park, 1957

4. Hillary Clinton -- First Lady, NY Senator and Secretary of State -- Chicago, 1947

5. Cindy Crawford -- Supermodel -- DeKalb, 1966

6. John Deere -- He of tractor fame --  Moline, 1804

7. Betty Ford -- First Lady and activist -- Chicago, 1918

8. Ernest Hemingway -- Nobel and Pulitzer prize winning author -- Oak Park, 1899 

9. Jennifer Hudson -- Oscar winner -- Chicago, 1981

10. Ray Kroc -- Philanthropist and businessman of McDonald's fame -- Oak Park, 1902

11. Michelle Obama -- First Lady -- Chicago, 1964

12. Nicholle Thom -- the oldest daughter on The Nanny (just wanted to see if you were still reading) -- Hinsdale, 1978

13. George Will -- Pulitzer prize winning columnist -- Champaign, 1941

(No, I didn't forget Abraham Lincoln. He was born in Kentucky.)

For more information about the Thursday Thirteen,
or to play yourself, click here.





7 comments:

  1. Actually, Nicholle Thom's sister, Heather, was an original cast member of the US soap, The Young & the Restless. (We used to call it The Hung and the Breastless, but anyway...!)

    Nice list, and thanks for the info! Amy
    http://sharplittlepencil.com/2012/03/20/chanteuse-deluxe-a-barlette-long-form/

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  2. My students get all wound up and excited when I talk about John Deere (yes, that John Deere) in our history lessons.

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  3. I always forget about Lincoln!

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  4. Yep, lots of great people are from Illinois. Grin. I was born there and so was my husband.

    Happy TT!

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  5. I didn't know Homer was from Oak Park. We lived there many years ago. Many..


    Have a great Thursday!
    http://harrietandfriends.com/2012/03/my-take-on-the-news/

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  6. I didn't know any of these. I will have to point them out to my CP - she's from there.

    Thanks for sharing!

    My TT: http://blog.jayceedelorenzo.com

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  7. I knew a good portion of these, being from that (better) state to your north. ;-)

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