Minnesota has given the world a lot of things: hotdish, heroic winter resilience, Target, and an uncanny ability to detect when someone’s being “a little spicy.” But what it doesn’t get enough credit for is this: Minnesota is quietly… a talent factory.

And yes — we all know about Prince. But the rest of this list? Even lifelong Minnesotans do a double-take when they hear some of these names. Turns out, this state has produced legends across music, literature, sports, film, and pop culture.

Here are 10 famous people you (maybe) didn’t know were from Minnesota — with a few fun tidbits along the way.

The icon of icons. Our purple-clad king. Born at Mount Sinai Hospital and raised in the Central and Bryant neighborhoods of South Minneapolis, Prince wrote his first song at age seven — “Funk Machine” — while the rest of us were still eating crayons.
He stayed rooted in Minnesota his whole life, turning Paisley Park into a creative universe all its own.

Before he became one of the most influential songwriters of all time — before the Nobel Prize, before the harmonica became his brand — Dylan was Robert Zimmerman, a kid from the Iron Range who practiced piano above his father’s appliance shop. Minnesota gave the world folk-rock’s original poetic rebel.

Dorothy herself. Ruby slippers. Yellow brick road. That Judy Garland. Born Frances Gumm in Grand Rapids, she started performing in Minnesota as a young child before eventually becoming one of Hollywood’s brightest (and most complex) stars. Kansas wishes.

If you’ve ever walked Summit Avenue and felt a sudden urge to drink champagne and be emotionally dramatic, that’s Fitzgerald’s fault. Born in St. Paul in 1896, he became the voice of the Jazz Age and author of The Great Gatsby. Minnesota built one of America’s most enduring literary legacies — with a side of romantic chaos.

Yes, that Madden. The larger-than-life NFL coach, broadcaster, and the name behind one of the biggest video game franchises in history. He was born in Austin, Minnesota, before eventually becoming the beloved voice of football. So when your family starts yelling at the TV during Thanksgiving football… you can thank Minnesota.

Two-time Academy Award winner. A force in American Horror Story. One of the most admired actresses of her generation. Jessica Lange was born and raised in Cloquet before heading out into the world to collect Emmys, Golden Globes, and general cinematic domination.

From the Iron Range to intergalactic superhero. Pratt was born in Virginia, Minnesota — and at age 19, he was living out of a van in Maui working as a waiter when a director spotted him and launched his career. Now he’s Star-Lord, a dino wrangler, and one of Hollywood’s biggest names.

Yes — her name really does come from the city. Winona Laura Horowitz was born in Winona before her family moved to California, where she became a 90s film icon and later, Joyce Byers in Stranger Things. Minnesota’s brand game? Strong.

One of the most decorated ski racers in history — Olympic gold medalist, four-time World Cup champion — and she started practicing on… Buck Hill. The vertical drop might not impress Colorado, but her career absolutely does.

Heartthrob of the early 2000s. Indie film favorite. Born in St. Paul, Hartnett exploded onto the screen with Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down, and approximately every Tiger Beat cover from 2001–2003. He’s now back in the spotlight with new, critically acclaimed roles.

I love this list. Just look at how much brilliance has come from this place — not in a loud, flashy way, but in that deeply Minnesotan way: Talented. Grounded. Hard-working. And occasionally wearing a purple sequined jumpsuit (so maybe a little flashy afterall).

Which one surprised you most? 👇
Hit reply or drop a comment — I love hearing your favorites.