Oklahomans

He was a member of the Oklahoma Sac and Fox nation. Early 20th century barnstorming professional baseball & football player and 1912 Stockholm Olympics gold medalist in pentathlon and decathlon events. Strict rules in regards to amateur athletes originally existed for the Olympics, no competitors were supposed to have coached, won prize money or have played sports professionally. When his barnstorming background was discovered, Thorpe was unduly stripped of his medals. After his athletic career and playing days were gone, Thorpe worked as a security guard, doorman/bouncer, ditch digger, Merchant Marine and an extra in several films. He was a victim of racism due to his Indian and Irish background and suffered from the unfair rules previously governing Olympic sports. Thorpe was an alcoholic, suffered heart failure and lived in poverty in the last years of his life. Thorpe is considered one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century.

Famous writer, vaudevillian, humorist, cowboy, actor and comedian of early Hollywood. He was a member of the Cherokee Nation, made 71 movies, and traveled the world.

A famous New York Yankee of the early 1950's-late 1960's. Mantle was a 7x World Series Champion, 3x AL MVP, AL batting champion, Triple Crown and Gold Glove winner, 4x AL home run leader, and a 20x All-Star. Mantle grew up in Commerce, Oklahoma and played little league. He and teammate, the former single-season home run king, Roger Maris were a combination called the M&M Boys. Both Mantle's father and grandfather died year of Hodgkin's lymphoma, instilling in him a chronic fear of his own mortality which he unfortunately used as an excuse for alcoholism, hard living, and not taking the proper time for recovery from chronic injuries.

Iconic folk singer from Okemah, OK. His music was drawn from the experience of displaced farmers moving from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl period of the 1930's. He recorded hundreds of songs, among his most famous was "This Land is Your Land." He influenced dozens of artists and died in 1967 from Huntington's Disease. Many of his recording were selected for archiving by the Library of Congress.

Originally from Norman, OK, he was the star of TV's Maverick and Rockford Files. He also appeared in films like The Great Escape, Support Your Local Sheriff and Gunfighter, Murphy's Romance and The Notebook.

American Idol Season 5 winner from Checotah, OK.

Maybe best remembered for his role as inventor/traveling salesman Randall Peltzer, father of Billy Peltzer, owner of Gizmo the Mogwai from The Gremlins. He was also a successful singer-songwriter who wrote hits like "Never Been to Spain," "The Pusher," and "Joy to the World." Originally from Duncan, OK.

Singer-songwriter, prolific studio musician, and ultimate rock and roll sideman originally from Lawton, OK. He was a member of The Wrecking Crew collective of studio musicians. He played on and arranged for dozens of recordings. Russell may be best known for his time as musical director of Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen-era band. His best known songs are "Delta Lady" about Rita Coolidge and "Song For You."

Best known for his role as Larry Talbot in 1941's The Wolf Man and Lennie Small from Of Mice and Men. Originally from Oklahoma City, OK.

Oscar-winning actor for The Last Picture Show. Originally from Foraker, OK. Of Irish and Cherokee descent. He was also a stuntman and world rodeo champion.

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, screenwriter, and actor from Tulsa, OK. He adapted his plays Killer Joe, Bug and August: Osage County for the screen. His mother was professor and best-selling author of Where the Heart Is, Billie Letts, and his father Tracy Letts was an actor and also a professor. He is a member of the prestigious Chicago-based Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Successful country singer and actress.

Cherokee actor from Talequah, OK. He's best remembered for his roles in Dances with Wolves, Last of the Mohicans, Geronimo: An American Legend, Heat, and Avatar. He is a fluent Cherokee speaker and activist who was present at the Wounded Knee Incident in 1973.

Country singer from Tulsa, OK. He's one of the first country artists to play stadiums and one of the best selling recording artists of all time. He's married to fellow country star Trish Yearwood.

Former child star-turned-director from Duncan, OK. His acting credits include The Andy Griffith Show, Happy Days, The Shootist and American Graffiti. His directing credits include Cocoon, Splash, Backdraft, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, and The Missing.

Award-winning actress from Tulsa, OK. She's acted on stage, film and television.

World champion and Olympic champion gymnast from Edmond, OK. Part of the Magnificent Seven group that won the first ever women's team gold medal for the United States.

Oscar-nominated actor originally from Shawnee, OK. Has appeared in films like Thelma and Louise, Interview with the Vampire, 12 Monkeys, Fight Club, Spy Game, Ocean's 11, Inglorious Basterds, Moneyball and Allied.

U.S. Representative and former collegiate and professional player from Eufalah, OK. He led the Sooners to two Orange Bowl victories as the starting quarterback and played in the Canadian Football League from 1981-1986. After retiring, he became a Baptist minister, opened a construction company, was elected to Oklahoma Corporation Commission, and in 1995 was elected to the United States House of Representatives for the 4th Oklahoma Congressional District serving 4 terms.

Former NFL player for the Seattle Seahawks. and Congressman. He was a 7x Pro Bowler, former all-time NFL receiving records holder, and had his number of 80 retired by the Seahawks. After the NFL, Largent served four terms in the 1st Oklahoma Congressional District as a Representative from 1994-2002.

Animator from Pawhuska, OK. Creator of the Nicktoons series Angry Beavers.

Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress from Broken Arrow, OK.

Broadway and off-Broadway Tony Award-winning actress from Elk City, OK.

A seminal R&B/funk band from Tulsa, OK. The band and in particular front man Charlie Wilson would go on to influence many contemporary New Jack Swing and hip-hop acts.

Singer-songwriter originally from Tulsa, OK. He received his first start as a songwriter/producer in the early 1960's for artists like Elvis Presley, Bobby Darrin, and Merle Haggard. In 1968, he formed the band Bread, and became a soft rock hit maker during the 1970's.

Catcher for the Cincinnati Reds from Binger, OK. He was a World Series Champion and MVP, All-Star, NL Rookie of the Year, NL Home Run and RBI Leader, Golden Glove winner and had his jersey number retired by the Reds. He was inducted into Baseball HOF in 1989.

Astronaut, aerospace engineer and Air Force pilot from Shawnee, OK. Part of Project Mercury.