List of people from Fort Wayne, Indiana

The following is a list of notable natives, residents, or former residents of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Artists, designers, and architects

 * Bill Blass, fashion designer
 * Bob Englehart, editorial cartoonist
 * Richard "Grass" Green, cartoonist
 * John Hambrock, cartoonist
 * Eric Kuhne, architect
 * Dick Moores, cartoonist
 * Gray Morrow, comic book illustrator, art director for Spider-Man
 * Bruce Nauman, artist
 * Richard Nunez, artist
 * Frederick William Sievers, sculptor
 * Alvin M. Strauss, architect
 * Egerton Swartwout, architect
 * Brentwood S. Tolan, architect
 * Thomas J. Tolan, architect
 * George Washington Whistler, railroad engineer

Athletes

 * Baseball
 * Isabel Álvarez, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
 * Lenna Arnold, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player (1946 Fort Wayne Daisies)
 * Phyllis Bookout, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player (1953 Fort Wayne Daisies)
 * Rob Bowen, MLB (2003–2008) Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics
 * Dottie Wiltse Collins, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (1944–1950; Minneapolis Millerettes, Fort Wayne Daisies)
 * David Doster, MLB (1996, 1999) Philadelphia Phillies
 * Bill Everitt, MLB (1895–1901) Chicago Colts/Orphans, Washington Senators
 * Brent Gaff, MLB pitcher (1982–1984) New York Mets
 * Harold Greiner (1907–1993), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League manager (Fort Wayne Daisies) and restaurant entrepreneur
 * Steve Hargan, MLB pitcher (1965–1972, 1974–1977) Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves
 * Louie Heilbroner, manager, MLB (1900) St. Louis Cardinals
 * Butch Henline, MLB (1921–1931) New York Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Brooklyn Robins, Chicago White Sox
 * Kevin Kiermaier, MLB player (2013–present) Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays
 * Naomi Meier, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
 * Bruce Miller, MLB (1973–1976) San Francisco Giants
 * Ralph Miller, MLB (1920–1924) Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Senators
 * Rabbit Nill, MLB (1904–1908) Washington Senators, Cleveland Naps
 * Jarrod Parker, MLB pitcher (2011–2013) Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics
 * Brian Reith, MLB pitcher (2001, 2003–2004) Cincinnati Reds
 * Mike Roesler, MLB pitcher (1989–1990) Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates
 * Andrew Saalfrank, MLB pitcher (2023–present) Arizona Diamondbacks
 * Josh VanMeter, MLB utility (2019–present) Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates
 * Ben Van Ryn, MLB pitcher (1996, 1998) California Angels, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays
 * Eric Wedge, player, MLB (1991–1994) Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies; manager, MLB (2003–2009) Cleveland Indians, (2011–2013) Seattle Mariners
 * Andy Woehr, MLB (1923–1924) Philadelphia Phillies
 * Professional basketball
 * Curly Armstrong, NBA (1948–1951) Fort Wayne Pistons
 * Dan Godfread, NBA (1990/91–1991/92) Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets
 * Henry James, NBA (1990/91–1997/98) Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks
 * Willie Long, NBA (1973–1974) Denver Rockets
 * Kyle Macy, NBA (1980/81–1986/87) Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers; sportscaster
 * Mason Plumlee, NBA (2013–present) Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers
 * Miles Plumlee, NBA (2012–present) Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks
 * Bill Roberts, NBA (1948/49–1949/50) Chicago Stags, Boston Celtics, St. Louis Bombers
 * Herm Schaefer, NBA (1948–1950) Minneapolis Lakers
 * Ed Stanczak, NBA (1949/50–1950/51) Anderson Packers, Boston Celtics
 * Caleb Swanigan, NBA (2017–2022) Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings
 * Malik Williams, NBA (2024–present) Toronto Raptors
 * College basketball
 * Deshaun Thomas, player for Ohio State
 * Professional football
 * Scott Auer, NFL (1984–1985) Kansas City Chiefs
 * Mike Augustyniak, NFL (1981–1983) New York Jets
 * Jason Baker, NFL (2001–2012) San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers
 * Jessie Bates III, NFL (2018–present) Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons
 * Bill Boedeker, NFL (1946–1950) Chicago Rockets, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers
 * Jeremy Bridges, NFL (2004–2011) Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers
 * Johnny Bright, CFL (1952–1964), Calgary Stampeders, Edmonton Eskimos, subject of the "Johnny Bright Incident"
 * Bob Cowan, NFL (1947–1949), Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts
 * John Diettrich, NFL (1987) Houston Oilers
 * Vaughn Dunbar, NFL (1992–1995) New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars
 * Tyler Eifert, NFL (2013–2020) Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars
 * Eric England, NFL (1994–1996) Arizona Cardinals
 * Ricky Ervins, NFL (1991–1995) Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers
 * Trai Essex, NFL (2005–2012) Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII champion
 * Jason Fabini, NFL (1998–2008) New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins
 * Steve Hall, NFL (1996) Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts
 * James Hardy, NFL (2008–2011) Buffalo Bills
 * Jim Juriga, NFL (1988–1991) Denver Broncos
 * Selwyn Lymon, NFL (no professional games played) Miami Dolphins
 * Austin Mack, NFL (2020–present) New York Giants
 * Le'Ron McClain, NFL (2007–2013) Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
 * Bernard Pollard, NFL (2006–2014) Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans
 * Emil Sitko, NFL (1950–1952) San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Cardinals
 * Ben Skowronek, NFL (2021–present) Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans
 * Jaylon Smith, NFL (2016–present) Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Las Vegas Raiders
 * Lamar Smith, NFL (1994–2003) Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers
 * Rod Smith, NFL (2015–present) Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders
 * Anthony Spencer, NFL (2007–2015) Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints
 * Joe Tippmann, NFL (2023–present) New York Jets
 * Drue Tranquill, NFL (2019–present) Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs
 * Elmer Wilkens, NFL (1925) Green Bay Packers
 * Rod Woodson, NFL (1987–2003) Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders, Pro Football Hall of Famer
 * Golf
 * Amanda Blumenherst, U.S. Amateur champion
 * Cathy Gerring, 3-time winner on LPGA Tour
 * Billy Kratzert, 4-time winner on PGA Tour, sportscaster
 * Professional hockey
 * Drake Batherson, NHL Ottawa Senators
 * Gracen Hirschy, SDHL (2017–present), Linköping HC
 * Fred Knipscheer, NHL Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues
 * Dale Purinton, NHL (1999/2000–2003/04) New York Rangers
 * Martial arts
 * Jon Fitch, MMA fighter with UFC
 * Dave Herman, MMA fighter with UFC
 * Becky Levi, MMA fighter
 * Soccer
 * DaMarcus Beasley, Rangers F.C. of the Scottish Premier League, U.S. national team, MLS Chicago Fire
 * Jamar Beasley, MLS New England Revolution, Chicago Fire
 * Rece Buckmaster, New York Red Bulls
 * Olympic swimming and diving
 * Steve Bigelow, swimmer, 1988 Summer Olympics
 * Matt Vogel, swimmer, two-time Olympic gold medalist, 1976 Summer Olympics
 * Sharon Wichman, swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, 1968 Summer Olympics
 * Dan Zehr, swimmer, 1932 Summer Olympics
 * Olympic track and field
 * LeShundra "DeDee" Nathan, 2000 Summer Olympics
 * Volleyball
 * Angie Akers, professional beach volleyball player
 * Lloy Ball, Olympic gold medalist, 2008 Summer Olympics
 * Dr. Don Shondell, author, head coach of Ball State University Cardinals men's volleyball program (1964–1998)
 * Other notables
 * Angela Bradburn-Spangler, USA national high jump champion 1994
 * Eugene E. Parker, sports agent, 45th in Sports Illustrated's 101 most influential minorities in sports
 * Ed Viesturs, mountaineer, first American to climb all 14 of the world's 8,000 meter peaks; fifth person ever to do so without the use of supplemental oxygen

Authors and writers

 * E. Jean Carroll, author, journalist
 * Constance Cumbey, author, lawyer
 * Les Edgerton, author
 * Ashley C. Ford, author and essayist
 * Edith Hamilton, author, mythology expert
 * Stephen King, best-selling author (spent parts of childhood in the city)
 * Ross Lockridge Jr., novelist
 * Patricia Lockwood, writer
 * Michael Martone, author
 * George Jean Nathan, author, drama critic, founder of American Spectator
 * William Rockhill Nelson, founder of the Kansas City Star
 * Emmanuel Ortiz, poet, writer
 * Charlie Savage, New York Times reporter, 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner

Business leaders

 * Greg Becker at tour of 1776.jpg[[Gregory W. Becker]], final CEO of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB)
 * Andrew George Burry, philanthropist, paper box manufacturer
 * Patrick M. Byrne, president and CEO of Overstock.com
 * Dirk Gates, founder and CEO of Xircom and Xirrus
 * Jeff Hammerbacher, founder of Cloudera
 * Angie Hicks, founder and CMO of AngiesList.com
 * Zach Klein, co-founder of social networking site Vimeo
 * Nord Krauskopf, founder of K&K Insurance; NASCAR Winston Cup Series race car owner (1966–1977)
 * Russell W. Kruse, auctioneer, founder of Kruse International
 * Cook Lougheed, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and Allen County Councilman
 * Dale W. McMillen, founder of Central Soya
 * Ian Rolland, CEO, Chairman of the Board Lincoln National
 * Cosette Simon, philanthropist, politician, first female Mayor of Fort Wayne (1985)
 * Chuck Surack, philanthropist, founder of Sweetwater Sound
 * Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's International
 * Kevin Wall, Emmy Award-winning producer, environmentalist, founder of Live Earth
 * Childe Wills, associate of Henry Ford
 * Fred Zollner, industrialist, founder of the NBA and Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons

Inventors and scientists



 * Sylvanus Bowser, inventor of the gas pump
 * Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of the television
 * John Henry Holland, pioneer in the field of genetic algorithms
 * Alfred Mellowes, inventor of the electric refrigerator

Media

 * Julia Barr, two-time Daytime Emmy award-winning actress, All My Children
 * Jill Bennett, actress
 * Nicole Briscoe, 1998 Miss Illinois Teen USA, host of ESPN2's NASCAR Now
 * Eric Bruskotter, actor
 * Dan Butler, actor
 * Ann Colone, broadcaster, talkshow host
 * Jenna Fischer, Emmy-nominated actress, The Office
 * Sharon Gabet, actress
 * Hilliard Gates, sportscaster
 * Molly Hagan, actress
 * Drake Hogestyn, actor
 * Neil LaBute, director, screenwriter, playwright
 * Stephanie Larimore, model, Playboy Playmate of the Month
 * Carole Lombard, Oscar-nominated actress, My Man Godfrey
 * Shelley Long, Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actress, Cheers
 * Marilyn Maxwell, actress
 * Patrick McVey, actor
 * Robert Rusler, actor
 * Andrea Russett, actress, Internet celebrity
 * Chris Schenkel, sportscaster
 * Jan Schweiterman, actor
 * Carrie M. Shoaff, artist, author, potter, playwright, correspondent
 * Herb Shriner, comedian, game show host
 * Nancy Snyderman, MD, journalist, NBC News chief medical editor
 * Zuzanna Szadkowski, actress
 * Lyn Thomas, actress
 * Randy Thompson, actor
 * David Turnley, photographer
 * Peter Turnley, photographer
 * Herb Vigran, actor
 * Dick York, Emmy-nominated actor, Bewitched

Music

 * Addison Agen, singer and finalist on The Voice
 * Joey Allen, glam metal guitarist, Warrant
 * Jeoffrey Benward, contemporary Christian singer, songwriter
 * Sonny Charles, soul singer, Checkmates, Ltd., Steve Miller Band
 * Daniel E. Gawthrop, contemporary classical composer
 * Heather Headley, Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway actress and R&B singer
 * Edwin C. Metcalfe, saxophonist with Spike Jones
 * Megan Mullins, country singer
 * Niyoki, gospel musician
 * Amanda Perez, R&B singer
 * Petra, Grammy-winning Christian rock band
 * Jon Schaffer, heavy metal guitarist, songwriter, Iced Earth
 * Troy Shondell, rock and roll singer, songwriter
 * Jordan Witzigreuter, pop singer (stage name The Ready Set)

Physicians and medical researchers

 * Alice Hamilton, MD, first woman on faculty of Harvard Medical School; sister of Edith Hamilton
 * Jane Henney, MD, first woman Commissioner of the FDA (1998–2001)
 * Leonard A. Scheele, MD, seventh U.S. Surgeon General (1948–1956)
 * Susan Smalley, Ph.D., first to conduct genome-wide study in ADHD
 * Allen Steere, MD, identifier of Lyme disease

Public servants

 * E. Ross Adair, U.S. Representative (1951–1971), United States Ambassador to Ethiopia (1971–1974)
 * Robert E. Armstrong, Fort Wayne Mayor (1975–1979), Allen County Councilman (1990–2002)
 * Paul W. Baade, major general in the United States Army
 * Harry W. Baals, Fort Wayne mayor (1934–1947, 1951–1954)
 * Paul Frank Baer, first flying ace in American military aviation
 * Henry C. Berghoff, Fort Wayne Mayor (1901–1906) and co-founder of the Herman J. Berghoff Brewing Company
 * Tim Berry, Indiana State Treasurer (1999–2007), Indiana State Auditor (2007–2013), Indiana Republican Party Chairman (2013–present)
 * Samuel Bigger, Indiana State Representative (1834–1835), Indiana Circuit Court Judge (1835–1840), seventh Governor of Indiana (1840–1843)
 * James W. Borden, judge and diplomat
 * Randy Borror, Indiana State Representative (2001–2010)
 * Claude Bowers, writer, U.S. Ambassador to Spain (1933–1939), U.S. Ambassador to Chile (1939–1953)
 * Samuel Brenton, U.S. Representative (1851–1853, 1855–1857)
 * Susan Brooks, Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis (1998–1999), U.S. Attorney for Southern Indiana (2001–2007), U.S. Representative (2013–present)
 * James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence (2010–2017)
 * Daniel R. Coats, U.S. Representative (1981–1989), United States Ambassador to Germany (2001–2005), U.S. Senator (1989–1999, 2011–present)
 * Walpole G. Colerick, U.S. Representative (1879–1883)
 * Joseph K. Edgerton, U.S. Representative (1863–1865)
 * Shirley Adele Field, judge, Oregon State Representative (1956–1960, 1962–1966)
 * Dan Flanagan, lawyer, Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court (1953–1954), Allen County Republican Party leader
 * Eliza George, Civil War nurse (1863–1865)
 * Phil GiaQuinta, Indiana State Representative (2006–present)
 * George W. Gillie, U.S. Representative (1939–1949)
 * Timothy Goeglein, White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs Deputy Director (2001–2008)
 * Allen Hamilton, Allen County sheriff (1824–1826), Fort Wayne Postmaster (1825–1831), Allen County Auditor, Clerk, and Recorder (1831–1838)
 * Mitch Harper, Indiana State Representative (1978–1990), Fort Wayne City Councilman (2008–2016)
 * Paul Helmke, Fort Wayne Mayor (1988–2000), President of Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (2006–2011), founder of the Civic Leaders Center at Indiana University (2013-).
 * Tom Henry, Fort Wayne City Councilman (1984–2004), Fort Wayne Mayor (2008–2024)
 * Richard E. Hoagland, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan (2003–2006), U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan (2008–2011), Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia (2013–2015)
 * William J. Hosey, Fort Wayne Mayor (1905–1909, 1913–1917, 1921–1925, 1929–1934)
 * Merchant W. Huxford, doctor, Fort Wayne Mayor (1845–1849)
 * Samuel D. Jackson, U.S. Senator (1944)
 * Paul G. Jasper, Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court (1949–1953)
 * Matt Kelty, politician, architect
 * Edward H. Kruse, U.S. Representative (1949–1951)
 * Henry Lawton, U.S. Army General (1861–1865, 1867–1899), namesake of Lawton, Oklahoma
 * Thomas R. Marshall, 27th Governor of Indiana (1909–1913), 28th U.S. Vice President (1913–1921)
 * Hugh McCulloch, first Comptroller of the Currency (1863–1865), U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (1865–1869, 1884–1885)
 * Robert Meyers, Fort Wayne Mayor (1954–1959), Allen County Superior Court Judge (1971–1985)
 * Winfield Moses, Fort Wayne City Councilman (1972–1979), Mayor (1980–1987), Indiana State Representative (1992–2012)
 * Cherrish Pryor, Indiana State Representative (2008–present)
 * Ben Quayle, U.S. Representative (2011–2013)
 * Graham Richard, entrepreneur, Fort Wayne Mayor (2000–2008)
 * James M. Robinson, judge, U.S. Representative (1897–1905)
 * Mark Souder, U.S. Representative (1995–2010)
 * Harold J. Warner, Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice (1955–1957)
 * James Bain White, U.S. Representative (1887–1889)
 * George W. Wood, first Fort Wayne Mayor (1840–1841)
 * James Worden, twelfth Fort Wayne Mayor (1865-1866), Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court (1858-1865, 1871-1882)

Religious leaders

 * Herman Joseph Alerding, bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend (1900–1924)
 * John Chapman, Swedenborgian, nurseryman, missionary, famous American folklore figure Johnny Appleseed
 * John Michael D'Arcy, auxiliary bishop of Archdiocese of Boston (1974–1985), bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend (1985–2009)
 * William Edward McManus, auxiliary bishop of Archdiocese of Chicago (1967–1976), bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend (1976–1985)
 * Archbishop John F. Noll, bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend (1925–1956), founder of Our Sunday Visitor
 * Wilhelm Sihler, Lutheran minister and founder of Concordia Theological Seminary
 * Alexa Suelzer, Roman Catholic nun, author, educator, theologian
 * Robert Thieme, author, pastor of Berachah Church (1950–2003)

Miscellaneous

 * Charlie Brandt, serial killer
 * Dean Corll, serial killer
 * Louis Edward Curdes, flying ace of WWII
 * Alexander Ewing, soldier during the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, later a founding resident of Fort Wayne
 * Florence M. Montgomery, art historian and curator
 * Alixa Naff, historian
 * ML Procise, concert sound engineer
 * Margaret Ringenberg, aviator
 * Ernest Gottlieb Sihler, professor of classics at New York University
 * Art Smith, aviator
 * Homer Van Meter, infamous bank robber who worked with John Dillinger