List of people from Minnesota

This is a list of notable persons who were born or spent important time in the American state of Minnesota. People not born in Minnesota are marked with §.

A

 * Johan Arnd Aasgaard (1876–1966) – president, Concordia College; president, Norwegian Lutheran Church of America
 * Barkhad Abdi § – Somali-American actor
 * Ed Ackerson (1965–2019) – musician and producer (Polara, Flowers Studio)
 * Corey Adam – stand-up comedian
 * Amy Adams § (born 1974) – actress
 * Anthony Adducci § (1937–2006) – inventor of the worlds first lithium-battery-powered pacemaker
 * Peter Agre (born 1949) – co-recipient, 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry (shared with Roderick MacKinnon)
 * Faysal Ahmed (born 1985) – Somali-American actor
 * Walden L. Ainsworth (1886–1960) – admiral, U.S. Navy
 * Eddie Albert § (1906–2005) – actor, gardener and humanitarian activist
 * Frank Albertson (1909–1964) – actor
 * Grady Alderman § (1938–2018) – Minnesota Vikings football player
 * Cole Aldrich (born 1988) – Minnesota Timberwolves basketball player
 * Cyrus Aldrich § (1808–1871) – member of U.S. Congress
 * John G. Alexander § (1893–1971) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Brother Ali (Ali Newman) § (born 1977) – hip-hop artist
 * Beau Allen (born 1991) – NFL nose tackle
 * Bob Allison § (1934–1995) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
 * Kyle Altman (born 1986) – soccer player
 * Luis Walter Alvarez § (1911–1988) – experimental physicist, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1968
 * Janis Amatuzio (born 1950) – forensic pathologist
 * A. A. Ames § (1842–1911) – politician
 * Elmer L. Andersen § (1909–2004) – 30th Governor of Minnesota, businessman, philanthropist
 * Herman Carl Andersen § (1897–1978) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Alan Anderson (born 1982) – basketball player
 * Barry Anderson (born 1954) – judge
 * Brad Anderson (born 1969) – professional wrestler
 * Clyde Elmer Anderson (1912–1998) – 28th Governor of Minnesota; 30th and 33rd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Dan Anderson (1920–2003) – psychologist
 * Eugenie Anderson (1909–1997) – U.S. Ambassador to Denmark and Bulgaria; first woman appointed U.S. ambassador
 * Frank Anderson (1870–1931) – South Dakota Supreme Court justice
 * Gary Anderson § (born 1959) – Minnesota Vikings football player
 * Gene Anderson (1933–1991) – professional wrestler
 * Glen H. Anderson (born 1938) – former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
 * Larry Anderson (born 1952) – actor
 * Liz Anderson (1927–2011) – songwriter
 * Loni Anderson (born 1945) – actress (WKRP in Cincinnati), former wife of Burt Reynolds
 * Louie Anderson (1953–2022) – comedian, television personality (Life with Louie, Family Feud)
 * Marc Anderson – percussionist
 * Nick Anderson (born 1990) – relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
 * Ole Anderson (born 1942) – professional wrestler
 * Patricia Anderson (born 1966) – politician, business owner, 17th state auditor
 * Paul Anderson (born 1943) – judge
 * Richard Dean Anderson (born 1950) – television actor (MacGyver, Stargate SG-1)
 * Russ Anderson – actor
 * Russell A. Anderson (1942–2020) – judge
 * Scott D. Anderson (1965–1999) – author, engineer, military aviator, Cirrus Airframe Parachute System test pilot
 * Sydney Anderson (1881–1948) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Wendell Anderson (1933–2016) – 33rd Governor of Minnesota; U.S. Senator
 * August H. Andresen § (1890–1958) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Christopher Columbus Andrews § (1829–1922) – soldier, diplomat, and author
 * LaVerne Andrews (1911–1967) – contralto singer of 1940s sister act The Andrews Sisters
 * Maxene Andrews (1916–1995) – soprano singer of The Andrews Sisters
 * Patty Andrews (1918–2013) – lead singer of The Andrews Sisters
 * Sacar Anim (born 1997) – basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
 * Kofi Annan § (1938–2018) – 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations
 * Henry M. Arens § (1873–1963) – member of U.S. Congress; 26th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Richard Arlen (1899–1976) – actor
 * Thomas H. Armstrong § (1826–1891) – banker, lawyer, legislator, 5th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Dave Arneson (1955–2009) – game designer, co-creator of D&D, creator of the first fantasy RPG world (Blackmoor)
 * James Arness (1923–2011) – actor (Gunsmoke)
 * Dorothy Arnold (Olson) (1917–1984) – film actress, first wife of baseball star Joe DiMaggio
 * Jeanne Arth (born 1935) – tennis player
 * Robert Asp (1923–1980) – builder and captain of the maiden voyage of the Hjemkomst
 * Antoine Auguelle § – explorer
 * Horace Austin § (1831–1905) – 6th Governor of Minnesota
 * Roger Awsumb § (1928–2002) – children's television host of Lunch With Casey
 * Hy Averback (1920–1997) – director, producer, actor, and production manager
 * John T. Averill § (1825–1889) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Lew Ayres (1908–1996) – actor

B

 * Tim M. Babcock (1919–2015) – politician
 * Michele Bachmann § (born 1956) – politician
 * David Backes (born 1984) – hockey player
 * Tim Bagley (born 1957) – character actor, Strip Mall, Will & Grace
 * Bill Baker (born 1956) – hockey player
 * Melvin Baldwin § (1838–1901) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Joseph H. Ball (1905–1993) – U.S. Senator
 * Keith Ballard (born 1982) – hockey player for the Vancouver Canucks
 * Maria Bamford (born 1970) – comedian and actress
 * Ann Bancroft (born 1955) – polar explorer, first female to reach both the North and South Poles
 * Dominique Barber (born 1986) – Houston Texans football player
 * Marion Barber III (1983–2022) – Dallas Cowboys football player
 * Robert Baril – stand-up comedian
 * Dean Barkley (born 1950) – U.S. Senator
 * Elizabeth A. Barnes – climate scientist
 * Lynsey Bartilson (born 1983) – actress
 * Alphonso Barto – 7th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Carol Bartz (born 1948) – president and chief executive officer of Yahoo!
 * Emma Bates (born 1992) – long-distance runner
 * Earl Battey § (1935–2003) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
 * Elgin Baylor § (1934–2021) – basketball player
 * Charles Baxter (born 1947) – author
 * John C. Beale (born 1948) – EPA consultant, convicted felon
 * Dick Beardsley (born 1956) – former world-class marathoner, motivational speaker
 * Tracy Beckman (born 1945) – government official, politician, business owner and manager
 * James Bede § (1856–1942) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Nicholas Joseph Begich (1932–1972) – member of U.S. Congress
 * James Ford Bell § (1879–1961) – business leader, philanthropist, founder of General Mills
 * Troy Bell (born 1980) – basketball player
 * Clyde Bellecourt (1936–2022) – Native American civil rights organizer
 * Nick Bellore (born 1989) – Seattle Seahawks football player
 * Sharon Sayles Belton (born 1951) – first African-American mayor of Minneapolis
 * Charles "Chief" Bender (1884–1954) – Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
 * Dorothy Benham (born 1955) – Miss America 1977
 * Paris Bennett § (born 1988) – singer
 * Tony Benshoof (born 1975) – luger, Olympian
 * Elmer Austin Benson (1895–1985) – 24th Governor of Minnesota; U.S. Senator
 * Joanne Benson (born 1943) – 44th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * William Benton (1900–1973) – U.S. Senator
 * Juan Berenguer § (born 1954) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
 * Patty Berg (1918–2006) – golfer, founding member of the LPGA
 * Carl Rudolf Berghult (1905–2000) – mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
 * Robert Bergland (1928–2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture; member of U.S. Congress
 * Tim Bergland (born 1965) – hockey player
 * Herb Bergson (1956–2022) – mayor of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin
 * Nate Berkus (born 1971) – interior designer, author and television personality
 * Jason Behr (born 1973) – actor
 * John Bernard § (1893–1983) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Philip Berrigan (1923–2002) – peace activist, Christian anarchist, and Roman Catholic priest
 * Bill Berry (born 1958) – R.E.M. drummer
 * Jessica Biel (born 1982) – actress (7th Heaven), married to Justin Timberlake
 * Bernie Bierman § (1894–1977) – college football coach
 * Big Eagle (c. 1827–1906) – leader of a band of Mdewakanton Sioux Indians
 * John Binkowski (born 1979) – politician
 * Matt Birk (born 1976) – Minnesota Vikings football player
 * Andy Bisek (born 1986) – Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler, two-time world bronze medalist
 * Harry Blackmun § (1908–1999) – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
 * Matt Blair § (1950–2020) – Minnesota Vikings football player
 * Jason Blake (born 1973) – hockey player for the Anaheim Ducks
 * John Blatnik (1911–1991) – member of the U.S. Congress
 * Jerome Blatz – politician
 * Kathleen A. Blatz (born 1954) – judge and politician
 * Theodore C. Blegen (1891–1969) – historian and author
 * Floyd E. Bloom (born 1936) – medical researcher specializing in chemical neuroanatomy
 * Josh Blue § (born 1978) – comedian
 * Carol Bly (1930–2007) – short-story writer
 * Mary Bly (born 1962) – novelist and professor
 * Robert Bly (born 1926) – writer
 * Bert Blyleven § (born 1951) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
 * Eduard Bøckmann (1849–1927) – ophthalmologist, physician and inventor
 * Haldor Boen § (1846–1936) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Roman Bohnen (1901–1949) – actor
 * Pat Boland (1906–1971) – football coach
 * Greg Boll (born 1960) – politician, activist
 * Brian Bonin (born 1973) – hockey player
 * Jeremy Borash (born 1977) – wrestling announcer
 * Madeleine Bordallo (born 1933) – politician
 * Lorraine Borg (1923–2006) – All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
 * Norman Borlaug § (1914–2009) – agricultural scientist; recipient, 1970 Nobel Peace Prize
 * Rudy Boschwitz § (born 1930) – U.S. Senator
 * Lyman Bostock § (1950–1978) – baseball player
 * Todd Bouman (born 1972) – quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars
 * Kevin Bowe (born 1961) – songwriter, record producer and musician
 * Lloyd Wheaton Bowers § (1859–1910) – Solicitor General
 * Gregory A. Boyd (born 1957) – pastor, theologian, author
 * Charles John Brand (1879–1949) – Chief of the Bureau of Markets of the United States Department of Agriculture
 * Joe Brinkman (born 1944) – umpire
 * Ivar Brogger (born 1947) – actor, The Bold and the Beautiful and Invasion
 * Herb Brooks (1937–2003) – 1980 Olympics ice hockey coach, Minnesota Golden Gophers coach, Minnesota North Stars coach
 * Neal Broten (born 1959) – Minnesota North Stars ice-hockey player
 * Jim Brower (born 1972) – baseball player
 * Aaron Brown (born 1948) – broadcast journalist
 * Bill Brown § (1938–2018) – Minnesota Vikings football player
 * Brianna Brown (born 1979) – actress
 * Joey Browner § (born 1960) – football player
 * Brownmark (Brown Mark or Mark Brown) (born 1962) – musician and producer
 * Bob Bruer § (born 1953) – football player and coach
 * Tom Brunansky § (born 1960) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
 * Bobby Bryant § (born 1944) – Minnesota Vikings football player
 * Rich T. Buckler § (1865–1950) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Clarence Buckman § (1851–1917) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Warren E. Burger (1907–1995) – Chief Justice of the United States
 * Michael C. Burgess (born 1950) – physician and politician
 * Tom Burgmeier (born 1943) – baseball player
 * Joseph A. A. Burnquist § (1879–1961) – 19th Governor of Minnesota; 20th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Jerry Burns (1927–2021) – Minnesota Vikings football coach
 * Tom Burnett (1963–2001) – passenger on United Airlines Flight 93
 * Pierce Butler (1866–1939) – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
 * Dominique Byrd (born 1984) – football player for the Arizona Cardinals
 * Thomas R. Byrne – politician

C

 * Melvin Calvin (1911–1997) – recipient, 1961 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
 * Karlyn Kohrs Campbell (born 1937) – academic
 * Gino Cappelletti (born 1934) – former collegiate, AFL and NFL wide receiver
 * Rod Carew § (born 1945) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
 * Ron Carey – politician
 * Arne Carlson § (born 1934) – 37th Governor of Minnesota
 * Bruce A. Carlson (born 1971) – Commander, Air Force Materiel Command
 * Curt Carlson (1914–1999) – businessperson (Carlson Companies, Radisson Hotels)
 * Gretchen Carlson – beauty queen, anchor
 * John Carlson (born 1984) – tight end for the Arizona Cardinals
 * Kelly Carlson (born 1976) – actor
 * Kyle and Lane Carlson (born 1978) – models
 * Richard Carlson (1912–1977) – actor
 * Herb Carneal (1923–2007) – Minnesota Twins baseball announcer
 * David Carr (1956–2015) – journalist for The New York Times
 * William Leighton Carss § (1865–1931) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Anthony Carter § (born 1975) – Minnesota Timberwolves basketball player
 * Kiki Carter (Kimberli Wilson) § (born 1957) – environmental activist, organizer, musician, songwriter, and columnist
 * Ryan Carter (born 1983) – hockey player for the New Jersey Devils
 * Jonathan Carver § (1710–1780) – explorer
 * Bob Casey (1925–2004) – Minnesota Twins public-address announcer
 * Patrick Casey (born 1978) – writer and actor
 * Dave Casper (born 1951) – Hall of Fame NFL offensive lineman and tight end, primarily with the Oakland Raiders
 * James Castle § (1836–1903) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Tracy Caulkins (born 1963) – swimmer
 * James M. Cavanaugh § (1823–1879) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Chelsea Charms (born 1976) – model
 * Derek Chauvin (born 1976) – former police officer, murderer of George Floyd
 * Sam Childers § (born 1962) – former gang biker, founder of Angels of East Africa located in Sudan
 * Leeann Chin – founder of the Leeann Chin Chinese restaurant chain
 * Tom Chorske (born 1966) – hockey player
 * Chief Chouneau (William Cadreau) (1888–1946) – baseball player
 * Victor Christgau (1894–1991) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Theodore Christianson (1883–1948) – 21st Governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
 * Theodore Christianson (1913–1955) – Associate Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court, son of Governor Christianson
 * Charles A. Christopherson (1871–1951) – politician
 * Nick Ciola (Dominic Ciola or Caesar) – musician
 * Moses E. Clapp (1851–1929) – U.S. Senator
 * Frank Clague § (1865–1952) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Harlan Cleveland (1918–2008) – Club of Rome member, founding dean for the H. H. Humphrey Institute, politician
 * Elizabeth Close (1912–2011) – pioneering female architect in Minneapolis
 * David Marston Clough § (1846–1924) – 13th Governor of Minnesota; 12th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Ben Clymer (born 1978) – hockey player
 * Cobi (born 1986) – musician
 * Eddie Cochran (1938–1960) – musician
 * Diablo Cody § (born 1978) – screenwriter
 * Ethan Coen (born 1957) – screenwriter, director, producer
 * Joel Coen (born 1954) – screenwriter, director, producer
 * William Colby (1920–1996) – director of the CIA
 * Chris Coleman (born 1961) – politician
 * Nick Coleman (1950–2018) – columnist
 * Nick Coleman (1925–1981) – politician
 * Norm Coleman § (born 1949) – U.S. Senator, Mayor of Saint Paul
 * Louis L. Collins – 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Mo Collins (born 1965) – comedic actor
 * William J. Colvill § (1830–1905) – Colonel of the 1st Minnesota Infantry at the battle of Gettysburg, 3rd Minnesota Attorney General
 * Tom Compton (born 1989) – Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle
 * Ada Comstock (1876–1973) – educator and President of Radcliffe College
 * Solomon Comstock § (1842–1933) – member of the U.S. Congress
 * Chester Adgate Congdon § (1853–1916) – lawyer and capitalist
 * George Contant (1864 – date of death unknown) – train robber; later lectured against crime
 * Rachael Leigh Cook (born 1979) – actor, model
 * Roger Cooper (born 1944) – teacher, politician
 * Marisa Coughlan (born 1974) – model and actor
 * Carter Coughlin – football player
 * Gratia Countryman (1866–1953) – influential librarian
 * Christopher Cox (born 1952) – chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; U.S. representative
 * Fred Cox § (1938–2019) – Minnesota Vikings football player, inventor of Nerf football
 * Brian Coyle (1944–1991) – openly gay politician
 * Christopher J. Cramer – University of Minnesota chemistry professor and vice president for research
 * Geno Crandall – basketball player with Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
 * Seymour Cray § (1925–1996) – founder Cray Research, supercomputer architect, inventor
 * Joseph Crétin § (1799–1857) – first Roman Catholic bishop of Saint Paul
 * Ward Cuff (1914–2002) – NFL running back and placekicker
 * Daunte Culpepper § (born 1977) – former Minnesota Vikings football player
 * Randall Cunningham § (born 1963) – former Minnesota Vikings football player
 * Robert E. Cushman Jr. (1914–1985) – Commandant of the Marine Corps

D

 * Arlene Dahl (1925–2021) – actress
 * Nicole, Erica and Jaclyn Dahm (born 1977) – models
 * Craig Dahl (born 1985) – New York Giants football player
 * Cathee Dahmen (1945–1997) – supermodel in the 1960s and 1970s
 * Shawn Daivari (born 1984) – professional wrestler
 * Ian Anthony Dale (born 1978) – actor
 * Sean Daley (born 1972) – hip-hop artist
 * Teresa Daly (born 1956) – politician
 * Chad Daniels (born 1975) – comedian
 * Billy Dankert – singer-songwriter, drummer
 * Barry Darsow (born 1959) – professional wrestler
 * Charles Russell Davis § (1849–1930) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Cushman Davis (1838–1900) – 7th Governor of Minnesota; U.S. Senator
 * Ike Davis (born 1987) – first baseman for the Oakland A's
 * Stuart Davis § (born 1971) – musician and songwriter
 * Frank A. Day – 13th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Morris Day (born 1957) – musician and composer
 * Vox Day § (born 1968) – publisher, writer, musician and video game designer
 * George Dayton (1857–1938) – banker, businessperson
 * Mark Dayton (born 1947) – former U.S. Senator, 40th Governor of Minnesota
 * Julia Dean (1878–1952) – actress
 * Eric Decker (born 1987) – football player
 * Gary DeCramer (1944–2012) – politician, educator
 * Midge Decter (born 1927) – neoconservative journalist
 * Jake Deitchler (born 1989) – Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler
 * Marguerite De La Motte (1902–1950) – silent film actress
 * William Demarest (1892–1983) – film and television actor
 * Dr. Demento (born 1941) – radio personality (aka Barret Eugene Hansen)
 * Carol Dempster (1901–1991) – actor
 * Tony Denman (born 1979) – actor
 * Edward Devitt (1911–1992) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Kate DiCamillo (born 1964) – children's author
 * Dez Dickerson (born 1955) – guitarist and singer
 * Gordon R. Dickson (1923–2001) – author
 * Jessie Diggins (born 1991) – Olympian, first American woman to win the cross-country skiing World Cup
 * Alan Dinehart (1889–1944) – actor
 * Richard Dix (1893–1949) – actor
 * Gil Dobie (1878–1948) – college football coach
 * Farrell Dobbs (1907–1983) – Trotskyist politician, trade unionist
 * Tod Dockstader (1932–2015) – composer of electronic music
 * Pete Docter (born 1968) – director, writer, animator, Up, WALL-E, Monsters, Inc.
 * William Dodd – historian, American ambassador to Nazi Germany
 * Chris Doleman (1961–2020) – Minnesota Vikings football player
 * Ignatius L. Donnelly (1831–1901) – member of U.S. Congress, 2nd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, author
 * Frank Doran – politician
 * Kelly Doran (born 1957) – businessperson
 * Michael Doran § (1827–1915) – politician
 * Gary Doty (born 1948) – politician and former mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
 * Marjory Stoneman Douglas (1890–1998) – journalist, writer, feminist, and environmentalist
 * William O. Douglas (1898–1980) – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
 * Jeffrey Douma – choir director
 * Julia Duffy (born 1951) – comedic actor
 * John Lewis Dyer (1812–1901) – pioneering Methodist circuit rider; left Minnesota in 1861 for Colorado
 * Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut § (1639–1710) – French explorer
 * Ryan Dungey (born 1989) – supercross and motocross racer
 * Mark H. Dunnell § (1823–1904) – member of the U.S. Congress
 * David Durenberger (born 1934) – U.S. Senator
 * Richard Dworsky (born 1953) – pianist and composer
 * Sally Dworsky – singer-songwriter
 * Bob Dylan (born 1941) – singer-songwriter, musician, poet
 * Joanell Dyrstad (born 1942) – 43rd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota

E

 * Patrick Eaves § (born 1984) – professional hockey player
 * Charles Eastman § (1858–1939) – Dakota writer, doctor, lobbyist, co-founder of Boy Scouts of America
 * Adolph Olson Eberhart § (1870–1944) – 17th Governor of Minnesota; 17th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Richard Eberhart (1904–2005) – poet
 * Tony Eckstein (1923–2009) – politician, veterinarian, veteran
 * Frank Eddy (1856–1929) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Linda Eder § (born 1961) – Broadway star and recording artist
 * Alonzo J. Edgerton § (1827–1896) – U.S. Senator
 * Jim Eisenreich (born 1959) – Minnesota Twins player
 * Christian Elder (born 1968) – stock-car driver
 * Kimberly Elise (born 1967) – actor
 * David Ellefson (born 1964) – musician
 * Paul Ellering (born 1953) – professional wrestler
 * Carl Eller § (born 1942) – Minnesota Vikings football player
 * John F. Elliott (1920–1991) – professor of metallurgy
 * Keith Maurice Ellison § (born 1963) – politician
 * Franklin Ellsworth (1879–1942) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Gil Elvgren (1914–1980) – pin-up artist
 * LaFayette Emmett – politician
 * Jonette Engan (born 1951) – politician, activist
 * Siri Engberg – curator of visual arts, Walker Art Center
 * Ralph Engelstad (1930–2002) – businessperson
 * Leif Enger – author
 * Elmer William Engstrom (1901–1984) – engineer
 * Fred Enke (1897–1985) – college basketball coach
 * Eric Enstrom – photographer
 * Matt Entenza (born 1960) – politician, former gubernatorial candidate
 * Arlen Erdahl (born 1931) – member of the U.S. Congress
 * Louise Erdrich (born 1954) – novelist, poet, children's author
 * Bryan Erickson (born 1960) – hockey player
 * Ethan Erickson (born 1973) – actor, Fashion House
 * Scott Erickson (born 1968) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
 * Wendell Erickson (1925–2018) – politician, educator, veteran
 * Mike Erlandson – politician, corporate executive
 * Gilbert Esau (1919–2012) – politician, veteran
 * Helga Estby (1860–1942) – noted for her walk across the United States during 1896
 * Alayna Ertl (2010–2016) – murder victim
 * John O. Evjen (1874–1942) – author, church historian and professor of theology
 * Douglas Ewart § (born 1946) – instrument builder and musician
 * Eyedea (Mike Averill or Oliver Hart) (1982–2010) – underground rapper

F

 * Cliff Fagan (1911–1995) – high school basketball referee
 * Mike Farrell (born 1939) – actor (M*A*S*H)
 * Mike Farrell (born 1978) – hockey player
 * Ciatrick Fason § (born 1982) – Minnesota Vikings football player
 * Chris Faust § (born 1955) – photographer
 * Tammy Faye Messner (1942–2007) – televangelist, singer
 * George William Featherstonhaugh § (1780–1866) – explorer
 * John Fedo (born 1950) – former mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
 * Jay Feely (born 1976) – placekicker for the New York Jets
 * Trevor Fehrman (born 1981) – actor
 * Jim Finks § (1927–1994) – Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears executive
 * David Fischer (born 1988) – hockey player
 * Mardy Fish (born 1981) – tennis player
 * F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) – novelist, short story writer
 * Frances Scott Fitzgerald (1921–1986) – writer, journalist
 * Larry Fitzgerald (born 1983) – football player
 * Marcus Fitzgerald (born 1985) – football player
 * David Flair (born 1979) – professional wrestler
 * Ric Flair § (born 1949) – professional wrestler
 * Richard E. Fleming (1917–1942) – sailor
 * Loren Fletcher § (1833–1919) – member of U.S. Congress
 * George Floyd (1973–2020) – murder victim
 * Michael Floyd (born 1989) – football player
 * Patrick Flueger (born 1983) – actor, The 4400
 * Thomas Fluharty – illustrator
 * Harry Flynn § (1933–2019) – Roman Catholic archbishop
 * Vince Flynn – author
 * John R. Foley (1917–2001) – politician
 * Steve Foley (1959–2008) – drummer, member of The Replacements
 * Henry Fonda § – actor, attended the University of Minnesota; born in Nebraska
 * John M. Ford § (1957–2006) – science-fiction author and poet
 * Al Franken § (born 1951) – political humorist, author, radio commentator, U.S. Senator
 * Thomas Frankson (1869–1939) – lawyer, real estate developer, politician; 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Donald M. Fraser (1924–2019) – mayor of Minneapolis, member of U.S. Congress
 * James Earle Fraser (1876–1953) – sculptor
 * Jeff Frazee (born 1987) – hockey player
 * David Frederickson (born 1944) – politician, farmer, former president of National Farmers Union
 * Dennis Frederickson (born 1939) – politician, farmer, veteran
 * Orville Freeman (1918–2003) – 29th Governor of Minnesota, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
 * Frederick William Freking (1911–1998) – Roman Catholic Bishop
 * Bill Frenzel (1928–2014) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Thomas Friedman (born 1953) – journalist, columnist, author
 * Lindsay Frost (born 1962) – actor
 * Daniel Fry (1908–1992) – alien-spaceship passenger
 * Aurilla Furber (1847–1898) – poet, writer
 * Allen J. Furlow (1890–1954) – member of U.S. Congress

G

 * Chad Gable (born 1986) – professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler; competed at 2012 Summer Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling
 * Wanda Gág (1893–1946) – author, illustrator
 * John Gagliardi § (1926–2018) – St. John's College football coach
 * Greg Gagne § (born 1961) – baseball player
 * Greg Gagne (born 1948) – professional wrestler
 * Verne Gagne (1923–2015) – former professional wrestler and amateur wrestler, founder of American Wrestling Association, U.S. alternate at 1948 Olympics in freestyle wrestling
 * Daniele Gaither (born 1972) – comic actor
 * Thomas J. Galbraith – politician
 * Richard Pillsbury Gale (1900–1973) – member of U.S. Congress
 * William Gallagher (1875–1946) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Jane Gallop (born 1952) – professor, feminist
 * Chick Gandil (1887–1970) – baseball player
 * Roy Alexander Gano (1902–1971) – Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy
 * Ron Gardenhire § (born 1957) – manager of the Minnesota Twins
 * Judy Garland (1922–1969) – singer, actor
 * Lorraine Garland – folk singer and fiddler
 * Edward R. Garvey § – activist, lawyer, and politician
 * Mike Garvey (born 1962) – stock-car driver
 * Charles Gilbert Gates – owned first home air conditioner in the United States in 1914
 * Larry Gates (1915–1996) – actor
 * Phyllis Gates (1925–2006) – interior designer and former wife of Rock Hudson
 * Herbjørn Gausta (1854–1924) – landscape artist
 * Ben Boo (1925–2021) – politician and mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
 * Ron "Boogiemonster" Gerber (born 1968) – disc jockey, pop music historian, and engineer
 * J. Paul Getty (1892–1976) – entrepreneur, philanthropist, founder of Getty Oil Company
 * John L. Gibbs – 14th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Tom Gibis (born 1964) – voice actor
 * Cass Gilbert § (1859–1934) – architect
 * Tom Gilbert – hockey player
 * Stan Gilbertson (born 1944) – hockey player
 * John Gilfillan § (1835–1924) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Terry Gilliam (born 1940) – actor (Monty Python), writer, director
 * Sid Gillman (1911–2003) – football coach
 * Charles A. Gilman – 9th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Robert R. Gilruth (1913–2000) – aviation and space pioneer
 * Dan Gladden (born 1957) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
 * Billy Glaze (1944–2015) – serial killer
 * Arne Glimcher (born 1938) – art dealer, founder of Pace Gallery, film producer and director
 * Tony Glover (1939–2019) – musician, music critic
 * James B. Goetz § (1936–2019) – radio executive and the 38th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * William H. Goetzmann § (1930–2010) – historian
 * Adam Goldberg (born 1980) – NFL tackle/guard
 * Godfrey G. Goodwin (1873–1933) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Genevieve Gorder (born 1974) – designer, television personality (Trading Spaces)
 * Samuel Y. Gordon – 19th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Willis Arnold Gorman § (1816–1876) – lawyer, soldier, politician
 * Irving I. Gottesman § (1930–2016) – behavior geneticist, psychologist
 * Billy Graham § (1918–2018) – evangelist, former president of Northwestern College
 * Moonlight Graham § (1876–1965) – doctor, baseball player
 * Rod Grams (1948–2013) – U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
 * Mary GrandPré – illustrator (Harry Potter books)
 * Bud Grant § (born 1927) – former Minnesota Vikings football coach
 * Jim "Mudcat" Grant § (1935–2021) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
 * Charles Hinman Graves § (1839–1928) – Army officer, politician, diplomat, and mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
 * Peter Graves (Peter Aurness) (1926–2010) – actor (Mission: Impossible television series, Airplane!, 7th Heaven)
 * Dennis Green (1949–2016) – Minnesota Vikings football coach
 * Lauren Green (born 1958) – beauty queen, anchor
 * Steven Greenberg (born 1950) – musician ("Funkytown"), record producer
 * Robert Grenier (born 1941) – poet
 * Ingebrikt Grose (1862–1939) – founding president of Concordia College
 * Joan Growe (born 1935) – former Minnesota Secretary of State
 * Gabriele Grunewald (1986–2019) – middle-distance runner
 * Ann Morgan Guilbert (1928–2016) – actress, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Nanny
 * Bill Gullickson (born 1959) – baseball player
 * Gil Gutknecht § (born 1951) – former member of U.S. Congress
 * Joe Guyon (1892–1971) – Hall of Fame NFL player
 * Cristian Guzmán § (born 1978) – Minnesota Twins baseball player

H

 * Tom Hagedorn (born 1943) – member of the U.S. Congress
 * Ra'Shede Hageman § (born 1990) – football player
 * Gulbrand Hagen (1864–1919) – newspaper editor and publisher
 * Harold Hagen (1901–1957) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Molly Hagan (born 1961) – actress
 * Camilla Hall (1945–1974) – artist, college trained member of the Symbionese Liberation Army
 * Darwin Hall § (1844–1919) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Osee M. Hall § (1847–1914) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Philo Hall (1865–1938) – politician
 * Walter Halloran (1921–2005) – priest, chaplain
 * Kittel Halvorson § (1846–1936) – member of U.S. Congress
 * C. J. Ham (born 1993) – fullback for the Minnesota Vikings
 * Trina Hamlin – singer-songwriter
 * Winfield Scott Hammond § (1863–1915) – 18th Governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
 * Brad Hand (born 1990) – pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
 * Greg Handevidt § (born 1965) – musician, attorney
 * Alan Hangsleben (born 1953) – hockey player
 * Dick Hanley (1894–1970) – football player and head coach
 * Jack Hannahan (born 1980) – third baseman for the Cleveland Indians
 * Ben Hanowski (born 1990) – professional hockey player
 * Courtney Hansen (born 1975) – television host and personality, syndicated columnist, author, and actress
 * Agatha Tiegel Hanson § (1873–1959) – poet, writer, and editor
 * Duane Hanson (1925–1996) – post-modern sculptor
 * Olof Hanson § (1862–1933) – Deaf architect
 * Jeff Hanson § (1978–2009) – singer-songwriter, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist
 * Har Mar Superstar (Sean Tillmann) (born 1978) – entertainer
 * Poppy Harlow (born 1982) – news anchor, reporter and journalist for Forbes.com and CNN
 * Brian Harper § (born 1959) – baseball player
 * Tim Harmston § – stand-up comedian
 * Donald Harris (1931–2016) – composer and music teacher
 * Irving Harris (1910–2004) – businessperson
 * William H. Harries § (1843–1921) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Napoleon Harris § (born 1979) – football player
 * Ryan Harris (born 1985) – football player
 * Samantha Harris (born 1973) – television hostess, Dancing with the Stars, Entertainment Tonight
 * Ellen Hart § (born 1949) – mystery novelist
 * Grant Hart (1961–2017) – musician
 * Brynn Hartman (Vicki Omdahl) (1958–1998) – actor
 * Josh Hartnett (born 1978) – actor
 * Sid Hartman (1920–2020) – sports writer
 * Jon Hassler (1933–2008) – author
 * Mike Hatch (born 1948) – attorney general
 * Brenton G. Hayden – entrepreneur
 * Bernt B. Haugan (1862–1931) – minister, politician, and temperance leader
 * Randolph E. Haugan (1902–1985) – editor, author and publisher
 * Louis J. Hauge Jr. (1924–1945) – sailor
 * Marty Haugen (born 1950) – composer
 * Pete Hautman § (born 1952) – novelist
 * John Hawkes (born 1959) – actor
 * Joel Heatwole § (1856–1910) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Mitch Hedberg (1968–2005) – absurdist comic
 * Bret Hedican (born 1970) – hockey player
 * Garrett Hedlund (born 1984) – actor
 * Tippi Hedren (born 1930) – actor
 * Pudge Heffelfinger (1867–1954) – football player and coach, College Football Hall of Famer
 * Michael Hegstrand (1957–2003) – professional wrestler
 * Lawrence Heinemi (born 1943) – professional wrestler
 * Steve Heitzeg (born 1959) – composer
 * Luke Helder (born 1981) – pipe bomber
 * E. J. Henderson – football player
 * Seantrel Henderson – football player
 * Skitch Henderson (Lyle Russell Cedric Henderson) (1918–2005) – pianist, conductor, and composer
 * Ben Hendrickson (born 1981) – baseball player
 * Darby Hendrickson (born 1972) – hockey player
 * Curt Hennig (1958–2003) – professional wrestler
 * Joseph Curtis Hennig – professional wrestler
 * Larry Hennig – professional wrestler
 * Father Hennepin § (1626–1705) – explorer
 * Holly Henry (born 1994) – The Voice contestant and musician
 * Abigail and Brittany Hensel (born 1990) – conjoined twins
 * Barton Hepburn (1906–1955) – actor
 * Don Herbert (1917–2007) – television host
 * Maureen Herman § (born 1966) – musician
 * Bryan Hickerson (born 1963) – baseball player
 * Wally Hilgenberg – football player
 * George Roy Hill (1921–2002) – film director
 * James J. Hill § (1838–1916) – railroad tycoon, founder of Great Northern Railway
 * Peter Himmelman (born 1960) – songwriter
 * John H. Hinderaker (born 1950) – lawyer, blogger
 * Larry Hisle § (born 1947) – baseball player
 * Charles Hoag § (1808–1888) – scholar
 * Tami Hoag – novelist
 * Leroy Hoard § (born 1968) – football player
 * Jamie Hoffmann – baseball player
 * Alvin O. Hofstad (1905–1962) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
 * Tobias Hogan – politician
 * James Day Hodgson (1915–2012) – United States Secretary of Labor and Ambassador to Japan
 * Joel Hodgson § – comedian and creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000
 * Einar Hoidale § – member of U.S. Congress
 * Mary Liz Holberg – politician
 * William Holcombe § (1804–1870) – first Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Perry Greeley Holden (1865–1959) – professor of agronomy
 * Justin Holl (born 1992) – hockey player
 * Bill Holm – poet
 * Paul Holmgren (born 1955) – hockey player
 * James Hong (born 1929) – actor
 * Quinton Hooker (born 1995) – basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
 * Townsend Hoopes (1922–2004) – soldier
 * Eric Hoplin – Deputy Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota
 * Terry Horan (born 1966) – football coach at Concordia College
 * George A. Hormel § (1860–1946) – founder of Hormel Foods
 * George "Geordie" Hormel (1928–2006) – musician and recording-studio proprietor
 * James Hormel (1933–2021) – philanthropist
 * Jay Catherwood Hormel (1892–1954) – businessman
 * Aaron Hosack § – football player
 * Harold Hotelling (1895–1973) – statistician and economist
 * David Housewright (born 1955) – novelist
 * Phil Housley (born 1964) – hockey player
 * Guy V. Howard (1879–1954) – U.S. Senator
 * Kent Hrbek (born 1960) – baseball player
 * Lucius Frederick Hubbard § (1836–1913) – 9th Governor of Minnesota
 * Don Hultz – football player
 * Ramon Humber – football player
 * Oliver Humperdink (1949–2011) – wrestling manager
 * Hubert Humphrey § (1911–1978) – U.S. Senator, Vice President, and presidential candidate
 * Muriel Humphrey § (1912–1998) – U.S. Senator
 * Skip Humphrey (born 1942) – Minnesota attorney general
 * Kris Humphries (born 1985) – power forward for the New Jersey Nets
 * Torii Hunter § (born 1975) – baseball player
 * Leonid Hurwicz § (1917–2008) – economist, Nobel laureate
 * Lloyd Hustvedt (1922–2002) – professor, Norwegian-American scholar
 * Siri Hustvedt (born 1955) – novelist
 * Peter Hutchinson (born 1949) – politician and businessperson

I

 * I Self Devine (born 1972) – musician
 * Sherwood B. Idso – climatologist, ecologist, soil scientist
 * Tim Irwin – football player
 * Bill Irwin – professional wrestler
 * Scott Irwin (1952–1987) – professional wrestler
 * Doran Isackson (1938–1989) – politician, farmer
 * Sharon Isbin (born 1956) – classical guitarist
 * Ishtakhaba – Lakota chief
 * Gideon S. Ives – 11th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota

J

 * Carl Richard Jacobi (1908–1997) – author
 * Lawrence R. Jacobs (born 1959) – political scientist
 * Jacob F. Jacobson § (1849–1938) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
 * Sada Jacobson (born 1983) – Olympic fencing silver and bronze medalist
 * Sam Jacobson (born 1975) – basketball player
 * Jimmy Jam (born 1959) – songwriter, co-founder of Flyte Tyme Productions
 * Erasmus James (born 1982) – football player
 * Kathleen Hall Jamieson (born 1946) – professor and author
 * Harry August Jansen § (1883–1955) – professional magician
 * Lee Janzen (born 1964) – golfer
 * Kenny Jay (Kenny Benkowski) (born 1937) – professional wrestler
 * Sue Jeffers – political activist, radio commentator, businessperson
 * Claudia Jennings (Mary Eileen Chesterton) (1949–1979) – model and actor
 * Mason Jennings (born 1975) – pop-folk singer-songwriter
 * Carl Jensen (1920–1988) – politician, attorney, veteran
 * Doron Jensen (born 1957) – businessperson
 * Jim Jensen (1926–1999) – sportswriter
 * Richard A. Jensen (1934–2014) – author
 * Diane Jergens (1935–2018) – actor
 * Herb Joesting (1905–1963) – college and professional football player
 * Bob Johnson (1931–1991) – hockey coach
 * Brad Johnson § (born 1968) – football player
 * Craig Johnson (born 1972) – hockey player
 * Dan Johnson (born 1979) – baseball player
 * Dean Johnson (born 1947) – politician
 * Dewey Johnson (1899–1941) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Earl V. Johnson (1913–1942) – aviator
 * Erik Johnson (born 1988) – hockey player
 * George W. Johnson (1894–1974) – politician and mayor of Duluth
 * Gordon Johnson (born 1952) – bass guitarist
 * Jellybean Johnson (Garry George Johnson) (born 1956) – songwriter, producer and musician
 * Jim Johnson (born 1962) – hockey player
 * John Albert Johnson (1861–1909) – 16th Governor of Minnesota
 * Josh Johnson (born 1984) – baseball player
 * Leon H. Johnson (1908–1969) – President of Montana State University
 * Magnus Johnson § (1871–1936) – U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
 * Marcus Johnson (born 1981) – football player
 * Mark Johnson (born 1957) – hockey player
 * Mark Steven Johnson (born 1964) – director and screenwriter, Ghost Rider, Daredevil
 * Marlene Johnson (born 1946) – 42nd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Paul Johnson (1936–2016) – hockey player
 * Reynold B. Johnson (1906–1998) – inventor and computer pioneer
 * Ron Johnson – U.S. Senator for Wisconsin
 * Scott W. Johnson (born 1940) – lawyer, blogger
 * Spencer Johnson – football player
 * Tyler Johnson (born 1998) – football player
 * Lance Johnstone (born 1973) – football player
 * Frederick McKinley Jones (1893–1961) – inventor, cofounder of Thermo King
 * Jacques Jones (born 1975) – baseball player
 * Ray W. Jones – 16th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Tre Jones – NBA basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs
 * Tyus Jones (born 1996) – NBA basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies
 * Bennie Joppru (born 1980) – football player
 * Cameron Jordan (born 1989) – football player
 * Steve Jordan § (born 1961) – football player
 * Carl O. Jorgenson (1881–1951) – politician
 * Bradley Joseph (born 1965) – composer, pianist, keyboardist
 * Walter Judd § (1898–1994) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Jerry Juhl (1938–2005) – television and movie writer, puppeteer
 * Dan Jurgens (born 1959) – writer and illustrator

K

 * Jim Kaat (born 1938) – baseball player
 * Dory Kahalé (born 1971) – electronic musician and DJ
 * Timothy M. Kaine (born 1958) – United States Senator from Virginia (2013–), former Governor of Virginia (2006–2010)
 * John Anthony Kaiser (1932–2000) – Roman Catholic priest killed in Kenya
 * Henry Kalis (1937–2018) – politician, farmer, veteran
 * Rick Kamla – NBA TV broadcaster
 * Joe Kapp (born 1939) – football player
 * Rich Karlis (born 1959) – football player
 * Joseph Karth (1922–2005) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Vincent Kartheiser (born 1979) – actor
 * Terry Katzman (1955–2019) – producer, sound engineer, archivist, record-store owner
 * Evan Kaufmann (born 1984) – professional ice hockey player in Germany
 * Maude Kegg (Ojibwa name Naawakamigookwe) (1904–1996) – writer, folk artist, and cultural interpreter
 * Tim Kehoe (born 1970) – inventor and author
 * Garrison Keillor (born 1942) – radio humorist and author (A Prairie Home Companion)
 * Alexander M. Keith (1928–2020) – judge, politician; 37th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * James "J.R." Keller (1907–1972) – politician, farmer, contractor
 * Melissa Keller (born 1979) – model and actress
 * Oscar Keller (1878–1927) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Rachel Keller (born 1991) – actress, Fargo
 * Wade Keller – columnist
 * Devin Kelley – actress, The Chicago Code
 * John Edward Kelley § (1853–1941) – South Dakota politician
 * Steve Kelley (born 1953) – politician
 * Frank Kellogg § (1856–1937) – U.S. Senator, U.S. Secretary of State, Kellogg-Briand Pact
 * Randy Kelly (born 1950) – politician
 * Tom Kelly (born 1950) – baseball coach
 * Linda Kelsey (born 1946) – actor
 * Mark Kennedy (born 1957) – former member of U.S. Congress
 * Elizabeth Kenny § (1880–1952) – nurse, discovered revolutionary treatment for polio
 * George Keogan (1890–1943) – basketball coach
 * Ancel Keys (1904–2004) – nutritionist
 * Leonard Kibrick (1924–1993) – child actor
 * Sidney Kibrick (born 1928) – child actor
 * Jefferson P. Kidder § (1815–1883) – lawyer and jurist
 * Dana Kiecker (born 1961) – baseball player
 * Andrew Kiefer § (1832–1904) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Eddie Kienholz (1889–1974) – college football, basketball, and baseball coach
 * Mary Kiffmeyer (born 1946) – Minnesota Secretary of State
 * Craig Kilborn (born 1962) – television personality
 * John N. Kildahl (1857–1920) – Lutheran church minister, author and educator
 * Harmon Killebrew § (1936–2011) – baseball player
 * Ward Kimball (1914–2002) – animator, musician
 * Charles Kimbrough (born 1936) – actor
 * William S. King § (1828–1900) – member of U.S. Congress
 * William W. Kingsbury § (1828–1892) – politician
 * Sheila Kiscaden – politician
 * Jeremy James Kissner (born 1985) – actor
 * Norman Kittson § (1814–1888) – businessperson, politician
 * Trent Klatt (born 1971) – hockey player
 * Kurt Kleinendorst (born 1960) – hockey coach
 * Scot Kleinendorst (1960–2019) – hockey player
 * Jim Kleinsasser § (born 1977) – football player
 * John Kline § (born 1947) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Amy Klobuchar (born 1960) – U.S. Senator
 * Chuck Klosterman (born 1972) – writer
 * Chris Kluwe § (born 1981) – football player
 * T. R. Knight (born 1973) – actor
 * Chuck Knoblauch § (born 1968) – baseball player
 * Chris Knutson – stand-up comedian
 * Coya Knutson § (1912–1996) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Harold Knutson § (1880–1953) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Paul Koering (born 1964) – politician; rare openly gay Republican
 * Spider John Koerner (born 1938) – musician
 * Nikita Koloff (born 1959) – professional wrestler
 * Jerry Koosman (born 1942) – baseball player
 * Charlie Korsmo § (born 1978) – actor
 * Corey Koskie § (born 1973) – baseball player
 * Kristina Koznick – downhill skier, Olympian
 * Tommy Kramer § (born 1955) – football player
 * Herbert Arthur Krause (1905–1976) – American historian
 * Paul Krause § (born 1942) – football player
 * Peter Krause (born 1965) – actor
 * Richard E. Kraus § (1925–1944) – sailor
 * Mitch Krebs – anchor
 * Joan B. Kroc (1928–2003) – philanthropist
 * Pat Kronebusch (1927–2004) – politician, educator
 * Helen Barbara Kruger (1913–2006) – entrepreneur
 * Kris Kuehl (born 1970) – Olympian and discus thrower
 * Robert T. Kuhn (born 1937) – Lutheran minister
 * Bernie Kukar – National Football League referee
 * William F. Kunze (1872–1962) – banker, politician
 * Tom Kurvers (1962–2021) – hockey player
 * Ole J. Kvale § (1869–1929) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Paul John Kvale § (1896–1940) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Ben Kyle § (born 1981) – musician, songwriter

L

 * James D. La Belle (1924–1945) – sailor
 * Manuel Lagos (born 1971) – soccer player
 * Ann Landers (1918–2002) – columnist for Minneapolis Star Tribune; birth name Eppie Lederer
 * Lenny Lane (born 1970) – professional wrestler
 * Odin Langen (1913–1976) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Jessica Lange (born 1949) – actor
 * Jim Lange (1932–2014) – television host
 * Jamie Langenbrunner (born 1975) – hockey player
 * Josh Langfeld (born 1977) – hockey player
 * Katherine Lanpher (born 1959) – radio personality, journalist
 * Gene Larkin (born 1962) – baseball player
 * Erik Larsen (born 1962) – comic-book writer, artist, and publisher
 * Gary Larsen (born 1942) – football player
 * Emily Larson (born 1973) – American politician and former mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
 * Oscar Larson § (1871–1957) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Reed Larson (born 1956) – hockey player
 * George Latimer § (born 1935) – politician
 * Roger Laufenburger (1921–2001) – politician, radio announcer, insurance agent
 * Tom Laughlin (1931–2013) – actor
 * James Laurinaitis (born 1986) – football player
 * Trevor Laws § (born 1985) – football player
 * Matt Lawton § (born 1971) – baseball player
 * Bernie Leadon (born 1947) – musician
 * Carrie Lee – beauty queen
 * Carl Lee – football player
 * Tammy Lee (born 1971) – businessperson and politician
 * Pinky Lee (1907–1993) – actor and star of The Pinky Lee Show
 * Sunisa Lee (born 2003) – Olympic gold medalist
 * James LeGros (born 1962) – actor
 * Tom Lehman (born 1959) – golfer
 * John D. LeMay (born 1962) – actor
 * Greg LeMond (born 1961) – Tour de France winner
 * Brock Lesnar § (born 1977) – professional wrestler, folkstyle wrestler, and UFC fighter
 * Meridel Le Sueur § (1900–1996) – writer
 * Jon Leuer (born 1989) – basketball player for the Detroit Pistons
 * Harold LeVander § (1910–1992) – 32nd Governor of Minnesota
 * David Levin – singer-songwriter
 * Mark LeVoir (born 1982) – offensive tackle for the New England Patriots
 * Len Levy (1921–1999) – football player and professional wrestler
 * Bob Lewis (1924–2006) – businessperson, champion race horse owner
 * Sinclair Lewis (1885–1951) – Nobel Prize-winning novelist
 * Terry Lewis § (born 1956) – songwriter, co-founder of Flyte Tyme Productions
 * Walter Liggett (1886–1935) – journalist, newspaper editor
 * C. Walton Lillehei (1918–1999) – doctor who performed first open heart surgery
 * John Lind § (1854–1930) – 14th Governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
 * Bruce Lindahl (1919–2014) – Minnesota legislator
 * Terrance Lindall (born 1944) – artist
 * Mike Lindell (born 1961) – My Pillow inventor and advisor to President Trump
 * Charles August Lindbergh, Sr. § (1859–1924) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Charles Lindbergh § (1902–1974) – aviator, first non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean
 * Gottfrid Lindsten 29th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Chris Liwienski – football player
 * Charles M. Loring (1833–1922) – Minneapolis businessman, civic leader, "Father of Park System"
 * Maud Hart Lovelace (1892–1980) – author
 * Kirk Lowdermilk – football player
 * Cal Ludeman (born 1951) – politician, state commissioner, farmer
 * Ernest Lundeen § (1878–1940) – U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
 * Bob Lurtsema – football player
 * Bill Luther (born 1945) – member of U.S. Congress
 * David Lykken (1928–2006) – behavioral geneticist and Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Psychiatry
 * Joseph Lykken (born 1957) – physicist
 * Dorothy Lyman (born 1947) – actor, director, and producer
 * Kelly Lynch (born 1959) – actor
 * Reggie Lynch (born 1994) – basketball player for Bnei Herzliya of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
 * Audra Lynn (born 1980) – model and actor
 * Jerry Lynn (born 1963) – professional wrestler

M

 * Melvin Maas (1898–1964) – member of U.S. Congress
 * John L. MacDonald § (1838–1903) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Clark MacGregor (1922–2003) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Mary Mack § (born 1975) – stand-up comedian
 * Catharine MacKinnon (born 1946) – legal scholar
 * George MacKinnon (1906–1995) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Cornell MacNeil – singer
 * Myles Mace (1911–2000) – Harvard Business School professor
 * Shane Mack § (born 1963) – baseball player
 * John Madden (1936–2021) – football coach and commentator
 * Chris Maddock – stand-up comedian
 * Amos Magee (born 1971) – soccer player, coach, and front office
 * Clarence R. Magney (1883–1962) – judge and mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
 * Warren G. Magnuson (1905–1989) – politician
 * Tom Malchow (born 1976) – swimmer
 * Mark Mallman (born 1973) – musician
 * George Mann (1918–1984) – politician, farmer
 * Paul Manship (1885–1966) – sculptor
 * John Mariucci (1916–1987) – hockey coach
 * Roger Maris (1934–1985) – baseball player
 * Sharon Marko – politician
 * June Marlowe (1903–1984) – actor
 * Kelli Maroney – actress, Ryan's Hope, One Life to Live
 * Forrest Mars, Sr. (1904–1999) – CEO, Mars, Inc., creator of M&M's
 * Frank Mars (1883–1934) – founder of Mars, Inc., creator of Milky Way candy bar
 * E. G. Marshall (1914–1998) – actor
 * Fred Marshall (1906–1985) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Jim Marshall § (born 1937) – football player
 * William Rainey Marshall § (1825–1896) – 5th Governor of Minnesota
 * Theodore Marston (1868–1920) – film director and writer
 * Billy Martin § (1928–1989) – baseball coach
 * Homer Dodge Martin § (1836–1897) – painter
 * Paul Martin (born 1981) – hockey player
 * James Martinez (born 1958) – Olympic bronze medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling
 * John Marty – politician
 * Brownie Mary (Mary Jane Rathbun) (1922–1999) – baker
 * Bob Mason (born 1961) – hockey player
 * Shirley Ardell Mason (1923–1998) – abuse victim
 * Tommy Mason (1939–2015) – football player
 * Bethanie Mattek-Sands (born 1985) – professional tennis-player
 * Mark Mattson (born 1957) – neuroscientist
 * Gene Mauch § (1925–2005) – baseball manager
 * Joe Mauer (born 1983) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
 * John Mayasich (born 1933) – hockey player
 * Wendy Maybury – stand-up comedian
 * Charles Horace Mayo (1865–1939) – doctor, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic
 * William J. Mayo (1861–1939) – doctor, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic
 * William Worrall Mayo § (1819–1911) – doctor, head of St. Mary's Hospital
 * Joe Mays (born 1975) – baseball player
 * Ryan McCartan (born 1993) – actor
 * Eugene McCarthy (1916–2005) – U.S. Senator; presidential candidate; member of U.S. Congress
 * Kevin McCarthy (1914–2010) – actor
 * James McCleary § (1853–1924) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Fancy Ray McCloney – stand-up comedian
 * Betty McCollum (born 1954) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Ed McDaniel – football player
 * Randall McDaniel (born 1964) – football player
 * James E. McDonald (1920–1971) – physicist
 * Denis McDonough (born 1969) – White House Chief of Staff
 * Heather McElhatton – writer, reporter, and radio host
 * Hugh McElhenny § (1928–2022) – football player
 * Margaret McFadden (1870–1932) – community leader
 * Bobby McFerrin § (born 1950) – jazz singer
 * Andrew Ryan McGill § (1840–1905) – 10th Governor of Minnesota
 * Kevin McHale (born 1957) – basketball player
 * Bethany McLean (born 1971) – author
 * John McMartin (1929–2016) – actor
 * Samuel J. R. McMillan § (1826–1897) – judge, U.S. Senator
 * Audray McMillian – football player
 * Lesley J. McNair (1883–1944) – soldier
 * Graham McNamee (1888–1942) – broadcaster
 * Dugan McNeill – guitarist
 * Pamela McNeill – singer-songwriter
 * Marcia McNutt – geophysicist, National Academy of Sciences president
 * Samuel Medary § (1801–1864) – politician, 3rd Governor of Minnesota Territory
 * Niko Medved (born 1973) – college basketball coach
 * Ralph Meeker (Ralph Rathgeber) (1920–1988) – actor
 * Mike Menning (born 1945) – politician, businessman, minister
 * William Rush Merriam § (1849–1931) – 11th Governor of Minnesota
 * Jeremy Messersmith § – musician
 * James Metzen (1943–2016) – politician
 * Breckin Meyer (born 1974) – actor
 * Ben Meyers (born 1998) - hockey player
 * Joe Micheletti (born 1954) – hockey player
 * Doug Mientkiewicz (born 1974) – baseball player
 * Boris Mikšić (born 1948) – Croatian-born businessman and politician
 * Keith Millard (born 1962) – football player
 * Archie H. Miller – 32nd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Clarence B. Miller (1872–1922) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Joey Miller (born 1985) – stock-car driver
 * Stephen Miller § (1816–1881) – 4th Governor of Minnesota
 * Worm Miller (born 1978) – writer, director, and actor
 * Kate Millett (1934–2017) – feminist and writer
 * Larry Millett (born 1947) – journalist and author
 * Tommy Milton (1893–1962) – race car driver
 * Don Mincher (1938–2012) – baseball player
 * David Minge (born 1942) – former member of U.S. Congress, state appeals court judge
 * William D. Mitchell (1874–1955) – U.S. Attorney General
 * Roger Moe (born 1944) – politician
 * Don Moen (born 1950) – worship leader and president of Hosanna! Music
 * Mother Alfred Moes § (1828–1899) – founder of St. Mary's Hospital
 * Paul Molitor (born 1956) – baseball player, manager
 * Carol Molnau (born 1949) – 46th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Dorothy Molter (1907–1986) – entrepreneur
 * Eleanor Mondale (1960–2011) – television host, daughter of Walter Mondale
 * Joan Mondale § (1930–2014) – second lady of the United States
 * Walter Mondale (1928–2021) – Vice President of the United States, U.S. Senator
 * Robert Mondavi (1913–2008) – winemaker
 * Warren Moon (born 1956) – football player
 * Freddy Moore (born 1950) – songwriter
 * Mewelde Moore (born 1982) – football player
 * Tom Moore (born 1938) – senior offensive assistant for the Indianapolis Colts
 * Mike Morin (born 1991) – baseball player
 * Jack Morris (born 1955) – baseball player
 * Robert P. Morris § (1853–1924) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Dorilus Morrison § (1814–1898) – politician
 * Greg Mortenson – activist
 * Marnie Mosiman – actor, singer
 * Randy Moss § (born 1977) – football player
 * Mee Moua § (born 1969) – politician
 * Bob Mould § (born 1960) – musician
 * John Edward Mower § (1815–1879) – businessperson, politician
 * Karl Mueller (1963–2005) – musician
 * Peter Mueller (born 1988) – hockey player
 * Mark Mullaney – football player
 * Biggie Munn (1908–1975) – football player and coach
 * Adolph Murie (1899–1974) – biologist, author
 * Diana E. Murphy (1934–2018) – judge
 * Willie Murphy (1943–2019) – musician
 * Rick Mystrom – politician

N

 * Arthur Naftalin § (1917–2005) – politician
 * Ellen Torelle Nagler (1870–1965) – biologist, non-fiction writer
 * Bronko Nagurski § (1908–1990) – football player, professional wrestler
 * Peter Najarian § (born 1963) – options trader, television personality for CNBC
 * Joe Nathan (born 1974) – baseball player
 * Noel Neill (1920–2016) – actor
 * LeRoy Neiman (1921–2012) – sports artist
 * Ancher Nelsen (1904–1992) – 34th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
 * Arthur E. Nelson (1892–1955) – U.S. Senator
 * Cindy Nelson (born 1955) – alpine skier
 * Darrin Nelson (born 1959) – football player
 * Edor Nelson (1914–2014) – baseball, football, wrestling, and hockey coach at Augsburg University
 * Ken G. Nelson (born 1936) – former Minnesota state representative
 * George Nelson § (born 1950) – astronaut
 * Holly Nelson – poet, politician
 * Knute Nelson § (1843–1923) – 12th Governor of Minnesota; U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
 * Roy Nelson (1905–1956) – cartoonist
 * Steve Nelson (born 1951) – football player for the New England Patriots
 * Pat Neshek § (born 1980) – relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
 * Don Ness (born 1974) – politician and former mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
 * Tom Netherton (1947–2018) – singer
 * Graig Nettles § (born 1944) – baseball player
 * Ernie Nevers (1902–1976) – Hall of Fame football player
 * Walter Newton (1880–1941) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Joseph Nicollet § (1786–1843) – explorer
 * Tom Niedenfuer (born 1959) – baseball player
 * Matt Niskanen (born 1986) – hockey player
 * Richard Nolan (born 1943) – member of U.S. Congress
 * William I. Nolan (1874–1943) – 24th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
 * Gena Lee Nolin (born 1971) – actress and model, Baywatch, Sheena
 * John Nord (born 1959) – professional wrestler
 * Jeff Nordgaard (born 1973) – basketball player
 * Michele Norris – radio journalist
 * William Norris § (1911–2006) – CEO Control Data
 * Lauris Norstad (1907–1988) – general, commander of NATO forces
 * Daniel S. Norton § (1829–1870) – U.S. Senator
 * Eunice Norton (1908–2005) – pianist
 * Greg Norton (born 1959) – musician, chef
 * Scott Norton (born 1961) – professional wrestler
 * Frank Nye § (1852–1935) – member of U.S. Congress

O

 * Tim O'Brien (born 1946) – author
 * Mac O'Grady (born 1951) – golfer
 * Joseph P. O'Hara (1895–1975) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Michael O'Leary (born 1958) – actor
 * Jim Oberstar (1934–2014) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Tim Ocel – director
 * Willie Offord (born 1978) – football player
 * "Mean Gene" Okerlund (1942–2019) – professional wrestling interviewer and announcer
 * Kyle Okposo (born 1988) – hockey player
 * Tony Oliva § (born 1938) – baseball player
 * Alec G. Olson (born 1930) – member of U.S. Congress; 40th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Earl B. Olson (1915–2006) – founder of the Jennie-O Turkey company
 * Floyd B. Olson (1891–1936) – 22nd Governor of Minnesota
 * Greg Olson (born 1960) – baseball player
 * Howard Olson (1937–1996) – politician, farmer
 * John Olson (1906–1981) – politician, farmer
 * Katy Olson (1928–2011) – politician, farmer
 * Kenneth L. Olson (1945–1968) – Vietnam War veteran
 * Mark Olson (1943–2018) – member of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve
 * Sigurd Olson (1899–1982) – environmentalist
 * Ilhan Omar § – politician
 * Norman J. Ornstein – political scientist
 * Dave Osborn – football player
 * T. J. Oshie § – hockey player
 * Laura Osnes (born 1985) – actor, singer
 * Peter Ostroushko (1953–2021) – violinist
 * Rebecca Otto (born 1963) – politician, 18th state auditor

P

 * Alan Page § (born 1945) – football player and Minnesota Supreme Court justice
 * John U. D. Page (1903–1950) – soldier
 * Doug Pagitt – religion author
 * Floyd Palmer (born 1943) – businessperson
 * Carl Panzram (1891–1930) – serial killer, author
 * George Andreas Papandreou (born 1952) – Greek politician
 * Bob Paradise (born 1944) – hockey player
 * Alex Pareene – editor-in-chief of Gawker
 * Zach Parise (born 1984) – hockey player
 * Robert Ezra Park § (1864–1944) – urban sociologist
 * Bradford Parkinson (born 1935) – father of the Global Positioning System
 * Gordon Parks § (1912–2006) – photographer
 * Emory Parnell (1892–1979) – actor
 * Nancy Parsons (1942–2001) – actor
 * Camilo Pascual (born 1934) – baseball player
 * Brandon Paulson (born 1973) – Olympic silver medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling
 * Gary Paulsen (born 1939) – author
 * Jeno Paulucci – founder of Jeno's Frozen Pizza, Chun King Corporation, and Luigino's
 * Mary Pawlenty – judge, first lady of the state
 * Tim Pawlenty (born 1960) – 39th Governor of Minnesota
 * Barbara Payton (1927–1967) – actor
 * Pat Peake (born 1973) – hockey player
 * Westbrook Pegler (1894–1969) – journalist and writer
 * Mary Jo Pehl – actor, broadcaster, and writer
 * Tim Penny (born 1951) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Glen Perkins (born 1983) – baseball player
 * Rudy Perpich (1928–1995) – 34th and 36th Governor of Minnesota; 39th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Jim Perry § (born 1935) – baseball player
 * Melissa Peterman (born 1970) – actor
 * Christian T. Petersen – board game designer and founder of Fantasy Flight Games
 * Hjalmar Petersen § (1890–1968) – 23rd Governor of Minnesota; 28th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Aaron Peterson – politician
 * Barbara Peterson – Miss USA 1976
 * Collin Peterson (born 1944) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Darrel Peterson (1939–1994) – politician, farmer
 * Paul Peterson (St. Paul) – musician
 * Wayne Peterson (1925–2021) – composer, Pulitzer Prize winner
 * Jake Petricka (born 1988) – baseball player
 * Anna Augusta Von Helmholtz-Phelan – professor, author
 * William Wallace Phelps § (1826–1873) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Reynold Philipsek (born 1952) – musician
 * Arthur Phillips (born 1969) – author
 * Don Piccard (1926–2020) – balloonist
 * Jean Piccard § (1884–1963) – organic chemist, balloonist
 * Jeannette Piccard § (1895–1981) – teacher, balloonist, priest
 * Justin Pierre (born 1976) – musician
 * Janelle Pierzina (born 1980) – actor, model
 * Bernard Pietenpol (1901–1984) – mechanic, aircraft designer
 * Zebulon Montgomery Pike § (1779–1813) – explorer
 * John S. Pillsbury § (1828–1901) – founder of Pillsbury, 8th Governor of Minnesota
 * Chellie Pingree (born 1955) – politician
 * Robert M. Pirsig § (1928–2017) – author, philosopher
 * William Pittenger § (1885–1951) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Mike Ploog (born 1942) – storyboard and comic-book artist
 * Henry Stanley Plummer (1874–1937) – physician
 * Mortimer Plumtree (born 1969) – former actor and professional wrestling manager
 * Shjon Podein (born 1968) – hockey player
 * Henry Poehler § (1833–1912) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Carl Pohlad § (1915–2009) – billionaire, baseball owner and philanthropist
 * Joe Polo (born 1982) – curler and Olympic bronze medalist
 * Olivia Poole (1889–1975) – inventor
 * P.O.S – rapper
 * Vic Power § (1927–2005) – baseball player
 * Chris Pratt (born 1979) – actor, Everwood, Parks and Recreation
 * Tom Preissing § (born 1978) – hockey player
 * Amber Preston § – stand-up comedian
 * Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus § (1883–1961) – 20th Governor of Minnesota
 * Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus II (1920–1994) – Lutheran minister
 * Prince (full name Prince Rogers Nelson) (1958–2016) – singer-songwriter, actor, composer
 * Pat Proft (born 1947) – comedy writer and actor
 * Joel Przybilla (born 1979) – basketball player
 * Kirby Puckett § (1960–2006) – Baseball Hall of Famer
 * George Putnam (1914–2008) – television host
 * Herbert Putnam § (1861–1955) – Librarian of Congress
 * William S. Pye (1880–1959) – Admiral, U.S. Navy

Q

 * Becky Quick (born 1972) – co-anchorwoman of CNBC's Squawk Box
 * Al Quie (1923–2023) – 35th Governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
 * Frank Quilici § (1939–2018) – baseball player
 * Robb Quinlan (born 1977) – baseball player

R

 * Brian Raabe (born 1967) – baseball player
 * Brad Radke (born 1972) – baseball player
 * Pedro Ramos (born 1935) – baseball player
 * Alexander Ramsey § (1815–1903) – 2nd Governor of Minnesota; U.S. Senator
 * Jim Ramstad § (1946–2020) – member of U.S. Congress
 * John Randle (born 1967) – football player
 * Ralph Rapson § (1914–2008) – architect
 * Baron von Raschke § (born 1940) – professional wrestler
 * Ahmad Rashad (born 1949) – football player
 * Erik Rasmussen (born 1977) – hockey player
 * Edwin W. Rawlings (1904–1997) – chief executive officer, General Mills; USAF General (Ret.)
 * Dave "Snaker" Ray (1943–2002) – musician
 * Jeff Reardon (born 1955) – baseball player
 * Harry Reasoner § (1923–1991) – television journalist
 * Jake Reed (born 1967) – football player
 * Oscar Reed – football player
 * Rich Reese (born 1941) – baseball player
 * Olli Rehn (born 1962) – European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy
 * Ember Reichgott Junge – attorney, radio host, and politician
 * Roger Reinert (born 1970) – American politician and mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
 * Chris Reitsma (born 1977) – baseball player
 * Earl Renneke (1928–2021) – politician, farmer
 * Rip Repulski (1927–1993) – baseball player
 * Michael Restovich (born 1979) – baseball player
 * Patrick Reusse – sports writer
 * Brad Rheingans (born 1953) – former professional wrestler and amateur wrestler; Greco-Roman wrestler for USA at two Olympic Games
 * Albert E. Rice (1845–1921) – banker, newspaperman, legislator, and the 10th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Edmund Rice § (1819–1889) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Henry Mower Rice § (1816–1894) – U.S. Senator
 * Todd Richards – head coach of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets
 * Kaylin Richardson – downhill skier, Olympian, Nor-Am Champion, US National Champion, World Champion
 * William B. Richardson – acting Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota (1936–1937)
 * Nate Richert (born 1978) – actor
 * Carl W. Riddick (1872–1960) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Beth Riesgraf (born 1978) – actress
 * Martha Ripley § (1843–1912) – physician; founder, Maternity Hospital in Minneapolis
 * Mark Ritchie (born 1951) – Minnesota Secretary of State
 * Laila Robins (born 1959) – actress
 * Jay Robinson (born 1946) – Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler and former University of Minnesota wrestling coach
 * Koren Robinson – football player
 * Marcus Robinson (born 1975) – football player
 * Robyne Robinson – newscaster
 * Stacy Robinson – football player
 * Svend Robinson (born 1952) – Canadian politician
 * Rafael Rodriguez – boxer
 * Brian Rogowski (born 1970) – professional wrestler
 * Todd Rohloff (born 1974) – hockey player
 * Rich Rollins (born 1938) – baseball player
 * Karl Rolvaag (1913–1990) – 31st Governor of Minnesota; 36th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Ole Rolvaag § (1876–1931) – novelist
 * Richard Rood (1958–1999) – professional wrestler, best known by his ringname "Ravishing" Rick Rude
 * Mike Rosenthal – football player
 * Marion Ross (born 1928) – actor
 * Coleen Rowley (born 1954) – former FBI agent and whistleblower; candidate for Congress in the 2nd District of Minnesota
 * Dwayne Rudd (born 1976) – football player
 * Donald Eugene Rudolph, Sr. (c. 1921–2006) – soldier
 * Howard Wads Rundquist (1901–1985) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
 * Jane Russell (1921–2011) – film actress
 * Elmer Ryan (1907–1958) – member of U.S. Congress
 * R. T. Rybak (born 1955) – politician, newspaper editor
 * Winona Ryder (born 1971) – actor

S

 * Dwight M. Sabin § (1843–1902) – U.S. Senator
 * Martin Olav Sabo § (1938–2016) – former member of U.S. Congress
 * Saint Dog (Steven Thronson) – rapper from Chisholm, Minnesota; member of the hip-hop group Kottonmouth Kings
 * Harrison Salisbury (1908–1993) – journalist
 * Zak Sally – musician
 * Ralph Samuelson (1903–1977) – inventor of water skiing, first water-ski jumper and speed skier
 * John B. Sanborn (1826–1904) – Union Army General, state legislator
 * John B. Sanborn Jr. (1883–1964) – Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge
 * Michael J. Sandel (born 1953) – political philosopher, Harvard professor
 * Charlie Sanders (born 1979) – actor
 * Tony Sanneh (born 1971) – soccer player
 * Johan Santana (born 1979) – baseball player
 * Gary Sargent (born 1954) – hockey player
 * Gloria Sawai (Gloria Ruth Ostrem) (1932–2011) – author of fiction
 * Thomas D. Schall § (1878–1935) – U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
 * Dan Schlissel § (born 1970) – record producer, founder of Stand Up! Records and -ismist Recordings
 * Bruce Schneier (born 1963) – founder and chief technology officer, Counterpane Internet Security
 * Henry Schoolcraft § (1793–1864) – explorer
 * Charles M. Schulz (1922–2000) – cartoonist
 * Richard M. Schulze (born 1940) – founder and chairman, Best Buy
 * Mae Schunk § (born 1934) – 45th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Kathryn Leigh Scott (Kathryn Kringstad) (born 1945) – author, actor
 * Seann William Scott (born 1976) – actor
 * Todd Scott – football player
 * Briana Scurry (born 1971) – soccer player
 * Richard Warren Sears (1863–1914) – co-founder, Sears, Roebuck and Company
 * Mitch Seavey – dog musher
 * Jerry Seeman – NFL referee and Director of Officiating
 * Robert Seguso (born 1963) – tennis player
 * Aaron Sele (born 1970) – baseball player
 * Conrad Selvig (1877–1953) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Lyle Sendlein (born 1984) – football player
 * Joe Senser – football player
 * Marty Sertich (born 1982) – hockey player
 * Brian Setzer § – musician
 * Eric Sevareid § (1912–1992) – television journalist
 * Stephen Shadegg (1909–1990) – political consultant in Phoenix, Arizona; born in Minneapolis
 * Kyle Shanahan (born 1979) – football coach
 * Eddie Sharkey – wrestling coach
 * Darren Sharper (born 1975) – football player
 * Clark Shaughnessy (1892–1970) – football coach
 * Sam Shepard – actor and playwright; lived in Stillwater, Minnesota, with partner Jessica Lange
 * Marcus Sherels – football player
 * Sean Sherk (born 1973) – mixed martial artist and former UFC Lightweight Champion
 * Charles D. Sherwood – 4th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * James Shields § (1810–1879) – U.S. Senator
 * Henrik Shipstead (1881–1960) – U.S. Senator
 * Francis Shoemaker (1889–1958) – member of U.S. Congress
 * BeBe Shopp (born 1930) – Miss America 1948
 * Bob Short (1917–1982) – owner of sports teams and politician
 * Henry Hastings Sibley § (1811–1891) – first Governor of Minnesota
 * Christopher Sieber (born 1969) – actor
 * Dick Siebert § (1912–1978) – college baseball coach
 * Gerry Sikorski (born 1948) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Clifford D. Simak § (1904–1988) – science-fiction writer
 * Richard Simmons (1913–2003) – actor
 * George Sitts – convicted murderer
 * Slug (born 1973) – rapper
 * Roy Smalley § (born 1952) – baseball player
 * Jack Smight (1925–2003) – film director
 * Bruce Smith (1920–1967) – football player; winner, Heisman Trophy
 * Chad Smith (born 1961) – drummer, Red Hot Chili Peppers
 * Craig Smith (born 1974) – college basketball coach
 * Edward Everett Smith – 18th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * George Ross Smith (1864–1952) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Larry H. Smith (1939–2002) – hockey player
 * Lyndon Ambrose Smith – 15th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Onterrio Smith § (born 1980) – football player
 * Phillips Waller Smith (1906–1963) – U.S. Air Force Major General
 * Raonall Smith (born 1978) – football player
 * Regan Smith § (born 2002) – Olympic swimmer
 * Robert Smith § (born 1972) – football player
 * Wyatt Smith (born 1977) – hockey player
 * Fred Smoot § (born 1979) – football player
 * Josiah Snelling § (1782–1828) – first commander of Fort Snelling
 * Samuel Snider § (1845–1928) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Samuel F. Snively § (1859–1952) – longest-serving mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
 * Zach Sobiech (1995–2013) – musician
 * Ben Sobieski (born 1979) – football player
 * Konrad K. Solberg – 27th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Kathleen Soliah § (born 1947) – member of the Symbionese Liberation Army
 * Gordon Solie (Francis Jonard Labiak) (1929–2000) – wrestling announcer
 * Sammy Solis – baseball player
 * Jesse Solomon – football player
 * Spenser J. Somers § (1972–1990) – author
 * Rich Sommer § (born 1978) – actor
 * Stephen Sommers § (born 1962) – director
 * Gale Sondergaard (1899–1985) – Academy Award-winning actress (1936)
 * John Sontag (1861–1893) – outlaw, born in Mankato
 * Kevin Sorbo (born 1958) – actor
 * Richard K. Sorenson (1924–2004) – sailor
 * Alec Soth (born 1969) – photographer
 * Ann Sothern § (1909–2001) – actress
 * Matt Spaeth – football player
 * Allan Spear § (1937–2008) – state legislator and president of the Minnesota Senate
 * LaVyrle Spencer – romance novelist
 * Lili St. Cyr (Willis Marie Van Schaack) (1918–1999) – ecdysiast
 * Paul St. Peter (also known as George C. Cole and Francis C. Cole) (born 1958) – voice actor
 * Joan Staley (1940–2019) – actor
 * Arlan Stangeland § (1930–2013) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Maurice Stans (1908–1998) – U.S. secretary of commerce
 * Frank Starkey (1892–1968) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Harold Stassen (1907–2001) – 25th Governor of Minnesota
 * Ozora P. Stearns § (1831–1896) – U.S. Senator
 * Franklin Steele § (1813–1880) – early settler of St. Anthony, Minnesota
 * Halvor Steenerson § (1852–1926) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Andy Steensma (born 1942) – farmer, mayor, politician
 * Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper (born 1963) – astronaut
 * Will Steger (born 1944) – polar explorer
 * Terry Steinbach (born 1962) – Major League Baseball player
 * Helen Stenborg (1925–2011) – actor
 * Phil Sterner (born 1960) – politician
 * Cliff Sterrett – cartoonist
 * Todd Steussie – football player
 * Frederick Stevens § (1861–1923) – member of U.S. Congress
 * John H. Stevens – § (1820–1900) first civilian (non-indigenous) resident of Minneapolis
 * Gable Steveson (born 2000) – wrestler for the University of Minnesota, 2020 Summer Olympics gold medalist in men's freestyle 125 kg
 * Jacob H. Stewart § (1829–1884) – member of U.S. Congress


 * Kenny Stills (born 1992) – wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins
 * Bob Stinson (Robert Neil Stinson) (1959–1995) – musician
 * Tommy Stinson (born 1966) – musician
 * Carl Stockdale (1874–1953) – actor
 * Cal Stoll (1923–2000) – former coach, Wake Forest, University of Minnesota football
 * Erik Stolhanske (born 1968) – comedian
 * Horace B. Strait § (1835–1894) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Korey Stringer § (1974–2001) – football player
 * Eric Strobel (born 1958) – hockey player; 1980 Miracle on Ice hockey team member
 * Chris Strouth (born 1968) – musician, producer, writer and filmmaker
 * Mike Stuart (born 1980) – hockey player
 * Scott Studwell – football player
 * John Stumpf – chairman and chief executive officer, Wells Fargo
 * Terrell Suggs – football player
 * George H. Sullivan – 21st Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Clinton Sundberg – actor
 * Milt Sunde – football player
 * David C. Sutherland III (1949–2005) – Dungeons & Dragons artist
 * Steve Sviggum – politician
 * Curt Swan (1920–1996) – comic book artist
 * Lori Swanson (born 1966) – Minnesota Attorney General
 * Nick Swardson (born 1977) – stand-up comedian, actor
 * Henry Adoniram Swift § (1823–1869) – 3rd Governor of Minnesota and 3rd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * William Irvin Swoope § (1862–1930) – lawyer and politician
 * John Szarkowski (1925–2007) – photographer, historian, director of photography for Museum of Modern Art

T

 * Taoyateduta (c. 1810–1863) – chief of the Mdewakanton Sioux tribe
 * Kevin Tapani § (born 1964) – baseball player
 * Thomas Tapeh § (born 1980) – football player
 * Fran Tarkenton § (born 1940) – football player
 * A. J. Tarpley (born 1992) – football player
 * John Tate (1925–2019) – mathematician; winner, Wolf Prize in Mathematics and the Abel Prize
 * James Albertus Tawney § (1855–1919) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Glen Taylor – businessperson
 * Travis Taylor § (born 1978) – football player
 * Maureen Teefy (born 1953) – musical-theatre vocalist and actor
 * Henry Teigan § (1881–1941) – politician
 * Wayne Terwilliger § (1925–2021) – baseball coach
 * Adam Thielen (born 1990) – football player
 * Dontarrious Thomas § (born 1980) – football player
 * George Thomas (born 1937) – baseball player
 * Henry Thomas § (born 1965) – football player
 * John Thomas (born 1975) – basketball player
 * Butch Thompson (born 1943) – jazz pianist and clarinetist
 * Lea Thompson (born 1961) – actor, dancer
 * Stew Thornley (born 1955) – author of books on sports history
 * Edward John Thye § (1896–1969) – 26th Governor of Minnesota; 31st Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota; U.S. Senator
 * Steve Tibbetts § (born 1954) – guitarist
 * Mike Tice § (born 1959) – football coach
 * Cheryl Tiegs (born 1947) – model
 * Mick Tingelhoff § (born 1940) – football player
 * Tiny Tim (Herbert Buckingham Khaury) § (1932–1996) – musician
 * Lio Tipton (born 1988) – third place, America's Next Top Model Cycle 11
 * Mike Todd (1909–1958) – movie producer
 * Carrie Tollefson (born 1977) – Olympian and runner
 * César Tovar § (1940–1994) – baseball player
 * Charles A. Towne (1858–1928) – U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
 * A. C. Townley § (1880–1959) – socialist
 * Jayne Trcka – bodybuilder and actress
 * Martin Edward Trench (1869–1927) – sailor, politician
 * Ian Truitner (born 1972) – filmmaker, entrepreneur
 * Billy Turner (born 1991) – football player
 * Taylor Twellman (born 1980) – professional soccer player
 * Anne Tyler (born 1941) – novelist

U

 * Kenechi Udeze § (born 1983) – football player
 * Brenda Ueland (1891–1985) – journalist
 * Lenore Ulric (1892–1970) – actor
 * Bob Ulrich (born 1944) – businessperson
 * Jay Underwood (born 1968) – actor
 * Jordis Unga § (born 1982) – singer
 * Anne Ursu – journalist, novelist, blogger

V

 * John Vachon (1914–1975) – photographer
 * Norm Van Brocklin § (1926–1983) – NFL quarterback and Minnesota Vikings coach
 * Carl Van Dyke (1881–1919) – member of U.S. Congress
 * John Van Dyke § (1807–1878) – politician
 * Samuel Rinnah Van Sant § (1844–1936) – 15th Governor of Minnesota
 * Shantel VanSanten (born 1985) – actress, model, One Tree Hill
 * Sofia Vassilieva (born 1992) – child actor
 * Vince Vaughn (born 1970) – actor
 * Thorstein Veblen § (1857–1929) – economist, sociologist, author
 * Bruce Vento (1940–2000) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Jesse Ventura (born 1951) – retired professional wrestler, political commentator, author, actor, and 38th Governor of Minnesota
 * Zoilo Versalles § (1939–1995) – baseball player
 * John William Vessey Jr. (1922–2016) – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
 * Jim Vickerman (1931–2021) – politician, senator
 * Frank Viola § (born 1960) – baseball player
 * Pamela Vitale § (1953–2005) – murder victim
 * Andrew Volstead (1860–1947) – member of U.S. Congress; author of the 1919 National Prohibition Act (known informally as the Volstead Act)
 * Lindsey Vonn (born 1984) – Olympic and world champion skier
 * Ana Clara Voog (Rachael Olson) (born 1966) – singer-songwriter, musician, performance artist, visual artist, and writer

W

 * Kevin Wacholz (born 1958) – professional wrestler
 * James Wakefield § (1825–1910) – 8th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
 * Harriet G. Walker § (1841–1917) – president, Northwestern Hospital
 * T. B. Walker § (1840–1928) – lumberman; founder of Minneapolis Public Library; founder of Walker Art Center
 * DeWitt Wallace (1889–1981) – publisher; founder of Reader's Digest; philanthropist
 * Steve Walsh (born 1966) – football player
 * Sean Waltman (born 1972) – podcaster and former professional wrestler
 * Tim Walz – politician
 * Lou Wangberg (born 1941) – 41st Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * John Warne (born 1979) – musician
 * Lonnie Warwick – football player
 * Cadwallader Washburn § (1818–1882) – businessperson; founder of Washburn Mills
 * William D. Washburn § (1831–1912) – U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
 * Gene Washington § (born 1947) – football player
 * Vin Weber (born 1952) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Jon Wefald (born 1937) – educator
 * Knud Wefald § (1869–1936) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Mark Weigle (born 1967) – singer-songwriter
 * Chris Weinke (born 1972) – football player
 * Jeff Weise (1988–2005) – high school student who committed murder/suicide
 * Paul Wellstone § (1944–2002) – U.S. Senator
 * Sheila Wellstone (1944–2002) – advocate for human rights, the environment, and peace; wife of Paul Wellstone
 * Carl L. Weschcke (1930–2015) – businessperson; president and owner, Llewellyn Worldwide
 * Paul Westerberg (born 1959) – musician
 * Wes Westrum (1922–2002) – baseball player
 * Jacob Wetterling (1978–1989) – kidnapped, abused, and murdered in 1989; missing until remains were discovered in 2016
 * Patty Wetterling § (born 1949) – politician, advocate of children's safety
 * Alice Wetterlund (born 1981) – actress and comedian
 * Friedrich Weyerhäuser – businessperson
 * Lindsay Whalen (born 1982) – WNBA player
 * David Wheaton (born 1969) – tennis player
 * Blake Wheeler (born 1986) – hockey player
 * Ed White – football player
 * Milo White § (1833–1912) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Minor White (1908–1976) – photographer
 * Sammy White § (born 1954) – football player
 * Benson Whitney – U.S. Ambassador to Norway
 * Richard Widmark (1914–2008) – actor
 * Roy Wier § (1888–1963) – member of U.S. Congress
 * James Russell Wiggins (1903–2000) – editor; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
 * Jermaine Wiggins (born 1975) – football player
 * Laura Ingalls Wilder § (1867–1957) – novelist
 * Zygi Wilf § (born 1950) – football team owner
 * Roy Wilkins § (1901–1981) – civil rights leader
 * Bud Wilkinson (1916–1994) – football player, coach, and broadcaster
 * Morton S. Wilkinson § (1819–1894) – U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
 * Warren William (Warren William Krech) (1894–1948) – actor
 * Auburn Williams (born 1990) – singer
 * Brian Williams (born 1979) – football player
 * Kevin Williams (born 1980) – football player
 * Moe Williams (born 1974) – football player
 * Pat Williams (born 1972) – football player
 * Stokley Williams (born 1967) – musician
 * Tom Williams (1940–1992) – hockey player
 * Walter Jon Williams (born 1953) – writer
 * John Poage Williamson (1835–1917) – missionary, writer, and member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
 * Troy Williamson (born 1983) – football player
 * Paul Willson (born 1945) – actor
 * August Wilson § (1945–2005) – Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
 * Dan Wilson – musician
 * Dorothy Wilson (1909–1998) – actress
 * Eugene McLanahan Wilson § (1833–1890) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Rainn Wilson § (born 1966) – actor; Guthrie Theater alumnus
 * Sheree J. Wilson (born 1958) – actor
 * Thomas Wilson § (1827–1910) – member of U.S. Congress
 * Wade Wilson § (1959–2019) – football player
 * Harold Windingstad (1929–2006) – political activist, farmer
 * William Windom § (1827–1891) – U.S. Senator, member of U.S. Congress
 * Antoine Winfield (born 1977) – football player
 * Dave Winfield (born 1951) – Baseball Hall of Fame player
 * Eliza Winston § (1830– date of death unknown) – freed slave
 * Roy Winston – football player
 * Max Winter § (1903–1996) – football team owner
 * Ted Winter (born 1949) – politician, farmer, insurance agent
 * Theodore Wirth § (1863–1949) – horticulturalist, Minneapolis Superintendent of Parks; civic planner
 * Cory Withrow – football player
 * Wally Wood (1927–1981) – comic-book writer, artist, and independent publisher
 * Wolfman Jack (Robert Weston Smith) § – radio personality
 * Jerome J. Workman Jr. (born 1952) – spectroscopist, editor, author
 * Bryan Thao Worra (born 1973) – poet, writer, and journalist
 * Al Worthington § (born 1929) – baseball player
 * John Wozniak (born 1971) – musician
 * Donald O. Wright (1892–1985) – 35th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
 * Michael Wuertz (born 1978) – baseball player
 * Irma Wyman § (born 20th century) – first chief information officer, Honeywell

Y

 * Cedric Yarbrough (born 1973) – actor, Reno 911!
 * Dwight York – stand-up comedian
 * Adam Young (born 1986) – musician
 * Bill Young (died 2014) – stand-up comedian
 * Michelle Young (born 1993) – reality television star, The Bachelor Season 25, The Bachelorette Season 18
 * Yung Gravy (Matthew Hauri) (born 1996) – musician

Z

 * Steve Zabel (born 1948) – football player
 * Steve Zahn (born 1967) – actor
 * Martin Zellar – musician
 * Kurt Zellers § (born 1969) – state representative
 * Tom Zenk (1958–2017) – former professional wrestler and bodybuilder
 * Zach Zenner § (born 1991) – football player
 * Gary Zimmerman § (born 1961) – football player
 * Robert Zimmerman (see Bob Dylan)
 * Andrew Zimmern (born 1961) – television personality, chef, food writer
 * Cat Zingano (born 1982) – UFC mixed martial artist
 * Doug Zmolek (born 1970) – hockey player
 * Fred Zollner (1901–1982) – basketball-team owner
 * Tay Zonday (born 1982) – musician, prominent YouTuber
 * Buck Zumhofe – former professional wrestler
 * John M. Zwach (1907–1990) – member of U.S. Congress

Fictional characters

 * Riley Anderson, from the Pixar film Inside Out
 * Paul Bunyan, folklore logger and voyageur
 * Betty Crocker, food brand character
 * Marshall Eriksen, from the television sitcom How I Met Your Mother
 * Henry Gale, from the television series Lost
 * Marge Gunderson, from the film Fargo
 * Linda Gunderson, from the animated film Rio.
 * Jolly Green Giant, food brand character
 * Juno MacGuff, from the film Juno
 * Angus MacGyver, from the 1980s television series MacGyver
 * Minnehaha, Native American maiden from Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's poem "The Song of Hiawatha"
 * Lester Nygaard, from the first season of Fargo
 * Rose Nylund, from the television sitcom The Golden Girls
 * Pillsbury Doughboy, food brand character
 * Candy Quackenbush, from Clive Barker's The Books of Abarat novel series
 * Mary Richards, from the television sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show
 * Rocky and Bullwinkle, cartoon characters from the animated television series The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends
 * Lou Solverson, from the second season of Fargo
 * Molly Solverson, from the second season of Fargo
 * Ben Wyatt, from Parks and Recreation