These 6 Celebrities Hail From Some Of Missouri's Most Charming Small Towns
By Beth Price-Williams|Updated on March 22, 2024(Originally published May 01, 2023)
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Missouri’s most charming small towns attract visitors for their friendly ambiance and that feeling of yesteryear. Each has its own personality and that one thing that makes it distinct, including its most famous residents. Did you know that some of Missouri’s most well-known celebrities are also from its small towns? Here are six of the most famous people from Missouri.
Perhaps one of Hollywood’s most beloved celebrities, Dick Van Dyke has had a long and storied career encompassing radio, Broadway, TV, and films. From West Plains, he’s perhaps best known for his role on The Dick Van Dyke Show, which ran for five seasons. The Hollywood legend also guest starred on such beloved shows as The Golden Girls and Scrubs and headlined Mary Poppins with Julie Andrews.
Anyone who grew up in the 80s undoubtedly remembers John Goodman as the lovable Dan Conner on Roseanne; he resurrected the role for the current ABC sitcom The Conners. The Missouri-born actor also starred in Raising Arizona, Arachnophobia, and The Flintstones. John Goodman is one of the most famous celebrities from Missouri.
Friday nights in the 1980s were all about cool, and no one defined the night better than Don Johnson’s Sonny Crockett (along with Philip Michael Thomas’s Rico Tubbs) in Miami Vice. Johnson released an album during the height of his popularity on Miami Vice and went on to star in such television shows as Nash Bridges. He's one of the most beloved Missouri famous people.
The early to mid-90s were all about Sheryl Crow, whose music dominated the airwaves. She is perhaps best-known for such songs as "All I Wanna Do," "If It Makes You Happy," and "My Favorite Mistake." The multi-Grammy award winner has guest starred on numerous television shows, too, including 30 Rock, One Tree Hill, and NCIS: New Orleans. She was born and raised in Kennett, Missouri.
Anyone who watched soaps in the 1980s likely remembers Frisco Jones – part of the Frisco-Felicia duo – on General Hospital. Missouri-born Jack Wagner, also a singer who released several albums, also starred on the show Santa Barbara. He moved to primetime as Dr. Peter Burns in the nighttime serial Melrose Place in the 1990s. Wagner has also starred in several made-for-TV movies. He hails from the waterfront town of Washington.
Joplin-born actor Dennis Weaver gained prominence on such television shows as Gunsmoke and McCloud. However, he also tallied a long list of film credits, starring in Dragnet, Duel, and Seven Angry Men. He was starring on the TV show Wildfire at the time of his death from cancer at the age of 80 in 2006.
Did you know these celebrities are from some of Missouri’s most charming towns? Are there any other famous people from Missouri you would add to the list? Let us know in the comments! If you’re a fan of celebrities, you might want to visit Gordon Ramsay Steak, a celebrity-owned restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri.
Feeling the need for a getaway in one of Missouri’s charming small towns? Take a look at the available vacation rentals on Vrbo and book a stay!
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