Notable Residents
Since the early 18th century, Harrisburg has been home to many people of note. Because it is the seat of government for the state and lies relatively close to other urban centers, Harrisburg has played a significant role in the nation's political, cultural and industrial history. Harrisburgers have also taken a leading role in the development of Pennsylvania's history for over two centuries. Two former U.S. Secretaries of War, Simon Cameron and Alexander Ramsey and several other prominent political figures, such as former speaker of the house Newt Gingrich, hail from Harrisburg. The actor Don Keefer was born near Harrisburg, along with the actor Richard Sanders, most famous for playing Les Nessman in WKRP in Cincinnati . Many notable individuals are interred at Harrisburg Cemetery and East Harrisburg Cemetery.
- Betty Andujar, first Republican woman to serve in the Texas State Senate (1973-1983), was born in Harrisburg in 1912.
- James Boyd, a resident of Front Street, wrote a novel about the city in 1935, Roll River.
- Robert James Miller, Medal of Honor recipient.
- Jeremy Linn, Olympic Gold and 2xSilver medalist at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, former World and American record holder
- Glenn Branca, an avant-garde composer and guitarist, was born here
- Grafton Tyler Brown, first African American artist to create works depicting the Pacific Northwest and California
- Bruce Brubaker, baseball player for the[Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers
- Marques Colston, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints
- Phil Davis, UFC fighter
- Candace Gingrich, civil rights activist
- Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House
- Danny Lansanah, football player for the Green Bay Packers
- Kenneth W. Mack, historian and Professor at Harvard Law School
- LeSean McCoy, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles
- Rachel Nabors, cartoonist
- John O'Hara, a native of Pottsville, lived in Harrisburg briefly to write his novel about the city, A Rage to Live
- Bobby Troup, actor, jazz pianist, and songwriter.
- Robert Stevenson (actor and politician), born 1915 in Harrisburg, Los Angeles City Council member
- Robert White (guitarist) was born here
- Nancy Kulp, actress
- Eric Martsolf, actor and singer
- Carmen Finestra, TV producer and writer
- Josh Sundquist, Paralympic Ski racer and author of his autobiography, Just Don't Fall
- Ricky Watters, Former NFL running back, Pro Bowler, and Super Bowl winner
- Kevin Mitchell, Former NFL linebacker and Super Bowl winner
- Robert Tate, Former NFL Conerback, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals
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Famous quotes containing the words notable and/or residents:
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—Aldous Huxley (1894–1963)
“Most of the folktales dealing with the Indians are lurid and romantic. The story of the Indian lovers who were refused permission to wed and committed suicide is common to many places. Local residents point out cliffs where Indian maidens leaped to their death until it would seem that the first duty of all Indian girls was to jump off cliffs.”
—For the State of Iowa, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)