Famous People of Alaska - A Few Names May Surprise You
Famous People of Alaska
Article by Cecil Sanders
Here’s a list of famous people who were born, spent a significant amount of time, or now live in Alaska. A few of the names may surprise you.















If you liked reading about famous people of Alaska, you might enjoy this article as well. THE ALASKA PURCHASE - A BRIEF HISTORY
44 comments
F. Bruce Willard of Homer, Alaska (RIP)
The “infamous” Charley Fannon! Retired Wasilla police chief.
Walter Hickel
Not born here. Became famous here. Arriving with but 50 cents.
Secretary of the Interior under Nixon.
Left his job because of his beliefs on Vietnam!
Add the latest Olympian too Kikkan Randall
bob ross was born in florida
you just got to love Alaska
The late Mel McDaniel grew up in Anchorage and went to west high school in the 60’s with my dad. He was known for hits like his country song “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On” and “Louisiana Saturday Night”.
True ..the hidden valley ranch dressing ..this is true because I heard that at least sevral times about the hidden valley ranch dressing family ..true
I’d drop Curt Schilling off this list, since his time in Alaska was extremely brief (he left as an infant).
Don’t forget Tommy Moe. He won gold in the men’s downhill and silver in the Super G. Lillehammer’s 1994 Winter Olympic Games.
Brig General Rosanne Bailey, recently deceased and my first wife, had assignments in Alaska, retired and settled in a beautiful log cabin outside of Fairbanks.
Yes, Lincoln Brewster for sure. He is currently the Worship Leader for a Church that i attend here in California, Bayside of Granite Bay.
While living on Kodiak Island for 12 years, Alaska State Senator Fred Zharoff was our next door neighbor. His Son Freddy Jr and i used to ride Dirt Bikes all over the Island.
Jessica Moore. She played basketball in the MatSu Valley and graduated from Colony High in 2000. She played in the WNBA.
Thoroughly enjoyable. I look forward to more additions.
Updated. Thanks!!
Ambrose Olsen – born and raised in Homer and became a New York model, for Armani, Hugo Boss, D&G, Nautica, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and more. He also cat-walked runways.
Marine Corps not ’corp.
In the early 1950s, Steve Henson developed what is now known as ranch dressing while working as a plumbing contractor for three years in the remote Alaskan bush. In 1954, he and his wife Gayle opened Hidden Valley Ranch, a dude ranch near Santa Barbara, California, where they served it to guests.
That needs to be a story all by itself! Good one!
Filmaker Don Simpson….“top gun” “flashdance” “Beverly hills cop”and many more blockbusters.. West high grad
His partner was Jerry Bruckheimer
Thanks for the comment Stephenita!
Definitely a worthy candidate to be on the list. Great feedback Colette!
William “Bill” Oefelein, NASA astronaut among other things. West High School graduate, National news love triangle issue with a coworker.. His wife Colleen Oefelein is an author.
Mark should have made the list. Carlos, Mario and Lincoln are all right there close too! Thanks for the feedback. :)
You forgot both Charlie Edwardson of Barrow who was active on Alaska Native issues & Land Claims & Kyosuke Yasuda aka Frank Yasuda who founded Beaver.