Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
Think you could name all the famous Utahns born in the Beehive State? Some faces easily come to mind: The Osmonds, Butch Cassidy. But we'd guess there are some you've forgotten, or maybe didn't even know about in the first place.
From scientists to politicians, entertainers to athletes, we have a long line of famous people from Utah who've made their mark on the national stage.
Entertainment
It's hard to say who Utah's most recognizable entertainment celebrity might be. We have rock stars and dancers, authors and actors. But before everyone had a social media account to promote themselves, some had to become famous on talent alone.
Theater: Otto Harbach
Recognized as one of the first great Broadway lyricists, Salt Lake City-born Otto Harbach is best known for his musical comedies. Born in 1873 and raised in Utah, he went on to collaborate with writers including Oscar Hammerstein and George Gershwin. You may recognize Harbach's "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," penned long before our infamous winter inversion.
Film: Loretta Young
An actress known for playing strong-willed heroines, Loretta Young was born in Salt Lake City in 1913. Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was 3 years old, where she began working as a child actor. Later starring in shows including "The Farmer's Daughter" and "The Bishop's Wife," she was the first actress to win an Oscar and an Emmy.
Television: Wilford Brimley
OK, it's hard to choose the most famous TV star born in Utah. An obvious option would be Mike Lookinland of "The Brady Bunch" fame. Then there's Rosanne Barr of "Rosanne," Anthony Geary of "General Hospital," and, of course, "Dancing with the Stars" siblings Derek and Julianne Hough.
But do you remember the walrus moustachioed Wilford Brimley? He was both born and buried here — and lived in Utah in all those years in between. He had a long career on both the silver and television screen, the latter including the hit shows "Our House" and "The Waltons."
Literature: Bernard DeVoto
Today, Utah has several well-known authors, from Brandon Sanderson to Shannon Hale. But in the early 1920s, it was Ogden-native Bernard DeVoto who was known as one of America's most accomplished — and prolific — writers. He was the first Utahn to win the Pulitzer Prize, for his book "Across the Wide Missouri" published in 1948.
Science
If your kids aren't paying attention in science class, here's a little motivation for them.
John M. Browning
Firearms pioneer John M. Browning was born in Ogden in 1855. By age 13, he'd designed his first firearm, and by 24, he had his first patent. He went on to design many military and civilian guns, including the first semiautomatic shotgun, as well as gun mechanisms still in use today.
Harvey Fletcher
When you listen to your hi-fi, remember Utahn Harvey Fletcher. The Brigham Young University grad is considered the father of stereophonic sound. He even oversaw the first vinyl recording. Fletcher spent much of his professional career studying speech and hearing, and he is credited with inventing one of the first electronic hearing aids.
Don Lind
Perhaps it was Utah's now-certified Dark Skies that motivated Midvale's Don Lind to become an astronaut. While working for NASA, Lind served as capcom for both the Apollo 11 and 12 missions, relaying information between the crew and ground control. He also helped develop the extravehicular activities on the moon for the Apollo 11 crew. Lind finally made it into space himself on Challenger in 1985.
National recognition
Many of us do a fair job when it comes to helping out our friends and families, but some Utahns go far beyond sharing a plate of cookies.
Lavina Fugal
Large families were pretty common in Utah not too long ago, so it shouldn't be surprising that a national Mother of the Year winner would hail from here. In 1950, Lavina Fugal, a widowed mother of eight, won the national honor after being named Utah's Mother of the Year. Aunt Lavina, as she was called by her neighbors, lived most of her life in Pleasant Grove, readily serving her family and community along the way.
Ivy Baker Priest
Born in the now ghost town of Kimberly, Utah, Ivy Baker Priest made a name for herself in local politics. She ran unsuccessfully twice for a seat in Utah's Congress, but no matter. Following a highly successful drive to get women out to vote, she was chosen to serve as U.S. treasurer under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 1968, she was the first woman to nominate a candidate for U.S. president at the Republican National Convention — Ronald Reagan.
Sports
You're probably familiar with Olympians Ted Ligety and Nathan Chen, but can you name the first Utah Olympic gold medalist? How about a boxing champ?
Alma Richards
Parowan farm boy Alma Richards brought home the gold for the running high jump in the 1912 Olympic Games. After his first coach saw Richards' talent for field sports, he transferred to Brigham Young High School for better training. He was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame posthumously in 1970.
Gene Fullmer
Utah's World Middleweight champion? That would be Gene Fullmer, an American professional boxer known as The Utah Cyclone and The Mormon Mauler. The West Valley native began his professional career in 1951, winning his first 29 fights. Upon retirement, he and his brothers — also pro boxers — opened a free boxing gym to support underprivileged youth.
Did you remember the names of any of these once well-known Utahns? Is there another famous local we've since forgotten? Let us know in the comments below.
