Actors and Actresses
Artists
Astronauts
Authors
Beauty Contestants
Bible Scholars, Translators, & Theologians
Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs
Church Leaders
Comedians
Composers
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Film Makers
Generals & Admirals
Historians
Kings and Queens
Lawyers
Musicians
National Newscasters and Sportscasters
Nobel Laureates
Poets
Philosophers
Politicians and Statesmen (United States)
U.S. Governors
U.S. House of Representatives (Current)
U.S. House of Representatives (Former)
U.S. Senators
Politicians and Statesmen (Europe)
Reformers
Resistance Fighters of World War II
Scientists
Sports Figures
Storytellers
Television and Movie characters
Sources
- Erika Alexander, actress whose credits include The Cosby Show.
- Loni Anderson, celebrity, actress, and author.
- Brice Beckham, actor who played Wesley Owens in the '80's sitcom "Mr. Belvedere"; also, his father is a Lutheran pastor.
- Beau Bridges, actor.
- Jeff Bridges, actor.
- Gary Cole, actor; well known for his portrayal of Mike Brady in the "Brady Bunch" movies.
- Kirsten Dunst, actress. Starred in, among other things, Spider Man, where she played Mary Jane.
- David Hasselhoff, actor, producer, recording artist. Perhaps best known for his role as Mitch in "Baywatch".
- Annabeth Gish, actress.
- William Hurt, critically-acclaimed actor whose many film credits include The Big Chill (1983), Broadcast News (1987) Children of a Lesser God (1986) and Lost In Space (1998).
- William H. Macy, Oscar award winning actor who starred in, among other films, Fargo and Mystery Men. Once was quoted as saying "I am Lutheran down to my socks."
- Ann-Margret, actress, singer, and all-around entertainer.
- Christopher Orr, actor whose credits include Disney's The Mighty Ducks films.
- James Rebhorn, Hollywood supporting actor whose film credits include Independence Day, The Game, Fatal Attraction and Seinfeld.
- Andy Richter, actor and the original sidekick on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
- Kevin Sorbo, actor.
- David Soul, actor, director, producer, recording artist, played Detective Hutchinson in the television police drama "Starsky and Hutch". David's father served as Senior Representative for the Lutheran World Federation.
- Sally Struthers, actress perhaps best known for her portrayal of Gloria on the popular sitcom "All in the Family".
- Liv Ullmann, Norwegian actress of international renown, especially noted for the nine films she made with Ingmar Bergman.
- Bruce Willis, actor, recording artist, restaurant entrepreneur. Starred in The Sixth Sense (1999), Armageddon (1998), and the Die Hard movies (1988, 1990, 1995, 2006).
- Steve Zahn, actor; Steve studied for a year at the ELCA's Gustavus Adolphus College in his home state of Minnesota.
Artists
- Sandra Bowden, painter. Head of CVA, Christian Ministry in Visual Arts.
- Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553), German court painter; friend of Martin Luther and sponsor of the Reformer's oldest son. An early champion of the Reformation, this well-known and prolific artist is now especially known for his woodcuts and portraits of the Reformers.
- Lucas Cranach the Younger (1515-1586) prominent Reformation artist in Germany who worked for his father and continued in his style.
- Gary Larson, cartoonist and creator of the classic comic The Far Side.
- Alexandra Nechita, at 15 years old, she is one of the most famous artists in the world. She was once called the "Petite Picasso".
Astronauts
- Dan Brandenstein, former chief astronaut who flew various shuttle missions.
- Mark Lee, Colonel in the US Air Force & former astronaut. Shuttle flights included missions on the Atlantis (1989), Endeavor (1992) and Discovery (1994, 1997).
- Jeff Williams, astronaut on recent shuttle missions.
Authors
- Rita Mae Brown, prolific author of novels, poetry, articles, book reviews, teleplays and screenplays.
- "Dr. Seuss" (Theodor Geisel), the well-loved children's author.
- Bob Sylwester, author, pioneer in brain-based learning.
- John Updike, famous author.
Beauty Contestants
- Gretchen Carlson, 1989 Miss America; former Miss Minnesota; granddaughter of an ELCA pastor, now with CBS News.
- Carolyn Sapp, 1992 Miss America; former Miss Hawaii. Now a correspondent with Fox Sports in California.
- Elke Sommer (born Elke Schletz), actress and painter who has appeared in over 90 motion pictures. In 1959, 19-year old Elke won Italy's Miss Viarrego beauty pageant.
Bible Scholars, Translators, & Theologians
- William F. Beck, Biblical scholar and translator of The Holy Bible: An American Translation (Leader Publishing, 1976).
- Carl E. Braaten, seminary professor and author. Wrote Christian Dogmatics (1987) with Robert W. Jensen.
- Marva Dawn, theologian and author; wrote Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down (1995) and other works
- Franz Delitzsch (1813-1890), German scholar and seminary professor; co-author (with C. F. Keil) of the classic 10-volume Commentary on the Old Testament.
- Werner Elert, German professor of theology and author of numerous works, including The Structure of Lutheranism.
- Robert G. Hoerber, Pastor & professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (1974-1989). Worked as a biblical translator and as the general editor of The Concordia Self-Study Bible, a Lutheran revision of The NIV Study Bible.
- Robert W. Jensen, seminary professor and author. Wrote Christian Dogmatics (1987) with Carl E. Braaten.
- Johann (C.F.) Keil (1807-1888), German scholar and seminary professor, co-author (with Franz Delitzsch) of the classic 10-volume Commentary on the Old Testament.
- Richard Charles Henry Lenski (1864-1936), Prussian-born American scholar. A prolific writer and editor, Dr. Lenski today is best remembered for his classic conservative "Interpretation of..." New Testament commentary series.
- Martin Moller (1547-1606), German pastor and author of Thesaurus Precationum.
- Francis Pieper (1852-1931), Prussian-born American theologian, professor and president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, author of the classic work of systematic theology Christliche Dogmatik.
- Hermann Sasse, theologian and author; Australian seminary professor.
- Edmund Schlink, German seminary professor of systematic theology and scholar of the Lutheran Confessions.
- Paul Tillich (1886-1965), German-born theologian who emigrated to America, army chaplain during WWI, seminary professor. The son of a Lutheran pastor, Rev. Tillich became one of the most foremost theologians of the first half of the twentieth century.
Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs
- Doris Christopher, founder of "The Pampered Chef".
- Ron Gangelhoff, founder and former president of the Chicago Cutlery Company, philanthropist, supporter of Concordia College, St. Paul, Minnesota.
- Steve Jobs, Apple Computer.
- Michael Johns, health care executive and former White House speechwriter.
- Ed Kruse, CEO of Blue Bell Ice Cream, third largest Ice Cream Company in the USA.
- Marvin M. Schwan, businessman; founded Schwan's Sales Enterprises, Inc. in 1952. Mr. Schwan left a charitable trust which helps benefit Lutheran institutions and entities.
Church Leaders
- H. George Anderson, former churchwide bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (1995-2001).
- Ralph A. Bohlmann, theologian, seminary professor and president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; ninth president of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Author of Principles of Biblical Interpretation in the Lutheran Confessions.
- Herbert Chilstrom, former churchwide bishop of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (1987-1995).
- James D. Ford, Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives (1979-1998)
- Franklin Clark Fry, pastor and president of the United Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church in America.
- Mark S. Hanson, current churchwide bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (2001-present).
- Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, current president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (2001-present).
- Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg (1711-1787), pastor and church organizer. Considered to be the father of the Lutheran Church in America.
- Jacob Preus II, seminary professor and president; president of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; noted Chemnitz scholar and translator.
- Philipp Jakob Spener (1635-1705), German churchman and founder of Lutheran Pietism.
- Martin Stephan (1777-1846), German-born pastor and leader of the German-Saxon immigrants to Missouri who later formed the nexus of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Deposed in 1839, he was sent upriver to Illinois, where he continued to preach and minister until his death.
- C. F. W. Walther (1811-1887), German immigrant and American pastor; theologian, author, hymn writer, professor and president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; first (and third) president of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. One of the founding fathers of the Missouri Synod and one of the greatest American theologians.
- F.C.D. Wyneken (1810 - 1876), the second president of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
Comedians
- Dana Carvey, comedian and actor known especially for his gift of mimicry. Former member of Saturday Night Live (1986-1993), where he created many numerous characters, including "The Church Lady". His film credits include the mega-hit Wayne's World and its sequel.
Composers
- Johann Christoph Bach (1642-1703), German church musician and composer. Cousin of J. S. Bach's father.
- Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), German church musician. One of the greatest composers of all time, known especially for his organ compositions, his chorales, the Mass in B Minor, and the Brandenburg Concertos.
- Karl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788), German church musician and composer. Son of J. S. Bach.
- Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710-1784), German church musician and composer. Eldest son of J. S. Bach.
- Howard Hanson (1896-1981), Hanson became one of the most influential American composers, music educators, and music advocates of the last century; he was also a director of the Eastman School of Music (1924-1964).
- Georg Friedrich Handel, Renowned composer, possibly best known for his Messiah and the famous Hallelujah Chorus.
- Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847), German composer; the grandson of the philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. His many compositions include the famed incidental music to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and the Reformation Symphony (which utilizes the melody of Martin Luther's classic Reformation hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God.")
- Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706), German composer and church musician. An early model of J.S. Bach, his many compositions include cantatas, chorale pieces, canons, fugues, and preludes. Today he is especially known for his Canon in D (often simply referred to as Pachelbel's Canon).
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Film Makers
- Ron Maxwell, film producer whose credits include Gettysburg.
- Ivan David Ortiz, film director.
- Ivan Gonzalo Ortiz, film producer.
- Paul Schrader, film director and screenwriter.
- Rick Steves, PBS travel program host.
- John Woo, film director whose credits include The Killer and Face/Off.
Generals & Admirals
- Thomas Boyle, famous privateer captain during the War of 1812.
- Lt. Gen. Roger DeKok, Vice Commander of Air Force Space Command.
- Rear Admiral J. Floyd Dreith, first Lutheran Chief of Chaplains, US Navy (1958-1962).
- Rear Admiral Byran Holderby, Chief of Chaplains, US Navy (1996-2000).
- Victor Langford, U.S. Army General, pastor and chaplain.
- Donald Muchow, Chief of Chaplains, USNavy (1992-1996).
- John Moellering, US Army General, former West Point commandant.
- John Peter Muhlenberg (1711-1787) pastor, U.S. Congressman, Brigadier General in the *Continental Army during the American Revolution. The eldest son of Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg, he was a friend of US Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe.
- Lauris Norstad, became the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO in Europe (1956-1963). He held this position during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
- Martin Henry Scharlemann, U.S.A.F. Chaplain and Brigadier General; seminary professor and acting seminary president, Concordia Seminary St. Louis (1974); author and theologian.
- Norman Schwarzkopf, U.S. Army general; leader of the famed "Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm".
- RADM Ross Trower, Former Chief of Chaplains for the Navy, later entered the pastoral ministry and reported serving as associate Pastor at St. Marks Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
- General John Vessey, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Historians
- Sidney Eckman Ahlstrom, former professor of Modern Religious History at Yale University and author of the classic Religious History of the American People.
- Paul L. Maier, professor of History at Western Michigan University; noted writer of both fiction and non-fiction.
- Jaroslav Pelikan, religious scholar and professor at Yale; former professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; co-editor of the American Edition of Luther's Works (55 volumes) and author of the series' companion volume Luther the Expositor. A Lutheran during most of his decades-long and prolific career, Pelikan became a member of the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1998.
- Leopold van Ranke, prominent 19th century German historian.
Kings and Queens
- Gustavus Adolphus (1594-1632), King of Sweden and defender of the Protestant Reformation during the Thirty Years War.
- Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden (1973-present).
- Harald V, King of Norway (1991-present).
- Margrethe II, Queen of Denmark (1972-present).
- Peter III, Czar of Russia, 1762.
Lawyers
- Rebecca O. Goss, Eli Lily Vice President and general counsel.
- Justus Jonas (1493-1555) German lawyer, theologian, and reformer.
- Daniel Joy, attorney and New York State Judge.
- Edwin Meese III, lawyer, Counselor to the President of the United States (1981-1985), U.S. *Attorney General (1985-1988); currently holds The Ronald Reagan Chair in Public Policy at The Heritage foundation in Washington, D.C.
- William Rehnquist, lawyer; appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by Richard Nixon in 1972; Chief Justice for the past 18 years, since September 26th, 1986.
Musicians
- F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf Choir and renowned for his a capella settings of hymns.
- Justino Diaz, opera singer.
- Kurt Elling, jazz musician; Grammy-nominated recording artist for Blue Note Records. Kurt is a graduate of the ELCA's Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota and later attended Divinity School at the University of Chicago before embarking on a career as a jazz singer.
- Janie Fricke, country music star.
- Hilary Hahn, young violinist.
- Adolph Herseth, lead trumpeter with the Chicago Symphony.
- Marta Casals Istomin, cellist; President of the Manhattan School of Music; widow of the famed cellist Pablo Casals, whose foundation she directs.
- Jerry Hadley, Opera singer.
- Craig Hella Johnson, singer, music director.
- Kris Kristofferson, singer-songwriter, actor, Rhodes Scholar, country music icon, and former professor at West Point. Along with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings, Kris formed the classic group The Highwaymen. His many film credits include A Star Is Born (with Barbara Streisand) and The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with the Sea.
- Gary Lewis, drummer, vocalist, bandleader, and recording artist. Founder of the 60's hit sensation Gary Lewis and the Playboys; the group had 7 Top 10 hits, and by the end of the 1960s had placed 15 songs in Billboard's hot 100.
- Lyle Pearce Lovett, singer-songwriter, recording artist, actor.
- Kurt Masur, German classical musician and recording artist of international renown. Since 1991 served as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic.
- Peter Mayer & Jim Mayer, members of the Jimmy Buffett band.
- John Mellencamp, musician, singer, recording artist, songwriter, painter. His many hits include "Jack and Diane," and "Small Town." With Neil Young and Willie Nelson, John founded Farm Aid, a non-profit organization for farm assistance.
- L. David Miller - Former dean of the School of Music and choir director at Wittenberg University; recognized, along with the choir, by Congress for his efforts in being "ambassadors of good will."
- Michael Peterson, country music star. He entered the ELCA's Pacific Lutheran University on a football scholarship, where he helped win a national championship.
- James Thiele, for nearly 50 years he was one of the leading Lutheran organists in Australia. In 1996, he received an Order of Australia Medal for his contributions to the music of the Lutheran Church and was also involved with producing the Australian Lutheran Hymnal.
- Stephen Werner, rock drummer.
- Roger Williams, well known pianist. Born Louis Weertz, he is the son of a Lutheran pastor.
National Newscasters and Sportscasters
- Jack Cafferty, CNN anchor.
- Mary Hart, "Entertainment Tonight" host. Bears the distinction not only of outlasting all her male co-hosts on ET, but is the only Lutheran ever to have her legs insured by Lloyd's of London for a million dollars.
- Joel Hochmuth, CNN reporter.
- Cliff Johnson, retired veteran broadcaster for CBS radio, whose career began in 1934 at radio station KSOO in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Cliff attended Augustana College in Souix Falls and Concordia University in River Falls.
- Donna Kelley, CNN anchor.
- Verne Lundquist, CBS sports.
- Pat O'Brien, "Access Hollywood" host.
- Dane Placko, FOX news, Chicago.
- Dick Reeves, CBS radio news anchor, retired.
- Ray Scherer, born in Fort Wayne, IN, graduate of Valparaiso University, he went on to be the NBC White House correspondent in the 1950's and 60's.
- John Scott, NBC news.
- Michelle TaFoya, CBS sports.
- Jim Wacker, CBS Sports.
Nobel Laureates
- Dag Hammarskjöld, Swedish economist; statesman and Secretary General of the United Nations. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Linus Pauling, American chemist who won the Nobel prize in chemisty for his work describing the nature of chemical bonds. Pauling received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962 for his campaign against above-ground nuclear testing, becoming one of only two people to receive the Nobel Prize in more than one field, the other being Marie Curie.
Poets
- Robert Bly, poet.
- Jill Alexander Essbaum, poet.
- Bill Holm, poet.
- Francisco Molina, poet.
- Esais Tegner (1782-1846), Swedish bishop and Swiss national poet.
Philosophers
- Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), German transcendental idealist & philosopher.
- Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855), Danish philosopher; author and theologian. "The Father of Existentialism".
- Frederich Nietzsche, a highly influential German philosopher. His father was a Lutheran pastor.
- Albert Schweitzer, German-born philosopher, theologian, musician, and physician.
- Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, philosopher.
Politicians and Statesmen (United States)
- Bob Bergland, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
- John Bolton, prominent Republican politician. Served in the Reagan administration as well as both Bush administrations.
- John Hamre, deputy director, US Department of Defense.
- John Hanson - Regarded by some as the first President of the United States. Hanson was elected in 1781 under the Articles of Confederation, and served a one year term. His father was a Lutheran pastor.
- Donald Hodel, served various cabinet-level positions during the Reagan administration.
- Thomas S. Kleppe - Secretary of the Interior under President Ford.
U.S. Governors
- Cecil Andrus (D), former governor of Idaho (1971-1975; 1987-1995).
- Otis R. Bowen (R), former governor of Indiana (1973-1981) and Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Ronald Reagan.
- John Carlin (D), former governor of Kansas (1979-1987).
- Jim Geringer (R), former governor of Wyoming (1995-2003).
- Frank B. Heintzleman (R), former governor of Alaska (1953-1957).
- Bill Janklow (R), former governor of South Dakota (1979-1987; 1995-2003).
- Gary Johnson (R), former governor of New Mexico (1995-2003).
- Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus (R), former governor of Minnesota (1921-1925).
- Stan Stephens (R), former governor of Montana (1989-1993).
- Don Sundquist (R), former governor of Tennessee(1994-2002).
- Al Quie (R), former governor of Minnesota (1979-1983).
- Jesse Ventura (I), former governor of Minnesota (1999-2003).
U.S. House of Representatives (Current)
- Douglas Bereuter (R), Nebraska (1st District).
- Sherrod Brown (D), Ohio (13th District).
- Lois Capps (D), California (23rd District).
- John Carter (R), Texas (31st District).
- Norman Dicks (D), Washington (6th District).
- Darlene Hooley (D), Oregon (5th District).
- Ron Kind (D), Wisconsin (3rd District).
- Tom Latham (R), Iowa (5th District).
- Zoe Lofgren (D), California (16th District).
- David Minge (D), Former Minnesota rep. (2nd District).
- Jim Nussle (R), Iowa (2nd District).
- Doug Ose (R), California (3rd District).
- Michael Oxley (R), Ohio (4th District).
- Collin Peterson (D), Minnesota (7th District).
- Thomas Petri (R), Wisconsin (6th District).
- Martin Sabo (D), Minnesota (5th District).
- John Shimkus (R), Illinois (19th District).
- Bill Shuster (R), Pennsylvania (9th District).
- Charles Stenholm (D), Texas (17th District).
U.S. House of Representatives (Former)
- William Dannemeyer (R), former Congressman from California and noted advocate of Confessional Lutheranism.
- Steve Gunderson (R), former Congressman from Wisconsin & author.
- Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg (1750-1801), Ordained a Lutheran minister in Pennsylvania, he went on to become a member of the Continental Congress and, after the Constitution went into effect, served as the Speaker of the House during the First and Third Congresses.
- Mark Neumann (R), former Congressman from Wisconsin.
- Tim Penny (D), former Congressman from Minnesota & author.
- Floyd Spence (R), former South Carolina rep. (2nd District).
U.S. Senators
- Conrad Burns (R), Montana.
- Rod Grams (R), former senator from Minnesota.
- Byron Dorgan (D), North Dakota.
- Ernest (Fritz) Hollings (D) South Carolina.
- Tim Johnson (D), South Dakota.
- Paul Simon, former Democratic Senator from Illinois, educator, author.
Politicians and Statesmen (Europe)
- Karl Buchsel (1803-1889), German pastor, general superintendent of Neumark and Niederlausitz. Influential in forming the Prussian Union.
- Per Lonning, Norwegian pastor and youth leader, member of Norwegian Parliament, Dean of the Cathedral of Bergen.
Reformers
- David Chytraeus (1531-1600), German theologian; historian and co-author of the Formula of Concord.
- Martin Chemnitz (1522-1586), German pastor, seminary professor, defender of the Lutheran faith. His classic Examination of the Council of Trent is the definitive Lutheran response to the "Counter-Reformation" of the Roman Catholic Church. As a theologian, second in greatness only to Martin Luther.
- Martin Luther (1483-1546), German Doctor of the Church, pastor, professor ay the University of Wittenberg, prolific author, hymn writer, Bible translator, Biblical scholar, father of the Protestant Reformation. His 95 Theses, nailed on the front door of the Castle Church at the University of Wittenberg on October 31st, 1517 ignited a firestorm which resulted in The Reformation. His importance in the history of Western Christianity and Western Civilization is immense. In the opinion of many, one the greatest theologians of all time.
- Philip Melancthon (1497-1560), German theologian, professor at the University of Wittenberg, author, Reformation leader, and close friend of Martin Luther. A colleague and friend of Luther's, he is the author of the Augsburg Confession and the Loci Communes.
Resistance Fighters of World War II
- Eivind Josef Berggrav (1884-1959), Norwegian Lutheran bishop, author, resistance leader against Hitler and the Nazi occupation of Norway.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), German pastor, theologian, seminary professor, author, and anti-Nazi resistance fighter. Imprisoned by the Nazis and later executed at the concentration camp in Flossenburg.
- Rudolf Bultmann (1884-1976), German lay theologian known for his contributions to Biblical criticism and resistance to Hitler.
- Helmut Gollwitzer (1908-1993), German theologian who became part of the Confessing Church; captured by the Soviets in 1945 and imprisoned in a Soviet gulag until 1950.
- Kaj Munk (1898-1944), Danish pastor and author, arrested and executed by the Nazis.
- Martin Niemoeller (1892-1984), German submarine commander in WWI who became a Lutheran pastor and was later imprisoned by the Nazis.
Scientists
- Gerald Barney, Millennium Institute, Washington, D.C.
- Hieronymus Bock (1498-1554), German Scientist who specialized in plants, later became a Lutheran pastor.
- Robert Cade, inventor of Gatorade.
- Leonhard Euler (1707-1783), mathematician. His father - a Lutheran pastor with an interest in mathematics - wanted him to study Theology, but eventually agreed to his preference for studying mathematics.
- William Foege, former executive director, Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia.
- Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894), One of the pioneering scientists in the area of electromagnetics. His groundbreaking work paved the way for the development of wireless telegraphy and radio, among other applications. The standard unit of frequency - the Hertz - is named in his honor.
- Grant Krafft, scientist specializing in Alzheimer's research.
- Johannes Kepler (1571-1630), German astronomer noted for his formulation of planetary laws.
- Judith Larson, scientist.
- Linus Pauling, chemist & nobel prize winner.
Sports Figures
- Troy Aikman, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, who led his team to win the Super Bowl, currently a broadcaster with FOX Sports.
- Shane Battier, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA.
- Kim Bauer, Woman's PGA golfer.
- Jill Briles, Woman's PGA golfer.
- Jim Brower, pitcher, San Francisco Giants.
- Matt Bullard, Houston Rockets.
- Karyn Bye, member of the U.S. Women's Olympic Hockey Team.
- Bill Cartwright, Chicago Bulls coach.
- Dale Earnhardt, NASCAR driver; 7-time Winston Cup Champion and winner of 76 Winston Cup events.
- Darin Erstad, member of the Anaheim Angels baseball team.
- Jim Gantner, member of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball franchise.
- Lou Gehrig, famed baseball player whose life was cut short by the disease that now bears his name. He was raised in a very devout Lutheran household. Reportedly, Gehrig was once asked by a New York City reporter if he was Jewish -- Gehrig proudly replied that he was a Lutheran!
- Lee Goren, college forward on the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux Hockey Team.
- Tom Haller, former Dodger and Giant (baseball).
- Phil Hansen, former NFL player for the Buffalo Bills.
- Elrod Hendricks, former Baltimore Orioles catcher.
- Paul Hinrichs, went to school at Concordia College in St. Paul. Played with the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. He later became a Lutheran parish pastor.
- Dave Hoffman, Grandson of Dr. Oswald Hoffman. Two-time All-American linebacker at the University of Washington, was drafted by the Chicago Bears and played with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Michael Jackson, former Seattle Seahawks & Washington Huskies football player.
- Dale Jarrett, NASCAR driver; 1999 Winston Cup Series Champion and 3-time winner of the Daytona 500.
- Ned Jarrett, NASCAR commentator & retired NASCAR driver. Won the Championship in 1961 and 1965.
- Al Kaline, long-time star outfielder with the Detroit Tigers, active in Lutheran churches in the Detroit area, and elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.
- Tom Landry (1924-2000), legendary former coach of the Dallas Cowboys (1960-1988), who led the team to Super Bowl wins in 1972 and 1978. He ranks third on the NFL's All-Time Win List, claiming 270 gridiron victories. As a Lutheran layman, he was a major supporter and fundraiser for Concordia University in Austin, Texas.
- Janet Lynn, U.S. Olympic skater.
- Scott Madson, Soloflex ads.
- Carmelo Martinez, professional baseball player.
- Edgar Martinez, Baseball plaer for the Seattle Mariners.
- Madeline Manning Mims, former Olympic athlete, current Olympic chaplain.
- Guido Merkens, Jr., former player for the New Orleans Saints.
- Paul Molitor, former baseball player for the Minnesota Twins; elected to the Hall of Fame in January 2004. Also played for the Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays.
- Andy North, PGA Golfer, former US Open champion.
- Greg Olson, former Baltimore Orioles baseball player.
- Lute Olson, University of Arizona basketball coach.
- Hank Peters, former General Manager of the Baltimore Orioles (where he was named baseball executive of the year) and the Cleveland Indians.
- Brian Propp, NHL Hockey player.
- Rick Reuschel, former Chicago Cubs baseball player.
- Paul Reuschel, former Chicago Cub.
- Merv Rettenmund, Baltimore Orioles outfielder (1970-1978) and currently the Batting Coach for the Atlanta Braves.
- Kirk Rueter, pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.
- John Schuerholz, general manager for the Atlanta Braves.
- Jerry Seeman, head NFL referee.
- Richard Steele, referee.
- Terry Steinbach, Minnesota Twins baseball player.
- Gary Suter, NHL Hockey player.
- John Vanbiesbrouck, Philadelphia Flyers goalie, NHL.
- Duffy Waldorf, player on the PGA Tour for the past 15 years.
- Casey Wesiman, Chicago Bears football player.
- Jim Wilson, former Chicago White Sox player.
- Dave Winfield, former Minnesota Twin.
- Danny Wuerffel, Washington Redskins quarterback.
- John Zimmerman, 3-Time American Figure Skating Pairs Champion of the U.S. He and his partner, Kyoko Ina, finished in 5th place at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Storytellers
- Garrison Keillor, humorist, host and creator of Prairie Home Companion (1974-present), inductee Radio Hall of Fame (1994), author of Lake Wobegon Days (1985) and nine other titles, icon of National Public Radio.
- Walter Wangerin, Jr., pastor, college professor, speaker, prolific author. His award-winning tome Book of the Dun Cow brought this graduate of Christ Seminary-Seminex into national prominence.
Television and Movie characters
- Pastor Dan Parker, a Lutheran pastor played by John Corbett in the 2004 film Raising Helen.
- The Cooper Family from the sitcom One Day at a Time (1975-1984), featuring Bonnie Franklin, Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli. Set in Indiana.
- The Hansen Family (Davey, Sally, their mom and dad, and Goliath [their large dog of indeterminate breed]) from the Clokey Production Davey and Goliath. Claymation with a spiritual bent; Lutheran-produced (by one of the predecessor bodies of the ELCA) and created by the makers of Gumby.
- Rose Nylund ("The Golden Girls") from St. Olaf, Minnesota. (Played by Betty White).
- Woody Boyd (played by Woody Harrelson) from the classic sitcom Cheers (1982-1993).
Sources
- Famous Lutherans! (http://www.faithlutherangroton.org/famous.html)
- Religion: Lutheran (http://www.nndb.com/lists/866/000071653/) at NNDB
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