Famous! DeKalb, Illinois is sponsored by 815Cinema Community filmmaking in DeKalb County Illinois
Famous!
DeKalb, Illinois
Every city and town has it's famous citizens and places. DeKalb, Illinois is no exception!
In fact, we have quite a few A-listers!
This page has original content but is also a portal to the efforts of others and is not intended to be comprehensive.
Yes. this page is DeKalb & NIU-centric, but greater DeKalb County and neighbors are also included.
Last updated March 8, 2024
CINDY CRAWFORD Born & Raised!
Superstar model, actress, and media personality. Graduated from DeKalb High School in 1984 as Valedictorian. Was frequently seen around town with husband Richard Gere in the early 90's whom she divorced in 1995. Currently married to Rande Gerber.
RICHARD JENKINS Born & Raised!
Prolific actor of over 80 movies and 20+ TV shows including "The Shape of Water" and "Six Feet Under". Academy Award nominated, he has worked with the Cohen Brothers, Guillermo del Toro, Woody Allen, and Rob Reiner to name just a few. A 1965 graduate of DeKalb High School.
BARBARA HALE Born in DeKalb
Hollywood film star from 1943 until 1978 and TV star until the mid 90's, she is best known for her portrayal of Della Street on the long-running television series Perry Mason starring Raymond Burr. Born in DeKalb, she graduated from Rockford High School in 1940. .
DAN CASTELLANETA NIU Alum
Known as the voice of Homer Simpson along with dozens of others. He graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1979, and to my knowledge has never returned to DeKalb, nor goes out of his way to acknowledge his NIU roots.
NIU Alum
Film and TV star best known for his portrayal of Avon Barksdale on HBOs "The Wire"
NIU Alum
Acclaimed dinosaur hunter, he graduated from NIU with a B.A. in 1979 before moving on to Columbia University for his Ph.D.
NIU Alum
Three-time Academy Award nominated;
she received a BFA in theater from Northern Illinois University.
NIU Alum
Writer, producer, director, actor, known as creator of "Sons of Anarchy" and "Mayans M. C." received an MFA from NIU.
NIU Alum
Film and TV star, best known as Lacey Underall from the classic comedy "Caddyshack". Passed in December 2023.
NIU student
Okay, the "Back to the Future"/"Forrest Gump" director didn't graduate from NIU, but he did attend before heading off to USC.
DEE PALMER
Born and Raised
A DeKalb native, Dee Palmer directed the DeKalb Municipal Band for 63 seasons.
NIU Alum
Generous donor (Barsema Hall and Visitor Center), he has been generous with his time and talents teaching at NIU and a member of the NIU Board of Trustees.
Born in DeKalb
Nope, not that one! Our Phyllis Diller only appeared in two low-budget films; in 1920 and 1934.
Famous!
DeKalb, Illinois
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NIU Professor
Named best world guitarist in 2009, he has performed and recorded with top talent from all over the world. Taught at NIU from 1988-2019.
NIU Ph.D. student
U.S. Illinois senator had her NIU doctoral program interrupted by military service. In May 2011 NIU granted her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
NIU Alum
Created software that unified several stock exchange programs. Built Rich Harvest Farms Golf Course, one of the finest private courses.
NIU Athlete
NFL running back had his best years after moving from the SD Chargers to the Atlanta Falcons.
NIU Alum/Athlete
Super Bowl XLI winner (over the Bears) playing right tackle on Peyton Mannings Indianapolis Colts.
NIU Alum/Athlete
College Football HOF member was the first quarterback to throw for 3000+ yards at any level in a single season.
NIU Alum/Professor
Steelpan legend from Trinidad & Tobago, serves as chair of Steelpan Studies
NIU Alum
Sports executive in both MLB and the NHL, served as Dodgers GM from 2006 through 2014.
NIU Alum/Professor
Ten-time Hugo award winner and Sci-Fi geek, she was curator of Rare Books and Special Collections at NIU from 2004-2017
NIU Alum
Comedian and actor he's worked with Martin Scorsese, Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino.
Raised/NIU Alum
Long time golf analyst for NBC Sports and the Golf Network. Born in Evanston but raised in DeKalb, received an M.S. degree from NIU in 1973.
Famous!
DeKalb, Illinois
is sponsored by:
Curious about filmmaking?
Interested in learning about digital cinema cameras?
Do you want to make a movie?
Check us out!
No experience neccessary!
HYBRID CORN
While not the inventor of hybrid corn, the DeKalb County Agricultural Association improved yields and disease resistance and birthed one of the greatest corporate logos in history: The DeKalb Ag "Flying Ear"
Recognized around the world, DeKalb Ag was sold to Monsanto in 1998 and left town. It's former HQ is now part of NIU.
BARBED WIRE
The concept was not new, but it was the "winner wire" patented by Joseph Glidden in 1874 that spread all over the world. Cheap and easy to manufacture, it's use has been global and controversial.
BEER NUGGETS
Leave it up to a college town to create something cheap, filling, and greasy. The origin of beer nuggets is disputed with several area eateries making claims, however they are still available at many local restaurants and also worldwide!
GUIDED MISSLES
Using early radar altimeter and TV technology, the U.S. Navy hires a California company to build the TDR-1 weaponized drone. DeKalb is chosen as the sight to build the drones in part because of the local Wurlitzer factories expertise in wood framing. The Navy also built an airport still in use today, Taylor Municipal Airport.
SEEDLING MILE
The first hard-surfaced roadway in the U.S. was the Lincoln Highway, first planned in 1913. It ran from New York City to San Francisco and was largely dirt and gravel, and was treacherous when wet.
In 1914 four "seedling miles" were build to show the value of concrete as a roadway surface. The first of these was built in Malta, Illinois, just 5 miles outside of DeKalb.
SPRAY PAINT
Invented in neighboring Sycamore, IL in 1949, Edward Seymour intended to demonstrate painting radiators with an aluminum coating by mixing it into an aerosol can. The result so successful that it became a global phenomenon used by do-it-yourselfers, professionals, street and (of course) graffiti artists.
FARM BUREAUS
In 1912 the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association hired William Eckhardt as the country's first paid farm adviser. Eckhardt encouraged crop rotation and the use of limestone to improve soil conditions and became a leading agricultral voice nationwide. In 1926 the name was changed to DeKalb County Farm Bureau.
ELLWOOD HOUSE
Originally built in 1879 by barbed wire mogul Isaac Ellwood, the mansion was the home of 3 generations of Ellwood's until the family donated the home to the DeKalb Park District. A visitors' center and children's playhouse also sit on the property.
GLIDDEN HOMESTEAD
The home of barbed-wire innovator Joseph Glidden was built in 1861. Additions include the historic barn where Glidden and blacksmith Phineas Vaughn perfected a method for making barbed wire and a working blacksmith shop.
UPSTAGING inc.
Located in Sycamore, they provide lighting, video, and transportation for some of the biggest names in music including Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Radiohead. Their iconic red trucks are seen throughout the country.
NIU
Founded in 1895 as a normal school and gaining full university status in 1957, Northern Illinois University is the second largest university in Illinois and offers traditional liberal arts degrees along with 79 graduate programs and a law school.
EGYPTIAN THEATRE
One of the few remaining and best examples of Egyptian Revival architecture. Opened in 1929, it is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Currently hosts movies, concerts, and events. Tours available!
LOTHSON'S KARRY OUT
Okay, so it's not actually famous...but it should be, dammit! Where chicken is king, this iconic carry out restaurant on East Lincoln Highway has been fry'n since 1949. Best. Sign. Ever!
FARGO THEATER
Opened in 1929 and originally hosted Vaudeville performances and movies. Converted to a roller rink in 1962, then storage, it currently is the home of Fargo Skateboarding (skatepark in the theater area)
ALTGELD HALL (NIU)
The "Castle on the Hill" was NIU's original building when it opened as a normal school in 1899 and cost $230,000 to build. Extensively renovated 1999-2004 at a cost of $24 million.
OTTO'S
The last real music venue in DeKalb hosted Snoop Dogg, Wilco, Warren Zevon, and many other top acts. Closed in January 2014. Shaw Media article.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS visited Sycamore on February 16th, 1870. True Republican 19 February 1870 — Illinois Digital Newspaper Collections
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD Three sites in DeKalb County are recognized for assisting enslaved persons to freedom in Canada; Mayfield Congregational Church, the former home of Deacon David West on Old State road in Sycamore, and Somonauk’s United Presbyterian Church.
PRESIDENTIAL VISITS William McKinley October 1898. Gov. Teddy Roosevelt Oct. 6, 1900, and as President on May 10th, 1905. Ronald Reagan 1922 (as a caddy). Warren Harding's funeral train 1923. Senator John F. Kennedy, Oct. 25th, 1959. Barak Obama August 1st, 2004 (campaigning for U.S. Senate), May7th, 2005 (as senator), February 24th, 2008 (NIU memorial as presidential candidate). George H. W. Bush's funeral train passed through DeKalb on December 14th, 2018 at 1:56 a.m. MORE INFORMATION AT DEKALB COUNTY ONLINE!
NIU HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME Oct 10th, 1903. NIU has one of the longest traditions of homecoming, and there are those who contend the term was first used here. Homecoming wiki
HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS played their first game in Hinckley on January 7, 1927. Globetrotters wiki
SYCAMORE PUMPKIN FEST Began in 1962 through the efforts of Wally Thurow. Pumpkin Fest
NIU SHOOTING On Valentine's Day 2008 five students were killed and 17 wounded when a gunman opened fire inside Cole Hall on the NIU campus. Wikipedia entry
2013 ORANGE BOWL (2012 season) Much to the disapproval of Kirk Herbstreit, NIU earned a berth in the Orange Bowl against Florida State thus depriving a power 5 team of their entitlement. Yes, NIU lost.
Locations included the Junction restaurant, First Lutheran Church, Bob-Jo Speedway, and numerous farms in the area.
Locations included NIU and Rochelle. The homestead location was in Steward, IL.
Filmed in and around Rochelle, IL.
Area locations included Ellwood House in DeKalb and the DeKalb County Courthouse in Sycamore.
Famous!
DeKalb, Illinois
is sponsored by:
Curious about filmmaking?
Interested in learning about digital cinema cameras?
Do you want to make a movie?
Check us out!
No experience neccessary!