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Union Station’s Favorite Celebrities From Kansas City
Many famous faces are moving and shaking around our jewel of the Midwest every day, but how many of them can claim to be hometown heroes? This list includes KC natives that have made a huge impact around the world. So, while this list doesn’t include every celebrity from Kansas City, these are some of our favorites!
The Classics
Jean Harlow
Hollywood’s first platinum blonde bombshell was born Harlean Carpenter on March 3rd, 1911, in Kansas City, Missouri. She spent her first 10 years here before leaving for LA with her mother. A personal casting from Howard Hughes in the movie Hell’s Angels propelled her rise to stardom as a fiery femme fatale in classics like Public Enemy, Bombshell, and Red Dust. From 79th Street to the silver screen, her stories off- and on-screen make Jean Harlow one of our favorite celebrities from Kansas City!
Ginger Rogers
KC’s dynamic duo of dynamite actresses in the early 20th century had very different beginnings. Ginger Rogers was born Virginia Katherine McMath on July 16th, 1911, in Independence, Missouri. An early career in vaudeville would land her a part in A Night in a Dormitory as her first foray into Hollywood films. From there, her storied career would span over three decades, with her last role in Harlow, a drama loosely based on the life of Jean Harlow! Although they took very different paths, Jean and Ginger are two celebrities from Kansas City who made a huge impact on Hollywood.
Charlie Parker
Across the river, Charlie Parker was born on August 29th, 1920, in Kansas City, Kansas. His family would settle in KCMO during the golden age of jazz. With the influence of the early 20s KC jazz scene, Charlie picked up alto saxophone, quit school, and started playing with youth bands at 14. Charlie would eventually join fellow giants like Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis in New York, where he shaped his unique technique and captured audiences from around the world. Despite his battle with addiction and a chaotic personal life, Charlie Parker’s incredible impact on the world of jazz is why he remains one of our favorite celebrities from Kansas City!
The Modern Marvels
Janelle Monáe
As one of the most dynamic artists of our time, it’s easy to tell why Janelle Monáe made Union Station’s short list of celebrities from Kansas City! Janelle Monáe Robinson was born on December 1, 1985, in Kansas City, Kansas. As a child, Janelle honed her raw talent at a local Baptist church and in local musicals. Monáe’s first breakthrough came from Big Boi with a major feature on OutKast’s 2006 Idlewild album. Today, Janelle’s career continues to expand with music, films, and advocacy, but despite millions of fans around the world, Monáe never forgets her KC roots. She dons a signature black and white tux to pay homage to her parents in every performance.
“My mother was a janitor, and my father collected trash, so I wear a uniform too.”
Tech N9ne
We couldn’t leave the king of the Red Kingdom’s rap scene off our list of celebrities from Kansas City! Tech N9ne was born Aaron Dontez Yates on November 8th, 1971, in Kansas City, Missouri. Growing up, he found that rapping helped him spell and practice math! Because of his signature chopping flow, fellow KC underground rapper Black Walt gave him the name Tech N9ne after the semi-automatic weapon. Through international tours, building the strange music empire, and even appearing in a couple films, Tech N9ne remains a humble hometown hero.
The Comedians
Some of the biggest names in film and TV also happen to be some of the funniest celebrities from Kansas City! To round out our list, here’s a little about the local boys who bring the Big Slick to KC every year!
Even though he was born in New Jersey, Paul Rudd is a JoCo bro through and through. In his senior year at Shawnee Mission West, Rudd was voted most likely to appear 2 inches tall in a superhero movie. (How’d they know?)
Across town, Rob Riggle was cracking jokes between classes at Shawnee Mission South! As he broke into the comedy scene, Rob was also on active duty with the United States Marine Corps. His military and acting career has taken him everywhere from Nall Ave and Afghanistan to global investigations and 22 Jump Street!
Lasso but not least, Jason Sudeikis is our final honorary celebrity from Kansas City, despite being born in Fairfax, Virginia. Jason also grew up in Overland Park and cut his teeth in comedy performing improv in KCMO. Sadly, Sudekis is afflicted with anosmia, which means he will never smell the intoxicating aroma of KC barbeque (or when his jokes stink).
All jokes aside, these honorary hometown heroes bring the funny to fundraisers with Big Slick. This yearly fundraiser brings some of the funniest names in Hollywood to raise money for Children’s Mercy Hospital. All proceeds from this three-day event help families fight pediatric cancer and keep loved ones laughing together.
Meet Our Favorite Faces
From the glitz and glamor of 1920s Hollywood to modern changemakers, there are many amazing celebrities from Kansas City. However, our favorite faces are the thousands of visitors who pass through our halls every day. To meet the hometown heroes that make KC truly great, head to Union Station and take a look around! You never know who you might bump into.