List of people from Minnesota
This is a list of notable persons who were born or spent important time in the state of Minnesota. Persons not born in Minnesota are marked with §.
A
- Walter Abel (1898–1987) - actor
- Martin Abern § (1898–1949) - Trotskyist politician
- Charles Edward Adams - 25th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Peter Agre (b. 1949) - Nobel prize winner
- Walden L. Ainsworth (1886–1960) - Admiral of the United States Navy
- Eddie Albert § (1906–2005) - actor, gardener and humanitarian activist
- Frank Albertson (1909–1964) - actor
- Grady Alderman § (b. 1938) - Minnesota Vikings football player
- Cyrus Aldrich § (1808–1871) - member of U.S. Congress
- John G. Alexander § (1893–1971) - member of U.S. Congress
- Brother Ali (Ali Newman) § - hip-hop artist
- Bob Allison § (1934–1995) - Minnesota Twins baseball player
- A. A. Ames § (1842–1911) - politician
- Herman Carl Andersen § (1897–1978) - member of U.S. Congress
- Brad Anderson (b. 1969) - wrestler
- Clyde Elmer Anderson (1912–1998) - 28th Governor of Minnesota; 30th and 33rd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Dan Anderson (1920–2003) - psychologist
- Elmer L. Andersen § (1909–2004) - 30th Governor of Minnesota, businessman, philanthropist
- G. Barry Anderson - judge
- Gene Anderson (1933–1991) - wrestler
- Larry Anderson (b. 1952) - actor
- Gary Anderson § (b. 1959) - Minnesota Vikings football player
- Ken Anderson (b. 1976) - wrestler
- Liz Anderson (b. 1930) - songwriter
- Loni Anderson (b. 1945) - television actor (WKRP in Cincinnati), wife of Burt Reynolds
- Louie Anderson (b. 1953) - comedian, television personality (Life with Louie, Family Feud)
- Marc Anderson - Percussionist
- Morten Andersen § (b. 1960) - Minnesota Vikings football player
- Ole Anderson (b. 1942) - wrestler
- Paul H. Anderson - judge
- Richard Dean Anderson (b. 1950) - television actor (MacGyver, Stargate SG-1)
- Russell A. Anderson (b. 1942] - judge
- Sydney Anderson (1881–1948) - member of U.S. Congress
- Wendell Anderson (b. 1933) - 33rd Governor of Minnesota; U.S. Senator
- August H. Andresen § (1890–1958) - member of U.S. Congress
- Christopher Columbus Andrews § (1829–1922) - soldier, diplomat, and author
- Kofi Annan § (b. 1938) - outgoing Secretary-General of the United Nations
- James Anton - bass guitarist
- Henry M. Arens § (1873–1963) - member of U.S. Congress; 26th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Thomas H. Armstrong § (1826–1891) - banker, lawyer, legislator, 5th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Dave Arneson (b. 1955) - game designer, co-creator of D&D
- James Arness (b. 1923) - television actor (Gunsmoke)
- Jeanne Arth - tennis player
- Antoine Auguelle § - Explorer
- Horace Austin § (1831–1905) - 6th Governor of Minnesota
- Hy Averback (1920–1997) - director, producer, actor, and production manager
- John T. Averill § (1825–1889) - member of U.S. Congress
- Lew Ayres (1908–1996) - actor
B
- Tim M. Babcock (b. 1919) - politician
- Michele Bachmann (b. 1956) - politician
- David Backes (b. 1984) - hockey player
- Edward Wellington Backus (1861–1934) - timber baron
- Bill Baker (b. 1956) - hockey player
- Earl Bakken (b. 1924) - co-founder of Medtronic
- Jim Bakker § (b. 1939) - televangelist
- Melvin Baldwin § (1838–1901) - member of U.S. Congress
- Joseph H. Ball (1905–1993) - U.S. Senator
- Keith Ballard - (b. 1982) - hockey player
- Ann Bancroft (b. 1955) - polar explorer, first female to reach both North and South Poles
- Dennis Banks (b. 1937) - Native American leader, teacher, lecturer, activist, and author
- Margaret Culkin Banning (1891–1982) - author, poet, women's rights advocate
- Marion Barber III (b. 1983) - Dallas Cowboys football player
- Dean Barkley (b. 1950) - U.S. Senator
- Lynsey Bartilson (b. 1983) - actor
- Alphonso Barto - 7th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Earl Battey § (1935–2003) - Minnesota Twins baseball player
- Marion Bauer - writer
- Elgin Baylor § (b. 1934) - basketball player
- Charles Baxter (b. 1947) - author
- John Becker - composer
- James Bede § (1856–1942) - member of U.S. Congress
- Nicholas Joseph Begich (1932–1972) - politician
- Troy Bell (b. 1980) - basketball player
- Clyde Bellecourt (b. 1936) - Native American civil rights organizer
- Sharon Sayles Belton (b. 1951) - first African-American mayor of Minneapolis
- Chief Bender (1884–1954) - Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
- Shelton Benjamin § (b. 1975) - wrestler
- Kenny Benkowski (b. 1937) - wrestler
- Paris Bennett § (b. 1988) - singer
- Tony Benshoof (b. 1975) - luger, Olympian
- Elmer Austin Benson (1895–1985) - 24th Governor of Minnesota; U.S. Senator
- Joanne Benson (b. 1943) - 44th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- William Benton (1900 – 1973) - U.S. Senator
- Juan Berenguer § (b. 1954) - Minnesota Twins baseball player
- Patty Berg (1918–2006) - golfer, founding member of LPGA
- Robert Bergland (b. 1928) - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture; member of U.S. Congress
- Tim Bergland (b. 1965) - hockey player
- Jason Behr (b. 1973) - actor
- John Bernard § (1893–1983) - member of U.S. Congress
- Philip Berrigan (1923–2002) - peace activist, Christian anarchist, and Roman Catholic priest
- Bill Berry (b. 1958) - R.E.M. drummer
- Jessica Biel (b. 1982) - actor (7th Heaven)
- Bernie Bierman § (1894–1977) - college football coach
- Big Eagle (c. 1827–1906) - leader of a band of Mdewakanton Sioux Indians
- James H. Binger (1916–2004) - lawyer, CEO of Honeywell and Hewlett Packard
- John Binkowski (b. 1979) - politician
- Matt Birk (b. 1976) - Minnesota Vikings football player
- Kevin Bjorke - artist, photographer, and writer
- Harry Blackmun § (1908–1999) - Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
- Matt Blair § (b. 1950) - Minnesota Vikings football player
- Al Blake (b. 1961) - wrestler
- Jason Blake (b. 1973) - hockey player
- Michael Bland (b. 1969) - drummer
- John Blatnik (1911–1991) - member of U.S. Congress
- Jerome Blatz - politician
- Kathleen A. Blatz (b. 1954) - judge and politician
- David Bloom (1963–2003) - journalist
- Wayne Bloom (b. 1958) - wrestler
- Josh Blue § (b. 1978) - comedian
- Carol Bly - short story writer
- Robert Bly (b. 1926) - poet, author
- Bert Blyleven § (b. 1951) - Minnesota Twins baseball player
- Haldor Boen § (1846–1936) - member of U.S. Congress
- Brian Bonin (b. 1973) - hockey player
- Brady Boone (b. 1958) - wrestler
- Jeremy Borash (b. 1977) - wrestling announcer
- Madeleine Bordallo (b. 1933) - politician
- Wayne Boring (1905–1987) - comic book artist
- Rudy Boschwitz § (b. 1930) - U.S. Senator
- Lyman Bostock § (1950–1978) - baseball player
- Norman Borlaug (b. 1914) - agricultural scientist, Nobel Peace Prize
- Lloyd Wheaton Bowers § (1859–1910) - Solicitor General
- Kay Boyle (1902–1992) - writer, educator, and political activist
- Jim Brandenburg - photographer
- Joseph K. Bratton (b. 1926) - engineer
- Dick Bremer - broadcaster
- Kai Brendlinger (b. 1943) - model
- Nicholas Brewer - painter
- Ann Brill - dean of University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism
- Joe Brinkman (b. 1944) - umpire
- Bill Brown § (b. 1938) - Minnesota Vikings football player
- Herb Brooks (1937–2003) - 1980 Olympics ice hockey coach, Minnesota Golden Gophers coach, Minnesota North Stars coach
- Neal Broten (b. 1959) - ice hockey player
- Jim Brower (b. 1972) - baseball player
- Joey Browner § (b. 1960) - football player
- Aaron Brown (b. 1948) - broadcast journalist
- Brownmark (Brown Mark or Mark Brown) (b. 1962) - musician and producer
- Bob Bruer § (b. 1953) - football player and coach
- Tom Brunansky § (b. 1960) - Minnesota Twins baseball player
- Bobby Bryant § (b. 1944) - Minnesota Vikings football player
- Rich T. Buckler § (1865–1950) - member of U.S. Congress
- Clarence Buckman § (1851–1917) - member of U.S. Congress
- Vincent Bugliosi (b. 1934) - attorney
- Corliss Orville Burandt - engineer
- Warren E. Burger (1907–1995) - Chief Justice of the United States
- Michael C. Burgess (b. 1950) - physician and politician
- Tom Burgmeier (b. 1943) - baseball player
- Joseph A. A. Burnquist § (1879–1961) - 19th Governor of Minnesota; 20th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Jerry Burns (b. 1927) - Minnesota Vikings football coach
- Tom Burnett (1963–2001) - passenger on United Airlines Flight 93
- Chatwood Burton - painter
- Pierce Butler (1866–1939) - Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
- Dominique Byrd (b. 1984) - football player
- Thomas R. Byrne - politician
C
- Melvin Calvin (1911–1997) - Nobel Prize winner
- Karlyn Kohrs Campbell (b. 1937) - academic
- Rod Carew § (b. 1945) - Minnesota Twins baseball player
- Ron Carey - political leader
- Arne Carlson § (b. 1934) - 37th Governor of Minnesota
- Bruce Carlson (b. 1971) - Commander, Air Force Materiel Command
- Curt Carlson (1914–1999) - businessperson (Carlson Companies, Radisson Hotels)
- Gretchen Carlson - beauty queen, anchor
- Kelly Carlson (b. 1976) - actor
- Nancy Carlson - author
- Kyle and Lane Carlson (b. 1978) - models
- Richard Carlson (1912–1977) - actor
- Herb Carneal (1923–2007) - Minnesota Twins baseball announcer
- David Carr (b. 1956) - NY Times Writer
- William Leighton Carss § (1865–1931) - member of U.S. Congress
- Anthony Carter § (b. 1975) - Minnesota Timberwolves basketball player
- Kiki Carter (Kimberli Wilson) § (b. 1957)
- Environmental activist, organizer, musician, songwriter, and columnist
- Jonathan Carver § (1710–1780) explorer
- Bob Casey (1925–2004) - Minnesota Twins public address announcer
- Patrick Casey (b. 1978) - writer and actor
- David Casper (b. 1952) - football player
- James Castle § (1836–1903) - member of U.S. Congress
- Tracy Caulkins (b. 1963) - swimmer
- James M. Cavanaugh § (1823–1879) - member of U.S. Congress
- Michael Cavlan § (b. 1959) - politician
- Cepia - musician
- Chelsea Charms (b. 1976) - model
- Ray P. Chase (1880–1948) - member of U.S. Congress
- Tom Chorske (b. 1966) - hockey player
- Chief Chouneau (William Cadreau) (1888–1946) - baseball player
- Victor Christgau (1894–1991) - member of U.S. Congress
- Theodore Christianson (1883–1948) - 21st Governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
- Cantara Christopher (b. 1955) - memoirist and publisher
- Charles A. Christopherson (1871–1951) - politician
- Nick Ciola (Dominic Ciola or Caesar) - musician
- Moses E. Clapp (1851–1929) - U.S. Senator
- Frank Clague § (1865–1952) - member of U.S. Congress
- Harlan Cleveland
- Championed DIKW, Club of Rome member, founding dean for H. H. Humphrey Institute, politician
- David Marston Clough § (1846–1924) - 13th Governor of Minnesota; 12th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Ben Clymer (b. 1978) hockey player
- Ethan Coen (b. 1957) - screenwriter, director, producer
- Joel Coen (b. 1954) - screenwriter, director, producer
- William Colby (1920–1996) - director of the CIA
- Chris Coleman (b. 1961) - politician
- Nick Coleman (b. 1950) - columnist
- Nick Coleman (1925–1981) - politician
- Norm Coleman § (b. 1949) - U.S. Senator, Mayor of Saint Paul
- Louis L. Collins - 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Mo Collins (b. 1965) - comedic actor
- Solomon Comstock § (1842–1933) - member of U.S. Congress
- Chester Adgate Congdon § (1853–1916) - lawyer and capitalist
- Edward Chester Congdon (1885–1940) - businessperson
- Walter Bannister Congdon (1882–1949) - businessperson
- Rachael Leigh Cook (b. 1979) - actor, model
- Marisa Coughlan (b. 1974) - model and actor
- Gratia Countryman (1866–1953) - influential librarian
- Chris Cox (b. 1952) - Chairman of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, United States representative
- Fred Cox - Minnesota Vikings football player, inventor of Nerf football
- Seymour Cray § (1925–1996) - founder Cray Research, supercomuter architect, inventor
- Joseph Crétin § (1799–1857) - first Roman Catholic bishop of Saint Paul
- David Crittenden § (b. 1960) classical guitarist
- Daunte Culpepper § (b. 1977) - former Minnesota Vikings football player
- Randall Cunningham § (b. 1963) - former Minnesota Vikings football player
- Robert E. Cushman, Jr. (1914–1985) - Commandant of the Marine Corps
D
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- Arlene Dahl (b. 1923) - actor
- Nicole, Erica, and Jaclyn Dahm (b. 1977) - models
- Cathee Dahmen (b. 1946) Supermodel in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Shawn Daivari § (b. 1984) - wrestler
- Ian Anthony Dale (b. 1978) - actor
- Teresa Daly (b. 1956) - politician
- Billy Dankert - singer, songwriter, drummer
- Barry Darsow (b. 1959) wrestler
- Charles Russell Davis § (1849–1930) - member of U.S. Congress
- Cushman Davis § (1838–1900) - 7th Governor of Minnesota; U.S. Senator
- Stuart Davis § (b. 1971) - musician and songwriter
- Frank A. Day - 13th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Morris Day § (b. 1957) - musician and composer
- George Dayton § (1857–1938) - banker, businessperson
- Mark Dayton (b. 1947) - former U.S. Senator
- Adolph Dehn - lithographer
- William Demarest (1892–1983) - film and television actor (My Three Sons)
- Dr. Demento (b. 1941) radio personality (aka Barret Eugene Hansen)
- Carol Dempster (1901–1991) - actor
- Jessica Dereschuk (b. 1982) - beauty queen
- Edward Devitt (1911–1992) - member of U.S. Congress
- Kate DiCamillo § (b. 1964) - children's author (Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tiger Rising)
- Gordon R. Dickson § (1923–2001) - author
- Richard Dix (1893–1949) - actor
- Gil Dobie (1879–1948) - college football coach
- Farrell Dobbs § (1907–1983) - Trotskyist politician, trade unionist
- William Dodd - historian, American ambassador to Nazi Germany
- Chris Doleman (b. 1961) - Minnesota Vikings football player
- Ignatius L. Donnelly § (1831–1901) - member of U.S. Congress, 2nd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, author
- Frank Doran - politician
- Kelly Doran (b. 1957) - businessperson
- Michael Doran § (1827–1915) - politician
- William O. Douglas (1898–1980) - Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
- Jeffrey Douma - choir director
- Julia Duffy (b. 1951) - comedic actor
- Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut § (1639–1710) - French explorer
- Mark H. Dunnell § (1823–1904) - member of U.S. Congress
- William Durbin - author
- David Durenberger - (b. 1934) - U.S. Senator
- Sally Dworsky - singer, songwriter
- Bob Dylan (b. 1941) - singer-songwriter, musician, poet
- Joanell Dyrstad (b. 1942) - 43rd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
E
- Patrick Eaves § (b. 1984) - professional hockey player
- Adolph Olson Eberhart § (1870–1944) - 17th Governor of Minnesota; 17th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Richard Eberhart (1904–2005) - poet
- Frank Eddy (1856–1929) - member of U.S. Congress
- Alonzo J. Edgerton § (1827–1896) - U.S. Senator
- Jim Eisenreich (b. 1959) - Minnesota Twins player
- Christian Elder (b. 1968) - stock car driver
- Kimberly Elise (b. 1967) - actor
- David Ellefson (b. 1964) - musician
- Paul Ellering (b. 1953) - wrestler
- Carl Eller § (b. 1942) - Minnesota Vikings football player
- Keith Maurice Ellison (b. 1963) - politician
- Franklin Ellsworth (1879–1942) - member of U.S. Congress
- LaFayette Emmett - politician
- Ralph Engelstad (1930–2002) - businessperson
- Leif Enger - author
- Elmer William Engstrom (1901–1984) - engineer
- Fred Enke (1897–1985) - college basketball coach
- Mike Enos (b. 1963) - wrestler
- Eric Enstrom - photographer
- Matt Entenza § - politician
- Arlen Erdahl (b. 1931) - member of U.S. Congress
- Louise Erdrich (b. 1954) - novelist, poet, children's author
- Bryan Erickson (b. 1960) - hockey player.
- Scott Erickson § (b. 1968) - Minnesota Twins baseball player
- Mike Erlandson - politician
- Douglas Ewart § (b. 1946) - instrument builder and musician
- Eyedea (Mike Averill or Oliver Hart) (b. 1982) - underground rapper
F
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- Clifford Fagan (1911–1995) - high school basketball referee
- Mike Farrell (b. 1939) - actor (M*A*S*H)
- Mike Farrell (b. 1978) - hockey player
- Ciatrick Fason § (b. 1982) - Minnesota Vikings football player
- Chris Faust § (b. 1955) - photographer
- Tammy Faye (Tammy Faye Bakker Messner or Tamara Faye LaValley) (b. 1942) - Televangelist, singer
- George William Featherstonhaugh § (b. 1780) - explorer
- Trevor Fehrman (b. 1981) - actor
- Alan Fine (b. 1962) - businessperson, politician
- Jim Finks § (1927–1994) - Minnesota Vikings manager
- David Fischer (b. 1988) - hockey player
- Mardy Fish (b. 1981) - tennis player
- F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) - novelist, short story writer
- Larry Fitzgerald (b. 1983) - football player
- Marcus Fitzgerald (b. 1985]] - football player
- Jacob Fjelde - sculptor
- David Flair (b. 1979) - wrestler
- Ric Flair § (b. 1949) - wrestler
- Richard E. Fleming (1917–1942) - a sailor
- Loren Fletcher § (1833–1919) - member of U.S. Congress
- Harry Flynn § (b. 1933) - Roman Catholic archbishop
- Vince Flynn - author
- John R. Foley (1917–2001) - politician
- John M. Ford (d. 2006) - science fiction author and poet
- Jamie Foss - singer
- Al Franken § (b. 1951) - political humorist, author, radio commentator
- Thomas Frankson (1869–1939) - lawyer, real estate developer, and politician; 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Donald M. Fraser (b. 1924) - mayor of Minneapolis, member of U.S. Congress
- James Earle Fraser (1876–1953) - sculptor
- Jeff Frazee (b. 1987) - hockey player
- Orville Freeman (1918–2003) - 29th Governor of Minnesota, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
- Frederick William Freking (1911–1998) - shaman
- Bill Frenzel (b. 1928) - member of U.S. Congress
- Thomas Friedman (b. 1953) - journalist, columnist, author
- Lindsay Frost (b. 1962) - actor
- Daniel Fry (1908–1992) - alien spaceship passenger
- Allen J. Furlow (1890–1954) - member of U.S. Congress
G
- Wanda Gag (1893–1946) - author, illustrator
- John Gagliardi § (b. 1926) - St. John's College football coach
- Greg Gagne § (b. 1961) - baseball player
- Greg Gagne (b. 1948) - wrestler
- Verne Gagne (b. 1923) - wrestler, founder of American Wrestling Association
- Daniele Gaither (b. 1972) - comic actor
- Thomas J. Galbraith - politician
- Richard Pillsbury Gale (1900–1973) - member of U.S. Congress
- William Gallagher (1875–1946) - member of U.S. Congress
- Chick Gandil (1887–1970) - baseball player
- Roy Alexander Gano (1902–1971) - Vice Admiral U.S. Navy
- Joshua Gardner § (b. 1983) - sex offender
- Judy Garland (1922–1969) - singer, actor
- Lorraine Garland - folk singer and fiddler
- Edward R. Garvey § - activist, lawyer, and politician
- Mike Garvey (b. 1962) - stock car driver
- Larry Gates (1915–1996) - actor
- Ron "Boogiemonster" Gerber (b. 1968) - disc jockey, pop music historian, and engineer.
- J. Paul Getty (1892–1976) - entrepreneur, philanthropist, founder of Getty Oil Company
- John L. Gibbs - 14th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Tom Gibis (b. 1965) - voice actor
- Cass Gilbert § (1859–1934) - architect
- Stan Gilbertson (b. 1944) - hockey player
- John Gilfillan § (1835–1924) - member of U.S. Congress
- Charles A. Gilman - 9th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Terry Gilliam (b. 1940) - actor (Monty Python), writer, director
- Sid Gillman (1911–2003) - American football coach
- Robert R. Gilruth (1913–2000) - aviation and space pioneer
- Dan Gladden § (b. 1957) - Minnesota Twins baseball player
- James B. Goetz § (b. 1936) - radio executive and the 38th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Godfrey G. Goodwin (1873–1933) - member of U.S. Congress
- Samuel Y. Gordon - 19th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Genevieve Gorder (b. 1974) - designer, television personality (Trading Spaces)
- Willis Arnold Gorman § (1816–1876) - lawyer, soldier, politician
- Moonlight Graham § (1876–1965) - doctor, baseball player
- Billy Graham § (b. 1918) - evangelist, former president of Northwestern College
- Rod Grams (b. 1948) - U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
- Bud Grant § (b. 1927) - former Minnesota Vikings football coach
- Mary GrandPré - illustrator (Harry Potter books)
- Jim "Mudcat" Grant § (b. 1935) - Minnesota Twins baseball player
- Peter Graves (Peter Aurness) (b. 1926) - actor (Mission: Impossible television series, Airplane!, 7th Heaven)
- Lauren Green (b. 1963) beauty queen, anchor
- Dennis Green § (b. 1949) - Minnesota Vikings football coach
- Steven Greenberg (b. 1950) - musician (Funkytown), record producer
- Joan Growe (b. 1935) - former Minnesota Secretary of State
- Bill Gullickson (b. 1959) - baseball player
- Kevin Gullikson - basketball player
- Eric Gustafson (b. 1975) - journalist
- Gil Gutknecht § (b. 1951) - former member of U.S. Congress
- Earl Guy - writer
- Cristian Guzmán § (b. 1978) - Minnesota Twins baseball player
H
- Tom Hagedorn (b. 1943) - member of U.S. Congress
- Harold Hagen (1901–1957) - member of U.S. Congress
- Molly Hagan (b. 1961) - actor
- Darwin Hall § (1844–1919) - member of U.S. Congress
- Osee M. Hall § (1847–1914) - member of U.S. Congress
- Philo Hall (1865–1938) - politician
- Walter Halloran (1921–2005) - priest, chaplain
- Kittel Halvorson § (1846–1936) - member of U.S. Congress
- Winfield Scott Hammond § (1863–1915) - 18th Governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
- Trina Hamlin - singer, songwriter
- Alan Hangsleben (b. 1953) - hockey player
- Duane Hanson (1925–1996) - post-modern sculptor
- Jeff Hanson § (b. 1978) - singer-songwriter, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist
- Arthur Harkins § (b. 19xx) - Co-founded World Future Society's Minnesota Futurists Chapter
- Brian Harper § (b. 1959) - baseball player
- Har Mar Superstar (Sean Tillmann) (b. 1978) - entertainer
- Irving Harris (1910–2004) - businessperson
- William H. Harries § (1843–1921) - member of U.S. Congress
- Napoleon Harris § (b. 1979) - football player
- Ellen Hart § (b.1949)- mystery novelist
- Brynn Hartman (Vicki Omdahl) (1958–1998) - actor
- Josh Hartnett § (b. 1978) - actor
- Sid Hartman (b. 1920) - sports writer
- Jon Hassler (b. 1933) - author
- Mike Hatch (b. 1948) - attorney general
- Louis J. Hauge, Jr. (1924–1945) - sailor
- Marty Haugen (b. 1950) - composer
- Pete Hautman § (b. 1952) - novelist
- Joel Heatwole § (1856–1910) - member of U.S. Congress
- Mitch Hedberg (1968–2005) - absurdist comic
- Bret Hedican (b. 1970) - hockey player
- Garrett Hedlund (b. 1984) - actor
- Tippi Hedren (b. 1930) - actor
- Michael Hegstrand (1957–2003) - wrestler
- Lawrence Heinemi (b. 1943) - wrestler
- Luke Helder (b. 1981) - pipe bomber
- Echo Star Helstrom (b. 1941) - girlfriend of Bob Dylan's
- E. J. Henderson - football player
- Skitch Henderson (Lyle Russell Cedric Henderson) (1918–2005) - pianist, conductor, and composer
- Ben Hendrickson (b. 1981) - baseball player
- Darby Hendrickson (b. 1972) - hockey player
- Curt Hennig (1958–2003) - wrestler
- Larry Hennig - wrestler
- Father Hennepin § (1626–1705) - explorer
- Abigail and Brittany Hensel (b. 1990) - conjointed twins
- Barton Hepburn (1906–1955) - actor
- Don Herbert (1917–2007) - television host
- Maureen Herman § (b. 1966) - musician
- Bryan Hickerson (b. 1963) - baseball player
- Wally Hilgenberg - football player
- George Roy Hill (1921–2002) - film director
- James J. Hill § (1838–1916) - railroad tycoon, founder of Great Northern Railway
- Peter Himmelman (b. 1960) - Songwriter
- John H. Hinderaker (b. 1950) - lawyer, blogger
- Larry Hisle § (b. 1947) - baseball player
- Charles Hoag § (1808–1888) - scholar
- Tami Hoag - novelist
- Leroy Hoard § (b. 1968) - football player
- Tobias Hogan - politician
- Einar Hoidale § - member of U.S. Congress
- Mary Liz Holberg - politician
- William Holcombe § (1804–1870) - 1st Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Perry Greeley Holden (1865–1959) - professor of agronomy
- Allison Holker (b. 1988) - contemporary jazz dancer
- Bill Holm - poet
- Paul Holmgren (b. 1955) - hockey player
- James Hong (b. 1929) - actor
- Townsend Hoopes (1922–2004) - soldier
- Eric Hoplin - swindler
- George A. Hormel § (1860–1946) - founder of Hormel Foods
- George "Geordie" Hormel (1928–2006) - musician and recording studio proprietor
- James Hormel (b. 1931) - philanthropist
- Jay Catherwood Hormel (1892–1954) - businessman
- Aaron Hosack § - football player
- Harold Hotelling (1895–1973) - statistician and economist
- Phil Housley (b. 1964) - hockey player
- Guy V. Howard (1879–1954) - U.S. Senator
- Kent Hrbek (b. 1960) - baseball player
- Lucius Frederick Hubbard § (1836–1913) - 9th Governor of Minnesota
- Wing Young Huie - photographer
- Don Hultz - football player
- Oliver Humperdink (b. 1949) - wrestling manager
- Hubert Humphrey § (1911–1978) - U.S. Senator, Vice President, and presidential candidate
- Muriel Humphrey § (1912–1998) - U.S. Senator
- Skip Humphrey (b. 1942) - Minnesota attorney general
- Torii Hunter § (b. 1975) - baseball player
- Siri Hustvedt (b. 1955) - novelist
- Peter Hutchinson (b.1949) - politician and businessperson
I
- Seth Dorrel - football player
- Tim Irwin - football player
- Barney Irwin - wrestler
- Scott Irwin (b. 1952) - wrestler
- Sharon Isbin (b. 1956) - classical guitarist
- I Self Devine § (b. 1972) - musician
- Ishtakhaba - Lakota chief
- Gideon S. Ives - 11th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
J
- Sam Jacobson (b. 1975) - basketball player
- Jimmy Jam (b. 1959) - songwriter, co-founder of Flyte Tyme Productions
- Erasmus James § (b. 1982) - football player
- Lee Janzen (b. 1964) - golfer
- Kenny Jay (Kenny Benkowski) (b. 1937) wrestler
- Sue Jeffers § - businessperson
- Claudia Jennings (Mary Eileen Chesterton) § (1949–1979) - model and actor
- Mason Jennings § (b. 1975) - pop-folk singer-songwriter
- Jim Jensen § (1926–1999) - sportswriter
- Whoopee John - polka king
- Bob Johnson (1931–1991) - hockey coach
- Brad Johnson § (b. 1968) - football player
- Craig Johnson (b. 1972) - hockey player
- Dan Johnson (b. 1979) - baseball player
- Dean Johnson (b. 1947) - politician
- Dewey Johnson (1899–1941) - member of U.S. Congress
- Erik Johnson (b. 1988) - hockey player
- Jellybean Johnson (Garry George Johnson) § (b. 1956) - songwriter, producer and musician
- Jim Johnson (b. 1962) - hockey player
- John Albert Johnson (1861–1909) - 16th Governor of Minnesota
- Josh Johnson (b. 1984) - baseball player
- Magnus Johnson § (1871–1936) - U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
- Marcus Johnson § (b. 1981) - football player
- Mark Johnson (b. 1957) - hockey player
- Marlene Johnson (b. 1946) - 42nd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Paul Johnson (b. 1935) - hockey player
- Reynold B. Johnson (1906–1998) - inventor and computer pioneer
- Scott W. Johnson (b. 1940) - lawyer, blogger
- Spencer Johnson - football player
- Donald O. Johnston - (b. 1929) - composer, music publisher, educator
- Lance Johnstone § (b. 1973) - football player
- Casey Patrick Jones § (b. 1990) - wrestler
- Jacques Jones § (b. 1975) - baseball player
- Ray W. Jones - 16th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Bennie Joppru § (b. 1980) - football player
- Steve Jordan § (b. 1961) - football player
- Bradley Joseph (b. 1965) - composer, pianist, keyboardist
- Walter Judd § (b. 1898–1994) - member of U.S. Congress
- Jerry Juhl (1938–2005) - television and movie writer, puppeteer
- Dan Jurgens (b. 1959) - writer and illustrator
K
- Jim Kaat § (b. 1938) - baseball player
- John Anthony Kaiser (1932-2000) - Roman Catholic priest killed in Kenya
- Joe Kapp § (b. 1939) - football player
- Mick Karch - wrestling announcer
- Rich Karlis § (b. 1959) - football player
- Jawed Karim (b. 1979) - Creator of Youtube
- Joseph Karth (1922–2005) - member of U.S. Congress
- Vincent Kartheiser (b. 1979) - actor
- Maude Kegg (Ojibwa name Naawakamigookwe) (1904–1996) - writer, folk artist, and cultural interpreter
- Garrison Keillor (b. 1942) - radio humorist and author (A Prairie Home Companion)
- Alexander M. Keith (b. 1928) - judge, politician; 37th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Melissa Keller (b. 1979) - model and actor
- Oscar Keller § (1878–1927) - member of U.S. Congress
- Wade Keller - columnist
- John Edward Kelley § (1853–1941) - South Dakota politician
- Frank Kellogg § (b. 1856–1937) - U.S. Senator, U.S. secretary of state, Kellogg-Briand Pact
- Steve Kelley (b. 1953) - politician
- Randy Kelly § (b. 1950) - politician
- Tom Kelly (b. 1950) - baseball coach
- Linda Kelsey (b. 1946) - actor
- Mark Kennedy (b. 1957) - former member of U.S. Congress
- Elizabeth Kenny § (b. 1880–1952) - nurse, discovered a revolutionary treatment for polio
- George Keogan (1890–1943) - basketball coach
- Olga Kharitidi § - psychiatrist, shaman
- Leonard Kibrick (1924–1993) - child actor
- Sidney Kibrick (b. 1928) - child actor
- Jefferson P. Kidder § (1815–1883) - lawyer and jurist
- Dana Kiecker (b. 1961) - baseball player
- Andrew Kiefer § (1832–1904) - member of U.S. Congress
- Mary Kiffmeyer (b. 1946) - Minnesota Secretary of State
- Craig Kilborn § (b. 1962) - television personality
- Lindsey Kildow (b. 1984) - downhill skier, olympian
- Harmon Killebrew § (b. 1936) - baseball player
- Ward Kimball (1914–2002) - animator, musician
- Charles Kimbrough (b. 1936) - actor
- William S. King § (1828–1900) - member of U.S. Congress
- William W. Kingsbury § (1828–1892) - politician
- Sheila Kiscaden - politician
- Jeremy James Kissner (b. 1985) - actor
- Norman Kittson § (1814–1888) - businessperson, politician
- Trent Klatt (b. 1971) - hockey player
- Kurt Kleinendorst (b. 1960) - hockey coach
- Scot Kleinendorst (b. 1960) - hockey player
- Jim Kleinsasser § (b. 1977) - football player
- John Kline § (b. 1947) - member of U.S. Congress
- Amy Klobuchar (b. 1960) - U.S. Senator
- Chris Kluwe § (b. 1981) - football player
- T. R. Knight (b. 1973) - actor
- Chuck Knoblauch § (b. 1968) - baseball player
- Coya Knutson § (1912–1996) - member of U.S. Congress
- Harold Knutson § (1880–1953) - member of U.S. Congress
- Paul Koering (b. 1964) - politician; rare openly gay Republican
- Nikita Koloff (b. 1959) - wrestler
- Jerry Koosman (b. 1942) - baseball player
- Charlie Korsmo § (b. 1978) - actor
- Corey Koskie § (b. 1973) - baseball player
- Kristina Koznick - downhill skier, olympian
- Tommy Kramer § (b. 1955) - football player
- Paul Krause § (b. 1942) - football player
- Peter Krause (b. 1965) - actor
- Richard E. Kraus § (1925–1944) - sailor
- Mitch Krebs - anchor
- Joan B. Kroc (1928-2003) - philanthropist
- Helen Barbara Kruger (1913–2006) - entrepreneur
- Robert T. Kuhn (b. 1937) - shaman
- Bernie Kukar - National Football League referee
- William F. Kunze (1872–1962) - banker, politician
- Tom Kurvers (b. 1962) - hockey player
- Ole J. Kvale § (1869–1929) - member of U.S. Congress
- Paul John Kvale § (1896–1940) - member of U.S. Congress
L
- James D. La Belle (1924–1945) - sailor
- Manuel Lagos (b. 1971) - soccer player
- Lorna Landvik - author
- Lenny Lane (b. 1970) - wrestler
- Odin Langen (1913–1976) - member of U.S. Congress
- Jessica Lange (b. 1949) - actor
- Jim Lange (b. 1933) - television host
- Jamie Langenbrunner (b. 1975) - hockey player
- Josh Langfeld (b. 1977) - hockey player
- Katherine Lanpher (b. 1959) - radio personality, journalist
- Gene Larkin § (b. 1962) - baseball player
- Erik Larsen (b. 1962) - comic book writer, artist, and publisher
- Gary Larsen § (b. 1942) - football player
- Oscar Larson § (1871–1957) - member of U.S. Congress
- Reed Larson (b. 1956) - hockey player
- George Latimer § (b. 1935) - politician
- Tom Laughlin (b. 1931) - actor
- Matt Lawton § (b. 1971) - baseball player
- Bernie Leadon (b. 1947) - musician
- Carrie Lee - beauty queen
- Carl Lee - football player
- Tammy Lee (b. 1971) - businessperson and politician
- James LeGros (b. 1962) - actor
- Tom Lehman (b. 1959) - golfer
- John D. LeMay (b. 1962) - actor
- Greg LeMond (b.1961) - Tour De France winner
- Brock Lesnar § (b. 1977) - wrestler
- Meridel Le Sueur § (1900–1996) - writer
- Harold LeVander § (1910–1992) - 32nd Governor of Minnesota
- David Levin - Singer-songwriter
- Bob Lewis (1924–2006) - businessperson, champion race horse owner
- Sinclair Lewis (1885–1951) - Nobel Prize-winning novelist
- Terry Lewis § (b. 1956) - songwriter, co-founder of Flyte Tyme Productions
- C. Walton Lillehei (1918–1999) - doctor who performed first open heart surgery
- John Lind § (1854–1930) - 14th Governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
- Gottfrid Lindsten 29th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Terrance Lindall (b. 1944) - artist
- Charles August Lindbergh, Sr. § (1859–1924) - member of U.S. Congress
- Charles Lindbergh § (1902–1974) - aviator, first non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean
- Chris Liwienski - football player
- Sky Lopez (b. 1975) - actor, model, and hip hop artist
- Charles M. Loring (1833–1922) - Minneapolis businessman, civic leader, "Father of Park System"
- Maud Hart Lovelace (1892–1980) - author
- Kirk Lowdermilk - football player
- Edward Lowe (b. 1920) - kitty litter inventor, philanthropist
- Ernest Lundeen § (1878–1940) - U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
- Bob Lurtsema - football player
- Bill Luther (b. 1945) - member of U.S. Congress
- David Lykken (1928–2006) - behavioral geneticist and Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Psychiatry
- Dorothy Lyman (b. 1947) - actor, director, and producer
- Kelly Lynch (b. 1959) - actor
- Audra Lynn (b. 1980) - model and actor
- Jerry Lynn (b. 1963) - wrestler
- Mike Lynn - football executive
M
- Melvin Maas (1898–1964) - member of U.S. Congress
- John L. MacDonald § (1838–1903) - member of U.S. Congress
- Clark MacGregor (1922–2003) - member of U.S. Congress
- Shane Mack § (b. 1963) - baseball player
- George MacKinnon (1906–1995) - member of U.S. Congress
- Cornell MacNeil - singer
- John Madden (b. 1936) - football coach and commentator
- Clarence R. Magney (1883–1962) - judge
- Warren G. Magnuson (1905–1989) - politician
- Tom Malchow (b. 1976) - swimmer
- Mark Mallman § (b. 1973) - musician.
- Paul Manship (1885–1966) - sculptor
- John Mariucci (1916–1987) - hockey coach
- Roger Maris (1934–1985) - baseball player
- Sharon Marko - politician
- June Marlowe (1903–1984) - actor
- Fred Marshall (1906–1985) - member of U.S. Congress
- Theodore Marston (1868–1920) - film director and writer
- E. G. Marshall (1914–1998) - actor
- Jim Marshall § (b. 1937) - football player
- William Rainey Marshall § (1825–1896) - 5th Governor of Minnesota
- Billy Martin § (1928–1989) - baseball coach
- Homer Dodge Martin § (1836–1897) - painter
- Paul Martin (b. 1981) - hockey player
- John Marty - politician
- Brownie Mary (Mary Jane Rathbun) (1922–1999) - baker
- Bob Mason (b. 1961) - hockey player
- Shirley Ardell Mason (1923–1998) - abuse victim
- Tommy Mason § (b. 1939) - football player
- Gene Mauch § (1925–2005) - baseball manager
- Joe Mauer § (b. 1983) - baseball player
- John Mayasich (b. 1933) - hockey player
- Charles Horace Mayo (1865–1939) - doctor, founder of Mayo Clinic
- William J. Mayo (1861–1939) - doctor, founder of Mayo Clinic
- William Worrall Mayo § (1819–1911) - doctor, head of St. Mary's Hospital
- Joe Mays § (b. 1975) - baseball player
- Eugene McCarthy (1916–2005) - U.S. Senator; presidential candidate; member of U.S. Congress
- James McCleary § (1853–1924) - member of U.S. Congress
- Betty McCollum (b. 1954) - member of U.S. Congress
- Ed McDaniel - football player
- Randall McDaniel § (b. 1964) - football player
- James E. McDonald (1920–1971) - physicist
- Heather McElhatton - writer, reporter, and radio host
- Hugh McElhenny § (b. 1928) - football player
- Bobby McFerrin § (b. 1950) - jazz singer
- Andrew Ryan McGill § (1840–1905) - 10th Governor of Minnesota
- Kevin McHale (b. 1957) - basketball player
- Bryant McKinney - football player
- Bethany McLean (b. 1971) - author
- Samuel J. R. McMillan § (1826–1897) - judge, U.S. Senator
- Audray McMillian - football player
- Lesley J. McNair (1883–1944) - soldier
- Graham McNamee § (1888–1942) - broadcaster
- Marcia McNutt - geophysicist
- Samuel Medary § (1801–1864) - politician
- Ralph Meeker (Ralph Rathgeber) (1920–1988) - actor
- William Rush Merriam § (1849–1931) - 11th Governor of Minnesota
- James Metzen (b. 1943) - politician
- Breckin Meyer (b. 1974) - actor
- Joe Micheletti (b. 1954) - hockey player
- Doug Mientkiewicz § (b. 1974) - baseball player
- Keith Millard § (b. 1962) - football player
- Archie H. Miller - 32nd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Clarence B. Miller (1872–1922) - member of U.S. Congress
- Joey Miller (b. 1985) - stock car driver
- Stephen Miller § (1816–1881) - 4th Governor of Minnesota
- Worm Miller (b. 1978) - writer, director, and actor
- Kate Millett (b. 1934) - feminist and writer
- Larry Millett (b. 1947) - journalist and author
- Tommy Milton (1893–1962) - race car driver
- Don Mincher § (b. 1938) - baseball player
- David Minge (b. 1942) - member of U.S. Congress
- William D. Mitchell (1874–1955) - U.S. Attorney General
- Roger Moe (b. 1944) - politician.
- Mother Alfred Moes § (1828–1899) - founder of St. Mary's Hospital
- Paul Molitor (b. 1956) - baseball player
- Carol Molnau (b. 1949) - 46th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Dorothy Molter (1907–1986) - entrepreneur
- Eleanor Mondale (b. 1960) - television host, daughter of Walter Mondale
- Joan Mondale § (b. 1930) - second lady of the United States
- Walter Mondale (b. 1928) - Vice President of the United States, U.S. Senator
- Warren Moon § (b. 1956) - football player
- Freddy Moore (b. 1950) - songwriter,
- Mewelde Moore § (b. 1982) - football player
- Jack Morris (b. 1955) - baseball player
- Robert P. Morris § (1853–1924) - member of U.S. Congress
- Dorilus Morrison § (1814–1898) - politician
- Scott Mortensen - politician
- Marnie Mosiman - actor, singer
- Randy Moss § (b. 1977) - football player
- Mee Moua § (b. 1969) - politician
- Bob Mould § (b. 1960) - musician
- John Edward Mower § (1815–1879) - businessperson, politician
- Peter Mueller (b. 1988) - hockey player
- Mark Mullaney - football player
- Biggie Munn (1908–1975) - football player and coach
- Diana E. Murphy (b. 1934) - judge
- Martin M. Musatov (b. 1978) - screenwriter
- Rick Mystrom - politician
N
- Arthur Naftalin § (1917–2005) - politician
- Bronco Nagurski § (1908–1990) - football player, wrestler
- Joe Nathan § (b. 1974) - baseball player
- Noel Neill (b. 1920) - actor
- LeRoy Neiman (b. 1921) - sports artist
- Ancher Nelsen (1904–1992) - 34th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
- Arthur E. Nelson (1892–1955) - U.S. Senator
- Cindy Nelson (b. 1955) - alpine skier
- Darrin Nelson § (b. 1959) - football player
- George Nelson § (b. 1950) - astronaut
- Holly Nelson - poet, politician
- Knute Nelson § (1843–1923) - 12th Governor of Minnesota; U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
- Tom Netherton § (b. 1947) - singer
- Graig Nettles § (b. 1944) - baseball player
- Alex Neuberger (b. 1992) - actor
- Walter Newton (1880–1941) - member of U.S. Congress
- Joseph Nicollet § (1786–1843) - explorer
- Tom Niedenfuer (b. 1959) - baseball player
- Matt Niskanen § (b. 1986) - hockey player
- Richard Nolan (b. 1943) - member of U.S. Congress
- William I. Nolan (1874–1943) - 24th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
- John Nord § (b. 1959) - wrestler
- Michele Norris - radio journalist
- William Norris § (1911–2006) - CEO Control Data
- Lauris Norstad (1907–1988) - general, commander of NATO forces
- Daniel S. Norton § (1829–1870) - U.S. Senator
- Eunice Norton (1908–2005) - pianist
- Scott Norton (b. 1958) - wrestler
- Frank Nye § (1852–1935) - member of U.S. Congress
O
- Jim Oberstar (b. 1934) - member of U.S. Congress
- Tim O'Brien (b. 1946) - author
- Mac O'Grady (b. 1951) - golfer
- Michael O'Leary (b. 1958) - actor
- Tim Ocel - director
- Willie Offord § (b. 1978) - football player
- Joseph P. O'Hara § (1895–1975) - member of U.S. Congress
- Kyle Okposo (b. 1988) - hockey player
- Tony Oliva § (b. 1938) - baseball player
- Alec G. Olson (b. 1930) - member of U.S. Congress; 40th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Floyd B. Olson (1891–1936) - 22nd Governor of Minnesota
- Greg Olson (b. 1960) - baseball player
- Mark Olson (b. 1943) - banker
- Laura Osnes (b. 1985) - actor, singer
- Sigurd Olson (1899–1982) - environmentalist
- Rebecca Otto (b. 1963) - Minnesota State Auditor
- Dave Osborn - football player
- Rebecca Otto (b. 1963) - politician
P
- Alan Page § (b. 1945) - football player and Minnesota Supreme Court justice
- John U. D. Page (1903–1950) - soldier
- Doug Pagitt - religion author
- David Palmer - football player
- Floyd Palmer (b. 1943) - businessperson
- Carl Panzram (1891–1930) - serial killer, author
- Bob Paradise (b. 1944) - hockey player
- Zach Parise (b. 1984) - hockey player
- Gordon Parks § (1912–2006) - photographer
- Nancy Parsons (1942–2001) - actor
- Camilo Pascual § (b. 1934)- baseball player
- Gary Paulson (b. 1939) - author
- Jeno Paulucci - founder of Jeno's Frozen Pizza, Chun King Corporation, and Luigino's
- Mary Pawlenty - judge, first lady of the state
- Tim Pawlenty (b. 1960) - 39th Governor of Minnesota
- Pat Peake (b. 1973) - hockey player
- Westbook Pegler (1894–1969) - journalist and writer
- Mary Jo Pehl - actor, broadcaster, and writer
- Tim Penny (b. 1951) - member of U.S. Congress
- Glen Perkins (b. 1983) - baseball player
- Rudy Perpich (1928–1995) - 34th and 36th Governor of Minnesota; 39th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Jim Perry § (b. 1935) - baseball player
- Melissa Peterman (b. 1970) - actor
- Hjalmar Petersen § (1890–1968) - 23rd Governor of Minnesota; 28th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Aaron Peterson - politician
- Collin Peterson § (b. 1944) - member of U.S. Congress
- Paul Peterson (St. Paul) - musician
- Steve Peterson - politician
- Brittany Petros (b. 1974) - actor
- William Wallace Phelps § (1826–1873) - member of U.S. Congress
- Arthur Phillips (b. 1969) - author
- Justin Pierre (b. 1976) - musician
- Janelle Pierzina (b. 1980) - actor, model
- Bernard Pietenpol (1901–1984) - mechanic, aircraft designer
- Zebulon Montgomery Pike § (1779–1813) - explorer
- Don Piccard § (b. 1926) - balloonist
- Jean Piccard § (1884–1963) - organic chemist, balloonist
- Jeannette Piccard § (1895–1981) - teacher, balloonist, priest
- John S. Pillsbury § (1828–1901) - founder of Pillsbury, 8th Governor of Minnesota
- Chellie Pingree (b. 1955) - politician
- Robert M. Pirsig § (b. 1928) - author, philosopher
- William Pittenger § (1885–1951) - member of U.S. Congress
- Mike Ploog (b. 1942) - storyboard and comic book artist
- Henry Stanley Plummer (1874–1937) - physician
- Mortimer Plumtree (b. 1969) - wrestler
- Shjon Podein (b. 1968) - hockey player
- Henry Poehler § (1833–1912) - member of U.S. Congress
- Carl Pohlad § (b. 1915) - billionaire, baseball owner and philanthropist
- Olivia Poole (1889–1975) - inventor
- P.O.S. - rapper
- Vic Power § (1927–2005) - baseball player
- Tom Preissing § (b. 1978) - hockey player
- Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus § (1883–1961) - 20th Governor of Minnesota
- Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus II (1920–1994) - shaman
- Prince (b. 1958) - singer, songwriter, actor, composer
- Pat Proft (b. 1947) - comedy writer and actor
- Joel Przybilla (b. 1979) - basketball player
- Kirby Puckett § (1960–2006) - Baseball Hall of Famer
- George Putnam (b. 1914) - bigot, television host
- Herbert Putnam § (1861–1955) Librarian of Congress
- William S. Pye (1880–1959) - Admiral in the U.S. Navy
Q
- Al Quie (b. 1923) - 35th Governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
- Frank Quilici § (b. 1939) - baseball player
- Robb Quinlan (b. 1977) - baseball player
R
- Brian Raabe (b. 1967) - baseball player
- Brad Radke § (b. 1972) - baseball player
- Anant Rambachan - religious leader
- Pedro Ramos § (b. 1935) - baseball player
- Alexander Ramsey § (1815–1903) - 2nd Governor of Minnesota; U.S. Senator
- Jim Ramstad § (b. 1946) - member of U.S. Congress
- John Randle § (b. 1967) - football player
- Ahmad Rashad § (b. 1949) - football player
- Erik Rasmussen (b. 1977) - hockey player
- Edwin W. Rawlings (1904–1997) - CEO General Mills, USAF General (Ret.)
- Jeff Reardon § (b. 1955) - baseball player
- Harry Reasoner § (1923–1991) - television journalist
- Jake Reed § (b. 1967) - football player
- Oscar Reed - football player
- Rich Reese § (b. 1941) - baseball player
- Olli Rehn § (b. 1962) - European Commissioner for Enlargement
- Ember Reichgott Junge - attorney, radio host, and politician
- Chris Reitsma (b. 1977) - baseball player
- Rip Repulski (1927–1993) - baseball player
- Michael Restovich (b. 1979) - baseball player
- Patrick Reusse - sports writer
- Faud Reviez - football player
- Albert E. Rice (1845–1921) - banker, newspaperman, legislator, and the 10th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Edmund Rice § (1819–1889) - member of U.S. Congress
- Henry Mower Rice § (1816–1894) - U.S. Senator
- William B. Richardson - acting Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota in 1936–1937
- Nate Richert (b. 1978) - actor
- Carl W. Riddick (b. 1872) - member of U.S. Congress
- Martha Ripley (1843–1912) - physician, founder Minneapolis Maternity Hospital
- Mark Ritchie § (b. 1951) - Minnesota Secretary of State
- Koren Robinson - football player
- Marcus Robinson § (b. 1975) - football player
- Robyne Robinson - newscaster
- Svend Robinson (b. 1952) - Canadian politician
- Brian Rogowski (b. 1970) - wrestler
- Todd Rohloff (b. 1974) - hockey player
- Rich Rollins § (b. 1938) - baseball player
- Karl Rolvaag (1913–1990) - 31st Governor of Minnesota; 36th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Ole Rolvaag § (1876–1931) - novelist
- Richard Rood (1958–1999) - wrestler, best known by his ringname "Ravishing" Rick Rude
- Mike Rosenthal - football player
- Marion Ross (b. 1928) - actor
- Coleen Rowley (b. 1954) - former FBI agent and whistleblower; candidate for Congress in the 2nd District of Minnesota
- Dwayne Rudd § (b. 1976) - football player
- Donald Eugene Rudolph, Sr. (c. 1921–2006) - soldier
- Jane Russell (b. 1921) - actor
- Elmer Ryan (1907–1958) - member of U.S. Congress
- R. T. Rybak (b. 1955),- politician
- Winona Ryder (b. 1971) - actor
S
- Dwight M. Sabin § (1843–1902) - U.S. Senator
- Martin Olav Sabo § (b. 1938) - former member of U.S. Congress
- Harrison Salisbury (1908–1993) - journalist
- Zak Sally - musician
- Francis Sampson - war hero; Saving Private Ryan loosely based on his story
- Ralph Samuelson (1903–1977) - inventor of water skiing, first water ski jumper and speed skier
- Tony Sanneh (b. 1971) - soccer player
- Johan Santana § (b. 1979) - baseball player
- Gary Sargent (b. 1954) - hockey player
- Ole Savior (b. 1949) - candidate
- Gloria Sawai (Gloria Ruth Ostrem) (b. 1932) - author of fiction
- Thomas D. Schall § (1878–1935) - U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
- Bruce Schneier § (b. 1963) - founder and CTO of Counterpane Internet Security
- Jeff Schoep (b. 1974) - head of an American neo-Nazi party
- Henry Schoolcraft § (1793–1864) - explorer
- Charles M. Schulz (1922–2000) - cartoonist
- Mae Schunk § (b. 1934) - 45th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Seann William Scott (b. 1976) - actor
- Kathryn Leigh Scott (Kathryn Kringstad) (b. 1945) - author, actor
- Todd Scott - football player
- Patrick Scully - performer, activist
- Briana Scurry (b. 1971) - soccer player
- Richard Sears (1863–1914) - co-founder of Sears, Roebuck and Company
- William Sears - businessperson
- Mitch Seavey - dog musher
- Jerry Seeman - National Football League referee and Director of Officiating
- Robert Seguso (b. 1963) - tennis player
- Audrey Seiler - woman who faked her own abduction
- Aaron Sele (b. 1970) - baseball player
- Conrad Selvig (1877–1953) - member of U.S. Congress
- Joe Senser - football player
- Marty Sertich (b. 1982) - hockey player
- Eric Sevareid § (1912–1992) - television journalist
- Eddie Sharkey - wrestling coach
- Darren Sharper § (b. 1975) - football player
- Clark Shaughnessy (1892–1970) - football coach
- Charles D. Sherwood - 4th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- James Shields § (1810–1879) - U.S. Senator
- Henrik Shipstead (1881–1960) - U.S. Senator
- Francis Shoemaker (1889–1958) - member of U.S. Congress
- Bob Short (1917–1982) - sport teams owner and politician
- Henry Hastings Sibley § (1811–1891) - 1st Governor of Minnesota
- Christopher Sieber (b. 1969) - actor
- Dick Siebert § (1912–1978) - college baseball coach
- Gerry Sikorski (b. 1948) - member of U.S. Congress
- Clifford D. Simak § (1904–1988) - science fiction writer
- Richard Simmons (1913–2003) - actor
- George Sitts - convicted murderer
- Obi Sium § (b. 1941) - water resources engineer, politician
- Slug (b. 1973) - rapper
- Roy Smalley § (b. 1952) - baseball player
- Jack Smight (1925–2003) - film director
- Bruce Smith (1920–1967) - Heisman Trophy winner
- Chad Smith (b. 1961) - Drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Edward Everett Smith 18th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- George Ross Smith (1864–1952) - member of U.S. Congress
- Larry H. Smith (1939–2002) - hockey player
- Lyndon Ambrose Smith 15th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Onterrio Smith § (b. 1980) - football player
- Raonall Smith (b. 1978) - football player
- Robert Smith § (b. 1972) - football player
- Shannon Smith - television host
- Wyatt Smith (b. 1977) - hockey player
- Fred Smoot § (b. 1979) - football player
- Samuel Snider § (1845–1928) - member of U.S. Congress
- Konrad K. Solberg 27th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Kathleen Soliah § (b. 1947) - member of Symbionese Liberation Army
- Gordon Solie (Francis Jonard Labiak) (1929–2000) - wrestling announcer
- Jesse Solomon - football player
- Spenser J. Somers § (1972–1990) - author
- Rich Sommer § (b. 1978) - actor
- Gale Sondergaard (1899–1985) - actor
- Kevin Sorbo (b. 1958) - actor
- Richard K. Sorenson (1924–2004) - sailor
- LaVyrle Spencer - romance novelist
- Lili St. Cyr (Willis Marie Van Schaack) (1918–1999) - ecdysiast
- Paul St. Peter (b. 1958) - (Aka. George C. Cole and Francis C. Cole) - voice actor
- Arlan Stangeland § (b. 1930) - member of U.S. Congress
- Maurice Stans (1908–1998) - U.S. secretary of commerce
- Frank Starkey (1892–1968) - member of U.S. Congress
- Harold Stassen (1907–2001) - 25th Governor of Minnesota
- Ozora P. Stearns § (1831–1896) - U.S. Senator
- Franklin Steele § (1813–1880) - Early settler of St. Anthony
- Halvor Steenerson § (1852–1926) - member of U.S. Congress
- Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper (b. 1963) - astronaut
- Will Steger (b. 1943) - polar explorer
- Terry Steinbach (b. 1962) - Major League Baseball player
- Helen Stenborg (b. 1925) - actor
- Todd Steussie - football player
- Frederick Stevens § (1861–1923) - member of U.S. Congress
- John H. Stevens - § (1820–1900) first civilian (non-indigenous) resident of Minneapolis
- Jacob H. Stewart § (1829–1884) - member of U.S. Congress
- Bob Stinson (Robert Neil Stinson) (1959–1995) - musician
- Tommy Stinson (b. 1966) - musician
- Carl Stockdale (1874–1953) - actor
- Erik Stolhanske (b. 1968) - comedian
- Horace B. Strait § (1835–1894) - member of U.S. Congress
- Korey Stringer § (1974–2001) - football player
- Eric Strobel (b. 1958) - hockey player, 1980 Miracle on Ice hockey team
- Mike Stuart (b. 1980) - hockey player
- Scott Studwell - football player
- Faith Sullivan - author
- George H. Sullivan - 21st Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Milt Sunde - football player
- Sven Sundgaard (b. 1981) - meteorologist
- David C. Sutherland III (1949–2005) - Dungeons & Dragons artist
- Steve Sviggum - politician
- Curt Swan (1920–1996) - comic book artist
- Lori Swanson (b. 1966) - Minnesota Attorney General
- Nick Swardson (b. 1977) - stand up comedian, actor
- Henry Adoniram Swift § (1823–1869) - 3rd Governor of Minnesota and 3rd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- William Irvin Swoope § (1862–1930) - lawyer and politician
T
- Taoyateduta (c. 1810–1863) - chief of the Mdewakanton Sioux tribe
- Kevin Tapani § (b. 1964) - baseball player
- Thomas Tapeh § (b. 1980) - football player
- Fran Tarkenton § (b. 1940) - football player
- James Albertus Tawney § (1855–1919) - member of U.S. Congress
- Glen Taylor - businessperson
- Travis Taylor § (b. 1978) - football player
- Maureen Teefy (b. 1953) - musical theatre vocalist and actor
- Henry Teigan § (1881–1941) - politician
- Wayne Terwilliger § (b. 1925) - baseball coach
- Stew Thornley (b. 1955) - author of books on sports history
- Dontarrious Thomas § (b. 1980) - football player
- George Thomas (b. 1937) - baseball player
- Henry Thomas § (b. 1965) - football player
- Butch Thompson (b. 1943) - jazz pianist and clarinetist
- Lea Thompson (b. 1961) - actor, dancer
- Edward John Thye § (1896–1969) - 26th Governor of Minnesota; 31st Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota; U.S. Senator
- Steve Tibbetts § (b. 1954) - guitarist
- Mike Tice § (b. 1959) - football coach
- Cheryl Tiegs (b. 1947) - actor, model
- Tiny Tim (Herbert Buckingham Khaury) § (1932–1996) - musician
- Mick Tingelhoff § (b. 1940) - football player
- Mike Todd (1909–1958) - movie producer
- Rose Totino - founder of Totino's frozen pizza, first female inducted into the Frozen Food Hall of Fame
- Cesar Tovar § (1940–1994) - baseball player
- Charles A. Towne (1858–1928) - U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
- A. C. Townley § (1880–1959) - socialist
- Martin Edward Trench (1869–1927) - sailor, politician
- Anne Tyler (b. 1941) - novelist
U
- Kenechi Udeze § (b. 1983) - football player
- Brenda Ueland (1891–1985) - journalist
- Lenore Ulric (b. 1892) - actor
- Bob Ulrich (b. 1944) - businessperson
- Jay Underwood (b. 1968) - actor
- Jordis Unga § (b. 1982) - singer
- Anne Ursu - journalist, novelist, blogger
V
- Norm Van Brocklin § (1926–1983) - Minnesota Vikings coach
- Carl Van Dyke (1881–1919) - member of U.S. Congress
- John Van Dyke § (1807–1878) - politician
- Samuel Rinnah Van Sant § (1844–1936) - 15th Governor of Minnesota
- Sofia Vassilieva (b. 1992) - child actor
- Vince Vaughn (b. 1970) - actor
- Thorstein Veblen § (1857–1929) - economist, sociologist, author
- Bruce Vento (1940–2000) - member of U.S. Congress
- Jesse Ventura (b. 1951) - wrestler, 38th Governor of Minnesota
- Zoilo Versalles § (1939–1995) - baseball player
- Frank Viola § (b. 1960) - baseball player
- Pamela Vitale § (1953–2005) - murder victim
- Andrew Volstead (1860–1947) - member of U.S. Congress; author of the National Prohibition Act of 1919
- Ana Clara Voog (Rachael Olson) (b. 1966) - singer, songwriter, musician, performance artist, visual artist, and writer
W
- Sammy Wanyonyi (b. 1972) - World Evangelist
- Kevin Wacholz (b. 1958) - wrestler
- James Wakefield § (1825–1910) - 8th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
- DeWitt Wallace (1889–1981) - publisher, founder of Reader's Digest, philanthropist
- Steve Walsh (b. 1966) - football player
- Sean Waltman § (b. 1972) - wrestler
- Tim Walz - politician
- Lou Wangberg (b. 1941) - 41st Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- John Warne (b. 1979) - musician
- Lonnie Warwick - football player
- Cadwallader Washburn § (1818–1882) - businessperson, founder of Washburn Mills
- William D. Washburn § (1831–1912) - U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
- Gene Washington § (b. 1947) - football player
- Vin Weber (b. 1952) - member of U.S. Congress
- Jon Wefald (b. 1937) - educator
- Knud Wefald § (1869–1936) - member of U.S. Congress
- Mark Weigle (b. 1967) - singer, songwriter
- Chris Weinke (b. 1972) - football player
- Jeff Weise (1988–2005) - high school student who committed murder/suicide
- Paul Wellstone § (1944–2002) - U.S. Senator
- Sheila Wellstone (1944–2002) - advocate for human rights, the environment, and peace; wife of Paul Wellstone
- Carl L. Weschcke (b. 1930) - businessperson, president/owner of Llewellyn Worldwide
- Paul Westerberg (b. 1959) - musician
- Wes Westrum (1922–2002) - baseball player
- Jacob Wetterling (b. 1978) - kidnapped in 1989; he is still missing
- Patty Wetterling § (b. 1949) - politician, advocate of children's safety
- Frederick Weyerhaeuser - businessperson
- Lindsay Whalen (b. 1982) - WNBA player
- David Wheaton (b. 1969) - tennis player
- Blake Wheeler (b. 1986) - hockey player
- Ed White - football player
- Milo White § (1833–1912) - member of U.S. Congress
- Minor White (1908–1976) - photographer
- Sammy White § (b. 1954) - football player
- Benson Whitney - United States Ambassador to Norway
- Richard Widmark (b. 1914) - actor
- Roy Wier § (1888–1963) - member of U.S. Congress
- James Russell Wiggins (1903–2000) - editor, ambassador
- Jermaine Wiggins § (b. 1975) - football player
- Wendy Wilde (Wendy Pareene) - politician
- Laura Ingalls Wilder § (1867–1957) - novelist
- Zygi Wilf § (b. 1950) - football team owner
- Roy Wilkins § (1901–1981) - civil rights leader
- Bud Wilkinson (1916–1994) - football player, coach, and broadcaster
- Morton S. Wilkinson § (1819–1894) - U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
- Warren William (Warren William Krech) (1894–1948) - actor
- Brian Williams § (b. 1979) - football player
- Kevin Williams § (b. 1980) - football player
- Moe Williams § (b. 1974) - football player
- Pat Williams § (b. 1972) - football player
- Stokley Williams (b. 1967) - musician
- Tom Williams (1940–1992) - hockey player
- Troy Williamson § (b. 1983) - football player
- Paul Willson (b. 1945) - actor
- August Wilson § (1945–2005) - Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
- Dan Wilson - musician
- Eugene McLanahan Wilson § (1833–1890) - member of U.S. Congress
- Sheree J. Wilson (b. 1958) - actor
- Thomas Wilson § (1827–1910) - member of U.S. Congress
- Wade Wilson § (b. 1959) - football player
- William Windom § (1827–1891) - U.S. Senator; member of U.S. Congress
- Antoine Winfield § (b. 1977) - football player
- Dave Winfield - (b. 1951) Baseball Hall of Fame
- Eliza Winston § - freed slave
- Roy Winston - football player
- Max Winter § (1903–1996) - football team owner
- Theodore Wirth § (1863–1949) - horticulturalist, Minneapolis Superintendent of Parks, civic planner
- Cory Withrow - football player
- Wally Wood (1927–1981) - comic book writer, artist, and independent publisher
- Mali Woods - folk and soul singer-songwriter
- Bryan Thao Worra § (b. 1973) - poet, writer, and journalist
- Al Worthington § (b. 1929) - baseball player
- John Wozniak (b. 1971) - musician
- Donald O. Wright (1892–1985) - 35th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Michael Wuertz (b. 1978) - baseball player
- Irma Wyman - § (b. 19xx) first CIO for Honeywell
X
Y
- William H. Yale 6th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Yanni § (b. 1954) - new age musician
- Cedric Yarbrough (b. 1971) - actor
- Ron Yary § (b. 1946) - football player
- Gig Young (Byron Elsworth Barr) (1913–1978) - actor
- Luther Youngdahl (1896–1978) - 27th Governor of Minnesota
- Oscar Youngdahl (1893–1946) - member of U.S. Congress
Z
- Steve Zahn (b. 1967) - actor
- Fred Zamberletti - football trainer
- Martin Zellar - musician
- Tom Zenk (b. 1958) - wrestler
- Gary Zimmerman § (b. 1961) - football player
- Robert Zimmerman (See Bob Dylan)
- Doug Zmolek (b. 1970) - hockey player
- Fred Zollner (1901–1982) - basketball team owner
- Buck Zumhofe - wrestler
- John M. Zwach (1907–1990) - member of U.S. Congress
Groups from Minnesota
- The Andrews Sisters - singers
- Atmosphere - hip hop group
- Babes in Toyland - rock group
- The Bad Plus - avant-jazz group
- Boiled in Lead - semi-Celtic band
- The Castaways - rock group
- Crow - rock group
- Curtiss A
- Dillinger Four - rock group
- Doomtree - hip hop collective
- Gear Daddies - rock group
- Har Mar Superstar - rock group
- Hüsker Dü - rock group
- Information Society
- The Jayhawks
- Lipps, Inc. - rock group
- Martin Zellar and the Hardways - rock group
- Motion City Soundtrack - rock group
- Next - rock group
- Oddjobs - hip hop group
- The Replacements - rock group
- Semisonic - rock group
- Small Towns Burn A Little Slower - rock group
- Soul Asylum - rock group
- Sounds of Blackness - Gospel choir
- The Soviettes - rock group
- The Suburbs - rock group
- The Suicide Commandos - punk trio
- Tapes 'n Tapes - rock group
- The Time - funk ensemble
- The Trashmen - rock group
- Trip Shakespeare - rock group
- The Wallets - experimental rock group
Fictional characters
- Paul Bunyan, folklore logger, voyageur
- Betty Crocker, food brand character
- Jolly Green Giant, food brand character
- Carol Milford and Will Kennicott, characters in Main Street
- Minnehaha, Native American maiden
- Pillsbury Doughboy, food brand character
- Mary Richards, TV sitcom character
- Rocky and Bullwinkle, cartoon characters
- Rose Nylund, ecentric character on the Golden Girls
Candy Quackenbush, from Clive Barker's novel, Abarat
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