ORSON WELLES
Born: May 6, 1915 – Kenosha, Wisconsin
Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin May 6, 1915, Orson Welles was a legend of the stage, screen, and radio. In the 1930s, he directed an all-black stage adaptation of MacBeth and gained notoriety for the politically charged play “The Cradle Will Rock”. On radio, Welles voiced the 1938 Mercury Theater of the Air’s adaptation of “War of the Worlds”. It was met with a mix of awe, bewilderment, and panic as some listeners took the invasion by aliens as fact. The notoriety amplified by the press landed Welles a two-picture deal at RKO studios in Hollywood.
Many of the Mercury players starred in his first feature film, Citizen Kane in 1941. The film was, in part, an indictment of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. It remains among one of the best ever produced. Welles also made “The Lady from Shanghai” in 1947, starring his then-wife Rita Hayworth, “Touch of Evil” in 1958, “The Trial” in 1962, and “Chimes at Midnight” in 1966.
CHRIS FARLEY
Born: February 15, 1964 – Madison, Wisconsin
Chris Farley, one of Wisconsin’s most beloved and larger-than-life entertainers, was born in Madison and grew up in the nearby city of Maple Bluff. Known for his boundless energy, physical comedy, and unforgettable characters, Farley became a national sensation through his work on Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s. He joined the cast in 1990 and quickly gained fame for memorable sketches like the motivational speaker Matt Foley, who “lives in a van down by the river.”
After SNL, Farley made a successful leap to the big screen, starring in a string of hit comedies including Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, and Beverly Hills Ninja. His infectious humor and childlike charm made him a fan favorite and a lasting icon in the world of comedy.
Despite his meteoric rise, Farley remained deeply connected to his Wisconsin roots, often returning home and referencing the state in interviews and sketches. His life was tragically cut short when he passed away in 1997 at the age of 33, but his legacy as a comedic force and proud Wisconsinite lives on.
Chris Farley’s inclusion on the Wisconsin Entertainer Wall of Fame honors his enduring impact on comedy and his place as one of the Badger State’s most iconic entertainers.
STEVE MILLER
Born: October 5, 1943 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Steven Haworth Miller is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who founded the Steve Miller Band in 1966. Blending psychedelic blues rock with polished, pop-oriented arena rock, he is best known for classic hits like “The Joker,” “Fly Like an Eagle,” and “Abracadabra”.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Miller grew up surrounded by music. His godfather was the legendary guitarist and inventor Les Paul, who taught Miller how to play the guitar at just 5 years old. In the 1950s, his family moved to Dallas, Texas, where he formed his first band with future musical collaborator Boz Scaggs. He later attended the University of Wisconsin and spent time in Chicago, competing for blues club gigs alongside legends like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.
GENE WILDER
Born: June 11, 1933 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Gene Wilder was born Jerome Silberman in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 11, 1933, to a Jewish family. His father, William, had emigrated from Russia. His mother, Jeanne, was often ill from complications from rheumatic heart disease, and a doctor warned the eight-year-old Jerome, “Don’t ever argue with your mother… you might kill her. Try to make her laugh.” These circumstances began Wilder’s lifelong calling to acting, as he made his mother laugh by putting on different accents.
Wilder began his movie career in 1967’s Bonnie and Clyde, but he became famous as a favorite of writer/director Mel Brooks. His wacky roles in films such as Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankensteineimade him an unforgettable comedy icon. In his later years, Wilder became a serious novelist, writing a memoir and several novels. He was married to fellow actor/comedian Gilda Radner, until her death in 1989. He died on August 29, 2016, at the age of 83.