Iowa Famous

A new book uncovers the story of two Vaudeville performers from an Iowa coal mining town who rose to fame on the national stage. Dan Henderson is the author and the great-nephew of the book's subjects. He shares their how their story offers a window into everyday life and entertainment in the 1920s. Plus, the Iowa City High School teacher behind the viral TikTok account @squirehaligast talks about bringing classroom humor to 1.4 million followers.

This Iowan broke racial barriers for Black men in opera and used his acclaim and faith to give back as a philanthropist and humanitarian.

These Iowa siblings were suspended for protesting the Vietnam War at school. They took their case to the Supreme Court — and won — in Tinker v. Des Moines.

This Iowan was the first Black woman to graduate from Grinnell College. She lived to be a supercentenarian, dying in 2026.

We Can Do Better, a book of speeches and letters, share's Johnson's messages of our shared responsibility to care for the earth. Then, how Riverside Iowa became the future birthplace of Captain Kirk.

This native Iowan is often referred to as the king of late night television.

This Iowan is a television actor known for his roles in The Bear and Platonic. He plans to produce a show about growing up in small-town Iowa as a Filipino kid.

This Iowan was an Oscar winner who appeared in more than 40 films. She is best remembered for her role in It’s a Wonderful Life.

From quirky t-shirts to SNL laughs to a glamorous Muppet — discover what makes these Iowans truly famous.

This Iowan took what he learned from traveling the country playing football to elevate the Iowa City food scene.