ReferenceList RulesPeople on this list must have gone to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and be of some renown.
List of famous alumni from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with photos when available. Prominent graduates from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign include celebrities, politicians, business people, athletes and more. This list of distinguished University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign alumni is loosely ordered by relevance, so the most recognizable celebrities who attended University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are at the top of the list. This directory is not just composed of graduates of this school, as some of the famous people on this list didn't necessarily earn a degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Deron Williams and Gene Hackman are included in this list.
This list answers the questions “Which famous people went to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?” and “Which celebrities are University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign alumni?”1
Hugh Hefner
Editor, PublisherAge: 94
Birthplace: USA, Chicago, Illinois
Hugh Marston Hefner (April 9, 1926 – September 27, 2017) was an American magazine publisher,... more2
Larry Ellison
Businessperson, InvestorAge: 76
Birthplace: Lower East Side, New York City, New York, United States of America
Lawrence Joseph Ellison (born August 17, 1944) is an American businessman, entrepreneur, and... more3
Jesse Jackson
Politician, Film ProducerAge: 79
Birthplace: Greenville, South Carolina, United States of America
Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. (né Burns; born October 8, 1941) is an American civil rights activist,... more4
Dan Savage
Editor, CommentatorAge: 55
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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Roger Ebert
Film critic, JournalistAge: Dec. at 71 (1942-2013)
Birthplace: USA, Urbana, Illinois
Roger Joseph Ebert (; June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013) was an American film critic, historian,... more6
Marc Andreessen
Programmer, Software EngineerAge: 49
Birthplace: Cedar Falls, Iowa
Marc Lowell Andreessen ( ann-DREE-sən; born July 9, 1971) is an American entrepreneur,... more7
Arnold Orville Beckman
Businessperson, ChemistAge: Dec. at 104 (1900-2004)
Birthplace: Cullom, Illinois
Arnold Orville Beckman (April 10, 1900 – May 18, 2004) was an American chemist, inventor,... more8
Donna Mills
Film Producer, ActorAge: 79
Birthplace: USA, Chicago, Illinois
Donna Jean Miller, better known as Donna Mills (born December 11, 1940), is an American... more9
Andy Richter
Announcer, ComedianAge: 53
Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
Paul Andrew Richter (born October 28, 1966) is an American actor, voice actor, writer,... more10
Ron Popeil
Businessperson, InventorAge: 85
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Ronald M. Popeil (; born May 3, 1935) is an American inventor and marketing personality, best... more11
Arte Johnson
Comedian, ActorAge: 91
Birthplace: Michigan, USA, Benton Harbor
Arthur Stanton Eric Johnson (January 20, 1929 – July 3, 2019) was an American comic actor who... more12
Nick Holonyak
Physicist, InventorAge: 91
Birthplace: Zeigler, Illinois
Nick Holonyak Jr. (born November 3, 1928) is an American engineer and educator. He is noted... more13
Red Grange
American football playerAge: Died at 88 (1903-1991)
Birthplace: Forksville, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Harold Edward "Red" Grange (June 13, 1903 – January 28, 1991), nicknamed "The Galloping... more14
Mitch Altman
Inventor, EngineerAge: 63
Mitch Altman (born December 22, 1956) is a San Francisco-based hacker and inventor, best known... more15
Stephen Tobolowsky
Theatre Director, ScreenwriterAge: 69
Birthplace: Texas, USA, Dallas
Stephen Harold Tobolowsky (born May 30, 1951) is an American actor. He is known for film roles... more
16Melville W. Beardsley
InventorAge: Dec. at 85 (1913-1998)
Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri
Melville Whitnel Beardsley (10 October 1913 in Kansas City, Missouri – 26 November 1998 in... more17
Wallace Carothers
Chemist, InventorAge: Dec. at 41 (1896-1937)
Birthplace: Burlington, Iowa
Wallace Hume Carothers (; April 27, 1896 – April 29, 1937) was an American chemist, inventor... more- 18
Ross Freeman
InventorRoss Freeman (July 26, 1948 – October 22, 1989), was an American electrical engineer and... more 19
Scott D. Altman
Astronaut, Fighter pilotAge: 61
Birthplace: Lincoln, Illinois
Scott Douglas "Scooter" Altman (born August 15, 1959) is a retired United States Navy Captain,... more20
George Halas
American Football coach, BusinesspersonAge: Died at 88 (1895-1983)
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
George Stanley Halas Sr. (; February 2, 1895 – October 31, 1983), nicknamed "Papa Bear" and... more21
Max Levchin
Businessperson, EntrepreneurAge: 45
Birthplace: Kiev, Ukrainian SSR
Maksymilian Rafailovych "Max" Levchin (Ukrainian: Максиміліан Рафаїлович Левчин; born July 11,... more22
Steven R. Nagel
AstronautAge: Dec. at 68 (1946-2014)
Birthplace: Canton, Illinois
Steven Ray Nagel (October 27, 1946 – August 21, 2014), (Col, USAF), was an American astronaut,... more23
Dick Butkus
Actor, American football playerAge: 73
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
Richard Marvin Butkus (born December 9, 1942) is an American former football player, sports... more24
Jerry Orbach
Actor, SingerAge: Dec. at 69 (1935-2004)
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Jerome Bernard Orbach (October 20, 1935 – December 28, 2004) was an American actor and singer,... more25
Dale Gardner
Seaman, AstronautAge: Dec. at 66 (1948-2014)
Birthplace: Fairmont, Minnesota
Dale Allan Gardner (November 8, 1948 – February 19, 2014) was a NASA astronaut who flew two... more
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