# List of people from Minnesota

This is a list of notable persons who were born or spent important time in the American state of Minnesota. People not born in Minnesota are marked with §.
* Top
* 0–9
* A
* B
* C
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I
* J
* K
* L
* M
* N
* O
* P
* Q
* R
* S
* T
* U
* V
* W
* X
* Y
* Z
* Fictional characters
* See also
* References

## A

* Johan Arnd Aasgaard (1876–1966) – president, Concordia College; president, Norwegian Lutheran Church of America
* Barkhad Abdi § – Somali-American actor
* Ed Ackerson (1965–2019) – musician and producer (Polara, Flowers Studio)
* Corey Adam – stand-up comedian
* Amy Adams § (born 1974) – actress
* Anthony Adducci § (1937–2006) – inventor of the worlds first lithium-battery-powered pacemaker
* Peter Agre (born 1949) – co-recipient, 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry (shared with Roderick MacKinnon)
* Faysal Ahmed (born 1985) – Somali-American actor
* Walden L. Ainsworth (1886–1960) – admiral, U.S. Navy
* Eddie Albert § (1906–2005) – actor, gardener and humanitarian activist
* Frank Albertson (1909–1964) – actor
* Grady Alderman § (1938–2018) – Minnesota Vikings football player
* Cole Aldrich (born 1988) – Minnesota Timberwolves basketball player
* Cyrus Aldrich § (1808–1871) – member of U.S. Congress
* John G. Alexander § (1893–1971) – member of U.S. Congress
* Brother Ali (Ali Newman) § (born 1977) – hip-hop artist
* Beau Allen (born 1991) – NFL nose tackle
* Bob Allison § (1934–1995) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
* Kyle Altman (born 1986) – soccer player
* Luis Walter Alvarez § (1911–1988) – experimental physicist, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1968
* Janis Amatuzio (born 1950) – forensic pathologist
* A. A. Ames § (1842–1911) – politician
* Elmer L. Andersen § (1909–2004) – 30th governor of Minnesota, businessman, philanthropist
* Herman Carl Andersen § (1897–1978) – member of U.S. Congress
* Alan Anderson (born 1982) – basketball player
* Barry Anderson (born 1954) – judge
* Brad Anderson (born 1969) – professional wrestler
* Clyde Elmer Anderson (1912–1998) – 28th governor of Minnesota; 30th and 33rd lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Dan Anderson (1920–2003) – psychologist
* Eugenie Anderson (1909–1997) – U.S. Ambassador to Denmark and Bulgaria; first woman appointed U.S. ambassador
* Frank Anderson (1870–1931) – South Dakota Supreme Court justice
* Gary Anderson § (born 1959) – Minnesota Vikings football player
* Gene Anderson (1933–1991) – professional wrestler
* Glen H. Anderson (born 1938) – former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
* Larry Anderson (born 1952) – actor
* Liz Anderson (1927–2011) – songwriter
* Loni Anderson (born 1945) – actress (WKRP in Cincinnati), former wife of Burt Reynolds
* Louie Anderson (1953–2022) – comedian, television personality (Life with Louie, Family Feud)
* Marc Anderson – percussionist
* Nick Anderson (born 1990) – relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
* Ole Anderson (born 1942) – professional wrestler
* Patricia Anderson (born 1966) – politician, business owner, 17th state auditor
* Paul Anderson (born 1943) – judge
* Richard Dean Anderson (born 1950) – television actor (MacGyver, Stargate SG-1)
* Russ Anderson – actor
* Russell A. Anderson (1942–2020) – judge
* Scott D. Anderson (1965–1999) – author, engineer, military aviator, Cirrus Airframe Parachute System test pilot
* Sydney Anderson (1881–1948) – member of U.S. Congress
* Wendell Anderson (1933–2016) – 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
* LaVerne Andrews (1911–1967) – contralto singer of 1940s sister act The Andrews Sisters
* Maxene Andrews (1916–1995) – soprano singer of The Andrews Sisters
* Patty Andrews (1918–2013) – lead singer of The Andrews Sisters
* Sacar Anim (born 1997) – basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Kofi Annan § (1938–2018) – 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations
* Henry M. Arens § (1873–1963) – member of U.S. Congress; 26th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Richard Arlen (1899–1976) – actor
* Thomas H. Armstrong § (1826–1891) – banker, lawyer, legislator, 5th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Dave Arneson (1955–2009) – game designer, co-creator of D&D, creator of the first fantasy RPG world (Blackmoor)
* James Arness (1923–2011) – actor (Gunsmoke)
* Dorothy Arnold (Olson) (1917–1984) – film actress, first wife of baseball star Joe DiMaggio
* Jeanne Arth (born 1935) – tennis player
* Robert Asp (1923–1980) – builder and captain of the maiden voyage of the Hjemkomst
* Antoine Auguelle § – explorer
* Horace Austin § (1831–1905) – 6th governor of Minnesota
* Roger Awsumb § (1928–2002) – children's television host of Lunch With Casey
* 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 (1919–2015) – politician
* Michele Bachmann § (born 1956) – politician
* David Backes (born 1984) – hockey player
* Sarah Bacon (born 1996) – Olympic silver medalist, Diving 3m Synchro
* Tim Bagley (born 1957) – character actor, Strip Mall, Will & Grace
* Bill Baker (born 1956) – hockey player
* Melvin Baldwin § (1838–1901) – member of U.S. Congress
* Joseph H. Ball (1905–1993) – U.S. senator
* Keith Ballard (born 1982) – hockey player for the Vancouver Canucks
* Maria Bamford (born 1970) – comedian and actress
* Ann Bancroft (born 1955) – polar explorer, first female to reach both the North and South Poles
* Dominique Barber (born 1986) – Houston Texans football player
* Marion Barber III (1983–2022) – Dallas Cowboys football player
* Robert Baril – stand-up comedian
* Dean Barkley (born 1950) – U.S. senator
* Elizabeth A. Barnes – climate scientist
* Lynsey Bartilson (born 1983) – actress
* Alphonso Barto – 7th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Carol Bartz (born 1948) – president and chief executive officer of Yahoo!
* Emma Bates (born 1992) – long-distance runner
* Earl Battey § (1935–2003) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
* Elgin Baylor § (1934–2021) – basketball player
* Charles Baxter (born 1947) – author
* John C. Beale (born 1948) – EPA consultant, convicted felon
* Dick Beardsley (born 1956) – former world-class marathoner, motivational speaker
* Tracy Beckman (born 1945) – government official, politician, business owner and manager
* James Bede § (1856–1942) – member of U.S. Congress
* Nicholas Joseph Begich (1932–1972) – member of U.S. Congress
* James Ford Bell § (1879–1961) – business leader, philanthropist, founder of General Mills
* Troy Bell (born 1980) – basketball player
* Clyde Bellecourt (1936–2022) – Native American civil rights organizer
* Nick Bellore (born 1989) – Seattle Seahawks football player
* Sharon Sayles Belton (born 1951) – first African-American mayor of Minneapolis
* Charles "Chief" Bender (1884–1954) – Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
* Dorothy Benham (born 1955) – Miss America 1977
* Paris Bennett § (born 1988) – singer
* Tony Benshoof (born 1975) – luger, Olympian
* Elmer Austin Benson (1895–1985) – 24th governor of Minnesota; U.S. senator
* Joanne Benson (born 1943) – 44th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* William Benton (1900–1973) – U.S. senator
* Juan Berenguer § (born 1954) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
* Patty Berg (1918–2006) – golfer, founding member of the LPGA
* Carl Rudolf Berghult (1905–2000) – mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
* Robert Bergland (1928–2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture; member of U.S. Congress
* Tim Bergland (born 1965) – hockey player
* Herb Bergson (1956–2022) – mayor of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin
* Nate Berkus (born 1971) – interior designer, author and television personality
* Jason Behr (born 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 (born 1958) – R.E.M. drummer
* Jessica Biel (born 1982) – actress (7th Heaven), married to Justin Timberlake
* Bernie Bierman § (1894–1977) – college football coach
* Big Eagle (c. 1827–1906) – leader of a band of Mdewakanton Sioux Indians
* John Binkowski (born 1979) – politician
* Matt Birk (born 1976) – Minnesota Vikings football player
* Andy Bisek (born 1986) – Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler, two-time world bronze medalist
* Harry Blackmun § (1908–1999) – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
* Matt Blair § (1950–2020) – Minnesota Vikings football player
* Jason Blake (born 1973) – hockey player for the Anaheim Ducks
* John Blatnik (1911–1991) – member of the U.S. Congress
* Jerome Blatz – politician
* Kathleen A. Blatz (born 1954) – judge and politician
* Theodore C. Blegen (1891–1969) – historian and author
* Floyd E. Bloom (born 1936) – medical researcher specializing in chemical neuroanatomy
* Josh Blue § (born 1978) – comedian
* Carol Bly (1930–2007) – short-story writer
* Mary Bly (born 1962) – novelist and professor
* Robert Bly (1926–2021) – writer
* Bert Blyleven § (born 1951) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
* Eduard Bøckmann (1849–1927) – ophthalmologist, physician and inventor
* Haldor Boen § (1846–1936) – member of U.S. Congress
* Roman Bohnen (1901–1949) – actor
* Pat Boland (1906–1971) – football coach
* Greg Boll (born 1960) – politician, activist
* Brian Bonin (born 1973) – hockey player
* Jeremy Borash (born 1977) – wrestling announcer
* Madeleine Bordallo (born 1933) – politician
* Lorraine Borg (1923–2006) – All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
* Norman Borlaug § (1914–2009) – agricultural scientist; recipient, 1970 Nobel Peace Prize
* Rudy Boschwitz § (born 1930) – U.S. senator
* Lyman Bostock § (1950–1978) – baseball player
* Todd Bouman (born 1972) – quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars
* Kevin Bowe (born 1961) – songwriter, record producer and musician
* Lloyd Wheaton Bowers § (1859–1910) – Solicitor General
* Gregory A. Boyd (born 1957) – pastor, theologian, author
* Charles John Brand (1879–1949) – Chief of the Bureau of Markets of the United States Department of Agriculture
* Joe Brinkman (born 1944) – umpire
* Ivar Brogger (born 1947) – actor, The Bold and the Beautiful and Invasion
* Herb Brooks (1937–2003) – 1980 Olympics ice hockey coach, Minnesota Golden Gophers coach, Minnesota North Stars coach
* Neal Broten (born 1959) – Minnesota North Stars ice-hockey player
* Jim Brower (born 1972) – baseball player
* Aaron Brown (born 1948) – broadcast journalist
* Bill Brown § (1938–2018) – Minnesota Vikings football player
* Brianna Brown (born 1979) – actress
* Joey Browner § (born 1960) – football player
* Brownmark (Brown Mark or Mark Brown) (born 1962) – musician and producer
* Bob Bruer § (born 1953) – football player and coach
* Tom Brunansky § (born 1960) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
* Bobby Bryant § (born 1944) – Minnesota Vikings football player
* Rich T. Buckler § (1865–1950) – member of U.S. Congress
* Clarence Buckman § (1851–1917) – member of U.S. Congress
* Warren E. Burger (1907–1995) – Chief Justice of the United States
* Michael C. Burgess (born 1950) – physician and politician
* Tom Burgmeier (born 1943) – baseball player
* Joseph A. A. Burnquist § (1879–1961) – 19th governor of Minnesota; 20th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Jerry Burns (1927–2021) – Minnesota Vikings football coach
* Tom Burnett (1963–2001) – passenger on United Airlines Flight 93
* Pierce Butler (1866–1939) – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
* Dominique Byrd (born 1984) – football player for the Arizona Cardinals
* Thomas R. Byrne – politician

## C

* Melvin Calvin (1911–1997) – recipient, 1961 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
* Karlyn Kohrs Campbell (born 1937) – academic
* Gino Cappelletti (1934–2022) – former collegiate, AFL and NFL wide receiver
* Rod Carew § (born 1945) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
* Ron Carey – politician
* Arne Carlson § (born 1934) – 37th governor of Minnesota
* Bruce A. Carlson (born 1971) – commander, Air Force Materiel Command
* Curt Carlson (1914–1999) – businessperson (Carlson Companies, Radisson Hotels)
* Gretchen Carlson – beauty queen, anchor
* John Carlson (born 1984) – tight end for the Arizona Cardinals
* Kelly Carlson (born 1976) – actor
* Kyle and Lane Carlson (born 1978) – models
* Richard Carlson (1912–1977) – actor
* Herb Carneal (1923–2007) – Minnesota Twins baseball announcer
* David Carr (1956–2015) – journalist for The New York Times
* William Leighton Carss § (1865–1931) – member of U.S. Congress
* Anthony Carter § (born 1975) – Minnesota Timberwolves basketball player
* Kiki Carter (Kimberli Wilson) § (born 1957) – environmental activist, organizer, musician, songwriter, and columnist
* Ryan Carter (born 1983) – hockey player for the New Jersey Devils
* Jonathan Carver § (1710–1780) – explorer
* Bob Casey (1925–2004) – Minnesota Twins public-address announcer
* Patrick Casey (born 1978) – writer and actor
* Dave Casper (born 1951) – Hall of Fame NFL offensive lineman and tight end, primarily with the Oakland Raiders
* James Castle § (1836–1903) – member of U.S. Congress
* Tracy Caulkins (born 1963) – swimmer
* James M. Cavanaugh § (1823–1879) – member of U.S. Congress
* Chelsea Charms (born 1976) – model
* Derek Chauvin (born 1976) – former police officer, murderer of George Floyd
* Sam Childers § (born 1962) – former gang biker, founder of Angels of East Africa located in Sudan
* Leeann Chin – founder of the Leeann Chin Chinese restaurant chain
* Tom Chorske (born 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
* Theodore Christianson (1913–1955) – Associate Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court, son of Governor Christianson
* 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 (1918–2008) – Club of Rome member, founding dean for the H. H. Humphrey Institute, politician
* Elizabeth Close (1912–2011) – pioneering female architect in Minneapolis
* David Marston Clough § (1846–1924) – 13th governor of Minnesota; 12th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Ben Clymer (born 1978) – hockey player
* Cobi (born 1986) – musician
* Eddie Cochran (1938–1960) – musician
* Diablo Cody § (born 1978) – screenwriter
* Ethan Coen (born 1957) – screenwriter, director, producer
* Joel Coen (born 1954) – screenwriter, director, producer
* William Colby (1920–1996) – director of the CIA
* Chris Coleman (born 1961) – politician
* Nick Coleman (1950–2018) – columnist
* Nick Coleman (1925–1981) – politician
* Norm Coleman § (born 1949) – U.S. senator, mayor of Saint Paul
* Louis L. Collins – 23rd lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Mo Collins (born 1965) – comedic actor
* William J. Colvill § (1830–1905) – colonel of the 1st Minnesota Infantry at the battle of Gettysburg, 3rd Minnesota Attorney General
* Tom Compton (born 1989) – Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle
* Ada Comstock (1876–1973) – educator and president of Radcliffe College
* Solomon Comstock § (1842–1933) – member of the U.S. Congress
* Chester Adgate Congdon § (1853–1916) – lawyer and capitalist
* George Contant (1864 – date of death unknown) – train robber; later lectured against crime
* Katherine M. Cook (1876–1962), educator and government official who specialized in rural education
* Rachael Leigh Cook (born 1979) – actor, model
* Roger Cooper (born 1944) – teacher, politician
* Marisa Coughlan (born 1974) – model and actor
* Carter Coughlin – football player
* Gratia Countryman (1866–1953) – influential librarian
* Christopher Cox (born 1952) – chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; U.S. representative
* Fred Cox § (1938–2019) – Minnesota Vikings football player, inventor of Nerf football
* Brian Coyle (1944–1991) – openly gay politician
* Christopher J. Cramer – University of Minnesota chemistry professor and vice president for research
* Geno Crandall – basketball player with Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Seymour Cray § (1925–1996) – founder Cray Research, supercomputer architect, inventor
* Joseph Crétin § (1799–1857) – first Roman Catholic bishop of Saint Paul
* Ward Cuff (1914–2002) – NFL running back and placekicker
* Daunte Culpepper § (born 1977) – former Minnesota Vikings football player
* Randall Cunningham § (born 1963) – former Minnesota Vikings football player
* Robert E. Cushman Jr. (1914–1985) – Commandant of the Marine Corps

## D

* Arlene Dahl (1925–2021) – actress
* Nicole, Erica and Jaclyn Dahm (born 1977) – models
* Craig Dahl (born 1985) – New York Giants football player
* Cathee Dahmen (1945–1997) – supermodel in the 1960s and 1970s
* Shawn Daivari (born 1984) – professional wrestler
* Ian Anthony Dale (born 1978) – actor
* Sean Daley (born 1972) – hip-hop artist
* Teresa Daly (born 1956) – politician
* Chad Daniels (born 1975) – comedian
* Billy Dankert – singer-songwriter, drummer
* Barry Darsow (born 1959) – professional wrestler
* Charles Russell Davis § (1849–1930) – member of U.S. Congress
* Cushman Davis (1838–1900) – 7th governor of Minnesota; U.S. senator
* Ike Davis (born 1987) – first baseman for the Oakland A's
* Stuart Davis § (born 1971) – musician and songwriter
* Frank A. Day – 13th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Morris Day (born 1957) – musician and composer
* Vox Day § (born 1968) – publisher, writer, musician and video game designer
* George Dayton (1857–1938) – banker, businessperson
* Mark Dayton (born 1947) – former U.S. senator, 40th governor of Minnesota
* Julia Dean (1878–1952) – actress
* Eric Decker (born 1987) – football player
* Gary DeCramer (1944–2012) – politician, educator
* Midge Decter (born 1927) – neoconservative journalist
* Jake Deitchler (born 1989) – Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler
* Marguerite De La Motte (1902–1950) – silent film actress
* William Demarest (1892–1983) – film and television actor
* Dr. Demento (born 1941) – radio personality (aka Barret Eugene Hansen)
* Carol Dempster (1901–1991) – actor
* Tony Denman (born 1979) – actor
* Edward Devitt (1911–1992) – member of U.S. Congress
* Kate DiCamillo (born 1964) – children's author
* Dez Dickerson (born 1955) – guitarist and singer
* Gordon R. Dickson (1923–2001) – author
* Jessie Diggins (born 1991) – Olympian, first American woman to win the cross-country skiing World Cup
* Alan Dinehart (1889–1944) – actor
* Richard Dix (1893–1949) – actor
* Gil Dobie (1878–1948) – college football coach
* Farrell Dobbs (1907–1983) – Trotskyist politician, trade unionist
* Tod Dockstader (1932–2015) – composer of electronic music
* Pete Docter (born 1968) – director, writer, animator, Up, WALL-E, Monsters, Inc.
* William Dodd – historian, American ambassador to Nazi Germany
* Chris Doleman (1961–2020) – 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 (born 1957) – businessperson
* Michael Doran § (1827–1915) – politician
* Gary Doty (born 1948) – politician and former mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
* Marjory Stoneman Douglas (1890–1998) – journalist, writer, feminist, and environmentalist
* William O. Douglas (1898–1980) – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
* Jeffrey Douma – choir director
* Birdie Draper (1916–2005) – parachutist and stunt performer
* Julia Duffy (born 1951) – comedic actor
* John Lewis Dyer (1812–1901) – pioneering Methodist circuit rider; left Minnesota in 1861 for Colorado
* Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut § (1639–1710) – French explorer
* Ryan Dungey (born 1989) – supercross and motocross racer
* Mark H. Dunnell § (1823–1904) – member of the U.S. Congress
* David Durenberger (born 1934) – U.S. senator
* Richard Dworsky (born 1953) – pianist and composer
* Sally Dworsky – singer-songwriter
* Bob Dylan (born 1941) – singer-songwriter, musician, poet
* Joanell Dyrstad (born 1942) – 43rd lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Kari Dziedzic, politician
* Walt Dziedzic, politician and businessman

## E

* Patrick Eaves § (born 1984) – professional hockey player
* Charles Eastman § (1858–1939) – Dakota writer, doctor, lobbyist, co-founder of Boy Scouts of America
* Adolph Olson Eberhart § (1870–1944) – 17th governor of Minnesota; 17th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Richard Eberhart (1904–2005) – poet
* Tony Eckstein (1923–2009) – politician, veterinarian, veteran
* Frank Eddy (1856–1929) – member of U.S. Congress
* Linda Eder § (born 1961) – Broadway star and recording artist
* Alonzo J. Edgerton § (1827–1896) – U.S. senator
* Jim Eisenreich (born 1959) – Minnesota Twins player
* Christian Elder (born 1968) – stock-car driver
* Kimberly Elise (born 1967) – actor
* David Ellefson (born 1964) – musician
* Paul Ellering (born 1953) – professional wrestler
* Carl Eller § (born 1942) – Minnesota Vikings football player
* John F. Elliott (1920–1991) – professor of metallurgy
* Keith Maurice Ellison § (born 1963) – politician
* Franklin Ellsworth (1879–1942) – member of U.S. Congress
* Gil Elvgren (1914–1980) – pin-up artist
* LaFayette Emmett – politician
* Jonette Engan (born 1951) – politician, activist
* Siri Engberg – curator of visual arts, Walker Art Center
* Ralph Engelstad (1930–2002) – businessperson
* Leif Enger – author
* Elmer William Engstrom (1901–1984) – engineer
* Fred Enke (1897–1985) – college basketball coach
* Eric Enstrom – photographer
* Matt Entenza (born 1960) – politician, former gubernatorial candidate
* Arlen Erdahl (1931–2023) – member of the U.S. Congress
* Louise Erdrich (born 1954) – novelist, poet, children's author
* Bryan Erickson (born 1960) – hockey player
* Ethan Erickson (born 1973) – actor, Fashion House
* Scott Erickson (born 1968) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
* Wendell Erickson (1925–2018) – politician, educator, veteran
* Mike Erlandson – politician, corporate executive
* Gilbert Esau (1919–2012) – politician, veteran
* Helga Estby (1860–1942) – noted for her walk across the United States during 1896
* Alayna Ertl (2010–2016) – murder victim
* Clarence I. Evenson (1890–1981) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and mayor of Moorhead
* John O. Evjen (1874–1942) – author, church historian and professor of theology
* Douglas Ewart § (born 1946) – instrument builder and musician
* Eyedea (born Mike Averill, aka Oliver Hart) (1982–2010) – underground rapper

## F

* Cliff Fagan (1911–1995) – high school basketball referee
* Mike Farrell (born 1939) – actor (M*A*S*H)
* Mike Farrell (born 1978) – hockey player
* Ciatrick Fason § (born 1982) – Minnesota Vikings football player
* Chris Faust § (born 1955) – photographer
* Tammy Faye Messner (1942–2007) – televangelist, singer
* George William Featherstonhaugh § (1780–1866) – explorer
* John Fedo (born 1950) – former mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
* Jay Feely (born 1976) – placekicker for the New York Jets
* Trevor Fehrman (born 1981) – actor
* Jim Finks § (1927–1994) – Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears executive
* David Fischer (born 1988) – hockey player
* Mardy Fish (born 1981) – tennis player
* F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) – novelist, short story writer
* Frances Scott Fitzgerald (1921–1986) – writer, journalist
* Larry Fitzgerald (born 1983) – football player
* Marcus Fitzgerald (born 1985) – football player
* David Flair (born 1979) – professional wrestler
* Ric Flair § (born 1949) – professional wrestler
* Richard E. Fleming (1917–1942) – sailor
* Loren Fletcher § (1833–1919) – member of U.S. Congress
* George Floyd (1973–2020) – murder victim
* Michael Floyd (born 1989) – football player
* Patrick Flueger (born 1983) – actor, The 4400
* Thomas Fluharty – illustrator
* Harry Flynn § (1933–2019) – Roman Catholic archbishop
* Vince Flynn (1966-2013) - author
* John R. Foley (1917–2001) – politician
* Steve Foley (1959–2008) – drummer, member of The Replacements
* Henry Fonda § – actor, attended the University of Minnesota; born in Nebraska
* John M. Ford § (1957–2006) – science-fiction author and poet
* Al Franken § (born 1951) – political humorist, author, radio commentator, U.S. senator
* Thomas Frankson (1869–1939) – lawyer, real estate developer, politician; 22nd lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Donald M. Fraser (1924–2019) – mayor of Minneapolis, member of U.S. Congress
* James Earle Fraser (1876–1953) – sculptor
* Jeff Frazee (born 1987) – hockey player
* David Frederickson (born 1944) – politician, farmer, former president of National Farmers Union
* Dennis Frederickson (born 1939) – politician, farmer, veteran
* Orville Freeman (1918–2003) – 29th governor of Minnesota, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
* Frederick William Freking (1911–1998) – Roman Catholic Bishop
* Bill Frenzel (1928–2014) – member of U.S. Congress
* Thomas Friedman (born 1953) – journalist, columnist, author
* Lindsay Frost (born 1962) – actor
* Daniel Fry (1908–1992) – alien-spaceship passenger
* Aurilla Furber (1847–1898) – poet, writer
* Allen J. Furlow (1890–1954) – member of U.S. Congress

## G

* Chad Gable (born 1986) – professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler; competed at 2012 Summer Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling
* Wanda Gág (1893–1946) – author, illustrator
* John Gagliardi § (1926–2018) – St. John's College football coach
* Greg Gagne § (born 1961) – baseball player
* Greg Gagne (born 1948) – professional wrestler
* Verne Gagne (1923–2015) – former professional wrestler and amateur wrestler, founder of American Wrestling Association, U.S. alternate at 1948 Olympics in freestyle wrestling
* Daniele Gaither (born 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
* Jane Gallop (born 1952) – professor, feminist
* Chick Gandil (1887–1970) – baseball player
* Roy Alexander Gano (1902–1971) – Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy
* Ron Gardenhire § (born 1957) – manager of the Minnesota Twins
* Judy Garland (1922–1969) – singer, actor
* Lorraine Garland – folk singer and fiddler
* Edward R. Garvey § – activist, lawyer, and politician
* Mike Garvey (born 1962) – stock-car driver
* Charles Gilbert Gates – owned first home air conditioner in the United States in 1914
* Larry Gates (1915–1996) – actor
* Phyllis Gates (1925–2006) – interior designer and former wife of Rock Hudson
* Herbjørn Gausta (1854–1924) – landscape artist
* Ben Boo (1925–2021) – politician and mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
* Ron "Boogiemonster" Gerber (born 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 (born 1964) – voice actor
* Cass Gilbert § (1859–1934) – architect
* Tom Gilbert – hockey player
* Stan Gilbertson (born 1944) – hockey player
* John Gilfillan § (1835–1924) – member of U.S. Congress
* Terry Gilliam (born 1940) – actor (Monty Python), writer, director
* Sid Gillman (1911–2003) – football coach
* Charles A. Gilman – 9th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Robert R. Gilruth (1913–2000) – aviation and space pioneer
* Dan Gladden (born 1957) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
* Billy Glaze (1944–2015) – serial killer
* Arne Glimcher (born 1938) – art dealer, founder of Pace Gallery, film producer and director
* Tony Glover (1939–2019) – musician, music critic
* James B. Goetz § (1936–2019) – radio executive and the 38th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* William H. Goetzmann § (1930–2010) – historian
* Adam Goldberg (born 1980) – NFL tackle/guard
* Godfrey G. Goodwin (1873–1933) – member of U.S. Congress
* Genevieve Gorder (born 1974) – designer, television personality (Trading Spaces)
* Samuel Y. Gordon – 19th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Willis Arnold Gorman § (1816–1876) – lawyer, soldier, politician
* Irving I. Gottesman § (1930–2016) – behavior geneticist, psychologist
* Billy Graham § (1918–2018) – evangelist, former president of Northwestern College
* Moonlight Graham § (1876–1965) – doctor, baseball player
* Rod Grams (1948–2013) – U.S. senator; member of U.S. Congress
* Mary GrandPré – illustrator (Harry Potter books)
* Bud Grant § (1927–2023) – former Minnesota Vikings football coach
* Jim "Mudcat" Grant § (1935–2021) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
* Charles Hinman Graves § (1839–1928) – Army officer, politician, diplomat, and mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
* Peter Graves (Peter Aurness) (1926–2010) – actor (Mission: Impossible television series, Airplane!, 7th Heaven)
* Dennis Green (1949–2016) – Minnesota Vikings football coach
* Lauren Green (born 1958) – beauty queen, anchor
* Steven Greenberg (born 1950) – musician ("Funkytown"), record producer
* Robert Grenier (born 1941) – poet
* Ingebrikt Grose (1862–1939) – founding president of Concordia College
* Joan Growe (born 1935) – former Minnesota Secretary of State
* Gabriele Grunewald (1986–2019) – middle-distance runner
* Ann Morgan Guilbert (1928–2016) – actress, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Nanny
* Bill Gullickson (born 1959) – baseball player
* Gil Gutknecht § (born 1951) – former member of U.S. Congress
* Joe Guyon (1892–1971) – Hall of Fame NFL player
* Cristian Guzmán § (born 1978) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
* Gia Milinovich (born 1969) Television presenter

## H

* Tom Hagedorn (born 1943) – member of the U.S. Congress
* Ra'Shede Hageman § (born 1990) – football player
* Gulbrand Hagen (1864–1919) – newspaper editor and publisher
* Harold Hagen (1901–1957) – member of U.S. Congress
* Molly Hagan (born 1961) – actress
* Camilla Hall (1945–1974) – artist, college trained member of the Symbionese Liberation Army
* 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
* C. J. Ham (born 1993) – fullback for the Minnesota Vikings
* Trina Hamlin – singer-songwriter
* Winfield Scott Hammond § (1863–1915) – 18th governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
* Brad Hand (born 1990) – pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
* Greg Handevidt § (born 1965) – musician, attorney
* Alan Hangsleben (born 1953) – hockey player
* Dick Hanley (1894–1970) – football player and head coach
* Jack Hannahan (born 1980) – third baseman for the Cleveland Indians
* Ben Hanowski (born 1990) – professional hockey player
* Courtney Hansen (born 1975) – television host and personality, syndicated columnist, author, and actress
* Agatha Tiegel Hanson § (1873–1959) – poet, writer, and editor
* Duane Hanson (1925–1996) – post-modern sculptor
* Olof Hanson § (1862–1933) – deaf architect
* Jeff Hanson § (1978–2009) – singer-songwriter, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist
* Har Mar Superstar (Sean Tillmann) (born 1978) – entertainer
* Poppy Harlow (born 1982) – news anchor, reporter and journalist for Forbes.com and CNN
* Brian Harper § (born 1959) – baseball player
* Tim Harmston § – stand-up comedian
* Donald Harris (1931–2016) – composer and music teacher
* Irving Harris (1910–2004) – businessperson
* William H. Harries § (1843–1921) – member of U.S. Congress
* Napoleon Harris § (born 1979) – football player
* Ryan Harris (born 1985) – football player
* Samantha Harris (born 1973) – television hostess, Dancing with the Stars, Entertainment Tonight
* Ellen Hart § (born 1949) – mystery novelist
* Grant Hart (1961–2017) – musician
* Brynn Hartman (Vicki Omdahl) (1958–1998) – actor
* Josh Hartnett (born 1978) – actor
* Sid Hartman (1920–2020) – sports writer
* Jon Hassler (1933–2008) – author
* Mike Hatch (born 1948) – attorney general
* Brenton G. Hayden – entrepreneur
* Bernt B. Haugan (1862–1931) – minister, politician, and temperance leader
* Randolph E. Haugan (1902–1985) – editor, author and publisher
* Louis J. Hauge Jr. (1924–1945) – sailor
* Marty Haugen (born 1950) – composer
* Pete Hautman § (born 1952) – novelist
* John Hawkes (born 1959) – actor
* Joel Heatwole § (1856–1910) – member of U.S. Congress
* Mitch Hedberg (1968–2005) – absurdist comic
* Bret Hedican (born 1970) – hockey player
* Garrett Hedlund (born 1984) – actor
* Tippi Hedren (born 1930) – actor
* Pudge Heffelfinger (1867–1954) – football player and coach, College Football Hall of Famer
* Michael Hegstrand (1957–2003) – professional wrestler
* Lawrence Heinemi (born 1943) – professional wrestler
* Steve Heitzeg (born 1959) – composer
* Luke Helder (born 1981) – pipe bomber
* E. J. Henderson – football player
* Seantrel Henderson – football player
* Skitch Henderson (Lyle Russell Cedric Henderson) (1918–2005) – pianist, conductor, and composer
* Ben Hendrickson (born 1981) – baseball player
* Darby Hendrickson (born 1972) – hockey player
* Curt Hennig (1958–2003) – professional wrestler
* Joseph Curtis Hennig – professional wrestler
* Larry Hennig – professional wrestler
* Father Hennepin § (1626–1705) – explorer
* Holly Henry (born 1994) – The Voice contestant and musician
* Abigail and Brittany Hensel (born 1990) – conjoined twins
* Barton Hepburn (1906–1955) – actor
* Don Herbert (1917–2007) – television host
* Maureen Herman § (born 1966) – musician
* Bryan Hickerson (born 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 (born 1960) – songwriter
* John H. Hinderaker (born 1950) – lawyer, blogger
* Larry Hisle § (born 1947) – baseball player
* Charles Hoag § (1808–1888) – scholar
* Tami Hoag – novelist
* Leroy Hoard § (born 1968) – football player
* Jamie Hoffmann – baseball player
* Alvin O. Hofstad (1905–1962) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
* Tobias Hogan – politician
* James Day Hodgson (1915–2012) – United States Secretary of Labor and Ambassador to Japan
* Joel Hodgson § – comedian and creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000
* Einar Hoidale § – member of U.S. Congress
* Mary Liz Holberg – politician
* William Holcombe § (1804–1870) – first lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Perry Greeley Holden (1865–1959) – professor of agronomy
* Justin Holl (born 1992) – hockey player
* Bill Holm – poet
* Paul Holmgren (born 1955) – hockey player
* James Hong (born 1929) – actor
* Quinton Hooker (born 1995) – basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Townsend Hoopes (1922–2004) – soldier
* Eric Hoplin – Deputy Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota
* Terry Horan (born 1966) – football coach at Concordia College
* George A. Hormel § (1860–1946) – founder of Hormel Foods
* George "Geordie" Hormel (1928–2006) – musician and recording-studio proprietor
* James Hormel (1933–2021) – philanthropist
* Jay Catherwood Hormel (1892–1954) – businessman
* Aaron Hosack § – football player
* Harold Hotelling (1895–1973) – statistician and economist
* Sue Metzger Dickey Hough § (1883 – 1980) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
* David Housewright (born 1955) – novelist
* Phil Housley (born 1964) – hockey player
* Guy V. Howard (1879–1954) – U.S. senator
* Kent Hrbek (born 1960) – baseball player
* Lucius Frederick Hubbard § (1836–1913) – 9th governor of Minnesota
* Don Hultz – football player
* Ramon Humber – football player
* Oliver Humperdink (1949–2011) – wrestling manager
* Hubert Humphrey § (1911–1978) – U.S. senator, vice president, and presidential candidate
* Muriel Humphrey § (1912–1998) – U.S. senator
* Skip Humphrey (born 1942) – Minnesota attorney general
* Kris Humphries (born 1985) – power forward for the New Jersey Nets
* Torii Hunter § (born 1975) – baseball player
* Leonid Hurwicz § (1917–2008) – economist, Nobel laureate
* Lloyd Hustvedt (1922–2002) – professor, Norwegian-American scholar
* Siri Hustvedt (born 1955) – novelist
* Peter Hutchinson (born 1949) – politician and businessperson

## I

* I Self Devine (born 1972) – musician
* Sherwood B. Idso – climatologist, ecologist, soil scientist
* Tim Irwin – football player
* Bill Irwin – professional wrestler
* Scott Irwin (1952–1987) – professional wrestler
* Doran Isackson (1938–1989) – politician, farmer
* Sharon Isbin (born 1956) – classical guitarist
* Ishtakhaba – Lakota chief
* Gideon S. Ives – 11th lieutenant governor of Minnesota

## J

* Carl Richard Jacobi (1908–1997) – author
* Lawrence R. Jacobs (born 1959) – political scientist
* Jacob F. Jacobson § (1849–1938) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
* Sada Jacobson (born 1983) – Olympic fencing silver and bronze medalist
* Sam Jacobson (born 1975) – basketball player
* Jimmy Jam (born 1959) – songwriter, co-founder of Flyte Tyme Productions
* Erasmus James (born 1982) – football player
* Kathleen Hall Jamieson (born 1946) – professor and author
* Harry August Jansen § (1883–1955) – professional magician
* Lee Janzen (born 1964) – golfer
* Kenny Jay (Kenny Benkowski) (born 1937) – professional wrestler
* Sue Jeffers – political activist, radio commentator, businessperson
* Claudia Jennings (Mary Eileen Chesterton) (1949–1979) – model and actor
* Mason Jennings (born 1975) – pop-folk singer-songwriter
* Carl Jensen (1920–1988) – politician, attorney, veteran
* Doron Jensen (born 1957) – businessperson
* Jim Jensen (1926–1999) – sportswriter
* Richard A. Jensen (1934–2014) – author
* Diane Jergens (1935–2018) – actor
* Herb Joesting (1905–1963) – college and professional football player
* Bob Johnson (1931–1991) – hockey coach
* Brad Johnson § (born 1968) – football player
* Craig Johnson (born 1972) – hockey player
* Dan Johnson (born 1979) – baseball player
* Dean Johnson (born 1947) – politician
* Dewey Johnson (1899–1941) – member of U.S. Congress
* Earl V. Johnson (1913–1942) – aviator
* Erik Johnson (born 1988) – hockey player
* George W. Johnson (1894–1974) – politician and mayor of Duluth
* Gordon Johnson (born 1952) – bass guitarist
* Jellybean Johnson (Garry George Johnson) (born 1956) – songwriter, producer and musician
* Jim Johnson (born 1962) – hockey player
* John Albert Johnson (1861–1909) – 16th governor of Minnesota
* Josh Johnson (born 1984) – baseball player
* Leon H. Johnson (1908–1969) – president of Montana State University
* Magnus Johnson § (1871–1936) – U.S. senator; member of U.S. Congress
* Marcus Johnson (born 1981) – football player
* Mark Johnson (born 1957) – hockey player
* Mark Steven Johnson (born 1964) – director and screenwriter, Ghost Rider, Daredevil
* Marlene Johnson (born 1946) – 42nd lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Paul Johnson (1936–2016) – hockey player
* Reynold B. Johnson (1906–1998) – inventor and computer pioneer
* Ron Johnson – U.S. senator for Wisconsin
* Scott W. Johnson (born 1940) – lawyer, blogger
* Spencer Johnson – football player
* Tyler Johnson (born 1998) – football player
* Lance Johnstone (born 1973) – football player
* Frederick McKinley Jones (1893–1961) – inventor, cofounder of Thermo King
* Jacques Jones (born 1975) – baseball player
* Ray W. Jones – 16th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Tre Jones – NBA basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs
* Tyus Jones (born 1996) – NBA basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies
* Bennie Joppru (born 1980) – football player
* Cameron Jordan (born 1989) – football player
* Steve Jordan § (born 1961) – football player
* Carl O. Jorgenson (1881–1951) – politician
* Bradley Joseph (born 1965) – composer, pianist, keyboardist
* Walter Judd § (1898–1994) – member of U.S. Congress
* Jerry Juhl (1938–2005) – television and movie writer, puppeteer
* Dan Jurgens (born 1959) – writer and illustrator

## K

* Jim Kaat (born 1938) – baseball player
* Dory Kahalé (born 1971) – electronic musician and DJ
* Timothy M. Kaine (born 1958) – United States Senator from Virginia (2013–), former governor of Virginia (2006–2010)
* John Anthony Kaiser (1932–2000) – Roman Catholic priest killed in Kenya
* Henry Kalis (1937–2018) – politician, farmer, veteran
* Rick Kamla – NBA TV broadcaster
* Joe Kapp (1939–2023) – football player
* Rich Karlis (born 1959) – football player
* Joseph Karth (1922–2005) – member of U.S. Congress
* Vincent Kartheiser (born 1979) – actor
* Terry Katzman (1955–2019) – producer, sound engineer, archivist, record-store owner
* Evan Kaufmann (born 1984) – professional ice hockey player in Germany
* Maude Kegg (Ojibwa name Naawakamigookwe) (1904–1996) – writer, folk artist, and cultural interpreter
* Tim Kehoe (born 1970) – inventor and author
* Garrison Keillor (born 1942) – radio humorist and author (A Prairie Home Companion)
* Alexander M. Keith (1928–2020) – judge, politician; 37th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* James "J.R." Keller (1907–1972) – politician, farmer, contractor
* Melissa Keller (born 1979) – model and actress
* Oscar Keller (1878–1927) – member of U.S. Congress
* Rachel Keller (born 1991) – actress
* Wade Keller – columnist
* Devin Kelley – actress, The Chicago Code
* John Edward Kelley § (1853–1941) – South Dakota politician
* Steve Kelley (born 1953) – politician
* Frank Kellogg § (1856–1937) – U.S. senator, U.S. Secretary of State, Kellogg-Briand Pact
* Randy Kelly (born 1950) – politician
* Tom Kelly (born 1950) – baseball coach
* Linda Kelsey (born 1946) – actor
* Mark Kennedy (born 1957) – former member of U.S. Congress
* Elizabeth Kenny § (1880–1952) – nurse, discovered revolutionary treatment for polio
* George Keogan (1890–1943) – basketball coach
* Ancel Keys (1904–2004) – nutritionist
* Leonard Kibrick (1924–1993) – child actor
* Sidney Kibrick (born 1928) – child actor
* Jefferson P. Kidder § (1815–1883) – lawyer and jurist
* Dana Kiecker (born 1961) – baseball player
* Andrew Kiefer § (1832–1904) – member of U.S. Congress
* Eddie Kienholz (1889–1974) – college football, basketball, and baseball coach
* Mary Kiffmeyer (born 1946) – Minnesota Secretary of State
* Craig Kilborn (born 1962) – television personality
* John N. Kildahl (1857–1920) – Lutheran church minister, author and educator
* Harmon Killebrew § (1936–2011) – baseball player
* Ward Kimball (1914–2002) – animator, musician
* Charles Kimbrough (born 1936) – actor
* William S. King § (1828–1900) – member of U.S. Congress
* William W. Kingsbury § (1828–1892) – politician
* Sheila Kiscaden – politician
* Jeremy James Kissner (born 1985) – actor
* Norman Kittson § (1814–1888) – businessperson, politician
* Trent Klatt (born 1971) – hockey player
* Kurt Kleinendorst (born 1960) – hockey coach
* Scot Kleinendorst (1960–2019) – hockey player
* Jim Kleinsasser § (born 1977) – football player
* John Kline § (born 1947) – member of U.S. Congress
* Amy Klobuchar (born 1960) – U.S. senator
* Chuck Klosterman (born 1972) – writer
* Chris Kluwe § (born 1981) – football player
* T. R. Knight (born 1973) – actor
* Chuck Knoblauch § (born 1968) – baseball player
* Chris Knutson – stand-up comedian
* Coya Knutson § (1912–1996) – member of U.S. Congress
* Harold Knutson § (1880–1953) – member of U.S. Congress
* Paul Koering (born 1964) – politician; rare openly gay Republican
* Spider John Koerner (born 1938) – musician
* Nikita Koloff (born 1959) – professional wrestler
* Jerry Koosman (born 1942) – baseball player
* Charlie Korsmo § (born 1978) – actor
* Corey Koskie § (born 1973) – baseball player
* Kristina Koznick – downhill skier, Olympian
* Tommy Kramer § (born 1955) – football player
* Herbert Arthur Krause (1905–1976) – American historian
* Paul Krause § (born 1942) – football player
* Peter Krause (born 1965) – actor
* Richard E. Kraus § (1925–1944) – sailor
* Mitch Krebs – anchor
* Joan B. Kroc (1928–2003) – philanthropist
* Pat Kronebusch (1927–2004) – politician, educator
* Helen Barbara Kruger (1913–2006) – entrepreneur
* William Kent Krueger - crime author
* Kris Kuehl (born 1970) – Olympian and discus thrower
* Robert T. Kuhn (born 1937) – Lutheran minister
* Bernie Kukar – National Football League referee
* William F. Kunze (1872–1962) – banker, politician
* Tom Kurvers (1962–2021) – hockey player
* Ole J. Kvale § (1869–1929) – member of U.S. Congress
* Paul John Kvale § (1896–1940) – member of U.S. Congress
* Ben Kyle § (born 1981) – musician, songwriter

## L

* James D. La Belle (1924–1945) – sailor
* Manuel Lagos (born 1971) – soccer player
* Ann Landers (1918–2002) – columnist for Minneapolis Star Tribune; birth name Eppie Lederer
* Lenny Lane (born 1970) – professional wrestler
* Odin Langen (1913–1976) – member of U.S. Congress
* Jessica Lange (born 1949) – actor
* Jim Lange (1932–2014) – television host
* Jamie Langenbrunner (born 1975) – hockey player
* Josh Langfeld (born 1977) – hockey player
* Katherine Lanpher (born 1959) – radio personality, journalist
* Gene Larkin (born 1962) – baseball player
* Erik Larsen (born 1962) – comic-book writer, artist, and publisher
* Gary Larsen (born 1942) – football player
* Emily Larson (born 1973) – American politician and former mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
* Oscar Larson § (1871–1957) – member of U.S. Congress
* Reed Larson (born 1956) – hockey player
* George Latimer § (1935–2024) – politician
* Roger Laufenburger (1921–2001) – politician, radio announcer, insurance agent
* Tom Laughlin (1931–2013) – actor
* James Laurinaitis (born 1986) – football player
* Trevor Laws § (born 1985) – football player
* Matt Lawton § (born 1971) – baseball player
* Bernie Leadon (born 1947) – musician
* Carrie Lee – beauty queen
* Carl Lee – football player
* Tammy Lee (born 1971) – businessperson and politician
* Pinky Lee (1907–1993) – actor and star of The Pinky Lee Show
* Sunisa Lee (born 2003) – Olympic gold medalist
* James LeGros (born 1962) – actor
* Tom Lehman (born 1959) – golfer
* John D. LeMay (born 1962) – actor
* Greg LeMond (born 1961) – Tour de France winner
* Brock Lesnar § (born 1977) – professional wrestler, folkstyle wrestler, and UFC fighter
* Meridel Le Sueur § (1900–1996) – writer
* Jon Leuer (born 1989) – basketball player for the Detroit Pistons
* Harold LeVander § (1910–1992) – 32nd governor of Minnesota
* David Levin – singer-songwriter
* Mark LeVoir (born 1982) – offensive tackle for the New England Patriots
* Len Levy (1921–1999) – football player and professional wrestler
* Bob Lewis (1924–2006) – businessperson, champion race horse owner
* Sinclair Lewis (1885–1951) – Nobel Prize-winning novelist
* Terry Lewis § (born 1956) – songwriter, co-founder of Flyte Tyme Productions
* Walter Liggett (1886–1935) – journalist, newspaper editor
* 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
* Bruce Lindahl (1919–2014) – Minnesota legislator
* Terrance Lindall (born 1944) – artist
* Mike Lindell (born 1961) – My Pillow inventor and advisor to President Trump
* 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
* Gottfrid Lindsten – 29th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Chris Liwienski – football player
* Ben Lohrding, member of Minneapolis band Amateur Hour
* Charles M. Loring (1833–1922) – Minneapolis businessman, civic leader, "Father of Park System"
* Maud Hart Lovelace (1892–1980) – author
* Kirk Lowdermilk – football player
* Cal Ludeman (born 1951) – politician, state commissioner, farmer
* Ernest Lundeen § (1878–1940) – U.S. senator; member of U.S. Congress
* Bob Lurtsema – football player
* Bill Luther (born 1945) – member of U.S. Congress
* David Lykken (1928–2006) – behavioral geneticist and Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Psychiatry
* Joseph Lykken (born 1957) – physicist
* Dorothy Lyman (born 1947) – actor, director, and producer
* Kelly Lynch (born 1959) – actor
* Reggie Lynch (born 1994) – basketball player for Bnei Herzliya of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Audra Lynn (born 1980) – model and actor
* Jerry Lynn (born 1963) – professional wrestler

## 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
* Mary Mack § (born 1975) – stand-up comedian
* Catharine MacKinnon (born 1946) – legal scholar
* George MacKinnon (1906–1995) – member of U.S. Congress
* Edwin L. MacLean (1890–1968) – Minnesota legislator
* Cornell MacNeil – singer
* Myles Mace (1911–2000) – Harvard Business School professor
* Shane Mack § (born 1963) – baseball player
* John Madden (1936–2021) – football coach and commentator
* Chris Maddock – stand-up comedian
* Amos Magee (born 1971) – soccer player, coach, and front office
* Clarence R. Magney (1883–1962) – judge and mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
* Warren G. Magnuson (1905–1989) – politician
* Tom Malchow (born 1976) – swimmer
* Mark Mallman (born 1973) – musician
* George Mann (1918–1984) – politician, farmer
* 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
* Kelli Maroney – actress, Ryan's Hope, One Life to Live
* Forrest Mars, Sr. (1904–1999) – CEO, Mars, Inc., creator of M&M's
* Frank Mars (1883–1934) – founder of Mars, Inc., creator of Milky Way candy bar
* E. G. Marshall (1914–1998) – actor
* Fred Marshall (1906–1985) – member of U.S. Congress
* Jim Marshall § (born 1937) – football player
* William Rainey Marshall § (1825–1896) – 5th governor of Minnesota
* Theodore Marston (1868–1920) – film director and writer
* Billy Martin § (1928–1989) – baseball coach
* Homer Dodge Martin § (1836–1897) – painter
* Paul Martin (born 1981) – hockey player
* James Martinez (born 1958) – Olympic bronze medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling
* John Marty – politician
* Brownie Mary (Mary Jane Rathbun) (1922–1999) – baker
* Bob Mason (born 1961) – hockey player
* Shirley Ardell Mason (1923–1998) – abuse victim
* Tommy Mason (1939–2015) – football player
* Bethanie Mattek-Sands (born 1985) – professional tennis-player
* Mark Mattson (born 1957) – neuroscientist
* Gene Mauch § (1925–2005) – baseball manager
* Joe Mauer (born 1983) – Minnesota Twins baseball player
* John Mayasich (born 1933) – hockey player
* Wendy Maybury – stand-up comedian
* Charles Horace Mayo (1865–1939) – doctor, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic
* William J. Mayo (1861–1939) – doctor, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic
* William Worrall Mayo § (1819–1911) – doctor, head of St. Mary's Hospital
* Joe Mays (born 1975) – baseball player
* Ryan McCartan (born 1993) – actor
* Eugene McCarthy (1916–2005) – U.S. senator; presidential candidate; member of U.S. Congress
* Kevin McCarthy (1914–2010) – actor
* James McCleary § (1853–1924) – member of U.S. Congress
* Fancy Ray McCloney – stand-up comedian
* Betty McCollum (born 1954) – member of U.S. Congress
* Ed McDaniel – football player
* Randall McDaniel (born 1964) – football player
* James E. McDonald (1920–1971) – physicist
* Denis McDonough (born 1969) – White House Chief of Staff
* Heather McElhatton – writer, reporter, and radio host
* Hugh McElhenny § (1928–2022) – football player
* Margaret McFadden (1870–1932) – community leader
* Bobby McFerrin § (born 1950) – jazz singer
* Andrew Ryan McGill § (1840–1905) – 10th governor of Minnesota
* Kevin McHale (born 1957) – basketball player
* Bethany McLean (born 1971) – author
* John McMartin (1929–2016) – actor
* 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
* Dugan McNeill – guitarist
* Pamela McNeill – singer-songwriter
* Marcia McNutt – geophysicist, National Academy of Sciences president
* Samuel Medary § (1801–1864) – politician, 3rd Governor of Minnesota Territory
* Niko Medved (born 1973) – college basketball coach
* Ralph Meeker (Ralph Rathgeber) (1920–1988) – actor
* Mike Menning (born 1945) – politician, businessman, minister
* William Rush Merriam § (1849–1931) – 11th governor of Minnesota
* Jeremy Messersmith § – musician
* James Metzen (1943–2016) – politician
* Breckin Meyer (born 1974) – actor
* Ben Meyers (born 1998) – hockey player
* Joe Micheletti (born 1954) – hockey player
* Doug Mientkiewicz (born 1974) – baseball player
* Boris Mikšić (born 1948) – Croatian-born businessman and politician
* Keith Millard (born 1962) – football player
* Archie H. Miller – 32nd lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Clarence B. Miller (1872–1922) – member of U.S. Congress
* Joey Miller (born 1985) – stock-car driver
* Stephen Miller § (1816–1881) – 4th governor of Minnesota
* Worm Miller (born 1978) – writer, director, and actor
* Kate Millett (1934–2017) – feminist and writer
* Larry Millett (born 1947) – journalist and author
* Tommy Milton (1893–1962) – race car driver
* Don Mincher (1938–2012) – baseball player
* David Minge (born 1942) – former member of U.S. Congress, state appeals court judge
* William D. Mitchell (1874–1955) – U.S. Attorney General
* Roger Moe (born 1944) – politician
* Don Moen (born 1950) – worship leader and president of Hosanna! Music
* Mother Alfred Moes § (1828–1899) – founder of St. Mary's Hospital
* Paul Molitor (born 1956) – baseball player, manager
* Carol Molnau (born 1949) – 46th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Dorothy Molter (1907–1986) – entrepreneur
* Eleanor Mondale (1960–2011) – television host, daughter of Walter Mondale
* Joan Mondale § (1930–2014) – second lady of the United States
* Walter Mondale (1928–2021) – vice president of the United States, U.S. senator
* Robert Mondavi (1913–2008) – winemaker
* Warren Moon (born 1956) – football player
* Freddy Moore (born 1950) – songwriter
* Mewelde Moore (born 1982) – football player
* Tom Moore (born 1938) – senior offensive assistant for the Indianapolis Colts
* Mike Morin (born 1991) – baseball player
* Jack Morris (born 1955) – baseball player
* Robert P. Morris § (1853–1924) – member of U.S. Congress
* Dorilus Morrison § (1814–1898) – politician
* Greg Mortenson – activist
* Marnie Mosiman – actor, singer
* Randy Moss § (born 1977) – football player
* Mee Moua § (born 1969) – politician
* Bob Mould § (born 1960) – musician
* John Edward Mower § (1815–1879) – businessperson, politician
* Karl Mueller (1963–2005) – musician
* Peter Mueller (born 1988) – hockey player
* Mark Mullaney – football player
* Biggie Munn (1908–1975) – football player and coach
* Adolph Murie (1899–1974) – biologist, author
* Diana E. Murphy (1934–2018) – judge
* Willie Murphy (1943–2019) – musician
* Rick Mystrom – politician

## N

* Arthur Naftalin § (1917–2005) – politician
* Ellen Torelle Nagler (1870–1965) – biologist, non-fiction writer
* Bronko Nagurski § (1908–1990) – football player, professional wrestler
* Peter Najarian § (born 1963) – options trader, television personality for CNBC
* Joe Nathan (born 1974) – baseball player
* Noel Neill (1920–2016) – actor
* LeRoy Neiman (1921–2012) – 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 (born 1955) – alpine skier
* Darrin Nelson (born 1959) – football player
* Edor Nelson (1914–2014) – baseball, football, wrestling, and hockey coach at Augsburg University
* Ken G. Nelson (born 1936) – former Minnesota state representative
* George Nelson § (born 1950) – astronaut
* Holly Nelson – poet, politician
* Knute Nelson § (1843–1923) – 12th governor of Minnesota; U.S. senator; member of U.S. Congress
* Roy Nelson (1905–1956) – cartoonist
* Steve Nelson (born 1951) – football player for the New England Patriots
* Pat Neshek § (born 1980) – relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
* Don Ness (born 1974) – politician and former mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
* Tom Netherton (1947–2018) – singer
* Graig Nettles § (born 1944) – baseball player
* Ernie Nevers (1902–1976) – Hall of Fame football player
* Walter Newton (1880–1941) – member of U.S. Congress
* Joseph Nicollet § (1786–1843) – explorer
* Tom Niedenfuer (born 1959) – baseball player
* Matt Niskanen (born 1986) – hockey player
* Richard Nolan (born 1943) – member of U.S. Congress
* William I. Nolan (1874–1943) – 24th lieutenant governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
* Gena Lee Nolin (born 1971) – actress and model, Baywatch, Sheena
* John Nord (born 1959) – professional wrestler
* Jeff Nordgaard (born 1973) – basketball player
* 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
* Greg Norton (born 1959) – musician, chef
* Scott Norton (born 1961) – professional wrestler
* Frank Nye § (1852–1935) – member of U.S. Congress

## O

* Tim O'Brien (born 1946) – author
* Mac O'Grady (born 1951) – golfer
* Joseph P. O'Hara (1895–1975) – member of U.S. Congress
* Michael O'Leary (born 1958) – actor
* Jim Oberstar (1934–2014) – member of U.S. Congress
* Tim Ocel – director
* Willie Offord (born 1978) – football player
* "Mean Gene" Okerlund (1942–2019) – professional wrestling interviewer and announcer
* Kyle Okposo (born 1988) – hockey player
* Tony Oliva § (born 1938) – baseball player
* Alec G. Olson (born 1930) – member of U.S. Congress; 40th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Earl B. Olson (1915–2006) – founder of the Jennie-O Turkey company
* Floyd B. Olson (1891–1936) – 22nd governor of Minnesota
* Greg Olson (born 1960) – baseball player
* Howard Olson (1937–1996) – politician, farmer
* John Olson (1906–1981) – politician, farmer
* Katy Olson (1928–2011) – politician, farmer
* Kenneth L. Olson (1945–1968) – Vietnam War veteran
* Mark Olson (1943–2018) – member of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve
* Sigurd Olson (1899–1982) – environmentalist
* Ilhan Omar § – politician
* Norman J. Ornstein – political scientist
* Dave Osborn – football player
* T. J. Oshie § – hockey player
* Laura Osnes (born 1985) – actor, singer
* Peter Ostroushko (1953–2021) – violinist
* Rebecca Otto (born 1963) – politician, 18th state auditor

## P

* Alan Page § (born 1945) – football player and Minnesota Supreme Court justice
* John U. D. Page (1903–1950) – soldier
* Doug Pagitt – religion author
* Floyd Palmer (born 1943) – businessperson
* Carl Panzram (1891–1930) – serial killer, author
* George Andreas Papandreou (born 1952) – Greek politician
* Bob Paradise (born 1944) – hockey player
* Alex Pareene – editor-in-chief of Gawker
* Zach Parise (born 1984) – hockey player
* Robert Ezra Park § (1864–1944) – urban sociologist
* Bradford Parkinson (born 1935) – father of the Global Positioning System
* Gordon Parks § (1912–2006) – photographer
* Emory Parnell (1892–1979) – actor
* Nancy Parsons (1942–2001) – actor
* Camilo Pascual (born 1934) – baseball player
* Brandon Paulson (born 1973) – Olympic silver medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling
* Gary Paulsen (born 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 (born 1960) – 39th governor of Minnesota
* Barbara Payton (1927–1967) – actor
* Pat Peake (born 1973) – hockey player
* Westbrook Pegler (1894–1969) – journalist and writer
* Mary Jo Pehl – actor, broadcaster, and writer
* Ellen Pence (1948–2012) – scholar and activist in domestic violence prevention
* Tim Penny (born 1951) – member of U.S. Congress
* Glen Perkins (born 1983) – baseball player
* Rudy Perpich (1928–1995) – 34th and 36th governor of Minnesota; 39th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Jim Perry § (born 1935) – baseball player
* Melissa Peterman (born 1970) – actor
* Christian T. Petersen – board game designer and founder of Fantasy Flight Games
* Hjalmar Petersen § (1890–1968) – 23rd governor of Minnesota; 28th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Aaron Peterson – politician
* Barbara Peterson – Miss USA 1976
* Collin Peterson (born 1944) – member of U.S. Congress
* Darrel Peterson (1939–1994) – politician, farmer
* Paul Peterson (St. Paul) – musician
* Wayne Peterson (1925–2021) – composer, Pulitzer Prize winner
* Jake Petricka (born 1988) – baseball player
* Anna Augusta Von Helmholtz-Phelan – professor, author
* William Wallace Phelps § (1826–1873) – member of U.S. Congress
* Reynold Philipsek (born 1952) – musician
* Arthur Phillips (born 1969) – author
* Don Piccard (1926–2020) – balloonist
* Jean Piccard § (1884–1963) – organic chemist, balloonist
* Jeannette Piccard § (1895–1981) – teacher, balloonist, priest
* Justin Pierre (born 1976) – musician
* Janelle Pierzina (born 1980) – actor, model
* Bernard Pietenpol (1901–1984) – mechanic, aircraft designer
* Zebulon Montgomery Pike § (1779–1813) – explorer
* John S. Pillsbury § (1828–1901) – founder of Pillsbury, 8th governor of Minnesota
* Chellie Pingree (born 1955) – politician
* Robert M. Pirsig § (1928–2017) – author, philosopher
* William Pittenger § (1885–1951) – member of U.S. Congress
* Mike Ploog (born 1942) – storyboard and comic-book artist
* Henry Stanley Plummer (1874–1937) – physician
* Mortimer Plumtree (born 1969) – former actor and professional wrestling manager
* Shjon Podein (born 1968) – hockey player
* Henry Poehler § (1833–1912) – member of U.S. Congress
* Carl Pohlad § (1915–2009) – billionaire, baseball owner and philanthropist
* Joe Polo (born 1982) – curler and Olympic bronze medalist
* Olivia Poole (1889–1975) – inventor
* P.O.S – rapper
* Vic Power § (1927–2005) – baseball player
* Chris Pratt (born 1979) – actor, Everwood, Parks and Recreation
* Tom Preissing § (born 1978) – hockey player
* Amber Preston § – stand-up comedian
* Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus § (1883–1961) – 20th governor of Minnesota
* Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus II (1920–1994) – Lutheran minister
* Prince (full name Prince Rogers Nelson) (1958–2016) – singer-songwriter, actor, composer
* Pat Proft (born 1947) – comedy writer and actor
* Joel Przybilla (born 1979) – basketball player
* Kirby Puckett § (1960–2006) – Baseball Hall of Famer
* George Putnam (1914–2008) – television host
* Herbert Putnam § (1861–1955) – Librarian of Congress
* William S. Pye (1880–1959) – admiral, U.S. Navy

## Q

* Becky Quick (born 1972) – co-anchorwoman of CNBC's Squawk Box
* Al Quie (1923–2023) – 35th governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
* Frank Quilici § (1939–2018) – baseball player
* Robb Quinlan (born 1977) – baseball player

## R

* Brian Raabe (born 1967) – baseball player
* Brad Radke (born 1972) – baseball player
* Pedro Ramos (born 1935) – baseball player
* Alexander Ramsey § (1815–1903) – 2nd governor of Minnesota; U.S. senator
* Jim Ramstad § (1946–2020) – member of U.S. Congress
* John Randle (born 1967) – football player
* Ralph Rapson § (1914–2008) – architect
* Baron von Raschke § (born 1940) – professional wrestler
* Ahmad Rashad (born 1949) – football player
* Erik Rasmussen (born 1977) – hockey player
* Edwin W. Rawlings (1904–1997) – chief executive officer, General Mills; USAF general (Ret.)
* Dave "Snaker" Ray (1943–2002) – musician
* Jeff Reardon (born 1955) – baseball player
* Harry Reasoner § (1923–1991) – television journalist
* Jake Reed (born 1967) – football player
* Oscar Reed – football player
* Rich Reese (born 1941) – baseball player
* Olli Rehn (born 1962) – European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy
* Ember Reichgott Junge – attorney, radio host, and politician
* Roger Reinert (born 1970) – American politician and mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
* Chris Reitsma (born 1977) – baseball player
* Earl Renneke (1928–2021) – politician, farmer
* Rip Repulski (1927–1993) – baseball player
* Michael Restovich (born 1979) – baseball player
* Patrick Reusse – sports writer
* Brad Rheingans (born 1953) – former professional wrestler and amateur wrestler; Greco-Roman wrestler for USA at two Olympic Games
* 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
* Todd Richards – head coach of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets
* Kaylin Richardson – downhill skier, Olympian, Nor-Am Champion, US National Champion, World Champion
* William B. Richardson – acting lieutenant governor of Minnesota (1936–1937)
* Nate Richert (born 1978) – actor
* Carl W. Riddick (1872–1960) – member of U.S. Congress
* Beth Riesgraf (born 1978) – actress
* Martha Ripley § (1843–1912) – physician; founder, Maternity Hospital in Minneapolis
* Mark Ritchie (born 1951) – Minnesota Secretary of State
* Laila Robins (born 1959) – actress
* Jay Robinson (born 1946) – Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler and former University of Minnesota wrestling coach
* Koren Robinson – football player
* Marcus Robinson (born 1975) – football player
* Robyne Robinson – newscaster
* Stacy Robinson – football player
* Svend Robinson (born 1952) – Canadian politician
* Rafael Rodriguez – boxer
* Brian Rogowski (born 1970) – professional wrestler
* Todd Rohloff (born 1974) – hockey player
* Rich Rollins (born 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) – professional wrestler, best known by his ringname "Ravishing" Rick Rude
* Mike Rosenthal – football player
* Marion Ross (born 1928) – actor
* Coleen Rowley (born 1954) – former FBI agent and whistleblower; candidate for Congress in the 2nd District of Minnesota
* Dwayne Rudd (born 1976) – football player
* Emily Rudd (born 1993) – actor
* Donald Eugene Rudolph, Sr. (c. 1921–2006) – soldier
* Howard Wads Rundquist (1901–1985) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
* Jane Russell (1921–2011) – film actress
* Elmer Ryan (1907–1958) – member of U.S. Congress
* R. T. Rybak (born 1955) – politician, newspaper editor
* Winona Ryder (born 1971) – actor

## S

* Dwight M. Sabin § (1843–1902) – U.S. senator
* Martin Olav Sabo § (1938–2016) – former member of U.S. Congress
* Saint Dog (Steven Thronson) – rapper from Chisholm, Minnesota; member of the hip-hop group Kottonmouth Kings
* Harrison Salisbury (1908–1993) – journalist
* Zak Sally – musician
* Rudie M. Saltness § (1899–1974) – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
* Ralph Samuelson (1903–1977) – inventor of water skiing, first water-ski jumper and speed skier
* John B. Sanborn (1826–1904) – Union Army General, state legislator
* John B. Sanborn Jr. (1883–1964) – Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge
* Michael J. Sandel (born 1953) – political philosopher, Harvard professor
* Charlie Sanders (born 1979) – actor
* Tony Sanneh (born 1971) – soccer player
* Johan Santana (born 1979) – baseball player
* Gary Sargent (born 1954) – hockey player
* Gloria Sawai (Gloria Ruth Ostrem) (1932–2011) – author of fiction
* Thomas D. Schall § (1878–1935) – U.S. senator, member of U.S. Congress
* Dan Schlissel § (born 1970) – record producer, founder of Stand Up! Records and -ismist Recordings
* Bruce Schneier (born 1963) – founder and chief technology officer, Counterpane Internet Security
* Henry Schoolcraft § (1793–1864) – explorer
* Charles M. Schulz (1922–2000) – cartoonist
* Richard M. Schulze (born 1940) – founder and chairman, Best Buy
* Mae Schunk § (born 1934) – 45th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Kathryn Leigh Scott (Kathryn Kringstad) (born 1945) – author, actor
* Seann William Scott (born 1976) – actor
* Todd Scott – football player
* Briana Scurry (born 1971) – soccer player
* Richard Warren Sears (1863–1914) – co-founder, Sears, Roebuck and Company
* Mitch Seavey – dog musher
* Jerry Seeman – NFL referee and Director of Officiating
* Robert Seguso (born 1963) – tennis player
* Aaron Sele (born 1970) – baseball player
* Conrad Selvig (1877–1953) – member of U.S. Congress
* Lyle Sendlein (born 1984) – football player
* Joe Senser – football player
* Marty Sertich (born 1982) – hockey player
* Brian Setzer § – musician
* Eric Sevareid § (1912–1992) – television journalist
* Stephen Shadegg (1909–1990) – political consultant in Phoenix, Arizona; born in Minneapolis
* Kyle Shanahan (born 1979) – football coach
* Eddie Sharkey – wrestling coach
* Darren Sharper (born 1975) – football player
* Clark Shaughnessy (1892–1970) – football coach
* Sam Shepard – actor and playwright; lived in Stillwater, Minnesota, with partner Jessica Lange
* Marcus Sherels – football player
* Sean Sherk (born 1973) – mixed martial artist and former UFC Lightweight Champion
* 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
* BeBe Shopp (born 1930) – Miss America 1948
* Bob Short (1917–1982) – owner of sports teams and politician
* Henry Hastings Sibley § (1811–1891) – first governor of Minnesota
* Christopher Sieber (born 1969) – actor
* Dick Siebert § (1912–1978) – college baseball coach
* Gerry Sikorski (born 1948) – member of U.S. Congress
* Clifford D. Simak § (1904–1988) – science-fiction writer
* Richard Simmons (1913–2003) – actor
* George Sitts – convicted murderer
* Slug (born 1973) – rapper
* Roy Smalley § (born 1952) – baseball player
* Jack Smight (1925–2003) – film director
* Bruce Smith (1920–1967) – football player; winner, Heisman Trophy
* Chad Smith (born 1961) – drummer, Red Hot Chili Peppers
* Craig Smith (born 1974) – college basketball coach
* 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 § (born 1980) – football player
* Phillips Waller Smith (1906–1963) – U.S. Air Force major general
* Raonall Smith (born 1978) – football player
* Regan Smith § (born 2002) – Olympic swimmer
* Robert Smith § (born 1972) – football player
* Wyatt Smith (born 1977) – hockey player
* Fred Smoot § (born 1979) – football player
* Josiah Snelling § (1782–1828) – first commander of Fort Snelling
* Samuel Snider § (1845–1928) – member of U.S. Congress
* Samuel F. Snively § (1859–1952) – longest-serving mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
* Zach Sobiech (1995–2013) – musician
* Ben Sobieski (born 1979) – football player
* Konrad K. Solberg – 27th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Kathleen Soliah § (born 1947) – member of the Symbionese Liberation Army
* Gordon Solie (Francis Jonard Labiak) (1929–2000) – wrestling announcer
* Sammy Solis – baseball player
* Jesse Solomon – football player
* Spenser J. Somers § (1972–1990) – author
* Rich Sommer § (born 1978) – actor
* Stephen Sommers § (born 1962) – director
* Gale Sondergaard (1899–1985) – Academy Award-winning actress (1936)
* John Sontag (1861–1893) – outlaw, born in Mankato
* Kevin Sorbo (born 1958) – actor
* Richard K. Sorenson (1924–2004) – sailor
* Alec Soth (born 1969) – photographer
* Ann Sothern § (1909–2001) – actress
* Matt Spaeth – football player
* Allan Spear § (1937–2008) – state legislator and president of the Minnesota Senate
* LaVyrle Spencer – romance novelist
* Lili St. Cyr (Willis Marie Van Schaack) (1918–1999) – ecdysiast
* Paul St. Peter (also known as George C. Cole and Francis C. Cole) (born 1958) – voice actor
* Joan Staley (1940–2019) – actor
* Arlan Stangeland § (1930–2013) – 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, Minnesota
* Halvor Steenerson § (1852–1926) – member of U.S. Congress
* Andy Steensma (born 1942) – farmer, mayor, politician
* Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper (born 1963) – astronaut
* Will Steger (born 1944) – polar explorer
* Terry Steinbach (born 1962) – Major League Baseball player
* Helen Stenborg (1925–2011) – actor
* Phil Sterner (born 1960) – politician
* Cliff Sterrett – cartoonist
* 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
* Gable Steveson (born 2000) – wrestler for the University of Minnesota, 2020 Summer Olympics gold medalist in men's freestyle 125 kg
* Jacob H. Stewart § (1829–1884) – member of U.S. Congress
* Henry C. Stiening § (1895–1962) – member of the Minnesota Senate
* Kenny Stills (born 1992) – wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins
* Bob Stinson (Robert Neil Stinson) (1959–1995) – musician
* Tommy Stinson (born 1966) – musician
* Carl Stockdale (1874–1953) – actor
* Cal Stoll (1923–2000) – former coach, Wake Forest, University of Minnesota football
* Erik Stolhanske (born 1968) – comedian
* Horace B. Strait § (1835–1894) – member of U.S. Congress
* Korey Stringer § (1974–2001) – football player
* Eric Strobel (born 1958) – hockey player; 1980 Miracle on Ice hockey team member
* Chris Strouth (born 1968) – musician, producer, writer and filmmaker
* Mike Stuart (born 1980) – hockey player
* Scott Studwell – football player
* John Stumpf – chairman and chief executive officer, Wells Fargo
* Terrell Suggs – football player
* George H. Sullivan – 21st lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Clinton Sundberg – actor
* Milt Sunde – football player
* David C. Sutherland III (1949–2005) – Dungeons & Dragons artist
* Steve Sviggum – politician
* Curt Swan (1920–1996) – comic book artist
* Lori Swanson (born 1966) – Minnesota Attorney General
* Nick Swardson (born 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
* John Szarkowski (1925–2007) – photographer, historian, director of photography for Museum of Modern Art

## T

* Taoyateduta (c. 1810–1863) – chief of the Mdewakanton Sioux tribe
* Kevin Tapani § (born 1964) – baseball player
* Thomas Tapeh § (born 1980) – football player
* Fran Tarkenton § (born 1940) – football player
* A. J. Tarpley (born 1992) – football player
* John Tate (1925–2019) – mathematician; winner, Wolf Prize in Mathematics and the Abel Prize
* James Albertus Tawney § (1855–1919) – member of U.S. Congress
* Glen Taylor – businessperson
* Travis Taylor § (born 1978) – football player
* Maureen Teefy (born 1953) – musical-theatre vocalist and actor
* Henry Teigan § (1881–1941) – politician
* Wayne Terwilliger § (1925–2021) – baseball coach
* Adam Thielen (born 1990) – football player
* Dontarrious Thomas § (born 1980) – football player
* George Thomas (born 1937) – baseball player
* Henry Thomas § (born 1965) – football player
* John Thomas (born 1975) – basketball player
* Butch Thompson (born 1943) – jazz pianist and clarinetist
* Lea Thompson (born 1961) – actor, dancer
* Stew Thornley (born 1955) – author of books on sports history
* Edward John Thye § (1896–1969) – 26th governor of Minnesota; 31st lieutenant governor of Minnesota; U.S. senator
* Steve Tibbetts § (born 1954) – guitarist
* Mike Tice § (born 1959) – football coach
* Cheryl Tiegs (born 1947) – model
* Mick Tingelhoff § (born 1940) – football player
* Tiny Tim (Herbert Buckingham Khaury) § (1932–1996) – musician
* Lio Tipton (born 1988) – third place, America's Next Top Model Cycle 11
* Mike Todd (1909–1958) – movie producer
* Carrie Tollefson (born 1977) – Olympian and runner
* Rose Totino, entrepreneur and executive
* César Tovar § (1940–1994) – baseball player
* Charles A. Towne (1858–1928) – U.S. senator; member of U.S. Congress
* A. C. Townley § (1880–1959) – socialist
* Jayne Trcka – bodybuilder and actress
* Martin Edward Trench (1869–1927) – sailor, politician
* Ian Truitner (born 1972) – filmmaker, entrepreneur
* Billy Turner (born 1991) – football player
* Taylor Twellman (born 1980) – professional soccer player
* Anne Tyler (born 1941) – novelist

## U

* Kenechi Udeze § (born 1983) – football player
* Brenda Ueland (1891–1985) – journalist
* Lenore Ulric (1892–1970) – actor
* Bob Ulrich (born 1944) – businessperson
* Jay Underwood (born 1968) – actor
* Jordis Unga § (born 1982) – singer
* Anne Ursu – journalist, novelist, blogger

## V

* John Vachon (1914–1975) – photographer
* Norm Van Brocklin § (1926–1983) – NFL quarterback and 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
* Shantel VanSanten (born 1985) – actress, model, One Tree Hill
* Sofia Vassilieva (born 1992) – child actor
* Vince Vaughn (born 1970) – actor
* Thorstein Veblen § (1857–1929) – economist, sociologist, author
* Bruce Vento (1940–2000) – member of U.S. Congress
* Jesse Ventura (born 1951) – retired professional wrestler, political commentator, author, actor, and 38th governor of Minnesota
* Zoilo Versalles § (1939–1995) – baseball player
* John William Vessey Jr. (1922–2016) – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
* Jim Vickerman (1931–2021) – politician, senator
* Frank Viola § (born 1960) – baseball player
* Pamela Vitale § (1953–2005) – murder victim
* Andrew Volstead (1860–1947) – member of U.S. Congress; author of the 1919 National Prohibition Act (known informally as the Volstead Act)
* Lindsey Vonn (born 1984) – Olympic and world champion skier
* Ana Clara Voog (Rachael Olson) (born 1966) – singer-songwriter, musician, performance artist, visual artist, and writer

## W

* Kevin Wacholz (born 1958) – professional wrestler
* James Wakefield § (1825–1910) – 8th lieutenant governor of Minnesota; member of U.S. Congress
* Harriet G. Walker § (1841–1917) – president, Northwestern Hospital
* T. B. Walker § (1840–1928) – lumberman; founder of Minneapolis Public Library; founder of Walker Art Center
* DeWitt Wallace (1889–1981) – publisher; founder of Reader's Digest; philanthropist
* Steve Walsh (born 1966) – football player
* Sean Waltman (born 1972) – podcaster and former professional wrestler
* Tim Walz – politician
* Lou Wangberg (born 1941) – 41st lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* John Warne (born 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 § (born 1947) – football player
* Vin Weber (born 1952) – member of U.S. Congress
* Jon Wefald (born 1937) – educator
* Knud Wefald § (1869–1936) – member of U.S. Congress
* Mark Weigle (born 1967) – singer-songwriter
* Chris Weinke (born 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 (1930–2015) – businessperson; president and owner, Llewellyn Worldwide
* Paul Westerberg (born 1959) – musician
* Wes Westrum (1922–2002) – baseball player
* Jacob Wetterling (1978–1989) – kidnapped, abused, and murdered in 1989; missing until remains were discovered in 2016
* Patty Wetterling § (born 1949) – politician, advocate of children's safety
* Alice Wetterlund (born 1981) – actress and comedian
* Friedrich Weyerhäuser – businessperson
* Lindsay Whalen (born 1982) – WNBA player
* David Wheaton (born 1969) – tennis player
* Blake Wheeler (born 1986) – hockey player
* Ed White – football player
* Milo White § (1833–1912) – member of U.S. Congress
* Minor White (1908–1976) – photographer
* Sammy White § (born 1954) – football player
* Royce White - basketball player and political figure
* Benson Whitney – U.S. Ambassador to Norway
* Richard Widmark (1914–2008) – actor
* Roy Wier § (1888–1963) – member of U.S. Congress
* James Russell Wiggins (1903–2000) – editor; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
* Jermaine Wiggins (born 1975) – football player
* Laura Ingalls Wilder § (1867–1957) – novelist
* Zygi Wilf § (born 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
* Auburn Williams (born 1990) – singer
* Brian Williams (born 1979) – football player
* Kevin Williams (born 1980) – football player
* Moe Williams (born 1974) – football player
* Pat Williams (born 1972) – football player
* Stokley Williams (born 1967) – musician
* Tom Williams (1940–1992) – hockey player
* Walter Jon Williams (born 1953) – writer
* John Poage Williamson (1835–1917) – missionary, writer, and member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
* Thomas Smith Williamson § (1800–1879) – physician and missionary
* Troy Williamson (born 1983) – football player
* Paul Willson (born 1945) – actor
* August Wilson § (1945–2005) – Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
* Dan Wilson – musician
* Dorothy Wilson (1909–1998) – actress
* Eugene McLanahan Wilson § (1833–1890) – member of U.S. Congress
* Rainn Wilson § (born 1966) – actor; Guthrie Theater alumnus
* Sheree J. Wilson (born 1958) – actor
* Thomas Wilson § (1827–1910) – member of U.S. Congress
* Wade Wilson § (1959–2019) – football player
* Harold Windingstad (1929–2006) – political activist, farmer
* William Windom § (1827–1891) – U.S. senator, member of U.S. Congress
* Antoine Winfield (born 1977) – football player
* Dave Winfield (born 1951) – Baseball Hall of Fame player
* Eliza Winston § (1830– date of death unknown) – freed slave
* Roy Winston – football player
* Max Winter § (1903–1996) – football team owner
* Ted Winter (born 1949) – politician, farmer, insurance agent
* 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
* Wolfman Jack (Robert Weston Smith) § – radio personality
* Jerome J. Workman Jr. (born 1952) – spectroscopist, editor, author
* Bryan Thao Worra (born 1973) – poet, writer, and journalist
* Al Worthington § (born 1929) – baseball player
* John Wozniak (born 1971) – musician
* Donald O. Wright (1892–1985) – 35th lieutenant governor of Minnesota
* Michael Wuertz (born 1978) – baseball player
* Irma Wyman § (born 20th century) – first chief information officer, Honeywell

## Y

* Cedric Yarbrough (born 1973) – actor, Reno 911!
* Dwight York – stand-up comedian
* Adam Young (born 1986) – musician
* Bill Young (died 2014) – stand-up comedian
* Michelle Young (born 1993) – reality television star, The Bachelor Season 25, The Bachelorette Season 18
* Yung Gravy (Matthew Hauri) (born 1996) – musician

## Z

* Steve Zabel (born 1948) – football player
* Steve Zahn (born 1967) – actor
* Martin Zellar – musician
* Kurt Zellers § (born 1969) – state representative
* Tom Zenk (1958–2017) – former professional wrestler and bodybuilder
* Zach Zenner § (born 1991) – football player
* Gary Zimmerman § (born 1961) – football player
* Robert Zimmerman (see Bob Dylan)
* Andrew Zimmern (born 1961) – television personality, chef, food writer
* Cat Zingano (born 1982) – UFC mixed martial artist
* Doug Zmolek (born 1970) – hockey player
* Fred Zollner (1901–1982) – basketball-team owner
* Tay Zonday (born 1982) – musician, prominent YouTuber
* Buck Zumhofe – former professional wrestler
* John M. Zwach (1907–1990) – member of U.S. Congress

## Fictional characters

* Riley Anderson, from the Pixar film Inside Out
* Paul Bunyan, folklore logger and voyageur
* Nick Carraway, narrator of The Great Gatsby
* Betty Crocker, food brand character
* Marshall Eriksen, from the television sitcom How I Met Your Mother
* Henry Gale, from the television series Lost
* Marge Gunderson, from the film Fargo
* Linda Gunderson, from the animated film Rio
* Jolly Green Giant, food brand character
* Juno MacGuff, from the film Juno
* Angus MacGyver, from the 1980s television series MacGyver
* Minnehaha, Native American maiden from Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's poem "The Song of Hiawatha"
* Lester Nygaard, from the first season of Fargo
* Rose Nylund, from the television sitcom The Golden Girls
* Cork O'Connor, protagonist of nineteen crime novels by William Kent Krueger
* Pillsbury Doughboy, food brand character
* Candy Quackenbush, from Clive Barker's The Books of Abarat novel series
* Mary Richards, from the television sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show
* Rocky and Bullwinkle, cartoon characters from the animated television series The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends
* Lou Solverson, from the second season of Fargo
* Molly Solverson, from the second season of Fargo
* Tom Wambsgans from Succession (TV series)
* Ben Wyatt, from Parks and Recreation