What celebrity is from Milwaukee? You might have heard of David Adler, Marc Alaimo, Joseph Anthony, Tommy Bartlett, Eric Benet, or James Benning. They were all born and raised in Brew Town. However, five names stand out from numerous famous people born
in Milwaukee because of their greatness and legacy.
Mildred "Mili" Elizabeth Fish-Harnack was not only a literary historian, writer, and translator but also an incredibly brave woman that was working against the nazi regime in Germany.
In 1902, Mildred Fish was born in Milwaukee. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and later began teaching English there. During her studies at UW-Madison, she met a German student named Arvid Harnack and decided to move with him to Germany only a few years after they got married. That decision completely changed her life.
They joined an anti-nazi group called Red Orchestra and helped many Jewish people escape the country. Her husband was hanged in December 1942. Following the direct Hitler’s order, she was killed by the nazi regime in February of 1943.
September 16th, Mildred Fish-Harnack’s birthday, is a day when Wisconsin remembers this lady’s bravery and contributions to society. Mildred Fish-Harnack Day is celebrated in Milwaukee, Madison, and all other cities and towns in America’s Dairyland.
Lester William Polsfuss, America’s country and jazz guitarist, was born in Waukesha, Milwaukee’s suburb, on June 9, 1915. He went to Barstow School and Waukesha's junior and senior high schools (now Central Middle School). Les was one of the forerunners of the electric guitar with a solid body, and his invention - Log, was an inspiration for the famous Gibson Les Paul.
Paul was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, and Time magazine ranked him one of the top 10 electric guitarists of all time in 2009.
Go to Waukesha County Museum and learn more about the Wizard of Waukesha. Reserve a limo ride from Milwaukee Airport, Madison, Chicago, or any other location in the area.
A famous American motivational speaker and businessman was born in Milwaukee in 1954. He had a tough life with an absent father and abusive stepfather, but those things didn’t stop him from achieving greatness and being on this list.
Gardner managed to grow as a businessman and a father after being homeless. He and his son spent almost a year without a home in San Francisco, often moving between parks, offices, motels, and public transport.
Chris founded Gardner Rich & Co., a brokerage company, in Chicago in 1987. He became the CEO and creator of Christopher Gardner International Holdings after selling his tiny part in Gardner Rich in a multimillion-dollar deal in 2006. He's a worldwide famous philanthropist and motivational speaker.
Gardner was an associate producer of his autobiographical drama The Pursuit of Happyness. Will Smith (Chris Gardner) was a nominee for Best Actor at both the Oscars and the Golden Globe.
The legendary comedian, actor, and filmmaker was born in Milwaukee in 1933. We all know him from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask), Young Frankenstein, Silver Streak, or popular TV shows like Will & Grace.
Born Jerome Silberman in a family of Jewish immigrants, he was raised in the Sherman Park and N. 51st Boulevard (formerly Sheridan Boulevard) areas. He went to Garden Homes School, Sherman School, and Peckham Jr. High School. On April 7th, 1949, at the Wisconsin Avenue School, he made his acting debut as Balthasar in Romeo and Juliet.
Gilda Radner, a fellow performer and comedian, and Gene were married until her passing in 1989. Wilder was an active promoter of cancer awareness and treatment after her death.
On August 29, 2016, Wilder passed away at home in Stamford, Connecticut, at the age of 83 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Gene Wilder left an immense mark in the history of film and television in the United States and will continue to make us laugh forever!
Another Milwaukeean music legend, Al Jarreau, was born on March 12, 1940. He was a son of a minister and a piano player in Seventh-day Adventist Church in MKE. Gospel, jazz, rhythm and blues, and soul affected his music, although it didn't fit in any of those genres. He won seven Grammy Awards in three categories. If you’re not familiar with his music, check out some of the timeless hits like Never Givin’ Up, Breakin’ Away, Roof Garden, After All, Mornin’, or We’re In This Love Together.
The Acrobat of Scat performed with a local band called the Indigos while attending Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin (near Oshkosh and Fond du Lac). However, his music career skyrocketed after he moved to San Francisco. He was performing in nightclubs when Warner Bros discovered him.
His career peaked during the ’70s and ’80s when he performed in many large jazz festivals. Al Jerreau became a jazz legend. His incredible vocal capabilities and smooth songs are now jazz and soul classics.
Brew City’s rich history, contemporary architecture, world-class museums, major league sports teams, top-notch golf courses, great beer, and excellent cheese are just some of the reasons to visit this beautiful city on Lake Michigan.
Visit Historic Third Ward, Milwaukee Art Museum, Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Public Museum, Fiserv Forum, American Family Field, Mitchell Park Domes, Pabst Mansion, Discovery World, and other local attractions with Airport Limo Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s best chauffeur service.
Custom-tailored sightseeing tours of Milwaukee and the whole of Wisconsin are made with the love and commitment of the entire Airport Limo Milwaukee crew. Play golf on Erin Hills, Whistling Straits, or Blackwolf Run. Go to Cedar Creek, Wollersheim Winery & Distillery, or Pieper Porch Winery & Vineyard. Bring your family or friends to Lambeau Field and the Packer game, or stay in the city and see Brewers or Bucks!
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