List of people from Naperville, Illinois explained

The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Naperville, Illinois, a city in the USA. For a similar list organized alphabetically by last name, see the category page People from Naperville, Illinois.

Authors and academics

• Andrea Beaty, author
• Shane Gericke, author
• Emily Giffin, author
• Louise Huffman, teacher and educator on US Antarctic programs ^[1]
• Fazlur Rahman Malik, author, scholar
• Paul Sereno, paleontologist
• Luis Alberto Urrea, author
• Jasmine Warga, children's and young adult author
• May Theilgaard Watts, naturalist and author; led efforts to establish the Illinois Prairie Path

Media and arts

• Dave Allen, actor
• Andrew Baggarly, baseball journalist
• Dave Bickler, singer for Survivor
• Paul Brittain, actor and comedian
• Steve Cochran, radio talk personality, WGN-AM; lives in Naperville
• David Eigenberg, actor
• Gina Glocksen, American Idol finalist
• Adrian Holovaty, journalist and web developer; creator of Django web framework
• James Holzhauer, Jeopardy all-time record-holder for one-day winnings^[2]
• P. J. Hyett, software developer and co-founder of GitHub
• Harry Kalas, sportscaster, voice of Philadelphia Phillies from 1971 to 2009
• Alan Krashesky, news anchor, WLS-TV
• Dick Locher, editorial writer and Dick Tracy cartoonist
• Gary Miller, sportscaster
• Marisol Nichols, actress, mostly known for her role as Hermione Lodge on Riverdale
• Matthew Prozialeck Musician, blues harmonica player, recording artist, music producer
• Bill Odenkirk, comedy writer, The Simpsons^[3]
• Bob Odenkirk, actor, comedian, writer, director, producer, star of Better Call Saul^[3]
• Danielle Panabaker, actress most notable for her role as Dr. Caitlin Snow on The Flash. She spent her teenage years in Naperville.^[4]
• Kay Panabaker, child actress (Phil of the Future, No Ordinary Family). She was raised in Naperville.^[4]
• Chris Redd, cast member on Saturday Night Live^[5]
• Alene Robertson, musical theatre actress, winner of nine Joseph Jefferson Awards and 2014 Sarah Siddons Award^[6]
• Andrew Santino, Actor, comedian, and podcaster
• Hillary Scott, pornographic actress
• Jim Sonefeld, drummer for Hootie and the Blowfish
• Kim Spencer, founder of the WorldLink direct broadcast satellite channel, producer of Space Bridge live TV broadcasts simultaneously connecting audiences and presenters on multiple continents
• Darling Squire, dancer and choreographer
• John Summit, music producer and DJ, born in Naperville
• Trevor Wallace, Comedian and Content Creator
• Doug Walker, web reviewer, Nostalgia Critic^[7]
• Paula Zahn, newscaster and television personality
• Gabriela Siodlarz, young recording artist and writer

Politics

• Mary Lou Cowlishaw, politician
• S. Fitzgerald Haney, diplomat and businessman
• Dick Locher, syndicated cartoonist^[8]
• Joseph Naper, shipbuilder, businessman, politician, settler, founder of Naperville
• A. George Pradel, longest-serving mayor in city's history
• J. Glenn Schneider, educator and politician
• Lauren Underwood, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 14th congressional district
• Robert Zoellick, former president of the World Bank Group

Sports

Baseball

• Nick Solak, second baseman and outfielder
• Ryan Bukvich, relief pitcher
• Bert Haas, first baseman; all-star for the Cincinnati Reds
• Jerry Hairston Jr., infielder and outfielder; World Series champion with the New York Yankees
• Ian Krol, pitcher for the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League
• Nicky Lopez, second baseman for the Chicago White Sox
• Collin McHugh, relief pitcher; World Series champion with the Houston Astros

Basketball

• John Clawson, small forward for the University of Michigan and Oakland Oaks; Olympic gold medalist
• Drew Crawford, shooting guard and small forward in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Porter Moser, head coach of the University of Oklahoma men's basketball team
• Anthony Parker, general manager of the Orlando Magic; shooting guard and small forward in the Israeli Super League and EuroLeague
• Candace Parker, power forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, and Las Vegas Aces; three-time WNBA champion; two-time WNBA MVP; two-time Olympic gold medalist

Football

• Jayden Reed, wide receiver and punt returner for the Green Bay Packers
• Matt LaCosse, tight end for the New York Giants and New England Patriots
• Cameron Brate, tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints
• Chris Brown, running back for the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans
• Owen Daniels, tight end for the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos
• Justin McCareins, wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets
• Babatunde Oshinowo, defensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns
• Sean Payton, head coach for the Denver Broncos

Gymnastics

• Bridgette Caquatto, gymnast on U.S national team World silver medalist
• Mackenzie Caquatto, gymnast on U.S national team
• Nia Dennis, gymnast on U.S. national team

Ice skating

• Evan Lysacek, figure skater; Olympic gold medalist (2010), 2-time national champion

Mountain climbing

• Lucy Westlake, youngest American Woman to summit Mount Everest^[9]

Prize fighting

• Curtis Blaydes, UFC fighter
• Jordan Johnson, RFA World Champ, UFC fighter
• Steve Kozola, MMA fighter

Soccer

• Brittany Bock, midfielder for Sky Blue FC, Houston Dash, and Chicago Red Stars
• Vanessa DiBernardo, midfielder for Kansas City Current
• Derek Dodson, wing-back for Minnesota United
• Aidan Liu, defender for Viktoria Berlin
• Megan Montefusco, defender for Orlando Pride
• Korede Osundina, forward for FC Dordrech on loan from Feyenoord
• Casey Short, defender for Washington Spirit and U.S. national women's team

Swimming

• Kevin Cordes, Olympic gold medalist in 4x100-meter medley relay, American record holder in 100- and 200-meter breaststroke (short course), as well as 100- and 200-yard breaststroke

Track and field

• Chris Derrick, distance runner at Stanford, held junior record in 5000m
• Tom Petranoff, javelin thrower, former world record holder, Olympian

Volleyball

• Jordyn Poulter, Olympic gold medalist for the United States national indoor volleyball team & professional volleyball player

Notes and References

1. Web site: Empowering Educators at the School of Ice. 2015. antarcticsun.usap.gov. Antarctic Sun. 2016-08-21.
2. Web site: Naperville native sets new 'Jeopardy!' record for 1-day winnings with $110,914; 4-day streak continues. Baker, Sue. 9 April 2019. Chicago Tribune. 15 April 2019.
3. News: Parsi. Novid. Bad boy. Time Out Chicago. March 17, 2010. March 17, 2010.
4. Web site: Danielle Panabaker Super Star . . November 14, 2014 . 2014-11-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141117091928/http://splash.suntimes.com/2014/11/14/danielle-panabaker-super-star/ . November 17, 2014 . dead .
5. Web site: New 'SNL' cast member attended Naperville schools. Hegarty. Erin. September 27, 2017. Chicago Tribune.
6. Web site: You are being redirected.... www.positivelynaperville.com. March 23, 2012 .
7. News: Naperville man finds way to make Web pay. Spirrison. Brad. July 7, 2009. Naperville Sun. December 10, 2010.
8. Web site: Naperville, art world mourn loss of 'Dick Tracy' cartoonist Dick Locher. Wilson. Marie. 2017-08-07. Daily Herald. en-US. 2019-08-25.
9. Web site: Naperville's Lucy Westlake climbs into record books as the youngest U.S. female to summit Everest . 2022-05-13 . Chicago Tribune . en.