Famous Kentucky Colonels

Muse Watson is an American actor. He is notable for his recurring roles of Mike Franks on "NCIS" and Charles Westmoreland / D.B. Cooper in "Prison Break", and film roles as Hank Corrigan in "Something to Talk About", and Ben Willis, the killer in "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer".

Jennifer Garner is an American actress. Born in Houston, Texas and raised in Charleston, West Virginia, Garner studied theater at Denison University and began acting as an understudy for the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City. She had a starring role on the FOX teen drama series "Time of Your Life" (1999–2000), and supporting roles in the films "Pearl Harbor" (2001) and "Catch Me If You Can" (2002).

Harry Dean Stanton was an actor. In a career that spanned more than six decades, he played supporting roles in films, including "Cool Hand Luke" (1967), "Kelly's Heroes" (1970), "Dillinger" (1973), "The Godfather Part II" (1974), "Alien" (1979), "Escape from New York" (1981), "Christine" (1983), "Repo Man" (1984), "One Magic Christmas" (1985), "Pretty in Pink" (1986), "The Last Temptation of Christ" (1988), "Wild at Heart" (1990), "The Straight Story" (1999), "The Green Mile" (1999), "The Man Who Cried" (2000), "Inland Empire" (2006), "Rango" (2011), "The Avengers" (2012), and "Seven Psychopaths" (2012).

Wendy's founder, Dave Thomas, is perhaps best known for the fast-food hamburger chain he created in 1969. A high school dropout at 15, he worried that his success might also lead others to drop out. So, he enrolled at Coconut Creek High School and earned his GED in 1993.

Actor, producer, writer, director, and voice actor Bryan Cranston is perhaps best known as Walter White in AMC Networks' crime drama "Breaking Bad", winning 4 Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. As a producer for the show's 4th and 5th seasons, he also won 2 Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series.

Bill Murray is an American actor and comedian, known for his deadpan delivery in roles ranging from studio comedies to independent dramas. He received several accolades, including a BAFTA Award, 2 Golden Globe Awards, and 2 Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as a nomination for an Academy Award. Murray was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2016.

Anthony E. Zuiker is an American television writer, television producer, and author, best known as the creator of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation". He produced all 5 editions of the franchise: "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation", "CSI: Miami", "CSI: NY", "CSI: Cyber", and "CSI: Vegas" via his production company, Dare to Pass.

Musician Zakk Wylde, perhaps best known as the lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, began playing the guitar at age eight. His nearly 40-year career has included work with Pride & Glory, Black Label Society, Pantera, Zakk Sabbath, and two solo albums.

Walt Disney was an American animator, film producer, voice actor, and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the American animation industry, he introduced several developments in the production of cartoons. As a film producer, he holds the record for most Academy Awards earned (22) and nominations (59) by an individual. He was presented with two Golden Globe Special Achievement Awards and an Emmy Award, among other honors. Several of his films are included in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress and have also been named as some of the greatest films ever by the American Film Institute.

Born in Cynthiana, Kentucky, renowned comic book artist Tony Moore was nominated for two Eisner Awards for his work on "The Walking Dead" — "Best New Series" (2004) and "Best Cover Artist" (2005). His works include well-known titles such as "Battle Pope", "Ghost Rider", "The Punisher", and "Dead Pool", among many others.

Perhaps best known as Elvis Presley's manager, Tom Parker has been portrayed in films by stars like Beau Bridges, Randy Quaid, and Tom Hanks. Parker formally signed the "King of Rock and Roll" on March 26, 1956.

Actor, director, and producer Sean Young was born in Louisville, Kentucky. Her extensive portfolio of work includes such well-known films as "Blade Runner", "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective", "No Way Out", "Dune", and "Cousins".

Professional American racing driver Ryan Hunter-Reay became the first American to win the Indianapolis 500 (2014) and the IndyCar Series championship (2012) since Sam Hornish Jr. in 2006. Before 2023, Hunter-Reay drove the number 28 car as a show of support for the estimated 28 million people living with cancer worldwide.

Appearing in nearly 90 films throughout his career and numerous television and radio appearances, Roy Rogers was dubbed the "King of the Cowboys". He also had 4 charted albums and 12 charted singles.

Ringo Starr is a British musician, writer, director, actor, and artist. He is best known as the drummer of The Beatles. He was inducted twice into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — as a member of The Beatles in 1988, and as a solo artist in 2015.

Richard E. Byrd (1888-1957) was an American aviator, polar explorer, and naval officer heralded as the first man (along with crew member Floyd Bennett) to fly over the North Pole on May 9, 1926. Byrd's contributions to science and exploration were significant during the international tensions of World War II and the Cold War.

Patricia Neal was an American actress of stage and screen. She is well known for, among other roles, playing World War II widow Helen Benson in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951), radio journalist Marcia Jeffries in "A Face in the Crowd" (1957), wealthy matron Emily Eustace Failenson in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961), and the worn-out housekeeper Alma Brown in "Hud" (1963) (for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress). She also featured as the matriarch in the television film "The Homecoming: A Christmas Story" (1971). Her role as Olivia Walton was re-cast for the series it inspired, "The Waltons". A major star of the 1950s and 1960s, she was the recipient of an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award, and two British Academy Film Awards, and was nominated for 3 Primetime Emmy Awards.

Chef Ouita Michel is passionate about Kentucky and helping sustain Bluegrass family farms. Her devotion is evident among her many restaurant endeavors — Wallace Station Deli, Windy Corner Market, Smithtown Seafood, Honeywood, The Midway Bakery, Woodford Reserve Distillery, Holly Hill Events, and Zim's Cafe, as well as its accompanying bar, The Thirsty Fox.

Omar Bradley, a decorated war veteran, was appointed chief of staff of the United States Army in 1948 and the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1949. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1915, alongside President Dwight D. Eisenhower in what's been dubbed "the class the stars fell on".

Brother of singer Rosemary Clooney and father of actor George Clooney, Nick Clooney is an American journalist, anchorman, and television host born in Maysville, Kentucky. Early in his career, Nick had an 8-year stint (1958–1966) at WKYT-TV in Lexington, Kentucky. In 2014, he appeared in "The Monuments Men", directed by his son, George.

Former Fashion Director on the TLC network television show "Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta", Monte Durham opened Salon Monte in historic Alexandria, Virginia, in 2020. He is a regular guest on CNN and Fox News.

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Michael Shannon made his film debut in "Groundhog Day" (1993) and his Broadway debut in "Grace" (2012). You may also recognize him from the HBO series "Boardwalk Empire" (2010–2014), for which he was nominated for three Screen Actors Guild Awards.

A member of 14 different business and sports halls of fame, Jim Host is the 1972 founder of Host Communications (originally Jim Host & Associates), a pioneering collegiate sports marketing and production services company. To this day, Host remains active in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, sitting on the National Advisory Board of the College of Communication and Information at his alma mater, University of Kentucky.

Actress Jennifer Carpenter is a Louisville, Kentucky native, with a successful career spanning film, television, and even video games as a voice actor. In 2006, she premiered in the role of Debra Morgan on the Showtime hit series "Dexter".

Known in the late 18th century as "Old Jake Beam Sour Mash", Jim Beam is today one of the world's best-selling brands of American bourbon. It wasn't until 1880 that it was bottled and sold nationally under the brand name "Old Tub". James Beauregard Beam a.k.a. Jim Beam (1864–1947) managed the family business before and after Prohibition, moving the distillery from Nelson County in 1933 and 1934 to Clermont, Kentucky, near his Bardstown home.

Louisville, Kentucky native Gus Van Sant is an American film producer, director, painter, photographer, and musician. Earning critical acclaim as an independent filmmaker, he often addresses themes of marginalized subcultures. He directed numerous feature films, including "My Own Private Idaho", "Good Will Hunting", and "Milk".

Community advocate and Thoroughbred owner and breeder Debby Oxley and her husband John have competed at the top levels of the horse racing industry. The couple won the 2001 Kentucky Derby with Monarchos, the only Derby winner besides Secretariat to have completed the race in under two minutes. Oxley received a Master of Education from the University of Louisville.

Emmy Award winning actor, voice artist, and producer Daniel Ross has been the voice of such well-known characters as Donald Duck, Gizmo, Grimace, Starscream, Lucky the Leprechaun, and many more throughout his 20+ year career.

American singer, songwriter, and cultural icon Bob Dylan has sold millions of albums, written over 500 songs, and performed worldwide. Among his most famous songs are "Blowin' in the Wind", "Like a Rolling Stone", "All Along the Watchtower", and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door".

Bob Barker was an American media personality, game show host, and animal rights advocate. He hosted "The Price Is Right" (CBS), the longest-running game show in North American television history, from 1972 to 2007. Barker also hosted "Truth or Consequences" from 1956 to 1975.

Ann-Margret Olsson, credited as Ann-Margret, is an American actress and singer with a career spanning seven decades. Her many screen roles include "Pocketful of Miracles" (1961), "State Fair" (1962), "Bye Bye Birdie" (1963), "Viva Las Vegas" (1964), "Carnal Knowledge" (1971), "The Train Robbers" (1973), "Tommy" (1975), "The Return of the Soldier" (1982), "52 Pick-Up" (1986), "Newsies" (1992), "Grumpy Old Men" (1993), "Any Given Sunday" (1999), "Taxi" (2004), and "Going in Style" (2017). Her accolades include five Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award, in addition to two Academy Award nominations and two Grammy nominations.

A. J. Foyt is an American former racing driver, who competed in numerous disciplines of motorsport. He is best known for his open wheel racing career, and for becoming the first 4-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. He holds the most American National Championship titles in history, winning 7.