List of people from Naperville, Illinois

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

Anthony Parker with the Cavaliers

• 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

• Chase Adams, forward ^[10]
• Devon Amoo-Mensah, defender ^[11]
• Brittany Bock, midfielder ^[12]
• Chris Brady, goalkeeper ^[13]
• Vanessa DiBernardo, midfielder ^[14]
• Casey Krueger, defender ^[15]
• Megan Montefusco, defender ^[16]
• Korede Osundina, forward ^[17]

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

References

1. "Empowering Educators at the School of Ice". antarcticsun.usap.gov. Antarctic Sun. 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
2. Baker, Sue (April 9, 2019). "Naperville native sets new 'Jeopardy!' record for 1-day winnings with $110,914; 4-day streak continues". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
3. Parsi, Novid (March 17, 2010). "Bad boy". Time Out Chicago. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
4. "Danielle Panabaker Super Star". Chicago Sun-Times . November 14, 2014. Archived from the original on November 17, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
5. Hegarty, Erin (September 27, 2017). "New 'SNL' cast member attended Naperville schools". Chicago Tribune.
6. "Naperville's Robertson to Perform at Marriott Theatre". www.positivelynaperville.com. March 23, 2012.
7. Spirrison, Brad (July 7, 2009). "Naperville man finds way to make Web pay". Naperville Sun. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
8. Wilson, Marie (August 7, 2017). "Naperville, art world mourn loss of 'Dick Tracy' cartoonist Dick Locher". Daily Herald. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
9. "Naperville's Lucy Westlake climbs into record books as the youngest U.S. female to summit Everest". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
10. "Columbus Crew 2 Signs Forward Chase Adams". Columbus Crew . August 2, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
11. "Devon Amoo-Mensah". Detroit City FC . Retrieved February 9, 2025.
12. Le Cren, Matt (June 11, 2018). "Former Neuqua Valley star Brittany Bock to play for Chicago Red Stars". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved February 9, 2025.
13. "Chris Brady". Major League Soccer . Retrieved February 9, 2025.
14. "Vanessa DiBernardo". Kansas City Current . Retrieved February 9, 2025.
15. "Casey Krueger". United States Soccer Federation . Retrieved February 9, 2025.
16. "Orlando Pride Acquires Defender Megan Montefusco, 2023 NWSL Draft Pick and Allocation Money". Orlando City . January 28, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
17. "ORANGE COUNTY SC ADDS 17-YEAR-OLD KOREDE OSUNDINA FROM BARCELONA RESIDENCY ACADEMY USA". Orange County SC . January 20, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2025.