Since my following column was published in The Kansas City Kansan 21 years ago, the Kansas State Historical Society has eliminated several names from its list of prestigious “Kansans.” (Some were born in Kansas; some made their name in The Wheat State.) Among the missing in 2019, there are Dee Wallace, Jean Harlow, Larry Parks, Lyle Waggoner, and Don Johnson. I suppose that since they no longer star in movies and TV shows, they are no longer relevant. (However, Dee IS in a current TV show.) If that is the case, then why is “Cheers” star Kirstie Alley still on the list? She has not done anything in showbiz for years. And various sports legends? The contradictions go on and on. Nonetheless, here is my list compiled from the KSHS website in 1998. This story was originally published over several weeks in five installments. Enjoy, learn, and maybe even be surprised.
By Steve Crum
Who can you trust if you can’t trust the Kansas State Historical Society? Sounds like an accurate and reliable source of information. But the fact is the organization has posted an impressively large list on the Internet that includes information short of 100 percent true. In some cases, way short.
The list is dubiously headlined “Notable Kansans—People of Renown Who Have Lived and Are Living Kansas History.” Maybe I am just me, but doesn’t that ring of past and present Kansans who have achieved some celebrity? Problem-with-the-list Part 2: Define “Kansan.” Besides labeling this newspaper, the word denotes a person born in Kansas. That does not mean he or she stayed in the Wheat State thereafter.
Buster Keaton is a good example. Born in the small burg of Piqua (near the booming Iola) before the turn of the century, Keaton made his first dent in vaudeville houses with his family touring throughout the country. His real fame occurred on the West Coast in silent pictures. Yet Buster Keaton is heralded, rightly so, as a Kansan.
Come we to the “Notable Kansans” list. In parenthesis following each name is a city name. In some cases, several cities are listed, implying the first name is where the person was born, followed by later childhood, and perhaps college residence. Unfortunately, there is no explanation of the city names, only implications.
Explain the inclusion of Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain as a Kansan. If memory serves, Chamberlain was born in New York. Certainly he first made news as a KU basketball player. But is it fair to include him on the list? (Lawrence is in parenthesis by his name.) Certainly we Kansans brag and claim him as a great KU athlete. However, it takes a stretch longer than The Stilt’s to call him a Kansan.
Siphoning through the long and some questionable list, I have picked out truly “notable Kansans” who made their marks in show business.
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•KIRSTIE ALLEY (Wichita)—The Emmy winning star of Cheers and the current top 10 hit, Veronica’s Closet, is indeed a Kansan. In a recent interview, Alley scoffed at the idea of ever returning to Wichita. Until TV and film production move to Kansas, her position is understandable. Or did she mean something else?
•ROSCOE “FATTY” ARBUCKLE (Smith Center)—In his silent pictures day, Arbuckle was numero uno most popular and highest paid star. Then came a scandal that vicious tabloids laced with sex and murder, and Fatty’s career was history. Even though he was totally absolved of all guilt in court, the damage was done. Interestingly, if he were popular today and underwent similar scandal, his career would probably skyrocket. But those were the days when Victorian values ruled. Sadly, Arbuckle later worked as a film director under an assumed name.
•ED ASNER (Kansas City)—Perhaps the most famous, certainly the longest sustaining TV and movie star to be born in KCK, Asner graduated from Wyandotte High School, my alma mater. A cherished photo of mine is from the Los Angeles Times 20 years ago. It shows Asner jogging through Beverly Hills, wearing a Wyandotte Bulldogs T-shirt. The man remembers his roots. I am proud to say we worked on the same high school newspaper, The Pantograph. But not, no way, at the same time.
•HUGH BEAUMONT (Eudora)—Beaumont, who died a few years ago, spent his later years as a minister. He will be forever remembered as Beaver Cleaver’s father, Ward.
•JOHN RICHARD ROMULUS BRINKLEY (Milford)— The pioneer radio broadcaster and Kansas loony was first and fortunately last in several facets. “Dr.” Brinkley, as he was known, not only founded the first radio station in the state (KFKB: “Kansas First, Kansas Best”), but was among the first anywhere to explore its usefulness as public manipulator. In those Alf Landon times, Brinkley campaigned via his station and was nearly elected governor.
But that was not all that almost got him elected. His political power ended when it was discovered 5,000 signatures of dead citizens (“ghost voters”) filled his ballots. In addition, imagine a Kansas governor who also successfully hawked goat gland transplants. But that’s another story entirely.
•KARLA BURNS (Wichita)—Listed only as a Broadway actress, Burns could not be found in any source material readily available. (2019 Update: Karla is actually well known in operatic circles, but is no longer included on the list of notable Kansans.)
•WILBUR “BUCK” CLAYTON (Parsons)—In his glory years, Clayton was usually seen over the border on the Missouri side. That is when played trumpet with the legendary Count Basie.
•WILLIAM “BUFFALO BILL” CODY (Leavenworth)—After minimal research, it was found that Cody did indeed grow up in Leavenworth…er, near Leavenworth. So Leavenworth’s downtown Cody Hotel need not change its entire name. Just knock off a letter or two. The famous buffalo hunter and Wild West showman was actually born in Ohio. He was was also featured in at least one silent movie as himself.
•THOMAS R. BOSTON CORBETT (Concordia)—Corbett is credited with being the shooter of Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth. He was part of the posse that hunted Booth after the killer bolted from Ford’s Theater. (Corbett is included in this showbiz list since he shot an actor.)
•LORENZO FULLER JR. (Stockton)—An actor who was the “first American to host a nation TV show,” supposedly KSHS. Yet no such name is even mentioned in available references like Brooks and Marsh’s Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows. Who’s Who in Hollywood, a huge source book, has no Lorenzo Fuller either. Maybe someone in Stockton remembers him.
•JEAN HARLOW (Seneca)—Several friends claim that Harlow was actually reared in Kansas City, Kansas. They even name specific addresses where she lived while a child. Most Show-Me’s claim her as a Kansas City, Missourian. Any Harlow stories from readers?
•COLEMAN HAWKINS (Topeka)—The legendary jazz saxophonist played with Dizzy Gillespie, Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie.
•JAMES BUTLER “WILD BILL” HICKOK (Ellis County, Abilene)—Gunfighter, sheriff and marshal, Hickok cut a legendary swath throughout the West. Thanks to movies and TV, he is forever heroic.
•DENNIS HOPPER (Dodge City)—After winning his Oscar for Easy Rider, Hopper’s film output waned. It 
regained in the 1990’s, however, when he took on character roles, particularly as memorable villains in such movies as Speed and Red Rock West.
•(JAMES) LANGSTON HUGHES (Topeka, Lawrence)—The talented poet and writer’s works have been adapted for film. His writings are required reading in classrooms across America.
•WILLIAM INGE (Independence)—The Pulitzer Prize winning playwright of Picnic and The Dark at the Top of the Stairs is honored annually in his home territory with an internationally known celebration that attracts superstars of Broadway and Hollywood.
Pittsburg State University’s library has an extensive William Inge collection. Trivia: Inge taught from 1937-38 at Cherokee County Community High School in Columbus, Kansas.
•EVA JESSYE (Coffeyville, Caney, Iola, Pittsburg)—This singer really got around the Wheatland. She was also versatile in her talents. In addition to singing, she acted, composed, wrote poetry and books, and directed a choral group. 
Her papers are kept at the Pittsburg State University library. Jessye was choral conductor for the original production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess as well as Director King Vidor’s classic early talkie, Hallelujah.
•DON JOHNSON (Wichita, Galena)—The Nash Bridges star also attended KU, so why Lawrence is not included in the location listing is inconsistent with the KSHS’s style.
•GORDON JUMP (Manhattan)—Known primarily as the Maytag repairman in TV commercials, Jump played the station owner on WKRP in Cincinnati.
•BUSTER KEATON (Piqua)—Perhaps the greatest film comedian of them all, Keaton’s brilliance still shines in his numerous silent and sound movies. Add great film director to his credits.
•EMMETT KELLY (Sedan)—In The Greatest Show on Earth, this wonderful circus clown reigned as king of clowns for years. He is still the most famous circus clown of them all.
•ROBERT KELKER-KELLY (Wichita)—Soap opera fans will recognize this daytime TV star from Another World and Days of Our Lives.
•STAN KENTON (Wichita)—He was the Big Band leader who introduced the cool element into his 1950’s jazz arrangements.
•WILLIAM “BILL” KURTIS (Independence, Topeka)—Week after week on the A&E Network, Kurtis produces and hosts his popular and long running Investigative Reports. His previous work includes news reporting and anchoring at local and national levels.
•JIM LEHRER (Wichita, Independence)—PBS’s The News Hour with Jim Lehrer would not exist without this genial and introspective interviewer.
•DELANO LEWIS (Topeka, Arkansas City)—An unsung leader deserving to be recognized for multiple accomplishments: a U.S. Department of Justice attorney; Peace Corps Director in Nigeria and Uganda; and the first African-American President of National Public Radio.
•KERRY LIVGREN (Topeka)—Livgren is an original member of the legendary rock group, Kansas. (For that matter, why isn’t the rock group itself listed as a “notable Kansan”?)
•EDGAR LEE MASTERS (Garnett)—Forever a part of high school literature books is this poet and biographer.
•WILLIAM “BAT” MASTERSON (Ford County)—Masterson ventured into law as a sheriff. When he died, he had been a professional journalist/sports writer for years. Just having Bat Masterson on the staff brought notoriety to the newspaper.
•HATTIE MCDANIEL (Wichita)—The Oscar winning actress was the first African-American to clinch an Oscar (Best Support for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind.) McDaniel was also one of several actresses to portray Beulah on the TV series of the same name.
•VERA MILES (Wichita)—The TV, Broadway, and film actress was supposed to be Alfred Hitchcock’s next major star. He groomed her repeatedly by planning to feature her in several films. But for one reason and another, Miles could never time it right to star. As a result, she peaked as a supporting actress in such films as Psycho, wherein she played Janet Leigh’s sister who searches in vain to find Leigh. (Leigh’s character is eventually inside her submerged car in the swamp outside the Bates Motel. Remember?)
•LAWRENCE VAN COTT NIVEN (Topeka)—Listed as a Hugo Award-winning science fiction writer.
•CHARLIE “YARDBIRD” PARKER (Kansas City)—Sure, he is most identified with the Missouri side of the border, but the legendary jazz saxophonist has roots in Kansas.
•GORDON PARKS (Fort Scott)—Like Charlie Parker, Parks shares a hometown. The noted photographer, writer, and film director (The Learning Tree) is an extraordinary Jayhawker.
•LARRY PARKS (Olathe)—The Oscar nominated leading man (1946’s The Jolson Story) was indeed raised in nearby Olathe. After making the sequel Jolson Sings Again, wherein the brilliant Parks again meticulously lip synched Jolson’s actual singing voice, Parks’ career crashed. Pulled up before HUAAC Communist hunters, Parks cooperated. But to no avail. He was blacklisted until 1962’s Freud. His career never recovered.
•ZASU PITTS (Parsons)—Anyone who remembers early TV recalls Pitts as Gale Storm’s sidekick-in-mischief on the long running Oh, Susannah. Pitts was primarily known as a comedienne. However, she was also a heralded dramatic actress in silent films. “Well, forever more!”—as she often lamented.
•WILLIAM C. QUANTRILL (Lawrence)—This ex-Confederate’s vicious attack by his raiders on Lawrence a century ago has been retold for many years in movies. Walter Pidgeon portrayed the infamous guy, pursued by John Wayne’s character, in Dark Command.
•SAMUEL RAMEY (Colby)—Not much is known about this opera singer from northwestern Kansas. (2019 Update: Sam is an internationally heralded bass opera singer, having performed at the New York City Opera and in venues around the world. “The most celebrated American-born bass in history,” Ramey is currently on staff at Wichita State University.)
•JAMES REYNOLDS (Oskaloosa, Topeka, attended Washburn University)—He was once nominated for a daytime Emmy for Days of Our Lives.
•CHARLES “BUDDY” ROGERS (Olathe)—The actor who soared to great fame when he co-starred with Clara Bow in the hit silent film Wings was also married to Hollywood’s legendary Mary Pickford.
•DAMON RUNYAN (Manhattan)—Runyan from Kansas? It is hard to believe, but it is true. Funny though that Runyan made his reputation as a humorous writer of New York City’s denizens. His characters’ “Runyanesque” slang sure doesn’t have that Kansas twang.
•GALE SAYERS (Wichita; KU Football)—Legendary gridiron star whose concern for dying teammate Brian Piccolo was depicted in 1971’s Brian’s Song. Billy Dee Williams played Sayers.
•MARILYN SCHREFFLER (Topeka)—Forever remembered in animation history as the voice of Popeye’s Olive Oyl.
•DEE WALLACE STONE (Kansas City)—Since graduating from Wyandotte High in 1966, the former Deanna Bowers has made a new name as leading actress in a variety of films. But she will always be remembered as Drew Barrymore’s mother in Spielberg mega-hit E.T. For several years, she and her late husband, Chris Stone, starred in the revamped Lassie TV series. 
•FRED ANDREW STONE (Topeka)—All that is known is his vaudeville song and dance background.
•MILBURN STONE (Burrton)—Forever he is Doc Adams, thanks to his 20-year run on TV’s Gunsmoke. Stone’s career began in early talking pictures where he was often either a villain or action hero.
•REX STOUT (Topeka)—He is the popular mystery book writer.
•JOHN CAMERON SWAYZE (Wichita)—Swayze did more than sell Timex watches. He was also one TV and radio’s first news anchors.
•MARION TALLEY (Colby)—Yet another opera singer hails and wails from western Kansas.
•VIVIAN VANCE (Cherryvale)—TV’s Ethel Mertz and Viv (characters she portrayed with pal Lucille Ball in
three series) is a Jayhawker by birth.
•LYLE WAGGONER (Kansas City)—This KCK native is most remembered for his sketch work and announcing on The Carol Burnett Show.
•WILLIAM ALLEN WHITE (Emporia)—The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, “The Sage of Emporia,” was the subject of a TV movie, Mary White, based on his famous editorial about the death of his daughter.
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So there you have it—the most notable Kansans connected even vaguely to showbiz. Or do we have it all? What about Metropolitan Opera singer Carol Wilcox, who was born and raised in KCK? (I went to elementary school with her.)
Kansas continues to have more than just sunflowers and wheat going for it.
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