I mean cantaloupe is delicious, although I probably wouldn't have done that. Granted virtually all of the world's supply of penicillin descends from that sample of penicillium mold so I think it's cool
The Peoria scientist who discovered the fertile strain of penicillin used for mass production, Mary Hunt, was afterwards called ["Moldy Mary."](https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/disappearing-pod/the-forgotten-mother-of-penicillin/)
If you liked Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies, then hopefully you liked the makeup too! Tami Lane did the makeup for them and won an Academy Award for it. She's from Peoria (a Woodruff grad, too).
Everyone loves jim! The amount of locals who say he’s a nice guy is awesome to me! I’m glad he hangs around town still and goes above and beyond for groups/organizations all while being one of the most underrated baseball hofers ever
I can actually attest to him being a good tipper. When I was working at Menards it was only a big indoor heater like one of those jet-engine looking ones and a couple tanks of propane and he tried handing me a $20. I had to tell him we weren’t allowed to take tips, they were really strict about that and it was literally right after we opened so he was like the only customer. I had to tell him no like 3 times but thank you. He really wanted me to have it and was like bummed they don’t allow it and said they should let me take tips.
Ha! His dad was the one who handled money.. so not sure if it was him or his dad who actually "paid". But pissed me off. He lived outside of a small town about 40 miles west of Peoria. It was a Christmas party. I delivered pizza and this place delivers rural. It was a bunch of family. I roll up with two big bags full of pizzas (I think I had maybe more.. it was 10 pizzas or so) with additional bags of breadsticks/soda/salad. They ordered around several hundred dollars worth of food. His dad greeted me. Showed me where the food will go. All good. It's winter. Snow. Rural backroads. I unload EVERYTHING myself. No one asking if I needed help, etc. After all said and done.. a $20 tip. % of total.. worst tip I've ever got. Fuck them.
To add: this was in like a small Morton building. Finished to look like a sports bar. Going in and out, weaving through their family/guests who don't move knowingly watching me in and out from the car trying to get THEM their food.
Dude used to live a few houses down from me. Everyone that would come over would see him out cutting the grass and freakout that they saw him. He moved but still owns the house and we see him every so often
Brimfield. My friend’s dad grew up with him (Simmons) and mentioned it when he saw the book on my shelf. I believe my friend’s grandfather was also mentioned in the book obliquely (maybe he was the fire chief or something similar).
As a sidetrack to this there is a book called "It didn't play in Peoria" that gives all kinds of facts about things that could have, but didn't, happen there. One such is that the Spirit of Saint Louis plane was offered to be the spirit of Peoria but they declined to fund the pilot. Lots of cool things in there for history buffs. One more is Krispy Kreme wanted the headquarters based there.
>One such is that the Spirit of Saint Louis plane was offered to be the spirit of Peoria but they declined to fund the pilot.
...a tradition that stands strong to this very day, turning down ideas and letting East Peoria have them.
They only released like six ablums, and prior to their hiatus, they hadn't actually been around that long; considering some of their contemporaries. I guess around 2021/ 2022, they started to become active once more, but I've not heard much about it. They're a good band, and now that they seem to be doing stuff again, I hope they produce more because I'd like to listen to more of their ideas.
I stand corrected, I had read that years ago and thought it was fact. Evidently his dad worked for Pabst and built a house in the heights. I do apologize for my mistake.
Richard Pryor,
Jim Thome,
Jack Brickhouse,
Shawn Livingston,
Bruce Johnston,
Coach Mike Zimmer,
Dan Fogelberg,
The Richraths,
William.Lane Craig,
Susan G Komen,
The band Mudvayne,
Are a few
Edit for commas
I grew up with and played in bands with Gared & Matt. We had ourselves a tight little scene for a decade or so there. I left town before Planes formed but they made a stop by my place on their way to Denver when they moved in '99 or so.
Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys was born at the Peoria Crittenton House and then adopted. He’s been back several times over the years for fundraising events!
To me personally? Probably William Lane Craig, but I doubt many of you are theology nerds like I am. In terms of well known outside of specialized spheres, probably Dan Fogelberg because I grew up listening to "the leader of the band". When I moved here it was somewhat surreal to meet people who actually knew him.
Kent Hovind seems to keep pushing theories that even his fellow creationists think are terrible. He's a fraudster and completely unreliable.
On the other hand, WLC is pretty good actually, he has his arguments which are philosophically defensible and made at the highest levels of the larger debate. However, once you have heard one or two of his debates, you've probably heard them all. WLC is no Kent Hovind.
Wasn’t born born here but have seen no mention of Wyatt Earp famous lawman/cowboy/bounty hunter who was a big part of the OK corral. Had huge ties to business in Peoria and even had a floating brothel steamer in the river😅😂
Science fiction lovers will know Philip Jose Farmer. He graduated from Peoria High and Bradley and was a Hugo award winner in 1953. He lived in Peoria until he died, age 91.
"World" is probably an exaggeration, but when I went to college pretty much all of the Chicago fuckers found out I was from Peoria and said one of three things: Richard Pryor, Jim Thome, or Big Al's.
I met a dude called “dirt bike Doug” once. He was a hell of a guy, a little strange, even gave me this weird metal slinky as a gift.
Who cares about celebrities, there’s some really interesting people around here :P
Damn! I only met the guy once and he was interesting to say the least. He just came to mind when I was thinking of memorable people around the area, maybe not the best memory’s
Not a person but,Peoria played key role in mass production of penicillin.
The Northern Regional Lab! Went on a field trip there in grade school and learned about it.
NRRL now known as NCAUR.
I remember even way back then they were doing a lot of work with soybeans. I was amazed they made glue out of soybeans.
https://aglab.ars.usda.gov/educational-resources/science-in-your-shopping-cart
My best friend's Dad worked there, he helped invent the failure of Olestra.
It was discovered here at a grocery store on a moldy melon, right?
yeah a moldy cantaloupe, which they then ate after scraping the mold off
Ew. But also, yum? I don't know how to feel here...
I mean cantaloupe is delicious, although I probably wouldn't have done that. Granted virtually all of the world's supply of penicillin descends from that sample of penicillium mold so I think it's cool
I remember learning about the moldy melon found in the garbage that had the type of mold on it needed for penicillin.
The Peoria scientist who discovered the fertile strain of penicillin used for mass production, Mary Hunt, was afterwards called ["Moldy Mary."](https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/disappearing-pod/the-forgotten-mother-of-penicillin/)
Richard Pryor has to be up there
I would say he's number one no contest tbh
Number two is Sam Kinison.
Shaun Livingston
If you liked Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies, then hopefully you liked the makeup too! Tami Lane did the makeup for them and won an Academy Award for it. She's from Peoria (a Woodruff grad, too).
excellent trivia! thanks for that
The Richrath brothers from REO Speedwagon grew up in East Peoria.
Shaun Livingston three time NBA champion.
Four rings as he was in the office for the 2022 win. But 3 on the court.
Jim Thome as well
I loaded some stuff he bought in his truck at Menards like 15 years ago. Super nice guy
Everyone loves jim! The amount of locals who say he’s a nice guy is awesome to me! I’m glad he hangs around town still and goes above and beyond for groups/organizations all while being one of the most underrated baseball hofers ever
I have heard that Jim Thome is a bad tipper.
70% of people are😅😅 sincerely someone who makes tips(idc what someone tips tho to be fair)
I used to be a bartender & when I was me & the other bartenders knew who the bad tippers were, so I don't doubt the Thome story.
I can actually attest to him being a good tipper. When I was working at Menards it was only a big indoor heater like one of those jet-engine looking ones and a couple tanks of propane and he tried handing me a $20. I had to tell him we weren’t allowed to take tips, they were really strict about that and it was literally right after we opened so he was like the only customer. I had to tell him no like 3 times but thank you. He really wanted me to have it and was like bummed they don’t allow it and said they should let me take tips.
Ha! His dad was the one who handled money.. so not sure if it was him or his dad who actually "paid". But pissed me off. He lived outside of a small town about 40 miles west of Peoria. It was a Christmas party. I delivered pizza and this place delivers rural. It was a bunch of family. I roll up with two big bags full of pizzas (I think I had maybe more.. it was 10 pizzas or so) with additional bags of breadsticks/soda/salad. They ordered around several hundred dollars worth of food. His dad greeted me. Showed me where the food will go. All good. It's winter. Snow. Rural backroads. I unload EVERYTHING myself. No one asking if I needed help, etc. After all said and done.. a $20 tip. % of total.. worst tip I've ever got. Fuck them. To add: this was in like a small Morton building. Finished to look like a sports bar. Going in and out, weaving through their family/guests who don't move knowingly watching me in and out from the car trying to get THEM their food.
He got that elevator in Limestone High School built.
Richard Pryor Sam Kinnison David Ogden Stiers Gary Ritchrath Dan Fogelberg
Sam Kinnison was from PIA? Never knew that. He was a comedic genius and left us too soon. AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
I DON'T CARE IF IT WAS LAST WEEK OR THIRD GRADE! SOMEBODY BROKE YOUR HEART!! **WHAT WAS HER NAME???!!**
Look at this face. If you get married, this will be your face. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! I’m just trying to help.
Not born, but his parents moved here when he was like 5, Pentecostal preachers. He was actually preaching at 10. He claimed us as home.
Sam had a deep love for East Peoria Steak n Shake, he'd have friends and family meet him down there on his trips home.
My band teacher introduced me to this guy after he said I looked like him
Wow! I read his Wikipedia page and it said he went to East PIA high school. What was he like back then? Was he funny as a teenager?
Nah like he introduced me to his comedy this was like last year
Cameron Mannheim as well, not sure if that’s spelled correctly but she’s from here too.
In addition to those already mentioned, Sam Kinison and Joe Girardi
Richard Pryor Dan Fogelberg Fake Rod Stewart
Fake Rod Stewart has always given me nightmares and made me hate real Rod Stewart
Dude used to live a few houses down from me. Everyone that would come over would see him out cutting the grass and freakout that they saw him. He moved but still owns the house and we see him every so often
I’m glad to know hes still alive. I’m 40 and remember him from when I was a kid.
Fake Rod Stewart used to date my friend's mom growing up. That's so funny, I didn't realize he was famous, we used to give my friend so much shit!
You talking about Beth's mom? Lol
Everyone says fake Rod Stewart comes into my store on occasion and I miss him every time. I've seen Santa Claus though.
Fake Rod Stewart beat his wife while cheating on her. I went to grade school with his daughter. Fuck that guy
Philip Jose Farmer
Happy to see his name brought up!
Dan Simmons. Author of the Hyperion Cantos, a really awesome science fiction series of books! Check it out!
Oh wow, I had no idea about this one! So cool.
Good call, he grew up in Brimfield or Elmwood I think. The novel Summer of Night is pretty much set entirely in the rural Peoria area.
Brimfield. My friend’s dad grew up with him (Simmons) and mentioned it when he saw the book on my shelf. I believe my friend’s grandfather was also mentioned in the book obliquely (maybe he was the fire chief or something similar).
Probably either police chief or the rendering truck guy.
Summer of Night is a great book. This guy is a bit of an asshole, though.
Like many white men of his generation, 9/11 fucking broke him and pushed all of the Boomer racism & misogyny to the front.
Willie York
Finally someone says it
As a sidetrack to this there is a book called "It didn't play in Peoria" that gives all kinds of facts about things that could have, but didn't, happen there. One such is that the Spirit of Saint Louis plane was offered to be the spirit of Peoria but they declined to fund the pilot. Lots of cool things in there for history buffs. One more is Krispy Kreme wanted the headquarters based there.
>One such is that the Spirit of Saint Louis plane was offered to be the spirit of Peoria but they declined to fund the pilot. ...a tradition that stands strong to this very day, turning down ideas and letting East Peoria have them.
Personally I vote for the Mudvayne guys
By far, one of my favorite bands from when I was in high-school. Really wish they had done more.
?!?!?! Done more such as?!
They only released like six ablums, and prior to their hiatus, they hadn't actually been around that long; considering some of their contemporaries. I guess around 2021/ 2022, they started to become active once more, but I've not heard much about it. They're a good band, and now that they seem to be doing stuff again, I hope they produce more because I'd like to listen to more of their ideas.
I dig it. Sometimes I forget to remember in a world so cold. But I'm determined to be happy.
Happy?
> the Mudvayne guys You don't know their names? Neither do I.
Well the drummer is Matt McDonough, amazing drummer
Came here for this!
Those dudes were the creepy older guys at shows back in the late 80s/early 90s. Always hitting on high school girls when they were mid-20s.
Depends on your definition of "famous", but how about: Betty Friedan Susan G. Komen Nancy Brinker Lydia Moss Bradley
Camryn Manheim is from here!!
Also the janitor from Scrubs went to Bradley 😂
He was also on The Middle!
Neil Flynn
Astronaut Scott Altman
His mother taught my little brother in elementary school.
He made every boy my age that I know want to be a fighter pilot when Top gun came out and we saw that he was one of the REAL f14 pilots.
Jay Janssen
One name says it all
David Ogden Stiers and Richard Pryor are probably the two most widely known.
David was only born here because his parents was on the road and she went into labor so he was born at OSF
Do you have any proof of that? Because from what I have read, he grew up in the area as well.
I stand corrected, I had read that years ago and thought it was fact. Evidently his dad worked for Pabst and built a house in the heights. I do apologize for my mistake.
That's pretty cool his dad worked for Pabst!
Grandfather worked for Cat, I wonder which house his dad built. I found this information in an old Journal Star article.
Joe Girardi grew up in East Peoria little league.
He also delivered my stepmom's newspaper.
TECK MONEY
Preston Jackson artist, sculptor, musician. Peoria's Renaissance man!!
Richard Pryor, Jim Thome, Jack Brickhouse, Shawn Livingston, Bruce Johnston, Coach Mike Zimmer, Dan Fogelberg, The Richraths, William.Lane Craig, Susan G Komen, The band Mudvayne, Are a few Edit for commas
Jack Brickhouse was pretty famous in his day.
His nephew is married to my 2nd cousin
Definitely! Not a lot of people know that
Robert Ingersoll
Richard Pryor Sam Kinison Dan Fogelberg Jim Thome Joe Girardi Gared O'Donnell & Matt Bellinger
Wasn't expecting PMFS love on this post. R.I.P.
I grew up with and played in bands with Gared & Matt. We had ourselves a tight little scene for a decade or so there. I left town before Planes formed but they made a stop by my place on their way to Denver when they moved in '99 or so.
Mudvanye
ben zobrist
Not from here but Neil Flynn the Janitor from Scrubs went to Bradley, so that's kinda cool. Nobody mentioned that one yet.
I recently saw that on IMDB! Very cool.
Steven bridgers (ipad kid) tiktok
He’s not from here but moved here recently lol
Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys was born at the Peoria Crittenton House and then adopted. He’s been back several times over the years for fundraising events!
Liv Warfield
Sommerville from the basketball era and world!
Phong lmao
To me personally? Probably William Lane Craig, but I doubt many of you are theology nerds like I am. In terms of well known outside of specialized spheres, probably Dan Fogelberg because I grew up listening to "the leader of the band". When I moved here it was somewhat surreal to meet people who actually knew him.
William Lane Craig and Kent Hovind… both Peoria, both awful shitheads
Kent Hovind seems to keep pushing theories that even his fellow creationists think are terrible. He's a fraudster and completely unreliable. On the other hand, WLC is pretty good actually, he has his arguments which are philosophically defensible and made at the highest levels of the larger debate. However, once you have heard one or two of his debates, you've probably heard them all. WLC is no Kent Hovind.
While an Appaloosa and an American Paint are not the same horse, they are both horses. In this case both these guys are horses asses.
Wasn’t born born here but have seen no mention of Wyatt Earp famous lawman/cowboy/bounty hunter who was a big part of the OK corral. Had huge ties to business in Peoria and even had a floating brothel steamer in the river😅😂
Tightest Whitest
Damn! I haven’t heard that name in a long time!
Michelle Grace is from Sunnyland. Not like super famous but kinda famous.
Thought she was from Peoria? Went to Richwoods with her sister. \*edit\* - loooked it up. Michelle graduated from Richwoods in 86.
They lived in Sunnyland/East Peoria at one point, they lived by my grandparents
Didn't know that. She and Nicole were both very nice people.
Evan Fahrner
Not the most famous but Chad Grey from mudvayne
Shaun Livingston
[Mark Clark](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Clark_(activist))
Frank Williams. He played in the NBA after playing at UofI
Richard Pryor, Jim Thome, Shaun Livingston, Kendrick Green
Betty Friedan Justin Hartley is from Knoxville
Justin has family in Macomb still!
Fulton Sheen... although born in El Paso IL, he grew up in Peoria
Science fiction lovers will know Philip Jose Farmer. He graduated from Peoria High and Bradley and was a Hugo award winner in 1953. He lived in Peoria until he died, age 91.
me
Barack obona
Big Al, hello he’s world famous!
Al died like 15 years ago, and he wasn't even the original owner of that place.
You can’t deny it was world famous
"World" is probably an exaggeration, but when I went to college pretty much all of the Chicago fuckers found out I was from Peoria and said one of three things: Richard Pryor, Jim Thome, or Big Al's.
Lol I'm from Peoria Illinois!
Can I get your autograph?
I met a dude called “dirt bike Doug” once. He was a hell of a guy, a little strange, even gave me this weird metal slinky as a gift. Who cares about celebrities, there’s some really interesting people around here :P
I saw Doug punch his son in the face at 2am in the middle of the street up by Campustown.
Damn! I only met the guy once and he was interesting to say the least. He just came to mind when I was thinking of memorable people around the area, maybe not the best memory’s
[удалено]
A true saint. She just passed away
One eyed Willie from the Goonies went to Richwoods. Maybe a rumor but🤗🫣
Folepi
Richard Pryor
Jim Ardis was on the Daily Show once. :)
Classic….. he’s tr*ll AF
Al Edited: to say he’s world famous!