Famous Wisconsin Film Stars

At age 10, the genius of Orson Welles was evident at the boarding school he attended in Madison. A newspaper chronicled his accomplishments with the headline: "Poet, playwright, actor — and he’s only 10."

From former Soldiers Grove teacher Agnes Moorehead to Milwaukee’s Zucker Brothers, Wisconsin has produced more than its share of film stars and author Kristin Gilpatrick profiles them in Famous Wisconsin Film Stars, the second book in the Famous Wisconsin series. This book focuses particularly on the Wisconsin ties of natives who later went to fame and fortune in Hollywood.

The actors include Spencer Tracy, Gena Rowlands, Fred MacMurray and Frederic March. Tyne Daly and her father, James Daly, also a film star, were from Wisconsin Rapids. Although some stars shunned their Wisconsin roots, Fred MacMurray visited his Beaver Dam hometown after he became famous.