American Famous Names Starting with Letter W

Better known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer

Better known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader.Herman was born Woodrow Charles Thomas Herman in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 16, 1913. His parents were Ray and Myrtle Herrman. As a child he worked as a singer in vaudeville, then became a professional saxophone player at age 15. In 1931, he met Charlotte Neste, an aspiring actress. They later married. Woody Herman joined the Tom Gerun band and his first recorded vocals were "Lonesome Me" and "My Heart's At Ease". Herman also performed with the Harry Sosnick orchestra and Gus Arnheim and Isham Jones. Isham Jones wrote many popular songs, including "It Had To Be You" and at some point was tiring of the demands of leading a band. Jones wanted to live off the residuals of his songs. "While we were with Jones, we discussed the possibilities of after we heard Isham was going to quit." Woody Herman eventually acquired the remains of Jones' orchestra after Isham Jones decided to retire.

Was an American Thoroughbred flat racing horse trainer. Sedlacek started in Thoroughbred horse racin

Was an American Thoroughbred flat racing horse trainer. Sedlacek started in Thoroughbred horse racing as a jockey during the 1930s. He was almost killed in a racing accident in 1937 that left him with a plate in his head. In 1945, he began working as a tr

(born April 15, 1940 in Ewing, Kentucky), known as the “Fleming Flame,”[1] is a former Major Lea

(born April 15, 1940 in Ewing, Kentucky), known as the “Fleming Flame,”[1] is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1967 to 1983 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago Cubs.

As a country music singer. He was associated with truck driving songs, particularly those recited as

As a country music singer. He was associated with truck driving songs, particularly those recited as narratives, but set to music. The most famous example of this is his 1978 number one hit "Teddy Bear".

Was an American songwriter and folk musician. Guthrie's musical legacy consists of hundreds of songs

Was an American songwriter and folk musician. Guthrie's musical legacy consists of hundreds of songs, ballads and improvised works covering topics from political themes to traditional songs to children's songs. Guthrie performed continually throughout his life with his guitar frequently displaying the slogan "This Machine Kills Fascists". Guthrie is perhaps best known for his song "This Land Is Your Land" which is regularly sung in American schools. Many of his recorded songs are archived in the Library of Congress.

Was an American former National Basketball Association player.Sauldsberry graduated from Compton Uni

Was an American former National Basketball Association player.Sauldsberry graduated from Compton Union High School where he was the star of his basketball team and then went on to attend Texas Southern University. In 1957, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors (now the Golden State Warriors). The following year in 1958, he was named the league's Rookie of the Year — the second African American ever to win the award. In 1959, he played in the NBA All-Star Game. Later in his career he played for the St. Louis Hawks, Chicago Zephyrs, and Boston Celtics.

(born March 25, 1932 in Sacramento, California) is a former shortstop/outfielder in Major League Bas

(born March 25, 1932 in Sacramento, California) is a former shortstop/outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees (1954, 1957[start]), Kansas City Athletics (1957[end]-1958[start]), Cleveland Indians (1958[end]-1964), Washington Senators (1965), Baltimore Orioles (1966-1967[start]), California Angels (1967[end]-1968[start]) and Chicago White Sox (1968[end]-1969). He bat

Was a surfer and designer notable for introducing modern surfing to America and for the invention of

Was a surfer and designer notable for introducing modern surfing to America and for the invention of the modern catamaran. Brown began body-surfing in California on a carved wooden plank, using it in a style now known as Boogie-boarding. Realising that if

Is an American professional poker player residing in Vilnius, Lithuania. A former student at the Uni

Is an American professional poker player residing in Vilnius, Lithuania. A former student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Deck pledged Alpha Epsilon Pi, the Jewish Fraternity, where he has been seen ironing $100 bills in his dorm room. Deck has also played poker in casinos since the age of 17. Discovered in the Bellagio's top section as being underage he was thrown out and shortly thereafter left Las Vegas for Europe where he could play legally.

(August 11, 1907-October 5, 2001) played professional baseball from 1931 to 1939 as an outfielder. H

(August 11, 1907-October 5, 2001) played professional baseball from 1931 to 1939 as an outfielder. His record of 696 at bats in 1936 was not broken until Matty Alou broke it in 1969. Jensen played all of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jensen's career batting average was .285.

Was an American Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame trainer. In a career that spanned seven decad

Was an American Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame trainer. In a career that spanned seven decades, Woody Stephens trained eleven Eclipse Award winners and his horses won over a hundred Grade 1 stakes races. Among his most notable was Henryk de Kwiatk

Is an American former professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1975-1988. Free was

Is an American former professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1975-1988. Free was known as the "Prince of Midair" as well as "All-World".

Is an American writer, director, and actor. He often collaborates with writer/actor Patrick Casey.

Is an American writer, director, and actor. He often collaborates with writer/actor Patrick Casey.

Were two Americans who are generally credited[1][2][3] with inventing and building the world's first

Were two Americans who are generally credited[1][2][3] with inventing and building the world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight on 17 December 1903. They are also officially credited worldwide through the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics, as "the first sustained and controlled heavier-than-air powered flight". In the two years afterward, the brothers developed their flying machine into the first practical fixed-wing aircraft. Although not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, the Wright brothers were the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed wing flight possible.

Was an award-winning American novelist, photographer, and essayist. He is known for his portrayals o

Was an award-winning American novelist, photographer, and essayist. He is known for his portrayals of the people and artifacts of the Great Plains in words and pictures, as well as for experimenting with narrative forms.

Is an American sprint canoer who competed in the early 1990s. At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelo

Is an American sprint canoer who competed in the early 1990s. At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, he was disqualified in the semifinals of the C-2 1000 m event.

(December 13, 1931 - January 14, 2006) was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball who pl

(December 13, 1931 - January 14, 2006) was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers (1961-1963), Milwaukee Braves (1963) and California Angels (1966-1969). He batted and threw right-handed.

Is a Canadian soccer player. He last played professionally for the Toronto Lynx in the USL First Div

Is a Canadian soccer player. He last played professionally for the Toronto Lynx in the USL First Division. He now plays with the non-League club Phillip's Bakery FC.. Belotte began in the age of 15 as product of the FC Nantes Atlantique youth system his European career. He was signed by IFK Norrköping in 2002. Belotte also played in 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, for Canada, on this time his future club IFK Norrköping showing impressive form for the Canadian U-17 at the CONCACAF tournament, where he was named tournament MVP, as well as appearing at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Was an American photographer that is notable for his photographs of nudes and of landscapes on the W

Was an American photographer that is notable for his photographs of nudes and of landscapes on the West Coast.He started in the 1920s with a career as a concert tenor. While studying in Paris, he was inspired by visual artists, in particular Cézanne, Moho

Born February 20, 1936 in East Palestine, Ohio) is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Bas

Born February 20, 1936 in East Palestine, Ohio) is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians before the 1955 season, and played for the Indians from 1960 to 1962.

Was an African-American gospel, rhythm & blues and rock & roll singer/songwriter, who recorded as "S

Was an African-American gospel, rhythm & blues and rock & roll singer/songwriter, who recorded as "Sister" Wynona Carr when doing gospel material.Wynona Carr was born in Cleveland, OH, where she started out as a gospel singer, forming her own five-piece g

Was an American Democratic Party politician who represented the 29th Legislative District in the New

Was an American Democratic Party politician who represented the 29th Legislative District in the New Jersey Senate. Lipman became the first African-American woman to be elected to the Senate when she won her seat in 1971, and her 27 years of service made

Is an American country music singer. Born Christina Claire Ciminella, she was renamed Wynonna Ellen

Is an American country music singer. Born Christina Claire Ciminella, she was renamed Wynonna Ellen Judd,[2] a name adapted from the line "Don't forget Winona" in the pop song "Route 66".[3] Her solo albums and singles are all credited to the singular nam

Is an American trumpeter and composer. He is among the most prominent jazz musicians of the modern e

Is an American trumpeter and composer. He is among the most prominent jazz musicians of the modern era and is also a well-known instrumentalist in classical music. He is also the Musical Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. A compilation of his series of inspirational letters to a young jazz musical student, named Anthony, has been published as To a Young Jazz Musician.

Is a former West Florida politician who served 30 years in the State Senate, from 1970 to 2000, incl

Is a former West Florida politician who served 30 years in the State Senate, from 1970 to 2000, including a stint as Senate President from 1980 to 1982 and as dean from 1988 to 2000. He holds the title of Florida's longest-serving state legislator. In 197