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James Byron Dean was born February 8, 1931 in Marion, Indiana, to Mildred Marie (Wilson) and Winton A. Dean, a farmer turned dental technician. His mother died when Dean was nine, and he was subsequently raised on a farm by his aunt and uncle in Fairmount, Indiana. After grade school, he moved to New York to pursue his dream of acting. He received rave reviews for his work as the blackmailing Arab boy in the New York production of Gide's "The Immoralist", good enough to earn him a trip to Hollywood. His early film efforts were strictly small roles: a sailor in the Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis overly frantic musical comedy Sailor Beware (1952); a GI in Samuel Fuller's moody study of a platoon in the Korean War, Fixed Bayonets! (1951) and a youth in the Piper Laurie-Rock Hudson comedy Has Anybody Seen My Gal (1952).

He had major roles in only three movies. In the Elia Kazan production of John Steinbeck's East of Eden (1955) he played Cal Trask, the bad brother who could not force affection from his stiff-necked father. His true starring role, the one which fixed his image forever in American culture, was that of the brooding red-jacketed teenager Jim Stark in Nicholas Ray's Rebel Without a Cause (1955). George Stevens' filming of Edna Ferber's Giant (1956), in which he played the non-conforming cowhand Jett Rink who strikes it rich when he discovers oil, was just coming to a close when Dean, driving his Porsche Spyder race car, collided with another car while on the road near Cholame, California on September 30, 1955. He had received a speeding ticket just two hours before. At age 24, James Dean was killed almost immediately from the impact from a broken neck. His very brief career, violent death and highly publicized funeral transformed him into a cult object of apparently timeless fascination.

Georgia Schmidt was born on 26 August 1904 in Marion, Indiana, USA. She was an actress, known for Kansas City Bomber (1972), Goin' South (1978) and Midnight Madness (1980). She died on 18 April 1997 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

James Robert "Jim" Davis is a professional cartoonist, television writer, and television producer from Marion, Indiana. His main claim to fame has been the creation of the long-running comic strip "Garfield" (1978-), featuring a cantankerous cat and a memorable group of supporting characters. The strip has been adapted into three animated television series, 12 prime-time television specials, two theatrical films, and a number of video games. Davis also created the short-lived comic strip "U.S. Acres" (1986-1989), featuring a group of anthropomorphic barnyard animals. This strip was also adapted in animated form. It inspired a series of spin-off children's books.

In 1945, Davis was born in Marion, Indiana. The city is primarily known as the base for the Indiana Wesleyan University, the largest evangelical Christian university in the Midwestern United States. Davis parents' were farmers, named James William "Jim" Davis and Anna Catherine "Betty" Carter. Davis was primarily raised on a small cow farm, located in the vicinity of Fairmount, Indiana. Fairmount serves as a bedroom community for nearby Marion. Davis parents' primarily owned Aberdeen Angus cows, members of a Scottish breed of small beef cattle. The breed was first imported into the United States in 1873.

Davis received his secondary education at the Fairmount High School. He joined the staff of the school newspaper, "The Breeze". He eventually served as the newspaper's art editor. While working there, he created a comic strip about school life. He used the strip's characters to illustrate his senior yearbook.

Davis received his tertiary education at the Ball State University, a public research university located in Muncie, Indiana. He studied both art and business. Following his graduation graduation, he intended to become a professional newspaper cartoonist. In 1969, Davis was hired as an assistant by experienced cartoonist Tom K. Ryan (1926-2019). From 1969 to 1978, Davis worked as an assistant artist in the Western comedy strip "Tumbleweeds" (1965-2007). The comic strip's protagonist was the laconic cowboy Tumbleweeds, a man who was content to drift through life.

Davis aspired to create a comic strip of his own. His first effort was the strip "Gnorm Gnat" (1973-1975), published by the newspaper "The Pendleton Times" in Indiana. It featured anthropomorphic insects, with the main character Gnorm Gnat serving as a comedic straight man to his zanier supporting cast. Davis tried for years to sign a deal to have this comic strip syndicated nationwide. He kept facing rejection by various syndicates. He was told that he had a good art style, and a good sense for gags. But that readers would have trouble relating to insect characters. Davis decided to end this comic strip, and to start a replacement.

Davis decided to research other people's syndicated comic strips, trying to find out what made them popular. He noticed that there were numerous strips about animals, many of them featuring pet dogs. He realized that people related well to the idea of a pet animal, but figured that creating another comic strip about a dog would make his work unlikely to stand out. He realized that there were no comic strips about pet cats, so he decided to create a comic strip about a pet cat. Davis created the locally published comic strip "Jon" (1976-1978), featuring the relationship of a pet owner and his cat. He created the character Garfield for this comic strip. He based the character's personality on his own cantankerous grandfather, who was named James A. Garfield Davis.

In 1948, Davis signed a deal with United Feature Syndicate. They agreed to syndicate his comic strip for national distribution. He launched the revised comic strip "Garfield" on June 19, 1978. It was published in 41 newspapers, Davis' first work to have such a wide distribution. A Sunday version of the comic strip was launched June 25, 1978.

Davis gradually changed Garfield's design over the first years of the comic strip. By 1983, Garfield had become a bipedal animal. Garfield was far more successful than Davis had expected. By 1981, it was published in 850 newspapers and had accumulated over 15 million dollars in merchandise. David founded the company "Paws, Inc." (1981-) to handle the licensing rights to the comic strip and its characters. He started employing both artists (as assistants) and licensing administrators.

Davis signed a deal with producers Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson for the creation of the first Garfield television special, "Here Comes Garfield" (1982). Both men had previously produced television specials for the comic strip "Peanuts". The director of the special was Phil Roman, while Davis himself handled the screenplay. The special reached an audience of about 50 million people, and was nominated for the "Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program". Based on this success, other 11 television specials were created between 1983 and 1991. All of them were nominated for Emmy Awards, and four of them won the Award.

Based on the success of Garfield in animation, Davis went to work on creating an animated television series about the character. He served as the producer of "Garfield and Friends" (1988-1994). Veteran comic book writer Mark Evanier was hired as the series' head writer. The series lasted for 7 seasons and 121 episodes. The series was considered quite successful, but its production cost kept rising. The network CBS eventually ended the series. Its end was one of a series of cost-cutting measures for the network, as CBS was facing financial problems in the mid-1990s. The series found further success in syndication.

In 1994, Davis (through Paws, Inc.) purchased all rights to the previously published Garfield comic strips from the United Feature Syndicate. Davis was the sole owner of the comic strip series from 1994 to 2019, while having the right to license reprints of the strip.

In the late 1990s, Davis stopped drawing the "Garfield" comic strip. He only provided rough sketches for subsequent comic strips, while the main artists for the strip were his long-term assistants Brett Koth and Gary Barker. Davis remained as the strip's main writer.

In 2000, Davis and his frequent collaborator Brett Koth launched a new comic strip, based on the toy character "Mr. Potato Head". The strip was not particularly successful, and ended in 2003. In 2002, "Garfield" became the world's most syndicated strip. It was published in 2,570 different newspapers across several countries, and had an estimated reading audience of 263 million people.

In 2006, Davis joined the faculty of the Ball State University as an adjunct professor. He lectured students "on the creative and business aspects of the comics industry". In 2011, Davis started drawing comics digitally through using a graphics tablet. He kept his older hand-painted "Garfield" strips in a climate-controlled safe, until he could figure what to do with his art archives. In 2019, he started selling parts of his archives at auctions.

In 2019, Davis sold Paws, Inc. to the media conglomerate Viacom. The rights to the "Garfield" comic strip and its global merchandising were transferred to Nickelodeon, one of Viacom's subsidiaries. As part of the deal, Davis would continue to supervise the production of the comic strip. The main offices of Paws Inc. were transferred from Muncie, Indiana to the skyscraper "One Astor Plaza" in New York City.

By 2022, Davis was 76-years-old. He continues supervising the production of the "Garfield" comic strip from his home in Indiana. He has spend most of his life in his home state, and seems to have no plans to move out or to retire. He has had two marriages, and has raised several of his own children and two step-children. While the comic strip market has declined in the 21st century, the popularity of Davis' cantankerous cat has never faded.

She is the great niece to Andrew Waldron (1847-1932). Andrew was the brother to her paternal grandmother, Laura Ann Waldron. Sher formed part of the Thespian Family Players and the Queen City Singers during the Civil War, performing first in Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA, Augusta, GA, and Richmond, VA. She was the wife of Henry Farmer. Their son, Edwin Farmer, was a child prodigy and concert pianist. He married Ethel Parrot, as they were the parents to Virginia.

Jan Wiley was born on 23 February 1916 in Marion, Indiana, USA. She was an actress, known for A Fig Leaf for Eve (1944), The Master Key (1945) and Below the Deadline (1946). She was married to Mort Greene, Roger Clark and Darrell Woodson Brandon. She died on 27 May 1993 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, USA.

Michael Scranton was born on 25 December 1958 in Marion, Indiana, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Batman Forever (1995), Judgment Night (1993) and The Winner (1996). He died on 6 May 2021 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA.

Versatile Character Actor who is mostly known for his roles on such shows as, "Stan Against Evil", "Leverage: Redemption", "Accidental Love" and "Devious Maids." As a True Crime fan, he was thrilled to be work on HBO Max's "The Staircase", Investigation Discovery's, "Homicide Hunter," "Dead of Night" and also TV One's "#Murder."

John Nealson was born on 10 May 1944 in Marion, Indiana, USA. He was an actor, known for Terror at Red Wolf Inn (1972), Sharks' Treasure (1975) and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964). He was married to Karen Jensen. He died on 5 April 2000 in Burbank, California, USA.

Al Dunlap was born on 16 September 1924 in Marion County, Indiana, USA. He was an actor, known for Escape from Alcatraz (1979), Charley Varrick (1973) and The Greatest American Hero (1981). He died on 25 November 1988 in Los Angeles County, California, USA.

Joel Grover Sayre Jr. was born on 13 December, 1901, at Marion, Indiana, the son of Joel Grover Sayre Sr. and his wife, the former Nora Clemens. Sayre grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where his father operated a business that manufactured window glass and his mother worked as a photographer and interior decorator. One of Sayre's boyhood chums in Columbus was Charles and Mary Thurber's middle son, James Thurber.

After being refused entrance into US Army, sixteen year old Sayre was able to enlist in the Canadian Army with the use of a falsified birth certificate and soon found himself serving with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in Siberia. After the war he attended Oxford University, where he earned a degree in English literature and briefly studied medicine at Heidelberg Medical School.

Sayre started his journalism career as police beat reporter on the Columbus Journal. Later he worked as a sports columnist for The Boston Herald, before becoming a crime reporter for the New York World and the New York Herald Tribune. During this period he wrote numerous articles about the infamous gangster, John Thomas "Legs" Diamond.

Later Sayre became successful contributing short stories to the New Yorker magazine. His first two novels, "Rackety Rax" (1932) and "Hizzoner the Mayor," (1933), satirical tales of corruption in college football and big city politics, were also well received. Soon Hollywood called and Sayre, now a screenwriter, found himself working on such future film classics as Annie Oakley (1935), The Road to Glory (1936) (in collaboration with, William Faulkner) and Gunga Din (1939). Sayre's popular short story, "The Man on the Ledge" that appeared in the New Yorker, was later made into the film Fourteen Hours (1951). While working in California, a Hollywood reporter once described Sayre as "a wandering behemoth".

As a war correspondent during World War II, Sayre covered the Persian Gulf Command for the New Yorker, and was present at the historic Teheran Conference of 1943. Later his war reports that appeared in the New Yorker were reproduced in his 1945 book "Persian Gulf Command; Some Marvels on the Road to Kazvin" (Preface by James Thurber). As the war in Europe began to wind down Sayre was sent to Germany to cover the final days of the conflict. "The House Without a Roof," (1948), his book about a Jewish family living under Nazi Germany, arose from his experiences there.

After the war, Sayre continued to write for magazines. Later, after a brief period as a staff writer for Time magazine, he returned to screenwriting and began to travel the globe. In 1960 he accepted a teaching position at the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Pennsylvania. Sayre retired from teaching in 1971 and relocated to Virginia. Joel Grover Sayre died on September 9, 1979, a year after he had moved to Taftsville, Vermont to be with Jeanette Lowe, a life-long friend. He was survived by his daughter, journalist, author and film critic Nora Sayre (1932-2001). Sayre's wife, the former Gertrude Lynahan, died on 2 August, 1960, at the age of 59 in New York City. She had worked as an investigative reporter, newspaper editor and during World War Two, as an aid to Nelson Rockefeller, when he was Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs.

Sidney Katz was born on 20 February 1918 in Marion County, Indiana, USA. He was an editor and producer, known for The Defenders (1961), Skag (1980) and Beyond Westworld (1980). He died on 18 June 2009 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Amanda was born and raised in Marion, Indiana. She moved to Austin, Texas at the age of 18 and quickly became part of the growing film industry. Her first notable role was in the Richard Linklater's "The Newton Boys". After that, she starred in several projects including award-winning independent films, "Mockingbird" and "Worse". Amanda now resides in Los Angeles, California. She can also be seen in the Sci-Fi Channel original movie, "Attack Of The Sabretooth", which was filmed on location in Nadi, Fiji.

Elaine Lange was born on 5 January 1919 in Marion, Indiana, USA. She was an actress, known for Federal Operator 99 (1945), The Undercover Woman (1946) and The Fatal Witness (1945). She was married to John Robert Springer. She died on 26 December 1963 in Glendale, California, USA.

Bob Walton was born on 25 June 1960 in Marion, Indiana, USA. He is an actor, known for Person of Interest (2011), Picket Fences (1992) and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999).

Jayson Maples is an American actor, stand up comedian, beat boxer, rapper, stunt work and professional wrestler. Jayson's 250 + impersonations and dialects have given him many voice over jobs in radio and television . Jayson started stand up comedy as a senior in high school (1988) doing open mic at a local comedy club (Snickerz, Fort Wayne, IN). Jayson traveled across the country doing stand up in clubs for approximately 8 years until he met up with a group of professional wrestlers after one of his comedy jobs who thought Jayson would be a good fit in the ring. Jayson wrestled for 23 years retiring from active in ring wrestling in 2014. Jayson has written a series of children's books based on his 3 youngest sons. Jayson resides in Fort Wayne, IN. with his wife and three boys.

Stanton Pritchard was born on 2 October 1926 in Marion, Indiana, USA. He was an actor, known for Mystic Prophecies and Nostradamus (1961), Like Wow! (1961) and Revenge of the Virgins (1959). He died on 2 August 1996 in Orange, California, USA.

Bill Dennis was born on 30 April 1942 in Marion, Indiana, USA. Bill was a production manager and producer, known for What a Cartoon! (1995), The Adventures of Tenali Raman (2003) and The Snow Queen's Revenge (1996). Bill was married to Rhonda. Bill died on 22 January 2023 in Washington, Utah, USA.

Emma-Lindsay Squier was born on 1 December 1892 in Marion, Indiana, USA. She was a writer and actress, known for Dancing Pirate (1936), The Angry God (1948) and The Magical World of Disney (1954). She died on 16 September 1941 in Saranac Lake, New York, USA.

Randy Harris was born on 18 March 1947 in Marion, Indiana, USA. He is an actor, known for The Young Riders (1989), Probe (1988) and Desert Bloom (1986).

Bob Pulley was born on 30 August 1931 in Marion, Indiana. He is known for Forever James Dean (1988), Real James Dean (2006) and Biography (1987). He was married to Shirley Lee Hoffar. He died on 17 February 2013 in Fairmount, Indiana, USA.

Russell A. Bowlds was born on 23 January 1962 in Marion, Indiana, USA. Russell A. was a production manager, known for Black Cat Run (1998), First Time Felon (1997) and Lansky (1999). Russell A. died on 4 May 2023 in Marion, Indiana, USA.

Mildred Dilling was born on 23 February 1894 in Marion, Indiana, USA. She died on 30 December 1982 in New York City, New York, USA.

Edith Kneipple Roberts was born on 4 August 1902 in Marion, Indiana, USA. She was a writer, known for That Hagen Girl (1947). She died on 31 January 1966 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Polly Luce was born on 29 March 1905 in Marion, Grant County, Indiana, USA. She was an actress, known for Maid Happy (1933) and Send 'em Back Half Dead (1933). She was married to Wendell Dekalb Levan and Wilfred Henry Troutbeck. She died on 23 November 1973 in Fort Pierce, Saint Lucie County, Florida, USA.

Chad Curtis was born on 6 November 1968 in Marion, Indiana, USA.