Famous in Takoma Park, Maryland

8/14/2013

Takoma Park, Maryland is my home town. Woot! Woot! I hear you clapping!
Known for its farmers markets and budding azaleas, it is a place rich with culture. Recently, I've done research to craft a scene in my manuscript and I've learned that some pretty neat people have interesting ties to the place. Where is your home town and what interesting facts or people come from there? I'd love to hear all about it!

Katherine Peterson

Katherine Paterson, from Takoma Park wrote the Bridge to Terabithia, a classic of young adult literature based upon an 8 year old girl who died from being struck by lightening in 1977.

Goldie Hawn

Goldie Hawn is an American actress, film director, producer, and occasional singer. Hawn is known for her roles in television's Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and films like Private Benjamin and The First Wives Club. She grew up in Takoma Park where she married John Hudson in the backyard of her childhood home.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone, is an American actor, screenwriter and film director. Stallone is well known for his Hollywood action roles. Two notable characters he has portrayed are the boxer Rocky Balboa and soldier John Rambo. He grew up on the border of Takoma Park and Silver Spring.

Sterling Brown

African American poet and scholar of African American folk culture and literature, Sterling Brown died in Takoma Park, Md on January 13, 1989.

Mathew Nathan Drudge

American businessman, journalist, blogger and personality, Matthew Nathan Drudge, born in Takoma Park, Maryland, has a net worth of approximately $90 million. Matt Drudge made his millions though creating and running his famous news blog, the Drudge Report.

John Fahey

John Fahey 1939-2001 was ranked 35th in the Rolling Stone “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list. He was born in Takoma Park, DC and has an album called “Twilight on Prince George’s Avenue.”

Mark Mitchell

Photo: DAN DELONG/P-I

Mark Mitchell is an African American Historian and impressive Artifact Collector of African American history. Read more here.

36 Comments

deanna toribio link

8/14/2013 03:33:24 pm

not sure, only can think of patsy cline

Yvonne Brown

8/14/2013 11:41:21 pm

That's neat Deanna!

John Hurd link

8/14/2013 04:34:41 pm

I'm intrigued about the novel Crying Girl. Looking forward for your novel this fall.

8/14/2013 11:43:31 pm

Thanks for your support John! It means so much!

Dov Shapira link

8/14/2013 07:06:06 pm

Goldie Hawn is such a cutie

8/14/2013 11:43:56 pm

I agree Dov!

Vene link

8/14/2013 09:30:20 pm

sounds like a good read..awaiting its release

8/14/2013 11:44:28 pm

Thanks Vene! Your support means so much!

Rob link

8/15/2013 12:16:16 am

I didn't know about those people! Thanks for sharing... My hometown is boring as boring can be,,

8/15/2013 02:20:56 am

Thanks Rob! With a little research, I bet you could learn something cool about your hometown!

Jim Striegel link

8/15/2013 03:15:50 am

What a great post....Never thought of this before. Need to see if anyone famous from my area!

8/15/2013 11:04:54 am

Thanks for your post Jim! Let me know what you find out!

Meli link

8/15/2013 03:19:31 am

Quite a few famous people from your hometown. You're next!!

8/15/2013 11:05:48 am

Big Hugs to you Meli! You just put a big smile on my face!

Glenda Kay link

8/15/2013 03:24:34 am

I love this! Now I'm curious to see who is from my hometown!

8/15/2013 11:06:49 am

Thanks for your post Glenda! When you find out, I'd love to hear all about it!

Savannah-Lin Dofa link

8/15/2013 03:28:10 am

That's great.. never knew any of that.. interesting to learn where we come from and who else grew up in the same hometown..

8/15/2013 11:07:27 am

Your so right Savannah-Lin! Thanks for your post!

Donna Morgan link

8/15/2013 04:16:18 am

Goldie Hawn is gorgeous!

8/15/2013 11:07:53 am

and those eyes!

Irene Saadeh

8/15/2013 05:47:24 am

Thanks for keeping us abreast of this. Sounds like a great book.

8/15/2013 11:08:21 am

Thanks for your support Irene!

Robin

8/15/2013 07:42:28 am

Daryl Hall and John Oats

8/15/2013 11:08:54 am

Love it! Thanks for sharing Robin!

Brad Lynch link

8/15/2013 11:58:46 am

What a great idea you had here!

8/15/2013 12:06:50 pm

Thanks Brad! I'm glad you think so!

Jeff Brand link

8/15/2013 12:29:52 pm

Thank you for making me think and check this out!

8/15/2013 02:30:16 pm

My pleasure Jeff! Let me know what you find!

Mike link

8/15/2013 02:17:23 pm

Burton Cummings, Neil Young, Monte Hall, David Steinberg and Rick Faraci — all from my hometown.

8/15/2013 02:30:55 pm

Thanks for sharing Mike! That is very cool!

Dionne link

8/15/2013 03:28:56 pm

I'm really looking forward to your book. I spent a few of my teen years in a small town named Idaho City. It was the first and largest settlement when gold was struck. The first west coast newspaper also originated there and a good friend of mine restored a major part of it in the early 80's.

There is even an entire underground city where the Chinese settlers lived and worked. Of course it is too dangerous to go down there, but it is a fun fact.

Karen Bradley link

8/15/2013 04:07:53 pm

I can't think of anyone famous coming from the little town I grew up in, Milan Michigan. 13 miles south of Ann Arbor, it was home to The Milan Dragway and the Federal Prison. Not much notoriety there!

Tyler

8/16/2013 02:23:41 pm

Wow! Very interesting!

Tina Turner

12/27/2014 09:58:33 am

I'm also from Takoma Park! My home was on Cedar Avenue and I graduated from Blair in 1970.

12/29/2014 01:24:38 am

Thanks for dropping by Tina! You wouldn't happen to be the famous Tina Turner impersonator would you?

Clark Burdine link

12/27/2014 12:55:24 pm

Would like to invite you to join a facebook group page; TAKOMA PARK 1890-1990. A very interesting group of people from Takoma Park with fantastic photos, personal recollections, & history of a beloved home town.