Learn About The 50 States
Jesse Ventura (1941)close
Jesse Ventura was born John Janos in 1941 in South Minneapolis, Minnesota. After high school, he joined the Navy and became a SEAL and served in Vietnam. After leaving the military, he began a successful pro wrestling career using the nick name Jesse "The Body" Ventura, and then starred in films. In 1998, he shocked the political establishment by defeating Hubert H. Humphrey III in the race for Minnesota governor, and is the only Reform Party candidate to hold the position of governor.
Click on any of the names below to find out more...
Looking for a famous American?
This page presents short biographies of more than 200 famous Americans drawn from our unit, "The 50 States." These personalities are arranged by theme.
Just click a theme at the top of the page to view a selection list for that theme.
African Americans:
Artists:
Business Leaders:
National "Characters":
| Phineas Taylor "P.T." Barnum | Clyde Barrow | John Wilkes Booth |
| Butch Cassidy | William "Buffalo Bill" Cody | Davy Crockett |
| Jesse James | Evel Knievel | Harland David "Colonel" Sanders |
| Jefferson R. "Soapy" Smith |
Cultural Figures:
Inventors:
Pioneers and "Firsts":
Politicians & Activists:
Scientists:
Sports Figures:
Accomplished Women:
Writers & Poets: