15 Famous Alumni From The University of Kansas

KU is notorious for many things such as its beautiful campus, basketball program and academic standard. In addition to the staples that make KU great, there have also been many students who later became celebrities. Whether their specialty was science, athletics, the arts or business…they walked the halls just like students do today, they sat in Strong Hall, they proceeded down the hill at graduation and most importantly they put “University of Kansas” on their resume. Here is a list of 15 famous alumni from The University of Kansas, some of which might come as a surprise you!

1. Gillian Flynn, writer, novel Gone Girl.

2. Rob Riggle, comedian, The Daily Show correspondent and former Saturday Night Live cast member.

He also starred in many movies such as The Hangover, Stepbrothers, and 21 Jump Street.

3. Paul Rudd, actor from TV’s Friends, Clueless, The Cider House Rules, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and Ant-Man.

He is a common visitor if you attend the right basketballs games, you might catch him in the crowd.

4. William Allen White, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author.

The journalism school is named after him and there is a highly regarded literary award in his honor.

5. Clyde Tombaugh, astronomer, discoverer of the dwarf planet Pluto.

Even though Pluto is no longer considered a planet, credit is given where credit is deserved!

6. K. S. “Bud” Adams, Jr., CEO of Adams Resources; owner of the Tennessee Titans.

7. Alan Mulally (BS/MS), President and CEO of Ford Motor Company.

8. Wilt Chamberlain, two-time All-American, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA all-time leader for career rebounds and most points in a single game with 100 points.

We are proud to call him a Jayhawk.

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9. Danny Manning, basketball player and coach; two-time All-American.

Also the 1988 recipient of the Naismith and Wooden Awards, Big 8 Player of the Decade for the 1980s, two-time NBA all-star.

10. Gary Woodland, professional golfer on the PGA Tour; winner of the 2011 Transitions.

11. Trai Byers, actor, star of Empire.

A TV actor who started his education at KU but finished at Yale Drama.

12. Forrest “Phog” Allen, head basketball coach; won three national championships, 10th winningest coach in college basketball history and #1 winningest when he retired.

His name is hung in the rafters of the best basketball atmosphere in college history. Allen Fieldhouse is accredited to this hero.

13. Aqib Talib, 2008 Orange Bowl MVP; first round NFL draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has a pretty good record, if you ask me.

14. Gale Sayers, NFL running back for the Chicago bears, nicknamed “the Kansas comet”.

15. Mandy Patinkin, actor, musician and comedian who has been in Homeland, Criminal Minds and The Princess Bride.

Featured photo source: huffingtonpost.com and thehollywoodreporter.com