The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Springfield, Illinois. For a similar list organized alphabetically by last name, see the category page People from Springfield, Illinois.
Arts and culture
Adrian Belew, musician best known for solo career song "Oh Daddy" and work with King Crimson, the Talking Heads, and the Tom Tom Club; lived in Springfield during the 1980s June Christy, cool jazz singer with The Stan Kenton Orchestra Morris Day, musician and actor best known for work with Morris Day and the Time and Purple Rain, born in Springfield Vachel Lindsay, poet, considered the father of modern singing poetry, wrote first book of film criticism, The Art of the Moving Picture, in 1915 Sarah Danielle Madison, actress in Training Day, Jurassic Park III, 90210, 7th Heaven, Judging Amy Jay Manuel, reality show host, America's Next Top Model Bobby McFerrin, musician best known for song "Don't Worry, Be Happy", attended Sangamon State University (now UIS) in 1975, son of opera baritone singer Bobby McFerrin Sr. Brendon Small, sitcom writer, producer, actor, and musician Louise Stanley, early 20th-century actress, born in Springfield Cecily Strong, cast member of Saturday Night Live, born in Springfield Bobby Watson, early 20th-century actor, born in Springfield Theodore Lorch, early 20th-century actor, widely seen in Three Stooges shorts, born in Springfield
Business and Institutional Leadership
Marsha J. Evans, CEO of American Red Cross and US Navy Admiral
C.W. Post, businessman and founder of Postum Cereal Company
Marjorie Merriweather Post, businesswoman, founder of General Foods Corporation, and leader in developing the frozen food market. One of her four marriages was to Edward Francis Hutton, founder of E.F. Hutton. Julius Rosenwald, President and Chairman of Sears, Roebuck and Co. and important philanthropist. Rosenwald was born in Springfield in 1862. He attended public schools and lived in Springfield until 1879. His philanthropy included establishing the Rosenwald Fund which was noted for donations to African American education and YMCAs. Rosenwald played a leading role in the creation of the Museum of Science and Industry.