Prince Crowned Minnesota's Greatest Celebrity

The late music icon tops the state's list of top entertainment figures, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 2:25am

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The Minnesota Star Tribune has released its list of the top 25 Minnesotans in entertainment history, with music legend Prince taking the top spot. To be considered, celebrities had to have lived in Minnesota for at least five years, eliminating actresses like Judy Garland and Winona Ryder from the running. Prince, born in Minneapolis, remained a Minnesotan even as his star rose, building his empire in Chanhassen. The newspaper praised his "vast discography and guitar playing" that "cemented his status as one of the most talented artists of his generation" and his "enigmatic persona as the coolest cat on the planet."

Why it matters

Prince's selection as Minnesota's greatest celebrity underscores his enduring legacy and impact as a musical icon who remained deeply connected to his home state, even as he achieved global fame. The ranking highlights Minnesota's rich entertainment history and the state's ability to produce world-class talent.

The details

According to the Minnesota Star Tribune's list, Bob Dylan, the Duluth-born singer-songwriter, came in at No. 2, while St. Paul natives F. Scott Fitzgerald and Charles Schulz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip, rounded out the top four. Filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen, who were raised in St. Louis Park and shot movies like "Fargo" and "A Serious Man" in Minnesota, were ranked fifth.

  • The Minnesota Star Tribune released its list of the top 25 Minnesotans in entertainment history on Sunday.

The players

Prince

A legendary musician born in Minneapolis who remained a Minnesotan even as his star rose, building his empire in Chanhassen.

Bob Dylan

A singer-songwriter from Duluth who maintained a farm near Hanover and co-owned the Orpheum Theatre for years during his decades-long musical career.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

A renowned novelist from St. Paul.

Charles Schulz

The creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip, also from St. Paul.

Joel and Ethan Coen

Filmmakers who were raised in St. Louis Park and shot movies like "Fargo" and "A Serious Man" in Minnesota.

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The takeaway

Prince's selection as Minnesota's greatest celebrity underscores the state's ability to produce world-class entertainment talent and the enduring legacy of its homegrown icons, who often maintained deep connections to their local communities even as they achieved global fame.