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Famous Residents One of America’s most famous comedians, Richard Pryor, was born in Peoria. Pryor was born December 1, 1940, and spent the next 20 years in Peoria. After dropping out of school in 1955, Pryor worked in a packing plant and at Caterpillar before becoming famous. In 1960 his comedic career began in a Peoria nightclub. Six years later Pryor made his first appearance on The Tonight Show. Pryor’s career highlights include 45 films, five Grammy awards, and an Emmy. Octave Chanute was born February 18, 1832, in Paris, France. He came to the United States at a young age and studied civil engineering. Chanute moved to Peoria in 1856 and became an expert bridge builder and engineer. At age 64, he began experimenting with aeronautics. The Wright Brothers consulted with Chanute on design issues and he became known as “The Father of Aviation.” Chanute is buried in Peoria’s Springdale Cemetery. Jim and Marion Jordan, better known as Fibber McGee and Molly, met as teenagers in Peoria and married in 1918. They traveled and performed in a vaudeville act. By 1925 the couple had moved on to radio. They created the famous radio show, “Fibber McGee and Molly” in 1935. The show ran for 25 years, ranking consistently as a top 10 show and becoming a part of United States radio history. QuincyNet Home Copyright© 2002- 2003 by QuincyNet, a division of HCW Ltd. All Rights Reserved