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Indiana , Known as the crossroads of America, was established as a state on December 11,1816. It is the home to many race car drivers , entertainers , comedians , actors and actress'.
Brazil,Indiana was the hometown of teamsters union leader , Jimmy Hoffa. Hoffa was a leader from 1957-1971. He was thought to be involved with organized crime and was convicted of fraud and jury tampering in 1964. Hoffa served four years of his sentence before President Richard Nixon commuted it .

In 1975 Hoffa was trying to regain power in the union when he suddenly disappeared from a restaurant in Michigan. It was assumed he was murdered by the mafia; his body was never found, Hoffa was declared legally dead in 1982.

Marion, Indiana hometown to two time Oscar nominated american film actor, James Dean. Dean was a cultural icon of his time and was best known for his roles in " Rebel without a cause", "East of Eden" , and "Giant". Dean initially had little success in Hollywood but soon gained his first acting gig doing a Pepsi commercial. It took him a few years to really make it in entertainment doing roles such as john the beloved disciple in "Hill number one" , "Sailor beware" , and "Has anyone seen my girl". Dean eventually moved to New York where he became a stunt tester for the "Beat the clock" game show , which lead to him gaining admission to the actor's studio to study method acting. Which also led to his career picking up & bringing on his role in "East of Eden".
Dean was the 1st actor to receive a Posthumous Academy Award Nomination for best actor and remains the only person to have two posthumous acting nominations in the same category.

Dale, Indiana home to Florence Henderson , american actress and singer. Florence was best known for her role as Carol Brady in the "Brady Bunch" from 1969 to 1974.Her career started Before she was ever " Carol Brady" where she had performed in musicals on Broadway such as , "Wish you were here" , "Fanny", and "The girl that came to Supper". Henderson won the Sarah Sid dons award for her work in the Chicago theater. She was also the first woman to host "The Johnny Carson Show" .Florence Henderson has accomplished many other things in her career and has quite a list of films under her belt.

Bloomington, Indiana hometown of David Lee Roth , rock Vocalist , songwriter, actor , author and former radio personality. David Lee Roth is best known as lead singer of the rock group Van Halen. Van Halen's first album debuted in 1978. Roth was a member from 1978 to 1985 releasing several albums with the group and becoming one of two highest paid bands in modern history.
After 1985 Roth went on to assemble another group which many considered a super group , they released an album and went on tour . That tour was the most successful concert tour of 1986.
Roth then went on to become a solo artist releasing hits such as " Just like Paradise" and "Cheating heart cafe" . Roth Eventually reunited with Van Halen in 1996 for a brief time and the band released "Best of vol. 1" The music Roth was part of is still widely appreciated today.

Indiana may be known not just for millions of corn fields but also as the home to many amazing, now famous people.

Learn more about this author, Lacey Simmons.
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