by Jake Betz

Created on: August 04, 2009

The amazing story of the Apollo 13 astronauts in 1970 was told in a movie of the same name. The scheduled lunar landing was canceled because of an oxygen tank, and the astronauts were fortunate to return home safely.

One of the real Apollo 13 astronauts was Jack Swigert, a native of Colorado. Swigert was portrayed in the 1995 film by Kevin Bacon. Unfortunately, Swigert never had the chance to see the movie. He died shortly after his election to a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982.

Another famous Colorado native also flew in space. Scott Carpenter, who was born in Boulder, was one of the original seven Mercury astronauts.

The most famous Coloradan to serve in the federal government was Byron "Whizzer" White. White, a star football player for the University of Colorado and in the NFL, was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. He did so for more than 30 years.

Jack Dempsey, born in Colorado, was a heavyweight boxing champion. Richard "Goose" Gossage was an outstanding baseball relief pitcher. "Goose" is best remembered for some outstanding seasons with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres.

No doubt you've heard of the Tony Awards and may have even watched the annual presentations on television. "Tony" is actually the short name for the official award designation, the Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theater. Perry, co-founder of the American Theatre Wing, was born in Denver.

Denver was also home to the famous actress, Hattie McDaniel, who received an Academy Award for her memorable portrayal as Mammy in "Gone with the Wind." Colorado Springs was the birthplace of the legendary film actor, Lon Chaney Sr., popularly known as the "Man of a Thousand Faces." Douglas Fairbanks Sr., who set the standard by which future movie leading men were rated, was from Denver.

A native Denverite who is well known to contemporary audiences is popular actor and comedian Tim Allen. Allen, of course, became famous for playing Tim "the Tool Man' Taylor in the TV series, "Home Improvement."

Actor Jake Lloyd, born in Colorado Springs, is only 20 years old. Lloyd became famous 10 years ago for playing the young Anakin Skywalker in the first installment of the "Star Wars" prequel, "The Phantom Menace."

There was a time when folks with talent, real or imagined, yearned to get their big break in show business by appearing on Ted Mack's "Original Amateur Hour," which aired on radio before becoming a popular television show. Mack, the man who could make it happen for aspiring performers, was from Colorado.

Other famous Coloradans include the late Ken Kesey, who wrote "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," a novel; Paul Whiteman, orchestra leader; and Dalton Trumbo, an outstanding screenwriter.

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