This Famous MN Singer Ranked The State's Greatest Celebrity

Minnesota’s greatest celebrity is Prince, according to a recent ranking from The Minnesota Star Tribune.

The newspaper’s staff released its list of the top 25 Minnesotans in entertainment history on Sunday. To be considered, celebrities had to have lived in Minnesota at least five years, the Tribune stipulated, eliminating actresses Judy Garland and Winona Ryder from the running.

Born in Minneapolis, Prince remained a Minnesotan even as his star rose, building his empire in Chanhassen, the Tribune noted.

“His vast discography and guitar playing cemented his status as one of the most talented artists of his generation,” according to the newspaper. “But what made him a legend was creating an enigmatic persona as the coolest cat on the planet. His funkiest move: Staying put in the Twin Cites suburbs and turning Paisley Park into the next Graceland.”

At No. 2 on the list is Duluth-born Bob Dylan, who maintained a farm near Hanover and co-owned the Orpheum Theatre for years during his decades-long musical career, the Tribune reported.

Coming in third is St. Paul’s favorite son, novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald, followed closely by St. Paul’s other favorite son, “Peanuts” creator Charles Schulz, at No. 4, according to the ranking.

Rounding out the top five are filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen, who were raised in St. Louis Park and shot “Fargo” and “A Serious Man” in their home state, the Tribune reported.

Read the full ranking from the Star Tribune.