Greatest West Virginia Native

1.

Jerry West

By: timallen615     6 votes

Jerry Alan West (born May 28, 1938) is a retired American basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). His nicknames include "Mr. Clutch" for his ability to make a shot in a clutch situation; "The Logo" in reference to his silhouette being incorporated into the NBA logo; and "Zeke from Cabin Creek" after the creek near his birthplace of Chelyan, West Virginia. Playing the small forward position early in his career, West was a standout at East Bank High School and at West Virginia University, leading the WVU Mountaineers to the 1959 NCAA championship game, earning Most Valuable Player honors despite the loss. He then embarked on a 14-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, and was the co-captain of the 1960 U.S. Olympic gold medal team in Rome.

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2.

Don Knotts

By: katie     12 votes

Jesse Donald Knotts (July 21, 1924 - February 24, 2006) was an American comedic actor best known for his portrayal of Barney Fife on the 1960s television sitcom The Andy Griffith Show (a role which earned him five Emmy Awards), and as landlord Ralph Furley on the television sitcom Three's Company in the 1980s.

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3.

Chuck Yeager

By: katie     10 votes

Charles Elwood "Chuck" Yeager (born February 13, 1923) is a former brigadier general in the United States Air Force and noted test pilot. In 1947, he became the first pilot (at age 24) to travel faster than sound. Originally retiring as a brigadier general, Yeager was promoted to major general on the Air Force's retired list 20 years later for his military achievements.

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4.

Mary Lou Retton

By: katie     7 votes

Mary Lou Retton (born January 24, 1968) is an American gymnast. She was the first female gymnast from outside Eastern Europe to win the Olympic all-around title.

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5.

Peter Marshall

By: katie     7 votes

Peter Marshall (born March 30, 1927) is an American television and radio personality, singer and actor. He is the original host and "The Master" of The Hollywood Squares, from 1966 to 1981.

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6.

Joanne Dru

By: katie     6 votes

Joanne Dru (January 31, 1922 - September 10, 1996) was an American film and television actress known for films such as Red River and All the King's Men

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