Notable People From Yakima, Washington: 4 Famous Figures You Didn’t Know Were From Yakima

Not enough Yakimanians are proud of their city! Here are 4 famous people you might not know came from Yakima.

Sam Kinison

Born in Yakima on December 8, 1953, Sam Kinison was a stand-up comedian known for his loud, aggressive delivery, centered around his trademark high-pitch scream that he had acquired while working as a Pentecostal preacher. His breakthrough came from highly acclaimed appearances on David Letterman Tonight. His success was short-lived, as he died at the age of 38 in a head-on car collision.

William O. Douglas

William O. Douglas served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States for 36 years from 1939 to 1975. Appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, William O. Douglas is widely considered the most progressive justice to ever sit on the Court. Although born in Minnesota, Douglas spent most of his early years in Yakima. He suffered from polio as a child and recovered through a vigorous routine of long hikes. Every day, he walked further and further from his home in downtown Yakima to strengthen his legs. The William O. Douglas Trail marks his path, which leads into the foothills around the city and eventually the Cascades.

Gary Puckett

Gary Puckett, the lead vocalist for the pop group Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, before moving to Yakima at the age of 6. He often fished in the Yakima River Canyon. The band scored 5 top-ten hits in the late 1960s, including two number-one sellers: "Young Girl" (1968) and "Lady Willpower" (1968).

Eugene Gologursky, Getty Images