Champaign has been the birthplace, home, or launching pad for many influential figures:
* **Roger Ebert**: The Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic was born, raised, and educated in Champaign. * **Ludacris (Christopher Bridges)**: The multi-platinum rapper and actor was born in Champaign. * **Bonnie Blair**: One of the most successful Winter Olympians in U.S. history (speed skating), who spent part of her childhood in Champaign. * **Marc Andreessen**: Software engineer and entrepreneur who co-authored the Mosaic web browser while working at UIUC’s National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). * **Alison Krauss**: The highly decorated bluegrass and country music artist grew up in Champaign and learned her craft in the local music scene. * **Jimmy John Liautaud**: Founder of the Jimmy John's sandwich chain, which was headquartered in the city for decades.