for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Dennis J. Collins, Illinois lawyer and state legislator Cindy Crawford, model and actress, appeared on hundreds of magazine covers throughout her career and in 1995 was named the world's highest-paid model by Forbes. She was born and raised in DeKalb. Joseph B. Ebbesen, optometrist and Illinois state legislator. Isaac L. Ellwood, rancher, businessman and barbed wire entrepreneur. Philip Ewell, American professor of music theory at Hunter College and the CUNY Graduate Center. Fred Eychaner, media mogul and philanthropist. He was raised in DeKalb. Joseph Glidden, farmer who patented barbed wire in 1874, which changed the development of the American West. Jacob Haish, one of the inventors of barbed wire. Barbara Hale, film actress and Emmy Award-winning co-star of Perry Mason television series. Mike Heimerdinger, assistant coach for several NFL teams including the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans. He was born and raised in DeKalb. Richard Jenkins, actor, nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor for his performances in The Visitor (2007) and The Shape of Water (2017) respectively. He was born and raised in DeKalb. Alan and Dale Klapmeier, co-founders of the Cirrus Design Corporation and 2014 inductees into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. They were raised in DeKalb and graduated from DeKalb High School. Doug Mallory, former coach of the Atlanta Falcons. He attended DeKalb High School while his father was coach of the Northern Illinois Huskies. Karl Nelson, offensive tackle for the New York Giants. He played football for the DeKalb High School Barbs. Mel Owens, linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams from 1981 to 1989. He played football for the DeKalb High School Barbs. Richard Powers, author and winner of the 2006 National Book Award for Fiction for The Echo Maker. Hellah Sidibe, former professional soccer player and the first black person to run across the United States. Weekend Nachos, powerviolence punk band. They were formed in DeKalb. Sue Vicory, writer, film producer and filmmaker W. Willard Wirtz, United States Secretary of Labor during the Kennedy administration and Johnson administration. He was born and raised in DeKalb where his home is preserved on the campus of Northern Illinois University. See also Haish Memorial Library Kishwaukee River Northern Illinois University Northern Illinois University shooting References External links Official Website DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Cities in Illinois Populated places established in 1837 Cities in DeKalb County, Illinois Cities in