Dick Van Dyke Tops Poll Of Favorite Illinois Actors

ILLINOIS — Bill Murray might be the country's favorite wacky uncle and the unofficial mascot and good luck charm for the Chicago Cubs, but he has to take a back seat when it comes to being Illinois' favorite performer. That distinction goes to Dick Van Dyke, according to an online poll by the Illinois Top 200 project.

The legendary 92-year-old TV and movie actor who grew up in Danville was voted the state's top actor in the project's recent poll. Murray, who grew up in Willmette, grabbed the No. 2 spot. Here's how the rest of the poll's top 10 turned out:

• Gene Hackman: The two-time Academy Award Winner for "The French Connection" and "Unforgiven" was raised in Danville.
• Harrison Ford: Han Solo and Indiana Jones to several generations of movie-goers, Ford was born in Chicago and graduated high school in Park Ridge.
• Gary Sinise: The Blue Island native was one of the founders of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company and his breakthrough role was as Lt. Dan in "Forrest Gump."
• Charlton Heston: The late actor and staunch gun advocate was born in Chicago's North Shore suburbs and attended New Trier High School before launching his film career, which included iconic performances in "The Ten Commandments," "Touch of Evil," "Ben-Hur" and "Planet of the Apes."
• Marlon Brando: Arguably the greatest actor of his generation, Brando lived in Evanston and Libertyville as a child before going on to make film history with his performances in "The Wild Ones," "On the Waterfront," "A Streetcar Named Desire," "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now."
• John Belushi: Before Bill Murray, Belushi defined Chicago comedy as one of the original "Saturday Night Live" cast members and as "Joliet" Jake Blues in the Chicago-set "The Blues Brothers."
• Melissa McCarthy: The Plainfield native and cousin to Jenny McCarthy broke out with her role in "Bridesmaids" and has become an A-list comedic actor.
• John Malkovich: Like fellow list member Gary Sinise, Malkovich — who was born in Christopher and grew up in Benton — is a Steppenwolf charter member and has carved out an illustrious career thanks to over-the-top, sometimes sinister, but always entertaining turns in "Dangerous Liaisons," "In the Line of Fire," "Con Air" and "Being John Malkovich."

Other nominees in the poll included: Quincy native Mary Astor ("The Maltese Falcon"); Chicago native Andre Braugher ("Homicide: Life on the Streets," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"); Winnetka native Rock Hudson ("Giant," "Pillow Talk"); Chicago Bernie Mac ("The Original Kings of Comedy," "The Bernie Mac Show"); Gibson City native Frances McDormand ("Fargo," "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"); Carbondale native and Steppenwolf charter member Laurie Metcalf ("Roseanne," "Lady Bird"); and Chicago native Gloria Swanson ("Sunset Boulevard").

A joint effort between the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Illinois Bicentennial Commission and The State Journal-Register in Springfield, the Illinois Top 200 project lets residents vote for their favorites every two weeks in a variety of state-related categories.

When Illinois celebrates its 200th birthday Dec. 3, the project will have generated and compiled 20 different top 10 lists from its polls. Residents can now vote at the project's on the top entertainers with state ties. Nominees include Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Bob Newhart, Hugh Hefner and Walt Disney.

Future categories include athletes, trailblazing women and unforgettable moments. Possible nominees in upcoming categories can be suggested by using tagging social media posts with #ILtop200 on social media.

Go to the Illinois Top 200 project's website to vote in the current category.

Dick Van Dyke in 2017. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown | Getty Images)