Did You Know? Famous People With Canton Ties

Canton has brought up some famous people in its time.

Revolutionary Paul Revere helped the war effort by building the second gunpowder mill in the country right here in Canton (where Canton is now, technically). He also opened America’s first copper mill in Canton as well.

NHL forward and Stanley Cup winner Steve Rooney also came out of Canton. He played with the Winnipeg Jets, the New Jersey Devils and 1986 champions Montreal Canadiens.

Actor Paul Guilfoyle was born and raised in Canton. He’s famous for playing Jim Brass on CSI. He’s also played opposite Al Pacino in the Theatre Company of Boston’s rendition of "The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel" and George Lucas’s famous flop Howard the Duck.

Chemist James Sumner, co-winner of a Noel Prize in chemistry for crystallization of enzymes, was also born in Canton. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Science in 1949.

Stand-up comedian Bill Burr also came from Canton, brought his experiences growing up in Canton to the stage. He’s also acted in Stand Up Guys, Date Night, Twisted Fortune and Passionada.

Former league pitcher Bobby Witt, who played mostly for the Texas Rangers, catcher Marc Sullivan, who was on the 1986 American League Champion Boston Red Sox and Olaf Henriksen, an outfielder on the 1912 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, all called Canton home.