From a trio of fully certified A-list entertainers highlights The Star’s roster of the 20 most interesting people visiting Indiana in March, April and May. Pop-culture icon Cher will sing at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 11, the same night comedian Jerry Seinfeld brings his stand-up act to Old National Centre. And Meryl Streep will talk about her towering career in film on April 16 at Indiana University in Bloomington. In all, our list includes eight musicians, six comedians, four actors and two authors:
SHARON JONES (Claim to fame: New York City singer at forefront of soul revival movement with her band, the Dap-Kings.)
JANE PAULEY (Claim to fame: Indianapolis native co-hosted NBC’s “Today” from 1976 to 1989, and “Dateline NBC” from 1992 to 2003.)
EVAN PETERS (Claim to fame: St. Louis native has portrayed a main character in all three seasons of “American Horror Story” on cable network FX.)
MARLEE MATLIN (Claim to fame: After winning the best actress Oscar for 1986 film “Children of a Lesser God,” this deaf actress from suburban Chicago had recurring roles in TV’s “The West Wing” and “The L Word.”)
ELLIS MARSALIS JR. (Claim to fame: New Orleans pianist and patriarch of famed jazz family has released more than 20 albums)
DEMI LOVATO (Claim to fame: Ex-Disney Channel actress has landed four consecutive pop-music albums in the Top 5 of Billboard magazine’s Top 200 chart. The 21-year-old has spoken publicly about her teenage struggles with bullying, bulimia and self-harm.)
.CHERYL STRAYED (Claim to fame: Author topped the New York Times Best Seller list with 2012’s “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail,” a self-discovery memoir that coaxed Oprah Winfrey to bring her book club out of retirement.)
ITZHAK PERLMAN (Claim to fame: Violinist rose to stardom after appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” as a 13-year-old in 1958. Perlman has performed around the world, appeared on the “Schindler’s List” soundtrack, won 15 Grammys and four Emmys.)
CHER (Claim to fame: This Oscar (“Moonstruck”), Grammy (“Believe”) and Emmy (“The Farewell Tour Live”) winner has been a pop-culture icon since 1965, when “I Got You Babe” reached No. 1 for Sonny & Cher.)
JERRY SEINFELD (Claim to fame: Stand-up comedian starred in “Seinfeld” sitcom from 1989 to 1998. TV Guide ranked “Seinfeld” as No. 1 on its list of “50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time” in 2002.)
MANDY PATINKIN (Claim to fame: Actor-singer from Chicago is a Tony (“Evita”) and Emmy (“Chicago Hope”) winner.)
BOOKER T. JONES (Claim to fame: Memphis, Tenn., native and 1967 Indiana University graduate recorded iconic instrumental tunes “Green Onions” and “Hip Hug-Her” as leader of Booker T. and the MGs.)
MERYL STREEP (Claim to fame: Three-time Academy Award winner collected trophies for roles in “Kramer vs. Kramer,” “Sophie’s Choice” and “The Iron Lady.”)
KATHY GRIFFIN (Claim to fame: Stand-up comedian from suburban Chicago is an Emmy (outstanding reality program for “My Life on the D-List”) and Grammy (best comedy album for “Calm Down Gurrl”) winner.)
DARYL HALL (Claim to fame: As primary vocalist of the Daryl Hall & John Oates music duo, Hall recorded six No. 1 hits. The pair will enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 10.)
KEVIN POLLAK (Claim to fame: Comedian-actor has made memorable film appearances in “Avalon,” “A Few Good Men” and “The Usual Suspects.”)
JASON ALDEAN (Claim to fame: Musician has recorded eight No. 1 country singles, including 2010 crossover ballad “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson.)
JOEL HODGSON (Claim to fame: Wisconsin native created and starred in “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” a movie-mocking cult classic TV show that aired on Comedy Central and the Sci Fi Channel from 1989 to 1999.)
SASHEER ZAMATA (Claim to fame: This 2004 Pike High School graduate was hired as a featured cast member by “Saturday Night Live” in January.)
BILL MAHER (Claim to fame: Stand-up comedian hosted “Politically Correct” on Comedy Central and ABC from 1993 to 2002, and he’s hosted “Real Time with Bill Maher” on HBO since 2003.)
Who are you going to see?
Vicki Reed
