Who would have thought young Hillary Rodham from Park Ridge would grow up to become the first lady of the United States?

Or that Marlee Matlin, who graduated from an Arlington Heights' Hersey High School, would later win the most coveted award in the movie industry?

They are among the celebrities with roots in the Northwest suburbs who have left a mark on the country during this century.

Before moving to the White House, or even Arkansas, Hillary Rodham Clinton spent her time here. She was born in Chicago in 1947 before moving to Park Ridge, where she attended Eugene Field Grade School and then Maine East High School.

When Maine South opened in 1964 she transferred there for her senior year and graduated in 1965. A frequent visitor to her hometown, Clinton returned to her roots in a big way with a nostalgic visit to her former grade school as part of a 50th birthday bash in October 1997. She now is planning to run for the U.S. Senate from New York.

Born in 1919, Frederik Pohl is considered one of the best science fiction writers of this century. In 1992, he was named grand master of science fiction by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, which considers "Gateway" and "Man Plus" among his best. He has written more than 100 books on various topics, but his primary focus is science fiction. He's lived in Palatine for more than a decade.

Ted Nugent, a right-wing rock guitarist and a National Rifle Association activist, used to play gigs in the Cellar, a venue popular in Arlington Heights from 1964 to 1970. A young Nugent played there when he was in the Amboy Dukes, before "Cat Scratch Fever" hit the charts. His parents moved to Palatine in 1965 from Michigan where he grew up. He was born in Detroit in 1948.

Cynthia Rowley, a fashion designer in New York, grew up in Barrington. She graduated from Barrington High School and now is among the celebrities on the school's Wall of Fame. In 1995 she opened a boutique in Chicago complete with stylish dresses, sportswear and shoes. Among her most famous clients: first lady Hillary Clinton, actresses Sarah Jessica Parker and Sigourney Weaver and singer Sheryl Crow.

Another designer, Eileen Fisher, grew up in Des Plaines and attended the now-closed all girls St. Patrick's High School. While she dreamed of being a dancer as a young girl, Fisher now lives in New York and is one of the best-known designers in the country. She previously worked as an interior designer and graphic artist. Among her many stores is the Eileen Fisher outlet store in Arlington Heights. She was born in 1950.

In 1987, at age 21, Marlee Matlin won an Academy Award for her role in "Children of a Lesser God." She made history for becoming the first deaf actress to win the coveted Oscar. Matlin grew up in Morton Grove, graduated from Hersey High School in Arlington Heights in 1983 and attended Harper College in Palatine.

The star of shows including "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" and "Babylon 5," Bruce Boxleitner, was raised in Mount Prospect. He is married to actress Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura on the family show "Little House on the Prairie."

John Loprieno, the former star of the daytime soap opera "One Life to Live," grew up in Elk Grove Village. Loprieno played Cord Roberts on the daytime soap from 1986-1992 and then again from 1993-1997. Previously he was the third Brad Syder on another soap, "As the World Turns." He is a 1978 graduate of Elk Grove High School. Loprieno currently is writing screenplays and teaching acting classes at a junior college in California.

Gary Cole, a Rolling Meadows native, is an award-winning actor who gained widespread fame after "Fatal Vision," a 1984 mini-series. He starred in the TV shows "Midnight Caller" and "American Gothic." Most recently Cole portrayed Mike Brady in the "Brady Bunch" movies. Cole was born in Park Ridge in 1956. He graduated from Rolling Meadows High School in 1974 and in 1997 was honored as a distinguished alum.

Seattle Mariners catcher Dan Wilson was born in Arlington Heights in 1969 and grew up in Barrington. Wilson was an American League All-Star in 1996 when he hit .285 with 18 home runs and 83 RBIs. He's been playing for Seattle since 1993. He was a catcher and pitcher for Barrington High School, graduating in 1987.

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