Celebrating remarkable people who got their start right here in the Queen City. Johnny Swinger: Born- July 3, 1975 

A Buffalo Kid Falls for the Squared Circle 

Born Joseph Dorgan, Johnny Swinger grew up in Buffalo’s hardworking, blue-collar 1970s and fell hard for professional wrestling as a kid, soaking up the larger-than-life characters on TV. That early fascination turned into a career that has carried him across the globe for decades, built on charisma, in-ring skill, and a knack for reinvention.

Robert E. Rich Sr.- Born: July 7, 1913 

From an Ice Cream Plant to a Food Industry Revolution 

Raised in Buffalo around his father’s ice cream plant, Robert E. Rich Sr. attended Bennett High School and the University at Buffalo before turning that early exposure to food into a career-defining breakthrough. During World War II, he invented the first non-dairy whipped topping made from soybeans — a freezable, long-lasting product that transformed the food service industry. 

Rachael Lillis– Born: July 8, 1969 

A Buffalo Voice Heard Around the World

Rachael Lillis grew up in Buffalo before heading to New York City to study theater and pursue acting, eventually finding her true calling in voice work. Her range and dedication to craft carried the tenacity of her hometown into a field where she’d go on to reach millions.