Kentucky Derby celebrities: See who’s come to Churchill Downs

Singer, actor, comedian Al Jolson tries out a news reel camera while attending the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 5, 1939

Courier-Journal File Photo.

Actor Don Ameche enjoyed the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 1940

Courier-Journal File Photo.

Former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman is all smiles while being surrounded by women at the Kentucky Derby. May 4, 1996

By Mary Ann Gerth, The Courier-Journal.

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson mugs with his Kentucky Derby entry Burnt Cork for the crowd in the paddock. Anderson played Jack Benny’s sidekick on Benny’s radio show. May 1943

By Art Abfier, The Courier-Journal.

Comedian Joe E. Brown cheered on a horse during a race on Kentucky Derby day. May 2, 1964

By Charles Fentress, The Courier-Journal.

Movie star Ann Sheridan attended the Kentucky Derby. May 5, 1951

By Whit Wooten, The Courier-Journal.

Televison star Marlo Thomas is seen at the Kentucky Derby. May 7, 1977.

By Stewart Bowman, The Courier-Journal.

ABC sportscaster Howard Cosell puffed on a cigar as he watched the day’s races at Churchill Downs on Derby day. May 5, 1984.

By Paul Schuhmann, The Courier-Journal.

The Queen of England and Prince Philip, left, at the Kentucky Derby. 2007

Pat McDonogh, Pat McDonogh / The Courier Journal

Merv Griffin at the Kentucky Derby.

PAUL SCHUHMANN

Actor Dennis Hopper enjoys his cigar on the 5th floor of the Skye Terrace. 2004

Mary Ann Gerth, BY MARY ANN GERTH, THE COURIER-JOURNAL

Tara Lipinski and the always outrageous Johnny Weir walked the Kentucky Derby red carpet at Churchill Downs in 2015. Fans are anxious to see what they will wear this year.

Frankie Steele/Special To The CJ

Conservative writer William F. Buckley enjoyed the Kentucky Derby from the Skye Terrace. May 7, 1993

By Scott Goldsmith, The Courier-Journal.

Major league baseball’s all-time hit leader, Peter Rose watched the races at Churchill Downs on Derby day. May 2, 1992

By Larry Spitzer, The Courier-Journal.

Actress Mary Ann Mobley is seen at the Derby. May 1992

By Mary Ann Gerth, The Courier-Journal

Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf gave a thumbs up to the crowd at the Kentucky Derby. May 4, 1991

By Randy West, Special To The Courier-Journal

Actress Dixie Carter celebrates as she watched a race at Churchill Downs on Derby day. On right is her husband, actor Hal Holbrook. By May 4, 1991

Larry Spitzer, The Courier-Journal

Comedian Whoppi Goldberg enjoyed her time at the Kentucky Derby. May 5, 1990

By Paul Schuhmann, The Courier-Journal.

Larry Hagman, star of the TV show Dallas, arrives on Millionaire’s Row at Churchill Down, on Derby day. May 5, 1990

By Pat McDonogh, The Courier-Journal.

Country music star Waylon Jennings, right and his wife and fellow singer Jessie Colter enjoyed their day at the Kentucky Derby. May 6, 1989

By Paul Schuhmann, The Courier-Journal.

Zsa Zsa Gabor is interviewed by WHAS Radio’s Milton Metz at the Kentucky Derby. May 7, 1988

By Mary Ann Gerth, The Courier-Journal.

Boxing promoter Don King is seen at the Kentucky Derby. May 5, 1984

By Paul Schuhmann, The Courier-Journal.

Larry Hagman, star of the television series Dallas is seen at the Kentucky Derby. May 7, 1988

By Mary Ann Gerth, The Courier-Journal.

Singer Kenny Rogers and his wife, Marianne Gordon Rogers enjoyed the Kentucky Derby. May 7, 1988

By Mary Ann Gerth, The Courier-Journal.

Comedian/actor Jerry Lewis is seen on Millionaire’s Row at the Kentucky Derby. May 7, 1988

By Mary Ann Gerth, The Courier-Journal.

Acclaimed author Kurt Vonnegut read The Daily Racing Form on his visit to the Kentucky Derby. May 2, 1987

By Pat McDonogh, The Courier-Journal.

Actor Levar Burton is seen at the Kentucky Derby. May 2, 1982

By Larry Spitzer, The Courier-Journal.

Louisville’s own Diane Sawyer is seen at the Kentucky Derby. May 1987

By Mary Ann Gerth, The Courier-Journal.

Actor Corbin Burnsen, star of the television series L.A. Law is seen at the Kentucky Derby. May 1987

By Mary Ann Gerth, The Courier-Journal.

Musician Ricky Skaggs, left and actor Dennis Cole enjoy their day at the Kentucky Derby. May 3, 1986

By Paul Schuhmann, The Courier-Journal.

Writer Buck Henry watched the races from Millionaires Row at Churchill Downs on Derby day. May 7, 1988

By Mary Ann Lyons, The Courier-Journal.

CBS Evening News anchor Walter Cronkite looks confused as he looks over his bets at the Kentucky Derby. May 5, 1984.

By Scott Goldsmith, The Courier-Journal.

Cincinnati Reds Hall-of-Fame catcher Johnny Bench watched a small portable television while attendng the Kentucky Derby. May 5, 1984

By Paul Schuhmann, The Courier-Journal.

Actor Gene Hackman is seen at the Kentucky Derby. May 1984

By Scott Goldsmith, The Courier-Journal.

Former First Lady Betty Ford a the Kentucky Derby. May 1984

By Paul Schuhmann, The Courier-Journal.

The Tonight Show’s Ed McMahon is interviewed by WHAS Radio’s Milton Metz at the Kentucky Derby. May 8, 1983

By Paul Schuhmann, The Courier-Journal.

Conservative columnist William F. Buckley is seen at the Kentucky Derby. May 1982

By Scott Goldsmith, The Courier-Journal.

Television talk show host Mary Hart, left, talks with actress Donna Mills at the Kentucky Derby. May 2, 1982

By Larry Spitzer, The Courier-Journal.

Television star Mark Harmon is seen at the Kentucky Derby. May 2, 1982

By Larry Spitzer, The Courier-Journal.

Actor Jim Belushi enjoyed his time at the Kentucky Derby. May 2, 1982

By Larry Spitzer, The Courier-Journal.

Muhammad Ali at the Kentucky Derby. May 3, 1980

By Paul Schuhmann, The Courier-Journal.

Jimmy The Greek enjoyed the Kentucky Derby. May 5, 1979

By Stewart Bowman, The Courier-Journal.

President Jimmy Carter’s brother Billy enjoyed part of his fifteen minutes of fame at the Kentucky Derby. May 6, 1978.

By Randy West, Special To The Courier-Journal.

Actor John Wayne is hugged by Mrs. John Swearingen, of Chicago, while attending the Kentucky Derby. May 1, 1976.

By J. Scott Applewhite, The Courier-Journal.

Comedian Bob Hope reacts after losing a race that he had bet on Derby day at Churchill Downs. On left is Governor Julian Carroll of Kentucky. May 1, 1976

By Melissa Farlow, The Courier-Journal.

Actor Hal Linden of the television show Barney Miller, lower left, is ignored by photographers and fans as they turn there attention to actor John Wayne. Both men were attending the Kentucky Derby. May 1, 1976.

By J. Scott Applewhite, The Courier-Journal.

Television actor William Conrad, from the TV show Cannon, toasted with a mint julep at the Kentucky Derby. May 3, 1975

By David Sutherland, The Courier-Journal.

Actor Lorne Green who played the character Ben Cartwright in the show Bonanza, attended the Kentucky Derby. May 3, 1975

By David Sutherland, The Courier-Journal.

Singer Glen Campbell and his wife Billie at the Kentucky Derby. May 3, 1975

By David Sutherland, The Courier-Journal.

Singer Andy Williams helped John Hooker Jr. to read a racing sheet while attending the Kentucky Derby. May 3, 1975

By David Sutherland, The Courier-Journal.

Green Bay Packers star and Louisville native Paul Hornung, center, enjoyed the day at the Kentucky Derby. May 2, 1964

By Charles Fentress, The Courier-Journal.

Comedian Jonathan Winters, in attendance at the Kentucky Derby. May 5, 1962

By James N. Keen, The Courier-Journal.

Movie star Susan Hayworth at the Kentucky Derby. . May 4, 1957

By Warren Klosterman, The Courier-Journal

Comedian and actor Bob Hope, left, is interviewed while attending the Kentucky Derby with Courier-Journal & Times publisher Barry Bingham Sr., center. May 1, 1954

By James N.Keen, The Courier-Journal

General Jonathan “Skinny” Wainwright is seen at the Kentucky Derby May 7, 1949

By Whit Wooten, The Courier-Journal.

Movie star Ann Sheridan attended the Kentucky Derby. April 29, 1948

By Whit Wooten, The Courier-Journal.

Actress Irene Dunn waves goodbye before boarding a plane at Bowman Field. Dunn was in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. May 5, 1940

Courier-Journal File Photo By Wade.

Actress Lana Turner along with Tony Martin enjoyed the action at the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 3, 1941

By Art Abfier, The Courier-Journal.