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Not all celebrities were born and raised in places like Los Angeles or New York City! In fact, many of them come from rural backgrounds and rough beginnings. Do you know who the most famous person from your home state is?
New Jersey: Paul Rudd
Paul Rudd is considered a hometown hero in Passaic, New Jersey. He lived there until he was ten, at which point he moved to Overland Park, Kansas. Although he didn't live out his most formative years in Jersey, locals still look to him as the most famous person to come from the area. Other greats from Jersey include Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Meryl Streep, and Danny DeVito.
Rudd got his start in classics like Clueless, Romeo + Juliet, Wet Hot American Summer, Anchor Man, Knocked up... the list could go on. He's also recently become everyone's favorite celebrity with his hilarious and down-to-Earth interview style. He's a great person on and off the movie screen!
Maryland: Anna Faris
Anna Faris was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to a sociology professor father and a special education teacher mother. She spent most of her childhood in Baltimore before her family moved to Washington state. She spent a short time in the state but still calls it her hometown!
Anna Faris has had a pretty successful movie career. She's been all over the silver screen in the Scary Movie series and made headlines with her role in The House Bunny. She's been pretty quiet ever since but has been on the show Mom since 2013.
New York: Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Junior grew up in New York City. He definitely lived it up in Manhattan as his famous father helped him snag some roles to get the ball moving. He was well-known enough to land some big ones eventually! At one point, he was one of the world's highest-paid actors.
RDJ is still one of the most popular actors of all time. The fact that he emulates the personality of Tony Stark/Iron Man really helps seal the deal for some fans. Other than Iron Man and The Avengers, he popularized Sherlock Holmes and Dolittle.
New Mexico: Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her mother had been a former cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys, so it's no wonder that Lovato was naturally a performer. Her mother and father divorced, and Lovato moved to Texas.
Lovato appeared on the children's television series Barney & Friends when she was little. She perfected her career in her role as Mitchie Torres in the Disney Channel film Camp Rock and its sequel Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. She has since gained major popularity for her music.
Oregon: Ty Burrell
Rumor has it that Ty Burrell is the type of person where he is exactly who he is on-screen. He was a normal dude living in Oregon. He played football in college, got his degree, and started to live out the "American Dream" there. He got bored, moved to California, and became an actor!
Burrell originally gained popularity through several roles on Broadway, including Macbeth, and the off-Broadway plays Corners, The Blue Demon, Burn This, and Show People. After his stint in New York, he moved to California and began acting on TV and in movies. His most famous piece of work is the tv series Modern Family.
Pennsylvania: Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift grew up in rural Reading, Pennsylvania. Her family owned a Christmas tree farm and were pretty affluent. When Swift began to pursue her music career at the age of 14, her family picked up and moved to Nashville to help get her started. Tina Fey, Bradley Cooper, and even President Joe Biden were all born in the keystone state.
Taylor Swift doesn't keep her PA roots a secret. In fact, she's very proud of her hometown! She's one of the top music artists in the world with tons of chart-topping singles and hits. Fans also love her sweet personality and disposition.
Texas: Beyonce
If you had to compare Beyonce to a state, it would definitely be Texas. Everything is bigger in Texas, including Beyonce's career! Her mother is from Louisiana and her father is from Alabama. They moved to Texas and ended up raising two spitfire daughters who ended up having illustrious careers.
Queen Bey has always claimed Texas as her home state. She and hubby Jay-Z have homes all over the place, like New York City, Los Angeles, The Hamptons, and in Texas. She's a real estate mogul!
Massachusetts: Mark Wahlberg
It's literally impossible to not know that Mark Wahlberg is from Boston. He would never let you forget it! He was born into an impoverished family of nine. He and his siblings struggled with their drug addictions, prison charges, and access to food. Now, they're all sitting pretty.
Even though Wahlberg has left Boston, Boston will not leave Wahlberg. His classic accent seems to follow him wherever he lives! That's alright with him, though, because he's proudly Boston raised.
Kentucky: Johnny Depp
Although Johnny Depp moved around a lot, he spent the majority of his childhood in Kentucky. His family settled down in Florida after his parents got divorced. George Clooney and Jennifer Lawrence are also famous names from Kentucky!
Despite all of the drama in his life, Depp is one of the most renowned actors out there. He's starred in Sweeney Todd, Alice in Wonderland, Sleepy Hollow, Edward Scissorhands, and basically every Tim Burton film in existence.
Missouri: Brad Pitt
Bradd Pitt was born in Oklahoma but moved to Missouri when he was five months old. He was raised there where most of his family heritage is. Before he was an actor, he was a journalist!
No one would have guessed that Pitt is just a small-town Missouri boy! His films like Mr & Mrs. Smith, Fight Club, Interview with a Vampire, Seven, and more, are not indicative of a kid who was raised in a small Southern town.
Tennessee: Justin Timberlake
It only makes sense that Justin Timberlake was born in Tennesee. He's got music in his soul! Timberlake was raised in Memphis and moved to Los Angeles, California for his career. After he met his wife, Jessica Biel, the two settled down and moved back to where Timberlake started.
Timberlake has quite an illustrious career. He started with Mickey Mouse's Clubhouse, went on to be in a Boy Band, started a solo career, and even went into acting. He's classified as a household name at this point.
Ohio: John Legend
John Legend was born in Springfield, Ohio. He was homeschooled most of his life until he started his high school education at the tender age of 12. He graduated when he was 16, started college at the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania when he was 17, and then moved to California when he graduated.
Legend is known for being a songwriter, record producer, actor, film producer, theatre director, and philanthropist. Before he released his first album, Get Lifted, he collaborated with already established artists and signed to Kanye West's GOOD Music label.
Arizona: Emma Stone
Arizona is quite literally one of the hottest states in the country. Emma Stone grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, and even lived there for the majority of her early career. She decided to move to LA to continue growing her career...
After she moved to LA, she was an instant hit! She visited her home state from time to time but treasures her new hometown. Hailey Bieber and Jordin Sparks are two other notable Arizona natives!
Illinois: Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford, aka Han Solo and Indiana Jones, grew up in the city of Chicago. After he graduated high school, he moved out to Wisconsin for college. Funny enough, he studies English and philosophy! Acting was never really on his radar...
He was working around town as a carpenter while taking on small roles. He didn't think it would go anywhere but did it for fun! Somehow, he was hired to be Han Solo, and the rest is history. He's easily the most famous person to come out of Illinois... Maybe Betty White and Walt Disney could contend.
Iowa: Ashton Kutcher
Ashton Kutcher is one of the most lovable actors out there. He was born and raised in the quiet town of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It makes sense that he grew up in a sleepy town due to his lovable nature and positive attitude!
His mother worked at Proctor & Gamble while his father worked in a factory. Kutcher ended up providing for his family when he picked up a modeling contract at the age of 18. He won the Fresh Faces of Iowa modeling competition and went on to be an actor.
California: Meghan Markle
Even though Meghan Markle was British Royalty for a bit, she was born and raised in California! She grew up in Los Angeles, studied at Northwestern University, and took on small acting roles before meeting her royal husband. After living in the UK for a bit, the couple decided to retreat back to Markle's home state.
Markle had a role in the popular TV show Suits, which is when Prince Harry took note of her. They dated for a while before having the infamous royal wedding. California naturally breeds a lot of celebrities, but how many royals? Not too many!
Connecticut: Seth MacFarlane
Seth MacFarlane isn't really an actor, but he's behind a lot of your favorite TV shows. He's most famous for Family Guy and American Dad. MacFarlane was born and raised in Kent, Connecticut. He attended a private school that both of his parents worked at.
Even though he spent his entire adolescence in CT, he decided to jump into the voice acting industry and moved to LA. He ended up creating an incredible empire, which he wouldn't have been able to do so far away from LA. Other famous celebs from the state include Paul Giamatti, Glenn Close, and Katharine Hepburn.
Hawaii: Jason Mamoa
As Aquaman, it only makes sense that he's a native Hawaiian. His mother and father lived in Honolulu for most of his childhood until they got divorced. Then, his mother took him away to Iowa.
Mamoa went to Colorado State University. After graduating, he moved back to Hawaii to live with his father. He ended up getting spotted by a modeling agency six months after graduating, and the rest is history.
Florida: Ariana Grande
Pop Princess Ariana Grande was born and raised in Boca Raton, Florida. She grew up performing at the Fort Lauderdale Children's Theater. Eventually, she landed a deal with Disney and eventually Nickelodeon. She's easily the most famous pop-star in the world.
When she was 13, Grande left Boca Raton and moved to Los Angeles. Her career took off immediately. She started acting and then turned to singing.
Georgia: Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts grew up in the sleepy part of Atlanta, Georgia. Her parents co-founded the Atlanta Actors and Writers Workshop, where many prolific folks got their start in the industry. She and her other talented sibs were obviously inspired by their parents' work.
From the Big Peach to the Big Apple
She eventually moved to New York City and lived with her brother and sister. They put her up and helped her leap into the acting world. She landed her first role as an extra in Blood Red, and only went up from there.
Colorado: Tim Allen
Santa Claus himself was born in Denver, Colorado in 1953. He spent all of his childhood in the rocky state until moving to Michigan after his father died. Even though he spent his teenage years there, he still refers to himself as a native Colorado man!
Allen especially loves Colorado since it's where he spent his life with his father. Tim Allen is easily the most famous person from Colorado, but Zachery Ty Brya, M. Scott Carpenter, and Lon Chaney are some honorable mentions.
Alabama: Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum was born on April 26th, 1980 in Cullman, Alabama. He lived in the small town until he was around six years old. His family ended up moving to Mississippi where he went to high school. Even though a large portion of his upbringing was in Mississippi, he still calls Cullman, Alabama is hometown.
Not only does he call Alabama home, but he's also a strict Alabama sports team fan. He frequently travels to University of Alabama sports games... even all the way from his mansion in Beverly Hills! Courtney Cox, Lionel Richie, and Octavia Spencer are all from Alabama as well.
Indiana: David Letterman
David Letterman is quite popular with the older generations. The famous talk show host was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. He grew up with his florist father and church secretary mother.
attended Ball State University and graduated by the skin of his teeth. He moved to LA to pursue a career in television and ended up becoming one of the most notable talk show hosts in history. The Jackson family and James Dean are also from Indiana.
Alaska: Jewel
Alaska is a tricky one, but they actually have one incredibly famous citizen: Jewel. She grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and somehow burst out of the frigid music scene. Her family was featured on an episode of Alaska: The Last Frontier.
Jewel always talked about her magical childhood. She remembers riding horses, fishing, and picking berries with her brothers and sisters. Even though she left for a fast-paced life in LA, she still loves Alaska.
Idaho: Aaron Paul
Most people know this face as Jesse Pinkemon from Breaking Bad. Paul was born and raised in Emmett, Ohio. The second he graduated high school, he left. He packed up his car and headed straight to Los Angeles to find his big break.
The sweetest part about his story? He didn't go to LA alone. In fact, he took his mom with him and made sure to keep her comfortable there. Living in LA was a lifelong goal of him at that point, and he had a pretty hefty savings to keep him and his mom comfortable until he hit his big break.
Delaware: Ryan Phillippe
Phillippe grew up in New Castle, Delaware. His mother owned a daycare center and his father worked in a lab as a chemist. Phillippe lived in Delaware until he was 18. He quickly left right after graduating high school to pursue a career in acting.
Arkansas: Billy Bob Thornton
Billy Bob Thornton moved around a lot as a kid, but a large portion of his early life was spent in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His grandmother raised him in a tiny, two-bedroom cabin with no electricity or indoor plumbing. When he was 37, he co-wrote and starred in the 1992 film One False Move, and the rest is history!
Michigan: Kristen Bell
Michigan is a pretty popular place for celebrities, but the most famous is easily Kristen Bell. She was raised right outside of Detroit but moved to New York City to attend NYU after high school. She's still very appreciative of her Michigan roots despite living in LA!
Louisiana: Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon is a Southern Belle. She was born and raised in New Orleans until she shipped herself off to the acting world. She's easily one of the most recognizable faces in the acting world. Her performance in the Legally Blonde franchise is iconic!
Maine: Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey totally looks like he'd be from Maine. The ER dreamboat was born and raised in Lewiston where he started his career being a juggler. Oddly enough, he placed second in an international juggling competition before he got his big break in acting.
Minnesota: Chris Pratt
Chris Pratt isn't the most popular person in the industry right now, but he is still the most notable face to come out of Minnesota. He's also one of the most notable Seattle Seahawks fans out there. Who would have thought that the Guardian of the Galaxy is from the frigid state of Minnesota?
Mississippi: Oprah Winfrey
Oprah is one of the most successful women of this generation. She was born in Mississippi to a poor family in a town that rallied against her. She fought tooth and nail to score a spot as a reporter but then lost that job before she could hit the ground running. Now, she's worth around 2.5 billion dollars. Mississippi is lucky to have her!
Kansas: Kirstie Alley
Kirstie Alley might not be a notable name or face for this generation, but for the kids of the 90s, she was everything. Alley grew up in Witchita, Kansas, and went to Kansas State University. She dropped out during her sophomore year and found fame on the show Cheers.
North Carolina: Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore is from a military family who moved around a lot, but Fort Bragg, North Carolina is her home. She moved a whopping 23 times before she turned 16, but North Carolina was her favorite. The 60-year-old has taken a break from acting to focus on her mental and physical health.
Montana: Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams was born in Kalispell, Montana. Her father was an author while her mother stayed at home with the kids. Williams was also homeschooled by her mother. The family made the move to San Diego when she was nine-years-old but also refers to Montana as her home.
Nebraska: Gabrielle Union
Most would think that Nebraska is just farmland and cows, but that's not true! A-lister celebrity Gabrielle Union was born and raised in the mid-West state. She and her family moved to California when she was nine, but she's still a Cornhusker football fan through and through.
New Hampshire: Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore was born in Nashua, New Hampshire. Although she started her career as a musician, she was recruited as an actor for small roles at the beginning of her career. She spent a small portion of her childhood in Florida, but she still recalls New Hampshire the state that raised her.
Nevada: Matthew Gray Gubler
Nevada isn't just deserts and Las Vegas. It's also the home state of everyone's favorite celebrity Matthew Gray Gubler. He lived in Las Vegas until he found his big break in Hollywood, which was to work on Criminal Minds. He packed up and moved, but it's only a 5-hour drive away so he visits his hometown frequently!
Virginia: Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock was born in Arlington, Virginia but moved around due to her military father. She never really got to call one place "home" but Arlington always felt like that to her! She spent 12 years of her life living in Germany and Austria before moving back to Arlington.
Wyoming: Jim Beaver
Wyoming is easily one of the most beautiful states in the country. Jim Beaver, Supernatural superstar, lived a quiet life in the state before hitting it big in the acting world. He graduated from college and moved to Texas before he got his big break. Now that he's in his golden years, he's enjoying most of his time back in Wyoming.
West Virginia: Brad Paisley
It only makes sense that one of the most famous country singers is from West Virginia. He was born to a poor family in Glen Dale where his father worked as a desk clerk for the Department of Transportation and his mother was an elementary school teacher. He was the youngest person to be inducted into the Jamboree USA Hall of Fame.
North Dakota: Josh Duhamel
North Dakota is a pretty desolate state for the most part. Josh Duhamel is a local hero to those folks! He also loves his former football team, the Minot State Beavers. He lives in Hollywood now, but he still has a soft spot for where he grew up.
Oklahoma: Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton grew up in Oklahoma until he moved to Tennessee when he was 17. Naturally, that's the state you move to where you want to make it big in the country industry! He still spends time in his home state and even owns a bar there!
Vermont: Damon Wayans Jr.
Damon Wayans Jr. is a popular face from the show New Girl. He actually grew up in Vermont, home of Bernie Sanders and Ben and Jerry's. Even though the show is over, he is still pursuing acting and was even in the recent hit Let's Be Cops.
Wisconsin: Mark Ruffalo
Mark Ruffalo (better known as The Hulk) was actually born and raised in Wisconsin! He moved to Virginia when he was 14, so a lot of his life lessons were learned in the cheesehead state.
South Carolina: Chadwick Boseman
Black Panther superstar Chadwick Boseman was born in a small town in South Carolina. He always wanted to be an actor and pursued that dream his entire life. He even wrote and directed his own play in high school. He attended Howard University after high school, but never stopped his pursuit of becoming an actor.
South Dakota: Bob Barker
The only thing that South Dakota has going for it is national treasure, Bob Barker. He was born and raised in a Native American reservation, loved playing sports, and loved going to school. The Price is Right host was beloved by many, even after his hosting days.
Utah: Julianne and Derek Hough
The famous siblings grew up in Utah. They were born to a politician father and raised in a Mormon family. The two grew up Mormon but stepped away from the religion after they moved out of their parent's home and into the land of the rich and famous.
Rhode Island: Debra Messing
Rhode Island is the setting of the cartoon show Family Guy, but it's also the home to famous actor Debra Messing. She was crowned Miss Junior Rhode Island in 1986, which was her first leap into the entertainment business. She left for Hollywood the second she turned 18.
Washington: Jeffery Dean Morgan
Jeffery Dean Morgan grew up in Seattle, Washington. He was captain of his high school football team and was even on the path to becoming a successful basketball player. His sports dreams were ruined when he tore his ACL, but that was just his first step into the acting world.