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One of Portland's most famous sons is Matt Groening, creator of 'The Simpsons.' At one point according to a poll taken in the United Kingdom and reported on by ABC News, 'The Simpsons' were voted more popular than the royal family. Elsewhere, the man that brought us films like 'Good Will Hunting' (1997) and 'My Own Private Idaho' (1991), movie director Gus Van Sant, is also a Portland native.
Portland is the largest city in the state of Oregon, though not the capital. That distinction belongs to Salem. Surprisingly, perhaps, Portland is a celebrity hub known for being the birthplace of several high-profile personalities.
Houston, the most populous city in Texas, can count a fair few celebrity heads, too.
Country music singer Kenny Rogers (1938–2020) was born in Houston. So, too, was Jennifer Garner, Dennis Quaid, and Patrick Swayze (1952–2009). Singer Beyoncé, seen here with six Grammys backstage at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards in 2004, was born in Houston in 1981.
Georgia's state capital, Atlanta, can boast a celebrity roll call of famous names born in the city.
Julia Roberts, pictured here at the 'Money Monster' premiere in Cannes in 2016, was born in Smyrna, which lies within Atlanta city limits. Other Atlanta-born stars include Kelly Roland, Kanye West, Spike Lee, and, of course, Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968).
The capital of the state of Hawaii, Honolulu is situated along the southeast coast of the island of Oʻahu. This city in paradise is the birthplace of several A-list celebrities.
Nicole Kidman was born in Honolulu, although she's often mistaken for being born in Australia. She shares her birthplace with people like Bette Milder, Bruno Mars, and former US president Barack Obama.
Will Smith, seen here presenting at the 81st Annual Academy Awards in 2009, shares his hometown with the likes of Kevin Bacon, Richard Gere, and Bradley Cooper.
America's third-largest city has produced some great names in the entertainment business, all of whom are proud of their "Windy City" roots.
Harrison Ford has long held an affinity for his hometown. John Cusack was born in Chicago and still lives there. Robin Williams (1951–2014), Bill Murray (in fact from Evanston, a city in the Chicagoland area), and 'X-Files' star Gillian Anderson are among others who hail from the city.
Dallas has a population from a myriad of ethnic and religious backgrounds. And it can claim some pretty impressive celebrity credentials, too.
Dallas-born celebrities include Owen Wilson, pictured attending the premiere of 'The French Dispatch' at the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival in 2021. Musicians Stephen Stills, Meat Loaf, and ZZ Top's Dusty Hill (1949–2021) are all Dallas born as well.
The largest city in Louisiana and renowned for its distinctive music scene, New Orleans has delivered its fair share of celebrities over the years.
Among the stars born in the "Big Easy" are Reese Witherspoon and Harry Connick Jr. Suitably, one of the most influential names in jazz, Louis Armstrong, was also born here.
It's no surprise that the entertainment capital of the world is the source of hundreds of LA-born celebrities.
But it is the "Big Apple" that can claim the distinction of being the top US city in which future celebrities are born. And the roster is impressive.
Robert De Niro is a native New Yorker. Lady Gaga was born in the city. Al Pacino, Jennifer Lopez, and Jane Fonda all come from here. Yup, New York, the city that never sleeps, is a superstar hotspot!
So much for individual cities. But what US states are the most common states of birth for A-listers? Tennessee, known for places like Memphis (pictured), Knoxville, and Nashville, ranks at number 10.
Oklahoma is perhaps an unlikely state to be associated with A-list celebs. But the "Sooner State" is the birthplace of several well-known names.
Michigan, a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States, has given us several famous entertainers.
A small state, Massachusetts is nonetheless big on famous personalities.
Uma Thurman was born in Boston. For his part, John F. Kennedy (1917–1963) was born in Brookline. Matt Damon comes from Cambridge. Geena Davis was born in Wareham, while 'Godfather' star John Cazale (1935–1978) hailed from Revere.
Georgia, America's "Peach State," has borne a harvest of superstar fruit.
Another small US state, New Jersey can give even neighboring celeb-rich NYC a run for its money.
Frank Sinatra (1915–1998) was born in Hoboken. Jack Nicholson comes from Neptune City. Summit is where Meryl Streep entered this world, while Joe Pesci is Newark born. And James Gandolfini, best known as New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano, was born in Westwood.
Ohio owes its celebrity status to some of the most illustrious names in show business.
Acting great Paul Newman was born in Shaker Heights. Cleveland is the birthplace of Halle Berry, while musician Dave Grohl comes from Warren. Director Steven Spielberg, meanwhile, is a son of Cincinnati.
The "Lone Star State" has plenty of stars to its name.
Jamie Foxx was born in Terrell. Numbering other Texans are Woody Harrelson from Midland, Tommy Lee Jones from San Saba, and Renée Zellweger (pictured), who was born in Katy. Matthew McConaughey is another celebrity proud of their Lone Star roots—he was born in Uvalde.
New York encompasses the Big Apple, so you'd expect a glittering galaxy of stars in this state. But there are lots of places beyond the city associated with celebs.
Syracuse is where Tom Cruise was born. Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Meta (formerly Facebook), comes from White Plains. Mariah Carey is Huntingdon-born, while Denzel Washington is from Mount Vernon.
And the US state where most A-listers were born is, surprise, surprise, California. But there's more to this star state than just LA.
The list of names is numerous and includes Clint Eastwood, born in San Francisco, Tom Hanks from Concord, Katy Perry, who was born in Santa Barbara, and Robert Redford, who's from Santa Monica.
Sources: (Homes.com) (ABC News)
Hollywood legend James Garner (1928–2014) was born in Norman. Director Ron Howard was born in another town with a guy's name, Duncan. Country music star Garth Brooks is Tulsa born. And did you know that Brad Pitt was born in the city of Shawnee?
Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania, and one of the 13 original founding states of the United States. There are plenty of famous Philadelphians native to the "City of Brotherly Love."
Where but Detroit could Motown queen Diana Ross come from? Producer Jerry Bruckheimer was also born in the "Motor City." Elsewhere, Burt Reynolds (1936–2018) came from Lansing, as does another cinema tough guy Steven Seagal. Model Christie Brinkley, meanwhile, was born in Monroe.
Do you know what the 10 most common cities of birth of A-list celebrities are? And what about the 10 most common states of birth of said celebs? The answers will surprise and, perhaps, delight you.
Click through, count down, and find out the US cities and states that produce the most superstars.
The US cities and states that produce the most celebrities
Places that are the birthplace of numerous iconic individuals
CELEBRITY Fame
Do you know what the 10 most common cities of birth of A-list celebrities are? And what about the 10 most common states of birth of said celebs? The answers will surprise and, perhaps, delight you.
Click through, count down, and find out the US cities and states that produce the most superstars.