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You don鈥檛 necessarily have to be born in Tinseltown to make it as a star. While it certainly helps to be born in the epicenter of the entertainment industry, the path to Hollywood is not always a direct one. Today鈥檚 stars have varied roots across the country, such as a cattle ranch in Wyoming or New York City鈥檚 theaters.
Each state has produced at least one star it is proud to call its own. Some states, like California or New York, were the birthplace for a whole pack of actors. In order to definitively determine the most famous actor or actress, the data scientists at queried its for the top Hollywood celebrities from each state and the District of Columbia.
To calculate a celebrity’s 鈥淎ctor Score,鈥� we took a weighted average of the following:
- Number of awards they have been nominated for
- Total number of IMDb reviews for films and television shows they had roles in
- Recent interest, as determined by Wikipedia page views (specifically, from Feb. 20, 2016 through March 20, 2016)
These factors determined a score on a 1-100 scale, with 100 denoting the highest level of acting fame. In this list, some actors with surging interest will outrank more familiar names, due to the methodology鈥檚 emphasis on recent buzz. We broke tie scores with the raw number of recent Wikipedia page views.
Alabama: Channing Tatum
Actor Score: 86.3 Birthplace: Cullman, Alabama Channing Tatum started out as a model and dancer before making it big in 鈥淪tep Up.鈥� He played the title role in 鈥淢agic Mike,鈥� as a male stripper. 听
Alaska: Annie Parisse
Actor Score: 25.3
Birthplace: Anchorage, Alaska
Annie Parisse broke into the industry through her role in the soap opera 鈥淎s the World Turns.鈥� Although she is an Alaska native, she was raised in Seattle, Washington.
Arizona: Emma Stone
Actor Score: 90.0 Birthplace: Scottsdale, Arizona Emma Stone, a versatile actress, is known for her roles in 鈥淓asy A鈥� and 鈥淏irdman.鈥� As a teenager, Stone moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. 听
Arkansas: Billy Bob Thornton
Actor Score: 83.6
Birthplace: Hot Springs, Arkansas
Billy Bob Thornton won an Oscar for 鈥淪ling Blade鈥�(1996), which he wrote, directed and starred in.
California: Leonardo DiCaprio
Actor Score: 100.0 Birthplace: Los Angeles, California Leonardo DiCaprio, a Los Angeles native, has made his mark in Hollywood with decades of highly acclaimed roles. He won his first (and perhaps long overdue) Oscar in 2016 for his role in 鈥淭he Revenant.鈥� Leo had some tight competition for the spot as the most famous actor: namely, Tom Hanks and Clint Eastwood. 听
Colorado: Tim Allen
Actor Score: 85.3
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado
Tim Allen was born in Colorado but moved to Michigan as a teenager. Although known for his role in 鈥淗ome Improvement,鈥� Allen started out as a stand-up comic.
Connecticut: Seth MacFarlane
Actor Score: 91.0 Birthplace: Kent, Connecticut Seth MacFarlane, the mind behind 鈥淔amily Guy,鈥� took on acting in 鈥淎 Million Ways to Die in the West鈥� and voice-acting in 鈥淭ed.鈥� 听
Delaware: Elisabeth Shue
Actor Score: 69.0
Birthplace: Wilmington, Delaware
Elisabeth Shue, known for her parts in 鈥淭he Karate Kid鈥� and “Leaving Las Vegas,” started acting in television commercials while a student at Wellesley College.
Florida: William H. Macy
Actor Score: 93.6 Birthplace: Miami, Florida William H. Macy, born in Miami, is known for his roles in 鈥淪hameless鈥� and 鈥淔argo.鈥� 听
Georgia: Julia Roberts
Actor Score: 95.0
Birthplace: Smyrna, Georgia
Julia Roberts, although born in Smyrna, Georgia, later moved to New York after graduating from high school. Roberts won an Oscar in 2001 for her role in 鈥淓rin Brockovich.鈥�
Hawaii: Nicole Kidman
Actor Score: 91.0 Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii Although considered an Australian actress, Nicole Kidman was actually born in Hawaii to Aussie parents. This accomplished actress starred in four different films in 2015 alone. 听
Idaho: Aaron Paul
Actor Score: 85.0
Birthplace: Emmett, Idaho
is known for his part as Jesse in 鈥淏reaking Bad.鈥� He was nominated for five Emmys for this role and won three of them.
Illinois: Robin Williams
Actor Score: 97.6 Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois Robin Williams, born in Chicago and raised in Detroit, has been a household name since his breakthrough television roles in the late 1970s. Williams is remembered for many roles in films, such as in 鈥淕ood Will Hunting鈥� and 鈥淒ead Poets Society.鈥� 听
Indiana: Jenna Fischer
Actor Score: 71.3
Birthplace: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Jenna Fischer worked as an and found small acting roles in Los Angeles until she had her big breakthrough role as Pam Beesly in 鈥淭he Office.鈥�
Iowa: Cloris Leachman
Actor Score: 81.6 Birthplace: Des Moines, Iowa Cloris Leachman has spent decades acting in a variety of shows, films and plays. She is known for her part in 鈥淭he Mary Tyler Moore Show鈥� and also as Ida, the chain-smoking grandmother in 鈥淢alcolm in the Middle.鈥� 听
Kansas: Dennis Hopper
Actor Score: 79.3
Birthplace: Dodge City, Kansas
Dennis Hopper found mainstream success in 鈥淩ebel Without a Cause,鈥� acting alongside James Dean. He died in 2010.
Kentucky: Johnny Depp
Actor Score: 98.6 Birthplace: Owensboro, Kentucky Johnny Depp, a fourth-generation Kentuckian, when he was seven. His first role was in 鈥淭he Nightmare on Elm Street鈥� in 1984. Depp tied for the spot of Kentucky鈥檚 most famous actor with George Clooney. The tie was broken by Depp’s Wikipedia popularity. 听
Louisiana: Ellen DeGeneres
Actor Score: 93.3
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana
Ellen DeGeneres, originally a stand-up comic, has won multiple Emmys for her long-running talk show 鈥淭he Ellen DeGeneres Show.鈥� Although not traditionally known for her acting, she qualifies for this list through her work as the voice behind the fish Dory in 鈥淔inding Nemo.鈥�
Maine: Anna Kendrick
Actor Score: 88.6 Birthplace: Portland, Maine Anna Kendrick, born in Portland, Maine, would travel to as a young girl. She is now known for her starring role as Beca in the Pitch Perfect films. 听
Maryland: Julie Bowen
Actor Score: 80.0
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland
Julie Bowen has made a name for herself in the shows 鈥淏oston Legal,鈥� 鈥淲eeds鈥� and 鈥淢odern Family.鈥�
Massachusetts: Matt Damon
Actor Score: 99.3 Birthplace: Cambridge, Massachusetts Matt Damon had his Hollywood breakthrough in 1997 as Will Hunting in 鈥淕ood Will Hunting.鈥� He recently starred in 鈥淭he Martian.鈥� 听
Michigan: J.K. Simmons
Actor Score: 92.6
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
J.K. Simmons stared his career as a . He now has decades worth of acting credits. He won an Oscar and Golden Globe for his performance in 鈥淲hiplash鈥� (2014).
Minnesota: Jessica Lange
Actor Score: 89.0 Birthplace: Cloquet, Minnesota Jessica Lange grew up in a small town in Minnesota but has proven herself as a formidable talent on the stage and screen. Although she has snagged multiple Oscars and Golden Globe awards, many know her for her roles in 鈥淎merican Horror Story.鈥� 听
Mississippi: Oprah Winfrey
Actor Score: 90.0
Birthplace: Kosciusko, Mississippi
Oprah Winfrey, born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, is the queen of daytime talk shows with 鈥淭he Oprah Winfrey Show.鈥� Although she is mainly known for her talk show work, she played the part of Sofia in the 1985 film 鈥淭he Color Purple.鈥� Winfrey said that this film .
Missouri: John Goodman
Actor Score: 96.6 Birthplace: Affton, Missouri John Goodman was a central part of ’90s television as the husband on 鈥淩oseanne.鈥� He recently gave a critically-acclaimed performance as Howard in 鈥�10 Cloverfield Lane.鈥� 听
Montana: David Lynch
Actor Score: 80.6
Birthplace: Missoula, Montana
David Lynch is the creator of 鈥淭win Peaks,鈥� which he also acted in.
Nebraska: Marlon Brando
Actor Score: 92.3 Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska Marlon Brando became an acting legend with memorable roles in 鈥淎 Streetcar Named Desire,鈥� 鈥淭he Godfather鈥� and 鈥淎pocalypse Now.鈥� Although he was born in Nebraska, Brando was also raised in Illinois and attended a military academy in Minnesota. 听
Nevada: Jena Malone
Actor Score: 70.0
Birthplace: Sparks, Nevada
Jena Malone was born in Nevada but moved to Los Angeles with her mother to pursue acting. She is known for her roles in 鈥淒onnie Darko,鈥� 鈥淚nto the Wild鈥� and 鈥淪aved!鈥�
New Hampshire: Sarah Silverman
Actor Score: 79.0 Birthplace: Bedford, New Hampshire Sarah Silverman, at the age of 22, started writing for and performing on 鈥淪aturday Night Live.鈥� She wrote and starred in her own Comedy Central series 鈥淭he Sarah Silverman Show.鈥� 听
New Jersey: Kevin Spacey
Actor Score: 99.3
Birthplace: South Orange, New Jersey
Kevin Spacey, born in New Jersey but raised in the Los Angeles area, has been acting since the 1980s. He plays Frank Underwood in the Netflix series 鈥淗ouse of Cards.鈥�
New Mexico: Neil Patrick Harris
Actor Score: 91.0 Birthplace: Albuquerque, New Mexico Neil Patrick Harris, the son of lawyers, had his start as a child actor in the 1988 film 鈥淐lara鈥檚 Heart.鈥� He has since established himself as an adult actor on the stage and in the popular series 鈥淗ow I Met Your Mother.鈥� 听
New York: Robert De Niro
Actor Score: 99.0
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Robert De Niro has had an extensive acting career, having starred in over 100 films and receiving two Oscars. New York had tough competition for the spot of the most famous actor, with Tom Cruise trailing closely behind De Niro.
North Carolina: Julianne Moore
Actor Score: 94.3 Birthplace: Fayetteville, North Carolina Julianne Moore, born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was on the soap opera 鈥淎s the World Turns.鈥� She has since had memorable roles in 鈥淪till Alice,鈥� 鈥淏oogie Nights鈥� and 鈥淭he Big Lebowski.鈥� 听
North Dakota: Josh Duhamel
Actor Score: 72.0
Birthplace: Minot, North Dakota
Josh Duhamel moved to San Francisco after college and found work as a model. He achieved acting success in the television series 鈥淟as Vegas鈥� and soap opera 鈥淎ll My Children.鈥�
Ohio: Halle Berry
Actor Score: 92.6 Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio Halle Berry, once a pageant queen and model, is now known for roles in 鈥淛ungle Fever,鈥� 鈥淴-Men鈥� and 鈥淐atwoman.鈥� Berry tied with Martin Sheen for this coveted Ohio spot but won in the tiebreaker. 听
Oklahoma: Brad Pitt
Actor Score: 99.3
Birthplace: Shawnee, Oklahoma
has made his mark as a Hollywood heartthrob through roles in films like 鈥淔ight Club,鈥� 鈥淪natch,鈥� 鈥�12 Monkeys,鈥� 鈥淚nglourious Basterds鈥� and the Ocean鈥檚 Eleven franchise. He was born in Oklahoma, spent time in Missouri and moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.
Oregon: Ty Burrell
Actor Score: 77.3 Birthplace: Grants Pass, Oregon Although born in Oregon, Ty Burrell moved to New York City in order to pursue an acting career. He is known for roles in 鈥淏lack Hawk Down,鈥� 鈥淒awn of the Dead鈥� and the sitcom 鈥淢odern Family.鈥� 听
Pennsylvania: Will Smith
Actor Score: 97.3
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Will Smith started off with a rap career that led to his becoming 鈥淭he Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.鈥� He has since become one of Hollywood鈥檚 leading men with parts in 鈥淚ndependence Day,鈥� 鈥淢en in Black,鈥� 鈥淚 Am Legend鈥� and 鈥淭he Pursuit of Happyness.鈥�
Rhode Island: Mena Suvari
Actor Score: 60.0 Birthplace: Newport, Rhode Island Mena Suvari, who started her career as a model, acted in films such as 鈥淎merican Pie鈥� and 鈥淎merican Beauty.鈥� 听
South Carolina: Chris Rock
Actor Score: 95.6
Birthplace: Andrews, South Carolina
Although Chris Rock often reflects on his Brooklyn upbringing, he was actually born in Andrews, South Carolina. He achieved mainstream success in 1990 when he became part of the 鈥淪aturday Night Live鈥� cast.
South Dakota: January Jones
Actor Score: 74.3 Birthplace: Sioux Falls, South Dakota January Jones, at the age of 18, moved to New York City in order to pursue a modeling career. She landed a variety of acting gigs with perhaps her most significant as Betty Draper in AMC鈥檚 鈥淢ad Men.鈥� 听
Tennessee: Morgan Freeman
Actor Score: 98.0
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee
Morgan Freeman has played memorable roles in 鈥淚nvictus,鈥� 鈥淭he Shawshank Redemption鈥� and 鈥淢illion Dollar Baby,鈥� which earned him an Oscar.
Texas: Robin Wright
Actor Score: 95.0 Birthplace: Dallas, Texas Robin Wright, born in Texas and raised in San Diego, is most recently known for her role as Claire Underwood in 鈥淗ouse of Cards.鈥� 听
Utah: James Woods
Actor Score: 85.3
Birthplace: Vernal, Utah
James Woods was born in Utah but attended high school in Rhode Island. He dropped out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to pursue a career in acting. He is known for his acting roles in 鈥淐asino鈥� and HBO鈥檚 鈥淭oo Big to Fail.鈥�
Vermont: Orson Bean
Actor Score: 32.6 Birthplace: Burlington, Vermont Orson Bean started off doing stand-up comedy in the 1960s. He has made a variety of television appearances and is known for his 1999 acting role in the film 鈥淏eing John Malkovich.鈥� 听
Virginia: Sandra Bullock
Actor Score: 94.6
Birthplace: Arlington, Virginia
Sandra Bullock鈥檚 1994 role as Annie in 鈥淪peed鈥� put her on the radar in Hollywood. She has since gone on to star in many films including 鈥淢iss Congeniality,鈥� 鈥淐rash,鈥� 鈥淕ravity鈥� and 鈥淭he Proposal.鈥�
Washington: Rainn Wilson
Actor Score: 77.0 Birthplace: Seattle, Washington Although raised in Seattle, spent his teens in Illinois. After graduate school, Wilson acted in stage productions and eventually landed roles in television series and films. He made his mark playing Dwight Schrute on the television series 鈥淭he Office.” 听
Washington, D.C: Taraji P. Henson.
Actor Score: 85.6
Birthplace: Washington, District of Columbia
Taraji P. Henson, known for 鈥淭he Curious Case of Benjamin Button,鈥� 鈥淗ustle & Flow鈥� and 鈥淓mpire,鈥� didn鈥檛 receive her big break until the age of 26 in the television series 鈥淪mart Guy.鈥�
West Virginia: John Corbett
Actor Score: 73.6 Birthplace: Wheeling, West Virginia John Corbett discovered his passion for acting after moving to California. He is known for his roles in 鈥淢y Big Fat Greek Wedding鈥� and 鈥淪ex and the City.鈥� 听
Wisconsin: Mark Ruffalo
Actor Score: 94.0
Birthplace: Kenosha, Wisconsin
The film 鈥淎 Streetcar Named Desire鈥� inspired to pursue an acting career. After attending high school in Virginia, Ruffalo studied acting in Los Angeles. He is known for his roles in 鈥淭he Kids Are Alright,鈥� 鈥淭he Avengers鈥� and “Spotlight.”
Wyoming: Jim Beaver
Actor Score: 27.7 Birthplace: Laramie, Wyoming is known for his roles in 鈥淒eadwood鈥� and 鈥淛ustified.鈥� He has also worked as a 听
