Connecticut is known for inventions, as the first color television, the Polaroid camera, helicopter, nuclear-powered submarine, phone book, and hamburger were all produced first in this state. The state is also the birthplace of many famous people who have done notable things throughout history, including actress Katherine Hepburn, activist Henry Ward Beacher, singer Karen Carpenter, and industrialist J.P. Morgan. There are also many celebrities from Connecticut, and they are famous for their work in various aspects of the entertainment industry. Here are our 20 favorite celebrities from Connecticut.
20. Brooke Burke
Brooke Burke is a television personality, actress, author, businesswoman, and fitness personality who was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on September 8, 1971. She is best known for hosting the E! Network travel show ‘Wild On!’ Burke is also known for hosting ‘Rock Star’ and ‘She’s Got the Look.’ Furthermore, Burke won the seventh season of ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ which led to her co-hosting the series from 2010 to 2013. She then launched a fitness app in 2017 called ‘Brooke Burke Body.’
19. Jenna Dewan
Actress and dancer Jenna Dewan was born in Hartford, Connecticut. She began her career in entertainment as a backing dancer for various artists, including Missy Elliot, Pink, and Christina Aguilera. In her television career, she is known for her appearances in ‘The Playboy Club,’ ‘American Horror Story: Asylum,’ ‘Witches of East End,’ ‘Supergirl,’ ‘Soundtrack,’ and ‘Superman & Lois.’ Dewan is also known for hosting ‘Flirty Dancing’ and ‘World of Dance.’ Her most significant film role was playing Nora Clark in the 2006 film ‘Step Up.’
18. James Van Der Beek
James Van Der Beek is probably best known for playing Dawson Leery in ‘Dawson’s Creek’ and Johnny Moxon in ‘Varsity Blues.’ He is also known for his roles in ‘CSI: Cyber,’ ‘Pose,’ and ‘Don’t Trust the B- – – – in Apartment 23.’ Although he was born in Cheshire, Connecticut, Van Der Beek moved to Los Angeles for his career, and he now lives in Texas with his wife and six children.
17. Robin de Jesus
Actor Robin de Jesus was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, although he is of Puerto Rican descent. As a stage actor, he was nominated for Tony Awards for his performances in stage productions including ‘The Boys in the Band,’ ‘La Cage aux Folles,’ and ‘In the Heights.’ De Jesus is also known for films including ‘Camp,’ ‘Fat Girls,’ and ‘Gun Hill Road’.
16. Paul Giamatti
Despite beginning his acting career in 1989, actor and producer Paul Giamatti did not get his big break until 1997 when he played Kenny ‘Pig Vomit’ Rushton in ‘Private Parts.’ It led to him landing supporting roles in films such as ‘Big Fat Liar,’ ‘Manon the Moon,’ ‘Big Momma’s House,’ and ’Saving Private Ryan.’ Giamatti went on to have leading roles in ‘Sideways,’ ‘Private Life,’ ‘Fred Claus,’ ’12 Years a Slave,’ ‘San Andreas,’ and ‘Saving Mr. Banks.’ Paul Giamatti was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on June 6, 1967. He now lives in Brooklyn Heights in Brooklyn, New York.
15. Justin Long
Another actor from Connecticut is Justin Long, who was born in Fairfax on June 2, 1978. Long is known for films such as ‘Dodgeball,’ ‘Jeepers Creepers,’ ‘He’s Just Not That Into You,’ ‘Comet,’ ‘The Lookalike,’ and ‘Drag Me to Hell.’ He has also voiced various television characters. In addition to his career as an actor, Long is also a comedian, director, and screenwriter.
14. Suzanne Collins
When you hear the name Suzanne Collins, you might not immediately know who she is, but you would have had to have lived under a stone for several years not to know her work. She is a television writer and author who is best known for writing ‘The Underland Chronicles’ and ‘The Hunger Games.’ Collins has also written for several television series on Nickelodeon. She was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on August 10, 1962.
13. Dylan McDermott
Stacker lists actor Dylan McDermott as a celebrity from Connecticut, as he was born in Waterbury in 1961. He is known for his roles in television series including ‘The Practice,’ ‘American Horror Story,’ ‘Dark Blue,’ ‘Law & Order: Organized Crime,’ and ‘FBI: Most Wanted.’ McDermott has also had roles in films such as ‘Steel Magnolias,’ ‘In the Line of Fire,’ ‘Olympus Has Fallen,’ ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower,’ and ‘The Campaign.’ Most recently, he played Will Hodges in the 2021 film ‘King Richard.’
12. Austin Stowell
Actor Austin Stowell was born in Kensington, Connecticut, on December 24, 1984. He is best known for his roles in the films ‘Dolphin Tale’ and its sequel, ‘Love and Honor,’ ‘Whiplash,’ and ‘Bridge of Spies. His biggest television roles were playing Jesse in ‘The Secret Life of the American Teenager’ from 2009 to 2011 and Sean O’Bannon in ‘Public Morals.’
11. Christopher Lloyd
Despite playing multiple roles over a career spanning seven decades, it is the character of Dr. Emmett ‘Doc’ Brown in the ‘Back to the Future’ trilogy of films that people usually associate with actor Christopher Lloyd. However, Lloyd has starred in many blockbuster films and won multiple awards and accolades throughout his career. He made his cinematic debut in the 1975 film ‘One Flew Over a Cuckoo’s Nest.’ Some of his other films include ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit,’ ‘The Addams Family,’ ‘The Addams Family Values,’ ‘Twenty Bucks,’ and ‘Road to Avonlea.’ Lloyd was born in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1938.
10. Michael Bolton
Only In Your State lists Michael Bolton as one of the most famous celebrities from Connecticut, and he is one of the most successful musicians from the state. He was born in New Haven in 1953. From the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, Bolton was generally associated with the hard rock and heavy metal genres. However, from the late 1980sonwards, he had a change in style and became better known for his pop-rock ballads. During his career, Michael Bolton has released 23 studio albums, one live album, one Christmas album, and 35 singles.
9. Bijou Phillips
Bijou Phillips was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, on April 1, 1980, and she is the daughter of singer John Phillips and actress Genevieve Waite. She began her career as a model before becoming a singer and releasing her debut studio album ‘I’d Rather Eat Glass’ in 1999. Phillips is now better known as an actress and has had roles in films including ‘Black and White,’ ‘Hostel: Part II,’ ‘Bully,’ ‘Almost Famous,’ and ‘Choke.’ She also played Lucy Carlyle in the television series ‘Raising Hope.’ Phillips is married to actor Danny Masterson, and they have a daughter, Fianna Francis.
8. Lauren Ambrose
Lauren Ambrose is an actress and singer who has performed in film, television, and on Broadway. One of her major Broadway roles was playing Eliza Doolittle in ‘My Fair Lady.’ In television, the actress played Carrie Fisher in ‘Six Feet Under,’ Jilly Kitzinger in ‘Torchwood: Miracle Day,’ and Dorothy Turner in ‘Servant.’ Ambrose’s films include ‘Can’t Hardly Wait,’ ‘Psycho Beach Party,’ Where the Wild Things Are,’ and ‘Sleepwalk with Me.’ She is also the lead singer of the ragtime band Lauren Ambrose and the Leisure Class. Lauren Ambrose was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1978.
7. David LaChapelle
Best known for his photography, David LaChapelle is also a music video and film director. His photography often reflects art history or conveys social messages, and his style has been described as kitsch pop surrealism. Not only has LaChapelle had his photography in commercial galleries and institutions around the globe, but he has also worked for international publications. He has directed music videos for major stars, including Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Queen, Mariah Carey, Elton John, Robbie Williams, and Whitney Houston. David LaChapelle was born in Hartford, Connecticut. However, he has also lived in North Carolina, New York City, Los Angeles, and London.
6. Evan Ross
Evan Ross is an actor and musician who was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, on August 26, 1988. He began his career in 2006 when he made his acting debut in the film ‘ATL.’ His other films include ‘According to Greta,’ ‘Mooz-Ium,’ ‘Supremacy,’ ’96 Minutes,’ ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 1,’ and ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 2.’ Ross has also appeared in various television series, including ‘90210,’ ‘Star,’ and ‘Wicked City.’ He is the son of singer Diana Ross, and he has inherited some of his mother’s talents, as he has released two singles.
John Mayer was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on October 16, 1977. After studying music in Boston, Mayer moved to Atlanta with Clay Cook, and they formed the two-man band Lo-Fi Masters. Mayer then became a solo artist and has released eight studio albums, seven live albums, three compilation albums, two video albums, five EPs, and 25 singles. He has won multiple accolades and awards for his work, including seven Grammy Awards.
4. Gaten Matarazzo
Actor Gaten Matarazzo was born in Connecticut in 2002, and he began his acting career as a child actor in 2011 when he appeared as Benjamin in the Broadway production of ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ and then as Gavroche in ‘Les Miserables.’ Matarazzo is now best known for starring as Dustin Henderson in the Netflix science-fiction-horror-drama series ‘Stranger Things.’ He also hosts the Netflix show ‘Prank Encounters.’ Although he is originally from Connecticut, Gaten Matarazzo was raised in New Jersey.
3. Glenn Close
Actress Glenn Close was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, on March 19, 1947. She began her career in 1974 and has won multiple awards and accolades throughout her career, including three Primetime Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, three Tony Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Satellite Awards. Close began her career on stage before making her film debut in the 1982 comedy-drama film ‘The World According to Garp.’ In the late 1980s, Close established herself as a leading lady with roles in ‘Fatal Attraction’ and ‘Dangerous Liaisons.’ Her other major films include ‘Reversal of Fortune,’ ‘101 Dalmatians,’ ‘103 Dalmatians,’ ‘Air Force One,’ ‘Albert Nobbs,’ ‘The Wife,’ and ‘Hillbilly Elegy.’ Due to her career success, Glenn Close’s net worth is $50 million, says Celebrity Net Worth.
2. Meg Ryan
Actress Meg Ryan was born in Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1961. When she began her career in 1981, she initially had only small roles in film and television. A year later, Ryan was cast in the soap opera ‘As the World Turns.’ During the mid-1980s, she began to have supporting roles in films such as ‘Top Gun,’ and she then gained further recognition for her roles in ‘Promised Land’ and ‘When Harry Met Sally.’ Ryan was at the height of her fame during the 1990s and early 200os, becoming one of the most successful actresses during that period. Some of her best-known films include ‘Sleepless in Seattle,’ ‘Addicted to Love,’ ‘Courage Under Fire,’ ‘French Kiss,’ ‘When a Man Loves a Woman,’ ‘Kate & Leopold,’ ‘You’ve Got Mail,’ ‘The Women,’ ‘The Doors,’ ‘Anastasia,’ and ‘City of Angels.’
1. Seth MacFarlane
According to The Famous People, Seth McFarlane is one of the most famous celebrities from Connecticut, as he was born in Kent in 1973. He is an actor, animator, screenwriter, comedian, film director, producer, and singer. MacFarlane is best known as the creator of ‘Family Guy,’ ‘The Orville,’ ‘The Cleveland Show,’ and ‘American Dad!’ He is also known for writing, directing, and starring in films such as ‘Ted,’ ‘Ted 2,’ and ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West.’ As a singer, MacFarlane has released six studio albums and has been nominated for five Grammy Awards. He also has a YouTube series called ‘Seth MacFarlane’s Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy.’ Although he is from Connecticut, MacFarlane now lives in Beverley Hills, California. He is not married and has no children.
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