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Famous actresses from Hawaii
Anyone who wants to admire and envy the world's biggest stars needs only to look on Instagram. From A-list movie stars and major musicians to pro ball players and comedians who landed their own sitcoms, there's no shortage of evidence of just how good the good life is. They post pictures of themselves with other big shots on rooftop bars, at exclusive clubs, at backstage parties, and at restaurants where regular people can't get a reservation.
But the vast majority of these celebrities were born and raised outside of Hollywood, finding their way to the bright lights and big money of superstardom from obscure beginnings in regular small towns and cities across the country.
Stacker compiled a list of actresses that were born in Hawaii from IMDb's most popular list. Movie poster images are from OMDb. Keep reading to see which of your favorite actresses are from your home state.
Nicole Kidman
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (6/20/1967)
- Known for:
--- Satine in "Moulin Rouge!" (2001)
--- Virginia Woolf in "The Hours" (2002)
--- Becca in "Rabbit Hole" (2010)
- Known for:
--- Satine in "Moulin Rouge!" (2001)
--- Virginia Woolf in "The Hours" (2002)
--- Becca in "Rabbit Hole" (2010)
Auli'i Cravalho
- Born: Kohala, Hawaii, USA (11/22/2000)
- Known for:
--- Moana in "Moana" (2016)
--- Moana in "Ralph Breaks the Internet" (2018)
--- Amber Appleton in "All Together Now" (2020)
- Known for:
--- Moana in "Moana" (2016)
--- Moana in "Ralph Breaks the Internet" (2018)
--- Amber Appleton in "All Together Now" (2020)
Kelly Preston
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (10/13/1962)
- Died: 7/12/2020
- Known for:
--- Chirk in "Battlefield Earth" (2000)
--- Jane Aubrey in "For Love of the Game" (1999)
--- Avery Bishop in "Jerry Maguire" (1996)
- Died: 7/12/2020
- Known for:
--- Chirk in "Battlefield Earth" (2000)
--- Jane Aubrey in "For Love of the Game" (1999)
--- Avery Bishop in "Jerry Maguire" (1996)
Shannyn Sossamon
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (10/3/1978)
- Known for:
--- Mikal in "Wristcutters: A Love Story" (2006)
--- Jocelyn in "A Knight's Tale" (2001)
--- Theresa Burke in "Wayward Pines" (2015-2016)
- Known for:
--- Mikal in "Wristcutters: A Love Story" (2006)
--- Jocelyn in "A Knight's Tale" (2001)
--- Theresa Burke in "Wayward Pines" (2015-2016)
Maggie Q
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (5/22/1979)
- Known for:
--- Tori in "Divergent" (2014)
--- Tori in "The Divergent Series: Insurgent" (2015)
--- Gwen Olsen in "Fantasy Island" (2020)
- Known for:
--- Tori in "Divergent" (2014)
--- Tori in "The Divergent Series: Insurgent" (2015)
--- Gwen Olsen in "Fantasy Island" (2020)
Lia Marie Johnson
- Born: Wahiawa, Hawaii, USA (11/23/1996)
- Known for:
--- Kristi Larsen in "American Wrestler: The Wizard" (2016)
--- Rayna in "MyMusic" (2012-2014)
--- Ellie Harper in "The Thinning" (2016)
- Known for:
--- Kristi Larsen in "American Wrestler: The Wizard" (2016)
--- Rayna in "MyMusic" (2012-2014)
--- Ellie Harper in "The Thinning" (2016)
Lauren Graham
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (3/16/1967)
- Known for:
--- Lorelai Gilmore in "Gilmore Girls" (2000-2007)
--- Sue in "Bad Santa" (2003)
--- Maggie in "Because I Said So" (2007)
- Known for:
--- Lorelai Gilmore in "Gilmore Girls" (2000-2007)
--- Sue in "Bad Santa" (2003)
--- Maggie in "Because I Said So" (2007)
Kelly Hu
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (2/13/1968)
- Known for:
--- The Sorceress in "The Scorpion King" (2002)
--- Lai Lai Zhen in "The Tournament" (2009)
--- Eva Watanabe in "Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan" (1989)
- Known for:
--- The Sorceress in "The Scorpion King" (2002)
--- Lai Lai Zhen in "The Tournament" (2009)
--- Eva Watanabe in "Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan" (1989)
Amanda Schull
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (8/26/1978)
- Known for:
--- Dr. Cassandra Railly in "12 Monkeys" (2015-2018)
--- Katrina Bennett in "Suits" (2013-2019)
--- Meredith Sorenson in "Pretty Little Liars" (2010-2013)
- Known for:
--- Dr. Cassandra Railly in "12 Monkeys" (2015-2018)
--- Katrina Bennett in "Suits" (2013-2019)
--- Meredith Sorenson in "Pretty Little Liars" (2010-2013)
Tia Carrere
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (1/2/1967)
- Known for:
--- Cassandra in "Wayne's World" (1992)
--- Nani in "Lilo & Stitch" (2002)
--- Juno Skinner in "True Lies" (1994)
- Known for:
--- Cassandra in "Wayne's World" (1992)
--- Nani in "Lilo & Stitch" (2002)
--- Juno Skinner in "True Lies" (1994)
Mageina Tovah
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (7/26/1979)
- Known for:
--- The Librarian / Zelda Schiff in "The Magicians" (2016-2020)
--- Hux in "Hux" (2016)
--- Ursula in "Spider-Man 2" (2004)
- Known for:
--- The Librarian / Zelda Schiff in "The Magicians" (2016-2020)
--- Hux in "Hux" (2016)
--- Ursula in "Spider-Man 2" (2004)
Erin Gray
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (1/7/1950)
- Known for:
--- Colonel Wilma Deering in "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" (1979)
--- Diana Kimble in "Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday" (1993)
--- Hope Emrys in "Dreams Awake" (2011)
- Known for:
--- Colonel Wilma Deering in "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" (1979)
--- Diana Kimble in "Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday" (1993)
--- Hope Emrys in "Dreams Awake" (2011)
Janel Parrish
- Born: Oahu, Hawaii, USA (10/30/1988)
- Known for:
--- Mona Vanderwaal in "Pretty Little Liars" (2010-2017)
--- Margot in "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" (2018)
--- Estelle in "Trespassers" (2018)
- Known for:
--- Mona Vanderwaal in "Pretty Little Liars" (2010-2017)
--- Margot in "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" (2018)
--- Estelle in "Trespassers" (2018)
Heidi Swedberg
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (3/3/1966)
- Known for:
--- Brandon's Mom in "Galaxy Quest" (1999)
--- Mrs. 'Dead Meat' Thompson in "Hot Shots!" (1991)
--- Surgical Nurse in "Dragonfly" (2002)
- Known for:
--- Brandon's Mom in "Galaxy Quest" (1999)
--- Mrs. 'Dead Meat' Thompson in "Hot Shots!" (1991)
--- Surgical Nurse in "Dragonfly" (2002)
Keiko Agena
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (10/3/1973)
- Known for:
--- Dr. Edrisa Tanaka in "Prodigal Son" (2019-2021)
--- Lane Kim / Lane Van Gerbig in "Gilmore Girls" (2000-2007)
--- Viola Goto in "Better Call Saul" (2018-2020)
- Known for:
--- Dr. Edrisa Tanaka in "Prodigal Son" (2019-2021)
--- Lane Kim / Lane Van Gerbig in "Gilmore Girls" (2000-2007)
--- Viola Goto in "Better Call Saul" (2018-2020)
Keala Settle
- Born: Laie, Hawaii, USA (11/5/1975)
- Known for:
--- Lettie Lutz in "The Greatest Showman" (2017)
--- Mom in "Every Other Weekend" (2018)
--- Madame Thenardier in "Les Miserables: The Broadway Musical" (2014)
- Known for:
--- Lettie Lutz in "The Greatest Showman" (2017)
--- Mom in "Every Other Weekend" (2018)
--- Madame Thenardier in "Les Miserables: The Broadway Musical" (2014)
Angelique Cabral
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (1/28/1979)
- Known for:
--- Colleen / Colleen Brandon-Ortega in "Life in Pieces" (2015-2019)
--- Sgt. Jill Perez in "Enlisted" (2014)
--- Pam Niborski in "Friends with Benefits" (2011)
- Known for:
--- Colleen / Colleen Brandon-Ortega in "Life in Pieces" (2015-2019)
--- Sgt. Jill Perez in "Enlisted" (2014)
--- Pam Niborski in "Friends with Benefits" (2011)
Teilor Grubbs
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (10/27/2001)
- Known for:
--- Grace Williams in "Hawaii Five-0" (2010-2019)
--- Young Rose in "The Dawn" (2019)
--- Leilani in "The Legend of Hallowaiian" (2018)
- Known for:
--- Grace Williams in "Hawaii Five-0" (2010-2019)
--- Young Rose in "The Dawn" (2019)
--- Leilani in "The Legend of Hallowaiian" (2018)
Sasha Barrese
- Born: Maui, Hawaii, USA (4/24/1981)
- Known for:
--- Tracy in "The Hangover" (2009)
--- Tracy in "The Hangover Part II" (2011)
--- Virginia in "Let Me In" (2010)
- Known for:
--- Tracy in "The Hangover" (2009)
--- Tracy in "The Hangover Part II" (2011)
--- Virginia in "Let Me In" (2010)
Karen Steele
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (3/20/1931)
- Died: 3/12/1988
- Known for:
--- Virginia in "Marty" (1955)
--- Eve McHuron in "Star Trek: The Original Series" (1966)
--- Jeanie Miller in "Westbound" (1958)
- Died: 3/12/1988
- Known for:
--- Virginia in "Marty" (1955)
--- Eve McHuron in "Star Trek: The Original Series" (1966)
--- Jeanie Miller in "Westbound" (1958)
Jennifer Campbell
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (10/3/1967)
- Known for:
--- Jessie Majors / Neely Capshaw / Neely Capshaw-Buchannon in "Baywatch" (1992-1999)
--- Claire in "Baywatch Nights" (1996)
--- Jessica in "White Cargo" (1996)
- Known for:
--- Jessie Majors / Neely Capshaw / Neely Capshaw-Buchannon in "Baywatch" (1992-1999)
--- Claire in "Baywatch Nights" (1996)
--- Jessica in "White Cargo" (1996)
Candis Cayne
- Born: Maui, Hawaii, USA (not available)
- Known for:
--- Candis in "Candis for President" (2018)
--- Candis Cayne in "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar" (1995)
--- Carmelita / Carmelita Rainer in "Dirty Sexy Money" (2007-2008)
- Known for:
--- Candis in "Candis for President" (2018)
--- Candis Cayne in "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar" (1995)
--- Carmelita / Carmelita Rainer in "Dirty Sexy Money" (2007-2008)
Siena Agudong
- Born: Kauai, Hawaii, USA (8/19/2004)
- Known for:
--- Reina in "Upside-Down Magic" (2020)
--- Nick in "No Good Nick" (2019)
--- Reagan Wills in "Alex & Me" (2018)
- Known for:
--- Reina in "Upside-Down Magic" (2020)
--- Nick in "No Good Nick" (2019)
--- Reagan Wills in "Alex & Me" (2018)
Julie McCullough
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (1/30/1965)
- Known for:
--- Susie in "The Blob" (1988)
--- Teri Hart in "2012: Ice Age" (2011)
--- Ginger in "Top of the World" (1997)
- Known for:
--- Susie in "The Blob" (1988)
--- Teri Hart in "2012: Ice Age" (2011)
--- Ginger in "Top of the World" (1997)
Maile Flanagan
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (5/19/1965)
- Known for:
--- Principal Perry / Perry / Bree in "Lab Rats: Bionic Island" (2012-2016)
--- Naruto Uzumaki in "Naruto" (2002-2007)
--- Naruto Uzumaki / Menma Namikaze / Momo in "Naruto: Shippûden" (2007-2017)
- Known for:
--- Principal Perry / Perry / Bree in "Lab Rats: Bionic Island" (2012-2016)
--- Naruto Uzumaki in "Naruto" (2002-2007)
--- Naruto Uzumaki / Menma Namikaze / Momo in "Naruto: Shippûden" (2007-2017)
Kellye Nakahara
- Born: Oahu, Hawaii, USA (1/16/1948)
- Died: 2/16/2020
- Known for:
--- The Cook in "Clue" (1985)
--- Lt. Kellye Yamato, RN / Lt. Able, RN / Lt. Baker, RN / Lt. Charlie, RN / Lt. Kellye Yamato / Regular Performer in "M*A*S*H" (1973-1983)
--- Beagle Woman in "Doctor Dolittle" (1998)
- Died: 2/16/2020
- Known for:
--- The Cook in "Clue" (1985)
--- Lt. Kellye Yamato, RN / Lt. Able, RN / Lt. Baker, RN / Lt. Charlie, RN / Lt. Kellye Yamato / Regular Performer in "M*A*S*H" (1973-1983)
--- Beagle Woman in "Doctor Dolittle" (1998)
Kristina Anapau
- Born: Hawaii, USA (10/30/1979)
- Known for:
--- Galina / Little Swan in "Black Swan" (2010)
--- Maurella in "True Blood" (2011-2012)
--- Megan Marston in "Grimm" (2012)
- Known for:
--- Galina / Little Swan in "Black Swan" (2010)
--- Maurella in "True Blood" (2011-2012)
--- Megan Marston in "Grimm" (2012)
Diana Ewing
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (1/4/1946)
- Known for:
--- Vicki Bissinger in "The Way We Were" (1973)
--- Droxine in "Star Trek: The Original Series" (1969)
--- Stephanie in "Mission: Impossible" (1969)
- Known for:
--- Vicki Bissinger in "The Way We Were" (1973)
--- Droxine in "Star Trek: The Original Series" (1969)
--- Stephanie in "Mission: Impossible" (1969)
Meg Wyllie
- Born: Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, USA [now Hawaii, USA] (2/15/1917)
- Died: 1/1/2002
- Known for:
--- Granny Gordon in "The Last Starfighter" (1984)
--- Mrs. Turpin in "Marnie" (1964)
--- Mrs. Gannon in "Dragnet" (1987)
- Died: 1/1/2002
- Known for:
--- Granny Gordon in "The Last Starfighter" (1984)
--- Mrs. Turpin in "Marnie" (1964)
--- Mrs. Gannon in "Dragnet" (1987)
Laura Megan Stahl
- Born: Oahu, Hawaii, USA (8/12/1991)
- Known for:
--- Ray in "The Promised Neverland" (2019)
--- Hayato Kawajiri in "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" (2016)
--- Aiger Akabane in "Beyblade Burst" (2018-2019)
- Known for:
--- Ray in "The Promised Neverland" (2019)
--- Hayato Kawajiri in "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" (2016)
--- Aiger Akabane in "Beyblade Burst" (2018-2019)
Denise Dowse
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (2/21/1958)
- Known for:
--- Marlene in "Ray" (2004)
--- Tyrone's Mother in "Requiem for a Dream" (2000)
--- Health Teacher in "Pleasantville" (1998)
- Known for:
--- Marlene in "Ray" (2004)
--- Tyrone's Mother in "Requiem for a Dream" (2000)
--- Health Teacher in "Pleasantville" (1998)
Stacy Kamano
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (9/17/1974)
- Known for:
--- Kekoa Tanaka in "Baywatch" (1999-2001)
--- Kekoa in "Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding" (2003)
--- Jogger in "Days of Our Lives" (1999)
- Known for:
--- Kekoa Tanaka in "Baywatch" (1999-2001)
--- Kekoa in "Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding" (2003)
--- Jogger in "Days of Our Lives" (1999)
Misti Traya
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (9/23/1981)
- Known for:
--- Molly in "How I Met Your Mother" (2007)
--- Iris in "Joan of Arcadia" (2004)
--- Allison Reeves in "Living with Fran" (2005-2007)
- Known for:
--- Molly in "How I Met Your Mother" (2007)
--- Iris in "Joan of Arcadia" (2004)
--- Allison Reeves in "Living with Fran" (2005-2007)
Jennifer Billingsley
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (5/14/1940)
- Known for:
--- Taffy in "The Spy with My Face" (1965)
--- Elaine in "Lady in a Cage" (1964)
--- Lou in "White Lightning" (1973)
- Known for:
--- Taffy in "The Spy with My Face" (1965)
--- Elaine in "Lady in a Cage" (1964)
--- Lou in "White Lightning" (1973)
Malea Rose
- Born: Kauai, Hawaii, USA (9/10/1986)
- Known for:
--- Claire in "Kidnap" (2017)
--- Sarah in "New Girl" (2014)
--- Stacy in "Two and a Half Men" (2014)
- Known for:
--- Claire in "Kidnap" (2017)
--- Sarah in "New Girl" (2014)
--- Stacy in "Two and a Half Men" (2014)
Joanna Sotomura
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (not available)
- Known for:
--- Véronique in "The Good Place" (2017)
--- Zoe in "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" (2018)
--- Christina Ng in "NCIS: Los Angeles" (2019)
- Known for:
--- Véronique in "The Good Place" (2017)
--- Zoe in "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" (2018)
--- Christina Ng in "NCIS: Los Angeles" (2019)
Elle McLemore
- Born: Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA (9/16/1991)
- Known for:
--- Patty Simcox in "Grease Live!" (2016)
--- Holly Truman in "Army Wives" (2013)
--- Jamie Parker in "At the Top of the Pyramid" (2014)
- Known for:
--- Patty Simcox in "Grease Live!" (2016)
--- Holly Truman in "Army Wives" (2013)
--- Jamie Parker in "At the Top of the Pyramid" (2014)
Mapuana Makia
- Born: Hawaii, USA (8/13/1983)
- Known for:
--- Local Reporter in "Aloha" (2015)
--- Izzy Knightley in "Emma Approved" (2014)
--- Jamie in "Preface to Being Jaded" (2015)
- Known for:
--- Local Reporter in "Aloha" (2015)
--- Izzy Knightley in "Emma Approved" (2014)
--- Jamie in "Preface to Being Jaded" (2015)
Kimee Balmilero
- Born: Hawaii, USA (12/13/1979)
- Known for:
--- Dr. Noelani Cunha / Noelani Cunha / Allison in "Hawaii Five-0" (2012-2020)
--- Dr. Noelani Cunha in "Magnum P.I." (2018-2021)
--- Kimee in "Hi-5" (2003-2006)
- Known for:
--- Dr. Noelani Cunha / Noelani Cunha / Allison in "Hawaii Five-0" (2012-2020)
--- Dr. Noelani Cunha in "Magnum P.I." (2018-2021)
--- Kimee in "Hi-5" (2003-2006)
Laurette Luez
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (8/19/1928)
- Died: 9/12/1999
- Known for:
--- Marla Rakubian in "D.O.A." (1949)
--- Tigri in "Prehistoric Women" (1950)
--- Laluli in "Kim" (1950)
- Died: 9/12/1999
- Known for:
--- Marla Rakubian in "D.O.A." (1949)
--- Tigri in "Prehistoric Women" (1950)
--- Laluli in "Kim" (1950)
Ann Harada
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (2/3/1964)
- Known for:
--- Kay in "Happiness" (1998)
--- Mrs. Dougherty in "The Art of Getting By" (2011)
--- Mrs. Lafont in "Admission" (2013)
- Known for:
--- Kay in "Happiness" (1998)
--- Mrs. Dougherty in "The Art of Getting By" (2011)
--- Mrs. Lafont in "Admission" (2013)
Katija Pevec
- Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (3/1/1988)
- Known for:
--- Christina Beardsley in "Yours, Mine & Ours" (2005)
--- Teenage Page in "Eagle Eye" (2008)
--- Molly in "Sleepover" (2004)
- Known for:
--- Christina Beardsley in "Yours, Mine & Ours" (2005)
--- Teenage Page in "Eagle Eye" (2008)
--- Molly in "Sleepover" (2004)
Sanoe Lake
- Born: Kauai, Hawaii, USA (5/19/1979)
- Known for:
--- Lena in "Blue Crush" (2002)
--- Rain in "Rolling" (2007)
--- Gina in "Creature of Darkness" (2009)
- Known for:
--- Lena in "Blue Crush" (2002)
--- Rain in "Rolling" (2007)
--- Gina in "Creature of Darkness" (2009)
Faith Fay
- Born: Hawaii, USA (4/8/1987)
- Known for:
--- Monica in "Magnum P.I." (2018)
--- Mercenary in "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" (2018)
--- Media Gnat in "Soul Surfer" (2011)
- Known for:
--- Monica in "Magnum P.I." (2018)
--- Mercenary in "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" (2018)
--- Media Gnat in "Soul Surfer" (2011)
Layla Roberts
- Born: Kealakekua Kona, Hawaii, USA (10/22/1974)
- Known for:
--- Molly Mounds in "Armageddon" (1998)
--- Grendel's Mother in "Beowulf" (1999)
--- Jacqueline Stone in "Erotic Confessions" (1998)
- Known for:
--- Molly Mounds in "Armageddon" (1998)
--- Grendel's Mother in "Beowulf" (1999)
--- Jacqueline Stone in "Erotic Confessions" (1998)
