Famous actresses from Michigan
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 Michigan 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.
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Kristen Bell
- Born: Huntington Woods, Michigan, USA (7/18/1980)
- Known for:
--- Anna in "Frozen" (2013)
--- Veronica Mars in "Veronica Mars" (2014)
--- Sarah Marshall in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" (2008)
Marlo Thomas
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (11/21/1937)
- Known for:
--- Ann Marie in "That Girl" (1965-1971)
--- Gran in "LOL" (2012)
--- Sandra Green in "Friends" (1996-2002)
Elizabeth Berkley
- Born: Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA (7/28/1972)
- Known for:
--- Nomi Malone in "Showgirls" (1995)
--- Phoebe LaVelle in "The First Wives Club" (1996)
--- Mandy Murphy in "Any Given Sunday" (1999)
Megan Boone
- Born: Petoskey, Michigan, USA (4/29/1983)
- Known for:
--- Miss Lucy in "The Underground Railroad" (2021)
--- Elizabeth Keen in "The Blacklist" (2013-2021)
--- Erin in "Leave Me Like You Found Me" (2012)
Jaime Ray Newman
- Born: Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA (4/2/1978)
- Known for:
--- Monica in "Catch Me If You Can" (2002)
--- Conference Greeter in "Rumor Has It..." (2005)
--- Tess Fontana in "Eureka" (2009-2010)
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Selma Blair
- Born: Southfield, Michigan, USA (6/23/1972)
- Known for:
--- Cecile Caldwell in "Cruel Intentions" (1999)
--- Liz Sherman in "Hellboy" (2004)
--- Jane in "The Sweetest Thing" (2002)
Judy Greer
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (7/20/1975)
- Known for:
--- Lucy Wyman in "13 Going on 30" (2004)
--- Maggie Lang in "Ant-Man" (2015)
--- Karen in "Jurassic World" (2015)
Sherilyn Fenn
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (2/1/1965)
- Known for:
--- Girl in Accident in "Wild at Heart" (1990)
--- Curley's Wife in "Of Mice and Men" (1992)
--- Keri Johnson in "The Wraith" (1986)
Elizabeth Reaser
- Born: Bloomfield, Michigan, USA (7/2/1975)
- Known for:
--- Esme Cullen in "Twilight" (2008)
--- Susannah Stone Trousdale in "The Family Stone" (2005)
--- Alice Zander in "Ouija: Origin of Evil" (2016)
Jana Kramer
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (12/2/1983)
- Known for:
--- Alex Dupré in "One Tree Hill" (2009-2012)
--- Noelle Davenport in "Friday Night Lights" (2007-2008)
--- Brooke Manning in "Entourage" (2009)
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Mary Lynn Rajskub
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (6/22/1971)
- Known for:
--- Chloe O'Brian in "24" (2003-2014)
--- Pageant Assistant Pam in "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006)
--- Elizabeth in "Punch-Drunk Love" (2002)
Crystal Reed
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (2/6/1985)
- Known for:
--- Abby Arcane in "Swamp Thing" (2019)
--- Sofia Falcone in "Gotham" (2017-2018)
--- Amy Johnson in "Crazy, Stupid, Love." (2011)
Eli Jane
- Born: Michigan, USA (6/7/1979)
- Known for:
--- Jane Arcs in "The Way" (2021)
--- Producer in "Thirteen Days" (2000)
--- Stunts in "Kong: Skull Island" (2017)
Ellen Burstyn
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (12/7/1932)
- Known for:
--- Sara Goldfarb in "Requiem for a Dream" (2000)
--- Alice Hyatt in "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" (1974)
--- Chris MacNeil in "The Exorcist" (1973)
Elisabeth Harnois
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (5/26/1979)
- Known for:
--- Natalie in "Keith" (2008)
--- Jesse Allen in "Chaos Theory" (2007)
--- Piper in "Ten Inch Hero" (2007)
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Madonna
- Born: Bay City, Michigan, USA (8/16/1958)
- Known for:
--- Mae Mordabito - Center Fielder in "A League of Their Own" (1992)
--- Eva Perón in "Evita" (1996)
--- Verity in "Die Another Day" (2002)
Kathleen Rose Perkins
- Born: New Baltimore, Michigan, USA (11/15/1974)
- Known for:
--- Laurent Team Member in "The Island" (2005)
--- Shawna Kelly in "Gone Girl" (2014)
--- Calista / Cali Ryan in "The Better Half" (2015)
Gail O'Grady
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (1/23/1963)
- Known for:
--- Claire in "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo" (1999)
--- Donna Abandando in "NYPD Blue" (1993-1999)
--- Helen Pryor in "American Dreams" (2002-2005)
Christine Lahti
- Born: Birmingham, Michigan, USA (4/4/1950)
- Known for:
--- Dr. Kathryn Austin in "Chicago Hope" (1995-1999)
--- Annie Pope in "Running on Empty" (1988)
--- Grace McCallister in "Jack & Bobby" (2004-2005)
Kate Upton
- Born: St. Joseph, Michigan, USA (6/10/1992)
- Known for:
--- Amber in "The Other Woman" (2014)
--- Meg in "The Layover" (2017)
--- Sister Bernice in "The Three Stooges" (2012)
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Lin Shaye
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (10/12/1943)
- Known for:
--- Elise Rainier in "Insidious" (2010)
--- Laura Harrington in "Dead End" (2003)
--- Elise Rainier in "Insidious: Chapter 3" (2015)
Piper Laurie
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (1/22/1932)
- Known for:
--- Sarah Packard in "The Hustler" (1961)
--- Margaret White in "Carrie" (1976)
--- Catherine Martell / Mr. Tojamura in "Twin Peaks" (1989-1991)
Christie Brinkley
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (2/2/1954)
- Known for:
--- The Girl in the Ferrari in "National Lampoon's Vacation" (1983)
--- Christie Brinkey in "Jack and Jill" (2011)
--- Woman in Ferrari in "Vegas Vacation" (1997)
Pam Dawber
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (10/18/1951)
- Known for:
--- Mindy McConnell / Mandy in "Mork & Mindy" (1978-1982)
--- Helen Knable in "Stay Tuned" (1992)
--- Princess Odette in "Swan Lake" (1981)
Taylor Dooley
- Born: Grosse Pointe, Michigan, USA (2/26/1993)
- Known for:
--- Lavagirl in "We Can Be Heroes" (2020)
--- Lavagirl in "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D" (2005)
--- Rachelle in "House" (2008)
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Serena Williams
- Born: Saginaw, Michigan, USA (9/26/1981)
- Known for:
--- Serena Willams in "Pixels" (2015)
--- Serena Williams in "7 Days in Hell" (2015)
--- Serena Williams in "Ocean's Eight" (2018)
Grace Lee Whitney
- Born: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA (4/1/1930)
- Died: 5/1/2015
- Known for:
--- Excelsior Communications Officer in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" (1991)
--- Commander Janice Rand in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" (1986)
--- Janice Rand in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" (1979)
Lily Tomlin
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (9/1/1939)
- Known for:
--- Linnea Reese in "Nashville" (1975)
--- Elle in "Grandma" (2015)
--- Violet Newstead in "9 to 5" (1980)
Cynthia Watros
- Born: Lake Orion, Michigan, USA (9/2/1968)
- Known for:
--- Annie Dutton / Annie Dutton Banks / Dee / Annie Dutton R.N. in "Guiding Light" (1987-2007)
--- Mary Matrix in "Video Game High School" (2013-2014)
--- Libby Smith in "Lost" (2005-2010)
Lauri Peters
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (7/2/1943)
- Known for:
--- Katey Hobbs in "Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation" (1962)
--- Gena Austin in "For Love of Ivy" (1968)
--- Barbara in "Summer Holiday" (1963)
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Maribeth Monroe
- Born: Michigan, USA (3/25/1978)
- Known for:
--- Alice Murphy in "Workaholics" (2011-2017)
--- Mindy St. Claire in "The Good Place" (2017-2020)
--- Kendra Peterson in "The Brink" (2015)
Betsy Brandt
- Born: Bay City, Michigan, USA (3/14/1973)
- Known for:
--- Marie Schrader in "Breaking Bad" (2008-2013)
--- Banker in "Magic Mike" (2012)
--- Dr. Lena Hopkins in "No Ordinary Family" (2011)
Erin Darke
- Born: Michigan, USA (9/10/1984)
- Known for:
--- Mary in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (2017-2018)
--- Cindy Reston in "Good Girls Revolt" (2015-2016)
--- Leeta Albridge in "Dietland" (2018)
Ella Anderson
- Born: Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA (3/26/2005)
- Known for:
--- Young Jeannette in "The Glass Castle" (2017)
--- Rachel in "The Boss" (2016)
--- Vicky in "Mother's Day" (2016)
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Kennedy McMann
- Born: Holland, Michigan, USA (10/30/1996)
- Known for:
--- Nancy Drew in "Nancy Drew" 2019-2021
Kim Hunter
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (11/12/1922)
- Died: 9/11/2002
- Known for:
--- Stella in "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1951)
--- Zira in "Planet of the Apes" (1968)
--- Zira in "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" (1971)
Rachel DiPillo
- Born: Flint, Michigan, USA (1/26/1991)
- Known for:
--- Laura in "Hello, My Name Is Frank" (2021)
--- Rachel in "Cuckoo" (2015)
--- Sarah Reese in "Chicago Med" (2015-2018)
Jessica Cauffiel
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (3/30/1976)
- Known for:
--- Margot in "Legally Blonde" (2001)
--- Tori in "White Chicks" (2004)
--- Wendy in "The World's Fastest Indian" (2005)
Susan Diol
- Born: Marquette, Michigan, USA (5/25/1962)
- Known for:
--- Audrey in "Seinfeld" (1991)
--- Gaby in "Reality" (2014)
--- Dr. Danara Pel in "Star Trek: Voyager" (1996)
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Elaine Stritch
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (2/2/1925)
- Died: 7/17/2014
- Known for:
--- Colleen Donaghy in "30 Rock" (2007-2012)
--- Dorothy McNab in "Two's Company" (1975-1979)
--- Lanie Stieglitz in "Law & Order" (1992-1997)
Laura Innes
- Born: Pontiac, Michigan, USA (8/16/1957)
- Known for:
--- Kerry Weaver in "ER" (1995-2009)
--- Beth Stanley in "Deep Impact" (1998)
--- Captain Tricia Harper in "Awake" (2012)
Toni Trucks
- Born: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA (9/30/1980)
- Known for:
--- Lisa Davis / Lisa in "SEAL Team" (2017-2021)
--- Mary in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2" (2012)
--- CGIS Agent Joan Swanson in "NCIS: New Orleans" (2016-2017)
Susan May Pratt
- Born: Lansing, Michigan, USA (2/8/1974)
- Known for:
--- Mandella in "10 Things I Hate About You" (1999)
--- Alicia in "Drive Me Crazy" (1999)
--- Amy in "Open Water 2: Adrift" (2006)
S. Epatha Merkerson
- Born: Saginaw, Michigan, USA (11/28/1952)
- Known for:
--- Lieutenant Anita Van Buren / Mrs. Denise Winters in "Law & Order" (1991-2010)
--- Elsa in "Jacob's Ladder" (1990)
--- Lydia Smith in "Lincoln" (2012)
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Jackie Swanson
- Born: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA (6/25/1963)
- Known for:
--- Kelly Gaines / Kelly Boyd / Kelly Susan Gaines in "Cheers" 1989-1993
--- Amanda Hunsaker in "Lethal Weapon" 1987
Sandra Bernhard
- Born: Flint, Michigan, USA (6/6/1955)
- Known for:
--- Masha in "The King of Comedy" (1982)
--- Minerva Mayflower in "Hudson Hawk" (1991)
--- Cassandra in "Hercules" (1998-1999)
Jill Ritchie
- Born: Romeo, Michigan, USA (3/5/1974)
- Known for:
--- Shoshana Kapowski / Shoshana Cox in "Southland Tales" (2006)
--- Charisma in "Herbie Fully Loaded" (2005)
--- Janet in "D.E.B.S." (2004)
Lonette McKee
- Born: Detroit, Michigan, USA (7/22/1954)
- Known for:
--- Angela Drake in "Brewster's Millions" (1985)
--- Mrs. Daniels in "Honey" (2003)
--- Ella Brashear in "Men of Honor" (2000)
Nancy Kovack
- Born: Flint, Michigan, USA (3/11/1935)
- Known for:
--- Medea in "Jason and the Argonauts" (1963)
--- Barbara in "The Silencers" (1966)
--- Nellie Bly in "Frankie and Johnny" (1966)
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