Famous actresses from California

Written by:
July 28, 2022
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Famous actresses from California

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 California 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.

Hailee Steinfeld

- Born: Tarzana, Los Angeles, California, USA (12/11/1996)
- Known for:
--- Mattie Ross in "True Grit" (2010)
--- Nadine in "The Edge of Seventeen" (2016)
--- Emily in "Pitch Perfect 3" (2017)

Daniella Pineda

- Born: Oakland, California, USA (2/20/1987)
- Known for:
--- Zia Rodriguez in "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" (2018)
--- Sophie Deveraux in "The Vampire Diaries" (2013)
--- Sophie Deveraux in "The Originals" (2013-2014)

Zendaya

- Born: Oakland, California, USA (9/1/1996)
- Known for:
--- Michelle in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017)
--- Anne Wheeler in "The Greatest Showman" (2017)
--- MJ in "Spider-Man: Far from Home" (2019)

Jessica Camacho

- Born: California, USA (11/26/1982)
- Known for:
--- Gypsy in "The Flash" (2017-2018)
--- Santana in "Taken" (2018)
--- Pilar Cortez in "Last Resort" (2012-2013)

Vanessa Hudgens

- Born: Salinas, California, USA (12/14/1988)
- Known for:
--- Gabriella Montez in "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" (2008)
--- Lindy in "Beastly" (2011)
--- Candy in "Spring Breakers" (2012)

Isabel May

- Born: Santa Monica, California, USA (11/21/2000)
- Known for:
--- Elsa in "1883" (2021)
--- Katie Cooper in "Alexa & Katie" (2018-2020)
--- Leighton in "I Want You Back" (2022)

Linda Cardellini

- Born: Redwood City, California, USA (6/25/1975)
- Known for:
--- Cassie in "Brokeback Mountain" (2005)
--- Velma in "Scooby-Doo" (2002)
--- Laura Barton in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015)

Katie Cassidy

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (11/25/1986)
- Known for:
--- Kris Fowles in "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (2010)
--- Laurel Lance / Black Siren / Black Canary in "Arrow" (2012-2020)
--- Samantha at 27 Years Old in "Click" (2006)

Jen Landon

- Born: Malibu, California, USA (8/29/1983)
- Known for:
--- Teeter in "Yellowstone" (2020-2021)
--- Amy in "Animal Kingdom" (2017-2018)
--- Lilith Bode in "Banshee" (2016)

Christina Ricci

- Born: Santa Monica, California, USA (2/12/1980)
- Known for:
--- Layla in "Buffalo '66" (1998)
--- Kat in "Casper" (1995)
--- Rae in "Black Snake Moan" (2006)

Christina Applegate

- Born: Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA (11/25/1971)
- Known for:
--- Swell in "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead" (1991)
--- Gwendolyn in "Bad Moms" (2016)
--- Kelly Bundy / Self / Ship's Navigator in "Married... with Children" (1987-1997)

Juliette Lewis

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (6/21/1973)
- Known for:
--- Mallory Knox in "Natural Born Killers" (1994)
--- Karen Weston in "August: Osage County" (2013)
--- Danielle Bowden in "Cape Fear" (1991)

Kristen Stewart

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (4/9/1990)
- Known for:
--- Snow White in "Snow White and the Huntsman" (2012)
--- Bella Swan in "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" (2010)
--- Bella Swan in "Twilight" (2008)

April Bowlby

- Born: Vallejo, California, USA (7/30/1980)
- Known for:
--- Rita Farr / Elasti-Girl / Elasti-Woman in "Doom Patrol" (2019-2021)
--- Mia in "The Slammin' Salmon" (2009)
--- Stacy Barrett in "Drop Dead Diva" (2009-2014)

Valorie Curry

- Born: Orange County, California, USA (2/12/1986)
- Known for:
--- Kara in "Detroit: Become Human" (2018)
--- Talia in "Blair Witch" (2016)
--- Charlotte in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2" (2012)

Teri Hatcher

- Born: Palo Alto, California, USA (12/8/1964)
- Known for:
--- Paris Carver in "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997)
--- Susan Mayer / Susan Delfino in "Desperate Housewives" (2004-2012)
--- Lois Lane / Lily in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" (1993-1997)

Stephanie Hsu

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (11/25/1990)
- Known for:
--- Mei in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (2019)
--- Joy in "The Path" (2016-2018)
--- Female Protester in "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" (2016)

Bryce Dallas Howard

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (3/2/1981)
- Known for:
--- Claire in "Jurassic World" (2015)
--- Hilly Holbrook in "The Help" (2011)
--- Kay in "Gold" (2016)

Jamie Lee Curtis

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (11/22/1958)
- Known for:
--- Laurie Strode in "Halloween" (2018)
--- Helen in "True Lies" (1994)
--- Laurie Strode / Keri Tate in "Halloween H20: 20 Years Later" (1998)

Bo Derek

- Born: Long Beach, California, USA (11/20/1956)
- Known for:
--- Lida MacGillivery in "Bolero" (1984)
--- Katie O'Dare Scott in "Ghosts Can't Do It" (1989)
--- Beverly in "Tommy Boy" (1995)

Brie Larson

- Born: Sacramento, California, USA (10/1/1989)
- Known for:
--- Ma in "Room" (2015)
--- Carol Danvers / Vers / Captain Marvel in "Captain Marvel" (2019)
--- Grace in "Short Term 12" (2013)

Jamie Chung

- Born: San Francisco, California, USA (4/10/1983)
- Known for:
--- Go Go in "Big Hero 6" (2014)
--- Blink / Clarice Fong in "The Gifted" (2017-2019)
--- Valerie Vale in "Gotham" (2016)

Blake Lively

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (8/25/1987)
- Known for:
--- Serena van der Woodsen in "Gossip Girl" (2007-2012)
--- Adaline Bowman in "The Age of Adaline" (2015)
--- Nancy in "The Shallows" (2016)

Angelina Jolie

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (6/4/1975)
- Known for:
--- Lisa in "Girl, Interrupted" (1999)
--- Maleficent in "Maleficent" (2014)
--- Christine Collins in "Changeling" (2008)

Josie Totah

- Born: Sacramento, California, USA (8/5/2001)
- Known for:
--- Lexi Haddad-DeFabrizio in "Saved by the Bell" (2020-2021)
--- Michael Patel in "Champions" (2018)
--- Justin in "Other People" (2016)

Sophia Bush

- Born: Pasadena, California, USA (7/8/1982)
- Known for:
--- Beth in "John Tucker Must Die" (2006)
--- Grace Andrews in "The Hitcher" (2007)
--- Brooke Davis / Brooke Davis Baker in "One Tree Hill" (2003-2012)

Jennifer Aniston

- Born: Sherman Oaks, California, USA (2/11/1969)
- Known for:
--- Rachel Green in "Friends" (1994-2004)
--- Claire Bennett in "Cake" (2014)
--- Rose O'Reilly in "We're the Millers" (2013)

Elizabeth Olsen

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (2/16/1989)
- Known for:
--- Martha in "Martha Marcy May Marlene" (2011)
--- Jane Banner in "Wind River" (2017)
--- Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch in "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018)

Jessica Chastain

- Born: Sacramento, California, USA (3/24/1977)
- Known for:
--- Maya in "Zero Dark Thirty" (2012)
--- Molly Bloom in "Molly's Game" (2017)
--- Mrs. O'Brien in "The Tree of Life" (2011)

Zooey Deschanel

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (1/17/1980)
- Known for:
--- Jess Day in "New Girl" (2011-2018)
--- Summer in "500 Days of Summer" (2009)
--- Bridget in "Trolls" (2016)

Lizzy Caplan

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (6/30/1982)
- Known for:
--- Marlena in "Cloverfield" (2008)
--- April in "Hot Tub Time Machine" (2010)
--- Janis Ian in "Mean Girls" (2004)

Shailene Woodley

- Born: Simi Valley, California, USA (11/15/1991)
- Known for:
--- Jane Chapman in "Big Little Lies" (2017-2019)
--- Tris in "Divergent" (2014)
--- Hazel in "The Fault in Our Stars" (2014)

Kaley Cuoco

- Born: Camarillo, California, USA (11/30/1985)
- Known for:
--- Penny / Penny Hofstadter in "The Big Bang Theory" (2007-2019)
--- Gretchen Palmer in "The Wedding Ringer" (2015)
--- Bridget Hennessy / Cate Hennessy in "8 Simple Rules" (2002-2005)

Adrienne Barbeau

- Born: Sacramento, California, USA (6/11/1945)
- Known for:
--- Maggie in "Escape from New York" (1981)
--- Wilma Northrup (segment "The Crate") in "Creepshow" (1982)
--- Stevie Wayne in "The Fog" (1980)

Alison Brie

- Born: Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA (12/29/1982)
- Known for:
--- Ruth Wilder in "GLOW" (2017-2019)
--- Annie Edison / Tight Ship in "Community" (2009-2015)
--- Lainey in "Sleeping with Other People" (2015)

Lyndsy Fonseca

- Born: Oakland, California, USA (1/7/1987)
- Known for:
--- Katie Deauxma in "Kick-Ass" (2010)
--- Katie Deauxma in "Kick-Ass 2" (2013)
--- Iris in "The Ward" (2010)

Zoey Deutch

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (11/10/1994)
- Known for:
--- Harper in "Set It Up" (2018)
--- Infinity Jackson in "The Politician" (2019-2020)
--- Samantha Kingston in "Before I Fall" (2017)

Odette Annable

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (5/10/1985)
- Known for:
--- Beth McIntyre in "Cloverfield" (2008)
--- Casey Beldon in "The Unborn" (2009)
--- Joanna in "You Again" (2010)

Perry Mattfeld

- Born: Los Angeles County, California, USA (3/29/1994)
- Known for:
--- Murphy Mason / Murphy in "In the Dark" (2019-2021)
--- Mel in "Shameless" (2017-2018)
--- FrankenGirl / Frankengirl in "Wizards of Waverly Place" (2009)

Tessa Thompson

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (10/3/1983)
- Known for:
--- Bianca in "Creed" (2015)
--- Valkyrie in "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017)
--- Samantha White in "Dear White People" (2014)

Ashley Johnson

- Born: Camarillo, California, USA (8/9/1983)
- Known for:
--- Waitress in "The Avengers" (2012)
--- Patterson in "Blindspot" (2015-2020)
--- Ellie in "The Last of Us" (2013)

Lisa Bonet

- Born: San Francisco, California, USA (11/16/1967)
- Known for:
--- Epiphany Proudfoot in "Angel Heart" (1987)
--- Marie De Salle in "High Fidelity" (2000)
--- Rachel F. Banks in "Enemy of the State" (1998)

Aunjanue Ellis

- Born: San Francisco, California, USA (2/21/1969)
- Known for:
--- Jo in "Men of Honor" (2000)
--- Sistah Girl in "Undercover Brother" (2002)
--- Mary Ann Fisher in "Ray" (2004)

Amy Smart

- Born: Topanga Canyon, California, USA (3/26/1976)
- Known for:
--- Tracy Faucet in "Rat Race" (2001)
--- Jamie Palamino in "Just Friends" (2005)
--- Eve in "Crank" (2006)

Tina Majorino

- Born: Westlake, California, USA (2/7/1985)
- Known for:
--- Deb in "Napoleon Dynamite" (2004)
--- Cindy 'Mac' Mackenzie in "Veronica Mars" (2014)
--- Enola in "Waterworld" (1995)

Riley Keough

- Born: Santa Monica, California, USA (5/29/1989)
- Known for:
--- Capable in "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015)
--- Krystal in "American Honey" (2016)
--- Kim in "It Comes at Night" (2017)

Beanie Feldstein

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (6/24/1993)
- Known for:
--- Nora in "Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising" 2016

Cameron Diaz

- Born: San Diego, California, USA (8/30/1972)
- Known for:
--- Julie Gianni in "Vanilla Sky" (2001)
--- Mary in "There's Something About Mary" (1998)
--- Natalie in "Charlie's Angels" (2000)

Elizabeth Mitchell

- Born: Los Angeles, California, USA (3/27/1970)
- Known for:
--- Dr. Juliet Burke / Dr. Juliet Carlson in "Lost" (2006-2010)
--- Edele in "Running Scared" (2006)
--- Julia Sullivan in "Frequency" (2000)

Aimee Teegarden

- Born: Downey, California, USA (10/10/1989)
- Known for:
--- Julie Taylor in "Friday Night Lights" (2006-2011)
--- Ella Benjamin in "Notorious" (2016)
--- Skye in "Rings" (2017)

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