Famous actresses from Kentucky
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 Kentucky 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.
Jennifer Lawrence
- Known for:
--- Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games" (2012)
--- Tiffany in "Silver Linings Playbook" (2012)
--- Rosalyn Rosenfeld in "American Hustle" (2013)
Sean Young
- Known for:
--- Rachael in "Blade Runner" (1982)
--- Susan Atwell in "No Way Out" (1987)
--- Chani in "Dune" (1984)
Jennifer Carpenter
- Known for:
--- Emily Rose in "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" (2005)
--- Debra Morgan in "Dexter" (2006-2013)
--- Angela Vidal in "Quarantine" (2008)
J. Smith-Cameron
- Known for:
--- Joan in "Margaret" (2011)
--- Psychiatrist in "Man on a Ledge" (2012)
--- Mabel in "You Can Count on Me" (2000)
Emily Althaus
- Known for:
--- Maureen Kukudio in "Orange Is the New Black" (2015-2017)
--- Natalie in "Togetherness" (2016)
--- Jessie in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2015)
Maggie Lawson
- Known for:
--- Female News Host #1 in "Gamer" (2009)
--- Juliet O'Hara / Scarlett Jones / Self in "Psych" (2006-2014)
--- Cherie in "Cleaner" (2007)
Rosemary Clooney
- Died: 6/29/2002
- Known for:
--- Betty Haynes in "White Christmas" (1954)
--- Soundtrack in "Repo Men" (2010)
--- Madame X' / Mary Cavanaugh in "ER" (1994)
Beth Broderick
- Known for:
--- Zelda Spellman / Jezebelda in "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" (1996-2002)
--- Mrs. Ruth Forrest in "Psycho Beach Party" (2000)
--- Caroline Heftshank in "The Bonfire of the Vanities" (1990)
Sarah Wright
- Known for:
--- Lucy Seal in "American Made" (2017)
--- Ashley in "The House Bunny" (2008)
--- Denise in "Walk of Shame" (2014)
Ciara Bravo
- Known for:
--- Emily in "Cherry" (2021)
--- Crystal Romanowski in "Small Engine Repair" (2021)
--- Delilah 'Del' Luccetti in "Wayne" (2019)
Rumer Willis
- Known for:
--- Ellie in "Sorority Row" (2009)
--- Katlyn Chase in "Wild Cherry" (2009)
--- Amanda Talley in "Hostage" (2005)
Kelly Rutherford
- Known for:
--- Dixie Cousins in "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr." (1993-1994)
--- Megan Lewis Mancini / Megan Lewis in "Melrose Place" (1996-1999)
--- Samantha 'Sonny' Liston in "E-Ring" (2005-2006)
Rebecca Gayheart
- Known for:
--- Brenda Bates in "Urban Legend" (1998)
--- Danielle in "Nothing to Lose" (1997)
--- Julie Freeman in "Jawbreaker" (1999)
Melissa McBride
- Known for:
--- Carol Peletier / Carol in "The Walking Dead" (2010-2022)
--- Woman With Kids at Home in "The Mist" (2007)
--- Mrs. Doyle in "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" (2002)
Abby Brammell
- Known for:
--- Laurene Jobs in "Jobs" (2013)
--- Tiffy Gerhardt in "The Unit" (2006-2009)
--- Persis in "Star Trek: Enterprise" (2004)
Jess Weixler
- Known for:
--- Dawn in "Teeth" (2007)
--- Katy Rigby in "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her" (2013)
--- Robyn Burdine in "The Good Wife" (2013-2014)
Patricia Neal
- Died: 8/8/2010
- Known for:
--- Alma Brown in "Hud" (1963)
--- Helen Benson in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951)
--- Maggie in "In Harm's Way" (1965)
Molly Sims
- Known for:
--- Stephanie in "Yes Man" (2008)
--- Diora in "Fired Up!" (2009)
--- Liz in "The Benchwarmers" (2006)
Leigh-Allyn Baker
- Known for:
--- Ellen in "Will & Grace" (1998-2018)
--- Amy Duncan / Jamie Blankenhooper in "Good Luck Charlie" (2010-2014)
--- Queen Delightful / Snazzy Shazam in "The 7D" (2014-2016)
Galadriel Stineman
- Known for:
--- Donna in "This Is Us" (2019)
--- Wendy in "Shameless" (2013)
--- Cassidy Finch / Lucy Howard in "The Middle" (2011-2017)
Ashley Eckstein
- Known for:
--- Ahsoka Tano in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008)
--- Ahsoka Tano in "Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker" (2019)
--- Ahsoka Tano / K2-B4 / Ahsoka / Aleena / Female Patron / Kiera Swan / Marwigo / Togruta / Twi'lek Dancer #1 / Village Child in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008-2020)
Telma Hopkins
- Known for:
--- Rachel Crawford in "Family Matters" (1989-1997)
--- Lillian Roanoke in "The Love Guru" (2008)
--- Phyllis Thorne in "Half & Half" (2002-2006)
Leah Lail
- Known for:
--- Christa in "Little Nicky" (2000)
--- Julie in "Heavyweights" (1995)
--- Kay Simmons in "V.I.P." (1998-2002)
Kiami Davael
- Known for:
--- Lavender in "Matilda" (1996)
--- Simone Bien Aime in "The Pretender" (1997)
--- Keeta in "Conan the Adventurer" (1998)
Becky Ann Baker
- Known for:
--- Nancy Chambers in "A Simple Plan" (1998)
--- Mrs. Redgick in "Men in Black" (1997)
--- Mrs. Stacy in "Spider-Man 3" (2007)
Lisa Thornhill
- Known for:
--- Gail in "After the Sunset" (2004)
--- Evelyn Thompson in "The Family Man" (2000)
--- Celeste Kane in "Veronica Mars" (2014)
Irene Dunne
- Died: 9/4/1990
- Known for:
--- Lucy Warriner in "The Awful Truth" (1937)
--- Terry McKay in "Love Affair" (1939)
--- Stephanie in "Roberta" (1935)
Tinashe
- Known for:
--- Robin in "Out of Jimmy's Head" (2007-2008)
--- Mrs. Brown's Daughter in "Masked and Anonymous" (2003)
--- Additional Crew in "The Polar Express" (2004)
Joyce Compton
- Died: 10/13/1997
- Known for:
--- Dixie Belle Lee in "The Awful Truth" (1937)
--- Mary Lee in "Christmas in Connecticut" (1945)
--- Beulah in "Bedtime Story" (1941)
Desi Lydic
- Known for:
--- Self - Correspondent / America's Lawyer / Amy Fisher / College Professor / David Koresh / Equifax Spokeswoman / Fading Dreams Associate / Flight Attendant / Founding Father / Franka Von Schmidt / Improve Group Leader / Inauguration Night Mom / Marion Donovan / Marsha Maddox / Mary Debt / Merrick Garland / Missouri Mom / Peleton Ad Wife / Sales Clerk 1 / Sarah Howe / Self - 'Meet Hillary: The Best You're Going To Get' Narrator / Spelling Bee Judge / Throwdown Air Flight Attendant / Tonya Harding / Trump Supporter / Unity Counselor in "The Daily Show" (2015-2021)
--- Valerie Marks in "Awkward." (2011-2016)
--- Shea Seger (Lasagna Mom) in "We Bought a Zoo" (2011)
Traci Lind
- Known for:
--- Christie Langford in "Class of 1999" (1990)
--- Natalie St. Clair in "Bugsy" (1991)
--- Alex in "Fright Night Part 2" (1988)
Emayatzy Corinealdi
- Known for:
--- Ruby in "Middle of Nowhere" (2012)
--- Kira in "The Invitation" (2015)
--- Belle in "Roots" (2016)
Marcy Walker
- Known for:
--- Eden Capwell / Eden Capwell Castillo / Eden Capwell Cranston in "Santa Barbara" (1984-1991)
--- Liza Colby / Liza Colby Chandler / Lisa Colby in "All My Children" (1982-2005)
--- Franny in "Hot Resort" (1985)
Rebecca Broussard
- Known for:
--- Hostage in "Die Hard" (1988)
--- Hooker in "Mars Attacks!" (1996)
--- Gladys in "The Two Jakes" (1990)
Grace Victoria Cox
- Known for:
--- Carol Daronch in "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" (2019)
--- Melanie Cross in "Under the Dome" (2014-2015)
--- Charlotte in "Twin Peaks" (2017)
DeVore Ledridge
- Known for:
--- Amelia Duckworth in "Bizaardvark" (2016-2019)
--- Grace Kosta in "Law & Order: Organized Crime" (2021)
--- DeVore Ledridge in "Disney Channel Stars: Legendary" (2018)
Rachel Alig
- Known for:
--- Nena Weaver in "First Blush" (2020)
--- Fran Baxter in "Wives of the Skies" (2020)
--- Shelly in "The Cleaning Lady" (2018)
Julie Parrish
- Died: 10/1/2003
- Known for:
--- Ellen Frazier / Ruth Dancik in "Mannix" (1970-1972)
--- Betty Anderson Harrington Cord Harrington / Betty Anderson in "Return to Peyton Place" (1972-1974)
--- Joanna in "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" (1966)
Una Merkel
- Died: 1/2/1986
- Known for:
--- Lorraine Fleming in "42nd Street" (1933)
--- Verbena in "The Parent Trap" (1961)
--- Sibyl Chase in "Private Lives" (1931)
Kassie Wesley DePaiva
- Known for:
--- Blair Cramer / Blair Cramer Manning / Blair Cramer McBain / Blair Cramer Clarke / Blair Daimler Cramer / Blair Cramer Laurence / Blair Daimler / Blair Daimler Manning / Blair Kramer in "One Life to Live" (1992-2013)
--- Bobby Joe in "Evil Dead II" (1987)
--- Blair Cramer in "General Hospital" (2012)
Lillian Randolph
- Died: 9/12/1980
- Known for:
--- Annie in "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946)
--- Birdie - Gildersleeve's Housekeeper in "Gildersleeve's Ghost" (1944)
--- Birdie Lee Calkins in "The Great Gildersleeve" (1942)
Lucille Sharp
- Known for:
--- Reed in "Downton Abbey" (2012)
--- Singer in "Gotham" (2014)
--- Liza Todd Burton in "Burton and Taylor" (2013)
Marian Carr
- Died: 7/30/2003
- Known for:
--- Friday in "Kiss Me Deadly" (1955)
--- Madge Novick in "Nightmare" (1956)
--- Barbara Leighton in "Ghost Town" (1956)
Maria Arcé
- Known for:
--- Athena in "Just Friends" (2005)
--- Victoria's Secret Customer in "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" (2009)
--- Chloe in "The Girl Next Door" (2004)
Naomi Judd
- Known for:
--- Honey in "An Evergreen Christmas" (2014)
--- Makeup Artist in "Someone Like You" (2001)
--- Mikki in "Route 65 Nashville"
Darlene Hunt
- Known for:
--- Darlene in "I Heart Huckabees" (2004)
--- Yuppie Wife in "Idiocracy" (2006)
--- Producer in "The Big C" (2010-2013)
Melissa Moore
- Known for:
--- Jessica in "Sorority House Massacre II" (1990)
--- Peggy Lee Thomas in "Samurai Cop" (1991)
--- Tess in "Hard to Die" (1990)