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 Arkansas 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.
Angela George // Wikimedia Commons
1 / 43Mary Steenburgen
- Born: Newport, Arkansas, USA (2/8/1953)
- Known for:
--- Diana Boyle in "Last Vegas" (2013)
--- Nancy Huff in "Step Brothers" (2008)
--- Clara Clayton in "Back to the Future Part III" (1990)
Melinda Dillon
- Born: Hope, Arkansas, USA (10/13/1939)
- Known for:
--- Rose Gator in "Magnolia" (1999)
--- Mother Parker in "A Christmas Story" (1983)
--- Jillian Guiler in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977)
Joey Lauren Adams
- Born: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA (1/9/1968)
- Known for:
--- Alyssa Jones in "Chasing Amy" (1997)
--- Simone in "Dazed and Confused" (1993)
--- Layla Maloney in "Big Daddy" (1999)
Mary Mouser
- Born: Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA (5/9/1996)
- Known for:
--- Audrey Gibson in "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" (2014)
--- Additional Voices in "Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children" (2005)
--- Alvey Avery in "Son of the Mask" (2005)
Lisa Blount
- Born: Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA (7/1/1957)
- Died: 10/25/2010
- Known for:
--- Lynette Pomeroy in "An Officer and a Gentleman" (1982)
--- Catherine Danforth in "Prince of Darkness" (1987)
--- Chrystal in "Chrystal" (2004)
Tess Harper
- Born: Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, USA (8/15/1950)
- Known for:
--- Loretta Bell in "No Country for Old Men" (2007)
--- Rosa Lee in "Tender Mercies" (1983)
--- Chick Boyle in "Crimes of the Heart" (1986)
Kathleen King
- Born: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA (not available)
- Known for:
--- Margot Revere in "This Year's Blonde" (1980)
--- Suzy in "Columbo" (1977)
--- Nurse Beddoes in "M*A*S*H" (1973)
Camille Keaton
- Born: Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA (7/20/1947)
- Known for:
--- Jennifer in "I Spit on Your Grave" (1978)
--- Jennifer Hills in "I Spit on Your Grave: Deja Vu" (2019)
--- Jennifer in "Savage Vengance" (1993)
Mary Hollis Inboden
- Born: Bono, Craighead County, Arkansas, USA (1/30/1986)
- Known for:
--- Nora's Associate in "Marriage Story" (2019)
--- Jodi in "The Real O'Neals" (2016-2017)
--- Mary in "The Chicago Code" (2011)
Elizabeth Gracen
- Born: Booneville, Arkansas, USA (4/3/1961)
- Known for:
--- Amanda Darieux in "Highlander" (1993-1998)
--- Beth in "Coherence" (2013)
--- Amanda in "Highlander: The Raven" (1998-1999)
Ashlie Atkinson
- Born: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA (8/6/1977)
- Known for:
--- Janice in "Mr. Robot" (2019)
--- Connie Kendrickson in "BlacKkKlansman" (2018)
--- Peaches in "Juanita" (2019)
Hannah Alline
- Born: Texarkana, Arkansas, USA (9/17/1992)
- Known for:
--- Pretty Polly / Puppet Pretty Polly in "Doom Patrol" (2019-2021)
--- Flight Attendant / Not Stewardess / Kelly in "The Hunt" (2020)
--- The Addict / The Convert in "P-Valley" (2020)
Elizabeth Rice
- Born: Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA (11/5/1985)
- Known for:
--- Lindsay in "From Within" (2008)
--- Beth in "Buttwhistle" (2014)
--- Nikki in "Odd Girl Out" (2005)
Juliette Danielle
- Born: Fort Smith, Arkansas, USA (12/8/1980)
- Known for:
--- Lisa in "The Room" (2003)
--- Joyce DelMonaco in "Development Hell" (2013)
--- Sarah Wilson in "The Story of Sarah" (2013)
Beth Ditto
- Born: Searcy, Arkansas, USA (2/19/1981)
- Known for:
--- TV Woman #2 in "Nocturnal Animals" (2016)
--- Bets Gomes in "On Becoming a God in Central Florida" (2019)
--- Reba in "Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot" (2018)
Dana Kimmell
- Born: Texarkana, Arkansas, USA (10/26/1959)
- Known for:
--- Chris in "Friday the 13th Part III" (1982)
--- Sally McQuade in "Lone Wolf McQuade" (1983)
--- Diane Parker in "Days of Our Lives" (1984)
Jessica Serfaty
- Born: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA (4/4/1991)
- Known for:
--- Sherri in "The Ride" (2018)
--- Scarlett in "FML" (2016)
--- Jasmine in "Ryde" (2017)
Rebecca Balding
- Born: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA (9/21/1955)
- Known for:
--- Doris Ann in "Kiss My Grits" (1982)
--- Carol David in "Soap" (1978-1980)
--- Elise Rothman / Aunt Jackie in "Charmed" (1998-2006)
Luenell
- Born: Tollette, Arkansas, USA (3/12/1959)
- Known for:
--- Female Tourist in "The Rock" (1996)
--- Cashier in "A Star Is Born" (2018)
--- Champale in "That's My Boy" (2012)
Fran Bennett
- Born: Malvern, Arkansas, USA (8/14/1937)
- Died: 9/12/2021
- Known for:
--- Dr. Heffner in "New Nightmare" (1994)
--- Nun in "8MM" (1999)
--- Marie Billings / Ada Simpson in "Quantum Leap" (1991-1992)
Kimberly Foster
- Born: Ft. Smith, Arkansas, USA (7/6/1961)
- Known for:
--- Betsy Blees in "Dragnet" (1987)
--- Michelle Stevens / Girl in Bed with Nicholas in "Dallas" (1987-1991)
--- Wendy Cooper in "Quantum Leap" (1992)
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney
- Born: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA (not available)
- Known for:
--- Wanda Shepard in "Die Hard with a Vengeance" (1995)
--- Prosecuting Attorney Hawkins in "New Jack City" (1991)
--- Honey in "Malcolm X" (1992)
Gail Davis
- Born: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA (10/5/1925)
- Died: 3/15/1997
- Known for:
--- Lynne Gregory in "Six Gun Mesa" (1950)
--- Anne Lamont in "Brand of Fear" (1949)
--- Jennifer Coleman in "Pack Train" (1953)
Beth Brickell
- Born: Camden, Arkansas, USA (11/13/1941)
- Known for:
--- Ellen Wedloe in "Gentle Ben" (1967-1969)
--- Director in "Mr. Christmas" (2005)
--- Dilsey Brennan / Emily McPhail in "Bonanza" (1969-1971)
Natalie Canerday
- Born: Russellville, Arkansas, USA (3/9/1962)
- Known for:
--- Linda Wheatley in "Sling Blade" (1996)
--- Elsie Hickam in "October Sky" (1999)
--- Cheryl Ann in "One False Move" (1992)
Masuimi Max
- Born: Jacksonville, Arkansas, USA (3/12/1978)
- Known for:
--- Niko in "Inland Empire" (2006)
--- Glamorous Gyno-American in "Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV" (2000)
--- Mercel in "Protege Moi" (2022)
Megan Elizabeth Barker
- Born: Arkansas, USA (3/26/1993)
- Known for:
--- Stephanie in "All American" (2019)
--- Rachel Collins in "Picture Perfect Lies" (2021)
--- Colette in "Angel Mountain" (2021)
Ann Gillis
- Born: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA (2/12/1927)
- Died: 1/31/2018
- Known for:
--- Poole's Mother in "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968)
--- Isobel Rivers (as a child) in "Beau Geste" (1939)
--- Judy in "A Wave, a WAC and a Marine" (1944)
Miriam Byrd-Nethery
- Born: Lewisville, Arkansas, USA (5/17/1929)
- Died: 1/6/2003
- Known for:
--- Mama in "Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III" (1990)
--- Waitress in "Tales of the Unexpected" (1984)
--- Eileen Burnside in "From a Whisper to a Scream" (1987)
Jillian Grace
- Born: Arkansas, USA (12/20/1985)
- Known for:
--- Pirate Wench in "Epic Movie" (2007)
--- Maria Sharapova Look-Alike in "The Comebacks" (2007)
--- Actress in "The Agonist" (2007)
Lauren Sweetser
- Born: Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA (2/11/1988)
- Known for:
--- Gail in "Winter's Bone" (2010)
--- Allye Pearrow in "The Riot Act" (2018)
--- Amy Stole in "Pali Road" (2015)
Tara Perry
- Born: Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA (12/9/1985)
- Known for:
--- Annie in "Ghosts of the Ozarks" (2021)
--- Dorothy in "12 Hour Shift" (2020)
--- Marina in "The Fresh Beat Band" (2011-2013)
Sheryl Underwood
- Born: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA (10/28/1963)
- Known for:
--- Woman in Frankie's in "Bulworth" (1998)
--- Bad Mouth Bessie in "I Got the Hook Up" (1998)
--- Diane in "The Odd Couple" (2016)
Kelley Limp
- Born: Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA (10/14/1976)
- Known for:
--- Jake's Pretty Young Thing in "Everwood" (2004)
--- Self in "The Challenge" (2002)
--- Self in "The Real World" (2000)
Helen Brown
- Born: Siloam Springs, Arkansas, USA (12/24/1915)
- Died: 9/9/1994
- Known for:
--- Martha Lewis in "Shane" (1953)
--- Mary Todd Lincoln in "Medic" (1955)
--- Alice Anderson in "Out West with the Peppers" (1940)
Trish Stewart
- Born: Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA (6/14/1946)
- Known for:
--- Melanie Slozar in "Salvage 1" (1979)
--- Jobina in "CHiPs" (1978)
--- Nancy Chaney in "Mansion of the Doomed" (1976)
Marjorie Stapp
- Born: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA (9/17/1921)
- Died: 6/2/2014
- Known for:
--- Queen Guinevere in "The Adventures of Sir Galahad" (1949)
--- Janet Masters in "The Blazing Trail" (1949)
--- Nurse in "Kronos" (1957)
Kim Crosby
- Born: Ft. Smith, Arkansas, USA (7/11/1960)
- Known for:
--- Cinderella in "American Playhouse" (1991)
--- Jane Porter in "Tarzan in Manhattan" (1989)
--- Cinderella in "Into the Woods" (1987)
Jennifer Pierce Mathus
- Born: Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA (2/2/1973)
- Known for:
--- Ginny's Mom in "Freaky" (2020)
--- DOD Attorney in "Bluff City Law" (2019)
--- Jill in "Good Girls" (2018-2019)
Bridget Hall
- Born: Springdale, Arkansas, USA (12/12/1977)
- Known for:
--- Agent Sax Girl 1 in "Death Toll" (2008)
--- Self in "The Devil Wears Prada" (2006)
--- The Crowd of Liberty City in "Grand Theft Auto IV" (2008)
Ena Hartman
- Born: Moscow, Arkansas, USA (4/1/1935)
- Known for:
--- Ruth - Stewardess in "Airport" (1970)
--- Carmen Simms in "Terminal Island" (1973)
--- Katy Grant in "Dan August" (1970-1971)
Jennifer West
- Born: Ft. Smith, Arkansas, USA (9/22/1939)
- Known for:
--- Cathy Taylor in "Too Soon to Love" (1960)
--- Miss Reid--Saleslady / Woman Near Phone Books in "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" (1958)
--- Actress in "Suspicion" (1958)
Jeanne Carmen
- Born: Paragould, Arkansas, USA (8/4/1930)
- Died: 12/20/2007
- Known for:
--- Lillibet in "Untamed Youth" (1957)
--- Mary Evans / Sunbather on Beach in "The Millionaire" (1958-1959)
--- Yellow Moon in "War Drums" (1957)
