Famous actors from Washington
Admiring and envying the world's biggest stars is easy to do 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 or cities across the country.
Stacker compiled a list of actors that were born in Washington from IMDb's most popular list. For each actor, we included a movie poster image from a film he is known for (all movie poster images from OMDb). Keep reading to see which favorite actors are from your home state.
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Nick Robinson
- Born: Seattle, Washington (3/22/1995)
- Known for:
--- Zach in "Jurassic World" (2015)
--- Olly in "Everything, Everything" (2017)
--- Rowland Smith - Nate's Partner in "Boardwalk Empire" (2012)
Dylan Arnold
- Born: Seattle, Washington (2/11/1994)
- Known for:
--- Cameron Elam in "Halloween" (2018)
--- Carl Atwood in "Mudbound" (2017)
--- Twig in "Nashville" (2018)
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
- Born: Seattle, Washington (4/22/1966)
- Known for:
--- Edward Blake in "Watchmen" (2009)
--- Harvey Russell in "Rampage" (2018)
--- Negan in "The Walking Dead" (2016-2022)
Rainn Wilson
- Born: Seattle, Washington (1/20/1966)
- Known for:
--- Dwight Schrute in "The Office" (2005-2013)
--- Frank Darbo in "Super" (2010)
--- Vaughn Haige in "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" (2006)
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Billy Burke
- Born: Everett, Washington (11/25/1966)
- Known for:
--- Charlie Swan in "Twilight" (2008)
--- Jonah King in "Drive Angry" (2011)
--- Cesaire in "Red Riding Hood" (2011)
John Brotherton
- Born: Ellensburg, Washington (8/21/1980)
- Known for:
--- Dr. Matt Harmon in "Fuller House" (2016-2020)
--- Sheppard in "Furious 7" (2015)
--- Brad in "The Conjuring" (2013)
Kyle MacLachlan
- Born: Yakima, Washington (2/22/1959)
- Known for:
--- Special Agent Dale Cooper in "Twin Peaks" (1989-1991)
--- Dad in "Inside Out" (2015)
--- Paul Atreides in "Dune" (1984)
Jim Caviezel
- Born: Mount Vernon, Washington (9/26/1968)
- Known for:
--- Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ" (2004)
--- Pvt. Witt in "The Thin Red Line" (1998)
--- John Sullivan in "Frequency" (2000)
Craig T. Nelson
- Born: Spokane, Washington (4/4/1944)
- Known for:
--- Coach Hayden Fox in "Coach" (1989-1997)
--- Bob Parr in "The Incredibles" (2004)
--- Steve Freeling in "Poltergeist" (1982)
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Cam Gigandet
- Born: Tacoma, Washington (8/16/1982)
- Known for:
--- James in "Twilight" (2008)
--- Ryan McCarthy in "Never Back Down" (2008)
--- Hicks in "Priest" (2011)
Brian Thompson
- Born: Ellensburg, Washington (8/28/1959)
- Known for:
--- Night Slasher in "Cobra" (1986)
--- Punk in "The Terminator" (1984)
--- Shao Kahn in "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation" (1997)
Bing Crosby
- Born: Tacoma, Washington (5/2/1903)
- Died: 10/14/1977
- Known for:
--- Bob Wallace in "White Christmas" (1954)
--- C. K. Dexter-Haven in "High Society" (1956)
--- Father Chuck O'Malley in "Going My Way" (1944)
Darren McGavin
- Born: Spokane, Washington (5/7/1922)
- Died: 2/25/2006
- Known for:
--- The Old Man Parker in "A Christmas Story" (1983)
--- Brian Madison in "Billy Madison" (1995)
--- Harry Shannon in "Raw Deal" (1986)
Cheyenne Jackson
- Born: Newport, Washington (7/12/1975)
- Known for:
--- Will Drake in "American Horror Story" (2015-2018)
--- Danny Baker in "30 Rock" (2009-2012)
--- Dustin Goolsby in "Glee" (2010-2011)
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Howard Duff
- Born: Bremerton, Washington (11/24/1913)
- Died: 7/8/1990
- Known for:
--- Senator Duvall in "No Way Out" (1987)
--- Frank Niles in "The Naked City" (1948)
--- John Shaunessy in "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979)
Beau Mirchoff
- Born: Seattle, Washington (1/13/1989)
- Known for:
--- Drew in "I Am Number Four" (2011)
--- Robbie in "Scary Movie 4" (2006)
--- Brad Mauser in "Flatliners" (2017)
Clarence Gilyard Jr.
- Born: Moses Lake, Washington (12/24/1955)
- Known for:
--- Theo in "Die Hard" (1988)
--- James Trivette in "Walker, Texas Ranger" (1993-2001)
--- Sundown in "Top Gun" (1986)
Kevin McCarthy
- Born: Seattle, Washington (2/15/1914)
- Died: 9/11/2010
- Known for:
--- Dr. Miles J. Bennell in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956)
--- R.J. Fletcher in "UHF" (1989)
--- Running Man in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978)
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Blair Underwood
- Born: Tacoma, Washington (8/25/1964)
- Known for:
--- Mark Simon in "Deep Impact" (1998)
--- Bobby Earl in "Just Cause" (1995)
--- Captain Lee in "Rules of Engagement" (2000)
Ryan Stiles
- Born: Seattle, Washington (4/22/1959)
- Known for:
--- Rabinowitz in "Hot Shots! Part Deux" (1993)
--- Lewis Kiniski in "The Drew Carey Show" (1995-2004)
--- Mr. Moustachio in "Astro Boy" (2009)
Adam West
- Born: Walla Walla, Washington (9/19/1928)
- Died: 6/9/2017
- Known for:
--- Batman in "Batman" (1966-1968)
--- Batman in "Batman" (1966)
--- Ace - Hollywood Chicken Little in "Chicken Little" (2005)
Marcus Chong
- Born: Seattle, Washington (7/8/1967)
- Known for:
--- Tank in "The Matrix" (1999)
--- Huey P. Newton in "Panther" (1995)
--- War in "The Crow: Wicked Prayer" (2005)
