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 Massachusetts 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.
Julia Jones
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (1/23/1981)
– Known for:
— Leah Clearwater in “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” (2010)
— Kohana in “Westworld” (2018)
— Wilma in “Wind River” (2017)Elizabeth Banks
David Shankbone // Wikicommons
– Born: Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA (2/10/1974)
– Known for:
— Effie Trinket in “The Hunger Games” (2012)
— Effie Trinket in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” (2014)
— Wyldstyle / Lucy in “The Lego Movie” (2014)Alicia Witt
OMDb
– Born: Worcester, Massachusetts, USA (8/21/1975)
– Known for:
— Alia in “Dune” (1984)
— Kim Cummings in “88 Minutes” (2007)
— Natalie Simon in “Urban Legend” (1998)Paget Brewster
OMDb
– Born: Concord, Massachusetts, USA (3/10/1969)
– Known for:
— Emily Prentiss in “Criminal Minds” (2006-2020)
— Sara / Sara Kingsley in “Grandfathered” (2015-2016)
— Dodo Bellacourt in “Another Period” (2015-2018)Callie Thorne
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (11/20/1969)
– Known for:
— Dani Santino in “Necessary Roughness” (2011-2013)
— Laura Ballard in “Homicide: Life on the Street” (1997-1999)
— Pam Mahone in “Prison Break” (2006-2008)Geena Davis
Christopher Polk // Getty Images
– Born: Wareham, Massachusetts, USA (1/21/1956)
– Known for:
— Thelma in “Thelma & Louise” (1991)
— Samantha Caine (Charly) in “The Long Kiss Goodnight” (1996)
— Dottie Hinson – Catcher in “A League of Their Own” (1992)Jennifer Coolidge
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (8/28/1961)
– Known for:
— Amber Cole in “A Mighty Wind” (2003)
— Fiona in “A Cinderella Story” (2004)
— Stifler’s Mom in “American Pie” (1999)Eliza Dushku
Andrew Toth // Getty Images
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (12/30/1980)
– Known for:
— Missy Pantone in “Bring It On” (2000)
— Sissy in “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” (2001)
— Jessie Burlingame in “Wrong Turn” (2003)Jenny Slate
OMDb
– Born: Milton, Massachusetts, USA (3/25/1982)
– Known for:
— Donna in “Obvious Child” (2014)
— Bellwether in “Zootopia” (2016)
— Gidget in “The Secret Life of Pets” (2016)Maura Tierney
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (2/3/1965)
– Known for:
— Abby Lockhart in “ER” (1999-2009)
— Audrey Reede in “Liar Liar” (1997)
— Karen Barbour in “Beautiful Boy” (2018)Chloë Sevigny
OMDb
– Born: Springfield, Massachusetts, USA (11/18/1974)
– Known for:
— Sarah Wilson in “We Are Who We Are” (2020)
— Nicolette Grant in “Big Love” (2006-2011)
— Lana Tisdel in “Boys Don’t Cry” (1999)Uma Thurman
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (4/29/1970)
– Known for:
— The Bride in “Kill Bill: Vol. 1” (2003)
— Beatrix Kiddo aka The Bride aka Black Mamba aka Mommy in “Kill Bill: Vol. 2” (2004)
— Mia Wallace in “Pulp Fiction” (1994)Allison Janney
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (11/19/1959)
– Known for:
— Charlotte Phelan in “The Help” (2011)
— Bren MacGuff in “Juno” (2007)
— CJ Cregg in “The West Wing” (1999-2007)Mindy Kaling
Gregg DeGuire // Getty Images
– Born: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (6/24/1979)
– Known for:
— Kelly Kapoor in “The Office” (2005-2013)
— Disgust in “Inside Out” (2015)
— Molly Patel in “Late Night” (2019)Taylor Schilling
JoJo Whilden/Netflix // IMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (7/27/1984)
– Known for:
— Piper Chapman in “Orange Is the New Black” (2013-2019)
— Beth in “The Lucky One” (2012)
— Christine Mendez in “Argo” (2012)Connie Britton
Allen Berezovsky // Getty Images
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (3/6/1967)
– Known for:
— Diane in “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World” (2012)
— Victoria Lasseter in “American Ultra” (2015)
— Rayna Jaymes in “Nashville” (2012-2018)Christine Elise
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (2/12/1965)
– Known for:
— Kyle in “Chucky” (2021)
— Christine Elise in “BH90210” (2019)
— Emily Valentine in “Beverly Hills, 90210” (1991-1996)Ellen Pompeo
OMDb
– Born: Everett, Massachusetts, USA (11/10/1969)
– Known for:
— Dr. Meredith Grey in “Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-2021)
— Karen Page in “Daredevil” (2003)
— Nicole in “Old School” (2003)Lisa Edelstein
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (5/21/1966)
– Known for:
— Dr. Lisa Cuddy in “House” (2004-2011)
— Abby McCarthy in “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce” (2014-2018)
— Ali Decker in “Keeping the Faith” (2000)Jean Louisa Kelly
OMDb
– Born: Worcester, Massachusetts, USA (3/9/1972)
– Known for:
— Tia Russell in “Uncle Buck” (1989)
— Kim Warner in “Yes, Dear” (2000-2006)
— Rowena Morgan in “Mr. Holland’s Opus” (1995)Peyton List
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (8/8/1986)
– Known for:
— Cara Coburn in “The Tomorrow People” (2013-2014)
— Sarah Wallis in “The Greatest Game Ever Played” (2005)
— Lucy Montgomery / Lucy Montgomery #2 / Lucy Montgomery 2001- in “As the World Turns” (2001-2005)Anne Dudek
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (3/22/1975)
– Known for:
— Tiffany Wilson in “White Chicks” (2004)
— Dr. Amber Volakis in “House” (2007-2012)
— Francine Hanson in “Mad Men” (2007-2014)Madeline Kahn
ABC // Wikimedia Commons
– Born: Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA (9/29/1942)
– Died: 12/3/1999– Known for:
— Trixie Delight in “Paper Moon” (1973)
— Elizabeth in “Young Frankenstein” (1974)
— Mrs. White in “Clue” (1985)Julianne Nicholson
OMDb
– Born: Medford, Massachusetts, USA (7/1/1971)
– Known for:
— Ivy Weston in “August: Osage County” (2013)
— Diane Rawlinson in “I, Tonya” (2017)
— Marianne Connolly in “Black Mass” (2015)Leslie Parrish
OMDb
– Born: Melrose, Massachusetts, USA (3/18/1935)
– Known for:
— Jocelyn Jordan in “The Manchurian Candidate” (1962)
— Daisy Mae Scragg in “Li’l Abner” (1959)
— Ev in “The Giant Spider Invasion” (1975)Ari Graynor
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (4/27/1983)
– Known for:
— Caroline in “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” (2008)
— Daisy Darling in “What’s Your Number?” (2011)
— Juliette / ‘Lisa’ in “The Disaster Artist” (2017)Kara Hayward
OMDb
– Born: Winchester, Massachusetts, USA (11/17/1998)
– Known for:
— Suzy in “Moonrise Kingdom” (2012)
— Silvie Mc Cann in “Manchester by the Sea” (2016)
— Iris Deerborne in “To the Stars” (2019)Estelle Parsons
OMDb
– Born: Marblehead, Massachusetts, USA (11/20/1927)
– Known for:
— Blanche in “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967)
— Calla Mackie in “Rachel, Rachel” (1968)
— Althea Gerber in “Watermelon Man” (1970)Paige Turco
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (5/17/1965)
– Known for:
— April O’Neil in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze” (1991)
— April O’Neil in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III” (1993)
— Carol Vermeil in “Invincible” (2006)Amy Poehler
Debby Wong // Shutterstock
– Born: Burlington, Massachusetts, USA (9/16/1971)
– Known for:
— Joy in “Inside Out” (2015)
— Angie in “Baby Mama” (2008)
— Leslie Knope in “Parks and Recreation” (2009-2015)Ann Dowd
OMDb
– Born: Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA (1/30/1956)
– Known for:
— Sandra in “Compliance” (2012)
— Joan in “Hereditary” (2018)
— Olivia in “Garden State” (2004)Briga Heelan
OMDb
– Born: Andover, Massachusetts, USA (4/2/1987)
– Known for:
— Katie Wendelson in “Great News” (2017-2018)
— Heidi McAuliffe in “Love” (2016-2017)
— Becca in “Dean” (2016)Daniela Ruah
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (12/2/1983)
– Known for:
— Kensi Blye in “NCIS: Los Angeles” (2009-2021)
— Sofia in “Red Tails” (2012)
— Kensi Blye in “NCIS” (2009)Marcia Cross
Frazer Harrison // Getty Images
– Born: Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA (3/25/1962)
– Known for:
— Bree Van De Kamp / Bree Hodge in “Desperate Housewives” (2004-2012)
— Dr. Linda Abbott in “Everwood” (2003-2004)
— Claire Haas / President Claire Haas in “Quantico” (2015-2018)Susie Abromeit
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (11/15/1982)
– Known for:
— Cousin Tiffany in “Sex Drive” (2008)
— Amanda in “Battle Los Angeles” (2011)
— Pam in “Jessica Jones” (2015)Bette Davis
Warner Bros.
– Born: Lowell, Massachusetts, USA (4/5/1908)
– Died: 10/6/1989– Known for:
— Margo in “All About Eve” (1950)
— Baby Jane Hudson in “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962)
— Judith Traherne in “Dark Victory” (1939)Kathryn Erbe
OMDb
– Born: Newton, Massachusetts, USA (7/5/1965)
– Known for:
— Alexandra Eames in “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (2001-2011)
— Maggie in “Stir of Echoes” (1999)
— Anna Marvin in “What About Bob?” (1991)Rachel Dratch
OMDb
– Born: Lexington, Massachusetts, USA (2/22/1966)
– Known for:
— Kirsten Brant in “Just Go with It” (2011)
— Alice / Alan in “Click” (2006)
— Judi Joskow in “Spring Breakdown” (2009)Judith Hoag
OMDb
– Born: Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA (6/29/1968)
– Known for:
— Denise in “Armageddon” (1998)
— April O’Neil in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (1990)
— Lillian (Studio Head’s Wife) in “Hitchcock” (2012)Erica Lindbeck
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (5/29/1992)
– Known for:
— Black Cat / Additional Voices in “Spider-Man” (2018)
— Mera in “DC Super Hero Girls” (2018)
— Delaryn in “World of Warcraft: Warbringers” (2018)Jane Curtin
OMDb
– Born: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (9/6/1947)
– Known for:
— Dr. Mary Albright in “3rd Rock from the Sun” (1996-2001)
— Prymatt Conehead / Mary Margaret DeCicco in “Coneheads” (1993)
— Joyce Klaven in “I Love You, Man” (2009)Nancy Carell
OMDb
– Born: Cohasset, Massachusetts, USA (7/19/1966)
– Known for:
— Health Clinic Counselor in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” (2005)
— Linda in “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World” (2012)
— Helen’s Tennis Partner in “Bridesmaids” (2011)Lee Remick
OMDb
– Born: Quincy, Massachusetts, USA (12/14/1935)
– Died: 7/2/1991– Known for:
— Laura Manion in “Anatomy of a Murder” (1959)
— Katherine Thorn in “The Omen” (1976)
— Kirsten Arnesen Clay in “Days of Wine and Roses” (1962)Jasmine Guy
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (3/10/1962)
– Known for:
— Dominique La Rue in “Harlem Nights” 1989Uzo Aduba
JoJo Whilden/Netflix // IMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (2/10/1981)
– Known for:
— Suzanne ‘Crazy Eyes’ Warren in “Orange Is the New Black” (2013-2019)
— Queen Novo in “My Little Pony: The Movie” (2017)
— Detective Kinnie in “Tallulah” (2016)Sprague Grayden
OMDb
– Born: Manchester, Massachusetts, USA (7/21/1980)
– Known for:
— Kristi Rey in “Paranormal Activity 2” (2010)
— Adult Kristi in “Paranormal Activity 3” (2011)
— Anita Miller in “Six Feet Under” (2004-2005)Caitlin McGee
OMDb
– Born: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (1/9/1988)
– Known for:
— Sydney Strait in “Bluff City Law” (2019)
— Emma in “Modern Love” (2019)
— Liz Brosniak in “Grey’s Anatomy” (2018)