While Alabama may be known for its deep southern roots and the Crimson Tide football team, it’s also home to several iconic movie stars. A few of these stars got their start in a small town, but all of them eventually made their way to Hollywood so they could pursue a career in acting.
From Courteney Cox to Kim Dickens, these movie stars from Alabama have been dancing across the silver screen for decades. They also have profound portfolios that include appearances on the small screen, as well as theater roles and musical talent. Additionally, the actors and actresses mentioned here have won everything from Emmys to Tony’s. (For more entertainment, check out these famous movie stars from Georgia.)
To compile this information, 24/7 Tempo consulted online sources including the Internet Movie Database as well as a few local sources like Al.com and WHNT News 19. Here are the 10 biggest movie stars from Alabama.
Courteney Cox
If you’re a fan of “Friends,” then you undoubtedly know how Courteney Cox changed her career with her role as Monica Geller. Born in Birmingham in 1964, Cox was the youngest of four siblings. Upon graduation from Mountain Brook High School, also in Birmingham, Cox made her way to college in Washington, D.C. However, she left school before completing her degree to pursue a career as an actress.
Cox received several smaller television roles in the late ’80s and early ’90s, including her well-received role as Michael J. Fox’s girlfriend for two years on “Family Ties.” But her biggest break came when she was given the role of Monica Geller in 1994. From here, Cox went on to act in several movies, including her iconic role as Gale Weathers in the Scream franchise.
Today, Cox continues her acting career, additionally adding the title of director to her portfolio.
Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum was born in Cullman, Alabama in 1980. While most know him for his break-out roles in “Step Up” and “Magic Mike,” Tatum didn’t begin a career in acting right away. His family moved from Alabama when he was 6, and Tatum graduated from Tampa Catholic High School in 1998. After graduation, Tatum went on to college with a football scholarship but dropped out before graduation.
After returning home, Tatum began to look for work. While he began with a construction job, he soon moved on to be a stripper, model, and backup dancer, before landing a few commercials in 2002. In 2006, Tatum’s acting career took off, with roles in both “She’s the Man” opposite Amanda Bynes, and “Step Up” opposite his future wife Jenna Dewan.
Tatum has continued to act, starring in roles like “21 Jump Street,” “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” and “The Lost City” opposite Sandra Bullock. He has also published two children’s books, inspired by his daughter.
Octavia Spencer
Known for her breakout role as Minny Jackson in “The Help,” Octavia Spencer is an iconic movie star from Alabama. Born and raised in Montgomery, Spencer is one of seven children. After graduating from Jefferson Davis High School, Spencer moved on to Auburn University, graduating with a degree in English along with two minors: journalism and theater.
Following graduation, Spencer made the move to Los Angeles. Her first role in a film was as a nurse in “A Time to Kill.” But her role in “The Help” earned Spencer notoriety, along with an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Spencer has gone on to grow in her acting career, as well as earn a British Academy Film Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Lucas Black
While born in Decatur, Alabama in 1982, Lucas Black was raised in Speake. He graduated high school in 2001, but long before graduation, he entered a career in acting. Black’s first role was as Ebb, alongside Keven Costner and Elijah Wood in “The War,” which was released in 1994. Before graduation, Black also landed roles in “Sling Blade,” “The X-Files” and the TV series “American Gothic.”
Following graduation from high school, Black received roles in movies like “Cold Mountain,” “Friday Night Lights,” and “Jarhead.” He’s famously known for his role as Sean Boswell in the third installment of the Fast and Furious series, as well as his portrayal of Christopher LaSalle, a special agent in “NCIS: New Orleans.”
In 2019, Black left NCIS. He currently hosts to his own YouTube channel, “Real Life Lucas Black,” and enjoys spending more time with his family.
Walton Goggins
Best known for his roles in “Justified” and “The Shield,” Walton Goggins, Jr. is an American actor born in Birmingham. His family later moved to Lithia Springs, Georgia, where Goggins graduated high school. Following graduation, Goggins spent a short stint at Georgia Southern University, before leaving college to pursue acting.
At age 19, Goggins landed his first role as Lyle in the TV movie “Murder in Mississippi.” From there, he went on to land several big roles, including Stans in “Predators” and Sherriff Chris Mannix in “The Hateful Eight.” His role as Boyd Crowder on “Justified” landed him an Emmy nomination as well.
Goggins continues his acting career today. He is also known for his love of travel, often taking sabbaticals to travel across places like India and South America.
Tallulah Bankhead
Born in Huntsville, Alabama in 1902, Tallulah Bankhead was a celebrated actress, known for work both on screen and on stage. Bankhead was born into a family of politicians, and, after her mother died from giving birth to her, she and her sister were raised by their grandparents in Jasper, Alabama.
Bankhead began her career in acting at just age 15 after winning a contest to receive an acting role. This took her to New York City where Bankhead’s career took off. Today, Bankhead is known for her roles in movies such as “Lifeboat,” “Die! Die! My Darling!” and “A Royal Scandal.” She also spent an incredible amount of time on stage, performing all over New York and London.
Bankhead is known for being the only stage actress to hold a cover on both “Time” and “Life.” She also received Tony nominations and won the New York Drama Critics Award for Best Performance in 1942. Bankhead died in 1968 due to complications from pneumonia. She is buried in Chestertown, Maryland, next to her sister.
Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox is best known for her role as Sophia Burset in “Orange is the New Black.” Cox, born in Mobile, Alabama, is the first transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy award. This award stemmed from her work as Burset as a series regular on the Netflix comedy-drama.
Cox is also known for her roles in “Promising Young Woman” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again.” While she continues to act today, she predominately focuses on her work as an LGBTQ activist.
Nell Carter
Born one of nine children in Birmingham, Alabama, Nell Carter (born Nell Hardy) is famous for her work both on stage and on screen. Carter discovered her love of singing at a young age. As part of a singing group, the Renaissance Ensemble, Carter moved to New York City following graduation from high school. There, she landed her first role on Broadway as Sharon in the musical “Soon.”
Her career on Broadway earned Carter a Tony Award in 1978. After Broadway, Carter landed the role of “Nell Harper” in the TV series “Gimme a Break!” which ran for 6 seasons from 1981 to 1987. This work earned Carter both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Carter passed in 2003 at the age of 54 and is buried in Los Angeles.
Michael Biehn
Michael Biehn was born in Anniston, Alabama in 1956 and is most famously known for his roles in science fiction movies. Biehn moved a few times with his family before graduating from high school in Arizona. Biehn was known for his theater work in high school before attending college at the University of Arizona and enrolling in the school’s drama program.
In the late 1970s, Biehn made the move to Hollywood where he was featured in a few small acting roles. His big break came with the role of Sergeant Kyle Reese, opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton in “The Terminator.” Biehn has continued to work with director James Cameron, appearing in films like “Aliens” and “The Abyss.” Today, Biehn still works in the film industry, currently taking on directing and producing roles.
Kim Dickens
Born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Kim Dickens is an actress known for her roles in both television and on the big screen. After high school graduation, Dickens went on to study at Vanderbilt University before moving to New York to study at the Lee Strasburg Theatre and Film Institute.
Dickens’ first role was as Laurie in the 1995 film “Palookaville.” Since this breakout role, Dickens has gone on to be featured in movies such as “Thank You for Smoking” and “Gone Girl,” along with multiple TV series like “Deadwood” and “Fear the Walking Dead” which wrapped up in 2023. (For more entertainment about movie stars, check out this list with some of the most nominated actors who have not, or did not, win an Oscar.)