Several fun and exciting things might come to mind whenever you think of Nevada. Las Vegas is a sparkling city that most locals and visitors consider to be the main attraction. In addition, Lake, Tahoe and Reno are two other cities in Nevada that garner a lot of attention.
Since Nevada is such a lovely state, it’s not surprising that several famous actors were born and raised there. Find out more about some of the oldest and most famous entertainers of all time.
To compile this list of noteworthy movie stars from Nevada, 24/7 Tempo consulted several entertainment and Nevada-centered websites. Some of these sources include Only In Your State, Travel Nevada, and IMDb.
Jena Malone
Jena Malone is a Reno-born actress.
- Hometown: Sparks, Nevada
Jena Malone is an actress, producer, and singer who was born in Reno, Nevada on November 21, 1984. She grew up in Sparks, Nevada before deciding she wanted to pursue a career in the limelight. The first role she landed was in 1996 in “Bаstard Out of Carolina.” Her performance in the movie was so impressive that she took home the Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor.
Some of the other movies viewers recognize Malone in include “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “Donnie Darko,” and “Pride and Prejudice.” One of her most impressive roles of all is arguably “The Neon Demon” from 2016. The horror indie film also featured Elle Fanning and Keanu Reeves on the cast list.
Matthew Gray Gubler
Source: Library of Congress Life / Flickr / CC0 1.0
Source: Library of Congress Life / Flickr / CC0 1.0 Matthew Gray Gubler was born in Las Vegas.
- Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Matthew Gray Gubler was born in Las Vegas Nevada on March 9, 1980. One of his biggest roles to date is in the investigative CBS television show “Criminal Minds.” It premiered in 2005 and has gone on for 16 successful seasons. The reason Gubler is considered a movie star, though, is because of his long list of feature films.
Some of those movies include “500 Days of Summer,” “RV Life,” “After Beth,” and “Horse Girl.” In terms of animated flicks, he lent his voice to the “Alvin and the Chipmunks” movie franchise between 2009 and 2015 as Simon. In 2013, Gubler took home the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Interactive Media, which is a true testament to his skill set and talent.
Peyton Meyer
Peyton Meyer at the 100th DCOM Adventures In Babysitting LA Premiere.
Peyton Meyer at the 100th DCOM Adventures In Babysitting LA Premiere.
- Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Peyton Meyer was born in Las Vegas Nevada on November 24, 1998. The young actor landed a handful of intriguing roles throughout the course of his career. The Disney Channel is an easy place to recognize him since he starred in “Best Friends Whenever,” “Dog With a Blog,” and “Girl Meets World.” The reason Meyer is considered a movie star is because he also took time to film scenes for a movie called “He’s All That” in 2021.
The movie, which stars Addison Rae as the lead protagonist, was filmed as an updated remake of “She’s All That” from 1999. The biggest difference in the movies is the gender role reversal. Meyer’s been nominated for two awards so far. Those were the Outstanding Young Ensemble at the 2015 Young Artist Awards and the Choice Summer TV Star at the 2016 Teen Choice Awards.
Loren Dean
Loren Dean is a Nevada-born actor.
Loren Dean is a Nevada-born actor.
- Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Loren Dean was born in Las Vegas Nevada on July 31, 1969. He’s been in several blockbuster films, but his biggest roles to date include “Say Anything,” “Space Cowboys,” and “Enemy of the State.” In 2019, Dean starred in a movie called “Ad Astra” alongside Brad Pitt and Tommy Lee Jones. In 2018, he starred in a movie called “The Mule” with Clint Eastwood.
It’s clear that Dean has had a very full career with a long list of impressive movies under his belt. As far as awards nominations go, he was nominated for the Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role back in 2002. The nomination came from his performance in a film called “War Bride.”
Dawn Wells
- Hometown: Reno, Nevada
Dawn Wells was born on October 18, 1938, in Reno, Nevada. Along with being well-known as a movie star, she was also crowned Miss Nevada in 1959 before participating in the 1960 Miss America pageant as a representative of her state. The biggest role Wells is recognized for is “Gilligan’s Island” from 1964 until 1967.
The reason she’s part of this list is because she’s also starred in several movies worth talking about. Those include “Silent But Deadly,” “Super Sucker,” and “High School USA.” She was the 2017 Winner Award of Merit for her role as a supporting actress in “Life Interrupted.” Wells also took home the Gold Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for the same movie that year.
Charisma Carpenter
- Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Charisma Carpenter was born on July 23, 1970 in Las Vegas Nevada. In 2015, she starred in a thriller romance called “Bound” that helped put her on the map. The intense movie is comparable to the “Fifty Shades of Grey” franchise since it touches on topics like sexuality, BDSM, and power dynamics in relationships.
Some of Carpenter’s other noteworthy films include “The Expendables,” “The Expendables 2,” and “Psychosis.” As far as TV shows go, she starred in “Angel” between 1999 and 2004, which was a spinoff to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Carpenter was part of that cast from 1997 until 2003.
Thomas Ian Nicholas
- Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Thomas Ian Nicholson was born on July 10, 1980, in Las Vegas Nevada. Some of the memorable movies viewers recognize him from include “Adverse,” “Zeroville,” and “Living Among Us.” Other movies he’s starred in include “Trailer Park Shark,” “Sheep and Wolves,” and “The Lost Tree.”
Along with being an actor, Nicholson is also a producer and director. His titles prove that he knows what it takes to be successful both on screen and behind the camera. Back in 1999, Nicholson snagged a role in one of the most iconic comedies of all time. He played Kevin Myers in “American Pie.” He reprised the role twice more in 2001 and 2012 in the hilarious sequels.
Kristoffer Polaha
Kristoffer Polaha at a Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies event.
- Hometown: Reno, Nevada
Kristoffer Polaha was born on February 18, 1977, in Reno Nevada. He’s been starring in movies since 2008 after landing the role of young Charles Templeton in “Billy: The Early Years.” The most recent movie he’s been part of is “The Shift,” which is a 2023 film about drama, mystery, and fantasy.
Although 2008 was the first time Polaha made his way to the silver screen, he was making a name for himself as a television star way before that. His first role as a TV actor dates back to 2001 when he filmed a television movie called “The Third Degree.”
Thomas Dekker
Thomas Dekker is a talented actor from Nevada.
Thomas Dekker is a talented actor from Nevada.
- Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Thomas Dekker was born on December 28, 1987, in Las Vegas Nevada. Based on the parents who raised him, it’s not surprising that he chose to become an actor. His mother was a concert pianist, singer, actress, and acting coach. His father was an opera singer, set designer, artist, and actor as well.
Dekker had both of his parents to look up to as he was getting started with his career as an actor. His first movie role was 1994’s “Star Trek Generations.” His most recent movie was “Body Brokers” from 2021.
Jillian Bell
Jillian Bell was born in Nevada before pursuing her acting career.
Jillian Bell was born in Nevada before pursuing her acting career.
- Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Jillian Bell was born on April 25, 1984, in Las Vegas Nevada. The first movie role she landed was in “Bridesmaids” from 2011. She played the unnamed girl in the shower, but the role is still a big deal. After all, she starred in a movie alongside big names like Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph, Ellie Kemper, Rebel Wilson, and Rose Byrne.
In 2012, Bell landed two roles where she played characters who actually had names. She played Susan in “The Master” and Cheryl in “Love Gloria.” The movies Bell is arguably most recognized from are “Rough Night” and “Office Christmas Party.” She was nominated for two MTV movie awards in 2015 for the villainess role she played in comedy film “22 Jump Street.” Read up on the 19 best comedy films of all time.