The fifth-most populous state in the country and one of the oldest, Pennsylvania is home to many firsts among U.S. states. These include the first library, the first hospital, and the first theatre. It should come as no surprise, then, that the state also produces many of the biggest actors in history. As such, let’s meet the 10 biggest movie stars from Pennsylvania. (For a more edgy list, click here for the biggest scandals in Hollywood History.)
To compile a list of the biggest movie stars from Pennsylvania, 24/7 Tempo consulted a range of celebrity databases and news articles including The Famous People. From there, we picked movie stars with the biggest profiles from different times in history. After that, we consulted websites like Biography and Britannica for the movie stars’ biographical information.
Will Smith
- Hometown: Philadelphia
One of the biggest movie stars from Pennsylvania is actor, rapper, and film producer Will Smith. Born Willard Carroll Smith II, he first rose to fame as one part of the rap duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. From there, Smith would become a household name playing a fictionalized version of himself on the hit show, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
Since then, Smith has become an A-list actor and one of the leading men in Hollywood. Some of his best-known movies include “Bad Boys,” “Independence Day,” “Men in Black,” and “Enemy of the State.” For his multi-disciplinary success, Smith has won four Grammy Awards as well as an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Kevin Hart
- Hometown: Philadelphia
Kevin Darnell Hart is a comedian and actor. He first rose to prominence after winning several standup comedy competitions. His big acting break came after Judd Apatow cast him for a recurring role on the show “Undeclared.” Since then, Hart has started in a number of hit movies including “Scary Movie 3,” “Soul Plane,” and The Secret Life of Pets film franchise.
With the release of multiple hit comedy albums as well as increasingly prominent roles in movies, Hart’s success shows no sign of slowing. In fact, in 2015, Time Magazine named him to its annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. For his success, Hart has won several People’s Choice Awards as well as BET Image Awards.
Gene Kelly
- Hometown: Pittsburgh
Another one of the biggest movie stars from Pennsylvania was dancer, actor, and singer Gene Kelly. Born Eugene Curran Kelly, he first tasted fame after starring in and choreographing a number of hit musicals during the 1940s. From there, Kelly would star in a number of hit movies, catapulting him into one of the most prominent names in Hollywood.
Among his many dance innovations, Kelly is considered the popularizer of ballet for a commercial audience. For his success, Kelly won numerous Academy Awards. Later in life, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors as well as the Screen Actors Guild and the American Film Institute.
Bradley Cooper
- Hometown: Abington Township
Bradley Cooper is an actor and filmmaker. He first rose to prominence with a number of guest-starring roles in media like “Sex and the City,” “Wet Hot American Summer,” and the television show “Alias.” Since then, Cooper has risen to become one of the leading men in Hollywood.
He has also found impressive critical success in his movie roles. Though he has yet to win, Cooper has been nominated for nine Academy Awards. He has also won three American Film Institute Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BAFTA Film Award, and two Grammy Awards for his musical performances in “A Star is Born.”
Michael Keaton
- Hometown: Coraopolis
Another one of the biggest movie stars from Pennsylvania is Michael Keaton. Born Michael John Douglas, Michael Keaton is an actor who first rose to prominence for his comedic roles in films like “Mr. Mom,” “Nightshift,” and “Beetlejuice.” Since then, he has gone from a leading man to an unknown then back to stardom in the course of a few decades.
Perhaps best known as Batman/Bruce Wayne in the hit movies “Batman,” and “Batman Returns,” Keaton is also a highly decorated performer. Among his many accolades, Keaton has won four Screen Actors Guild Awards, six Critic’s Choice Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award.
Jeff Goldblum
- Hometown: Pittsburgh
Jeff Goldblum is an actor and musician. He first rose to prominence with minor roles in movies like “Deathwish,” “Nashville,” and “Annie Hall.” From there, Goldblum would go on to star in some of the biggest blockbuster movies of all time, such as “Jurassic Park,” and “Independence Day.”
Goldblum has also appeared in a number of television shows including “Will & Grace,” “Portlandia,” “Inside Amy Schumer,” and “Friends.” Besides being a jazz musician, he also stars in his own documentary series, “The World According to Jeff Goldblum.” In 1996, Goldblum was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the short film, “Little Surprises.” (Learn about comedic performances so good they won an Oscar.)
Kevin Bacon
- Hometown: Philadelphia
Another one of the biggest movie stars from Pennsylvania is Kevin Bacon. He first rose to prominence with a role in the cult class comedy film, “National Lampoon’s Animal House.” From there, Bacon would star in a number of hit movies including “Footloose,” “JFK,” “A Few Good Men,” and “Apollo 13.”
While he is considered to be one of the best working actors to never receive an Academy Award nomination, Bacon has still earned a number of accolades throughout his long career. Some of these include two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Critic’s Choice Movie Award.
Tina Fey
- Hometown: Upper Darby
Born Elizabeth Stamatina Fey, Tina Fey is an actress, comedian, writer, and producer. She first got her start as a member of the improvisational comedy group The Second City. From there she transitioned to a cast member and head writer for the acclaimed sketch show, “Saturday Night Live.”
From there, Fey went on to have a number of prominent roles in movies as well as creating the hit NBC comedy show, “30 Rock.” Considered one of the best comedy writers in recent decades, Fey has earned a number of accolades throughout her career. These include nine Primetime Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and five Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Richard Gere
- Hometown: Philadelphia
Another one of the biggest movie stars from Pennsylvania is Richard Gere. He first rose to prominence with supporting roles in movies like “Looking for Mr. Goodbar.” From there, he would elevate to leading roles in films like “Days of Heaven,” “American Gigolo,” “Pretty Woman,” and “Primal Fear.”
Besides his acting work, Gere is a noted activist. Besides being an advocate for the Free Tibet movement, he also campaigns for AIDS awareness and various ecological causes. For his acting work, Gere has won multiple awards including an Independent Spirit Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award.
Charles Bronson
- Hometown: Ehrenfeld
Born Charles Dennis Buchinsky, Charles Bronson was an American actor. Born into extreme poverty in rural Pennsylvania, Bronson was a minor and soldier before joining an acting troupe. This led to various supporting roles in anthology TV series and movies. Though he had notable roles in films like “The Dirty Dozen,” and “The Great Escape,” his true success would come as the star of the controversial film “Death Wish.”
Though panned by critics at the time, the film was a walloping success, leading to four sequels, and cementing Bronson’s status as a gritty leading man. For his acting success, Bronson earned various accolades over the years including a Golden Globe Award. In 1980, he was awarded a spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Discover movies that launched the careers of Hollywood’s biggest stars.)