Which movie stars come from the heart of South Carolina? As far as southeastern states across America go, South Carolina is one of the best out there. It’s full of marsh-like sea islands, stunning views, and historical buildings that remind folks of wonderful times from the past.
Unless you’re a dedicated history buff, you might not be aware that the opening shots of the Civil War were fired in South Carolina for the first time. The movie stars born in South Carolina didn’t come along until many years later, though. As of now, people think of South Carolina as a fabulous destination for weekend getaways and vacations due to all the golf courses, hotels, and restaurants. Click here for the 35 best restaurants in the South.
South Carolina is also recognized for being the hometown of talented stars. To compile this list of the 10 biggest movie stars from South Carolina, 24/ Tempo consulted several entertainment websites. These include IMDb, The Famous People, and Discover Walks.
Chadwick Boseman
- Hometown: Anderson
The late Chadwick Boseman was born on November 29, 1976, in Anderson, South Carolina. He played Jackie Robinson in “42” before landing a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as T’Challa in the “Black Panther” franchise. The “Black Panther” movies are what put him on the map as an actor. Some of Boseman’s other big movies were “Get On Up,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Gods of Egypt,” and “Draft Day.”
He worked alongside actors like Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Sienna Miller, and Harrison Ford. Before he passed away, he won awards such as the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama, and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture. Boseman died on August 28, 2020, in Los Angeles, California.
Chris Rock
- Hometown: Andrews
Chris Rock was born on February 7, 1965, in Andrews, South Carolina. Some of Rock’s biggest roles to date include the “Grown Ups” franchise, “The Longest Yard,” “New Jack City,” and “Death at a Funeral.” He’s also done voice acting in movies like the “Madagascar” franchise.
Rock has worked with A-Listers like Adam Sandler, David Spade, Salma, Hayek, and Kevin James throughout the course of his career. Some of the awards he’s taken home so far include the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy and the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actor in an Action Movie.
Andie MacDowell
- Hometown: Gaffney
Annie, McDowell was born on April 21, 1958, in Gaffney, South Carolina. In the mid-1990s, she rose to fame as an actress for the first time in her life. She starred in “Groundhog Day” in 1993, followed by “Four Weddings and a Funeral” in 1994. Early on in her career, she worked with big stars like Hugh Grant and Bill Murray.
That’s part of what helped put her on the map. Later on in her career, she landed roles in movies like “Ready or Not,” “The Other Zoey,” and “Christmas Inheritance.” The award-winning actress has taken home the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead and the Golden Globe Award for Best Ensemble Cast in the past.
Viola Davis
- Hometown: Saint Matthews
Viola Davis is arguably one of the biggest stars to come from the Palmetto State. Davis was born on August 11, 1965, in Saint Matthews, South Carolina. Davis started off as a Broadway actress in 1996 before making it to the silver screen. Some of her biggest roles to date include “The Woman King,” “The Help,” and “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.”
Davis has filmed movies alongside Peter Dinklage, Rachel Ziegler, Emma Stone, and Octavia Spencer. Davis is no stranger to awards, either. So far, she’s won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
Aziz Ansari
- Hometown: Columbia
Aziz Ansari has a reputation for making people laugh with his comedic style and sense of humor. The actor was born on February 23, 1983, in Columbia, South Carolina. Along with being an actor, Ansari is also a standup comedian and filmmaker. Many people recognize him from playing Tom Haverford on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation.”
Ansari is a movie star for roles he snagged beyond that TV show, though. Some of his noteworthy movies have been “Date and Switch,” “This is the End,” and “What’s Your Number?” Some of the awards he’s won so far include the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and the Goodreads Choice Awards Best Nonfiction
Anna Camp
- Hometown: Aiken
Anna Camp was born on September 27, 1982, in Aiken, South Carolina. Music lovers recognize Camp from her time filming the “Pitch Perfect” franchise in 2012, 2015, and 2017. She starred in those movies alongside Anna Kendrick, rebel Wilson, Brittany, Snow, and Elizabeth Banks.
A few of Camp’s other major roles include “Desperados,” “The Help,” “The Wedding Year,” and “Murder at Yellowstone City.” Camp is the type of actress who takes on roles in tons of different genres all the time. She’s starred in horror films, musicals, dramas, and romances.
Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt
- Hometown: North
The late Eartha Kitt was born on January 17, 1927, in North, South Carolina. Before her passing, Kitt starred in several beloved films that cemented her as a Hollywood icon. Some of her biggest movies were “Boomerang,” “Holes,” and “Ernest Scared Stupid.” She she also tried her hand at voice acting in “The Emperor’s New Groove” animated movie in 2000.
She reprised the voice acting role for the spinoffs connected to “The Emperor’s New Groove.” In 2007, 2008, and 2010, Kitt took home the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program. The iconic superstar died on December 25, 2008, in Weston, Connecticut.
Madelyn Cline
- Hometown: Goose Creek
Madelyn Cline was born on December 21, 1997, in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Many of her fans recognize her from starring in the teen drama “Outer Banks” on Netflix. Cline is a movie star due to her roles in movies like “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” “What Breaks the Ice,” “The Giant,” and “Boy Erased.”
Cline has worked with stars like Kate Hudson, Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, and Janelle Monáe. The GenZ-aged actress is popular on social media with fans who consider her career to be impressive. She currently has 16.3 million followers keeping up with her updates today.
Monique Coleman
- Hometown: Orangeburg
Monique Coleman was born on November 13, 1980, in Orangeburg, South Carolina. She’s well-known as a movie star by anyone who watched the Disney Channel in the early 2000s. She starred in the “High School Musical” franchise playing the role of Taylor Mackessie in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Coleman filmed the hugely popular, kid-friendly franchise alongside Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, and Lucas Grabeel. Beyond Disney Channel, Coleman has also starred in movies like “A Christmas Dance Reunion,” “Free the Nipple,” and “Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Story.”
Jaime Alexander
- Hometown: Greenville
Jaime Alexander was born on March 12, 1984, in Greenville, South Carolina. Her first role was in a 2006 movie called “The Other Side” playing a character named Hannah Thompson. It was a low-budget movie, but it still won awards while paving the way for Alexander’s career as an actress.
She’s a movie star because she’s landed roles in flicks like “Last Seen Alive,” “The Last Stand,” “The Minute You Wake Up Dead,” and “Broken Vows.” Alexander classifies as a Marvel Cinematic Universe star from her time filming the “Thor” movie franchise in 2011, 2013, and 2022 as well.
She’s worked alongside actors like Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Morgan Freeman, Gerard Butler, and Christian Bale. Alexander has proven herself as someone who can certainly handle action movies and the intensity they require. Click here to discover the 20 best action films of all time.