There’s something to the swampy, humid air of Virginia. It sits adjacent to our nation’s capital, Washington D.C., and has played a prominent role in United States history. But Virginia isn’t just home to diplomats, spies, and various government entities. It is also the wellspring for a surprising number of stars. Let’s meet the 10 biggest movie stars from Virginia. (If you live in a more midwestern state, discover the biggest movie stars from Michigan.)
To compile a list of Virginia’s 10 biggest movie stars, 24/7 Tempo consulted a range of celebrity websites and news publications including BET Virginia and The Famous People. Next, we selected a range of movie stars from different genres and periods. After that, we consulted sites like Biography and Britannica for biographical information about the stars.
Sandra Bullock
- Hometown: Arlington County
One of the biggest movie stars from Virginia is, no doubt, Sandra Bullock. Born Sandra Annette Bullock, this actor and producer first rose to fame with her supporting role in the sci-fi/action film “Demolition Man.” Her breakthrough performance, however, was a year later in “Speed.”
Since then, Bullock has starred in several well-known movies. These include “A Time to Kill,” “Miss Congeniality,” “Crash,” and “Birdbox.” Besides acting, she is the founder of the movie production company Fortis Films. For her acting success, Bullock won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the film, “The Blind Side.” She has also won numerous MTV Movie Awards, People’s Choice Awards, and Teen Choice Awards for various films. (For films that launched the careers of other A-listers, explore movies that launched the careers of Hollywood’s biggest stars.)
Lauren Graham
- Hometown: Arlington
Lauren Graham is an actress and author. Though she was born in Hawaii, she spent her formative years in Virginia. She first rose to prominence with bit parts on popular television shows like “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “Seinfeld,” and “Law & Order.” Her breakout role, however, was on the popular and long-running show “Gilmore Girls.”
After that, Graham transitioned to a successful film career. Some of her notable films include “Bad Santa,” “The Pacifier,” “Evan Almighty,” and “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” In addition to acting, Graham is also an author. Her debut novel, “Someday, Someday, Maybe,” reached the New York Times Best Seller List. She has also two Teen Choice Awards for her role in “Gilmore Girls.”
Shirley MacLaine
- Hometown: Richmond
Another one of the biggest movie stars from Virginia is actress and author Shirley MacLaine. Born Shirley MacLean Beaty, MacLaine first rose to prominence with her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s black comedy film “The Trouble With Harry.” For this role, she won a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress.
Since then, MacLaine has become a staple of film and television. Some of her most notable films include “Steel Magnolias,” “The Apartment,” and “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” During her extensive career, MacLaine has earned an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, an Emmy Award, and six Golden Globe Awards. She is also a best-selling author, writing on topics as diverse as UFOs and spirituality.
Jason Sudeikis
- Hometown: Fairfax
Another one of the biggest movie stars from Virginia is Jason Sudeikis. Born Daniel Jason Sudeikis, he first rose to prominence as an improv comedian for groups like ComedySportz and The Second City. His breakthrough came, however, when he was hired as a writer and performer on “Saturday Night Live.”
After that, Sudeikis embarked on a successful television and film career. Some of his film credits include “Horrible Bosses,” “We’re the Millers,” and “The Angry Birds Movie.” For his acting success, Sudeikis has won four Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Mark Hamill
- Hometown: Annandale
Another one of the biggest movie stars from Virginia is Mark Hamill. Born Mark Richard Hamill, he first rose to prominence with bit roles on shows like “The Bill Cosby Show,” “The Partridge Family,” and “Room 222.” His breakout, however, would come with his role as Luke Skywalker in the hugely successful Star Wars film series.
Dogged by the success of Star Wars and subsequent typecasting, Hamill transitioned to a Broadway and voice acting career in the 1980s. Some of his other notable roles include productions of “The Elephant Man” and “Amadeus.” As for his voice roles, Hamill has appeared in “Batman: The Animated Series” and “Metalocalypse.” For his acting success, he has won three Saturn Awards and a Daytime Emmy Award. (For other popular actors, explore the most well-liked actors in America of all time.)
Rob Lowe
- Hometown: Charlottesville
Rob Lowe is an actor, filmmaker, and podcaster. Born Robert Hepler Lowe, Lowe first rose to prominence with roles on television shows like “A New Kind of Family.” This led to his status as a teen idol in the 1980s, with breakout roles in films like “The Outsiders,” “Oxford Blues,” and “St. Elmos Fire.”
After that, Lowe transitioned back into a successful television career. Some of his prominent roles are in shows like “The West Wing,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “9-1-1: Lone Star.” He is also the host of the podcast, “Literally! With Rob Lowe.” For his acting success, Lowe has won a Satellite Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Rhea Seehorn
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: Giancarlo Esposito, Rhea Seehorn, and Bob Odenkirk, winners of the Best Drama Series award for Better Call Saul, pose in the press room during the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)
- Hometown: Norfolk
Rhea Seehorn is an actress and director. Born into a military family in Virginia, Seehorn first got the acting bug in college, which led to bit parts in various television shows. Her breakout role, however, would come with the critically acclaimed show “Better Call Saul.”
After that, Seehorn transitioned to a film career. Some of her notable films include “The Shaggy Dog,” “Inside Man: Most Wanted,” and “Linoleum.” For her acting success, particularly on “Better Call Saul,” Seehorn has earned numerous accolades such as three Satellite Awards, a Hollywood Critics Association Award, and a TCA Award.
David Arquette
- Hometown: Bentonville
David Arquette is an actor and former professional wrestler. He first rose to prominence with roles in films like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Never Been Kissed,” and “Airheads.” His breakout role, however, was in the hit slasher comedy “Scream.” It was on the set of this film that he met his future wife, Courtney Cox.
In addition to “Scream,” Arquette has been featured in several films and television shows including “See Spot Run,” “Eight Legged Freaks,” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates.” Besides acting, Arquette had a notable stint as a professional wrestler in the World Championship Wrestling League (WCW). For his success, he has won three Blockbuster Entertainment Awards and a Teen Choice Award.
Danny McBride
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been edited using digital filters) Danny McBride attends the Los Angeles premiere of New HBO Series The Righteous Gemstones at Paramount Studios on July 25, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
- Hometown: Spotsylvania County
Another one of the biggest movie stars from Virginia is, no doubt, Danny McBride. Born Daniel Richard McBride, he first rose to prominence with the film “The Foot Fist Way,” which he co-wrote. This propelled him into a successful television and film career as an actor, writer, and director.
Some of his notable features include the television shows “Eastbound & Down” and “Vice Principals,” as well as films “Pineapple Express,” “Tropic Thunder,” and “Alien: Covenant.” For his acting and producing success, McBride has won an Austin Film Critics Association Award and a SXSW Film Festival Award.
Christopher Meloni
- Hometown: Alexandria
Another one of the biggest movie stars from Virginia is actor Christopher Meloni. He first rose to prominence with a series of roles in commercials and television including “Oz.” His breakout, however, would come with a role in the long-running hit show “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”
In addition to television, Meloni has featured in several prominent movies. Some of these include “12 Monkeys,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” “Wet Hot American Summer,” and “Man of Steel.” Meloni is also a noted philanthropist, appearing on “Celebrity Poker Showdown” and “Celebrity Jeopardy!” For his acting success, he has won an OFTA Television Award and an ACCEC Award. (For more television prominent actors, discover 30 of the most evil villains in TV history.)