The 50 Biggest Movie Stars From the US

Many movie stars have made their way through Hollywood over the years. There are always new faces in the spotlight, in addition to the legends that still grace our theater screens to this day. But who are the biggest celebrities who were born and raised in America? Today, we’ll find out. We’ll be telling you about the 50 biggest movie stars from the United States.

In addition to making most of their movies in America, all of the movie stars on this list were born in the United States, so if you don’t see your favorite listed, that’s why (sorry, Ryan Reynolds and Charlize Theron!) These 50 stars are famous due to their public popularity, critical acclaim, and box office success, and because of all that, most, if not all, of them are household names.

To create this list, 24/7 Tempo consulted various entertainment sources, including the Internet Movie Database, Box Office Mojo, and Backstage, among others. We used those sources to determine which actors have recent success, which are most well known, and to ensure they were born in America. Without further ado, here are the 50 biggest movie stars from the United States in no particular order. (Here is a list of the 50 best movies you have never seen — and where you can stream them for free.)

1. Dwayne Johnson

 

 

• Born in: California

He started out as The Rock, and he was a legend in the ring for the WWE. Like many other pro wrestlers before him, he wanted to parlay his success into a Hollywood career. It started out as a small role as The Scorpion King in “The Mummy Returns.” From there, his career exploded. Today, he’s in big films, ranging from the “Fast & Furious” movies to Disney films.

2. Tom Cruise

 

 

• Born in: New York

Tom Cruise has been one of the biggest movie stars in the United States since the 1980s when he starred in hits like “Risky Business” and “Rain Man.” During the 90s, he transitioned into more dramatic roles, like “The Firm” and “Interview with the Vampire.” In the 2000s, he continued his incredible career with the “Mission Impossible” films and “War of the Worlds.” That said, we believe Tom Cruise is the quintessential movie star.

3. Leonardo DiCaprio

 

 

• Born in: California

Leo DeCaprio started his career off with a bang by receiving a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of a disabled boy in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.” His next major milestone was starring in “Titanic,” which became the highest-grossing film at the time. His career has not stopped since. He’s been in movies directed by heavy hitters like Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, and he always seems to be in the spotlight.

4. Robert DeNiro

 

 

• Born in: New York

Robert DeNiro has also been a member of Hollywood royalty for several decades. He started his career playing tough guys, and he also gained a lot of notoriety for his movies with Martin Scorsese. He’s played a lot of roles throughout his career, ranging from comedy to noir, but he’s always entertaining. Even now, at age 80, he continues to be one of the most influential actors in Hollywood.

5. Samuel L. Jackson

 

 

• Born in Washington, D.C.

Samuel L Jackson is undoubtedly one of the biggest movie stars in the United States. He’s had so many roles and been in so many movies that chances are that everyone has seen him act in something. He’s known for often playing a tough guy and for his foul mouth. Like Leo, he’s also done well in his career, and he’s spent a lot of time working with Quentin Tarantino. It’s no surprise that he’s one of the highest-grossing actors ever.

6. Jennifer Lawrence

 

 

• Born in: Kentucky

She’s had some ups and downs during her career, but Jennifer Lawrence is still one of the most famous actresses in America. She became a household name when she starred in “The Hunger Games” back in 2012. Since then, she’s been in a slew of films in different genres, from the “X-Men” films to award-winning movies like “Silver Linings Playbook.” She’s known for her odd comments and fun personality, and she’ll likely remain a notable American actress for years to come.

7. Tom Hanks

 

 

• Born in: California

Like Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks is another bonafide movie star that’s synonymous with Hollywood. He’s the every-man, and he’s very talented. He has played a number of unique characters, from “Forrest Gump” to a prison guard in “The Green Mile” to a cowboy in “Toy Story.” Every movie he’s in seems to be a hit, and everyone has their favorite Tom Hanks film. At only 65 years old at the time of this writing, Hanks still has many years ahead, and there are likely many other interesting characters in his future.

8. George Clooney

 

 

• Born in: Kentucky

George Clooney doesn’t act as much as he used to, but he’s still a household name and certainly a well-known American-born Hollywood star. Like the others on this list, he has also played various characters. He’s most famous for playing a doctor on the show “ER,” a thief in the “Ocean 11” movies, and Batman in the film “Batman and Robin.” He’s also an entrepreneur and has his own alcohol company.

9. Scarlett Johansson

 

 

• Born in: New York

Scarlett Johansson’s career has exploded in recent years. The New York native started out in romantic comedies and some more dramatic smaller roles. But after she started working with director Woody Allen and then became a superhero (Black Widow) in the Marvel films, her career skyrocketed. Due to those films and her many other projects, she is now one of the highest-grossing movie stars in the world and certainly deserves a place on this list.

10. Ben Affleck

 

 

• Born in: California

Ben Affleck has been a big star for a long time. His breakout came when he and fellow actor Matt Damon wrote “Good Will Hunting” in 1997, and they became household names. Affleck has continued to be in the spotlight both for his growing filmography and his off-screen antics and relationships. He continues to write, direct, and star in movies, and he is undoubtedly one of the biggest movie stars in the United States.

11. Kevin Costner

 

 

• Born in: California

Kevin Costner has been working for a very long time and has had a varied career and plenty of ups and downs. He had a string of famous films during the 80s and 90s, including “The Untouchables”, “Field of Dreams,” and “The Bodyguard,” among many others. During the late 90s and into the 2000s, his career took a dip after several movies flopped at the box office, but he had a major career resurgence in the show “Yellowstone.”

12. Jodie Foster

 

 

• Born in: California

American actress Jodie was born Alicia Christian Foster, and she started her career as a child star who was seen in several Disney movies of that time, including the original “Freaky Friday.” After attending Yale University, she had several other high-profile roles, such as that in “Silence of the Lambs.” She is very selective in her projects but usually chooses those that impress audiences. She’s currently starring in the show “True Detective.”

13. Robert Downey Jr.

 

 

• Born in: New York

Robert Downey Jr. has had a rocky road, but it ultimately paid off. He was in a few movies in the 80s, and then in 1992, he starred in Charlie Chaplin in a biopic and was nominated for an Academy Award. However, soon after, he spent jail time after a struggle with drugs. Once he was released and got sober, he came back in a big way, playing Iron Man in Marvel films, and he’s remained one of the most famous actors since that time.

14. Adam Sandler

 

 

• Born in: New York

Adam Sandler began to gain notoriety when he played a variety of hilarious characters on “Saturday Night Life.” After that show, he started a movie career, and it has been hugely successful ever since. Sandler is arguably one of the most notable comedians of this generation. In addition to goofy comedies, he’s also starred in more dramatic roles lately. He has a huge fan base and will likely go down as a comedy legend.

15. Brad Pitt

 

 

• Born in: Oklahoma

Brad Pitt has been a household name for decades. Known for his looks and variety of film work, he’s easily one of the biggest movie stars in the United States. He’s been in a variety of high-profile movies, from “World War Z” to “12 Years a Slave.” He’s also received award nominations for movies like “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Moneyball.”

16. Angelina Jolie

 

 

• Born in: California

Angelina Jolie has been famous for many years for her award-winning work and the events in her personal life, including her relationships and her great humanitarian efforts. She’s the daughter of actor Jon Voight, and she gained worldwide recognition when she got the role of Laura Croft in the “Tomb Raider” movies. She also starred in the movie “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” with Brad Pitt, who was her husband at the time. She doesn’t work often these days, but she’s still a major star.

17. Woody Harrelson

 

 

• Born in: Texas

Woody Harrelson started to gain fame when he had a role on the hit show “Cheers,” and he hasn’t stopped since. He’s known for his quirky personality and his fun roles, including those in “No Country for Old Men” and “The Hunger Games.” Harrelson has also been nominated for several awards for much of his earlier work. He’s one of those actors who always seems to be working, and the chances are that everyone has their favorite Woody Harrelson movie.

18. Nicolas Cage

 

 

• Born in: California

Cage is another actor who has had his ups and downs in the industry, but he still remains one of the most famous actors. For many years, he was the go-to actor for comedies and quirky films, including “Raising Arizona” and “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” Some of his other notable films include “The Rock” and “Face/Off.” In recent years, he has had many films that were direct-to-video, but fans still enjoy them. That’s why Nicholas Cage is still a household name.

19. Denzel Washington

 

 

• Born in: New York

Denzel Washington has had a long career of varied roles, though many have him as a tough guy or dark character. He’s had many roles over the years, including those in “Remember the Titans” and “Man on Fire.” He had a big year when he starred in the movie “Training Day,” which earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. In recent years, he’s made a name for himself as “The Equalizer” in a series of movies with the same name.

20. Steve Carell

 

 

• Born in: Massachusetts

Another one of the biggest movie stars from the United States is Steve Carell. He is perhaps best known for his work on the sitcom “The Office.” However, he’s done a lot during his career, including other comedy work on “The Daily Show” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” Later in his career, he tackled some more dramatic roles, including the true crime drama film “Foxcatcher” and the show “The Morning Show.”

21. Michael Keaton

 

 

• Born in: Pennsylvania

Micheal Keaton was known as a comedic actor for many of his early years in Hollywood. However, he really made a splash and shocked the world when he was cast as Batman. He’s also been in “Beetlejuice,” “The Other Guys,” and “Birdman,” just to name a few. He’s one of those timeless actors who brings his A-game to every project. To top it all off, he’s also had a good career voicing characters in animated films.

22. Harrison Ford

 

 

• Born in: Illinois

Harrison Ford is a big-time actor who has been in many of the most notable films of the past few decades. Many people know him as the adventurer Indian Jones, who has been in many movies. Other people know him as Han Solo in the original “Star Wars” films. He’s also been in many beloved action films, including “The Fugitive” and “Air Force One,” among other great works.

23. Clint Eastwood

 

 

• Born in: California

Clint Eastwood has been one of America’s most beloved actors for a long time now. Born in 1930, he’s seen it all, and he spent a good amount of time acting in Westerns and as the tough guy in numerous movies. He started directing movies in the 1970s, and he has continued to do so until this day. He has directed and starred in many acclaimed films, including “Gran Torino” and “The Mule,” among many others. He’s also a very outspoken actor who is often in the press to this day.

24. Eddie Murphy

 

 

• Born in: New York

Eddie Murphy has been considered to be a comedy legend since his days as a featured player on “Saturday Night Live.” He played many memorable characters on the show and parlayed that into a successful film career with movies including “Trading Places” and “The Nutty Professor.” He’s also had a successful stand-up comedy career, and his one stand-up special, “Delirious,” is still considered a classic to this day.

25. Julia Roberts

 

 

• Born in: Georgia

One American celebrity that almost everyone knows is Julie Roberts, who is so famous and likable that many label her as “America’s Sweetheart.” She first became one of the biggest movie stars in the United States when she starred in “Pretty Woman” in 1990. From then on, she continued to star in blockbuster films, from “My Best Friend’s Wedding” to “Notting Hill,” and she won awards for her role in the movie “Erin Brockovich.” She hasn’t worked so much in recent years, but she’s still a big star.

26. Johnny Depp

 

 

• Born in: Kentucky

Like many others on this list, Johnny Depp has had a long career, and his first break came when he starred on the TV show “21 Jump Street.” From there, he spent the 90s acting in some highly influential films, including “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” and “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” He gained new levels of fame when he played Jack Sparrow in several “Pirates of the Caribbean” films. He’s a very versatile actor that almost everyone knows.

27. Kurt Russell

 

 

• Born in: Massachusetts

Many people know Kurt Russell as a tough guy in a variety of films, including both “Escape from New York” and “Escape from L.A.” He’s also been in several Quentin Tarantino movies, many of the “Fast and Furious” movies, and in Marvel films. He’s a famous actor with an unmistakable voice and a massive filmography, and he’s one of the biggest stars in the U.S.

28. Forest Whitaker

 

 

• Born in: Texas

You may not recognize the name of American actor Forest Whitaker by his name, but you will likely recognize his face. Whitaker is a distinguished actor with a long roster of notable films. He’s won numerous awards for his work. Movies you likely know include “Panic Room,” “The Butler,” and “The Crying Game,” among others. He also does a lot of great work on Broadway in addition to producing movies of his own.

29. Emma Stone

 

 

• Born in: Arizona

Actress Emma Stone has been performing since 2004, but she had her breakthrough in 2010 with the release of the comedy “Easy A,” and she became a household name. Since then, she’s been in a lot of hit movies, from “The Help” to “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” One of her biggest claims to fame in recent years is starring as the love interest in “The Amazing Spider-Man” films. She’s a great actress with a knack for comedy, and she’s like the girl next door to which many people can relate.

30. John Goodman

 

 

• Born in: Missouri

John Goodman has been around for decades, and many people will remember him as the husband on the sitcoms “Roseanne” and “The Connors.” However, many others will know him for his huge filmography, which includes many comedies and quirky performances. He has a great acting range and is very believable on the screen, which makes him the perfect movie star.

31. Al Pacino

 

 

• Born in: New York

Al Pacino is a legendary American-born Hollywood star who has more famous movie roles than we can count, ranging from “Scent of a Woman” to “The Godfather” to “Scarface.” He’s a method actor, which means that he stays in the role during the entire film shoot and that dedication shines through on screen. He’s also done amazing work on Broadway, and he has the Tony Awards to prove it.

32. Will Smith

 

 

• Born in: Pennsylvania

Easily one of the biggest stars on this list, Will Smith has had a career packed with movie hits and great performances. He had a string of box office successes during the 90s, with “Independence Day,” “Bad Boys,” and “Men in Black,” among others. He’s continued making hits until this day, with recent projects including “King Richard” and “Emancipation.” In addition to his movies, many people also remember him as the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

33. Chris Pratt

 

 

• Born in: Minnesota

Chris Pratt began to reach notoriety when he played the character Andy on the sitcom “Parks and Recreation.” It seemed like his career may be cut short, but then he had a resurgence when he started starring in big franchise movies, including the “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Jurassic World” films. He’s also done a lot of recognizable voice work, including playing Mario from the Mario Brothers and Garfield the Cat.

34. Bradley Cooper

 

 

• Born in: Pennsylvania

Bradly Cooper is one of the biggest movie stars in the United States and has rapidly risen to stardom. He started his career playing a lot of mean characters in movies like “Wedding Crashers.” However, his career made major leaps with roles in “The Hangover” movies and thrillers like “Limitless.” He’s a very talented actor and also a director. His movie “A Star is Born” was a cultural phenomenon.

35. Tommy Lee Jones

 

 

• Born in: Texas

Tommy Lee Jones is an incredible actor with a varied filmography. Many people may have started to recognize his work in the 90s when he was in many blockbusters, including “JFK,” “Batman Forever,” and “Men in Black.” As time went on, he continued to have great roles, leading up to “No Country for Old Men” and beyond. He hasn’t been in many movies lately, but he’s left a lasting legacy.

36. Morgan Freeman

 

 

• Born in: Tennessee

If you haven’t seen a movie starring Morgan Freeman, then chances are you’ve at least heard his voice. As an actor, he’s been in some of the biggest movies in recent history, including “The Dark Knight,” “Seven,” and “Now You See Me.” He has a very memorable, deep voice, and he’s often the narrator for movies and commercials. At 86 years old, he has had a long career, and we hope for many more years to come.

37. Matthew McConaughey

 

 

• Born in: Texas

Matthew McConaughey is one of the notable actors in Hollywood who is quite a character, and he shows off his wide range in his movies. His career has spanned decades, but he wasn’t always the movie star he is today. During the 2000s, he was known to star in a lot of romantic comedies. However, since then, he has expanded his skills and become an established actor in films like “Magic Mike” and “Dallas Buyers Club,” for which he won many awards.

38. Jennifer Aniston

 

 

• Born in: California

Jennifer Aniston is one of the most famous actresses in the world, but it wasn’t easy. She is likely most recognizable for playing Rahcel in the immensely popular sitcom “Friends.” However, while she could have been typecast or stuck in obscurity, she instead created an extensive film career that includes many hits, including “The Break-Up,” “Marley & Me,” and several films with Adam Sandler. She’s recently returned to TV as the star of “The Morning Show.”

39. Cameron Diaz

 

 

• Born in: California

For many years, Cameron Diaz was the “it girl” in Hollywood. This American Hollywood star was in many hits of the 90s and 2000s, including “There’s Something About Mary,” “The Mask,” and the “Shrek” and “Charlie’s Angels” films. In recent years, she’s been more well-known for her comedy work. She took a hiatus from acting in 2014 to focus on other projects, but she’ll be returning soon to reclaim her Hollywood throne.

40. John Travolta

 

 

• Born in: New Jersey

John Travolta is one of the biggest movie stars in the United States because most people know his name and likely have a favorite Travolta movie. Old-school fans will remember him fondly from the movie “Grease.” Others will remember the 90s, when he had movies like “Pulp Fiction” and “Look Who’s Talking Now.” Younger fans may enjoy his work in projects like “Wild Hogs” and “Old Dogs.” Whatever you enjoy, you’re sure to recognize Travolta as Hollywood royalty.

41. Jamie Foxx

 

 

• Born in: Texas

Jamie Foxx is a multi-talented actor who has been lighting up Tinsel Town for many years now. He was born Eric Marlon Bishop, but we know him as the actor from movies like “Django Unchained,” “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” and “Dreamgirls,” among many others. He also has had a successful music career with hits like “Gold Digger ” with Kanye West. He’s also known for his comedy work as a stand-up comedian and for his work on “In Living Color.”

42. Channing Tatum

 

 

• Born in: Alabama

Actor Channing Tatum has been active since 2000 when he worked as a dancer in music videos, including working on Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs.” However, you may first remember him from the movie “Coach Carter.” His real fame came after 2013 when he starred in many high-profile films, including “21 Jump Street,” “White House Down” and “Magic Mike,” among others.

43. Meryl Streep

 

 

• Born in: New Jersey

When you speak about the most famous actresses of the modern day, you’re likely going to bring up Meryl Streep. She’s been winning awards since the 70s when she was in the movie “Kramer vs. Kramer,” and she hasn’t stopped since. She’s been in countless hits over the years, from “Julie & Julia” to “The Devil Wears Prada.” She has also done a lot of amazing work on Broadway.

44. Chris Evans

 

 

• Born in: Massachusetts

Like several other stars on this list, actor Chris Evans owes a lot of his stardom to the Marvel movies, where he plays Captain America. In addition to the various Marvel films, he also played The Human Torch in two “Fantastic Four” movies. He does have other films and TV shows under his belt, including comedy films like “Ghosted.” At 42, this American actor still has a lot to prove.

45. Sandra Bullock

 

 

• Born in: Virginia

Sandra Bullock is another majorly famous celebrity who could be considered to be “America’s Sweetheart.” She’s charming in every movie she makes, from “Speed” to “Miss Congeniality” to “The Blind Side.” In recent years, she’s had other hit movies, including “Bird Box.” She’s a highly sought-after actress by Hollywood studios, and she can work as much or as little as she wants and still remain in the spotlight.

46. Mark Wahlberg

 

 

• Born in: Massachusetts

Mark Wahlberg has been one of the biggest movie stars in the United States since he was a hip-hop artist known as Marky Mark. He was able to create a successful movie career, starting with movies like “Boogie Nights.” His star quickly rose from there as he stared in more high-profile films, including “The Italian Job” and “Ted.” He’s also the co-owner of the successful burger chain called Wahlburgers.

47. Matt Damon

 

 

• Born in: Massachusetts

Matt Damon is a famous actor who often collaborates with fellow star Ben Affleck, as they have worked together on several films, including “Air” and “The Last Duel.” However, he’s also done quite well on his own. He starred in the hugely successful “Jason Bourne” franchise and “The Departed,” among other classics.

48. John Cena

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• Born in: Massachusetts

Just like The Rock, John Cena has transitioned from being a successful WWE wrestler to a famous movie star. He’s not on the same level as Dwayne Johnson yet, but he has had great success. He’s had roles in “Fast and the Furious” movies, “The Suicide Squad,” and more. In many ways, he’s developed into a comedian of sorts, and he shows his comedic chops in movies and commercials.

49. Danny DeVito

 

 

• Born in: New Jersey

Danny DeVito has been a household name for decades now. He was already notable during the 70s and 80s when he was on the classic sitcom “Taxi.” As the 90s and 2000s went on, DeVito continued to act in many high-profile projects, including “Batman Returns,” “Twins” and “Junior.” He’s also been on the long-running sitcom “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” He’s quite the career, which is especially impressive considering his small stature.

50. Drew Barrymore

 

 

• Born in: California

Finally, we have the incomparable Drew Barrymore, who is undoubtedly one of the biggest movie stars in the United States. She was a child star in movies like “ET,” and she’s been in the spotlight ever since. In the last few decades, she’s starred in several Adam Sandler films in addition to stand-alone films, such as “Scream” and “Whip It.” Currently, she has her own talk show: “The Drew Barrymore Show.” (Click here to find out who the most well-liked actors of all time in America.)