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The Most Famous Celebrities From Small Towns in the Midwest

The Most Famous Celebrities From Small Towns in the Midwest

Published: January 20, 2024 by Josie Green

Children who grow up in small towns may experience an almost universal sentiment – a desire to one day leave, see the world, and make something of themselves. Of course, it doesn’t take relocating to be successful; nevertheless the desire to escape the confines of a tiny hometown and become rich and famous has crossed many a small town kid’s mind. (Check out the middle of nowhere in every state.)

For some actors, singers, models, and sports stars from the Midwest, this dream has become a reality. To determine the most famous celebrities from small towns in the Midwest, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on fame from the June 2022 paper “A cross-verified database of notable people, 3500BC-2018AD,” published in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Data.

Celebrities born in cities, towns, villages, and Census-designated places with fewer than 25,000 residents were ranked based on a visibility index composed of five factors: the number of different editions of an individual’s Wikipedia page; the length in words of an individual’s Wikipedia page; the average number of pageviews for an individual’s Wikipedia page from 2015 to 2018; the number of standard biographical data points (birth date, gender, and domain of influence) included in an individual’s Wikipedia page; and the number of external links on an individual’s Wikipedia page. Birthplace data was matched to Census place geographies using shapefile boundary definitions for 2022. Data on population is from the Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey and is five-year data.

Over a dozen of the most famous celebrities from small towns in the Midwest hail from Illinois, including Keke Palmer, Peter Sarsgaard, Frances McDormand, and and Kathryn Hahn. Many are also from Michigan, Ohio, and Minnesota. Only two – Danai Gurira and Michelle Monaghan – were born in Iowa. (Did you know that Iowa is the best state to live off the grid, according to data?)

Here are the 50 most famous celebrities from small towns in the Midwest:

50. Larry the Cable Guy

SiriusXM's Larry the Cable Guy Discusses His New Film With Jim Breuer During A SiriusXM "Town Hall" — Larry the Cable Guy grew up on a farm in Nebraska, and now owns a farm in his home state.

Visibility score: 32.0
Birthplace: Pawnee City, Nebraska
Town population, 2021: 899
Birth year: 1963

49. Kevin Sorbo

2014 Summer TCA Tour - Day 2 — Kevin Sorbo worked as a model before landing his breakout role as the Greek demigod Hercules.

Visibility score: 32.0
Birthplace: Mound, Minnesota
Town population, 2021: 9,365
Birth year: 1958

48. Bob Woodward

Meet The Press — Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Bob Woodward made a name for himself reporting on the Watergate scandal.

Visibility score: 32.0
Birthplace: Geneva, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 21,472
Birth year: 1943

47. Patricia Heaton

Comedian and actor Patricia Heaton graduated from Ohio State University with a BA in drama.

Visibility score: 32.0
Birthplace: Bay Village, Ohio
Town population, 2021: 16,051
Birth year: 1958

46. Maynard James Keenan

Maynard James Keenan of A Perfect Circle — Maynard James Keenan enrolled in the Army with the intention of funding his art school education before starting the band Tool.

Visibility score: 32.1
Birthplace: Ravenna, Ohio
Town population, 2021: 11,369
Birth year: 1964

45. Robert Knepper

Monte Carlo Television Festival 2007 - Day 2 — Known for playing villains, Robert Knepper was interested in acting from a young age and was involved in his hometown theater.

Visibility score: 32.1
Birthplace: Fremont, Ohio
Town population, 2021: 15,954
Birth year: 1959

44. Greg Kinnear

Los Angeles Premiere Screening Of Netflix's "House Of Cards" Season 6 - Arrivals — Greg Kinnear created a radio show in high school and pursued a career as a talk show host before becoming an actor.

Visibility score: 32.2
Birthplace: Logansport, Indiana
Town population, 2021: 18,471
Birth year: 1963

43. Karen Allen

Celebs Attend National Board Of Review Awards — Karen Allen became interested in theater in her 20s and was accepted at the prestigious Actors Studio in Manhattan.

Visibility score: 32.2
Birthplace: Carrollton, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 2,591
Birth year: 1951

42. Kathryn Hahn

The BAFTA Los Angeles Tea Party - Arrivals — Kathryn Hahn obtained a BA in theater from Northwestern, and an MFA in drama from Yale.

Visibility score: 32.2
Birthplace: Westchester, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 16,837
Birth year: 1973

41. Bobby Lashley

Battle Of The Billionaires Announce Details Of Wrestlemania 23 — Now a pro-wrestler and MMA fighter, Bobby Lashley formerly trained to qualify for the 2004 Olympics when an unrelated injury halted his amateur wrestling career.

Visibility score: 32.4
Birthplace: Junction City, Kansas
Town population, 2021: 23,033
Birth year: 1976

40. Dean Cain

24th Family Film Awards - Show — Before becoming an actor, Dean Cain signed with the Buffalo Bills but obtained a knee injury that ended his NFL dreams.

Visibility score: 32.4
Birthplace: Mount Clemens, Michigan
Town population, 2021: 15,735
Birth year: 1966

39. Joan Allen

8th Annual More Magazine/ Wilhelmina Hosts 40+Model Search Finals Event — Joan Allen joined Chicago’s esteemed Steppenwolf Theatre Company in her early 20s.

Visibility score: 32.4
Birthplace: Rochelle, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 9,380
Birth year: 1956

38. Christie Brinkley

Christie Brinkley by Rubenstein — Model Christie Brinkley has graced the covers of over 500 magazines.

Visibility score: 32.5
Birthplace: Monroe, Michigan
Town population, 2021: 20,344
Birth year: 1954

37. Adam Baldwin

TNT At Comic-Con International: San Diego 2015 - "The Last Ship" Panel — Actor Adam Baldwin was discovered while still in high school.

Visibility score: 32.6
Birthplace: Winnetka, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 12,658
Birth year: 1962

36. Colton Haynes

Hugo Boss Show - Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2011 — Actor and model Colton Haynes grew up on a farm in Kansas, and got his start modeling at 15.

Visibility score: 32.6
Birthplace: Andale, Kansas
Town population, 2021: 1,203
Birth year: 1988

35. Angie Dickinson

Angie Dickinson — Actor Angie Dickinson dreamed of becoming a writer, but changed courses after a casting agent discovered her at a beauty pageant.

Visibility score: 32.6
Birthplace: Kulm, North Dakota
Town population, 2021: 490
Birth year: 1931

34. John Mellencamp

Heartland rocker John Mellencamp is one of the founders of Farm Aid, a benefit concert for farmers.

Visibility score: 32.6
Birthplace: Seymour, Indiana
Town population, 2021: 21,192
Birth year: 1951

33. Danai Gurira

95th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals — Born in Iowa, actor Danai Gurira’s family moved to Zimbabwe when she was five.

Visibility score: 32.7
Birthplace: Grinnell, Iowa
Town population, 2021: 9,481
Birth year: 1978

32. Steve Zahn

"Valley Of The Boom" Premiere - 2018 Tribeca TV Festival — Steve Zahn grew up on a farm in Minnesota and became involved in theater in high school.

Visibility score: 32.7
Birthplace: Marshall, Minnesota
Town population, 2021: 13,728
Birth year: 1967

31. Kid Rock

081217-N-8825R-023 by ResoluteSupportMedia

Source: isafmedia / Flickr

081217-N-8825R-023 (CC BY 2.0) by ResoluteSupportMedia

Visibility score: 32.8
Birthplace: Romeo, Michigan
Town population, 2021: 3,729
Birth year: 1971

30. Keke Palmer

Disney And Pixar's "Lightyear" Los Angeles Premiere — Born to two former actors, Keke Palmer began singing and performing at age 5.

Visibility score: 32.9
Birthplace: Harvey, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 20,751
Birth year: 1993

29. Chris O’Donnell

Chris O'Donnell Honored On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame — Chris O’Donnell began modeling at 13 and acting at 16.

Visibility score: 32.9
Birthplace: Winnetka, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 12,658
Birth year: 1970

28. Gena Rowlands

Gena Rowlands — Best known for her collaborations with her husband John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands’ career spanned over six decades.

Visibility score: 33.1
Birthplace: Cambria, Wisconsin
Town population, 2021: 692
Birth year: 1930

27. Jane Lynch

Critics' Choice Television Awards - Arrivals — Jane Lynch got her BA in theater in 1982, and her masters in acting at Cornell in 1984.

Visibility score: 33.2
Birthplace: Evergreen Park, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 19,884
Birth year: 1960

26. Kevin Nash

SCAD Presents 17th Annual Savannah Film Festival - Matt Bomer Spotlight Award Tribute Trustees Theater — Retired pro-wrestler Kevin Nash (left) first appeared in WCW in 1990 and came to be known as Diesel in WWF (now the WWE).

Visibility score: 33.3
Birthplace: Trenton, Michigan
Town population, 2021: 18,489
Birth year: 1959

25. Sarah Wayne Callies

Sarah Wayne Callies Visits The IMDb Show — Born in Illinois, Sarah Wayne Callies relocated to Hawaii with her family and acted in school plays growing up.

Visibility score: 33.3
Birthplace: La Grange, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 16,220
Birth year: 1977

24. David Spade

The Comedy Central Roast Of Rob Lowe - Show — Although he graduated from college with a business degree, David Spade immediately pursued stand-up comedy.

Visibility score: 33.3
Birthplace: Birmingham, Michigan
Town population, 2021: 21,728
Birth year: 1964

23. Calista Flockhart

69th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals — Calista Flockhart studied acting at Rutgers and worked in numerous theaters before landing her first Broadway role.

Visibility score: 33.3
Birthplace: Freeport, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 24,087
Birth year: 1964

22. Anne Heche

"My Friend Dahmer" Premiere - 2017 Tribeca Film Festival — At age 12, Anne Heche began acting at a dinner theater to help support her mother and siblings.

Visibility score: 33.3
Birthplace: Aurora, Ohio
Town population, 2021: 17,108
Birth year: 1969

21. Traci Lords

Traci Lords Book Signing — Traci Lords worked underage as an adult film star before studying acting at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute in Manhattan.

Visibility score: 33.3
Birthplace: Steubenville, Ohio
Town population, 2021: 18,122
Birth year: 1968

20. Peter Sarsgaard

Awards Ceremony - The 80th Venice International Film Festival — Peter Sarsgaard began acting during his senior year of college, while majoring in history and literature.

Visibility score: 33.3
Birthplace: Scott AFB, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 4,219
Birth year: 1971

19. Terrence Malick

Malick, Days of Heaven by Jester-being — Director Terrence Malick taught philosophy at MIT before enrolling at the American Film Institute Conservatory.

Visibility score: 33.4
Birthplace: Ottawa, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 18,719
Birth year: 1943

18. Carmen Electra

2012 American Country Awards - Press Room — Carmen Electra, whose parents were both musicians, fronted a rap group and released a solo album before turning to television and film.

Visibility score: 33.5
Birthplace: Sharonville, Ohio
Town population, 2021: 14,022
Birth year: 1972

17. Michelle Monaghan

Michelle Monaghan studied journalism and worked as a fashion model prior to her acting career.

Visibility score: 33.6
Birthplace: Winthrop, Iowa
Town population, 2021: 1,036
Birth year: 1976

16. Sheryl Crow

Before getting a record deal, Sheryl Crow taught music at an elementary school, performed commercial jingles, and toured as a backup singer with Michael Jackson.

Visibility score: 33.7
Birthplace: Kennett, Missouri
Town population, 2021: 10,507
Birth year: 1962

15. Tippi Hedren

Tippi Hedren was working as a fashion model in New York when Alfred Hitchcock cast her in his 1963 film “The Birds.”

Visibility score: 33.8
Birthplace: New Ulm, Minnesota
Town population, 2021: 14,052
Birth year: 1930

14. Gary Sinise

25th National Memorial Day Concert — Gary Sinise fell in love with acting in high school and later co-founded the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago.

Visibility score: 33.9
Birthplace: Blue Island, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 22,934
Birth year: 1955

13. Don Johnson

"Knives Out" European Premiere - 63rd BFI London Film Festival — Born to a beautician and a farmer, a young Don Johnson dreamed of becoming a professional bowler before getting into acting.

Visibility score: 33.9
Birthplace: Cassville, Missouri
Town population, 2021: 3,182
Birth year: 1949

12. Kate Upton

The Daily Front Row Second Annual Fashion Media Awards - Arrivals — As a child, Kate Upton dreamed of becoming a professional model, and has now been on the cover of Sports illustrated, Cosmopolitan, and more.

Visibility score: 34.0
Birthplace: St. Joseph, Michigan
Town population, 2021: 7,868
Birth year: 1992

11. Matt Bomer

Premiere Of Regency Enterprises' "In Time" - Red Carpet — Matt Bomer moved to NYC to pursue acting after getting his BFA at Carnegie Mellon.

Visibility score: 34.1
Birthplace: Webster Groves, Missouri
Town population, 2021: 23,817
Birth year: 1977

10. Dick Van Dyke

Entertainer Dick Van Dyke enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II and worked as a radio announcer.

Visibility score: 34.2
Birthplace: West Plains, Missouri
Town population, 2021: 12,048
Birth year: 1925

9. John Malkovich

John Malkovich was involved in theater in high school and joined the newly formed Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago in 1976.

Visibility score: 34.7
Birthplace: Christopher, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 2,459
Birth year: 1953

8. Larry Bird

Nicknamed “the Hick from French Lick,” Larry Byrd played for the Boston Celtics for 13 seasons and is considered one of the greatest pure shooters in NBA history.

Visibility score: 34.7
Birthplace: West Baden Springs, Indiana
Town population, 2021: 485
Birth year: 1956

7. Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand earned an MFA from the Yale School of Drama in 1982.

Visibility score: 34.9
Birthplace: Gibson City, Illinois
Town population, 2021: 3,593
Birth year: 1957

6. Sarah Jessica Parker

Source: Mike Coppola / Getty Images

Source: Mike Coppola / Getty Images

Visibility score: 35.1
Birthplace: Nelsonville, Ohio
Town population, 2021: 4,319
Birth year: 1965

5. Jessica Biel

A young Jessica Biel performed in musical theater as a vocalist before landing her breakout role on “7th Heaven.”

Visibility score: 35.2
Birthplace: Ely, Minnesota
Town population, 2021: 3,280
Birth year: 1982

4. Brock Lesnar

John Cena and Brock Lesnar at ... by Ed Webster — Pro-wrestler Brock Lesnar is an award-winning MMA fighter and has played on the Minnesota Vikings.

Visibility score: 35.2
Birthplace: Webster, South Dakota
Town population, 2021: 1,772
Birth year: 1977

3. Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange studied drama in Paris and worked as a model in New York City before being cast in “King Kong” in 1976.

Visibility score: 35.5
Birthplace: Cloquet, Minnesota
Town population, 2021: 12,563
Birth year: 1949

2. Kristen Bell

Kristen Bell began acting at a young age and had an agent by the time she was 13.

Visibility score: 35.7
Birthplace: Huntington Woods, Michigan
Town population, 2021: 6,382
Birth year: 1980

1. Chris Pratt

Superstar Chris Pratt once lived in a tent on a Maui beach, and has worked as a stripper.

Visibility score: 36.5
Birthplace: Virginia, Minnesota
Town population, 2021: 8,444
Birth year: 1979