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The Most Famous Celebrities From Small Towns in the South

The Most Famous Celebrities From Small Towns in the South

Published: February 10, 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.

For some actors, singers, politicians, and sports stars from the South, this dream has become a reality. To determine the most famous celebrities from small towns in the South, 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.

It’s no surprise that many country musicians hail from small Southern towns. Billy Ray Cyrus, Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and Willie Nelson are all from the South. Dolly Parton, who was born in a one-room log cabin with no electricity or running water in Pittman Center, Tennessee, has gone on to become one of the best-selling musicians of all time.

Sports stars including Evander Holyfield, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, and Chris Paul grew up in small towns in the South, as did whistleblowers Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden, and former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. (Read about each president’s path to the oval office.)

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

50. Andie MacDowell

Hallmark Channel's "The Way Home" Season 1 Los Angeles SAG Panel & Screening — Andie MacDowell was a successful model in the early ’80s before becoming an actor.

Visibility score: 33.2
Birthplace: Gaffney, South Carolina
Town population, 2021: 12,560
Birth year: 1958

49. Marla Maples

A multi-talented performer, Marla Maples was Donald Trump’s second wife from 1993 to 1999.

Visibility score: 33.2
Birthplace: Cohutta, Georgia
Town population, 2021: 692
Birth year: 1963

48. Tori Amos

Piano prodigy Tori Amos received a Peabody Institute scholarship at age 5 – the youngest student ever admitted.

Visibility score: 33.3
Birthplace: Newton, North Carolina
Town population, 2021: 13,081
Birth year: 1963

47. Chris Paul

Chris Paul is considered one of the best point guards in NBA history.

Visibility score: 33.4
Birthplace: Lewisville, North Carolina
Town population, 2021: 13,413
Birth year: 1985

46. Scottie Pippen

Small forward Scottie Pippen helped lead the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in the ’90s.

Visibility score: 33.4
Birthplace: Hamburg, Arkansas
Town population, 2021: 2,649
Birth year: 1965

45. Joanne Woodward

Golden Age actor Joanne Woodward is known for her Academy Award-winning performance in “The Three Faces of Eve.”

Visibility score: 33.4
Birthplace: Thomasville, Georgia
Town population, 2021: 18,844
Birth year: 1930

44. Blake Shelton

Country star Blake Shelton moved to Nashville, Tennessee at age 17 to pursue a life in music.

Visibility score: 33.5
Birthplace: Ada, Oklahoma
Town population, 2021: 16,804
Birth year: 1976

43. Mary Steenburgen

After her freshman year of college, Mary Steenburgen (center) relocated to New York City to attend the esteemed Neighborhood Playhouse.

Visibility score: 33.5
Birthplace: Newport, Arkansas
Town population, 2021: 7,829
Birth year: 1953

42. Zach Galifianakis

Comedian Zach Galifianakis owns a farm in his home state of North Carolina.

Visibility score: 33.5
Birthplace: Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Town population, 2021: 3,578
Birth year: 1969

41. Billy Ray Cyrus

Country musician Billy Ray Cyrus grew up in a musical family and was singing by age four.

Visibility score: 33.5
Birthplace: Flatwoods, Kentucky
Town population, 2021: 7,314
Birth year: 1961

40. Nikki Haley

Politician and diplomat Nikki Haley was the governor of her native South Carolina from 2011 to 2017.

Visibility score: 33.5
Birthplace: Bamberg, South Carolina
Town population, 2021: 3,103
Birth year: 1972

39. Reba McEntire

As a child, country singer Reba McEntire and her three siblings performed at local events as The Singing McEntires.

Visibility score: 33.6
Birthplace: McAlester, Oklahoma
Town population, 2021: 18,225
Birth year: 1955

38. Evander Holyfield

Evander Holyfield v Vitor Belfort - Press Conference — Former boxer Evander Holyfield is the only person in the world to have won four heavyweight championships.

Visibility score: 33.7
Birthplace: Atmore, Alabama
Town population, 2021: 8,734
Birth year: 1962

37. Matt Hardy

Broken Matt Hardy Jan 2017 by Mike Kalasnik — Along with his brother Jeff, pro-wrestler Matt Hardy is a 14-time world tag team champion.

Visibility score: 33.7
Birthplace: Cameron, North Carolina
Town population, 2021: 432
Birth year: 1974

36. Sissy Spacek

Academy Award-winner Sissy Spacek aspired to be a singer before she got into acting.

Visibility score: 33.7
Birthplace: Quitman, Texas
Town population, 2021: 2,227
Birth year: 1949

35. Ciara

Multi-talented singer/songwriter Ciara got her first publishing contract at age 15.

Visibility score: 33.8
Birthplace: Fort Hood, Texas
Town population, 2021: 24,781
Birth year: 1985

34. Brandy

Brandy released her debut album with Atlantic Records when she was 15.

Visibility score: 33.9
Birthplace: McComb, Mississippi
Town population, 2021: 12,400
Birth year: 1979

33. Ryan Phillippe

NASCAR Cup Series DuraMAX Drydene 400 presented by RelaDyne — After getting his start on the soap opera “One Life to Live,” Ryan Phillippe landed several big movie roles.

Visibility score: 33.9
Birthplace: New Castle, Delaware
Town population, 2021: 5,482
Birth year: 1974

32. Jerry Lee Lewis

Rockabilly showman Jerry Lee Lewis was known for his flamboyant piano playing.

Visibility score: 34.0
Birthplace: Ferriday, Louisiana
Town population, 2021: 3,194
Birth year: 1935

31. Chris Rock

Although he was born in South Carolina, comedian Chris Rock grew up in Brooklyn.

Visibility score: 34.1
Birthplace: Andrews, South Carolina
Town population, 2021: 2,721
Birth year: 1965

30. Elle Fanning

The younger sister of actor Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning (right) began acting at age 2.

Visibility score: 34.2
Birthplace: Conyers, Georgia
Town population, 2021: 17,101
Birth year: 1998

29. Holly Hunter

6th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards - Show — Actor Holly Hunter left Georgia to study theater at Carnegie Mellon University before moving to New York City.

Visibility score: 34.3
Birthplace: Conyers, Georgia
Town population, 2021: 17,101
Birth year: 1958

28. Chelsea Manning

Re publica 18 - Day 1 by Gregor Fischer / re:publica — After spending seven years in prison for leaking sensitive documents, Chelsea Manning has won numerous peace and ethics awards.

Visibility score: 34.3
Birthplace: Crescent, Oklahoma
Town population, 2021: 1,445
Birth year: 1987

27. Josh Hutcherson

Accompanied by his mother, Josh Hutcherson moved to LA at age 9 to pursue acting.

Visibility score: 34.4
Birthplace: Union, Kentucky
Town population, 2021: 7,227
Birth year: 1992

26. Vince McMahon

Wrestling promoter Vince McMahon bought the WWE (formerly WWF) from his father in 1982.

Visibility score: 34.4
Birthplace: Pinehurst, North Carolina
Town population, 2021: 17,250
Birth year: 1945

25. Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley played in the NBA for 16 seasons and was the MVP in 1993.

Visibility score: 34.4
Birthplace: Leeds, Alabama
Town population, 2021: 12,385
Birth year: 1963

24. Jeff Hardy

WWE & USA Network Help U.S Marine Corp Toys For Tots Foundation — Pro-wrestler Jeff Hardy (center) and his brother Matt are considered one of the greatest tag teams in the history of the sport.

Visibility score: 34.4
Birthplace: Cameron, North Carolina
Town population, 2021: 432
Birth year: 1977

23. Lionel Richie

Singer and songwriter Lionel Richie rose to fame in the Commodores before starting a successful solo career.

Visibility score: 34.5
Birthplace: Tuskegee, Alabama
Town population, 2021: 9,125
Birth year: 1949

22. James Earl Jones

Now known for his commanding bass voice, James Earl Jones had a childhood stutter that he overcame by acting and reciting poetry.

Visibility score: 34.5
Birthplace: Arkabutla, Mississippi
Town population, 2021: 289
Birth year: 1931

21. Faye Dunaway

Beginning her career on Broadway, Faye Dunaway gained film recognition for her role in “Bonnie and Clyde.”

Visibility score: 34.6
Birthplace: Bascom, Florida
Town population, 2021: 114
Birth year: 1941

20. Ian Somerhalder

Spike TV's "Scream 2010" - Red Carpet — Ian Somerhalder began modeling at age 10 and subsequently decided to become an actor.

Visibility score: 34.7
Birthplace: Covington, Louisiana
Town population, 2021: 11,155
Birth year: 1978

19. Carrie Underwood

Country singer Carrie Underwood’s career began with her triumph during the fourth season of American Idol.

Visibility score: 34.8
Birthplace: Checotah, Oklahoma
Town population, 2021: 3,034
Birth year: 1983

18. Viola Davis

EGOT winner Viola Davis was born on her grandmother’s farm on a former plantation in South Carolina.

Visibility score: 34.9
Birthplace: St. Matthews, South Carolina
Town population, 2021: 2,038
Birth year: 1965

17. Ron Howard

Actor, director, screenwriter, and producer Ron Howard has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Visibility score: 34.9
Birthplace: Duncan, Oklahoma
Town population, 2021: 22,664
Birth year: 1954

16. Willie Nelson

One of the original rebels of the outlaw country movement, Willie Nelson wrote his first song at age 7.

Visibility score: 35.2
Birthplace: Abbott, Texas
Town population, 2021: 300
Birth year: 1933

15. Tommy Lee Jones

Tommy Lee Jones moved to New York City to pursue acting after graduating from Harvard with an English degree.

Visibility score: 35.3
Birthplace: San Saba, Texas
Town population, 2021: 3,121
Birth year: 1946

14. Renée Zellweger

Renee Zellweger began acting while attending the University of Texas at Austin.

Visibility score: 35.3
Birthplace: Katy, Texas
Town population, 2021: 21,926
Birth year: 1969

13. Channing Tatum

Channing Tatum worked as a roofer, a stripper, a dancer, and a model before breaking into acting.

Visibility score: 35.5
Birthplace: Cullman, Alabama
Town population, 2021: 17,892
Birth year: 1980

12. Dakota Fanning

Georgia native Dakota Fanning landed her first professional acting role at age 5.

Visibility score: 35.5
Birthplace: Conyers, Georgia
Town population, 2021: 17,101
Birth year: 1994

11. Jamie Foxx

Raised by his grandparents, Jamie Foxx began playing piano at age 5.

Visibility score: 35.6
Birthplace: Terrell, Texas
Town population, 2021: 17,083
Birth year: 1967

10. Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris trained celebrities in martial arts before becoming an actor himself.

Visibility score: 35.8
Birthplace: Ryan, Oklahoma
Town population, 2021: 765
Birth year: 1940

9. Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey’s breakout role, Wooderson in “Dazed and Confused,” was largely improvised.

Visibility score: 36.0
Birthplace: Uvalde, Texas
Town population, 2021: 15,374
Birth year: 1969

8. Chris Brown

Virginia native Chris Brown moved to New York City and signed with Jive Records at age 16.

- Visibility score: 36.1
- Birthplace: Tappahannock, Virginia
- Town population, 2021: 1,945
- Birth year: 1989

7. Dolly Parton

Country star Dolly Parton is known for her philanthropic efforts around education and poverty relief.

Visibility score: 36.2
Birthplace: Pittman Center, Tennessee
Town population, 2021: 654
Birth year: 1946

6. Oprah Winfrey

Born into rural poverty, Oprah Winfrey is now the richest Black woman in the world.

Visibility score: 36.2
Birthplace: Kosciusko, Mississippi
Town population, 2021: 7,128
Birth year: 1954

5. Edward Snowden

IT systems expert Edward Snowden was working under contract for the NSA when he provided journalists with thousands of classified documents.

Visibility score: 37.3
Birthplace: Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Town population, 2021: 18,466
Birth year: 1983

4. Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence left high school at 14, got her GED, and landed her first professional acting role at 16.

Visibility score: 37.7
Birthplace: Indian Hills, Kentucky
Town population, 2021: 2,878
Birth year: 1990

3. Jimmy Carter

Former President Jimmy Carter grew up on a farm that produced corn, peanuts, sugar cane, and cotton.

Visibility score: 38.0
Birthplace: Plains, Georgia
Town population, 2021: 785
Birth year: 1924

2. Britney Spears

Britney Spears first auditioned for the Mickey Mouse Club at age 8, but was rejected for being too young.

Visibility score: 38.2
Birthplace: McComb, Mississippi
Town population, 2021: 12,400
Birth year: 1981

1. Bill Clinton

Although he considered pursuing a life in music, Bill Clinton settled on public service when he was 16.

Visibility score: 38.6
Birthplace: Hope, Arkansas
Town population, 2021: 9,010
Birth year: 1946