OMDb

Famous actresses from Kentucky

Anyone who wants to admire and envy the world’s biggest stars needs only to look on Instagram. From A-list movie stars and major musicians to pro ball players and comedians who landed their own sitcoms, there’s no shortage of evidence of just how good the good life is. They post pictures of themselves with other big shots on rooftop bars, at exclusive clubs, at backstage parties, and at restaurants where regular people can’t get a reservation.

But the vast majority of these celebrities were born and raised outside of Hollywood, finding their way to the bright lights and big money of superstardom from obscure beginnings in regular small towns and cities across the country.

Stacker compiled a list of actresses that were born in Kentucky from IMDb’s most popular list. Movie poster images are from OMDb. Keep reading to see which of your favorite actresses are from your home state.

You may also like: Famous actors from Kentucky

Matt Winkelmeyer // Getty Images

Jennifer Lawrence

– Born: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (8/15/1990)

– Known for:
— Katniss Everdeen in “The Hunger Games” (2012)
— Tiffany in “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012)
— Rosalyn Rosenfeld in “American Hustle” (2013)

OMDb

Sean Young

– Born: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (11/20/1959)

– Known for:
— Rachael in “Blade Runner” (1982)
— Susan Atwell in “No Way Out” (1987)
— Chani in “Dune” (1984)

OMDb

Jennifer Carpenter

– Born: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (12/7/1979)

– Known for:
— Emily Rose in “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” (2005)
— Debra Morgan in “Dexter” (2006-2013)
— Angela Vidal in “Quarantine” (2008)

OMDb

J. Smith-Cameron

– Born: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (9/7/1957)

– Known for:
— Joan in “Margaret” (2011)
— Psychiatrist in “Man on a Ledge” (2012)
— Mabel in “You Can Count on Me” (2000)

OMDb

Emily Althaus

– Born: Kentucky, USA (11/25/1986)

– Known for:
— Maureen Kukudio in “Orange Is the New Black” (2015-2017)
— Natalie in “Togetherness” (2016)
— Jessie in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (2015)

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Maggie Lawson

– Born: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (8/12/1980)

– Known for:
— Female News Host #1 in “Gamer” (2009)
— Juliet O’Hara / Scarlett Jones / Self in “Psych” (2006-2014)
— Cherie in “Cleaner” (2007)

OMDb

Rosemary Clooney

– Born: Maysville, Kentucky, USA (5/23/1928)
– Died: 6/29/2002

– Known for:
— Betty Haynes in “White Christmas” (1954)
— Soundtrack in “Repo Men” (2010)
— Madame X’ / Mary Cavanaugh in “ER” (1994)

OMDb

Beth Broderick

– Born: Falmouth, Kentucky, USA (2/24/1959)

– Known for:
— Zelda Spellman / Jezebelda in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (1996-2002)
— Mrs. Ruth Forrest in “Psycho Beach Party” (2000)
— Caroline Heftshank in “The Bonfire of the Vanities” (1990)

OMDb

Sarah Wright

– Born: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (9/28/1983)

– Known for:
— Lucy Seal in “American Made” (2017)
— Ashley in “The House Bunny” (2008)
— Denise in “Walk of Shame” (2014)

OMDb

Ciara Bravo

– Born: Alexandria, Kentucky, USA (3/18/1997)

– Known for:
— Emily in “Cherry” (2021)
— Crystal Romanowski in “Small Engine Repair” (2021)
— Delilah ‘Del’ Luccetti in “Wayne” (2019)

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OMDb

Rumer Willis

– Born: Paducah, Kentucky, USA (8/16/1988)

– Known for:
— Ellie in “Sorority Row” (2009)
— Katlyn Chase in “Wild Cherry” (2009)
— Amanda Talley in “Hostage” (2005)

OMDb

Kelly Rutherford

– Born: Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA (11/6/1968)

– Known for:
— Dixie Cousins in “The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.” (1993-1994)
— Megan Lewis Mancini / Megan Lewis in “Melrose Place” (1996-1999)
— Samantha ‘Sonny’ Liston in “E-Ring” (2005-2006)

OMDb

Rebecca Gayheart

– Born: Hazard, Kentucky, USA (8/12/1971)

– Known for:
— Brenda Bates in “Urban Legend” (1998)
— Danielle in “Nothing to Lose” (1997)
— Julie Freeman in “Jawbreaker” (1999)

OMDb

Melissa McBride

– Born: Lexington, Kentucky, USA (5/23/1965)

– Known for:
— Carol Peletier / Carol in “The Walking Dead” (2010-2022)
— Woman With Kids at Home in “The Mist” (2007)
— Mrs. Doyle in “The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys” (2002)

OMDb

Abby Brammell

– Born: Kentucky, USA (3/19/1979)

– Known for:
— Laurene Jobs in “Jobs” (2013)
— Tiffy Gerhardt in “The Unit” (2006-2009)
— Persis in “Star Trek: Enterprise” (2004)

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OMDb

Jess Weixler

– Born: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (6/8/1981)

– Known for:
— Dawn in “Teeth” (2007)
— Katy Rigby in “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her” (2013)
— Robyn Burdine in “The Good Wife” (2013-2014)

ABC Television // Wikimedia Commons

Patricia Neal

– Born: Packard, Kentucky, USA (1/20/1926)
– Died: 8/8/2010

– Known for:
— Alma Brown in “Hud” (1963)
— Helen Benson in “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951)
— Maggie in “In Harm’s Way” (1965)

OMDb

Molly Sims

– Born: Murray, Kentucky, USA (5/25/1973)

– Known for:
— Stephanie in “Yes Man” (2008)
— Diora in “Fired Up!” (2009)
— Liz in “The Benchwarmers” (2006)

OMDb

Leigh-Allyn Baker

– Born: Murray, Kentucky, USA (3/13/1972)

– Known for:
— Ellen in “Will & Grace” (1998-2018)
— Amy Duncan / Jamie Blankenhooper in “Good Luck Charlie” (2010-2014)
— Queen Delightful / Snazzy Shazam in “The 7D” (2014-2016)

OMDb

Galadriel Stineman

– Born: Kentucky, USA (10/20/1990)

– Known for:
— Donna in “This Is Us” (2019)
— Wendy in “Shameless” (2013)
— Cassidy Finch / Lucy Howard in “The Middle” (2011-2017)

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Ashley Eckstein

– Born: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (9/22/1981)

– Known for:
— Ahsoka Tano in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (2008)
— Ahsoka Tano in “Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” (2019)
— Ahsoka Tano / K2-B4 / Ahsoka / Aleena / Female Patron / Kiera Swan / Marwigo / Togruta / Twi’lek Dancer #1 / Village Child in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (2008-2020)

OMDb

Telma Hopkins

– Born: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (10/28/1948)

– Known for:
— Rachel Crawford in “Family Matters” (1989-1997)
— Lillian Roanoke in “The Love Guru” (2008)
— Phyllis Thorne in “Half & Half” (2002-2006)

OMDb

Leah Lail

– Born: Lexington, Kentucky, USA (12/17/1965)

– Known for:
— Christa in “Little Nicky” (2000)
— Julie in “Heavyweights” (1995)
— Kay Simmons in “V.I.P.” (1998-2002)

OMDb

Kiami Davael

– Born: Boyle County, Kentucky, USA (8/21/1986)

– Known for:
— Lavender in “Matilda” (1996)
— Simone Bien Aime in “The Pretender” (1997)
— Keeta in “Conan the Adventurer” (1998)

OMDb

Becky Ann Baker

– Born: Fort Knox, Kentucky, USA (2/17/1953)

– Known for:
— Nancy Chambers in “A Simple Plan” (1998)
— Mrs. Redgick in “Men in Black” (1997)
— Mrs. Stacy in “Spider-Man 3” (2007)

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Lisa Thornhill

– Born: Hardinsburg, Kentucky, USA (9/30/1966)

– Known for:
— Gail in “After the Sunset” (2004)
— Evelyn Thompson in “The Family Man” (2000)
— Celeste Kane in “Veronica Mars” (2014)

OMDb

Irene Dunne

– Born: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (12/20/1898)
– Died: 9/4/1990

– Known for:
— Lucy Warriner in “The Awful Truth” (1937)
— Terry McKay in “Love Affair” (1939)
— Stephanie in “Roberta” (1935)

OMDb

Tinashe

– Born: Lexington, Kentucky, USA (2/6/1993)

– Known for:
— Robin in “Out of Jimmy’s Head” (2007-2008)
— Mrs. Brown’s Daughter in “Masked and Anonymous” (2003)
— Additional Crew in “The Polar Express” (2004)

OMDb

Joyce Compton

– Born: Lexington, Kentucky, USA (1/27/1907)
– Died: 10/13/1997

– Known for:
— Dixie Belle Lee in “The Awful Truth” (1937)
— Mary Lee in “Christmas in Connecticut” (1945)
— Beulah in “Bedtime Story” (1941)

OMDb

Desi Lydic

– Born: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (6/30/1981)

– Known for:
— Self – Correspondent / America’s Lawyer / Amy Fisher / College Professor / David Koresh / Equifax Spokeswoman / Fading Dreams Associate / Flight Attendant / Founding Father / Franka Von Schmidt / Improve Group Leader / Inauguration Night Mom / Marion Donovan / Marsha Maddox / Mary Debt / Merrick Garland / Missouri Mom / Peleton Ad Wife / Sales Clerk 1 / Sarah Howe / Self – ‘Meet Hillary: The Best You’re Going To Get’ Narrator / Spelling Bee Judge / Throwdown Air Flight Attendant / Tonya Harding / Trump Supporter / Unity Counselor in “The Daily Show” (2015-2021)
— Valerie Marks in “Awkward.” (2011-2016)
— Shea Seger (Lasagna Mom) in “We Bought a Zoo” (2011)

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Traci Lind

– Born: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (4/1/1968)

– Known for:
— Christie Langford in “Class of 1999” (1990)
— Natalie St. Clair in “Bugsy” (1991)
— Alex in “Fright Night Part 2” (1988)

OMDb

Emayatzy Corinealdi

– Born: Fort Knox, Kentucky, USA (1/14/1980)

– Known for:
— Ruby in “Middle of Nowhere” (2012)
— Kira in “The Invitation” (2015)
— Belle in “Roots” (2016)

OMDb

Marcy Walker

– Born: Paducah, Kentucky, USA (11/26/1961)

– Known for:
— Eden Capwell / Eden Capwell Castillo / Eden Capwell Cranston in “Santa Barbara” (1984-1991)
— Liza Colby / Liza Colby Chandler / Lisa Colby in “All My Children” (1982-2005)
— Franny in “Hot Resort” (1985)

OMDb

Rebecca Broussard

– Born: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (1/3/1963)

– Known for:
— Hostage in “Die Hard” (1988)
— Hooker in “Mars Attacks!” (1996)
— Gladys in “The Two Jakes” (1990)

OMDb

Grace Victoria Cox

– Born: Lexington, Kentucky, USA (3/10/1995)

– Known for:
— Carol Daronch in “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” (2019)
— Melanie Cross in “Under the Dome” (2014-2015)
— Charlotte in “Twin Peaks” (2017)

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DeVore Ledridge

– Born: Lexington, Kentucky, USA (6/13/2001)

– Known for:
— Amelia Duckworth in “Bizaardvark” (2016-2019)
— Grace Kosta in “Law & Order: Organized Crime” (2021)
— DeVore Ledridge in “Disney Channel Stars: Legendary” (2018)

OMDb

Rachel Alig

– Born: Kentucky, USA (3/14/1987)

– Known for:
— Nena Weaver in “First Blush” (2020)
— Fran Baxter in “Wives of the Skies” (2020)
— Shelly in “The Cleaning Lady” (2018)

OMDb

Julie Parrish

– Born: Middlesboro, Kentucky, USA (10/21/1940)
– Died: 10/1/2003

– Known for:
— Ellen Frazier / Ruth Dancik in “Mannix” (1970-1972)
— Betty Anderson Harrington Cord Harrington / Betty Anderson in “Return to Peyton Place” (1972-1974)
— Joanna in “Paradise, Hawaiian Style” (1966)

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Una Merkel

– Born: Covington, Kentucky, USA (12/10/1903)
– Died: 1/2/1986

– Known for:
— Lorraine Fleming in “42nd Street” (1933)
— Verbena in “The Parent Trap” (1961)
— Sibyl Chase in “Private Lives” (1931)

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Kassie Wesley DePaiva

– Born: Morganfield, Kentucky, USA (3/21/1961)

– Known for:
— Blair Cramer / Blair Cramer Manning / Blair Cramer McBain / Blair Cramer Clarke / Blair Daimler Cramer / Blair Cramer Laurence / Blair Daimler / Blair Daimler Manning / Blair Kramer in “One Life to Live” (1992-2013)
— Bobby Joe in “Evil Dead II” (1987)
— Blair Cramer in “General Hospital” (2012)

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Lillian Randolph

– Born: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (12/14/1898)
– Died: 9/12/1980

– Known for:
— Annie in “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)
— Birdie – Gildersleeve’s Housekeeper in “Gildersleeve’s Ghost” (1944)
— Birdie Lee Calkins in “The Great Gildersleeve” (1942)

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Lucille Sharp

– Born: Lexington, Kentucky, USA (not available)

– Known for:
— Reed in “Downton Abbey” (2012)
— Singer in “Gotham” (2014)
— Liza Todd Burton in “Burton and Taylor” (2013)

OMDb

Marian Carr

– Born: Providence, Kentucky, USA (7/6/1925)
– Died: 7/30/2003

– Known for:
— Friday in “Kiss Me Deadly” (1955)
— Madge Novick in “Nightmare” (1956)
— Barbara Leighton in “Ghost Town” (1956)

OMDb

Maria Arcé

– Born: Lexington, Kentucky, USA (9/9/1979)

– Known for:
— Athena in “Just Friends” (2005)
— Victoria’s Secret Customer in “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” (2009)
— Chloe in “The Girl Next Door” (2004)

Tbennert/Wikicommons

Naomi Judd

– Born: Ashland, Kentucky, USA (1/11/1946)

– Known for:
— Honey in “An Evergreen Christmas” (2014)
— Makeup Artist in “Someone Like You” (2001)
— Mikki in “Route 65 Nashville”

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Darlene Hunt

– Born: Lebanon Junction, Kentucky, USA (5/12/1986)

– Known for:
— Darlene in “I Heart Huckabees” (2004)
— Yuppie Wife in “Idiocracy” (2006)
— Producer in “The Big C” (2010-2013)

OMDb

Melissa Moore

– Born: Versailles, Kentucky, USA (12/27/1963)

– Known for:
— Jessica in “Sorority House Massacre II” (1990)
— Peggy Lee Thomas in “Samurai Cop” (1991)
— Tess in “Hard to Die” (1990)