Celebrities You Didn’t Know Were From the South

By Southern Living

From J. Law to Johnny Depp, find out which celebs were born in your hometown.

The South is home to an incredible range of talent, from actors to musicians, from singers to sports stars. And though you may stand in line to see them perform, you may be amazed to learn about their Southern roots. Whether they are winning Gold Medals, making Gold Records, or taking home golden statues at the Academy Awards, these talented Southerners prove that you can take the person out of the place, but you can’t take the place out of the person. So enjoy our list of celebrities you didn’t know were Southern—it’ll feel like they’ve stepped straight out of that porch swing and straight into your heart.

 

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Beyonce Knowles

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Although the megastar has toured across the world, she is a Texan at heart. Beyonce Giselle Knowles-Carter was born and raised in Houston, Texas.

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Sandra Bullock

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From Miss Congeniality to Hope Floats, this Academy Award-winning actress was born in Arlington, Virginia.

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George Clooney

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The actor, producer, activist, and two-time Academy Award winner was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky

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4 of 13

Courteney Cox

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The lovable Friends character, and star of the sitcom Cougar Town, was born and raised in Mountain Brook, Alabama.

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Johnny Depp

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The man of many roles was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, and raised in Florida, where he was the frontman of many garage bands before trying out for his first role in Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984. 

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Viola Davis

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Born and raised with her five siblings in St. Matthews, South Carolina.

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Gabby Douglas

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One of a championship team of U.S. Olympic gymnasts dubbed The Fierce Five  at the 2012 London Games, this Virginia Beach native came home with two gold medals.

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Megan Fox

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The Transformers star was born in Rockwood, Tennessee, and raised in Saint Petersburg, Florida.

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Jennifer Garner

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Jennifer Garner is many things—mom, sister, actor, activist, producer—but the role she identifies with most is being a Garner girl. And the Garner girls were raised in Charleston, West Virginia. Read her story here.

 

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Julia Roberts

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Steel Magnolias. Pretty Women. Notting Hill. My Best Friend’s Wedding. Ocean’s 11. Her hits go on. One of America’s sweethearts was born in Smyrna, Georgia.

Are you like Julia’s character Shelby? Take our quiz here.

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Justin Timberlake

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Singer, songwriter, and everyone’s favorite guy from Memphis, Tennessee.

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Reese Witherspoon

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This American sweetheart was born in New Orleans but raised in Nashville, Tennessee. So it makes sense that her first Draper James store opened its doors in the Music City.  Read more about Reese’s Southern roots here.

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