When you think of the glitz and glamour of celebrity, you most likely conjure up images of sunny California and the Hollywood sign perched high atop the hills in Los Angeles. But, before you assume too much, Tennessee is churning out celebrities faster than you can imagine. There are quite a few famous people from Tennessee, some you might be familiar with and some that might surprise the heck out of you. Take a look at this list of radically talented celebrities in Tennessee, born and bred.

  1. You may remember Justin Timberlake as the kid on “Mickey Mouse Club” or the musician bringing sexy back, but he’s actually put his name on over twenty films. Don’t be too quick to slough off this Memphis native – he’s credited with comedies such as, “Friends With Benefits” and the Oscar-winning film, “Trouble with the Curve.”

muliertenebrae / Flickr

  1. Before making sweet music on the hit TV show, “Glee,” Chord Overstreet was born and raised in good ol’ Nashville, Tennessee. The rugged blonde has since gone on to foster a solid career in television.

Audi USA / Flickr

  1. This southern beauty was born to a homemaker and small business owner in Memphis. The young Cybill Shepherd won “Miss Teenage Memphis” in 1966, which only proved to be the first notch in her award-winning belt. Shepherd has since modeled for major magazines and been credited as an actress both in movies and on television.

Classic Film / Flickr

  1. Known for her adorable pixie brunette mop and spin as Cinderella on the magical television show, “Once Upon a Time,” Ginnifer Goodwin found her start in west Tennessee. The Memphis darling paid her dues to her home state when she starred in the Oscar-winning film, “Walk the Line,” about country music star Johnny Cash.

Talk Radio News Service / Flickr

  1. If you’ve ever hummed along to that incredibly catchy, “Pirates of the Caribbean” score or hidden under your covers after a screening of, “The Ring,” then you have Gore Verbinski to thank. The quirky and adventurous director is a native of Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Ricky Brigante / Flickr

  1. James Denton is a huge advocate for his hometown, as after his stint on, “Desperate Housewives” the Nashville boy moved right back home. He still works extensively in television and appeared in the religious-based film, “Grace Unplugged” in 2013.

Barbara Bennett / Flickr

  1. Christina Hendricks didn’t spend a large amount of time in Tennessee, but her birth certificate reads, “Knoxville.” Her work as the character of Joan on “Mad Men” has given the east Tennessee beauty a whopping five Emmy nominations.

Christina Saint Marche / Flickr

  1. Academy Award winner Kathy Bates is most famous for her portrayal of Misery in the horror film by the same name, but the “Titanic” star breathed her first in Memphis. Her role in, “Fried Green Tomatoes” and in the more recent cult-hit, “American Horror Story” has garnered Bates a solid spot in the nation’s heart.

Zadi Diaz / Flickr

  1. Memphis-born Lucy Hale is a budding country music star and well-known actress who is best known for her portrayal of quick-witted Aria on, “Pretty Little Liars.”

Disney | ABC Television Group / Flickr

  1. Megan Fox was born and spent the first half of her childhood in Rockwood, Tennessee. Although she continued her creative training in Florida, you can be sure this southern beauty has a special place in her heart for the homeland.

EyesOnFire89 / Flickr

  1. Before the success of the television show, “Hannah Montana,” and the infamous 2013 VMA’s, young Miley Cyrus spent her days on the family ranch outside of Nashville. She can still be spotted from time to time, visiting the place that her family still calls home.

Vicky Sedgwick / Flickr

  1. Before making a name for himself with films such as, “Pulp Fiction” and “Kill Bill,” Quentin Tarantino was born to a nurse and actor in the East Tennessee city of Knoxville. The award-winning director has made quite a name for himself since his days spent in the south.

Laura Love Day / Flickr

We’d like to thank the academy for Tennessee – it seems Hollywood owes quite a bit to this little state with big talent. Do you know more famous people from Tennessee that should be on this list? Share with us in the comments section!

muliertenebrae / Flickr

Audi USA / Flickr

Classic Film / Flickr

Talk Radio News Service / Flickr

Ricky Brigante / Flickr

Barbara Bennett / Flickr

Christina Saint Marche / Flickr

Zadi Diaz / Flickr

Disney | ABC Television Group / Flickr

EyesOnFire89 / Flickr

Vicky Sedgwick / Flickr

Laura Love Day / Flickr

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Famous People From Tennessee September 07, 2021 Marisa Roman What stereotypes are there about Tennessee? Here are some fun facts about Tennessee—we have a lot of stereotypes about our state, some true, some not so much. But just like every other state in the country, stereotypes can often be laughed off, especially if you’re from the state. It’s always fun though, to set the record straight. We have 13 crazy stereotypes in Tennessee that could not be farther from the truth. For instance, we don’t all have big hair, not all of us drive a truck, and not everyone sings country music! What is Tennessee known for? Besides being the birthplace for so many celebrities in Tennessee, what else is this state known for? For starters, Tennessee’s state capital, Nashville, is known as the “Music City” and has been dubbed the country music capital of the world. In addition, you can credit Tennessee for being the birthplace of hot chicken! Starting back in the 1930s, Thorton Prince discovered a love of spicy chicken, which eventually took over the food scene just these past few years. In addition, Tennessee is known for having delicious barbecue, tons of natural beauty, and some of the best whiskey and bourbon around. What are the weirdest things about Tennessee? If you’re anything like us, you likely love those weird Tennessee trivia facts that most people don’t know. Those fun facts about Tennessee that might just win you a free beer at pub trivia. While you might think you know everything there is to know about Tennessee, we have a few more weird facts to add to your list. For instance, did you know that the very first miniature golf course was constructed in Tennessee? Or how about the fact that Reelfoot Lake came to be because of a series of earthquakes in the 1800s!

The OIYS Visitor Center

Famous People From Tennessee

September 07, 2021

Marisa Roman

What stereotypes are there about Tennessee? Here are some fun facts about Tennessee—we have a lot of stereotypes about our state, some true, some not so much. But just like every other state in the country, stereotypes can often be laughed off, especially if you’re from the state. It’s always fun though, to set the record straight. We have 13 crazy stereotypes in Tennessee that could not be farther from the truth. For instance, we don’t all have big hair, not all of us drive a truck, and not everyone sings country music! What is Tennessee known for? Besides being the birthplace for so many celebrities in Tennessee, what else is this state known for? For starters, Tennessee’s state capital, Nashville, is known as the “Music City” and has been dubbed the country music capital of the world. In addition, you can credit Tennessee for being the birthplace of hot chicken! Starting back in the 1930s, Thorton Prince discovered a love of spicy chicken, which eventually took over the food scene just these past few years. In addition, Tennessee is known for having delicious barbecue, tons of natural beauty, and some of the best whiskey and bourbon around. What are the weirdest things about Tennessee? If you’re anything like us, you likely love those weird Tennessee trivia facts that most people don’t know. Those fun facts about Tennessee that might just win you a free beer at pub trivia. While you might think you know everything there is to know about Tennessee, we have a few more weird facts to add to your list. For instance, did you know that the very first miniature golf course was constructed in Tennessee? Or how about the fact that Reelfoot Lake came to be because of a series of earthquakes in the 1800s!

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Here are some fun facts about Tennessee—we have a lot of stereotypes about our state, some true, some not so much. But just like every other state in the country, stereotypes can often be laughed off, especially if you’re from the state. It’s always fun though, to set the record straight. We have 13 crazy stereotypes in Tennessee that could not be farther from the truth. For instance, we don’t all have big hair, not all of us drive a truck, and not everyone sings country music!

What is Tennessee known for?

Besides being the birthplace for so many celebrities in Tennessee, what else is this state known for? For starters, Tennessee’s state capital, Nashville, is known as the “Music City” and has been dubbed the country music capital of the world. In addition, you can credit Tennessee for being the birthplace of hot chicken! Starting back in the 1930s, Thorton Prince discovered a love of spicy chicken, which eventually took over the food scene just these past few years. In addition, Tennessee is known for having delicious barbecue, tons of natural beauty, and some of the best whiskey and bourbon around.

What are the weirdest things about Tennessee?

If you’re anything like us, you likely love those weird Tennessee trivia facts that most people don’t know. Those fun facts about Tennessee that might just win you a free beer at pub trivia. While you might think you know everything there is to know about Tennessee, we have a few more weird facts to add to your list. For instance, did you know that the very first miniature golf course was constructed in Tennessee? Or how about the fact that Reelfoot Lake came to be because of a series of earthquakes in the 1800s!