Pennsylvania Pride: Iconic Celebrities Who Hail from the Keystone State

Arguably one of the biggest names in music today, especially among the young (and young at heart), Taylor Swift – who has sold over 200 million records worldwide - was born on the 13th of December, 1989, in West Reading, and raised in nearby Wyomissing. Swift’s early love for country music blossomed in Pennsylvania before she moved to Nashville to pursue her career. She is the very first billionaire solely on the merit of her music alone, and with multiple Grammy Awards and record-breaking albums, Swift’s influence stretches far beyond music. Her philanthropic efforts and advocacy for artists' rights have made her an even bigger household name and solidified her as a true icon and visionary of her generation.

 

 

 

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Before he became a global superstar, Willard Carroll Smith, born in September of 1968, was the “Fresh Prince” from West Philadelphia. His journey from a charismatic rapper to an award-winning actor is a testament to his versatility and talent – in fact, he has won an Academy Award along with four Grammys, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA. With blockbuster hits like Men in Black, Independence Day, The Pursuit of Happyness, and King Richard, Smith’s career is a shining example of true Pennsylvania pride.

 

 

 

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Academy Award-nominated actress Sharon Vonne Stone was born on the 10th of March, 1958, and is best known for her role in Basic Instinct. She was born in Meadville, and she became famous in the 90s for being one of the most popular sex symbols at the time. She is known for a bevy of critically-acclaimed films like Casino, The Specialist, Sliver, The Laundromat, and The Quick and the Dead. Her captivating performances have earned her widespread recognition, which proves that she is not all looks – she received several accolades for her work, including a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and an Academy Award nomination. She is also famous for her humanitarian work, receiving a Peace Summit Award in 2013.

 

 

 

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With her powerful voice and equally rebellious spirit, Pink has become a global music sensation, selling over 135 million records all over the world. Born in Doylestown as Alecia Beth Moore, she’s known for hits like Lady Marmalade (which she sang as part of an ensemble along with Missy Elliott, Christina Aguilera, Mya, and Lil’ Kim – who hails from the neighboring state of New Jersey), Just Give Me a Reason, and So What. She is no stranger to accolades, earning three Grammys, two Brit Awards, and seven MTV Video Music Awards. Pink’s energetic performances and fearless attitude reflect the hardworking, never-say-die spirit of Pennsylvania.

 

 

 

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Comedian and actor Kevin Darnell Hart’s rise from performing at local clubs in Philadelphia to becoming one of the highest-grossing stand-up comedians in the world is truly inspirational and phenomenal. He was born on the 6th of July, 1979, and is known for his roles in Ride Along (with Ice Cube), Jumanji, The Secret Life of Pets, Get Hard, Scary Movie 3, and Central Intelligence. Hart’s humor - and hustle - are quintessentially Pennsylvanian.

 

 

 

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Iconic actor Jeffrey Lynn Goldblum, who was born in West Homestead on the 22nd of October, 1952, is known for his eccentric charm and memorable roles in films like Jurassic Park, Independence Day, and The Fly. Jeff Goldblum’s roots trace back to West Homestead, a town near Pittsburgh, although he moved to New York City at 17 to pursue an acting career. Goldblum is also an accomplished pianist, but he is most renowned for his unique acting style and charismatic presence – and these have made him a beloved figure in Hollywood and beyond.

 

 

 

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Before becoming Princess of Monaco, Grace Patricia Kelly was a celebrated actress from Philadelphia. She was born in a prominent family in Philadelphia on the 12th of November, 1929, and her father was an Olympian who won the gold medal three times for sculling. She died at the young age of 52 in 1982, but her timeless elegance and performances in classics like Rear Window and To Catch a Thief leave an enduring legacy in both cinema and royalty. She has received three Golden Globe Awards along with an Academy Award, and has achieved 13th place among the Greatest Female Stars list of the American Film Institute.

 

 

 

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Though his legacy is now controversial due to legal issues and criminal convictions, William Henry Cosby Jr.’s early contributions to television and comedy were significant. Cosby was born on the 12th of July, 1937, and he was first known as a trailblazer for African Americans, thanks to his role in The Cosby Show, which also helped shape American television in the 1980s. He also earned a reputation as ‘America’s Dad,’ and starred in many standup specials, including Bill Cosby: Himself – in fact, he holds the record for the most Grammy wins (a total of 7) for Best Comedy Album because of it. He also won three Emmy Awards for Best Actor in a Drama Series for the NBC series I Spy, which ran from 1965 to 1968.

 

 

 

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Michael John Douglas, known officially as Michael Keaton, was born in Kennedy Township on the 5th of September, 1951, but he was raised in three Pennsylvania enclaves - McKees Rocks, Robinson Township, and Coraopolis. Famed for his roles as Batman and Beetlejuice and his critically acclaimed comeback performance in Birdman, Michael Keaton has won many awards, most notable of which are two Golden Globe Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award. Alongside this, he has also received several nominations from the Academy Awards and the BAFTAs. His versatile acting skills have made him a respected figure in the film industry, and he is still active, with upcoming projects like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

 

 

 

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Actress and singer Amanda Michelle Seyfried, born on the 3rd of December, 1985, in Allentown, is known for her roles in Mamma Mia! and Les Misérables. Her talent and versatility have earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. She first hogged the limelight with a role in Mean Girls, but she has also acquired fame for other movies such as Jennifer’s Body and Red Riding Hood, and showed her comedic timing in A Million Ways to Die in the West and Ted 2. She has received several Academy Award and Golden Globe Best Supporting Actress nominations for Mank, and she won a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe for The Dropout in 2022.

 

 

 

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Everyone knows Richard Tiffany Gere, and the legendary actor has a career that spans decades. Richard Gere was born on the 31st of August, 1949, in Philadelphia, but grew up in Syracuse, New York. Gere’s stellar performances in early films such as American Gigolo established his reputation as one to watch in Hollywood, but it was films like Pretty Woman and Chicago that have made him a household name. His contributions to cinema and his humanitarian efforts are noteworthy, and he has achieved success in the 1980s and 1990s with films such as An Officer and a Gentleman, Sommersby, Primal Fear, First Knight, and Runaway Bride. His performance in Chicago earned him a Golden Globe Award. Many critics and media reporters have called Gere “one of the best actors to never have received an Academy Award.” Gere is a Buddhist and activist for noble causes.

 

 

 

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Basketball legend Kobe Bean Bryant was born on the 23rd of August, 1987, in Philadelphia, but he also spent some of his formative years in Italy. He may have passed on, but everyone will remember his incredible career with the Los Angeles Lakers and his contributions to the sport – they have undoubtedly left an indelible mark. He was the shooting guard for the LA Lakers, and he won a total of five NBA Championships, the Most Valuable Player in 2008, and was a two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player as well. After his death, he was voted posthumously into the NBA 75TH Anniversary Team and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Bryant’s Mamba Mentality continues to inspire athletes and fans around the world, and he will forever live on as a true testament to the sport of basketball.

 

 

 

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Although Joseph Michael Manganiello isn’t as widely known as the other celebrities on this list, he first achieved recognition for his roles in True Blood and Magic Mike. Joe Manganiello was born on the 28th of December, 1976, and he hails from Pittsburgh but was raised in Mt. Lebanon, also in Pennsylvania. Not many may be aware of it, but he is also a published author and a director, most notably with the documentary feature La Bare. His rugged charm and good looks coupled with his acting prowess have made him a standout in Hollywood.

 

 

 

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Academy Award-nominated actor Bradley Cooper was born on the 5th of January, 1975, in Abington Township near Philadelphia and raised in nearby Rydal and Jenkintown. He has received other accolades – he was the recipient of three Grammy Awards as well as a British Academy Film Award, and he was also nominated for Academy Awards no less than 12 times. Known for his roles in Silver Linings Playbook, American Sniper, American Hustle, and A Star is Born, Cooper’s dedication to his craft and his roots in Pennsylvania have made him a beloved figure both locally and internationally. His films have all been blockbusters, earning as much as $13 billion globally, and he has been on the list of the highest-grossing actors in Hollywood four times.

 

 

 

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