Washington has produced a surprising number of famous faces over the years — from sitcom stars and Hollywood heartthrobs to music legends, athletes, and game show icons.
Some grew up in tiny towns. Others came out of Seattle’s suburbs before heading to Hollywood. A few still proudly rep the Evergreen State every chance they get.
Here are 10 celebrities with roots in Washington.
1. Anna Faris
Before becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable comedy stars, Anna Faris grew up in Edmonds. She got her breakout role in the “Scary Movie” franchise, where her deadpan comedic style helped make the films massive hits in the early 2000s.
Faris later starred alongside Chris Pratt in the sitcom “Mom” and voiced characters in several animated films, including “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” She has often spoken about growing up shy and theater-focused in western Washington.
2. Chris Pratt
Chris Pratt attended Lake Stevens High School before eventually becoming one of the biggest action stars in Hollywood.
He first gained attention playing lovable goofball Andy Dwyer on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” before landing blockbuster roles as Star-Lord in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise and Owen Grady in the “Jurassic World” films.
Before fame, Pratt famously worked odd jobs and briefly lived in a van in Hawaii.
3. Bob Barker
Longtime “The Price Is Right” host Bob Barker was born in Darrington and spent part of his childhood on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Springfield.
Barker became one of the most iconic television hosts in American history during his 35-year run on “The Price Is Right,” where his signature signoff urging viewers to spay and neuter pets became legendary.
He died in 2023 at age 99.
4. Sydney Sweeney
One of Hollywood’s fastest-rising stars, Sydney Sweeney grew up in Spokane before moving to Los Angeles as a teenager to pursue acting.
Sweeney became widely known for her role as Cassie Howard on HBO’s “Euphoria” and later starred in “The White Lotus,” “Anyone But You,” and several major films and streaming projects.
She has frequently referenced her outdoorsy upbringing in eastern Washington and remains a major point of hometown pride in Spokane.
5. Dove Cameron
Disney Channel star Dove Cameron was born in Bainbridge Island and spent much of her childhood in western Washington.
She rose to fame starring in Disney’s “Liv and Maddie” before transitioning into music and darker, more mature acting roles. Cameron has also appeared in the “Descendants” franchise and built a major online following as a pop artist.
6. Kurt Cobain
Few people are more closely tied to Washington culture than Kurt Cobain.
The Nirvana frontman grew up in Aberdeen before helping launch Seattle’s grunge explosion in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Songs like “Smells Like Teen Spirit” helped turn Nirvana into one of the most influential rock bands of all time.
Cobain’s connection to Washington remains deeply embedded in the state’s music identity decades after his death in 1994.
7. Brendan Fraser
Oscar-winning actor Brendan Fraser spent part of his childhood in Seattle while growing up in a Canadian foreign service family.
Fraser became a major movie star in the late 1990s and early 2000s through films like “The Mummy,” “George of the Jungle,” and “Encino Man.” After years away from the spotlight, he earned widespread praise for his emotional comeback performance in “The Whale,” which won him an Academy Award for Best Actor.
8. Rainn Wilson
Best known for playing Dwight Schrute on NBC’s “The Office,” Rainn Wilson grew up in Seattle and later attended the University of Washington.
Wilson’s awkward, intense portrayal of Dwight helped make him one of the most memorable sitcom characters of the 2000s. Outside acting, he has remained active in writing, producing, and philanthropy projects.
9. Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix was born and raised in Seattle before becoming one of the most influential guitarists in music history.
Known for songs like “Purple Haze” and “All Along the Watchtower,” Hendrix revolutionized rock guitar playing during the 1960s with his experimental sound and explosive live performances.
Seattle continues to celebrate Hendrix through museums, murals, and music landmarks tied to his legacy.
10. Jean Smart
Emmy-winning actress Jean Smart grew up in Seattle and graduated from Ballard High School before studying theater at the University of Washington.
Over the years, Smart has built one of television’s most respected careers through shows like “Designing Women,” “24,” “Mare of Easttown,” and HBO’s “Hacks,” where her performance as aging comedian Deborah Vance earned widespread critical acclaim.
Washington’s celebrity lineup reflects the state itself: a little outdoorsy, a little quirky, quietly influential, and surprisingly stacked with talent.
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