Famous actresses from Tennessee

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 Tennessee 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.

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Annie Potts

- Born: Nashville, Tennessee, USA (10/28/1952)
- Known for:
--- Janine Melnitz in "Ghostbusters" (1984)
--- Bo Peep in "Toy Story 4" (2019)
--- Iona in "Pretty in Pink" (1986)

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Amy Sussman // Getty Images

Miley Cyrus

- Born: Franklin, Tennessee, USA (11/23/1992)
- Known for:
--- Miley Stewart / Hannah Montana / Luann Stewart in "Hannah Montana" (2006-2011)
--- Hannah / Miley in "Hannah Montana: The Movie" (2009)
--- Ronnie Miller in "The Last Song" (2010)

3 / 49

Christina Hendricks

- Born: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA (5/3/1975)
- Known for:
--- Natalie in "Ginger & Rosa" (2012)
--- Roberta Hoffmann in "The Neon Demon" (2016)
--- Joan Harris / Joan Holloway in "Mad Men" (2007-2015)

4 / 49

Rodin Eckenroth // Getty Images

Megan Fox

- Born: Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA (5/16/1986)
- Known for:
--- Mikaela Banes in "Transformers" (2007)
--- April O'Neil in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (2014)
--- Jennifer in "Jennifer's Body" (2009)

5 / 49

Ginnifer Goodwin

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (5/22/1978)
- Known for:
--- Margene Heffman in "Big Love" (2006-2011)
--- Vivian Cash in "Walk the Line" (2005)
--- Beth Ann Stanton in "Why Women Kill" (2019)

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6 / 49

Lucy Hale

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (6/14/1989)
- Known for:
--- Olivia Barron in "Truth or Dare" (2018)
--- Melanie Cole in "Fantasy Island" (2020)
--- Sherrie in "Scream 4" (2011)

7 / 49

Natalia Dyer

- Born: Nashville, Tennessee, USA (1/13/1995)
- Known for:
--- Nancy Wheeler in "Stranger Things" (2016-2022)
--- Alice in "Yes, God, Yes" (2019)
--- Virginia in "Tuscaloosa" (2019)

8 / 49

Lori Petty

- Born: Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA (10/14/1963)
- Known for:
--- Tank Girl in "Tank Girl" (1995)
--- Kit Keller - Pitcher in "A League of Their Own" (1992)
--- Rae Lindley in "Free Willy" (1993)

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Paul Hawthorne // Getty Images

Cherry Jones

- Born: Paris, Tennessee, USA (11/21/1956)
- Known for:
--- Mrs. Clack in "The Village" (2004)
--- Officer Paski in "Signs" (2002)
--- Edie Bailey in "The Perfect Storm" (2000)

10 / 49

Cynthia Rhodes

- Born: Nashville, Tennessee, USA (11/21/1956)
- Known for:
--- Penny Johnson in "Dirty Dancing" (1987)
--- Tina Tech in "Flashdance" (1983)
--- Thompson in "Runaway" (1984)

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Walter McBride // Getty Images

Tina Turner

- Born: Brownsville, Tennessee, USA (11/26/1939)
- Known for:
--- Aunty Entity in "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" (1985)
--- Our Guests at Heartland in "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (1978)
--- The Mayor in "Last Action Hero" (1993)

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Kathy Bates

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (6/28/1948)
- Known for:
--- Annie Wilkes in "Misery" (1990)
--- Dolores Claiborne in "Dolores Claiborne" (1995)
--- Molly Brown in "Titanic" (1997)

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Elaine Hendrix

- Born: Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA (12/28/1970)
- Known for:
--- Alexis Carrington in "Dynasty" (2019-2021)
--- Ava in "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll" (2015-2016)
--- Meredith Blake in "The Parent Trap" (1998)

14 / 49

Ally Walker

- Born: Tullahoma, Tennessee, USA (8/25/1961)
- Known for:
--- Veronica Roberts in "Universal Soldier" (1992)
--- Dr. Samantha 'Sam' Waters in "Profiler" (1996-1999)
--- Ashley Bacon in "While You Were Sleeping" (1995)

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Sydney Penny

- Born: Nashville, Tennessee, USA (8/7/1971)
- Known for:
--- Megan Wheeler in "Pale Rider" (1985)
--- Young Meggie Cleary in "The Thorn Birds" (1983)
--- Julia Santos in "All My Children" (1993-2008)

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16 / 49

Rachel Boston

- Born: Signal Mountain, Tennessee, USA (5/9/1982)
- Known for:
--- Alison in "500 Days of Summer" (2009)
--- Deena the Bridesmaid in "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" (2009)
--- Ingrid Beauchamp in "Witches of East End" (2013-2014)

17 / 49

Cybill Shepherd

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (2/18/1950)
- Known for:
--- Cybill Sheridan / Ariel in "Cybill" (1995-1998)
--- Maddie Hayes / Katerina / Maddie Hayes (Alice) in "Moonlighting" (1985-1989)
--- Jacy Farrow in "The Last Picture Show" (1971)

18 / 49

Lark Voorhies

- Born: Nashville, Tennessee, USA (3/25/1974)
- Known for:
--- Lisa Turtle in "Saved by the Bell" (1989-1992)
--- Lauren in "How High" (2001)
--- Lisa Turtle in "Good Morning, Miss Bliss" (1988-1989)

19 / 49

Julie Ann Emery

- Born: Crossville, Tennessee, USA (1/16/1975)
- Known for:
--- Betsy Kettleman in "Better Call Saul" (2015)
--- Ida Thurman in "Fargo" (2014)
--- Lara Featherstone in "Preacher" (2017-2019)

20 / 49

Shannen Doherty

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (4/12/1971)
- Known for:
--- Rene in "Mallrats" (1995)
--- Prue Halliwell in "Charmed" (1998-2006)
--- Teresa in "The Secret of NIMH" (1982)

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21 / 49

Olivia Holt

- Born: Germantown, Tennessee, USA (8/5/1997)
- Known for:
--- Dagger / Tandy Bowen in "Cloak & Dagger" (2018-2019)
--- Kim Crawford in "Kickin' It" (2011-2015)
--- Regan in "Same Kind of Different as Me" (2017)

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John Lamparski // Getty Images

Dolly Parton

- Born: Pittman Center, Tennessee, USA (1/19/1946)
- Known for:
--- Self / Self - Guest / Self - Special Guest Hostess in "The Porter Wagoner Show" (1967-1975)
--- Music Department in "Dolly" (1987-1988)
--- Music Department in "Dolly" (1976-1977)

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Dale Dickey

- Born: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA (9/29/1961)
- Known for:
--- Elsie in "Hell or High Water" (2016)
--- Mrs. Davis in "Iron Man 3" (2013)
--- Strom in "The Pledge" (2001)

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Adriane Lenox

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (9/11/1956)
- Known for:
--- Rose Woods in "Black Snake Moan" (2006)
--- Denise Oher in "The Blind Side" (2009)
--- Gina in "Lee Daniels' The Butler" (2013)

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Kelen Coleman

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Willa Fitzgerald

- Born: Nashville, Tennessee, USA (1/17/1991)
- Known for:
--- Meg March in "Little Women" (2017)
--- Lynn in "Blood Money" (2017)
--- Emma Duval in "Scream: The TV Series" (2015-2016)

27 / 49

Leslie Jones

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (9/7/1967)
- Known for:
--- Patty Tolan in "Ghostbusters" (2016)
--- Mary Junson in "Coming 2 America" (2021)
--- Scanlon in "Masterminds" (2016)

28 / 49

Virginia Williams

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (3/19/1978)
- Known for:
--- Debbie Wesley / Dana in "Teenage Bounty Hunters" (2020)
--- Grace Berk in "Why Women Kill" (2021)
--- CJ Harbenberger in "Fuller House" (2016-2020)

29 / 49

Sunita Mani

- Born: Dickson, Tennessee, USA (12/13/1986)
- Known for:
--- Arthie Premkumar in "GLOW" (2017-2019)
--- Su in "Save Yourselves!" (2020)
--- Trenton in "Mr. Robot" (2015-2019)

30 / 49

Sarah Jane Morris

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (4/12/1977)
- Known for:
--- Julia Walker / Julia March in "Brothers & Sisters" (2006-2009)
--- Laura Baur in "Mad Men" (2015)
--- Susan in "Seven Pounds" (2008)

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31 / 49

Clare Grant

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (8/23/1979)
- Known for:
--- Dory in "Changeland" (2019)
--- Lissome Girl in "Walk the Line" (2005)
--- Latts Razzi in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2012-2013)

32 / 49

Anne Haney

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (3/4/1934)
- Died: 5/26/2001
- Known for:
--- Greta in "Liar Liar" (1997)
--- Mrs. Sellner in "Mrs. Doubtfire" (1993)
--- Margaret Williams in "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" (1997)

33 / 49

Ashley Jones

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (9/3/1976)
- Known for:
--- Caterer in "Old School" (2003)
--- Megan Dennison / Megan Dennison Viscardi in "The Young and the Restless" (1997-2000)
--- Bridget Forrester / Bridget Forrester Marone / Dr. Bridget Forrester / Dr. Dr. Bridget Forrester in "The Bold and the Beautiful" (2004-2021)

34 / 49

Audrey Whitby

- Born: Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA (4/10/1996)
- Known for:
--- Cherry Seinfeld in "The Thundermans" (2013-2018)
--- Lala Zzyzx in "The Standoff" (2016)
--- Katey Williams in "A Mother's Revenge" (2016)

35 / 49

Deana Carter

36 / 49

Dixie Carter

- Born: McLemoresville, Tennessee, USA (5/25/1939)
- Died: 4/10/2010
- Known for:
--- Julia Sugarbaker in "Designing Women" (1986-1993)
--- Carlotta Beck in "Filthy Rich" (1982-1983)
--- Gloria Hodge in "Desperate Housewives" (2006-2007)

37 / 49

Polly Bergen

- Born: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA (7/14/1930)
- Died: 9/20/2014
- Known for:
--- Mrs. Vernon-Williams in "Cry-Baby" (1990)
--- Peggy Bowden in "Cape Fear" (1962)
--- Helen Morgan in "Playhouse 90" (1957)

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Hayk_Shalunts // Shutterstock

Aretha Franklin

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (3/25/1942)
- Died: 8/16/2018
- Known for:
--- Soul Food Cafe Owner in "The Blues Brothers" (1980)
--- Mrs. Murphy in "Blues Brothers 2000" (1998)
--- Soundtrack in "Bobby" (2006)

39 / 49

Susan Yeagley

- Born: Nashville, Tennessee, USA (2/27/1971)
- Known for:
--- Have a Nice Day Stewardess in "Almost Famous" (2000)
--- Bidding Customer in "Coyote Ugly" (2000)
--- Southern Stepmom in "Blended" (2014)

40 / 49

Park Overall

- Born: Greeneville, Tennessee, USA (3/15/1957)
- Known for:
--- Laverne Todd in "Empty Nest" (1988-1995)
--- Connie in "Mississippi Burning" (1988)
--- Samantha's Mother in "Kindergarten Cop" (1990)

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41 / 49

Noah Cyrus

- Born: Nashville, Tennessee, USA (1/8/2000)
- Known for:
--- Ponyo in "Ponyo" (2008)
--- Soundtrack in "Rough Night" (2017)
--- Noah Cyrus in "Noah Cyrus Feat. XXXTentacion: Again" (2017)

42 / 49

Kathy Hutchins // Shutterstock

Lisa Marie Presley

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (2/1/1968)
- Known for:
--- Lisa Marie Presley in "Lisa Marie Presley: Idiot" (2005)
--- Lisa Marie Presley in "Michael Jackson: You Are Not Alone" (1995)
--- Lisa Marie Presley in "Lisa Marie Presley: Dirty Laundry" (2005)

43 / 49

Lara Parker

- Born: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA (10/27/1938)
- Known for:
--- Angelique / Opening Voiceover / Alexis Stokes / Catherine Collins / Cassandra Collins / Valerie Collins / Angelique Bouchard Collins / Cassandra Blair Collins / Catherine Harridge / Angelique Bouchard / Angelique Stokes Collins / Miranda / Valerie (Angelique) / Catherine / Miranda duVal / Openng Voiceover / Angelique Collins / Catherine HarridgeOpening Voiceover / Valerie Collins (Angelique) in "Dark Shadows: The Vampire Curse" (1967-1971)
--- Angelique Collins in "Night of Dark Shadows" (1971)
--- Madame Carrozza in "Doctor Mabuse: Etiopomar" (2014)

44 / 49

Kali Rocha

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (12/5/1971)
- Known for:
--- Marcy in "Man with a Plan" (2016-2020)
--- Karen Rooney in "Liv and Maddie: Cali Style" (2013-2017)
--- Dr. Sydney Heron in "Grey's Anatomy" (2006-2007)

45 / 49

Rachel Korine

46 / 49

Beth Littleford

- Born: Nashville, Tennessee, USA (7/17/1968)
- Known for:
--- Claire in "Crazy, Stupid, Love." (2011)
--- Barbara in "Drillbit Taylor" (2008)
--- Janice Pettiboe in "Mystery, Alaska" (1999)

47 / 49

Ellen Woglom

- Born: Nashville, Tennessee, USA (4/18/1987)
- Known for:
--- Chelsea Koons in "Californication" (2009)
--- Louise in "Inhumans" (2017)
--- Briana Freemont in "CSI: NY" (2005)

48 / 49

Constance Shulman

- Born: Johnson City, Tennessee, USA (4/4/1958)
- Known for:
--- Yoga Jones in "Orange Is the New Black" (2013-2019)
--- Missy in "Fried Green Tomatoes" (1991)
--- Hazel - Hooker #1 in "Sweet and Lowdown" (1999)

49 / 49

Elise Neal

- Born: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (3/14/1966)
- Known for:
--- Yevette in "Hustle & Flow" (2005)
--- Hallie in "Scream 2" (1997)
--- Kathryn Munson in "Logan" (2017)

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