Celebrities have skills, talent, and looks that people envy. And, some of them, also get to call the Constitution State their birthplace. It turns out you really aren't that different from a celebrity, after all! Not only are there famous actors and actresses, but there are even Olympic athletes from CT. You may be surprised to see just how many famous people from Connecticut there are. If you're as into Connecticut trivia as we are, you'll definitely want to check out this list of celebrities from Connecticut!
1. Katharine Hepburn (Hartford)
Katharine Hepburn is practically synonymous with old Hollywood. She was born and raised in Connecticut and loved it so much that she ended up settling in Old Saybrook. She was an important figure both on and off-screen and was an independent, assertive woman in a time when that was very uncommon.
2. Henry Ward Beecher (Litchfield)
A preacher in the 1850s, Beecher was an activist for both abolition and women's suffrage. He published many books and President Lincoln sent him on a speaking tour of Europe to advocate for the cause of the Union in the Civil War.
3. Michael Bolton (New Haven)
Soft rock singer-songwriter sensation Michael Bolton was born and raised in New Haven. He still lives in Connecticut today, even after winning two Grammy Awards and six American Music Awards.
4. Suzanne Collins (Hartford)
You may not necessarily recognize her name, but you probably know her work. The author of "The Hunger Games" is from Hartford. It's amazing she could come up with a horrific dystopian world after living in such a picturesque state!
5. J.P. Morgan (Hartford)
J.P. Morgan was a leading financier and banker in the early 1900s. He was a major driving force behind the United States' industrialization. He was born and spent his early years in Connecticut, but his wealthy family sent him to Portugal to heal after a teenage bout with Rheumatic fever.
6. Annie Leibovitz (Waterbury)
One of the most well-known names in photography, Annie Leibovitz is a celebrity photographer like no other. Before she was photographing big names like John Lennon, she was hanging out in her hometown of Waterbury. Her father was in the military and she moved a lot as a child.
7. Christopher Lloyd (Stamford)
Doc from "Back to the Future" is from Stamford. We should've guessed that Connecticut was responsible for such a fantastic character! Christopher Lloyd has played in a number of other big-name roles, with stints in "Clue," "Star Trek III," and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." He is definitely one of our favorite famous people from Connecticut.
8. George W. Bush (New Haven)
His long-term stint as governor of Texas means that people often forget Dubya was actually born in New Haven! He was born while his father George H.W. Bush was attending Yale.
9. Caitlin Cahow (New Haven)
Caitlin Cahow, an Olympic ice hockey superstar, was a member of the U.S. Olympic team in 2008 and 2010. She graduated from the famed Hotchkiss School in Connecticut and is a spokesperson for LGBT athletes. Caitlin Cahow's hometown was New Haven, CT and she grew up in Branford, Connecticut.
10. Betsey Johnson (Waterbury)
This fashion designer was a big hit in the 1980s and 1990s. She is well-known for her extravagantly feminine designs. If you lived in Waterbury at the time you may have even seen her strolling around Platt Park.
There are a lot more famous people, celebrities, and Olympians from CT than we realize. Can you think of any other celebrities from Connecticut? Share your favorites in the comments; we love to learn fun facts about Connecticut!
Take a tour of Northwest Connecticut in this video, home to scenic views, hiking trails, historic attractions, and maybe even a famous person or two:
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