From the rolling hills of northern Louisiana to the swamps and bayous in the south, many celebrities, athletes, and public figures have grown up in the Pelican State. You’re probably familiar with some of the most well-known New Orleans natives like Anthony Mackie, Ellen DeGeneres (Metairie, technically), Richard Simmons, Anne Rice, Reese Witherspoon, Tyler Perry, DJ Khaled, Randy Jackson, Patricia Clarkson, and Harry Connick Jr., to name a few… but there are many celebrities from Louisiana, and some of these names may surprise you! I was caught off guard by a few of them. Read on to see which of these celebs from Louisiana are from some of our most charming towns.

1. Britney Spears - Kentwood

Perhaps the most famous person from Louisiana, Britney Spears singlehandedly put the tiny town of Kentwood on the map.

2. Ian Somerhalder - Covington

Just a few of the flicks you may have seen this St. Tammany Parish resident from include Boone from Lost, Damon from The Vampire Dies, and Dr. Luther Swann in V Wars.

3. Tim McGraw - Delhi

Louisiana may be known for Zydeco and Jazz, but one of country music's biggest legends was born in Delhi, a small town in northeast Louisiana not far from Monroe.

4. Parker Posey - Monroe

Speaking of Monroe, although the Dazed and Confused star was born in Baltimore, Maryland, Posey and her twin brother actually grew up in Monroe, Louisiana before the family moved to Laurel, Mississippi when she was around 11 years old.

5. Terry Bradshaw - Shreveport

Former professional football player Terry Bradshaw was born in Shreveport before moving to Iowa for a few years. He moved back to Shreveport when he was a teenager, where he joined the Woodlawn High School football team and led the team to a state championship before going on to become one of the best quarterbacks of all time. Here’s a fun fact for you: when Bradshaw was in high school, he set a national record for javelin throwing. 245 feet!

6. Angela Kinsey - Lafayette

Fans of The Office will recognize this face instantly. Kinsey was born right here in Lafayette, though it was not for long. When she was two, she and her family moved to Jakarta, Indonesia for the next 13 years.

7. Trace Adkins - Sarepta

Who knew Louisiana would be home to not one but two country music icons? Trace Adkins was born in Sarepta, a small town in Webster Parish that’s home to fewer than 1,000 residents. Adkins spend the majority of his early years in Louisiana, attending Sarepta High School, and Louisiana Tech University in Ruston.

8. Jared Leto - Bossier City

Academy Award winner Jared Leto was born in Bossier City, though being an Air Force family, Leto moved around a lot as a kid. That’s ok, Jared, Louisiana is still proud to be the first place you called home!

9. Theo Von - Covington

You may remember Theo from MTV’s Road Rules, or maybe you’ve caught his latest comedy special or his popular podcast...however you recognize him, just know that he was born in Covington! He graduated from Mandeville High School before attending both Louisiana State University and Loyola University New Orleans.

He's the one on the right in the photo above.

Did your favorite celebrity make the list? Let us know in the comments below! Also, let's keep the state pride rolling: here are 11 reasons why living in Louisiana is the absolute best.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/louisiana/move-to-la/

And speaking of state pride, get to know more about our great state by hopping on this sightseeing bus tour around New Orleans. It’s great for the entire family.