The 5 Most Famous People From Connecticut
Connecticut only hosts about 1% of the U.S. population, but this tiny New England state has brought forth a lot of famous people. Wondering who the most famous people from Connecticut are? You might be surprised. Check out this star-studded list.
1. Kevin Bacon
Critics have called Kevin Bacon one of the most talented actors to have never received an Oscar. However, even without an Academy Award, his list of accolades is long and includes a Teen Choice Award, an Emmy Award, an Italian Online Movie Award, a Golden Globe, and more.
He first rose to international fame in the dance hit Footloose, and since then, he’s wowed audiences in so many movies that fans created a game about him. To play Six Degrees From Kevin Bacon, you simply pick a movie star (or even an everyday person) and name a string of connections until you get to Kevin Bacon. It’s surprisingly easy to draw lines between people, and inspired by the game, Bacon launched a charity of the same name.
2. Glenn Close
Born in Greenwich, Connecticut, Glen Close has been acting for over four decades, and she’s won awards on stage and screen. With eight nominations, she holds the title of most Oscar nominations without a win. Despite that, critics have praised her performances, and Time Magazine named her one of the world’s 100 most influential people.
Her film debut was as Jenny Garp in The World According to Garp. Since then, she’s starred in countless films and plays, including The Big Chill, Fatal Attraction, Hook, 101 Dalmatians, and Hillbilly Elegy.
3. Katherine Hepburn
Born in Hartford in 1907, Katherin Hepburn died in Fenwick, Connecticut in 2003. However, in the nearly 100 years in between, she lived in Hollywood, traveled the world, and starred in films for 60 decades.
She started in stock theater in Baltimore in the late 1920s, but just a few years later, she was landing roles in Hollywood films. Although she was unknown, she demanded a $1500 weekly salary, and the studio agreed. They knew she was a rising star. Some of her most notable films include Little Women, Woman of the Year, Adam’s Rib, The African Queen, and On Golden Pond — that’s right, those films span from the 1930s to the 1980s.
4. Meg Ryan
Everybody’s sweetheart, Meg Ryan Born as Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra, Meg Ryan is a beloved star of some of the country’s favorite romantic comedies, such as When Harry Met Sally, French Kiss, and You’ve Got Mail.
She explored directing with the film Ithaca in 2015. Born and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, Ryan also attended the University of Connecticut before heading to New York University and eventually to Hollywood. When she joined the screen actor’s guild, she shortened her first four names to just “Meg” and she adopted her grandmother’s surname, Ryan.
5. Sam Waterson
Even if you don’t know his name, you’ll almost certainly know his face. Sam Waterstone was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but the star is a long-time resident of Connecticut. He cut his chops doing Shakespeare on the stage, and he’s earned a Tony, a Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award. He’s best known for playing Jack McCoy in Law & Order, but other notable roles include The Great Gatsby. Hannah and Her Sisters, and Grace and Frankie.
