American Or Foreign? Where Are These 25 Actors From?
- by Sara Lu
- – on
- in Entertainment
Hollywood often gets criticized for a number of foreign actors that achieve incredible success in America. Every award season is filled with actors from all over the world, winning awards in every possible category. In the television series, The People's Couch, there was a great comment made by one of the cast members, commenting on all the foreign actors winning awards at the annual Oscars event. With so many foreign actors accepting their Academy Awards at the podium, the comment was made that there were so many foreign actors because "we need all of ours to be waiters and busboys."
It's actually quite alarming to realize how many of the most celebrated actors in America aren't even from the States. While every country seems to have their own shows and films, it's only America that seems to have all different nationalities gather together to try their hand at becoming Hollywood royalty. From British stage actors to Australian soap opera stars, people flock from all over the world to try to become a celebrated film and television star in America. With so many actors and actresses doing their best at adopting different accents, it's hard to know which stars truly come from the United States. Some can sound just like a southern belle, while others can perfectly annunciate a British dialect. Check out our quiz on whether or not you know if these famous actors hail from the United States and see which of these stars have been able to fool you over the years.
Jessica Biel
When Jessica Biel started her acting career on television, there were high hopes for what she could achieve in the future. Her time on 7th Heaven seemed far too small for her to grow and she soon moved onto the big screen. While she had some success through her portrayal in the 2003 remake, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, it seemed like her star power began to dwindle soon after. Yet, that didn't stop her from landing Justin Timberlake for a husband. Is this gorgeous wife and mother from America?
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence is thought of as one of the hottest women in Hollywood and earned herself an Academy Award for her appearance in the film, Silver Linings Playbook. Yet, some of her most acclaimed roles have been in films that feature her in a much more humble setting. There was a huge amount of buzz for her role in Winter's Bone and she expertly portrayed a girl from the Seam in The Hunger Games film series. Was this Oscar-winning actress born in America?
Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett is one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood and has won two Academy Awards for her portrayal in Blue Jasmine and The Aviator. Yet, her most infamous roles came through her portrayal in the 2015 film, Carol, and her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth. She's starred alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood and is highly respected as an actress and a theatre director. While she's proven that that she can play a wide array of different characters, does that mean that she is American-born?
Idris Elba
Idris Elba is one of the hottest actors in Hollywood and has a long list of hugely successful roles throughout his career. Based on which roles fans remember him best in, Elba has a distinct persona that has followed him. While some know him best for his role on the HBO series, The Wire, there are others that know him solely as Luther. The biggest rumors surrounding Elba has been the label of being the next James Bond, which would make him the first black Bond. However, was this celebrated actor born in America?
Emma Stone
Emma Stone is one of those extra special actresses that has somehow managed to reinvent herself with each new film. While other celebrities have difficulty changing up their look, Stone seems to look great in any hair color. Whether you know her as the red-headed beauty from Gangster Squad or the gorgeous blonde from The Amazing Spider-Man film series, she remains one of the hottest women in Hollywood. Her most recent success for her role in La La Land has made many wonder about her former romance with Andrew Garfield. Is she British as well?
Amy Adams
Amy Adams is an actress that has slowly but surely grown to become one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood. She started off her acting career in small supporting roles but she was able to make those few appearances very memorable. By the time she became a leading lady, the world had already become acquainted with her acting prowess. Her most famous roles have been in the 2013 hit film, American Hustle, and the most recent film, Arrival. Is Amy Adams truly thought of as American or is she just another foreign actress?
George Clooney
George Clooney is the epitome of Hollywood royalty, despite his humble beginnings as a TV actor. While there have been some criticisms over a few of his role choices, the majority of his acting career has been highly praised. Some of his most memorable roles have been in films like Up in the Air and the Ocean's Eleven film series. He was thought of as Hollywood's most eligible bachelor until he married the Lebanese beauty, Amal Alamuddin. Does George Clooney also hail from another country or is he American-born?
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman has had quite a successful acting career, with a number of memorable film roles that have established her as one of the most coveted actresses in Hollywood. Her most recent success was in the HBO series, Big Little Lies, where she starred in the series and was also a producer. She is currently married to the country star, Keith Urban, and the two focus on raising their daughters together while juggling life in the world of celebrity. Is Nicole Kidman an American actress?
Kelly Macdonald
Kelly Macdonald is an actress that has played in a wide variety of highly successful roles. From her role as the Irish maiden in the HBO series, Boardwalk Empire, to the country girl in No Country for Old Men, it seems like Macdonald can play any role with ease. There aren't many actresses that can boast the huge amount of success Macdonald has had in both television and the big screen. With her taking on so many different accents for each new role she's in, it's hard to know what nationality she is originally. Is she American?
Rosario Dawson
Rosario Dawson is a hugely talented woman in Hollywood that has dabbled in everything from acting to producing to writing. She's appeared alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Will Smith in Seven Pounds and Denzel Washington in Unstoppable. Her latest role was in the 2017 release, Unforgettable, which many referred to as her best work. While she definitely embraces her exotic look, it can be difficult to decipher what country she comes from. Is she an American actress?
Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock was once thought of as an actress that wasn't exactly respected by her peers. Many of her roles didn't exactly show off her acting abilities and she was a frequent nominee and winner of the dreaded Razzie award. Yet, she proved everyone wrong when she took home the Academy Award for Best Actress in the 2010 film, The Blind Side. Although she played the real-life southern character, Leigh Anne Tuohy, is she American-born herself or was that all part of her acting skill?
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts has starred in a number of memorable films throughout her long career in Hollywood. While many of her most famous films were in the '80s and '90s, she's managed to maintain her popularity and star power regardless of her age. Although fans probably still know her from films like Steel Magnolias and Pretty Woman, she's proven that she is still able to churn out memorable performances by today's standards. She received a huge amount of praise for her role in the television film, The Normal Heart. While she's known as America's sweetheart, is she really American?
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman has been in a number of films throughout his career is probably best known for his role as Wolverine in the X-Men film series, which led to a spin-off series. Fans have completely embraced him as Logan and look forward to seeing more performances of him with his signature claws. Yet, he proved that he is far more than just an action star through his critically acclaimed role in the musical film, Les Miserables. Is Jackman American-born or is he another one of Hollywood's foreign actors?
Zoe Saldana
Zoe Saldana is an actress that has an incredible amount of range when it comes to the roles that she's chosen over the years. She played the musician and civil rights activist, Nina Simone, in 2016 but also played in the 2011 action film, Colombiana. Saldana isn't opposed to donning some body paint for the big screen and has starred in hit films like Avatar and the Guardians of the Galaxy film series. With having the ability to play different nationalities (including aliens), it's hard to know what her true heritage is. Does this beautiful actress hail from America?
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie is an actress that seemingly came out of nowhere to become one of the entertainment industry's most sought-after stars. Her true breakout moment came when she starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2013 film, The Wolf of Wall Street. The role helped to bring on even more fame and led to her portrayal as Harley Quinn in the hit film, Suicide Squad. She's had a variety of different looks over the years so it can be a bit difficult to work out where she came from in regards to nationality. Is she American?
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep is the epitome of Hollywood royalty when it comes to female actresses in the entertainment industry. There aren't any other actresses that can boast the same amount of success as this Academy Award-winning star. While other actresses are pushed out to pasture once they reach a particular age, Streep continues to stun fans on the big screen with one memorable role after another. With so much attention on her age and stellar acting skills, it's easy to forget whether or not she truly is American. Was she born in the U.S.?
Rose Byrne
Rose Byrne first got her start in the 1990s on the big screen but soon made a name for herself through some smaller roles in hugely successful films. She had a small role in films like Monster, Troy, and Marie Antoinette and audiences couldn't help but remark on this brunette beauty. Her most memorable roles have been in the 2011 film, Bridesmaids, and the X-Men: First Class film. Yet, she's continued to grow as an actress and star as a leading lady. Is this brown-haired beauty from America?
Christian Bale
Christian Bale has acted in a number of memorable roles over the years but he's probably best known for his role as Batman in The Dark Knight film series. There has been quite a lot of criticism over his portrayal as the Caped Crusader since some don't like the way he proclaimed, "I'm Batman." Yet, the biggest criticism came from the leaked audio tapes of when he was onset and could be heard screaming at a crewmember. Does this fiery temper mean that he hails from America?
Jessica Alba
People couldn't get over her exotic look and her amazing physique and she soon took on some pivotal roles. From her memorable role in the 2003 film, Honey, to her unforgettable portrayal in the Sin City film series, it seemed like every film she was in made sure to put her in a scantily clad ensemble. Is this exotic beauty from the U.S. or is she another foreign actress in Hollywood?
Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet is thought of as one of the most iconic actresses in Hollywood due to her memorable performances in Titanic and The Reader. Yet, her success hasn't been solely on the big screen since she won a number of awards for her portrayal in the HBO series, Mildred Pierce. She's had to fight her way throughout her career since many criticized her for being larger than the standard size zero but she's managed to come out on top as a respected actress in Hollywood. Does she get that fighting spirit through her American heritage?
Andrew Garfield
When the Spider-Man film series was first released, people couldn't get enough of Tobey Maguire as the web-slinging superhero. Yet, Maguire wasn't the right choice when The Amazing Spider-Man film series wanted to go a different direction on the big screen. Choosing to make the story a bit darker, it was Andrew Garfield that ultimately attained the coveted role as Spider-Man. Did he get that darker appeal from being an American-born actor or is he another foreign actor that has made his way into Hollywood?
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon got her start as a young actress through films like The man in the Moon but quickly grew into one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood. She's had many roles that play up the "good girl" persona but that doesn't mean that she has difficulties delving into a complicated character. Her most recent role in the HBO series, Big Little Lies, is already garnering buzz for her amazing performance as well as her ability to produce. Is this stellar actor and producer from America?
Naomi Watts
It's hard to imagine that Naomi Watts first started appearing on the big screen in the 1980s since she seems to be one of those women that just simply doesn't age. With her signature blonde locks and porcelain skin, it should come as no surprise that she's thought of as one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. She continues to get big roles on the silver screen and had three movie releases in 2017. Is this blonde beauty an American actress?
Emma Watson
Like many child actors, there has been quite a closetful eye on Emma Watson as she's grown into a beautiful young lady. There have been so many cases of young celebrities spiraling out of control so there seems to be an expectation that lingers amongst those that have achieved fame at an early age. Yet, she's been able to avoid any of those curses and has recently achieved huge success as the leading lady in Beauty and the Beast. Does Emma Watson just put on the accent for her film roles or is she legitimately a foreign actress?
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow is thought of as Hollywood royalty when it comes to living the celebrity lifestyle. She already has an Academy Award under her belt and has starred in a number of truly memorable films throughout her long career. Yet, her most recent headlines have come through her controversial lifestyle site, Goop, and the many different elements in her personal life. While she's made quite a life for herself in the United States, does that mean that she actually hails from America?