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Tennessee Actors & Actresses

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  1. Annie Potts- Born in Nashville, TN on October 28, 1952. Best known for her role in the television series "Designing Women."

  2. Archie Campbell- Born November 7th, 1914 in Bulls Gap, TN. Country comedian and Grand Ole Opry regular, best known for his writing and acting talents on the hit television show "Hee Haw." Died from a heart attack on August 29, 1987.

  3. Bradley Barron Renfro - Born on July 25, 1982 in Knoxville, TN - Died January 15, 2008 in Los Angeles, CA from a heroin overdose. Famous actor who starred in The Client, Tom & Huck and other movies.

  4. Ben Garant- Born September 14, 1970 in Cookeville, TN. Actor best known for his role as "Deputy Travis Junior," in the television series "Reno 911!."

  5. Charlie Chase- Born in Rogersville, TN on October 19, 1952. Best known for his hit TV series "Crook & Chase."

  6. Cherry Jones- Born November 21, 1956 in Paris, TN. Tony Award winning actress starring on Broadway and in motion pictures.

  7. Christina Hendricks- Born in Knoxville, TN on May 3rd, 1978. Actress that has starred in numerous television programs including, "Firefly," "Without A Trace," and "Cold Case."

  8. Chris Parnell- Born in Memphis, TN on February 5, 1967. Saturday Night Live cast member from 1998 to 2006. Known for his impersonations of Tom Brokaw, Newt Gingrich, Tom Hanks, and Eminem. Currently starring in the NBC sitcom "Thick and Thin."

  9. Conner Rayburn- Born in Nashville, TN on April 7, 1999. Child actor, currently co-stars as "Kyle" in the hit ABC sitcom "According To Jim."

  10. Cybill Shepard: Born February 18, 1950 in Memphis, TN. Actress best remembered for her starring role as "Mattie Hayes" along side Bruce Willis in TV's "Moonlighting."

  11. Dave Akeman- Born June 17, 1915 in Anville, KY. Lived most of his life in Ridgetop, TN. The 6 foot 5 Hee Haw regular known as "String Bean," was murdered alongside his wife Estelle, in 1973 by burgulars in his home.

  12. David Keith- Born in Knoxville, TN on May 8th, 1954. Actor, won a golden globe for his role in the 1982 film "An Officer and a Gentlemen." Currently co-stars on the CBC television series "The Class."

  13. Dennis Haskins- Born November 18, 1950 in Chattanooga, TN. Actor best known for his role as Mr. Belding in the 90's hit television series "Saved by the Bell."

  14. Dinah Shore (Frances Rose Shore)- Born February 29, 1916 in Winchester, TN. Famous singer, actress, and talk show host. Won 9 Emmys, a Peabody Award, and a Golden Globe Award. Shore died from Ovarian cancer on February 24, 1994.

  15. Dixie Carter- Born May 25th, 1939 in McLemoresville, TN. Sultry southern actress best known for her role as "Julia Sugarbaker" on the hit television series "Designing Women." Married to actor Hal Holbrook. 

  16. D.J. Qualls- Born June 12, 1978 in Nashville, TN. Actor best known for his geeky role as "Kyle" in the 2000 cult film "Road Trip." 

  17. Dolly Parton: Born January 19, 1946 in Seveirville, TN on Locust Ridge. Country singer, songwriter, actress and theme park owner. Well known for her blonde wigs, tiny waist, and buxom figure.

  18. Ed Bruce- Born December 29, 1939 in Keiser, Arkansas. Moved to Memphis, TN when he was a young boy and he claims Tennessee as his home. Singer, songwriter, and actor, has had numerous number one hit songs recorded by big name country music stars. In the late 70's he represented the state of Tennessee as the "Tennessean." Well known for his anti-litter Public Service Announcements for the state of TN, titled, "Tennessee Trash."

  19. Elise Neal- Born March 14, 1970 in Memphis, TN. African American actress known for her film roles in "Scream 2," "Paid In Full," and "Hustle & Flow." 

  20. Elvis Presley- The "King of Rock and Roll." Born January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, MS. Moved to Memphis, TN in 1948.

  21. Frank Sutton- Born October 23, 1923 in Clarksville, TN. Television actor best known from his role on the "Gomer Pyle, USMC" television series, as the tough drill Sgt. "Sergeant Vincent Carter." Sutton died on June 28, 1974, from a sudden heart attack, he was only 50 years old.

  22. Fred Thompson- Born August 19, 1943 in Sheffield, AL, moved to Lawrenceburg, TN as a child. Former U.S. Senator (1994-2003), also movie actor known for his roles in the movies "Hunt for Red October," "Days of Thunder," "Die Hard 2," and currently starring in televisions Law & Order.

  23. George Hamilton: Born August 12. 1939 in Memphis, TN. Actor starred in many major motion pictures. Well known for his perpetual dark suntan and his flamboyount lifestyle.

  24. Ginnifer Goodwin- Born May 22, 1978 in Memphis, TN. Beautiful actress known for her performances in several movies including "Walk the Line," "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton," "Mona Lisa Smile," and "Porn 'n Chicken." 

  25. Grace Moore- Born December 5, 1898 in Cocke County, TN and raised in Jellico, TN. Famous opera singer, and actress, was known as the "Tennessee Nightingale." Moore died on January 26, 1947 in a terrible plane crash after performing in Stockholm, Sweden.

  26. Isaac Hayes- Born in Covington, TN on August 20, 1942. Multi talented composer, singer, and arranger, best known for his Academy Award for winning Best Original Song for a Motion Picture for the "Them from Shaft."

  27. Jack Hanna- Born in Knoxville, TN on January 2, 1947. Also known as "Jungle Jack." Widely known for his television series "Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures" and appearances with wild animals on the television show "Late Show with David Letterman."

  28. Jack Landry- Born in Knoxville, TN on October 6, 1978. Actor best known for his role as "Jared" in the television NBC television series "Surface."

  29. Jake Thomas- Born in Knoxville, TN on January 30, 1990. Best known for his role as "Matt McGuire" in the hit Disney movie and television show "Lizzie McGuire."

  30. James Denton- Born in Nashville, TN on January 20, 1963. Best known for his role as Mike Delfino in the ABC hit television series "Desperate Housewives."

  31. Jerry Lawler: Controversial "King" of wrestling was born in Memphis on November 29, 1949.

  32. John Cullum- Born in Knoxville, TN on March 2, 1930. Perhaps best remembered for his role as Holling Vincoeur in the television series "Northern Exposure."

  33. Johnny Knoxville.- Real name P.J. Clapp (Phillip John) was born March 11, 1971,  in Knoxville, best known from his MTV hit series "Jackass" and "Jackass the Movie". Also known for his role in the 2005 film, "The Dukes of Hazzard"

  34. John Richard Locke: Born April 11, 1945, in Canton, OH, moved to Covington, TN with his family in 1952. Has been in over 25 television commercials since 1982 and is best known for his role as Elvis's Uncle Vester in the 1990 ABC television mini-series, "Elvis." Also known for playing Mr. French in the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" movie by the Cohen brothers.

  35. Kathy Bates- Born June 28th, 1948 in Memphis, TN. Popular actress starred in many movies including, The Stand, Dolores Claiborne, Titanic, The Waterboy, Fried Green Tomatoes, and perhaps best known for her portrayal as the obsessed axe wielding psycho in the Steven King film "Misery." 

  36. Lark Voorhies: Born March 24, 1974 in Nashville, TN. Actress best known for her role as "Lisa Turtle" in TV's "Saved By the Bell".

  37. Mary Costa- Born in Knoxville, TN on April 5, 1930, actress and singer best known as the voice of Princess Aurora/Briar Rose in the original 1959 Film, Disney's "Sleeping Beauty."

  38. Megan Fox- Born in Oak Ridge, TN on May 16, 1986, grew up in nearby Rockwood, TN. Popular actress best known for her starring role as Mikaela Banes, in the 2007 hit live-action film, Transformers. 

  39. Miley Cyrus- Born in Nashville, TN on November 23, 1992. Singer, songwriter, actress, best known for her starring role as "Hannah Montana" on the hit Disney Channel television series. Daughter of country super star Billy Ray Cyrus. Miley is currently on a singing tour as the opening act for the Cheetah Girls.

  40. Minnie Pearl (Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon)- Born October 25, 1912 in Centerville, TN. Famous country comedian best known for her stint on TVs "Hee Haw." Also known for her famouns "price tagged hats," and her big "HOWDY" greetings. Minnie Pearl died on March 4, 1996 from complications from a stroke.

  41. Morgan Freeman- Born in Memphis, TN on June 1, 1937. Award winning actor best known for his role as a convict in the film "Shawshank Redemption".

  42. Nancy Sloan- Born in Chattanooga, TN on March 11, 1965. Actress known for her role as "Katie Logan" on the CBS Soap Opera "The Bold and the Beautiful."

  43. Olivia Cole- Born November 26, 1942 in Memphis, TN. Emmy Award winning African American actress has starred in numerous television and film roles. Best known for her Emmy winning role as "Matilda" in the 1977 ABC mini-series "Roots."

  44. Oprah Winfrey: Born on January 29, 1954,  in Kosciusko, Mississippi, moved to Nashville, TN at age 14. Actress, talk show host, entertainment executive, graduated from Tennessee State University and was selected as Miss Tennessee in her freshman year of college. According to Forbes magazine, she was the richest African American of the 20th century and the world's only Black billionaire for three straight years.

  45. Park Overall: Born March 15, 1957 in Greeneville, TN. Actress best known for her role as nurse "Laverne," in the 90's television sitcom "Empty Nest."

  46. Patricia Neal: Born January 30, 1926 in Packard, KY. Grew up in Knoxville, TN. Academy Award winning actress, won an Oscar for best actress in the 1963 film "Hud." Starred in numerous movies, Broadway shows, and television shows. In 1965 was stricken by 3 cerebral aneurisms and was in a comma for 3 weeks. In 1978, Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville dedicated the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center in her honor. The center serves as part of Neal's paralysis victim advocacy. Currently Neal lives in New York City, NY. 

  47. Polly Bergen- Famous film actress currently starring in a recurring role as "Kate Allen" on ABC's "Commander in Chief". Was born in Knoxville, TN on July 14th, 1930.

  48. Quentin Tarantino- Born March 27, 1963 in Knoxville, TN. Oscar winning screen writer, director, well known for his hit movies "From Dusk to Dawn", "Pulp Fiction", "Kill Bill", and "Hostel".

  49. Ralph Emery- Born in McEwen, TN on March 10, 1933. Best known for his hit television series "Nashville Now."

  50. Reese Witherspoon- Born in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 22, 1976, at 5 years old moved to Nashville, TN with her family, where she still owns a home. Actress known for her starring roles in movies including "Sweet Home Alabama," "Legally Blonde," and in 2006, she took home the best actress Oscar for her role as June Carter Cash in the Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line."

  51. Ric Flair- Wrestling super star born February 25, 1949, in Memphis, TN. Known as "The Nature Boy."

  52. Robert Downey Sr.- Born on June 1, 1936 in Tennessee. Actor, Writer, Director, best known for his cult classic feature film Putney Swope. Father of actor/former Saturday Night Live cast-member Robert Downey Jr. and brother of SNL writer/feature player Jim Downey.

  53. Samuel L. Jackson: Born December 21, 1948 in Washington, D.C. Moved to Chattanooga, TN as a young child with his family. Actor nominated for an Oscar for his role as a Bible quoting hit man in the film "Pulp Fiction". Starred in many other major motion pictures including the 2006 cult favorite "Snakes On A Plane."

  54. Shannen Doherty- Born April 12, 1971 in Memphis, TN. Starred in televisions "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Charmed". Currently hosting cable television show "Breaking Up with Shannen Doherty" on the Oxygen Channel. 

  55. Sondra Locke- Born May 28, 1947 in Shelbyville, TN. Actress best known for her co-starring roles in six different Clint Eastwood films, Any Which Way You Can, Bronco Billy, Every Which Way But Loose, The Gauntlet, The Outlaw Josey Wales, and Sudden Impact. 

  56. Tina Wesson: Born December 26, 1960 in Knoxville, TN. Nurse and Actress best known for being the first winner and millionaire in 2001 on the T.V. reality series "Survivor".

  57. Tennessee Ernie Ford (Ernest Jennings Ford)- Born February 13, 1919 in Bristol, TN. Country music legend, recording artist, and television host. Best remembered for his famous rendition of the song "Sixteen Tons." Ford died from a serious fall on October 17, 1991. 

  58. William Sanderson- Born January 10, 1948 in Memphis, TN. Actor has starred in over 20 motion pictures, 30 Broadway plays, and dozens of television shows.

  59. Wink Martindale- Born in Jackson, TN on December 4, 1934. Best known as  the host of the popular game show "Tic Tac Dough." Wink has hosted over 14 different game shows and also has been a radio DJ and a brief stint as a singer.

Click here to see the largest and most complete list of Famous Tennesseans on the entire web!