Famous People From Connecticut

Seth MacFarlane is best known as the creator of animated television series Family Guy and American Dad. He won many awards for Family Guy, including couple of Emmys. He also created and starred in the sci-fi comedy-drama television series The Orville. He’s worked in films too and acted in and directed Ted and Ted 2. He is also an accomplished singer.

Katharine Hepburn served as the leading American actress for over six decades. She is regarded as an influential cultural figure and was included in the popular book Women Who Changed The World. Katharine Hepburn is also named in lists like 300 Women Who Changed the World, 100 Icons of the Century, and 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons of All Time.

P. T. Barnum was an American politician, showman, and businessman. He is credited with founding the famous Barnum & Bailey Circus, which ran for 146 years. He is also credited with co-founding the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company, which is one of the oldest American ferry companies. His life and work have inspired many films, including The Greatest Showman.

The Queen of American romantic comedy movies in 1990s, Meg Ryan is best recognised for her role in When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail, all of which earned her prestigious award nominations. After proving her mettle in romantic comedies Meg Ryan showed her versatility as actress by acting in other genre movies. She made her directorial debut with Ithaca.

One half of the popular musical duo The Carpenters, Karen Carpenter was an American drummer and singer. Her death at age 32 and life-long struggles with eating disorders led to increased awareness of conditions like anorexia and body dysmorphia, which were little-known at the time. In 2010, Carpenter was named on Rolling Stone's 100 greatest singers of all time list.

Regarded as one of the best actresses of her generation, Glenn Close holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations without a win for a female actor. Also an activist, she has campaigned for issues like mental health, women's rights, and gay marriage. In 2019, she was named in Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world list.

Gaten Matarazzo is best known for his SAG Award-winning performance as Dustin Henderson from the Netflix series Stranger Things. He has also hosted the show Prank Encounters and has been part of the Broadway shows Priscilla and Les Misérables. He has cleidocranial dysplasia and helps raise awareness about the condition.

Christopher Lloyd's popularity as an actor increased after he played Dr. Brown in one of the most popular film trilogies of all time - Back to the Future. The trilogy, which revolves around a time travel device, was responsible for stirring the imagination of many. With four failed marriages, Christopher might've hoped for a time machine in real life!

The 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush served two consecutive term in the top office beginning 2001 and led his country post the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He later ordered the invasion of Iraq. Before this, he was twice elected as the governor of Texas and had even helped his father, George H. W. Bush—the 41st president, in his presidential campaigns.

Justin Long is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for playing the boy next door characters, thanks to his looks and physique. Long was applauded for his courage when he shared his story of being victimized of drugging and abduction by a group of local individuals in Michigan. His story encouraged others to share their own stories.

Stephanie McMahon is an American businesswoman. As the chief brand officer of WWE, McMahon contributes immensely to the development of the entertainment company. Also a popular wrestling personality, she often appears on WWE's SmackDown and Raw brands. She is considered one of the most powerful women in wrestling business around the world.

Paul Giamatti is an American actor known for playing important roles in popular films like The Illusionist and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Paul Giamatti became the subject of a famous campaign called Wax Paul Now, which inspired a short film. The short film was premiered in October 2019 at the Virginia Film Festival.

Laura Ingraham is a well-known American journalist and television host. She holds a conservative position, is called a nationalist and has often generated controversy for her stand on various issues. She is the host of The Ingraham Angle on Fox News television channel, which is a high-rated opinion-based show. She hosted The Laura Ingraham Show on radio from 2001 to 2018.

Brian Dennehy was a prolific stage actor with two Tony Awards under his belt. He is credited with exploring playwright Eugene O'Neill’s works and bringing his popular characters to life at Chicago's Goodman Theatre. Also an acclaimed television and film actor, Brian Dennehy appeared in more than 180 films and several TV series.

Anna-Lou Leibovitz is an American portrait photographer whose career is defined by intimate photographs of celebrities, as exemplified by her famous portrait of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, hours before the English musician’s murder. The Rolling Stone magazine provided the platform for her photographic talent during the early years of her career. She was involved in a controversy over an apparent topless photo of Miley Cyrus.

Ernest Borgnine was an American actor well-known for his Cheshire cat grin and gruff but calm voice. An Academy Award winner, Borgnine's film career spanned over 60 years. Also known for his work on television, Ernest Borgnine voiced Mermaid Man, an important character in the popular series SpongeBob SquarePants. Ernest Borgnine's hometown Hamden, Connecticut named a street in his honor.

A political activist of color, Candace Owens first gained visibility as an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Having changed her political stance since then, she is now known for her increasingly pro-Trump activism. Her support for Trump and criticism of Black Lives Matter have made her a controversial figure.

Former actress Linda Kozlowski made her debut as a stage actress and eventually ventured into films. She gained international popularity with her role in the Australian film Crocodile Dundee, during the filming of which she also met her future husband. She retired in the early 2000s after a career spanning two decades.

Jocko Willink is an American podcaster, author, and retired US Navy officer. Willink, who served in the Navy SEALs, played an important role in the Iraq War. He served as the commanding officer for Task Unit Bruiser, which fought the Iraqi insurgents in Ramadi. He was honored with the Bronze Star and Silver Star Medal for his service.

Michael Bolton is an American singer-songwriter who has sold over 75 million records so far. Apart from recording several top 10 albums on the Billboard charts, Bolton also has several prestigious awards under his belt, such as Grammy Awards. Also known for his charity work, Bolton set up the Michael Bolton Foundation in order to aid children and women.

Singer, songwriter, model, actress, and dancer Cassie Ventura is a multifaceted lady. Beginning her career as a model at the age of 14, she didn’t take long to venture into singing and dancing as well. After enjoying considerable success as a singer, she made her acting debut in a dance film in 2008. 

Glenne Headly is best remembered for her Emmy-nominated roles in the TV film Bastard Out of Carolina and the series Lonesome Dove. She also won a CFCA Award for the film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. She had also delivered award-winning stage performances. She died midway while filming for Future Man.

Gary Burghoff is an American actor who is credited with originating the popular role of Charlie Brown in the 1967 Broadway musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He is also known for originating the role of Walter Eugene O'Reilly in the 1970 black comedy war movie MASH and the popular TV series of the same name.

Benedict Arnold was an American military officer who betrayed his country when he joined the British forces in 1780. Because of his betrayal, his name became synonymous with traitory in the United States. His story of betrayal has been depicted in popular culture and he has been portrayed by actors like Owain Yeoman and Ciarán Owens.

Amy Brenneman is an American actress best known for playing Detective Janice Licalsi in the police procedural drama TV series NYPD Blue, for which she received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. She is credited with creating a legal drama television series titled Judging Amy where she also played the title role. She is also credited with co-founding Cornerstone Theatre Company.

A former model for Ralph Lauren, Hope Hicks was Donald Trump’s press secretary and the White House communications director. She has been Trump’s longest-serving political aide and is now his senior counselor. She owns a PR firm, has worked for Fox, and has been on Forbes’s 30 under 30 list.

TV writer and producer Norman Lear is best known for producing hit sitcoms such as All in the Family, One Day at a Time, The Jeffersons, and Sanford and Son. He is also part of the Malibu Mafia and a liberal activist. He also established People for the American Way.