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Famous actresses from Wisconsin
Anyone who wants to admire and envy the world's biggest stars needs only to look on Instagram. From A-list movie stars and major musicians to pro ball players and comedians who landed their own sitcoms, there's no shortage of evidence of just how good the good life is. They post pictures of themselves with other big shots on rooftop bars, at exclusive clubs, at backstage parties, and at restaurants where regular people can't get a reservation.
But the vast majority of these celebrities were born and raised outside of Hollywood, finding their way to the bright lights and big money of superstardom from obscure beginnings in regular small towns and cities across the country.
Stacker compiled a list of actresses that were born in Wisconsin from IMDb's most popular list. Movie poster images are from OMDb. Keep reading to see which of your favorite actresses are from your home state.
Kristin Bauer van Straten
- Born: Racine, Wisconsin, USA (11/26/1966)
- Known for:
--- Kelly in "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" (1997)
--- Pam De Beaufort in "True Blood" (2008-2014)
--- Female Firefighter in "50 First Dates" (2004)
- Known for:
--- Kelly in "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" (1997)
--- Pam De Beaufort in "True Blood" (2008-2014)
--- Female Firefighter in "50 First Dates" (2004)
Rachel Brosnahan
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (7/12/1990)
- Known for:
--- Rachel Posner / Call Girl in "House of Cards" (2013-2015)
--- Miriam 'Midge' Maisel in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (2017-2022)
--- Jessica Kensky in "Patriots Day" (2016)
- Known for:
--- Rachel Posner / Call Girl in "House of Cards" (2013-2015)
--- Miriam 'Midge' Maisel in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (2017-2022)
--- Jessica Kensky in "Patriots Day" (2016)
Heather Graham
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (1/29/1970)
- Known for:
--- Felicity Shagwell in "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" (1999)
--- Rollergirl in "Boogie Nights" (1997)
--- Daisy in "Bowfinger" (1999)
- Known for:
--- Felicity Shagwell in "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" (1999)
--- Rollergirl in "Boogie Nights" (1997)
--- Daisy in "Bowfinger" (1999)
Jessica Szohr
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (3/31/1985)
- Known for:
--- Kelly in "Piranha 3D" (2010)
--- Faiza in "Two Night Stand" (2014)
--- Sasha in "Tower Heist" (2011)
- Known for:
--- Kelly in "Piranha 3D" (2010)
--- Faiza in "Two Night Stand" (2014)
--- Sasha in "Tower Heist" (2011)
Andrea Anders
- Born: Madison, Wisconsin, USA (5/10/1975)
- Known for:
--- Brandy in "Sex Drive" (2008)
--- Alex Garrett in "Joey" (2004-2006)
--- Heather in "The Stepford Wives" (2004)
- Known for:
--- Brandy in "Sex Drive" (2008)
--- Alex Garrett in "Joey" (2004-2006)
--- Heather in "The Stepford Wives" (2004)
Paris Berelc
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (12/29/1998)
- Known for:
--- Skylar Storm in "Lab Rats: Elite Force" (2016)
--- Megan in "Hubie Halloween" (2020)
--- Alexa Mendoza in "Alexa & Katie" (2018-2020)
- Known for:
--- Skylar Storm in "Lab Rats: Elite Force" (2016)
--- Megan in "Hubie Halloween" (2020)
--- Alexa Mendoza in "Alexa & Katie" (2018-2020)
Amy Pietz
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (3/6/1969)
- Known for:
--- Annie Spadaro in "Caroline in the City" (1995-1999)
--- Lt. Rhodes in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1994)
--- Liza Tisch in "Jingle All the Way" (1996)
- Known for:
--- Annie Spadaro in "Caroline in the City" (1995-1999)
--- Lt. Rhodes in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1994)
--- Liza Tisch in "Jingle All the Way" (1996)
Laura Ramsey
- Born: Brandon, Wisconsin, USA (11/14/1982)
- Known for:
--- Stacy in "The Ruins" (2008)
--- Sarah Wenham in "The Covenant" (2006)
--- Olivia Lennox in "She's the Man" (2006)
- Known for:
--- Stacy in "The Ruins" (2008)
--- Sarah Wenham in "The Covenant" (2006)
--- Olivia Lennox in "She's the Man" (2006)
Gena Rowlands
- Born: Madison, Wisconsin, USA (6/19/1930)
- Known for:
--- Allie Calhoun in "The Notebook" (2004)
--- Ramona Calvert in "Hope Floats" (1998)
--- Violet Devereaux in "The Skeleton Key" (2005)
- Known for:
--- Allie Calhoun in "The Notebook" (2004)
--- Ramona Calvert in "Hope Floats" (1998)
--- Violet Devereaux in "The Skeleton Key" (2005)
Tyne Daly
- Born: Madison, Wisconsin, USA (2/21/1946)
- Known for:
--- Maxine Gray in "Judging Amy" (1999-2005)
--- Anne Marie Hoag in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017)
--- Mary Beth Lacey / Detective Mary Beth Lacey in "Cagney & Lacey" (1981-1988)
- Known for:
--- Maxine Gray in "Judging Amy" (1999-2005)
--- Anne Marie Hoag in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017)
--- Mary Beth Lacey / Detective Mary Beth Lacey in "Cagney & Lacey" (1981-1988)
Jane Kaczmarek
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (12/21/1955)
- Known for:
--- Lois / Lois Wilkerson in "Malcolm in the Middle" (2000-2006)
--- David's Mom in "Pleasantville" (1998)
--- Captain Jane Lindel in "CHIPS" (2017)
- Known for:
--- Lois / Lois Wilkerson in "Malcolm in the Middle" (2000-2006)
--- David's Mom in "Pleasantville" (1998)
--- Captain Jane Lindel in "CHIPS" (2017)
Jane Wiedlin
- Born: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, USA (5/20/1958)
- Known for:
--- The Singing Telegram Girl in "Clue" (1985)
--- Joan of Arc in "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" (1989)
--- Alien Communications Officer in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" (1986)
- Known for:
--- The Singing Telegram Girl in "Clue" (1985)
--- Joan of Arc in "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" (1989)
--- Alien Communications Officer in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" (1986)
Ellen Corby
- Born: Racine, Wisconsin, USA (6/3/1911)
- Died: 4/14/1999
- Known for:
--- Esther Walton in "The Waltons" (1972-1980)
--- Manager of McKittrick Hotel in "Vertigo" (1958)
--- Miss McCardle in "Sabrina" (1954)
- Died: 4/14/1999
- Known for:
--- Esther Walton in "The Waltons" (1972-1980)
--- Manager of McKittrick Hotel in "Vertigo" (1958)
--- Miss McCardle in "Sabrina" (1954)
Deidre Hall
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (10/31/1947)
- Known for:
--- Dr. Marlena Evans / Dr. Marlena Evans Black / Dr. Marlena Black / Marlena Evans / Marlena Black / Hattie Adams / Dr. Marlena Evans North / Dr. Marlena Evans Brady / Marlena Evans Brady / Dr. Marlene Evans / Samantha Evans in "Days of Our Lives" (1976-2021)
--- Electra Woman / Lori in "Electra Woman and Dyna Girl" (1976)
--- Fiona Fleming in "Dating in the Middle Ages" (2013)
- Known for:
--- Dr. Marlena Evans / Dr. Marlena Evans Black / Dr. Marlena Black / Marlena Evans / Marlena Black / Hattie Adams / Dr. Marlena Evans North / Dr. Marlena Evans Brady / Marlena Evans Brady / Dr. Marlene Evans / Samantha Evans in "Days of Our Lives" (1976-2021)
--- Electra Woman / Lori in "Electra Woman and Dyna Girl" (1976)
--- Fiona Fleming in "Dating in the Middle Ages" (2013)
Shannon Whirry
- Born: Green Lake, Wisconsin, USA (11/7/1964)
- Known for:
--- Screaming Mother in "Middle Men" (2009)
--- Beautiful Mom in "Me, Myself & Irene" (2000)
--- Kristin / Tracy in "Ringer" (1996)
- Known for:
--- Screaming Mother in "Middle Men" (2009)
--- Beautiful Mom in "Me, Myself & Irene" (2000)
--- Kristin / Tracy in "Ringer" (1996)
Kelly McCreary
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (7/10/1981)
- Known for:
--- Kelly Jane in "Castle" (2014)
--- Dr. Maggie Pierce in "Grey's Anatomy" (2014-2021)
--- Jo in "Baby, Baby, Baby" (2015)
- Known for:
--- Kelly Jane in "Castle" (2014)
--- Dr. Maggie Pierce in "Grey's Anatomy" (2014-2021)
--- Jo in "Baby, Baby, Baby" (2015)
Bonnie Bartlett
- Born: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, USA (6/20/1929)
- Known for:
--- Ellen Craig in "St. Elsewhere" (1982-1988)
--- Lynn Bernstein in "V" (1983)
--- Mary Ann Benedict in "Twins" (1988)
- Known for:
--- Ellen Craig in "St. Elsewhere" (1982-1988)
--- Lynn Bernstein in "V" (1983)
--- Mary Ann Benedict in "Twins" (1988)
Angelica Ross
- Born: Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA (11/28/1980)
- Known for:
--- Nurse Rita / The Chemist / Theta / Dee Dee in "American Horror Story" (2019-2021)
--- Candy in "Pose" (2018-2021)
--- Relevance in "Claws" (2017)
- Known for:
--- Nurse Rita / The Chemist / Theta / Dee Dee in "American Horror Story" (2019-2021)
--- Candy in "Pose" (2018-2021)
--- Relevance in "Claws" (2017)
Stephanie Czajkowski
- Born: Wisconsin, USA (11/3/1973)
- Known for:
--- Hammerhead in "Doom Patrol" (2019-2021)
--- Postmaster in "The Call of the Wild" (2020)
--- Melissa in "Breakthrough" (2019)
- Known for:
--- Hammerhead in "Doom Patrol" (2019-2021)
--- Postmaster in "The Call of the Wild" (2020)
--- Melissa in "Breakthrough" (2019)
Carole Landis
- Born: Fairchild, Wisconsin, USA (1/1/1919)
- Died: 7/5/1948
- Known for:
--- Vicky Lynn in "I Wake Up Screaming" (1941)
--- Ann Carrington in "Topper Returns" (1941)
--- Penguin Moore in "Road Show" (1941)
- Died: 7/5/1948
- Known for:
--- Vicky Lynn in "I Wake Up Screaming" (1941)
--- Ann Carrington in "Topper Returns" (1941)
--- Penguin Moore in "Road Show" (1941)
Charlotte Rae
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (4/22/1926)
- Died: 8/5/2018
- Known for:
--- Edna Garrett in "The Facts of Life" (1979-1986)
--- Lady in Pink in "Hair" (1979)
--- Mrs. Greenhouse in "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" (2008)
- Died: 8/5/2018
- Known for:
--- Edna Garrett in "The Facts of Life" (1979-1986)
--- Lady in Pink in "Hair" (1979)
--- Mrs. Greenhouse in "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" (2008)
Salome Jens
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (5/8/1935)
- Known for:
--- Female Guardian in "Green Lantern" (2011)
--- Collie at HQ in "Cats & Dogs" (2001)
--- Nora Marcus in "Seconds" (1966)
- Known for:
--- Female Guardian in "Green Lantern" (2011)
--- Collie at HQ in "Cats & Dogs" (2001)
--- Nora Marcus in "Seconds" (1966)
Kathy Kinney
- Born: Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA (11/3/1954)
- Known for:
--- Mimi Bobeck Carey / Mimi Bobeck in "The Drew Carey Show" (1995-2004)
--- Blaire Kendall in "Arachnophobia" (1990)
--- Joan in "Parting Glances" (1986)
- Known for:
--- Mimi Bobeck Carey / Mimi Bobeck in "The Drew Carey Show" (1995-2004)
--- Blaire Kendall in "Arachnophobia" (1990)
--- Joan in "Parting Glances" (1986)
Nancy Olson
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (7/14/1928)
- Known for:
--- Betty Schaefer in "Sunset Blvd." (1950)
--- Mrs. Abbott in "Airport 1975" (1974)
--- Nancy Furman in "Pollyanna" (1960)
- Known for:
--- Betty Schaefer in "Sunset Blvd." (1950)
--- Mrs. Abbott in "Airport 1975" (1974)
--- Nancy Furman in "Pollyanna" (1960)
Concetta Tomei
- Born: Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA (12/30/1945)
- Known for:
--- Patricia Ruiz in "Deep Impact" (1998)
--- Mom in "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead" (1991)
--- Lynda Hansen in "Providence" (1999-2002)
- Known for:
--- Patricia Ruiz in "Deep Impact" (1998)
--- Mom in "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead" (1991)
--- Lynda Hansen in "Providence" (1999-2002)
Jeana Keough
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (9/18/1955)
- Known for:
--- Ducky in "The Beach Girls" (1982)
--- Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire in "History of the World: Part I" (1981)
--- Karen in "10 to Midnight" (1983)
- Known for:
--- Ducky in "The Beach Girls" (1982)
--- Vestal Virgin - The Roman Empire in "History of the World: Part I" (1981)
--- Karen in "10 to Midnight" (1983)
Talia Jackson
- Born: Madison, Wisconsin, USA (8/28/2001)
- Known for:
--- Jade McKellan / Maya Angelou in "Family Reunion" (2019-2021)
--- Zoe in "Station 19" (2018)
--- Dusty Gable in "Raised by Wolves" (2017)
- Known for:
--- Jade McKellan / Maya Angelou in "Family Reunion" (2019-2021)
--- Zoe in "Station 19" (2018)
--- Dusty Gable in "Raised by Wolves" (2017)
Leigh Zimmerman
- Born: Madison, Wisconsin, USA (3/28/1969)
- Known for:
--- Friend at Party in "Proof" (2005)
--- Christine Snyder in "United 93" (2006)
--- Fashion Model in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" (1992)
- Known for:
--- Friend at Party in "Proof" (2005)
--- Christine Snyder in "United 93" (2006)
--- Fashion Model in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" (1992)
Aimee Graham
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (9/20/1971)
- Known for:
--- Screw in "Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth" (2000)
--- Blonde Hostage in "From Dusk Till Dawn" (1996)
--- Beth Ann Gardener in "Brokedown Palace" (1999)
- Known for:
--- Screw in "Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth" (2000)
--- Blonde Hostage in "From Dusk Till Dawn" (1996)
--- Beth Ann Gardener in "Brokedown Palace" (1999)
Sheila Tousey
- Born: Keshena, Wisconsin, USA (6/4/1960)
- Known for:
--- Martha in "Ravenous" (1999)
--- Emma Leaphorn in "Skinwalkers" (2002)
--- Maggie Eagle Bear in "Thunderheart" (1992)
- Known for:
--- Martha in "Ravenous" (1999)
--- Emma Leaphorn in "Skinwalkers" (2002)
--- Maggie Eagle Bear in "Thunderheart" (1992)
Rebecca Olejniczak
- Born: Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA (not available)
- Known for:
--- Montana / Hooker #1 / Montana-Hooker in "Ray Donovan" (2015)
--- Sofia Briley in "After School Special" (2017)
--- Gretchen in "Hollywood Adventures" (2015)
- Known for:
--- Montana / Hooker #1 / Montana-Hooker in "Ray Donovan" (2015)
--- Sofia Briley in "After School Special" (2017)
--- Gretchen in "Hollywood Adventures" (2015)
Mary Gallagher
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (12/11/1967)
- Known for:
--- Mrs. Loud in "Flightplan" (2005)
--- Other Female Coach in "How Do You Know" (2010)
--- Tilly in "Friends" (1996)
- Known for:
--- Mrs. Loud in "Flightplan" (2005)
--- Other Female Coach in "How Do You Know" (2010)
--- Tilly in "Friends" (1996)
Pamela Britton
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (3/19/1923)
- Died: 6/17/1974
- Known for:
--- Paula Gibson in "D.O.A." (1949)
--- Girl from Brooklyn in "Anchors Aweigh" (1945)
--- Mrs. Lorelei Brown / Lorelei Glutz in "My Favorite Martian" (1963-1966)
- Died: 6/17/1974
- Known for:
--- Paula Gibson in "D.O.A." (1949)
--- Girl from Brooklyn in "Anchors Aweigh" (1945)
--- Mrs. Lorelei Brown / Lorelei Glutz in "My Favorite Martian" (1963-1966)
Taylor Louderman
- Born: Madison, Wisconsin, USA (12/21/1990)
- Known for:
--- Anna in "Frozen on Broadway: First Look" (2014)
--- Wendy Darling in "Peter Pan Live!" (2014)
--- Jen in "Life of an Actress: The Musical" (2014)
- Known for:
--- Anna in "Frozen on Broadway: First Look" (2014)
--- Wendy Darling in "Peter Pan Live!" (2014)
--- Jen in "Life of an Actress: The Musical" (2014)
Danica Patrick
- Born: Beloit, Wisconsin, USA (3/25/1982)
- Known for:
--- Driving Instructor in "Charlie's Angels" (2019)
--- Liza Gray in "CSI: NY" (2010)
--- Rally in "Blaze and the Monster Machines" (2016)
- Known for:
--- Driving Instructor in "Charlie's Angels" (2019)
--- Liza Gray in "CSI: NY" (2010)
--- Rally in "Blaze and the Monster Machines" (2016)
Patricia Michon
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (4/8/1905)
- Known for:
--- Catherine in "One Step Beyond" (1959)
--- Dolores Gamma in "The Saint" (1964)
--- Yvette Dulaine in "Thriller" (1961)
- Known for:
--- Catherine in "One Step Beyond" (1959)
--- Dolores Gamma in "The Saint" (1964)
--- Yvette Dulaine in "Thriller" (1961)
Brigid Bazlen
- Born: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, USA (6/9/1944)
- Died: 5/25/1989
- Known for:
--- Dora Hawkins in "How the West Was Won" (1962)
--- Salome in "King of Kings" (1961)
--- Julie Fitch in "The Honeymoon Machine" (1961)
- Died: 5/25/1989
- Known for:
--- Dora Hawkins in "How the West Was Won" (1962)
--- Salome in "King of Kings" (1961)
--- Julie Fitch in "The Honeymoon Machine" (1961)
Anne McDaniels
- Born: St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, USA (7/13/1977)
- Known for:
--- Misty (segment "Frankie the Squirrel") in "The Unknown Trilogy" (2007)
--- Renee in "Apocalypse, CA" (2011)
--- European Model / Rapper in Music Video in "Chop Shop" (2014)
- Known for:
--- Misty (segment "Frankie the Squirrel") in "The Unknown Trilogy" (2007)
--- Renee in "Apocalypse, CA" (2011)
--- European Model / Rapper in Music Video in "Chop Shop" (2014)
Beth Lacke
- Born: Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA (12/10/1974)
- Known for:
--- Pilates Instructor in "Mr. 3000" (2004)
--- Meghan Womack in "Frequency" (2016-2017)
--- Amanda Pennington in "Happy Hour" (2006-2008)
- Known for:
--- Pilates Instructor in "Mr. 3000" (2004)
--- Meghan Womack in "Frequency" (2016-2017)
--- Amanda Pennington in "Happy Hour" (2006-2008)
Caitlin O'Heaney
- Born: Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, USA (8/16/1953)
- Known for:
--- Amy Jensen in "He Knows You're Alone" (1980)
--- Snow White Charming in "The Charmings" (1987)
--- Sarah Stickney White in "Tales of the Gold Monkey" (1982-1983)
- Known for:
--- Amy Jensen in "He Knows You're Alone" (1980)
--- Snow White Charming in "The Charmings" (1987)
--- Sarah Stickney White in "Tales of the Gold Monkey" (1982-1983)
Sarah Deakins
- Born: Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA (not available)
- Known for:
--- Daughter in "Greece" (2014)
--- Writer Woman in "Yellow" (2017)
--- Actress in "Greatness"
- Known for:
--- Daughter in "Greece" (2014)
--- Writer Woman in "Yellow" (2017)
--- Actress in "Greatness"
Skylar Witte
- Born: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, USA (6/9/1997)
- Known for:
--- Kat in "It Shall Not Be Named"
--- Civilian in "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022)
--- Ms. Riedy in "Shooting Star"
- Known for:
--- Kat in "It Shall Not Be Named"
--- Civilian in "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022)
--- Ms. Riedy in "Shooting Star"
Corinna Everson
- Born: Racine, Wisconsin, USA (1/4/1959)
- Known for:
--- Kara in "Double Impact" (1991)
--- TV Mallory in "Natural Born Killers" (1994)
--- Claudia in "Ballistic" (1995)
- Known for:
--- Kara in "Double Impact" (1991)
--- TV Mallory in "Natural Born Killers" (1994)
--- Claudia in "Ballistic" (1995)
Emily Roeske
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (7/15/1991)
- Known for:
--- Sophie Piper in "Halloweentown" (1998)
--- Sophie Piper in "Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge" (2001)
--- Little Girl in "3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain" (1998)
- Known for:
--- Sophie Piper in "Halloweentown" (1998)
--- Sophie Piper in "Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge" (2001)
--- Little Girl in "3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain" (1998)
Sharon Hinnendael
- Born: Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA (5/22/1986)
- Known for:
--- Roxanne in "Rites of Passage" (2012)
--- Eva in "Kissing Strangers" (2010)
--- Zoe Peterson in "Anatomy of a Love Seen" (2014)
- Known for:
--- Roxanne in "Rites of Passage" (2012)
--- Eva in "Kissing Strangers" (2010)
--- Zoe Peterson in "Anatomy of a Love Seen" (2014)
Ann Ryerson
- Born: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, USA (8/15/1949)
- Known for:
--- Katie in "Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives" (1986)
--- Grace in "Caddyshack" (1980)
--- Dr. Katherine James in "Minority Report" (2002)
- Known for:
--- Katie in "Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives" (1986)
--- Grace in "Caddyshack" (1980)
--- Dr. Katherine James in "Minority Report" (2002)
