Not many people know that numerous celebrities are from Maryland. Some born, some raised, and some are super famous which make up the list below. From musicians to TV personalities to movie stars, and more, we’ve got so many talented celebrities representing our state. Here are 20 famous people from Maryland and you might be surprised by some of them. I know I was. Read on for more. 

1) Edward Norton
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This movie star was born in Boston and raised in Columbia, MD. He graduated from Wilde Lake Highschool in 1987.
2) William H. Macy
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Although this Shameless actor was born in Miami, he actually grew up in Cumberland and graduated from Allegany High School.
3) Montel Williams
famous people from Maryland
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Montel was born in Baltimore and grew up in Linthicum.
4) Mike Rowe
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This Dirty Jobs star was born and raised in Baltimore, and at one time sang professionally with the Baltimore Opera.
5) Jada Pinkett Smith
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Jada is another celebrity who was born in Baltimore. She attended the Baltimore School for the Arts and majored in dance and theatre.
6) Kathie Lee Gifford
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Though she was born in France, Kathy Lee Gifford actually grew up in Bowie and attended Bowie High School.
7) Toni Braxton
famous people from Maryland
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This singer was born in Severn and attended Bowie State University before deciding to pursue music.
8) Julie Bowen
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This Modern Family star was born in Baltimore and attended Calvert School, followed by Garrison Forest School in Owings Mills.
9) JC Chasez
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This former N'SYNC member was born in DC and grew up in Bowie. He attended Bowie High School.
10) Lewis Black
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This hilarious comedian was born in DC and raised in Silver Spring. He graduated from Springbrook High School in 1966.

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11) Ginuwine
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Ginuwine was born in DC and grew up in Forestville. He graduated from Prince George's Community College in Largo with a paralegal associate's degree.
12) Goldie Hawn
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Goldie Hawn was born in DC, raised in Takoma Park, and attended Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring.
13) Anna Farris
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This funny actress was born in Baltimore and lived there until age six.
14) Joel and Benji Madden
famous people from Maryland
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Joel and Benji Madden, of the former band Good Charlotte, are twins who grew up in Waldorf. They attended La Plata High School.
15) Julia Louis-Dreyfus
famous people from Maryland
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Julia was born in New York City but grew up in several states, including Maryland. She graduated from the Holton-Arms School in Bethesda.
16) Martin Lawrence
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Martin Lawrence was born in Germany but lived in Maryland during his teen years. He attended High School in Landover and Fort Washington.
17) Joan Jett
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Joan was born in Pennsylvania and her family moved to Rockville in 1967. She attended Randolph Junior High and Wheaton High School.
18) Spike Jonze
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Director Spike Jonze was born in Rockville and grew up in Bethesda. He attended Walt Whitman High School.
19) Tori Amos
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At age 2, this musician's family moved to Baltimore from North Carolina. She grew up in Rockville and Silver Spring before moving to LA at age 21.
20) Christina Milian
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Christina Milian grew up in Waldorf until the age of 13.

If you thought this article was interesting, check out this YouTube video by Jake Lee with some fun facts about Maryland that might surprise you.

Babe Ruth was also a native son and is one of the most famous people from Baltimore. This museum in Maryland is dedicated to his legacy and we recommend that you visit at least once.  

Are there any other celebrities from Maryland that you know of? Did you attend school with any of them? Share in the comments!

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Famous People From Maryland

Melanie J. | July 29, 2022

Are there any popular movies that were filmed in Maryland?

The short answer is yes, and here is a list of some popular movies that were filmed in Maryland:

  • The Blair Witch Project (1999)
  • Hairspray (1988)
  • The Social Network (2010)
  • Wedding Crashers (2005)
  • Live Free or Die Hard (2007) 
  • Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
  • He's Just Not That Into You (2009)


Read our previous article to find out more about these popular movies that were filmed in Maryland.

Who are the most famous celebrities from Maryland?

There are tons of famous celebrities from Maryland and some have even accomplished amazing things. For instance, David Hasselhoff was born in Baltimore, Maryland and he holds the Guinness World Record as the Most Watched Man on television. Perhaps the most recognizable name in baseball, Babe Ruth was also born in Baltimore. During the height of his career, he held many records in baseball and he also won the home-run crown 12 times.

She might not be a celebrity in the true sense of the word, but she has earned her place as one of the most influential figures of our time. Miss Harriet Tubman, activist and abolitionist, was born in Dorchester County, Maryland. She executed 13 missions to free enslaved people from bondage. Additionally, she was also a cook and a nurse during the American Civil War. There are tons of famous celebrities from Maryland and it is one of the best states to live in. Check out this article about some of the best things about the Old Line State.

What are some fun facts about Maryland?

When it comes to trivia, it’s important that you have some fun facts about different places stored in your memory. After all, trivia is based on random information collected over the years. How well do you know the state you live in? If you’re from Maryland, there are tons of fun facts that you’ll find interesting. For example, did you know that the Baltimore Ravens was named after a poem called "The Raven," which was written by Edgar Allen Poe, who was also from Baltimore? Another fun fact is that Maryland was the first state to declare a state exercise. On October 1, 2008, walking became the official exercise for Maryland. Of course, you must know that the state’s favorite crustacean is the blue crab also known as the Maryland Crab. But did you know that most of those crabs are caught off the shores of Virginia? These are just some of the fun facts that might win you some points during a trivia game. And here are some more fun facts about Maryland that you should add to your trivia bank.

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