These 7 Celebrities Hail From Some Of Massachusetts' Most Charming Small Towns
By Melissa Mahoney|Updated on March 21, 2024(Originally published April 21, 2023)
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Some of the most famous people in the world are from Massachusetts. Matt Damon and Mindy Kaling, for example, are both from Cambridge, while John Krasinski, Uma Thurman, Chris Evans, and Allison Janney are all from Boston. While the bigger cities of the Bay State have produced some major talent, so have the state’s smallest towns! Here are seven of the most famous people from Massachusetts who happen to come from some of the state’s smaller towns.
1. Comedian Bo Burnham hails from Hamilton, Massachusetts.
Located in Essex County, Hamilton is a tiny coastal town with less than 7,800 people. With plenty of nature, there are tons of trails to explore. We can imagine that Bo Burnham spent some of his childhood days exploring the great outdoors here.
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2. Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan grew up in Stoneham, Massachusetts.
The Middlesex County town Stoneham is home to Middlesex Fells Reservation as well as the Stoneham Zoo. There's also a downtown area and a town square. What a charming place for a future Olympian to grown up!
3. Actor Steve Carell was born in Concord and raised in Acton, Massachusetts.
It's amazing that someone as talented as Steve Carell grew up in small-town Massachusetts, isn't it? He was born in Concord, a historic town best known for its role in starting the American Revolutionary War. He grew up in Acton, home to the gorgeous Acton Arboretum.
4. Former pro-wrestler-turned-actor John Cena was born in West Newbury, Massachusetts.
John Cena spent his childhood in the tiny town of West Newbury, which today has less than 5,000 residents. The town is filled with so much beauty, and you can explore a park like Mill Pond Recreation Area or grab produce from Long Hill Orchard & Farm.
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5. Comedian Conan O'Brien is from Brookline, Massachusetts.
Comedian and late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien is a Massachusetts native. Located in Norfolk County, Brookline may be a larger town with approximately 60,000 people, but it's still quite charming. When you visit Brookline, check out its must-see historic sites.
6. Comedian and actor Bill Burr is from Canton, Massachusetts.
So, quite a few funny, talented people hail from Massachusetts, including Bill Burr. (If you've never seen his stand-up comedy, you're missing out.) Born in Canton, he eventually went on to receive his undergraduate degree at Emerson College in Boston.
7. Meghan Trainor was born on the island of Nantucket.
It's almost hard to imagine that a star like Meghan Trainor grew up on the small island of Nantucket, but it's true! It was on the island where she learned music and how to play a variety of instruments. There must've been something about living there that was so inspiring.
Did you know about these celebrities from Massachusetts? We think it’s amazing how much talent has come out of the Bay State. Who are some of your favorite famous people from Massachusetts? Feel free to reach out and let us know.
Check out our article on the most peaceful, quaint small towns in Massachusetts if you’re interested in learning more about small-town life in MA. And if you’re interested in booking a stay in one of the small towns on the above list, be sure to take a look through the Vrbo listings!
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