Best TV Actors and Actresses From Every State

[caption id="attachment_71515" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Credit: Getty/PBS/NBC/CBS[/caption]rn Fifty states. One hundred great actors and actresses. Hidden Remote guides you across the United States as we look at where the best TV actors and actresses hail from. rnIt’s all about home state pride when it comes to picking the best TV actors and actresses from television. Great actors from all walks of life were born and raised across this great country. Early on they found their calling, worked hard and found television stardom. Others pursued a particular career but ultimately found their talent.rnrn[related-category]rnrnWhat follows is a highlight of an actor and actress noted for their television work through all fifty states. Picks were based on whether they were born and/or raised in a particular state. Many of these actors would study drama and theater at a school in their home state or got their start in local productions. Some picks you might be surprised of their origins.rnrnAfter some extensive research, I was able to pick notable TV presences past and present and their geographical beginnings. For instance, two contemporary comedic greats both hail from Massachusetts. Two terrific dramatic actors from AMC Network series grew up in Idaho. And two television legends were born and raised in New York State. So as we travel across the country, we go state-by-state in alphabetical order.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Alabama" slider="true"]rnrn rn Alabama rn[caption id="attachment_71397" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Cougar Town - ABC[/caption]rnrn Courteney Cox rnrnThe Friends and Cougar Town star was born and raised a southern gal before she pursued modeling and acting. Growing up in Mountain Brook, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, Cox lived with her parents and three siblings. She would later attend Mount Vernon College in Washington, D.C. but left to pursue acting.rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2015/11/08/9-funniest-food-moments-on-friends/" teaser="9 Funniest Food Moments on 'Friends'"]rnrnBy the time she was 20, she made her big break as the Bruce Springsteen fan who got to dance with The Boss in the “Dancing in the Dark” music video. She would later find success as Alex P. Keaton’s girlfriend on Family Ties followed by mega-success as Monica Gellar on Friends .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71398" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The Andy Griffith Show - CBS[/caption]rnrn Jim Nabors rnrnThe veteran television actor best known for playing Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. , Nabors was born and raised in Sylacauga, Alabama. The comedic actor would later hone his skills as a student at the University of Alabama in the early 1950’s. Appearing in student-run sketch performances, Nabors would later take his talents to Los Angeles.rnrnWhile working in cabaret theaters, Nabors would develop a character which would evolve into the iconic Gomer Pyle. Thanks to a chance encounter with star Andy Griffith, Nabors was asked to appear in his sitcom which would launch his career in television.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Alaska" slider="true"]rnrn rn Alaska rn[caption id="attachment_71399" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Scandal - NBC[/caption]rnrn Darby Stanchfield rnrnBest known for her character Abby Whelan on the hit ABC political drama Scandal , Stanchfield was born in Kodiak, Alaska. She was raised in the isolated community as her father was a fisherman. She would later attend college in Washington State and then graduated from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.rnrnHer earlier credits include the short-lived drama Jericho on CBS and in several episodes of AMC’s Mad Men as Helen Bishop, a neighbor to the Drapers early on in the series. Other TV appearances include 24 , How I Met Your Mother and The Mentalist .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71400" align="aligncenter" width="557"] Bob's Burgers - 20th Century Fox[/caption]rnrn Dan Mintz rnrnThe stand-up comedian, known for his awkward posture on stage and deadpan delivery of jokes, is more recognized for his distinct voice-over work on the Fox animated sitcom Bob’s Burgers . Playing Bob’s eldest daughter Tina Belcher, Mintz helped shape a break-out character as the burgeoning teenager obsessed with butts.rnrnBorn in Anchorage, Mintz only has a few other voice acting credits but more prolific as a television writer. He’s worked on such comedy shows as Human Giant , Crank Yankers , and Nathan For You .rnrn[nextpost teaser="Arizona" slider="true"]rnrn rn Arizona rn[caption id="attachment_71401" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Wonder Woman - CBS[/caption]rnrn Lynda Carter rnrnThe Wonder Woman star is a native to this southwestern state, born in Phoenix and later attending Arizona State University. Before Carter pursued acting, she made a name for herself winning beauty contests in the state and moved on to win Miss World USA in 1972 representing Arizona.rnrnShe parlayed her success by taking acting classes in New York City but almost called it quits soon after moving to Los Angeles when she almost ran out of money. It wasn’t until she scored the title role in Wonder Woman in the mid-1970’s that launched her career as an actress.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71402" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Rules of Engagement - CBS[/caption]rnrn David Spade rnrnThe Saturday Night Live star was born in Michigan but spent his formative years in Scottsdale, Arizona when his family moved there when he was four years old. Also a fellow alumnus of Arizona State, Spade performed standup at the university's long-running sketch comedy show, “Farce Side Comedy Hour.”rnrnAfter several years working as a stand-up comedian, Spade would be cast as a writer and sketch performer on Saturday Night Live in the early 1990’s. While he’s found success in several films, he also appeared on the long-running sitcoms Just Shoot Me on NBC and Rules of Engagement on CBS.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Arkansas" slider="true"]rnrn rn Arkansas rn[caption id="attachment_71404" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Justified - FX[/caption]rnrn Mary Steenburgen rnrnThe film and television actress was born in Newport, Arkansas and later studied drama at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. As she set off to pursue acting, she found success early on, including winning an Academy Award for her supporting role in the film Melvin and Howard .rnrnAs she continued to work in film, she found time to appear in a variety of dramas and sitcoms over the years, notably recurring roles in Curb Your Enthusiasm as herself, as Diana Jessup in 30 Rock and as Katherine Hale in Justified on FX. Currently, she’s one of the leads in the Fox comedy Last Man on Earth .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71405" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Fargo - FX[/caption]rnrn Billy Bob Thornton rnrnThis actor, writer, and musician was born in Hot Springs Arkansas but later moved around that state with his extended family, often in homes with no running water or electricity. While trying to make it as a baseball player and working an array of odd jobs, Thornton later moved to Los Angeles in the 1980’s to pursue acting.rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2015/12/14/7-actors-wed-like-see-fargo-season-3/" teaser="7 Actors We'd Love to See on 'Fargo' Season 3"]rnrnKnown for playing Southerners on film, Thornton had a supporting role on the CBS sitcom Hearts Afire in the early 1990’s starring John Ritter. But it wasn’t until his critically-acclaimed role as sinister psychopath Lorne Malvo in the first season of the FX drama Fargo that he deserved a spot on this television list.rnrn[nextpost teaser="California" slider="true"]rnrn rn California rn[caption id="attachment_71407" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The Big Bang Theory - CBS[/caption]rnrn Kaley Cuoco rnrnThis southern California actress was born in Camarillo and pursued acting at a young age. While appearing in various films and television episodes as a pre-teen, Cuoco has the distinction of playing the younger version of the lead characters on two shows in the 1990’s. First, she played a younger Angela Chase in an episode of My So-Called Life and a young Ellen Morgan on Ellen .rnrnHer first big success was on the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter starring John Ritter as her father. However, Cuoco is best known for playing Penny on the hugely popular CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory . Despite being a born and raised Californian, she perfectly pulls off that Midwestern girl-next-door.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71408" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Damages - FX[/caption]rnrn Ted Danson rnrnDespite best known for playing a fictional Boston character, Danson was born in sunny San Diego. The Cheers star would later live in Arizona and attended preparatory school in Connecticut but returned to study drama at Stanford University.rnrnAfter working in various soap operas in the 1970’s, Danson hit it big playing ex-ballplayer turned bartender in the hugely popular NBC sitcom Cheers . Danson continued success on TV including Becker on CBS, appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm with his wife Mary Steenburgen, and the HBO series Bored to Death . Most recently he was on the critically well-received FX drama Fargo as Sheriff Hank Larsson.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Colorado" slider="true"]rnrn rn Colorado rn[caption id="attachment_71409" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Sex and the City - HBO[/caption]rnrn Kristin Davis rnrnThe Sex and the City star was born in Boulder but her parents divorced when she was a baby. Davis would later be adopted by her stepfather, a University of Colorado professor. After moving around the country as a child, she would later graduate from Rutgers University in New Jersey.rnrnAfter scoring a gig on the daytime drama General Hospital and the Fox hit Melrose Place , Davis was cast in her most well-known character as Charlotte York on the HBO series Sex and the City for six seasons and two theatrical films. The role earned her an Emmy nomination and two wins at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for Best Ensemble Comedy Series.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71410" align="aligncenter" width="403"] Trey Parker - Courtesy of Splitsider[/caption]rnrn Trey Parker rnrnAs one of the masterminds and voice-actors of South Park , Parker immortalized Colorado in the long-running animated series on Comedy Central. Born in Conifer, Parker would attend the University of Colorado at Boulder where he would meet his creative partner Matt Stone.rnrnThe two worked in animation and independent live-action comedic films that would establish the basis for South Park , one of Comedy Central’s first hit original programming. After nineteen seasons with no sign of stopping, Parker and Stone found further success on Broadway in the hugely successful musical The Book of Mormon , winning multiple Tony Awards.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Connecticut" slider="true"]rnrn rn Connecticut rn[caption id="attachment_71411" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Damages - FX[/caption]rnrn Glenn Close rnrnThe acclaimed film and television actress has called Greenwich her home while growing up. Before she even pursued acting, she described her childhood environment for bringing out her natural inclination to go into acting. “I have no doubt that the days I spent running free in the evocative Connecticut countryside with an unfettered imagination is one of the reasons that acting has always seemed so natural to me.” Close has said in an interview.rnrnWhile the majority of her work has been in film, she has a number of television movies on her resume not to mention the five seasons of the FX legal drama Damages . Her role as Patty Hewes earned Close two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama in 2008 and 2009.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71412" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Seth MacFarlane - Courtesy of The Graham Norton Show[/caption]rnrn Seth MacFarlane rnrnThe animation and voice-over star was born and raised in Kent, Connecticut and went onto to enroll in the preparatory Kent School where his mother worked in the College Guidance and Admissions Offices. However, it was in the neighboring state where MacFarlane attended the Rhode Island School of Design and got his start in animation.rnrnMacFarlane would go on to create the hit animated series Family Guy on Fox. After the show’s first cancelation in 2003, MacFarlane would co-create and provide voices in American Dad . But due to strong fan reactions, Family Guy returned that same year and also spawned The Cleveland Show which debuted in 2009 and lasted for four seasons.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Delaware" slider="true"]rnrn rn Delaware rn[caption id="attachment_71417" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Parks and Recreation - NBC[/caption]rnrn Aubrey Plaza rnrnThe comedic actress known for her deadpan delivery and apathetic characters was born and raised in Wilmington. At a young age, she participated in productions with the Wilmington Drama League. After graduating from Ursuline Academy, she studied fine arts at NYU.rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2015/12/14/7-best-tv-finales-of-2015/" teaser="'Parks and Recreation' Makes Our Best Finales of 2015 List"]rnrnWhile starting out in improv, Plaza would be cast in her best-known role as April Ludgate on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation . She has also appeared in a few other television shows including voice-over work on The Legend of Korra and as the voice of the internet sensation Grumpy Cat in Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71418" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Arrested Development - 20th Century Fox[/caption]rnrn Judge Reinhold rnrnThe television and film actor was also born in Wilmington but later moved to Virginia and Florida as a child. While he’s best known for the films he’s appeared in the 1980’s, Reinhold also has an extensive television resume.rnrnAppearing in dozens of television films, his best-known TV appearance is as the notorious close-talker in an episode of Seinfeld . He also had the pleasure of portraying the profession of his namesake. Yes, on two separate TV series, he played “Honorable Judge Reinhold.” First as a voice in the short-lived Clerks: The Animated Series on ABC and later in an episode of Arrested Development on Fox.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Florida" slider="true"]rnrn rn Florida rn[caption id="attachment_71419" align="aligncenter" width="590"] American Horror Story - FX[/caption]rnrn Sarah Paulson rnrnThe actress spent her first five years in Tampa before moving to Maine and New York. For over 20 years Paulson has been a mainstay on television, probably best known for her various characters throughout the American Horror Story anthology series on FX.rnrnShe’s also had recurring roles on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip , Jack &amp; Jill , and American Gothic . She also appeared in the critically-acclaimed HBO movie Game Change and most recently portraying real-life prosecuting attorney Marcia Clark in American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson. rnrn[caption id="attachment_71420" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The Walking Dead - AMC[/caption]rnrn Norman Reedus rnrnThe deadliest man with a crossbow was born in Hollywood, Florida but would later be raised in Los Angeles. After more than ten years appearing in a variety of major and independent films, Reedus found stardom as Daryl Dixon on AMC’s The Walking Dead .rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2015/09/27/the-walking-dead-5-times-carol-daryl-broke-our-hearts/" teaser="5 Times Daryl and Carol Broke Our Hearts on 'The Walking Dead'"]rnrnAs a fan favorite here at Hidden Remote, Reedus’s portrayal as Daryl, the southern expert marksman, is who we want on our side in the zombie apocalypse. Despite growing up in Los Angeles, it’s Reedus’s southern roots that shaped him to be one of the best characters on television today.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Georgia" slider="true"]rnrn rn Georgia rn[caption id="attachment_71421" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Six Feet Under - HBO[/caption]rnrn Frances Conroy rnrnThe prolific film and television actress was born and raised in Monroe. She would go on to study drama at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania and the Julliard School in New York City.rnrnWhile spending years in various television guest spots, she earned her biggest recognition portraying family matriarch Ruth Fisher in the critically-acclaimed drama Six Feet Under , earning her a Golden Globe Award in 2003. Like Sarah Paulson, Conroy went on to play various characters on the FX series American Horror Story . Other notable roles include Barney Stinson’s mom on How I Met Your Mother on CBS and a recurring role on the Hulu series Casual .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71422" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Hannibal - NBC[/caption]rnrn Laurence Fishburne rnrnThis veteran actor was born in Augusta and spent his early childhood as a Georgia peach. It wasn’t until his parents divorced that he relocated to Brooklyn, New York. As he’s known for such iconic movies as The Matrix and Boyz n the Hood , Fishburne has quite the television resume.rnrnFor 80’s kids such as myself, we first knew him as Cowboy Curtis on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse . He played more adult roles in television films like The Tuskegee Airmen and Miss Evers’ Boys which earned him acting nominations at the Emmy’s. More recently he’s portrayed Dr. Raymond Langston in the CSI universe on CBS and as Jack Crawford on the canceled-too-soon NBC horror drama Hannibal. rnrn[nextpost teaser="Hawaii" slider="true"]rnrn rn Hawaii rn[caption id="attachment_71423" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Gilmore Girls - The WB[/caption]rnrn Lauren Graham rnrnThe Parenthood star was born in Honolulu but later lived in Japan and Virginia as a child. After graduating from Barnard College and Southern Methodist University, she moved to Los Angeles and got started in commercials and television spots. Some of her more memorable sitcom appearances in the 1990’s include Seinfeld and News Radio .rnrnHowever, it was her breakthrough role on Gilmore Girls that brought her television stardom. After seven seasons as the single mother Lorelai Gilmore, Graham found further success as Sarah Braverman for six seasons on Parenthood on NBC.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71424" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Justified - FX[/caption]rnrn Timothy Olyphant rnrnThe film and television star was also born in the Hawaiian capital but only spent his first two years there until his family moved to Modesto, California. He later enrolled at the University of Southern California where he dabbled in sports and various fine arts. But it wasn’t until after he graduated that he ultimately decided to pursue acting.rnrnAfter various supporting film roles and television spots, he broke through as Sherriff Seth Bullock in the cult-hit western drama Deadwood on HBO. Olyphant later did a recurring arc on Damages and then landed perhaps his biggest role as Raylan Givens in the FX drama Justified , which ended last year.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Idaho" slider="true"]rnrn rn Idaho rn[caption id="attachment_71426" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Mad Men - AMC[/caption]rnrn Christina Hendricks rnrnThough she was born in Tennessee, the Mad Men star grew up in Twin Falls beginning when she was three years old. As a child, she started young by performing in local children’s musical theater productions. After modeling for a number of years, she got several television guest appearances including Angel and ER in the early 2000’s.rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2015/11/08/5-things-miss-mad-men/" teaser="5 Things We Miss About 'Mad Men'"]rnrnHowever, it was her role as the red-headed office manager Joan Harris on AMC’s Mad Men beginning in 2007 that broke through for her. Over the course of the show, as her character climbed the corporate ranks in 1960’s New York City, Hendricks made a mark on pop culture as a modern actress with the hourglass figure. While Hendricks has dismissed the label of being a full-figured woman, her performance on Mad Men garnered her four consecutive Emmy Award nominations.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71427" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Breaking Bad - AMC[/caption]rnrn Aaron Paul rnrnBorn in Emmett, Idaho and graduating high school in Boise, the Breaking Bad star left the state soon after graduation to pursue acting in Los Angeles. Appearing in several commercials, as a contestant on The Price is Right and in minor film roles, Paul would find greater success on AMC’s Breaking Bad .rnrnWhile the show’s popularity slowly grew from word-of-mouth, so did Paul’s star-power including three Primetime Emmy Awards as Jesse Pinkman. His home state reciprocated their admiration of the actor with Governor Butch Otter declaring October 1 “Aaron Paul Sturtevant Day” (the actor’s birth name) in a ceremony at the Egyptian Theater in Boise.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Illinois" slider="true"]rnrn rn Illinois rn[caption id="attachment_71428" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Hot in Cleveland - TV Land[/caption]rnrn Betty White rnrnThe legendary actress and America’s sweetheart was born in Oak Park, Illinois and spent her early years there before her family moved to California during the Great Depression. It wasn’t until she performed as the lead role in the graduation play at the Horace Mann School in Beverly Hills where she developed an interest in acting.rnrnWhat followed was about eight decades in film and television. Appearing in such legendary sitcoms like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls , White continued with special guest spots in countless shows, commercials, and a successful campaign to get her to host Saturday Night Live in 2010. More recently she’s known for her role as Elka Ostrovsky on Hot in Cleveland which ended in 2015. For such a prolific career, White proved she can’t be stopped.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71429" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Homeland - Showtime[/caption]rnrn Mandy Patinkin rnrnThe Chicago native was born and raised and attended several schools around the metropolitan area. Patinkin would later attend the prestigious Julliard School in New York City to study acting and happened to be classmates with actor Kelsey Grammar.rnrnWhile Patinkin may best be known for playing Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride , he’s acted in several long-running dramas, beginning with Chicago Hope as Dr. Jeffrey Geiger. He would later star in Criminal Minds on CBS as Jason Gideon but left the show during its third season. He currently stars as Saul Berenson on the CIA drama Homeland on Showtime, earning two Emmy Award nominations.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Indiana" slider="true"]rnrn rn Indiana rn[caption id="attachment_71430" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Cheers - NBC[/caption]rnrn Shelley Long rnrnBorn in Fort Wayne, the film and television actress grew up and later attended Northwestern University in Illinois but left before graduating to pursue acting. While she got her start in guest appearances on The Love Boat and M*A*S*H , Long would find her greatest success as Diane Chambers on the NBC sitcom Cheers .rnrnIt was Long and co-star Ted Danson’s will-they, won’t-they dynamic that catapulted the show’s popularity and earned her an Emmy Award in 1983. However, she notoriously left the show after five seasons to pursue a film career that didn’t necessarily pan out. She continued in film and television and even reprised her Cheers role on the spin-off Frasier . More recently she’s appeared in a few episodes of Modern Family as Claire and Mitchell Pritchett’s mother DeDe.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71431" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The Late Show with David Letterman - CBS[/caption]rnrn David Letterman rnrnWhile’s not technically an actor, the legendary and influential late-night host has always called Indianapolis his home. As perhaps the most famous alumni of Ball State University in Muncie, Letterman pursued a career in television and spent three decades in late-night.rnrnAs the host of Late Night with David Letterman throughout the 1980’s, he was famously passed over to replace his idol Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show on NBC. It was then Letterman moved to CBS with The Late Show which competed against Jay Leno’s Tonight Show . After 22 years, Letterman retired in 2015 in perhaps one of the best send-aways in late-night history with a star-studded goodbye .rnrn[nextpost teaser="Iowa" slider="true"]rnrn rn Iowa rn[caption id="attachment_71432" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Orange is the New Black - Netflix[/caption]rnrn Kate Mulgrew rnrnBorn and raised in Dubuque, Mulgrew left her home state at the age of 17 to study acting at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting in New York City. During the first 20 years of her career, she appeared in several TV movies and series. It wasn’t until her role as Kathryn Janeway in the long-running Star Trek: Voyager that she found television success.rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2015/06/12/orange-new-black-season-3-drinking-game/" teaser="'Orange is the New Black' Drinking Game"]rnrnContinuing to act on stage, in film and various other shows, Mulgrew received critical acclaim for her current role as Galina "Red" Reznikov on the hit Netflix series Orange is the New Black . As the headstrong prison chef you don’t want to mess with, Mulgrew received plenty of acting awards including Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy at the Critics’ Choice Awards.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71433" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Lost - ABC[/caption]rnrn Michael Emerson rnrnBorn in Cedar Rapids, Michael Emerson attended high school in Toledo and later attended Drake University in Des Moines studying art and theater. After struggling for a bit and landing small parts, Emerson appeared on hit shows like The Practice and The X-Files. rnrnHowever, he broke through as the sinister Ben Linus on the hit ABC drama Lost . Linus would become a fan favorite which earned Emerson a Best Supporting Actor in a Drama at the Emmy Awards in 2009. After the series ended, Emerson went on to star in Person of Interest on CBS as reclusive billionaire Harold Finch.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Kansas" slider="true"]rnrn rn Kansas rn[caption id="attachment_71434" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Cheers - NBC[/caption]rnrn Kirstie Alley rnrnThe sitcom and film actress was born and raised in Wichita and later attended Kansas State University. She later moved to Los Angeles to pursue an interior design career but ended up as a contestant on several game shows in the late 1970’s.rnrnAlley got the acting bug and was cast in a few film and television roles. However her big break was joining the cast of Cheers in 1987, famously replacing star Shelley Long. Alley would remain on the show’s last six seasons, winning an Emmy Award in 1991. She followed this up with the sitcom Veronica’s Closet and has since made several guest appearances on other sitcoms.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71435" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Modern Family - ABC[/caption]rnrn Eric Stonestreet rnrnThe Modern Family star is a born and bred Kansas man. Hailing from Kansas City, Kansas, he attended Piper High School and went on to graduate from Kansas State University. During his childhood in Kansas, Stonestreet wanted to become a clown and created the “Fizbo” character. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he was able to work that persona into his character Cameron Tucker's hobby on Modern Family who entertained children at parties.rnrnBut instead of becoming a clown professionally, Stonestreet went on to study improv at Second City in Chicago. He later moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. After a series of small roles in film and television, Stonestreet broke through on Modern Family . He has since earned two Emmy Awards for his performance.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Kentucky" slider="true"]rnrn rn Kentucky rn[caption id="attachment_71436" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The Walking Dead - AMC[/caption]rnrn Melissa McBride rnrn The Walking Dead actress hails from Lexington. In the mid-1980’s, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia and began her acting career in the early 1990’s. She started out with several television appearances including Dawson’s Creek , American Gothic , and Walker, Texas Ranger .rnrnIn 2007, she appeared in the horror film The Mist directed by Frank Darabont. A few years later Darabont would adapt The Walking Dead comic to television and cast McBride as Carol Peletier. Over time McBride was upgraded as a series regular and since received wide critical acclaim and a fan favorite as the strong but compassionate survivor of the zombie apocalypse.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71437" align="aligncenter" width="590"] ER - NBC[/caption]rnrn George Clooney rnrnThe A-list star was also born in Lexington. During his youth, Clooney bounced around Kentucky and briefly lived in Ohio. His family returned to Kentucky where he attended high school in Augusta. He later attended school for a few years at Northern Kentucky University but did not graduate.rnrnAfter a series of odd jobs, he started getting work in low-budget movies and TV roles including a recurring character on The Facts of Life . Yet his big breakthrough was on NBC’s ER where he played Dr. Doug Ross. He parlayed his stardom to become a bonafide movie star picking up much acclaim as both an actor and director.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Louisiana" slider="true"]rnrn rn Louisiana rn[caption id="attachment_71438" align="aligncenter" width="590"] NCIS - CBS[/caption]rnrn Pauley Perrette rnrnThe NCIS star was born in New Orleans but spent most of her younger years all around the United States. While working a number of odd jobs in New York City, Perrette pursued acting including commercials and voice-over work. She appeared in a number of film and television roles in the late 1990’s into the early 2000’s.rnrnHowever, she broke through as forensic scientist Abby Sciuto on NCIS on CBS. Her character was introduced in the legal drama series JAG and was a series regular on its spin-off NCIS in 2003. She’s since appeared in all 13 seasons and still going strong, even making appearances on the spin-offs NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71439" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Togetherness - HBO[/caption]rnrn Mark Duplass rnrnThe actor and filmmaker was born and raised in New Orleans, where he and his older brother Jay wrote and shot their own homemade movies growing up. He later attended the University of Texas at Austin where here furthered his interest in film. After graduating, he would partner with his brother in writing, producing and acting in a series of critically-acclaimed independent films.rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2015/12/09/top-15-episodes-league/" teaser="The 15 Best Episodes of 'The League'"]rnrnTelevision audiences perhaps best know him as Pete Eckhart on the FXX comedy The League co-starring his wife Katie Aselton. The show recently ended after seven seasons. Duplass is currently starring in the HBO comedy-drama series Togetherness for which he shares creator credits with his brother and Steve Zissis.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Maine" slider="true"]rnrn rn Maine rn[caption id="attachment_71440" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Erin Andrews - Courtesy of USA Today[/caption]rnrn Erin Andrews rnrnThe sportscaster and television personality was born in Lewiston, Maine. She ended up moving to Tampa, Florida as a young girl when her father Steven Andrews, a television journalist, got a job there at an NBC affiliate. In the early 2000’s she rose the ranks as a local sports reporter in Tampa and Atlanta until she began working for ESPN in 2004.rnrnShe became the co-host of ESPN’s College GameDay and was a contributor to ABC’s Good Morning America . She has since moved over to Fox where she is a sideline reporter for their NFL coverage. Beginning in 2014, she became co-host of the competition reality series Dancing with the Stars on ABC.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71441" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Grey's Anatomy - ABC[/caption]rnrn Patrick Dempsey rnrnThe Grey’s Anatomy star was also born in Lewiston and went on to attend high school at St. Dominic Regional High School. He achieved fame early on starring in a number of film comedies in the late 1980’s when he was only in his early 20’s.rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2015/11/27/10-greys-anatomy-facts-you-may-not-know/" teaser="15 Facts You May Not Know About 'Grey's Anatomy'"]rnrnHowever, television audiences came to know him as Dr. Derek Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy beginning in 2005. Nicknamed “McDreamy,” Dempsey achieved newfound fame as one of the most beloved characters on television. This made his character’s surprise death from an automobile accident in 2015 way too heartbreaking for fans.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Maryland" slider="true"]rnrn rn Maryland rn[caption id="attachment_71442" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Modern Family - ABC[/caption]rnrn Julie Bowen rnrnThe film and television actress was born in Baltimore but grew up in Ruxton-Riderwood. She went on to attend Brown University to major in Italian Renaissance studies but also appeared in a few plays and musicals at the college. Since the mid-90’s, Bowen has had steady work in film and television, including recurring roles on ER and Lost .rnrnHer lead television roles include the NBC series Ed and ABC drama Boston Legal . She has since scored her most notable role as Claire Dunphy, the loving but over-protective mother of three on ABC’s Modern Family . Currently in its seventh season, Bowen won two consecutive Emmy Awards for her performance in 2011 and 2012.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71443" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Baywatch - NBC[/caption]rnrn David Hasselhoff rnrnThe television legend was born in Baltimore where he spent his early childhood before moving to Florida and Georgia. As an actor, he got his start in daytime soap operas. However, it was when he starred in Knight Rider on NBC where he became a star.rnrnThroughout the 1990’s he starred in perhaps his most famous role, lifeguard Mitch Buchannon on Baywatch . As ridiculed as the show came to be, it remained the most watched television series in the entire world. He has since made a wide variety of TV appearances including being a contestant on Dancing with the Stars and as one of the judges on America’s Got Talent .rnrn[nextpost teaser="Massachusetts" slider="true"]rnrn rn Massachusetts rn[caption id="attachment_71444" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Parks and Recreation - NBC[/caption]rnrn Amy Poehler rnrnThe comedic actress was born in Newton but raised in nearby Burlington. She attended Boston College where she got her start in improv theater. After graduating, she moved to Chicago to study at ImprovOlympic and later co-founded the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater.rnrnThe Upright Citizens Brigade troupe adapted their shows to a Comedy Central sketch series in the late 1990’s. After which, she became a cast member of Saturday Night Live . Beginning in 2009 she starred as Leslie Knope, the ever enthusiastic public servant in NBC’s Parks and Recreation for seven seasons. And of course, we also love her co-hosting duties alongside Tina Fey at the Golden Globe Awards.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71445" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The Office - NBC[/caption]rnrn Steve Carell rnrnThe film and television star was born in Concord but grew up in Acton, Massachusetts. Like Poehler, he moved to Chicago after college but studied at The Second City Theater. In 1996, he got a writing job and performed in the ABC sketch series The Dana Carvey Show and later became a correspondent on The Daily Show on Comedy Central.rnrnHowever, television viewers have come to know Carell as Dunder-Mifflin Regional Manager Michael Scott in the American adaptation of The Office on NBC. Excelling at making things awkward in the mockumentary series, he earned six consecutive Emmy Award nominations but sadly never won. In 2016, Carell co-created the cop spoof series Angie Tribeca with his wife Nancy on TBS.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Michigan" slider="true"]rnrn rn Michigan rn[caption id="attachment_71446" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Veronica Mars - UPN[/caption]rnrn Kristen Bell rnrnThe Veronica Mars star grew up in the Detroit suburb Huntington Woods. She attended high school in Royal Oak where she got her start in the school’s drama and music clubs. She studied musical theater at NYU but left before graduating to appear in the Broadway musical version of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer .rnrnAfter a few television appearances including The Shield and Deadwood , Bell starred as the title character in the teen noir series Veronica Mars . Lasting for only three seasons, the show developed a rabid fan base which culminated in a crowd-funded feature film released in 2014. Bell also had a recurring arc on Heroes as well as providing the narrating voice of the title character in Gossip Girl .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71447" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Home Improvement - ABC[/caption]rnrn Tim Allen rnrnThough he was born in Denver, Allen and his family moved to Birmingham, a suburb of Detroit when he was 13. After graduating high school, he attended Central Michigan University and later transferred to Western Michigan University.rnrnAfter years as a stand-up comedian, Allen adapted his comedy routines to the hit ABC sitcom Home Improvement . The series took place in a Detroit suburb to honor Allen’s love of the region. The series ended after eight seasons but Allen returned to television and is currently starring in Last Man Standing on ABC. This time, the series takes place in Denver, Allen’s birthplace.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Minnesota" slider="true"]rnrn rn Minnesota rn[caption id="attachment_71448" align="aligncenter" width="590"] American Horror Story - AMC[/caption]rnrn Jessica Lange rnrnThe American Horror Story actress was born in Cloquet, Minnesota but during her childhood her family moved all around the state. However, she eventually moved back to Cloquet where she graduated from high school. She received a scholarship to study art and photography at the University of Minnesota. She lived in France for a time but came back to the U.S. and went into modeling.rnrnWhile Lange is known for her film work (which earned her two Academy Awards), more recently she’s known for appearing in the American Horror Story anthology series on FX. In the show’s first four seasons, Lange was able to transform herself into four different characters that earned her two Emmy Awards. She also won an Emmy for the HBO movie Grey Gardens .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71449" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Six Feet Under - HBO[/caption]rnrn Peter Krause rnrnThe Parenthood star was born in Alexandria and was raised in Roseville, a suburb of St. Paul. He later graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter with a degree in English literature. By the early 1990’s he was pursuing acting and made guest appearances on shows like Seinfeld and Beverly Hills, 90210 .rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2015/08/21/six-feet-ten-years-later/" teaser="'Six Feet Under' 10 Years Later"]rnrnKrause later found continued work, beginning as a sportscaster on the Aaron Sorkin-created series Sports Night . He later found success in Six Feet Under on HBO, earning him multiple Emmy nominations. More recently he starred in Parenthood on NBC which ended last year after six seasons.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Mississippi" slider="true"]rnrn rn Mississippi rn[caption id="attachment_71450" align="aligncenter" width="590"] CSI: NY - CBS[/caption]rnrn Sela Ward rnrnThe film and television actress was born in Meridian, Mississippi and later went on to attend the University of Alabama. After modeling in New York City, she eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Some of her early television credits include guest appearances in Night Court and L.A. Law .rnrnWard found success starring in the NBC drama Sisters which lasted for six seasons. She later starred in the ABC series Once and Again , which earned her an Emmy Award in 2000. More recently, Ward was a main cast member in the crime procedural CSI: NY on CBS as Jo Danville.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71451" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Jim Henson - Courtesy of Parade Magazine[/caption]rnrn Jim Henson rnrnThe influential puppeteer was born in in Greenville and spent his early childhood in Leland before his family moved to Maryland. At a young age, Henson started creating his own puppet characters which over time would evolve into the universe of the Muppets.rnrnWhile he may be known as the original voice and puppeteer of Kermit the Frog, his work and influence in television is boundless. He helped develop many of the Muppet creations for the long-running children’s series Sesame Street . His work also reached older audiences with the sketches in the first season of Saturday Night Live and later the prime-time variety series The Muppet Show in the late 1970’s. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1990 at the age of 53 but his creations still live on today.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Missouri" slider="true"]rn rn Missouri rn[caption id="attachment_71452" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Netflix[/caption]rnrn Ellie Kemper rnrnThe funny actress was born in Kansas City, Missouri but later grew up in St. Louis. She attended Princeton University where she got her start in improv comedy. After moving to New York City to perform, she got a few guest spots on TV including appearing in bits on Late Night with Conan O’Brien .rnrnKemper’s breakthrough role was coming on during the fifth season of NBC’s The Office as receptionist Erin Hannon. She appeared throughout the remainder of the series but achieved greater notoriety as the star of the Netflix series The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt , which returns for its second season later this year.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71453" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Mad Men - AMC[/caption]rnrn Jon Hamm rnrnThe Mad Men star was born in St. Louis and attended private school in nearby Ladue. While he started out in acting at a young age, he took it more seriously when he attended the University of Missouri. After graduating, he only found sporadic work and later returned to his high school to teach acting, where one of his students happened to be Ellie Kemper.rnrnAfter years of various film and television appearances, Hamm received instant acclaim when the 1960’s drama series Mad Men debuted on AMC in 2007. The series would remain one of the most talked-about dramas on television and later Hamm earned a long-deserved Emmy win in 2015 for the final season of the series. Hamm and Kemper reunited when he appeared in a few episodes of The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt as notorious cult leader Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Montana" slider="true"]rnrn rn Montana rn[caption id="attachment_71454" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dawson's Creek - The WB[/caption]rnrn Michelle Williams rnrnThe film and television actress was born in Kalispell and spent her early childhood in Montana. When she was nine years old her family relocated to San Diego, California. She got her start performing in her early teens appearing on sitcoms like Step by Step and Home Improvement .rnrnHer big break was getting cast on the hit teen drama Dawson’s Creek on the WB Network. Her work on the series led to more opportunities in film where she gravitated towards independent movies often receiving much acclaim. Since then, she’s only made a cameo appearance in an episode of Cougar Town .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71455" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dallas - TNT[/caption]rnrn Patrick Duffy rnrnThe Dallas actor was born in Townsend, Montana but later moved to Everett, Washington by the time he was in high school. After studying drama in college, Duffy obtained his trademark role early in his career. Cast as Bobby Ewing in the CBS prime-time soap opera Dallas , it premiered in 1979 and became a television sensation.rnrnDuffy left the series in 1985 when his character was killed off-screen but returned a year later in the infamous shower scene which rendered the previous season as a dream. After the show ended in 1991, Duffy transitioned to sitcom actor starring opposite Suzanne Somers in the ABC series Step by Step . More recently, he reprised his Bobby Ewing role when TNT revived Dallas , which lasted for three seasons.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Nebraska" slider="true"]rnrn rn Nebraska rn[caption id="attachment_71456" align="aligncenter" width="590"] CSI: Crime Scene Investigators - CBS[/caption]rnrn Marg Helgenberger rnrnThe film and television actress was born in Fremont and was raised in North Bend, Nebraska, where she graduated from North Bend Central High School. She later attended Kearney State College (now the University of Nebraska at Kearney), studying speech and drama.rnrnHer first major role was as Karen Charlene Koloski in the ABC drama series China Beach . The role earned her acclaim, including an Emmy Award in 1990. More recently, she starred as Catherine Willows in the CBS crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation , for which she was a main cast member for the first thirteen seasons.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71457" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Lost - ABC[/caption]rnrn Jorge Garcia rnrnThe Lost actor was born in Omaha but later spent his formative years in southern California. After college, he was working retail but pursued acting and auditioned for a variety of roles. After booking a few commercials, he scored his first major show while appearing on Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO.rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2015/12/29/counting-down-the-10-greatest-tv-cliffhangers-of-all-time/3/" teaser="'LOST' Makes Our List of Best Cliffhangers of All-Time"]rnrnThrough sheer luck, Garcia was the first actor to audition for the new sci-fi drama Lost the day after the show’s producers happened to have seen him in that episode of Curb . The character of Hugo Reyes was written specifically for him and would be a major character throughout the show’s six seasons as well as become a fan favorite. More recently he’s been a recurring character named Jerry Ortega on the CBS crime drama Hawaii Five-0 .rnrn[nextpost teaser="Nevada" slider="true"]rnrn rn Nevada rn[caption id="attachment_71459" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Supernatural - The CW[/caption]rnrn Charisma Carpenter rnrnThe television actress was born and raised in Las Vegas and later attended Bishop Gorman High School in the city. However when she was 15 her family moved to Mexico and later San Diego, California where she graduated from high school in nearby Chula Vista.rnrnAfter getting her start in a few TV guest spots, she scored her first big role as Cordelia Chase in Buffy the Vampire Slayer . Appearing in the show’s first three seasons, Carpenter’s character transitioned to a bigger role in the spin-off Angel opposite star David Boreanez. After four seasons she left the show and has since guest acted in a variety of television series including a recurring arc on Veronica Mars .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71460" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Criminal Minds - CBS[/caption]rnrn Matthew Gray Gubler rnrnThe Criminal Minds actor was born in Las Vegas and would graduate from the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Visual and Performing Arts. He wanted to pursue filmmaking but the school did not offer the degree program so he majored in acting. He went on to study film at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.rnrnWhile he appeared in a number of films over the years, Gubler is best known for playing Dr. Spencer Reid of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit on the long-running CBS series Criminal Minds . The series is still going strong in its eleventh season and Gubler was able to put his filmmaking talents to good use as he has directed nine episodes.rnrn[nextpost teaser="New Hampshire" slider="true"]rnrn rn New Hampshire rn[caption id="attachment_71461" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The Sarah Silverman Program - Comedy Central[/caption]rnrn Sarah Silverman rnrnThe funny woman was born in Bedford but raised in Manchester, New Hampshire. After high school, she attended NYU but left before graduating where she started doing stand-up comedy in Greenwich Village. By the time she was 23 she was cast as a featured player and writer for Saturday Night Live on NBC .rnrnShe only lasted a year and was fired at the end of the season but would continue a career in stand-up while appearing in a variety of film and television roles. By 2007 she developed her own show on Comedy Central called appropriately enough The Sarah Silverman Program . The series ended after three seasons but she’s since continued stand-up and voice-over work in animated shows like Bob’s Burgers and The Simpsons .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71462" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Triple H - Courtesy of the WWE[/caption]rnrn Triple H rnrnThe WWE Heavyweight Champion (born Paul Michael Levesque) was born and raised in Nashua. He took up bodybuilding at a young age and was crowned Mr. New Hampshire in 1988. Over time, he worked his way up the ranks through professional wrestling.rnrnSure, he’s technically an athlete but when it comes to professional wrestling, it requires a talent for live performances and developing a unique persona. As a mainstay of WWE Raw and other WWE television series and Pay-Per-View specials, Triple H has consistently ranked as one of the best in the ring. More recently he’s worked behind the scenes as an Executive Vice President at WWE.rnrn[nextpost teaser="New Jersey" slider="true"]rnrn rn New Jersey rn[caption id="attachment_71463" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Netflix[/caption]rnrn Jane Krakowski rnrnThe 30 Rock star was born in Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey and at an early age expressed interest in musical theater. Growing up, she would attend the Professional Children's School in nearby New York City but returned to her home state to attend Rutgers University in New Brunswick.rnrnEarly on she appeared in commercials and a few films but scored her first major role as Elaine Vassal on the Fox comedy-drama Ally McBeal . She followed that up playing the attention-starved actress Jenna Maroney for seven seasons in 30 Rock on NBC. Currently, she appears in the Netflix comedy The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt as socialite Jacqueline Voorhees.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71464" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The Sopranos - HBO[/caption]rnrn James Gandolfini rnrnThe acting heavyweight was born in Westwood, New Jersey but grew up in Park Ridge. Like Krakowski, Gandolfini went on to study at Rutgers University. After landing supporting roles in big budget Hollywood films, Gandolfini achieved fame with his most famous character as the head of a mafia family.rnrnPremiering in 1999 and lasting for six seasons on HBO, The Sopranos was met with critical acclaim and reinvigorated audiences’ love affair with the mob. Taking place in northern New Jersey, Gandolfini was perfectly cast and went on to win numerous awards. Sadly, Gandolfini passed away at the age of 51 in 2013 but left a lasting legacy.rnrn[nextpost teaser="New Mexico" slider="true"]rn rn New Mexico rn[caption id="attachment_71465" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Breaking Bad - AMC[/caption]rnrn Anna Gunn rnrnThe Breaking Bad actress grew up in the state that was the backdrop to the groundbreaking series. Born and raised in Santa Fe, she attended the Santa Fe Preparatory School. She went on to study theater at Northwestern University in Illinois.rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2016/02/01/15-breaking-bad-cameos-wed-love-to-see-on-better-call-saul-season-2/" teaser="15 'Breaking Bad' Cameos We'd Love to See on 'Better Call Saul'"]rnrnBeginning in the 1990’s, Gunn obtained steady work in film and television and guest appeared on shows like Seinfeld , The Practice and NYPD Blue . She played Martha Bullock in the acclaimed HBO drama Deadwood but soon after achieved acclaim as the conflicted wife of a drug kingpin in Breaking Bad on AMC. Her work on the series earned her two Emmy Awards.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71466" align="aligncenter" width="590"] How I Met Your Mother - CBS[/caption]rnrn Neil Patrick Harris rnrnThe multi-talented actor was born in Albuquerque but grew up in Ruidoso, New Mexico. However, he returned to ABQ to attend La Cueva High School, which he graduated in 1991. Yet if you remember, Harris spent his teenage years as the star of his own television series.rnrnBeginning in 1989, Harris starred as a child prodigy doctor in Doogie Howser, M.D. on ABC for four seasons. Unlike the sad fate of many child actors, Harris had steady work but re-emerged as a sitcom star on How I Met Your Mother for nine seasons. He’s also proven himself as the go-to awards show M.C. as he’s hosted The Tony Awards, The Emmy Awards and The Oscars.rnrn[nextpost teaser="New York" slider="true"]rnrn rn New York rn[caption id="attachment_71467" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Lucille Ball - Courtesy of TV Guide[/caption]rnrn Lucille Ball rnrnThe legendary actress and comedienne was born in Jamestown in western New York but moved to nearby Celoron when she was still a child. With dreams of making it in showbiz, she moved to New York City when she was still just a teenager. After some work on Broadway, she moved to Los Angeles in hopes of making it as an actress.rnrnAfter years of working in B-movies and radio programs, she achieved her big break when CBS developed a sitcom around her and then-husband Desi Arnaz. The result, of course, was the pioneering series I Love Lucy which aired for six seasons. Afterwards, she went on to star in The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour and The Lucy Show . She continued to make guest appearances in a variety of shows up until her death in 1989 at the age of 77.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71468" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The Honeymoons - CBS[/caption]rnrn Jackie Gleason rnrnPerhaps the other biggest name in pioneering television, Gleason was born in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn in 1916. After his father left his family and his mother passing away when he was 19, Gleason worked his way up from the bottom by performing comedy in theaters and pool halls. Over time, he had raised the ranks in New York City clubs and started appearing on a few television variety shows.rnrnHis first big break was starring in the television adaptation of the popular radio series The Life of Riley . Later he was the host of Cavalcade of Stars , which would be renamed The Jackie Gleason Show . It was here that he developed his famous Honeymooners sketch that would be adapted to its own series. As influential as that series has become, it only lasted for 39 episodes. Gleason would remain a mainstay on television through hosting duties and guest spots until his death in 1987 at the age of 71.rnrn[nextpost teaser="North Carolina" slider="true"]rnrn rn North Carolina rn[caption id="attachment_71469" align="aligncenter" width="590"] My Name Is Earl - NBC[/caption]rnrn Jaime Pressly rnrnThe My Name is Earl actress was born in Kinston, North Carolina and later attended Kinston High School. As a teenager, she got her start in modeling and appeared on teen magazine covers and even worked overseas in Japan and Italy and worked in movies and on television in her early 20’s.rnrnHer first major television role was in the comedy-drama Jack &amp; Jill on the WB Network starring alongside Amanda Peet and Sarah Paulson. However, her most notable role was as Joy Turner in the NBC sitcom My Name is Earl , which earned her an Emmy Award in 2007. After the series ended in 2009, she’s appeared in a number of shows including Two and a Half Men and Raising Hope .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71470" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The Andy Griffith Show - CBS[/caption]rnrn Andy Griffith rnrnThe television legend was born and raised in Mount Airy and originally wanted to pursue music when he went on to study at the University of North Carolina. He started his career as a monologist which led the way to appearing on stage in New York City and later into film.rnrnAfter playing a small-town sheriff on The Danny Thomas Show , he would evolve into his most famous role as Andy Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show . Airing for eight seasons beginning in 1960, Griffith came to epitomize the fictional sleepy town of Mayberry, North Carolina. Griffith found continuous work over the years but proved to be a mainstay in the legal drama Matlock during the 1980’s and 1990’s. Griffith passed away at the age of 86 in 2012.rnrn[nextpost teaser="North Dakota" slider="true"]rn rn North Dakota rn[caption id="attachment_71472" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Leslie Bibb - Courtesy of Team Coco[/caption]rnrn Leslie Bibb rnrnThe film and television actress was born in Bismarck but later spent her childhood in Virginia. In 1990, she won a nationwide modeling competition held on The Oprah Winfrey Show and soon found work modeling on magazine covers. She transitioned to acting, first appearing in television series like Home Improvement and Pacific Blue .rnrnPerhaps her first major television role was the star of the comedy-drama series Popular on the WB Network beginning in 1999. In the past 15 years, Bibb has had steady work in film and televisions series including Crossing Jordan , The League , and About a Boy . Currently, she has a recurring role in the latest adaptation of The Odd Couple on CBS.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71473" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Lost - ABC[/caption]rnrn Sam Anderson rnrnYou may not recognize his name but chances are you’ve seen him in movies and on TV. Best known for playing Bernard on Lost , Anderson was born in Wahpeton and went on to graduate from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.rnrnSince the early 1980’s, Anderson has had steady work including WKRP in Cincinnati , Growing Pains and Perfect Strangers . More recently he’s appeared as recurring characters on Justified on FX and as one of the plane crash survivors and husband to Rose on Lost . In 2014, he appeared on Bones and Grimm .rnrn[nextpost teaser="Ohio" slider="true"]rnrn rn Ohio rn[caption id="attachment_71474" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Mom - CBS[/caption]rnrn Allison Janney rnrnThe seven-time Emmy Award winner grew up in Dayton where she attended the Miami Valley School. She attended Kenyon College in Gambier where she got to study under legendary actor Paul Newman who was an alumnus. After some minor roles in movies and television throughout the 1990’s, Janney received critical acclaim as White House Press Secretary C.J. Cregg in The West Wing on NBC, for which she won four Emmys during its run.rnrnLater, Janney had a recurring role as Margaret Scully in the Showtime drama Masters of Sex where she earned another Emmy in 2014. Currently, she stars as Bonnie Plunkett in Mom on CBS. Starring opposite Anna Faris, Janney plays a recovering addict attempting to pick up the pieces and redeem herself for her daughter. She has since won two additional Emmys for the role.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71477" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Modern Family - ABC[/caption]rnrn Ed O’Neill rnrnThe actor was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio and later attended Ursuline High School. He accepted a football scholarship to Ohio University but transferred to Youngstown State University after a little too much partying. After getting cut from the Pittsburg Steelers, O’Neill returned to Youngtown State and enrolled in the school’s theater program. After a few film and television appearances, O’Neill would go on to star in his first big TV role.rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2015/09/23/modern-family-still-worth-watching/" teaser="Why 'Modern Family' Is Still Worth Watching"]rnrnCast as the head of a dysfunctional family in Married… With Children (the first sitcom on the brand new Fox Network) in 1987, O’Neill and his cast mates proved to be the antithesis of traditional TV families. After eleven seasons, O’Neill would continue to work in film and TV but found more success as the patriarch of the Pritchett clan on ABC’s Modern Family , which is currently in its seventh season.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Oklahoma" slider="true"]rn rn Oklahoma rn[caption id="attachment_71390" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The West Wing - NBC[/caption]rnrn Kristin Chenoweth rnrnThe acclaimed actress and singer was born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and raised by her adoptive parents. As a child, she sang chorus at her church and performed in plays in high school. She would later go on to study musical theater at Oklahoma City University. While she performed in musicals at regional theaters, it was a chance audition in New York City in 1993 while helping a friend move that she was cast in a musical and chose to stay to pursue a career in theater.rnrnWhile she excelled in theater in New York, by the late 1990’s she was scoring a few TV guest spots. She ultimately starred in her own sitcom (appropriately titled Kristin ) but was soon canceled in its first season. While she made numerous appearances over the years, she had a recurring role as Deputy Press Secretary Annabeth Schott on NBC’s The West Wing . She’s also appeared on Pushing Daisies and Glee and most recently cameoed on ABC’s The Muppets .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71478" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The Rockford Files - NBC[/caption]rnrn James Garner rnrnThe legendary actor was born in Norman, Oklahoma but after suffering an abusive relationship with his step-mother, went on to live with relatives while his father moved to Los Angeles. During his teenage years, he spent time in L.A. with his father and again moved back to Norman. Before he got into acting he served in both World War II and the Korean War. It wasn’t until the early 1950’s that a friend of Garner’s persuaded him to pursue acting and he soon found himself in television commercials.rnrnHis big break came in the 1957 western series Maverick as poker player Bret Maverick but left the series after three seasons. He would later reprise the role in TV movies and appeared in the 1995 feature film based on the series. While he worked consistently in film throughout the 1960’s and early 1970’s, Garner returned to television in the long-running Rockford Files as a private detective. Garner continued to act throughout his life but passed away in 2014 at the age of 86.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Oregon" slider="true"]rnrn rn Oregon rn[caption id="attachment_71479" align="aligncenter" width="590"] It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - FXX[/caption]rnrn Kaitlin Olsen rnrnThe funny woman was born in Portland and after spending her early years outside of Seattle, she later relocated with her family to the Tigard and Tualatin area outside Portland, where she grew up on a farm. Olsen studied theater at the University of Oregon and after college moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting.rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2016/01/09/kaitlin-olson-is-a-modern-day-lucille-ball/" teaser="Kaitlin Olson is a Modern Day Lucille Ball"]rnrnShe toured with the influential Groundlings improv group and later had recurring roles on Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Drew Carey Show . However, she came to be known as ‘Sweet Dee’ Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadephia on FXX. Still going strong in its eleventh season, Olsen is also married to her co-star Rob McElhenney with two children.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71480" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Modern Family - ABC[/caption]rnrn Ty Burrell rnrnThe Modern Family star was born in Grants Pass, Oregon but grew up in the small southern Oregon town of Applegate, near the California border. He would later attend high school in Grants Pass and studied acting at Southern Oregon University and the University of Oregon. He later earned a Master’s Degree at Penn State University.rnrnAfter appearing in some major Hollywood films, he had recurring roles in short-lived televisions series such as Back to You and Out of Practice . Both series were produced by screenwriter Christopher Lloyd, who would later cast Burrell in his most famous role as Phil Dunphy on Modern Family . As the real estate agent who tries his best to fashion himself as the “cool dad” in front of his kids, the role has earned him numerous awards including two Emmy Awards.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Pennsylvania" slider="true"]rnrn rn Pennsylvania rn[caption id="attachment_71481" align="aligncenter" width="590"] 30 Rock - NBC[/caption]rnrn Tina Fey rnrnThe film and television comedic actress was born and raised in Upper Darby, a suburb of Philadelphia. Developing an interest in comedy early on, she would write the satirical column for her high school’s newspaper. She would go on to study playwriting and acting at the University of Virginia. She went on to perform improv at Second City in Chicago where she would meet her future partner-in-crime Amy Poehler.rnrnAfter working with writer/director Adam McKay in Chicago, she got the chance to audition for Saturday Night Live . Initially hired as a writer, Fey broke through as a co-anchor on the show’s Weekend Update segment opposite Jimmy Fallon. In 2006, she left the show to develop her own series which would come to be 30 Rock on NBC, a show that resembled her time on SNL . Since the series ended in 2013, Fey proved to be the ultimate Golden Globes host alongside Poehler and is currently co-running the Netflix series The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71482" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Everybody Loves Raymond - CBS[/caption]rnrn Peter Boyle rnrnThe film and television star was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania but grew up in Philadelphia. As a young man, he pursued a life of serving in the Catholic Church but left and was later commissioned in the U.S. Navy. After a brief stint, he moved to New York City to pursue acting. After a breakthrough role in the 1970 film Joe , Boyle worked steadily throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s.rnrnHowever, it wasn’t until the 1990’s he started getting prominent roles in television. He had a recurring role on NYPD Blue and won an Emmy Award for a guest appearance on The X-Files in 1995. Yet he’s come to be known as the stubborn head of the Barone family on the hit CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond . The role earned him seven consecutive Emmy Award nominations. Boyle passed away in 2006 at the age of 71.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Rhode Island" slider="true"]rnrn rn Rhode Island rn[caption id="attachment_71483" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Will &amp; Grace - NBC[/caption]rnrn Debra Messing rnrnThe actress was raised in East Greenwich, Rhode Island where she acted and sang in her high school’s stage productions of Grease and Annie . In 1986, she represented her state in the Junior Miss competition. Later she studied theater in London and New York City.rnrnAfter working in theater, she broke through in film and television. Her first major TV role was in Ned and Stacy opposite Thomas Haden Church on the Fox network for two seasons. But her biggest role was the long-running NBC sitcom Will &amp; Grace which earned her an Emmy Award in 2003. Since then she’s starred on the USA Network miniseries The Starter Wife and the NBC drama series Smash .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71484" align="aligncenter" width="590"] It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - FXX[/caption]rnrn Charlie Day rnrnThough he may be associated with the city of Philadelphia, the comedic actor grew up in Middletown, Rhode Island and later attended Pennfield School and graduated from the Portsmouth Abbey School, both in Portsmouth. While studying and playing baseball at Merrimack College in Massachusetts, he also performed in theater productions.rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2016/01/05/the-ultimate-always-sunny-encyclopedia/" teaser="The Ultimate 'Always Sunny' Encyclopedia"]rnrnDay appeared in a few film and television roles including as a white trash character in an incestuous relationship with his sister played by his wife Mary Elizabeth Ellis in Comedy Central’s Reno 911 . He went on to develop the FXX comedy It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia with co-stars Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton. Currently in its eleventh season, Day continues to shine as the hot mess of his man-child character Charlie Kelly.rnrn[nextpost teaser="South Carolina" slider="true"]rnrn rn South Carolina rn[caption id="attachment_71486" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Weeds - Showtime[/caption]rnrn Mary Louise Parker rnrnThe film and television actress was born in Fort Jackson, South Carolina but due to her father’s profession in the U.S. Army, her family moved around a bit. She would go on to attend North Carolina School of the Arts in the neighboring state where she majored in drama. She moved to New York City and got her start in television in the soap opera Ryan’s Hope but broke through in the film Fried Green Tomatoes .rnrnThroughout the 1990’s she appeared in numerous films but beginning in 2001 she had a recurring role as feminist activist Amy Gardner on the NBC drama series The West Wing . However, her most well-known TV role is widowed mother turned drug kingpin Nancy Botwin in the Showtime comedy series Weeds . The role earned her a Golden Globe Award and three Emmy Award nominations. More recently she had a recurring role on the NBC drama The Blacklist .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71487" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Parks and Recreation - NBC[/caption]rnrn Aziz Ansari rnrnThe stand-up comedian and actor was born in Columbia and raised in Bennetsville. He went on to attend the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics and later studied marketing at NYU. While in New York City, he pursued comedy by performing stand-up and later developed the MTV sketch series Human Giant with Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel.rnrnBeginning in 2009, Ansari starred as local government administrator/entrepreneur Tom Haverford on NBC’s Parks and Recreation . As the character was developed for Ansari, Tom was also a native to South Carolina and a reflection of Ansari’s personality. After the series ended in 2015, Ansari went on to develop the Netflix series Master of None , which received critical acclaim.rnrn[nextpost teaser="South Dakota" slider="true"]rnrn rn South Dakota rn[caption id="attachment_71488" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Mad Men - AMC[/caption]rnrn January Jones rnrnThe film and television actress was born in Sioux Falls and spent her childhood in Hecla. After scoring some small film roles and a few television movies in the early 2000’s, Jones was cast as the matriarch of the Draper family in AMC’s Mad Men .rnrnBeginning in 2007, Jones exemplified that “icy blond beauty” modeled after Alfred Hitchcock films as wife to troubled but talented ad man Don Draper (Jon Hamm). While Betty Draper’s marriage dissolved and she continued on as a mother of four, Jones received an Emmy nomination in 2010. Currently, Jones is starring in the Fox apocalyptic comedy Last Man on Earth which will return from its winter hiatus in the spring.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71489" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Tom Brokaw - Courtesy of The Daily Show[/caption]rnrn Tom Brokaw rnrnThe legendary news broadcaster was born in Webster, South Dakota. With his father employed in the Army Corps of Engineers, his family moved around the state while working with the Black Hills Ordnance Depot. Brokaw moved to Yankton to attend high school.rnrnHe got his start in broadcast journalism in Iowa and Nebraska then moved to Los Angeles to work at the NBC affiliate. He worked his way up to White House Correspondent (where he covered the Watergate scandal) to anchoring NBC Nightly News for over 20 years. After stepping down in 2004, Brokaw remains a special correspondent for NBC.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Tennessee" slider="true"]rnrn rn Tennessee rn[caption id="attachment_71490" align="aligncenter" width="590"] American Horror Story - FX[/caption]rnrn Kathy Bates rnrnThe acclaimed actress and director was born in Memphis and raised in the city where she graduated high school. She went on to study theater at Southern Methodist University in Texas. In 1970, she moved to New York City to pursue acting.rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2016/01/14/american-horror-story-hotel-finale-3-best-moments/" teaser="Best Moments in the 'American Horror Story: Hotel' Finale"]rnrnAfter getting her start in Broadway and making a name for herself in movies, Bates has a pretty hefty television resume. She starred on Harry's Law on NBC. She’s had recurring roles on The Office and Six Feet Under . She appeared in three seasons of American Horror Story on FX playing three different characters in which she won an Emmy Award in 2014. She also occasionally moonlighted as a television director, having worked on NYPD Blue and Six Feet Under .rnrn[caption id="attachment_71491" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Lois &amp; Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - ABC[/caption]rnrn Lane Smith rnrnThe character actor was also born in Memphis but later went on to attend schools in Michigan and Pennsylvania. His formal acting training was at the distinguished Actors Studio in New York City alongside Al Pacino and Dustin Hoffman.rnrnSmith has had steady film and television work over his career. TV highlights include a main role on the science fiction mini-series V in 1984. He’s had guest spots in shows like Murder, She Wrote , In the Heat of the Night , and The Practice . However, his biggest TV role was Daily Planet Editor-in-Chief Perry White in the ABC superhero series Lois &amp; Clark: The New Adventures of Superman . Smith passed away from Lou Gehrig’s Disease in 2005 at the age of 69.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Texas" slider="true"]rnrn rn Texas rn[caption id="attachment_71492" align="aligncenter" width="530"] The Carol Burnett Show - CBS[/caption]rnrn Carol Burnett rnrnThe legendary actress was born in San Antonio and spent the early part of her life there until she moved to Los Angeles to live with her grandmother. It was at UCLA that she decided to pursue theater and moved to New York City after a generous loan to achieve her dreams. Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s, Burnett slowly rose to stardom on Broadway and soon transitioned to television.rnrnAfter appearing on a number of sketch and variety shows, she was given her own show on CBS in 1967, appropriately enough called The Carol Burnett Show . Airing for eleven seasons, the variety show earned numerous Emmy Awards. Over the decades, Burnett remained a mainstay in television and in theater and considered one of the most influential comedic actresses of all time.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71493" align="aligncenter" width="590"] True Detective - HBO[/caption]rnrn Woody Harrelson rnrnThe film and television star was born in Midland, Texas and spent the early part of his childhood there until he and his mother moved to Ohio when he was a teenager. He went on to study drama at Hanover College in Indiana and early on in his career cast in one of the most popular television series.rnrnHarrelson joined the cast of Cheers in its fourth season to replace actor Nicholas Colasanto who passed away during the previous season. Playing Midwestern simpleton bartender Woody Boyd, Harrelson won an Emmy Award for his role in 1989. Throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s he worked a steady career in film but returned to the small screen for the acclaimed first season of True Detective on HBO opposite fellow Texan Matthew McConaughey. In addition, he played a recurring role on Will &amp; Grace and starred in the Emmy-winning HBO film Game Change .rnrn[nextpost teaser="Utah" slider="true"]rnrn rn Utah rn[caption id="attachment_71494" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Roseanne - ABC[/caption]rnrn Roseanne Barr rnrnThe comedienne was born in Salt Lake City and had a devout Jewish upbringing despite being in the capital of the Mormon Church. When she was 18 she left her family behind and pursued stand-up comedy in the neighboring state of Colorado. By the early 1980’s she was gaining traction in Los Angeles and eventually appeared on The Tonight Show and Late Night with David Letterman .rnrnIn 1987, the ABC network developed a sitcom, aptly named Roseanne that aired the following year to high ratings. As counter programming to The Cosby Show , Roseanne was a no-nonsense look at lower-class working families and the realities of raising children. The series ran for nine seasons and earned Barr an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe. Since then she’s guest starred on numerous sitcoms, hosted the syndicated talk show The Roseanne Show and became politically active, even running for president in 2012.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71495" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dancing with the Stars - ABC[/caption]rnrn Donny Osmond rnrnThe singer and actor was born in Ogden and raised within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At a young age, Osmond made a name for himself as a teen idol singer in the 1970s. In 1976, he and his sister Marie co-hosted The Mike Douglas Show for a week which ultimately led to their own musical variety series, The Donny &amp; Marie Show .rnrnAs he established himself as a wholesome entertainer, the variety show was canceled after three seasons but they re-teamed again for a talk show in 1998. Over the years, he cameoed in sitcoms and worked as judge and host of various variety series both here in the U.S. and in Great Britain. In 2009, Osmond was crowned the winner of the ninth season of Dancing with the Stars on ABC.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Vermont" slider="true"]rnrn rn Vermont rn[caption id="attachment_71497" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Girls - HBO[/caption]rnrn Zosia Mamet rnrnThe singer and actress was born and raised in Randolph, Vermont to acclaimed playwright and film director David Mamet and actress Lindsay Crouse. After her parents divorced, she later moved to Pacific Palisades, California. Instead of going to college, Mamet pursued acting instead.rnrnShe’s had recurring roles on hit television shows like The United States of Tara, Mad Men , and Parenthood . However, she broke through as one of the stars of the award-winning HBO comedy Girls . As the bubbly but naïve Shoshanna Shapiro, Mamet will return for the show’s fifth season in the spring of 2016.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71498" align="aligncenter" width="590"] New Girl - 20th Century Fox[/caption]rnrn Damon Wayans Jr. rnrnThe film and television actor was born in Huntington and followed in the footsteps of his father Damon Wayans Sr. ( In Living Color) in pursuing comedy. As a young child, he appeared in some of his father’s film and television work and was the basis of Junior on his dad’s sitcom My Wife and Kids on ABC.rnrnWayans Jr. started out in acting in a recurring role on My Wife and Kids and later scored a role in the pilot episode of New Girl on Fox starring Zooey Deschanel. However, at the time, he was already cast in the series Happy Endings and only worked on the pilot in case Happy Endings was canceled after its first season. His character of Coach was written out of New Girl but after three seasons, Happy Endings was canceled and Wayans Jr. was brought back into New Girl beginning in 2013 and is currently in its fifth season.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Virginia" slider="true"]rnrn rn Virginia rn[caption id="attachment_71499" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Fresh Off the Boat - ABC[/caption]rnrn Constance Wu rnrnThe Taiwanese-American actress was born and raised in Richmond to immigrant parents. During high school, she would perform in local theater and later graduated from State University of New York at Purchase's Conservatory of Theatre Arts with a BFA in Acting.rnrn[morestories url="https://hiddenremote.com/2016/02/26/25-tv-series-that-embrace-diversity/" teaser="25 TV Series That Embrace Diversity"]rnrnShe got her professional acting start in 2006 and appeared in an episode of Law &amp; Order: Special Victims Unit and a recurring role on the soap opera One Life to Live the following year. In 2015, she gained wide acclaim as the matriarch of the Huang family in the ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat . As Jessica Huang, the pragmatic but loving mother of three, she assists her husband in raising three boys in 1990’s Orlando, Florida while maintaining their Chinese heritage. The sitcom is currently in its second season.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71500" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Parks and Recreation - NBC[/caption]rnrn Rob Lowe rnrnThe film and television actor was born in Charlottesville, Virginia and lived there for the early part of his childhood until him, his brother Chad and mother moved to Dayton, Ohio after his parent’s divorce. They later moved to southern California where he attended high school and soon after pursued acting.rnrnDuring the 1980’s, Lowe became a teen heartthrob while appearing in movies like The Outsiders and Hotel New Hampshire . Yet by the later 1990’s he transitioned to television with his role as Deputy White House Communications Director Sam Seaborn on NBC’s The West Wing . Soon after he was a regular on the ABC drama Brothers &amp; Sisters playing a Republican Senator. Beginning in 2010 Lowe appeared in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation as ever-chipper and health conscious Chris Traeger but left the series in 2014. Currently, Lowe is starring in the sitcom The Grinder opposite Fred Savage on Fox.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Washington" slider="true"]rnrn rn Washington rn[caption id="attachment_71501" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Fargo - FX[/caption]rnrn Jean Smart rnrnBorn and raised in Seattle, the Fargo actress developed an interest in acting while attending Ballard High School. She went on to graduate from the University of Washington Professional Actors Training Program. After working in regional theater in Washington and Oregon, she moved to New York City in the 1970’s to pursue it professionally.rnrn[relatedstory url="https://hiddenremote.com/2015/12/07/fargo-season-2-is-full-of-strong-women-in-a-mans-world-qa-with-jean-smart/" teaser="'Fargo' Season 2: Q&amp;A with Jean Smart"]rnrnHer first major television role was as Charlene Frazier Stillfield in the long-running CBS sitcom Designing Women . She’s also known for her recurring role as Lana Gardner on Frasier , which she won two Emmy Awards for her guest appearances. More recently she earned acclaim for playing crime family matriarch Floyd Gerhardt in the second season of Fargo on FX.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71502" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Parenthood - NBC[/caption]rnrn Craig T. Nelson rnrnThe Coach star was born and raised in Spokane. After briefly attending Central Washington University and Yakima Valley Community College, Nelson studied drama at the University of Arizona. After a series of various jobs and an appearance on The Mary Tyler Moore Show , he focused on full-time acting in the late 1970’s.rnrnNelson appeared in a number of films throughout the 1980’s. He later starred as football coach Hayden Fox on the long-running ABC sitcom Coach , which won him an Emmy Award in 1992. He later starred in the CBS police drama The District in the early 2000’s. More recently, he played family patriarch Zeek Braverman on the NBC drama Parenthood for six seasons.rnrn[nextpost teaser="West Virginia" slider="true"]rnrn rn West Virginia rn[caption id="attachment_71503" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Two and a Half Men - CBS[/caption]rnrn Conchata Ferrell rnrnThe Two and a Half Men actress was born in Charleston but later grew up in Circleville, Ohio. She would return to the state as a student at West Virginia University but graduated from Marshall University in Huntington. Getting her start in New York City, she developed a prolific career in film and television.rnrnFerrell appeared in a number of TV movies and guest appearances throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s including Murder, She Wrote and Night Court . She appeared in the sixth season of L.A. Law on NBC as law partner Susan Bloom, which earned her an Emmy Award. Her biggest role was as the wise-cracking housekeeper Berta on the long-running CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men from 2003-2015.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71504" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The Andy Griffith Show - CBS[/caption]rnrn Don Knotts rnrnThe television legend was born and raised in Morgantown and graduated from West Virginia University after serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. After getting his big break on his multiple appearances on Steve Allen’s variety show, Knotts went on to his most famous role as Deputy Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show .rnrnAppearing for seven seasons on the show, Knotts won five Emmy Awards for his work. He would work steadily in film over the next few decades including his own short-lived variety series The Don Knotts Show . Later, he found continued success as Ralph Furley on the popular sitcom Three’s Company starting in the show’s fourth season. Knotts passed away in 2006 at the age of 81.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Wisconsin" slider="true"]rnrn rn Wisconsin rn[caption id="attachment_71505" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Malcolm in the Middle - 20th Century Fox[/caption]rnrn Jane Kaczmarek rnrnThe Malcolm in the Middle actress was born in Milwaukee and grew up in nearby Greendale. She went on to major in theater at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and later attended grad school at the Yale School of Drama. Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, she appeared in supporting roles in films and guest spots on TV shows like St. Elsewhere , Law &amp; Order , and Party of Five .rnrnHer breakthrough role came as tough but loving matriarch Lois on Malcolm in the Middle on Fox. Lasting for seven seasons, Kaczmarek was nominated every year for an Emmy Award but sadly did not win. Her authoritarian persona led to her role as Judge Trudy Kessler in the TNT legal drama Raising the Bar and as Judge Constance Harm on The Simpsons . More recently she guest-starred on The Big Bang Theory earlier this year.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71506" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Monk - USA Network[/caption]rnrn Tony Shalhoub rnrnThe Monk star was born and raised in Green Bay. During high school, he became interested in acting and performed in a few productions. He later briefly attended the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay but earned a bachelor’s degree in drama from the University of Southern Maine. He later went on to earn a master's from the Yale School of Drama in 1980.rnrnThroughout the 1980’s he worked steadily in film and television and beginning in its second season he played taxi service owner Antonio Scarpacci on Wings . After the series ended he starred in the short-lived series Stark Raving Mad and then went on to his most acclaimed role, the obsessive-compulsive homicide detective Adrian Monk on USA’s Monk . The role earned Shalhoub three Emmy Awards during its run. More recently he appeared in the last season of Nurse Jackie on Showtime in 2015.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Wyoming" slider="true"]rn rn Wyoming rn[caption id="attachment_71569" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Cecilia Hart &amp; James Earl Jones - Courtesy of Getty Images[/caption]rnrn Cecilia Hart rnrnThe stage and television actress was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Hart got her start in television in the 1970's with guest appearances on shows like Emergency! and Three's Company . In 1979, Hart played Sgt. Stacey Erickson in the short-lived CBS crime-drama Paris , which was created by Steven Bochco who would later find go on to create Hill Street Blues .rnrnEven though Paris aired for 13 episodes, Hart worked with acclaimed actor James Earl Jones and the two would go on to marry in 1982. Later in her career, she guest-starred in MacGyver and Charles in Charge . In the 1990's she appeared in several episodes of Law &amp; Order on NBC. More recently she has worked in off-Broadway stage productions.rnrn[caption id="attachment_71507" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Supernatural - The CW[/caption]rnrn Jim Beaver rnrnThe gruff character actor was born in Laramie while his father was working as a graduate student at the University of Wyoming. His family moved back to their home state of Texas where he spent much of his youth in Irving. Initially, he had no interest in acting and enrolled in the U.S. Marine Corps. and served in Vietnam. Upon returning, he went to college in Oklahoma where he studied theater.rnrnBeaver’s prolific work in television includes his role as Bobby Singer in the long-running series Supernatural , as Whitney Ellsworth in HBO’s Deadwood , and as Sheriff Shelby Parlow/Drew Thompson in Justified on FX. Aside from acting, he’s also an accomplished playwright, screenwriter and author of several nonfiction books.rnrn[morestories url="https://hiddenremote.com/2015/12/29/counting-down-the-10-greatest-tv-cliffhangers-of-all-time/" teaser="Counting Down the 10 Greatest TV Cliffhangers of All-Time"]rnrnThanks for checking out this feature. Are there any actors or actresses previously covered that you are proud of their connection to your home state? Or is there an actor or actress more prolific in television that you thought deserved to be covered?

Hidden Remote

Best TV Actors and Actresses From Every State

Fifty states. One hundred great actors and actresses. Hidden Remote guides you across the United States as we look at where the best TV actors and actresses hail from.

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