Notable film and television stars who grew up on farms

Hollywood celebrities may attend movie premieres and other red carpet events filled with big city lights. Still, a few grew up on several acres surrounded by animals and rolling fields. Here are eight notable figures in film and television who grew up on a farm.

midwest sunset farm stock photo_adobe stock.png

Adobe Stock

Melissa McCarthy

McCarthy is a comedian, producer, and actress. Some of her most notable roles are in Bridesmaids, Mike and Molly, and Gilmore Girls. She was born in rural Illinois and grew up on her family’s corn and soybean farm. In an interview, she stated that it was the best way to grow up.

Jennie Garth

This actress was a star on the hit franchise Beverly Hills 90210. She has also appeared on many other television shows, including Dancing with the Stars. She also had her own show on both HGTV and CMT. Garth grew up on a horse farm in Illinois.

Garrett Hedlund

You may know Hedlund from movies such as Friday Night Lights, Georgia Rule, Tron: Legacy, or perhaps Country Strong. Hedlund may be considered country strong in his own right because he grew up and worked on a 400 acre cattle ranch outside of Roseau, Minnesota.

Krysten Ritter

Ritter is a model, musician and an actor, who became a part of the Marvel Universe when she stared in the Netflix series Jessica Jones. She grew up on a 100 acre cattle farm in rural Pennsylvania. On the farm, she helped raise a calf whom she named Jake. As Jake grew, she would ride him around the farm.

Matthew Fox

This Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor grew up raising longhorns and horses on a ranch in Wyoming. He is best known for his role as Jack Shephard in the hit drama Lost.

Charlize Theron

Theron was born in Benoni, South Africa. Since she has been in Hollywood, she has won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe; she was also named one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World.” Her filmography consists of Mad Max: Fury Road, Monster, The Fate of The Furious, Bombshell, and the American remake of The Italian Job. However, before all of that, Theron grew up on a farm in South Africa, where she loved feeding and taking care of the livestock.

Eva Longoria

Longoria has appeared in shows like Beverly Hills 90210 and General Hospital; she also had a regular role on The Young and The Restless and was a lead in Desperate Housewives. Longoria was born and raised on a ranch near Corpus Christi, Texas, where she was no stranger to the outdoors.

Tom Wopat

Wopat is best known for his starring role as Luke Duke in the series The Dukes of Hazard. This “good ol boy” may not have been from Hazard County, Georgia in real life, but he does know what the farm life is about, as he grew up on a dairy farm in Lodi, Wisconsin.

Also, check out which celebrities wore the iconic blue and gold FFA jacket.

Related Stories
“Be willing to stick out and be different... to help inspire others, and that’s what I really hope to do...”
Mon, 8/18/25, 6 PM ET – Your catch starts here. Major League Fishing’s quick guide to everything MLF Teams.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Henning Strauss, CEO of STRAUSS, joins us to share his company’s commitment to crafting tools that farmers wear.
Dr. Sally DeNotta with the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) provides horse owners with guidance on the recent outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV).
Rooster is a full-time farmhand, right-hand man on Shawn Raff’s cattle and dairy operation in Eatonton, Georgia.
While the 2018 Farm Bill received an extension under the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act, the National Pork Producers Council wants lawmakers to do more to support the sector.
Kip Eideberg with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers details its campaign spotlighting the people who build equipment vital to farming and food manufacturing.
Buzzard discusses her upcoming appearance on the Dirt Diaries podcast with host Kirbe Schnoor and the importance of sharing authentic stories about agriculture.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Twisted Skillet brings a straightforward, hands-on approach to kitchen television, rooted in food and fire. Hosted by Texas chef Sean Koehler, the series explores open-fire outdoor cooking techniques, regional ingredients, and the people who raise, prepare, and inspire the food found across America.
Brought to you by Gus Arrendale & Springer Mountain Farms, join dynamic bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent as they welcome scores of fabulous bluegrass, country, and gospel music acts as special guests. Loads of laughs, your favorite guests galore, and lots of good times are guaranteed. Don’t miss all the fun!
FarmHER + RanchHER on RFD-TV is working to change how people perceive a farmer by sharing the stories of the women who live and lead in agriculture.
Join popular polka performer Mollie Busta as she hosts the weekly “Mollie B Polka Party” on RFD Network! The one-hour program features the nation’s top polka bands and a wide variety of ethnic styles, recorded on location at music festivals across the country.
The affable and unassuming international singing star Daniel O’Donnell is one of Ireland’s best known performers – from Australia to Alaska.