Hollywood is synonymous with the movie and television industry , even though most of its major players acclaim from less - glamorous locale . Every day , budding worker from all across our great country ( and beyond ) arrive in gay California with the hope that they ’ll one solar day be as noted as George Clooney or Meryl Streep . Who are from Kentucky and New Jersey originally , by the way .
As part of Thrillist’sAmerica Week , we ’ve named the best inhabit actors who rise up in each state in the country . Like we did with our lean ofbest rappers from major US cities , we render to assign actors to state establish on where they drop their shaping age , which is especially difficult to do with role player who impress around a lot when they were younger . And because there were some very unaired vociferation and the arguments we were sustain as we ran through possible choices started to get quite heated , we ’ve selected 50 runner - up .
So which actor is the superbia and joy of your state ? permit ’s get to it , and God bless America .
Nina Gonzales/Thrillist
Alabama
Octavia SpencerRunner - up : Walton GogginsWith her entrance turns inSnowpiercerandFruitvale Station , this Best Supporting Actress forThe Helphas the sharpness over other play Alabamans . Even Goggins , the frequent scene - thief fromThe Hateful Eightand FX’sJustified .
Alaska
Darby StanchfieldRunner - up : JewelBefore work out crisis onScandaland nabbing Edgar Albert Guest stints onMonk , How I Met Your female parent , and other shows , Stanchfield grow up in Kodiak , where her father was a commercial fisherman . Jewel was think of for you , too , Alaskans , thanks to her faithful depicting of June Carter Cash inRing of Fire .
Arizona
Mary - Louise ParkerRunner - up : Ted DansonAgainst all betting odds , Arizona render the most heated up discussion as we sifted through candidates . Ultimately , Parker , who graduate from high school in Tempe before stupefy us with her performance inWeeds , The West Wing , andAngels in America , edged out TV fable Danson , who grew up in Flagstaff , by virtue of the inspired theatrical work that ’s earned her a Tony and other stagecoach awards .
Arkansas
Billy Bob ThorntonRunner - up : Mary SteenburgenBilly Bob chews up any part that comes his way and spits it back at lesser doer – as fans ofBad Santa , Sling Blade , and the first season of FX’sFargocan attest . And Arkansas well recognize Steenburgen for the warmheartedness and heart she throw in into so many of her fend for office , like her recent stint onOrange Is the New Black .
California
Tom HanksRunner - up : Leonardo DiCaprioIn a state full of transplanted thespian with big dreams , native son Tom Hanks ' star ( literally , he has one on the Walk of Fame ) shine brilliantly on behalf of California . He ’s radiated feel - good personal appeal since before hisSplashdays and can make even misfire likeSaving Mr. Banksworth watching . We view Leo as a very cheeseparing second overall , and not just because Hanks has him beat on the Oscar enumeration and , uh , Saturday Night Livehosting appearances .
Colorado
Amy AdamsRunner - up : Pam GrierFew actresses can put in workplace like Amy Adams , who sweep through her broad - eyed spectacular role inAmerican HustleandThe Masteras well as she did the goofball poove - princess musicalEnchanted– althoughFoxy BrownandJackie Brownstar Pam Grier can more than retain her own , too .
Connecticut
Paul GiamattiRunner - up : Allison JanneyGiamatti ’s performances are always beguile , whether in sustain office ( Pig Vomit ! Rhino ! ) or leading ( Sideways , American Splendor ) ; we ’re happy to see him pop up in anything , includingSan Andreas . The same apply to Janney . Janney rules !
Delaware
Ryan PhillippeRunner - up : Teri PoloThere are no small-scale actor , only small land – yet Delaware give us Ryan Phillippe , who ’s grown up from stripling pretty boy inCruel Intentionsto expert sniper in the new USA showShooter . The ever - honest Teri Polo has livened upThe Fosterson television and theMeet the Parentsfranchise .
Florida
Faye DunawayRunner - up : Catherine KeenerBonnie and Clyde . Chinatown . web . Faye Dunaway – give birth and raised ( intermittently ) in Florida , with stints at both the University of Florida and Florida State – was unstoppable in her prime . She is a caption . Miami ’s own Catherine Keener has a resume similarly telling and various , with quirky , grounding role inBeing John Malkovich , The 40 - Year - Old Virgin , Show Me a Hero , and many others .
Georgia
Holly HunterRunner - up : Julia RobertsWhether it ’s in her Oscar - winning lead role inThe Piano , the Coens ' cuckoo caperRaising Arizona , or the animated action dramaThe Incredibles , Hunter is a maestro of nuance and comic timing . Remarkably , she ’s never worked with her fellow Georgian Julia Roberts . We ’d watch it !
Hawaii
Bette MidlerRunner - up : Maggie QFew actresses possess the range of the Divine Miss M : the Honolulu - born diva can belt out out tune on degree , make you weep like a baby in dramatic roles ( bloody you , Beaches ! ) , and upstage comedic heavyweights . And just you endeavor to listen to " Wind Beneath My wing " without swell up ( or do n’t , because it ’s unsufferable ) ! Maggie Q packs her own brand of punches , as deport impressively in theDivergentfranchise , Mission : Impossible III , and cult TV’sNikita .
Idaho
Aaron PaulRunner - up : William PetersenIt ’s not sluttish to turn a wisenheimer fuck - up likeBreaking Bad ’s small - clock time burnout Jesse Pinkman into a sympathetic case , but Paul is still beloved for it . It was very difficult to grant him Idaho , given the state also gave us the deucedly underrated William Petersen , well have it away forC.S.I. , but so , so telling in the moody genre filmsTo Live and Die in L.A.,Manhunter , andFear .
Illinois
Gene HackmanRunner - up : Bill MurrayLook , Bill Murray ’s a interior treasure . So is Harrison Ford . There are a draw of great role player who spend their formative years in the Prairie State . But only one is named Gene " Freaking " Hackman , lord of the IMDb page touting roles that have left an unerasable brand on American finish : The French Connection ’s Popeye Doyle , Harry Caul inThe Conversation , the coach inHoosiers , Royal Tenenbaum , and so many others , plus the only Lex Luthor portrayal deserving a good goddamn . Deal with it .
Indiana
Adam DriverRunner - up : Shelley LongAs the latestStar Warsvillain , Driver is not just becoming the next über - popular action figure : theGirlsstandout has also amassed a stream of indie hits to build up his cred . Many will remember Indiana ’s runner - up from her award - winning turn asCheers ' Diane Chambers , but Long remains a television receiver repair with first - rate appearances on such serial publication asKelly Kelly , Frasier , andModern Family .
Iowa
Ben FosterRunner - up : Nia LongFoster is unforgettable inAlpha Dogas the pugnaciousJake Mazursky ; although he might come across as a stereotypical serious beau in other roles , that quality has test valuable in such flicks as3:10 to YumaandThe Program . Long ’s powerful there , too , courtesy ofFriday , Big Momma ’s House , andHouse of Lies .
Kansas
Annette BeningRunner - up : Ed AsnerFor her nuanced turns inThe Kids Are All RightandAmerican Beauty , Bening operate down Kansas ; she almost snag two Oscars for those films , too . Coming in a skinny second isThe Mary Tyler Moore Showstandout Asner , with seven Emmys and 17 Emmy nominations to his name , plus memorable performances inElfandUp .
Kentucky
Michael ShannonRunner - up : George ClooneyWhether he ’s playing a supervillain , a remorseless real acres broker , or an mentally ill Logos , Oscar - nommed Shannon brings an unparalleled chameleonic intensity to the screen . Tracking closely on Shannon ’s bounder is Clooney , the Augusta High grad we ’ve come to have it off as Baird Whitlock , Matt Kowalski , Michael Clayton , and Dr. Doug Ross .
Louisiana
Patricia ClarksonRunner - up : Carl WeathersIn 2004 , Clarkson almost win an Academy Award as Katie Holmes ' mom inPieces of April , but you ’ll also know her fromVicky Cristina Barcelona , Shutter Island , Parks & Rec , andSix Feet Under . In this slugfest , she take out an Ivan Drago and strike down Weathers , who contribute the world untold amounts of joy as theRockyseries ' Apollo Creed , Happy Gilmore ’s Chubbs Peterson , and the stew - obsessed " alternating electric current - tor " Carl Weathers onArrested Development .
Maine
Sarah PaulsonRunner - up : Anna KendrickTheAmerican Horror Storyveteran has had an especially notable twelvemonth , thanks to her rake - arrant Marcia Clark in FX ’s crime anthologyThe People v. O.J. Simpson . Paulson also brag impressive spots inDeadwood , Carol , Game Change , andStudio 60 on the Sunset Strip(and the latter two earned her Golden Globe noms ) . Kendrick ’s ownPitch Perfectwork , plus an Oscar - nommed performance inUp in the Air , makes America ’s fouler - mouthed sweetheart an easy pick for Maine ’s No . 2 .
Maryland
Robert DuvallRunner - up : Julia Louis - DreyfusDuvall is always a dominating , memorable bearing : inApocalypse Now , he growled his sexual love for " the smell of napalm in the morning . " In the first twoGodfathers , he served as the Corleone family ’s lawyer . WithTender Merciesa few year later , Maryland ’s living cinematic legend rent home his first and only Oscar as the down - and - out country Isaac Merrit Singer Mac Sledge . The notorious JLD you ’ve come to love and love fromSeinfeld , Enough Said , andVeepholds down this country ’s comedic side .
Massachusetts
Matt DamonRunner - up : Geena DavisDoes anybody rep Massachusetts harder than Matt Damon ? WithGood Will Hunting , Invictus , The Martian , and Martin Scorsese ’s South Boston - setThe Departedon his curriculum vitae , Damon is much more than " the Jason Bourne hombre , " even though he ’ll reprise the role later this summer . And , yes , Davis , who brought us Barbara Maitland and Thelma Dickinson , among other faves ( evenFletch ! ) , comes next . Sorry , Marky Mark .
Michigan
Ellen BurstynRunner - up : Jeff DanielsWhether as Chris MacNeil inThe Exorcistor old Murph inInterstellar , Burstyn institute a tragically beautiful sense of humanity to everything she does . ( If you take even more test copy , see her Oscar - winning acting inAlice Does n’t go Here Anymore . ) Michiganders also savvy that everyman actor Jeff Daniels , ofDumb and dull , TheMartian , Speed , andTheNewsroomfame , still resides there . And rent ’s go off up the honorary chain saw for B - movie poobah Bruce Campbell while we ’re at it .
Minnesota
Jessica LangeRunner - up : John HawkesAnotherAHSvet , Lange has captivated viewers with degree and covert performances for roughly four decades , often with great result : to begin with this year she won a Tony for leadingLong Day ’s Journey Into Night , and she ’d already apprehend two Oscars forBlue SkyandTootsie . Too often John Hawkes , the distressingly bright force regard inWinter ’s BoneandThe Sessions , has been name runner - up . But , alas .
Mississippi
Diane LaddRunner - up : Sela WardLadd has yet to gain ground an Oscar , but she ’s been nommed thrice : see her show - stopping work inRambling Rose , Wild at Heart , andAlice Does n’t endure Here Anymorefor reference . ( The Rilberton - born superstar did , however , gain ground a Golden Globe in 1981 for her turning as Belle in Robert Getchell ’s TV seriesAlice . ) MS ' No . 2 , Ward , also has a Globe win , earned for her acting inOnce and Again .
Missouri
Kevin KlineRunner - up : Kathleen TurnerWho does n’t love Kevin Kline ? The two - meter Tony victor has more than enough stage cred to make up for his less - than - prolific film and TV career , but even if you have n’t check him do Shakespearian tragedy , you emphatically take in his hilarious , Oscar - stealing turn inA Pisces the Fishes call Wanda . Fellow Missouri - bear star Kathleen Turner has shown similar range in clowning and play – plus comedic dramas , likePeggy Sue Got Married– but Kline ca n’t be beat for sheer virtuosity .
Montana
Michelle WilliamsRunner - up : Dirk BenedictThough Williams move to San Diego when she was 9 , there ’s always been a waste , search quality to her good performance –Brokeback Mountain , Wendy and Lucy , andMeek ’s Cutoffall regain her battle nature – which we associate with the open vistas of the Big Sky Country . And we love it when a plan follow together , say Montanans who know the oeuvre of DIrk Benedict ; comfortably bang for his magnetic roles onThe A - Teamand the originalBattlestar GalacticaTV serial , he made any B - movie he appeared in feel like Laurence Olivier doing summertime stock theater .
Nebraska
Nick NolteRunner - up : Gabrielle UnionThe man is not his illustrious mugshot . In movies likeCape Fear,48 Hrs . , andNorth Dallas Forty , Nolte was a stabilise forcefulness , grounding action movies , thrillers , and drollery with his rugged good looks and gravelly representative . That he grow into one of our straggliest , most eccentric old - timers is frost on the cake . Hopefully the uber - talented Gabrielle Union get the chance to have her Nick Nolte - in - Hulkmoment , too .
Nevada
Mädchen AmickRunner - up : Rutina WesleyIt makes common sense that Nevada ’s good performing artist would be fromTwin vertex : it ’s a gloomy , mysterious state that people have been obsess over for years . We have n’t been able to get Amick out of our brain since she first served us a all-fired fine cup of chocolate back in the ' XC . Wesley also spent time on a show you believably scramble to enclose your psyche around : HBO ’s lamia mindfuckTrue Blood . blab about battle - born .
New Hampshire
Sarah SilvermanRunner - up : Adam SandlerWhat makes people from New Hampshire so laughable ? WhileAdam Sandler ’s starmight’ve fall in recent years , there ’s no denying the dramatic chops he showed inPunch - Drunk Love , Spanglish , andFunny People , along with the hilarious stupidity ofBilly Madison . But Silverman has really emerged as New Hampshire ’s brightest adept in recent twelvemonth : in addition to slip scenes inMasters of Sex , she ’s been brilliant in belittled moving picture likeTake This WaltzandI Smile Back . Plus , she ’s still comical as Hades .
New Jersey
Meryl StreepRunner - up : Jack NicholsonThis was a tough one : in one recession we ’ve get Jack , an icon so enshrine in American culture that multitude generally feel safe concern to him only by his first name . He madeFive Easy slice , The Last Detail , Chinatown , andOne Flew Over the Cuckoo ’s Nest– and that was only in the ' 70s . But , hail from New Jersey , he has to compete with another one - name picture : Meryl . She ’s been nominate for 19 Academy Awards , the most of any actor or actress in history , and has gain three : Best Supporting Actress forKramer vs. Kramer , Best Actress forSophie ’s Choice , and Best Actress forThe Iron Lady . In case you have n’t figured it out : Meryl wins . That ’s just what she does .
New Mexico
Anna GunnRunner - up : Neil Patrick HarrisNo disrespect to Neil Patrick Harris – no one could sing and dance so well on the side while also playing television ’s most lovable douche - bro onHow I Met Your Mother– but Anna Gunn had the harder undertaking : she had to humanize Walter White onBreaking Bad , grounding the series with intelligence , witticism , compassion , andthose killer breakfast combos .
New York
Robert De NiroRunner - up : Denzel WashingtonThis was a brutal street fight . For one thing , we did n’t even include Al " Hoo - ah ! " Pacino in the top two – he could ’ve won almost every other state on this list if he had been bear there . TheTraining Day - floor intensity of peak Denzel is hard to deny , but we ’ve got ta give it to Tribeca ’s own Robert De Niro , star of classics likeTaxi Driver , The Deer Hunter , Raging Bull , Heat , and , yes , evenMeet the Parents . We salute you , Dirty Grandpa .
North Carolina
Michael C. HallRunner - up : Amy SedarisMichael C. Hall has range : in improver to an telling level career , he stole scene as the sexually pent-up brother on HBO ’s groundbreakingSix Feet Under , then went on to cut up up his nice - guy reputation with the deliriously over - the - topDexteron Showtime . He also sang and dance inGamer , making a forgettable Gerard Butler legal action movie watchable . Amy Sedaris is also bully , but , like , sorry , she was n’t inGamer .
North Dakota
Josh DuhamelRunner - up : Ronda RouseyDespite having a urban center that inspired a gravid moving-picture show and TV adaptation ( uh , that ’d be Fargo ) , North Dakota is n’t long on actors with orca resumes . The Minot - born Duhamel is mi ahead of the pack , and theWin a Date with Tad Hamilton!star has the Daytime EmmyandtheNickelodeon Kids ' Choice Arm Fart Champion Awardto itch it in other North Dakotan role player ' face . Take that , Entouragemovie - beguiler Ronda Rousey !
Ohio
Woody HarrelsonRunner - up : Teri GarrThough he was raise in Ohio , Woody Harrelson has Texas prance . Everything he ’s done , fromCheerstoWhite humanity Ca n’t JumptoKingpintoTrue Detective , has been tincture with a laid - back self-confidence that hit you say , " Shit , how ’d that guy rope get so cool ? " Teri Garr has a similar vibe and the ability to get up roles inClose Encounters of the Third Kind , Young Frankenstein , andAfter Hourswith her soft comportment .
Oklahoma
Alfre WoodardRunner - up : Bill HaderAfter a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination forCross Creekand Emmy victory for video proceduralsHill Street Blues , L.A. Law , andThe Practice , Woodard is lending her versatile gravitas to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with persona inCaptain America : Civil Warand the forthcomingLuke John Milton Cage Jr. . Though Hader ’s mirthful sensibilities have matured considerably since hisSNLdays , seeing him through head - man roles inTrainwreckand goofy supporting roles in countess comedies , you ca n’t mess with the MCU .
Oregon
Ty BurrellRunner - up : Todd FieldSitcom star get a bad rap . hearing know Ty Burrell as the anchor ofModern Family ’s hebdomadal wackiness , but Oregonians should see him inThe Skeleton Twins , Dawn of the Dead , orThe Incredible Hulkto witness his full grasp . While Todd Field is a seasoned supporting thespian ( Walking and talk , Twister , Eyes Wide Shut ) , he ’s better get laid as a director ( In the Bedroom , Little Children ) – but we have to give him property .
Pennsylvania
Jeff GoldblumRunner - up : Will SmithThat PA ’s top - two actors are carbon monoxide gas - leads in 1996’sIndependence Dayis a coincidence – they ’re just that salutary . As much as we love Smith ’s action - hero chronicle and subsequent prestigiousness turn , we have to pass the Department of State to Goldblum , whose idiosyncratic cadence , various filmography ( fromThe FlytoJurassic ParktoThe Grand Budapest Hotel ) , and Pittsburgh roots make him an idealistic Pennsylvania pick .
Rhode Island
Viola DavisRunner - up : James WoodsDavis is a threefold threat , headlining ABC’sHow to Get Away with Murder(for which she win an Emmy ) , chip at out a movie career with the relish to earn two Oscar nominations ( she ’ll next be discover inSuicide Squad ) , and the cred to hit Broadway when the chance salute itself ( she last appear opposite Denzel Washington inFences ) . Woods is a seasoned –Videodrome!Once upon a Time in America!Casino ! – but Davis is kill it .
South Carolina
Chadwick BosemanRunner - up : Aziz AnsariBoseman shot to stardom after back - to - back biopics,42(Jackie Robinson ) andGet on Up(James Brown ) , and step up to the big leagues as Black Panther inCaptain America : Civil War . He ’s powerful in every mode – what more do you want ? Ansari adopt 2d place forRAAAAAANDY!AndMaster of None . But mostly Randy .
South Dakota
January JonesRunner - up : Cheryl LaddThe pool of histrion who emerged from our fortieth state is petite , though for her work inMad MenandTheLast Man on Earth , we ’d see Jones no matter where she acclaim from . Ladd is a close-fitting second becauseCharlie ’s Angelswas only the kickoff of her eclectic idiot box career .
Tennessee
Samuel L. JacksonRunner - up : Kathy BatesDoes everyone from Chattanooga speak with the hushed scag of Samuel L. Jackson ? A even collaborator of Quentin Tarantino , Spike Lee , and the Marvel hive psyche , he ’s a guy cable who can present any product line with authority . We ’d describeMisery , Titanic , andAmerican Horror Storyscene - chewer Kathy Bates in the same way , frankly .
Texas
Matthew McConaugheyRunner - up : Tommy Lee JonesAlright , alright , alright , this may be a lilliputian obvious , but ever since " the McConaissance , " theTrue DetectiveandDallas Buyers Clubactor has bear out as one of the top of his class . No slight to Tommy Lee Jones , who seem as good in a Lincoln wig orFugitive - style FBI jump suit as he does in hisNo Country for Old Men10 - gallon .
Utah
Mary Elizabeth WinsteadRunner - up : Wilford BrimleyWinstead moved to Utah as a child , pave the way for her triumph on this list . We ’re great admirers of Wilford Brimley ’s work ( see , immediately : The China Syndrome , The Natural , The matter , The Firm , andCocoon ) , but recent appearances inSmashed , Faults , and10 Cloverfield Lanehave us eager for more Winstead .
Vermont
Daphne ZunigaRunner - up : Barbara CramptonFact : many of the actors born in Vermont move away during their formative years to attend arts - focused boarding school – i.e. , they ’re not true Vermonters . So here ’s to two who jumped to Hollywood after spending more substantial time in the Green Mountain State : Daphne Zuniga , ofSpaceballsandOne Tree Hillfame , and Barbara Crampton , a repugnance veteran who ’s appear in classic likeRe - Animator .
Virginia
Sandra BullockRunner - up : Danny McBrideAnything George Clooney can do – headline a political dramatic event , reboot theOcean ’s Elevenfranchise , wizard inGravity– Sandra Bullock can do well ( she take overOur Brand Is Crisisfrom the actor , she ’s about to asterisk in her own reboot of the crime movie , and c’m on , she ownedGravity ) . While the Oscar winner is the clear pick for her home province , Danny McBride , theEastbound & Downactor , wins if we ’re ranking this by issue of belly - laughs induced .
Washington
Hilary SwankRunner - up : Kyle MacLachlanSwank is one of Hollywood ’s most unassuming actress – mayhap it ’s a Washington affair ? With two Oscar under her knock ( 1999’sBoys Do n’t Cryand 2004’sMillion Dollar Baby ) and a taste for risky , deglamorizing use – the begrimed WesternThe Homesmanis a must - see – she made this no competition . But that does n’t mean we do n’t bed Kyle MacLachlan , our pal fromTwin Peaksand other David Lynch movies , as well asShowgirlsandPortlandia .
West Virginia
Jennifer GarnerRunner - up : John CorbettFromAliasspy to13 Going on 30 ’s blissed - out teen to a rattled adoptive - mother - to - be inJuno , Jennifer Garner land the everlasting mixing of minor - town naturalism and polished aura to every role . John Corbett floats between pic ( My Big Fat Greek nuptials ) and TV ( recently , ParenthoodandSex&Drugs&Rock&Roll ) with a standardised " everyone ’s dad " attitude . Daditude ?
Wisconsin
Willem DafoeRunner - up : Mark RuffaloAmerica is an amazing land . A guy from Wisconsin can grow up and earn two Oscar nominating speech ( Platoon , Shadow of the Vampire ) , star in film by Martin Scorsese ( The Aviator ) and Wes Anderson ( The Life Aquatic ) , have his junky crushed in an art - photographic film masterwork ( Antichrist ) , and bring a badass scoundrel in a direful sequel ( focal ratio 2 : Cruise Control ) . Dafoe is a caption – and afterFoxcatcher , Avengers 2 , andSpotlightjust in the last twelvemonth , Mark Ruffalo is basically there , too .
Wyoming
Matthew FoxRunner - up : Jesse GarciaIs Matthew Fox ’s biggest character to escort still Jack inLost ? Will we ever demean that carrying into action as the man searches for his next big function ? No . No , we will not . WatchParty of Fiveand the recentBone Tomahawkif you require more Fox proof , then bingeFrom Dusk Till Dawn : The Series , where you ’ll see why Garcia is our second plectron .
sign up up herefor our everyday Thrillist e-mail , and get your fix of the good in intellectual nourishment / drink / play .
The Help|DreamWorks SKG
Big|Twentieth Century Fox
Broadcast News|Warner Bros.
Girls|HBO
American Horror Story|FX Networks
Wild at Heart|The Samuel Goldwyn Company
Inside the Actors Studio|Bravo
Taxi Driver|Waverly Films
Captain America: Civil War|Marvel Studios
Mad Men|AMC
Our Brand Is Crisis|Participant Media
