Anyone who wants to admire and envy the world’s biggest stars needs only to look on Instagram. From A-list movie stars and major musicians to pro ball players and comedians who landed their own sitcoms, there’s no shortage of evidence of just how good the good life is. They post pictures of themselves with other big shots on rooftop bars, at exclusive clubs, at backstage parties, and at restaurants where regular people can’t get a reservation.
RELATED: Famous Actresses from Massachusetts
But the vast majority of these celebrities were born and raised outside of Hollywood, finding their way to the bright lights and big money of superstardom from obscure beginnings in regular small towns and cities across the country.
Stacker compiled a list of actresses that were born in Rhode Island from IMDb’s most popular list. Movie poster images are from OMDb. Keep reading to see which of your favorite actresses are from your home state.
Michaela McManus
OMDb
– Born: Warwick, Rhode Island, USA (5/20/1983)
– Known for:
— Kaley in “Into the Grizzly Maze” (2015)
— Grace Karn in “Aquarius” (2015-2016)
— Kim Greylek in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (2008-2009)Mena Suvari
OMDb
– Born: Newport, Rhode Island, USA (2/13/1979)
– Known for:
— Angela Hayes in “American Beauty” (1999)
— Heather in “American Pie” (1999)
— Aerith Gainsborough in “Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children” (2005)Ashley Newbrough
OMDb
– Born: Newport, Rhode Island, USA (10/13/1987)
– Known for:
— Sage Baker in “Privileged” (2008-2009)
— Kyra in “Mistresses” (2013-2014)
— Nell in “Small Town Christmas” (2018)Alice Drummond
OMDb
– Born: Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA (5/21/1928)
– Died: 11/30/2016
– Known for:
— Mrs. Finkle in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (1994)
— Librarian in “Ghostbusters” (1984)
— Clara in “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” (1995)Arden Myrin
OMDb
– Born: Little Compton, Rhode Island, USA (12/10/1973)
– Known for:
— Regina Sinclair in “Insatiable” (2018-2019)
— Dollface Dolores in “Shameless” (2016)
— Dr. Brooks in “Orange Is the New Black” (2013)Ruth Buzzi
OMDb
– Born: Westerly, Rhode Island, USA (7/24/1936)
– Known for:
— Regular Performer / Self / Self – Regular Performer / Gladys Ormphby in “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” (1967-1973)
— Mama Bear / Teacher Jane in “The Berenstain Bears” (1985-1987)
— Opposing Coach in “Freaky Friday” (1976)Shanna Moakler
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (3/28/1975)
– Known for:
— Flight Attendant #3 in “The Wedding Singer” (1998)
— Agent Lockheart in “Back Stabber” (2016)
— Petra in “Big Momma’s House 2” (2006)Susan Eisenberg
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (8/21/1964)
– Known for:
— Princess Diana / Wonder Woman / Lord Wonder Woman / Black-Haired Girl / Civilian / Communications Officer / Model / Mother / Pilot / Searcher / Thanagarian Soldier / Woman in “Justice League” 2001-2004Nadia Bjorlin
OMDb
– Born: Newport, Rhode Island, USA (8/2/1980)
– Known for:
— Chloe Lane / Chloe Horton / Chloe Jonas / Chloe Lane Black / Chloe Black in “Days of Our Lives” (1999-2021)
— Lara Miller / Lara in “Venice the Series” (2009-2017)
— Natasha in “Redline” (2007)Olivia Culpo
OMDb
– Born: Cranston, Rhode Island, USA (5/8/1992)
– Known for:
— Hope in “I Feel Pretty” (2018)
— Gretchen in “American Satan” (2017)
— Raven-Haired Beauty in “The Other Woman” (2014)Amanda Clayton
OMDb
– Born: Johnston, Rhode Island, USA (not available)
– Known for:
— Cathy Ryan in “City on a Hill” (2019-2021)
— Alex Montgomery / Alex in “If Loving You Is Wrong” (2014-2019)
— Doreen in “Bleed for This” (2016)Taaffe O'Connell
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (5/14/1951)
– Known for:
— Mona in “The Change-Up” (2011)
— Dameia in “Galaxy of Terror” (1981)
— Miss Farber in “The Incredible Hulk” (1980)Ruth Hussey
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (10/30/1911)
– Died: 4/19/2005
– Known for:
— Elizabeth Imbrie in “The Philadelphia Story” (1940)
— Pamela Fitzgerald in “The Uninvited” (1944)
— Professor Susan Drake in “Our Wife” (1941)Amy Van Nostrand
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (4/11/1953)
– Known for:
— Brenda in “Year by the Sea” 2016Kathe Mazur
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (8/24/1961)
– Known for:
— Dr. Hallerman in “American Sniper” (2014)
— D.D.A. Andrea Hobbs in “Major Crimes” (2012-2018)
— Nicky in “Misery Loves Company” (1995)Brianne Leary
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (7/28/1957)
– Known for:
— Lt. Susan Ames / Nurse Susan / Pretty Nurse / 2nd Nurse / 3rd Nurse / Alma Peterson / Nurse in “Black Sheep Squadron” (1977-1978)
— Officer Sindy Cahill in “CHiPs” (1978-1979)
— Ryma in “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century” (1979)Meredith Vieira
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (12/30/1953)
– Known for:
— Balance of Power’ Host in “The Stepford Wives” (2004)
— Meredith Vieira in “Get Him to the Greek” (2010)
— Broomsy Witch in “Shrek Forever After” (2010)Claudia Jordan
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (4/12/1973)
– Known for:
— Cynthia in “Middle Men” (2009)
— Simone Lookalike in “S1m0ne” (2002)
— Tahja Dupree in “Diary of a Champion” (2012-2013)Margaret Ladd
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (11/8/1942)
– Known for:
— Emma Channing in “Falcon Crest” (1981-1989)
— Roberta in “Just in Time” (2019)
— Ruby Spar in “A Wedding” (1978)Joyce Jillson
OMDb
– Born: Cranston, Rhode Island, USA (12/26/1945)
– Died: 10/1/2004
– Known for:
— Superchick in “Superchick” (1973)
— Jill Smith in “Peyton Place” (1968)
— Marsha Woodley in “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” (1966)Maggie Han
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (5/12/1905)
– Known for:
— Eastern Jewel in “The Last Emperor” (1987)
— Lab Assistant in “Junior” (1994)
— Cary Sain in “Open Season” (1995)Elisabeth Hasselbeck
OMDb
– Born: Cranston, Rhode Island, USA (5/28/1977)
– Known for:
— Elisabeth Hasselbeck in “Made of Honor” (2008)
— Elisabeth Hasselbeck in “Madea Goes to Jail” (2009)
— Elisabeth Hasselbeck in “Entourage” (2008)Ava Gaudet
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (not available)
– Known for:
— Gina Gambarro in “Ugly Betty” (2006-2008)
— Elise Montoya in “Hurt” (2009)
— Sara in “inFamous 2” (2011)Gianna Distenca
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (5/15/1989)
– Known for:
— Stacy in “Fountains of Wayne: Stacy’s Mom” (2003)
— Yay Bear in “Señor Crab” (2007)
— Stacy in “Making the Video” (2004)Stephanie Venditto
OMDb
– Born: Rhode Island, USA (1/30/1965)
– Known for:
— MRI Technician in “Meet Dave” (2008)
— Angel in “Four Christmases” (2008)
— KNYT Reporter in “All About Steve” (2009)Madison LaPlante
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (8/10/2001)
– Known for:
— Faithful Teen Girl in “The Unholy” (2021)
— High School Student in “Dexter: New Blood” (2021)
— Truck Stop Patron in “NOS4A2” (2020)Ruth Clifford
OMDb
– Born: Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA (2/17/1900)
– Died: 11/30/1998
– Known for:
— Ann Rutledge in “The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln” (1924)
— Gloria Gordon in “As Man Desires” (1925)
— Mystery in “The Invisible Ray” (1920)Phyllis Applegate
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (5/8/1944)
– Known for:
— Sadie in “Big Momma’s House” (2000)
— Grace in “Insidious: Chapter 3” (2015)
— Aunt Billy in “Black Dynamite” (2009)Ava Deluca-Verley
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (9/27/1989)
– Known for:
— Katy in “The Way Way Back” (2013)
— Katie Fisher in “Growing Up Fisher” (2014)
— April Sharpe in “Ring of Silence” (2019)Kathrine Barnes
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (11/25/1990)
– Known for:
— Rockette in “The Glorias” (2020)
— Amanda Parker in “Your Worst Nightmare” (2019)
— Kimberly Compton in “Murder Calls” (2017)Elizabeth Perry
OMDb
– Born: Cranston, Rhode Island, USA (10/15/1933)
– Known for:
— Jennifer Barham in “The Outer Limits” (1965)
— First Nurse in “Mission: Impossible” (1969)
— Parent in “Taps” (1981)Nadine Stenovitch
OMDb
– Born: Cumberland, Rhode Island, USA (6/12/2021)
– Known for:
— Additional Adult Performer in “Beowulf” (2007)
— Katya Ivanova in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (2000)
— Nicole Dixon in “Beacon Hill” (2004)Kayla Kohla
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (2/19/1992)
– Known for:
— Gabriella Thompson in “Container”
— Bri-Anne ‘Brie’ Kane in “Tiff & Brie” (2018)
— Kelsey in “Witches of the Hollow”Nicole Picard
OMDb
– Born: Rhode Island, USA (10/19/1960)
– Known for:
— Sunev in “Lineage Tribe” (2020)
— Nancy Silverstein in “Surprise!” (2021)
— Wind Chime Shop Owner in “Mapleworth Murders” (2020)Janis Corsair
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (6/18/1948)
– Known for:
— Vito’s Girlfriend in “Goodfellas” (1990)
— Reporter #2 in “Presumed Innocent” (1990)
— Female Usher in “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” (2014)Keri Marrone
OMDb
– Born: Cranston, Rhode Island, USA (8/8/1969)
– Known for:
— Miranda in “The Cleaning Lady” 2018
— Kathy in “Jackson’s Hole” 2021Hollie Winnard
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (3/10/1981)
– Known for:
— Britney in “GCB” (2012)
— Francine in “By Sundown”
— Brittany in “The Republic of Two” (2013)Ann Willis
OMDb
– Born: Cranston, Rhode Island, USA (11/14/1939)
– Died: 6/9/2021
– Known for:
— Jeanette MacDonald in “Train Ride to Hollywood” (1975)
— Rita in “Mission: Impossible” (1971)
— Actress in “The River Pirates” (1988)Dina Cataldi
OMDb
– Born: North Providence, Rhode Island, USA (5/6/1980)
– Known for:
— DMV Clerk in “The Adjustment Bureau” (2011)
— Additional Crew in “The Avengers” (2012)
— Mary Kelly in “Forever” (2014)Rebecca DiPietro
OMDb
– Born: East Providence, Rhode Island, USA (4/14/1979)
– Known for:
— Rebecca in “WWE Smackdown!” (2006)
— Actress in “World’s Sexiest Nude Women” (2007)
— Rebecca DiPietro in “ECW on Sci-Fi” (2006-2007)Dee Dee Myers
OMDb
– Born: Providence, Rhode Island, USA (9/1/1961)
– Known for:
— Additional Crew in “Contact” (1997)
— Additional Crew in “The West Wing” (1999-2005)
— Self – Former White House Press Secretary, Author of Why Women Should Rule the World in “Miss Representation” (2011)Tara Giordano-Dean
OMDb
– Born: Rhode Island, USA (1/24/1983)
– Known for:
— Shana in “Zookeeper” 2011
— Receptionist in “The King of Queens” 2007Lee Lund
OMDb
– Born: Newport, Rhode Island, USA (10/18/1943)
– Known for:
— Chicken Ranch Girl in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (1982)
— Dancer in “Americathon” (1979)
— Self in “Ben Vereen… Comin’ at Ya” (1975)
