Many famous Philadelphians are famous for being, well, Philadelphians. Everyone knows Will Smith grew up in West Philly, and Benjamin Franklin called our city his home. There are so many famous people from Philadelphia, that many are overlooked! Did you know the following people were from the City of Brotherly Love?
- Noam Chomsky
Wikimedia Commons Noam Chomsky is the father of linguistics and a founder of the discipline of cognitive science. Chomsky was born in Philadelphia and attended the University of Pennsylvania.
- Thomas Eakins
Wikimedia Commons Did you ever stop to think about the name of Eakins Oval? The world famous arts educator and realist painter, Thomas Eakins, lived most of his life in Philadelphia.
- Kevin Bacon
Wikimedia Commons / Gage Skidmore Actor Kevin Bacon was born and raised in Philadelphia. His father was on the city’s planning commission for many years!
- Dick Clark
Flickr / Wikimedia Commons Dick Clark, famous TV host and media icon, wasn’t born in Philadelphia, but he was a notable resident of many years and first rose to fame as a Philadelphia TV personality.
- Richard Gere
Flickr / Neil Grabowsky Not many people realize that Richard Gere is from Philadelphia! He was born and raised here.
- Kevin Hart
Flickr / Eva Rinaldi This famously rowdy comedian and actor was born and raised right here in Philly!
- Grace Kelly
Wikimedia Commons The famous actress and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly, was born and raised in Philadelphia.
- Rob McElhenney
Wikimedia Commons / Gage Skidmore Yes, Mac from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” was, in fact, born and raised here. Maybe that’s why the show he created and starred in seems more like a documentary on life in Philly than a comedy!
- The Bloodhound Gang
Wikimedia Commons Best known for their brazen and… umm… unapologetically cheeky… hit song “The Bad Touch,” this Philadelphia band formed in King of Prussia in the 90s.
- Bob Saget
Flickr / Pemberton Music Festival Bob was born and raised in Philadelphia and is a Temple grad! No wonder he seemed so cool on TV.
- Jean Vander Pyl
Flickr / Fred Seibert Jean Vander Pyl was the voice of Rosie the Robot and Wilma Flintstone! It’s so cool knowing that so many famous people from Philadelphia were a huge part of our childhoods.
- Cinderella
Wikimedia Commons If you ever had any doubt that Philadelphia, as a city, rocked, just take one look at the music that we’ve created! After all, Cinderella is from this town, and they definitely rock.
- Dr. Dog
Wikimedia Commons On the mellower side, Dr. Dog is an indie band that formed in the Philadelphia suburbs with locals from the city and neighboring towns.
- Boys II Men
Wikimedia Commons And the R&B group, Boys II Men, are all Philadelphians. We’ve got this music thing down.
It would take years to list all of the famous people from Philadelphia! The above was just a quick list of those that not many realize are from our lovely city. If you’re interested, though, here’s a quick cheat sheet to pick out others: 7 Ways You Can Always Spot Someone From Philadelphia No Matter Where They Are
Wikimedia Commons
Noam Chomsky is the father of linguistics and a founder of the discipline of cognitive science. Chomsky was born in Philadelphia and attended the University of Pennsylvania.
Wikimedia Commons
Did you ever stop to think about the name of Eakins Oval? The world famous arts educator and realist painter, Thomas Eakins, lived most of his life in Philadelphia.
Wikimedia Commons / Gage Skidmore
Actor Kevin Bacon was born and raised in Philadelphia. His father was on the city’s planning commission for many years!
Flickr / Wikimedia Commons
Dick Clark, famous TV host and media icon, wasn’t born in Philadelphia, but he was a notable resident of many years and first rose to fame as a Philadelphia TV personality.
Flickr / Neil Grabowsky
Not many people realize that Richard Gere is from Philadelphia! He was born and raised here.
Flickr / Eva Rinaldi
This famously rowdy comedian and actor was born and raised right here in Philly!
The famous actress and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly, was born and raised in Philadelphia.
Yes, Mac from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” was, in fact, born and raised here. Maybe that’s why the show he created and starred in seems more like a documentary on life in Philly than a comedy!
Best known for their brazen and… umm… unapologetically cheeky… hit song “The Bad Touch,” this Philadelphia band formed in King of Prussia in the 90s.
Flickr / Pemberton Music Festival
Bob was born and raised in Philadelphia and is a Temple grad! No wonder he seemed so cool on TV.
Flickr / Fred Seibert
Jean Vander Pyl was the voice of Rosie the Robot and Wilma Flintstone! It’s so cool knowing that so many famous people from Philadelphia were a huge part of our childhoods.
If you ever had any doubt that Philadelphia, as a city, rocked, just take one look at the music that we’ve created! After all, Cinderella is from this town, and they definitely rock.
On the mellower side, Dr. Dog is an indie band that formed in the Philadelphia suburbs with locals from the city and neighboring towns.
And the R&B group, Boys II Men, are all Philadelphians. We’ve got this music thing down.
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