You might already know that Oscar-winning actor Jennifer Lawrence is from Derby City, but she’s not the only Louisvillian to grace the silver screen.
Here are a few more Hollywood stars who got their start here in LOU.
Jennifer Carpenter
“The Exorcism of Emily Rose” star Jennifer Carpenter was born and raised in Louisville. She attended Sacred Heart Academy and got her on-stage start at the Walden Conservatory, which is currently accepting applications for its spring and summer camps, if you have a future movie star of your own at home.
Irene Dunne
Lawrence might be Louisville’s only Oscar-winning actor, but Irene Dunne came close. Dunne was born in Louisville in 1898, though she moved to Indiana at the age of 14. She was nominated for no fewer than five Best Actress in a Leading Role awards between 1931 and 1949:
- “Cimarron,” 1931 (which won Best Picture that year)
- “Theodora Goes Wild,” 1937
- “The Awful Truth,” 1938
- “Love Affair,” 1940
- “I Remember Mama,” 1949
She never took home the statue, though.
Warren Oates
The grizzled character actor was born in Western Kentucky, but grew up in Louisville and attended Male High School. He got his acting start with UofL’s Little Theatre Company, and just this year, Muhlenberg County designated a stretch of US Route 62 the Warren Oates Memorial Highway.
Fun fact: Oates played Sgt. Hulka in “Stripes,” which was partially shot in Louisville.
Ned Beatty
You might not know this Louisvillian’s name, but you probably know his voice. Beatty sang in St. Matthews gospel and barber shop groups, and even performed with Louisville’s Shakespeare in Central Park. He had a long career of supporting roles in Hollywood, but you might know him as the voice of the villainous Lots-o'-Huggin-Bear in “Toy Story 3.”
Bonus: While acting isn’t Jack Harlow’s first talent, he did star in the reboot film “White Men Can’t Jump” in 2023.
