20 Best Actors Born in New York

New York has produced a long list of performers who shaped film and television in every era. From borough neighborhoods to upstate towns, these actors built careers filled with acclaimed roles, major awards, and box office records. Here are twenty standouts born in the Empire State, along with the work and milestones that define their careers. Use it as a quick reference to who did what and where they got their start.

Robert De Niro

Born in Manhattan in 1943, Robert De Niro earned Academy Awards for roles in ‘The Godfather Part II’ and ‘Raging Bull’. He is known for frequent collaborations with Martin Scorsese, including ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘Goodfellas’, and ‘The Irishman’. His filmography spans drama and comedy with hits like ‘Meet the Parents’. He also co founded the Tribeca Festival which supports independent filmmaking.

Al Pacino

Al Pacino was born in East Harlem in 1940 and grew up in the Bronx. He won an Academy Award for ‘Scent of a Woman’ and earned nominations for ‘The Godfather’ trilogy and ‘Serpico’. His television work includes ‘Angels in America’, which brought him an Emmy. He has also appeared on Broadway throughout his career.

Denzel Washington

Born in Mount Vernon in 1954, Denzel Washington has two Academy Awards for ‘Glory’ and ‘Training Day’. He has starred in films such as ‘Malcolm X’, ‘Philadelphia’, and ‘Fences’. His stage work includes Tony Award recognition for ‘Fences’. He continues to direct and produce in addition to acting.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise was born in Syracuse in 1962. His long running franchise ‘Mission Impossible’ has grossed billions worldwide. Major credits include ‘Top Gun’, ‘A Few Good Men’, and ‘Jerry Maguire’. He has received multiple Academy Award nominations and is known for performing extensive stunt work.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway was born in Brooklyn in 1982. She won an Academy Award for ‘Les Misérables’ and starred in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ and ‘Interstellar’. Her credits also include ‘Rachel Getting Married’ which brought another Oscar nomination. She works across drama, comedy, and family films.

Scarlett Johansson

Born in Manhattan in 1984, Scarlett Johansson has appeared in independent films and major franchises. She received two Academy Award nominations in the same year for ‘Marriage Story’ and ‘Jojo Rabbit’. She plays Natasha Romanoff in multiple Marvel titles including ‘Black Widow’. Her voice work in ‘Her’ expanded her range on screen.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez was born in the Bronx in 1969. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for ‘Selena’ and later starred in ‘Out of Sight’ and ‘Hustlers’. Her television work includes ‘Shades of Blue’. She also serves as a producer on many projects.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. was born in Manhattan in 1965. He won an Academy Award for ‘Oppenheimer’ and earned an earlier nomination for ‘Chaplin’. His portrayal of Tony Stark in ‘Iron Man’ launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has worked in television and streaming projects in addition to films.

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Born in Fairport in 1967, Philip Seymour Hoffman won an Academy Award for ‘Capote’. He received additional nominations for ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’, ‘Doubt’, and ‘The Master’. His stage work earned multiple Tony Award nominations. He also directed ‘Jack Goes Boating’.

Christopher Walken

Christopher Walken was born in Astoria, Queens in 1943. He won an Academy Award for ‘The Deer Hunter’. His filmography includes ‘Catch Me If You Can’, ‘Hairspray’, and ‘King of New York’. He has also appeared in television projects like ‘Severance’.

Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler was born in Brooklyn in 1966. He gained national attention on ‘Saturday Night Live’ before leading films such as ‘Happy Gilmore’ and ‘The Waterboy’. His dramatic roles include ‘Punch Drunk Love’ and ‘Uncut Gems’. He runs a successful production company that develops film and television projects.

Steve Buscemi

Steve Buscemi was born in Brooklyn in 1957. He is known for films like ‘Fargo’, ‘Reservoir Dogs’, and ‘The Big Lebowski’. His television work includes a Golden Globe winning role in ‘Boardwalk Empire’. He has directed episodes of series including ‘The Sopranos’.

Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci was born in Peekskill in 1960. He earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Lovely Bones’. His credits include ‘Big Night’, ‘Spotlight’, and ‘The Hunger Games’. He has written and directed films and published books on food and cooking.

Adrien Brody

Adrien Brody was born in Manhattan in 1973. He won an Academy Award for ‘The Pianist’. His filmography features ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’, ‘King Kong’, and ‘Blonde’. He has also appeared in series such as ‘Succession’ and ‘Peaky Blinders’.

Harvey Keitel

Harvey Keitel was born in Brooklyn in 1939. He collaborated with Martin Scorsese on ‘Mean Streets’, ‘Taxi Driver’, and ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’. His roles include ‘Reservoir Dogs’, ‘Pulp Fiction’, and ‘The Piano’. He serves as co founder of the Actors Studio branch in Los Angeles.

James Caan

James Caan was born in the Bronx in 1940. He earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Godfather’. Other notable films include ‘Misery’, ‘Thief’, and ‘Elf’. He worked steadily in film and television for decades.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin was born in Amityville in 1958. He won multiple Emmys and Golden Globes for ’30 Rock’. His film credits include ‘The Departed’, ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’, and ‘The Hunt for Red October’. He has hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’ numerous times.

Sigourney Weaver

Sigourney Weaver was born in Manhattan in 1949. She earned Academy Award nominations for ‘Aliens’, ‘Gorillas in the Mist’, and ‘Working Girl’. She leads the ‘Alien’ franchise as Ellen Ripley. Her recent work includes roles in ‘Avatar’ films and various television projects.

Claire Danes

Claire Danes was born in Manhattan in 1979. She won multiple Emmys for ‘Homeland’. Her early breakout came with ‘My So Called Life’. Film credits include ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘The Hours’.

Timothée Chalamet

Timothée Chalamet was born in Manhattan in 1995. He earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Call Me by Your Name’. Major roles include ‘Dune’, ‘Little Women’, and ‘Wonka’. He works in both studio productions and independent films.

Share your picks for New York born actors we should add in the comments.