20 Best Actors Born in Phoenix

Arizona’s capital has quietly produced a surprising number of screen and stage standouts who have shaped everything from superhero hits to acclaimed indie dramas. From headlining network comedies to earning places in beloved franchises, these actors show how versatile Phoenix roots can be. Here are twenty performers with connections to the Valley whose work spans blockbuster films, prestige television, voice acting, and Broadway.

Lynda Carter

Best known worldwide for playing the title role in the classic series ‘Wonder Woman’, Lynda Carter became a lasting pop culture icon. She later returned to superhero territory with appearances in the Arrowverse and in ‘Supergirl’. Her film work includes roles in ‘Sky High’ and a cameo in ‘Wonder Woman 1984’. Beyond acting, she has recorded albums and performed live concerts to strong audiences.

Mare Winningham

Mare Winningham built a long career in film and television with acclaimed work in ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’, ‘Georgia’, and ‘Miracle Mile’. She earned major recognition for limited series and anthology projects including ‘American Horror Story’ and ‘The Outsider’. On stage, she received Tony attention for ‘Girl From the North Country’. She is widely respected for grounded character roles across drama and thriller projects.

Alexandra Shipp

Alexandra Shipp broke out portraying Storm in the ‘X-Men’ films and added high profile roles in ‘Love, Simon’ and ‘Barbie’. She starred in the musical drama ‘tick, tick… BOOM!’ with standout vocal work. Her TV credits include ‘Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B’ and guest roles on network series. She balances franchise projects with indie features and music driven stories.

Haley Lu Richardson

Haley Lu Richardson drew notice with ‘The Edge of Seventeen’ and led powerful dramas like ‘Columbus’ and ‘The Fallout’. She reached global audiences with the ensemble of ‘The White Lotus’. Additional credits include ‘Five Feet Apart’ and voice work in animated projects. Her filmography spans intimate character studies and commercially successful titles.

Kaitlyn Dever

Kaitlyn Dever’s early run on ‘Justified’ and ‘Last Man Standing’ set up a strong transition into leading roles. She headlined ‘Booksmart’ and earned praise for ‘Unbelievable’. Recent projects include ‘No One Will Save You’ and appearances in event series. She continues to move between comedy and suspense with ease.

Kimiko Glenn

Kimiko Glenn became a fan favorite as Brook Soso in ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She expanded into voice acting with prominent roles in ‘Spider-Man’ animation entries and ‘Dawn of the Croods’. Additional TV work includes ‘The Guest Book’ and ‘Liza on Demand’. She also maintains a presence in theater and musical recordings.

Chelsea Kane

Chelsea Kane starred on Disney Channel’s ‘Jonas’ and ‘Baby Daddy’, building a loyal sitcom audience. She has voiced characters in animated series such as ‘Fish Hooks’. Her career includes TV movies, reality competition appearances, and music features tied to her shows. She remains active in family friendly programming and multicam comedy.

Matt Dallas

Matt Dallas is best known for the lead role in ‘Kyle XY’, a series that developed a dedicated sci-fi fan base. His subsequent work spans indie features and guest roles on network TV. He has appeared in holiday films and genre projects for streaming platforms. Dallas also engages with audiences through personal projects and advocacy.

Amy Davidson

Amy Davidson became widely recognized for playing Kerry on ‘8 Simple Rules’. She followed with recurring TV roles and guest appearances on procedural and family comedies. Her career includes television movies and voiceover work. Davidson also contributes lifestyle writing and outreach tied to parenting and wellness.

Josh McDermitt

Josh McDermitt won attention as Eugene Porter on ‘The Walking Dead’, bringing humor and heart to the long running series. He has worked in stand-up and radio in addition to screen roles. His credits include ‘Retired at 35’ and appearances on various comedy shows. McDermitt continues to appear at conventions and fan events connected to genre television.

Ashly Burch

Ashly Burch is a prolific voice actor and writer known for Aloy in ‘Horizon Zero Dawn’ and for roles in ‘Life Is Strange’. On television she starred in ‘Mythic Quest’ and contributed to writers rooms for animated series. Her voice work spans ‘Adventure Time’, ‘Critical Role’ projects, and numerous games. She frequently appears at industry panels about performance and narrative design.

Jordin Sparks

Jordin Sparks parlayed music success into screen roles with appearances in ‘Sparkle’ and guest spots on television dramas and comedies. She has performed on stage in touring productions and special concerts. Film and TV projects often integrate her vocal talent with acting. She continues to balance recording releases with scripted work.

Krystina Alabado

Krystina Alabado earned Broadway credits in ‘Mean Girls’ and ‘American Idiot’ and then expanded to television guest roles. She appears in musical series and streaming dramas that showcase both acting and singing. Her concert work highlights contemporary musical theater composers. She is active in workshops for new stage productions.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone rose to stardom with ‘Easy A’ and has headlined acclaimed films such as ‘La La Land’ and ‘Poor Things’. She joined ensemble hits like ‘Zombieland’ and ‘The Help’. Television work includes ‘Maniac’ and a return to sketch comedy as a frequent host. She also produces projects through a growing slate of collaborations.

Frankie Muniz

Frankie Muniz became a household name with ‘Malcolm in the Middle’. He led films like ‘Agent Cody Banks’ and worked on indie features and TV guest spots. Outside acting he pursued professional racing and entertainment business ventures. He continues to make appearances tied to nostalgia programming and reunions.

Heather Morris

Heather Morris broke out as Brittany on ‘Glee’, pairing comedic timing with dance driven performances. She has appeared in TV movies and guest starred on mystery and anthology shows. Her background as a professional dancer includes touring with major pop acts. She remains active in live performance and podcast projects.

Danielle Fishel

Danielle Fishel is closely associated with Topanga from ‘Boy Meets World’ and later ‘Girl Meets World’. She has hosted talk and clip shows and directed episodic television. Film credits include teen comedies and made for TV features. Fishel also produces podcasts and specialty content focused on nostalgia and behind the scenes stories.

Kellan Lutz

Kellan Lutz gained widespread recognition in the ‘Twilight’ series and continued with action titles like ‘The Legend of Hercules’. He starred in the procedural ‘FBI Most Wanted’. Other credits include ensemble thrillers and faith based dramas. Lutz also supports charitable initiatives connected to children’s health and anti trafficking work.

Aidy Bryant

Aidy Bryant became widely known through her long run on ‘Saturday Night Live’ where she played lead roles in sketches and recurring characters. She co created and starred in ‘Shrill’ and also served as an executive producer on the series. Her feature work includes supporting parts in ‘The Big Sick’ and ‘I Feel Pretty’ alongside guest roles in shows like ‘Girls’ and ‘Broad City’. She has voice credits in animated projects such as ‘Human Resources’ and ‘Danger & Eggs’ and continues to develop scripted comedy for television.

Share your favorite Phoenix born performers in the comments and tell us who you think should be added next.