Celebs You Didn’t Know Were Adopted

Many famous figures in the entertainment industry come from non-traditional family backgrounds that include adoption or kinship care. Some were adopted at birth by unrelated families while others were raised by grandparents or other relatives who legally adopted them later in life. These personal histories often remain private until the celebrities choose to share their stories in interviews or memoirs. The following list explores forty well-known individuals who were adopted and provides details about their specific family circumstances.

Jamie Foxx

This Academy Award winner was born in Texas and adopted shortly after his birth by his maternal grandparents. His biological parents were not part of his upbringing and he was raised entirely by his grandmother Esther Marie and his grandfather Mark Talley. Foxx has frequently credited his grandmother as the most influential person in his life who encouraged his artistic talents. She ensured he took piano lessons which eventually paved the way for his role in ‘Ray’ and his music career.

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie was legally adopted by music legend Lionel Richie and his then wife Brenda Harvey when she was nine years old. Her biological parents were friends with Lionel and they agreed to let the Richies care for Nicole because they were unable to provide for her financially. She moved in with the Richie family at the age of three before the adoption was finalized years later. The reality star has maintained that her biological parents made the choice solely to give her a better life.

Ray Liotta

The star of ‘Goodfellas’ was adopted at the age of six months by Mary and Alfred Liotta after being placed in a New Jersey orphanage. He grew up knowing he was adopted and eventually hired a private investigator to locate his biological mother in the early 2000s. The search was successful and he learned he had one full sister and five half siblings. He discovered his heritage was mostly Scottish rather than Italian as he had assumed during his childhood.

Faith Hill

Country superstar Faith Hill was adopted as an infant by Ted and Edna Perry and raised in a strict Christian household in Mississippi. She always knew she was adopted and eventually searched for her biological family as an adult. She located her birth mother and discovered that her biological parents had eventually married each other and had another child. This revelation meant she had a full brother she had never known about until that reunion.

Steve Jobs

The cofounder of Apple was adopted at birth by Paul and Clara Jobs in California. His biological parents were Joanne Schieble and Abdulfattah Jandali who gave him up because Schieble’s father did not approve of their relationship. Jobs later connected with his biological sister Mona Simpson but he rarely spoke about his biological parents publicly. He always referred to Paul and Clara as his only true parents throughout his life.

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand was born in Illinois and was adopted by a Disciples of Christ pastor and his wife. Her adoptive parents also fostered several other children during her childhood which created a large and diverse family environment. She moved frequently due to her father’s work as a minister before the family eventually settled in Pennsylvania. The actress has stated that her experience in a working class religious family grounded her approach to her career.

Keegan-Michael Key

This comedian and actor was adopted at birth by social workers Michael Key and Patricia Walsh. He was born in Michigan to a white mother and a black father which mirrored the racial makeup of his adoptive parents. He connected with his biological mother at the age of twenty five and discovered he had two half brothers who had both died. Key has spoken openly about the complexities of being a biracial adoptee in America.

Kristin Chenoweth

Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth was adopted when she was just five days old by Junie and Jerry Chenoweth in Oklahoma. She has known about her adoption for her entire life and often speaks about the unconditional love she received from her parents. In recent years she investigated her biological roots and found out she shares musical talent with her biological father. She has described her adoption as a blessing that gave her the life she has today.

Debbie Harry

The lead singer of the band Blondie was adopted at a few months old by Richard and Catherine Harry. She grew up in New Jersey and fantasized that her biological mother was Marilyn Monroe during her youth. In her adulthood she tracked down her birth mother who unfortunately refused to meet with her. Harry has said that being adopted gave her a sense of independence and freedom that fueled her artistic persona.

Colin Kaepernick

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick was adopted by Rick and Teresa Kaepernick when he was five weeks old. His biological mother decided to place him for adoption after his biological father separated from her before Colin was born. The Kaepernicks had lost two sons to heart defects and were eager to expand their family. He has always been very close with his adoptive parents and they have supported his activism publicly.

Simone Biles

Gymnastics legend Simone Biles was adopted by her maternal grandfather Ron Biles and his wife Nellie. Simone and her younger sister were placed in foster care because their biological mother struggled with substance abuse issues. Ron and Nellie intervened to ensure the girls stayed with family and officially adopted them in Texas. Biles considers Nellie and Ron to be her mother and father in every sense of the word.

Snooki

Nicole Polizzi who is better known as Snooki was born in Santiago Chile and adopted by Italian American parents when she was six months old. Her adoptive parents flew to Chile to pick her up and brought her back to New Jersey. She was an only child and her father worked as a volunteer firefighter while her mother managed an office. She has expressed interest in visiting Chile to learn more about her birth culture but considers herself fully Italian American.

Michael Bay

Director Michael Bay was adopted as an infant and raised in Los Angeles by a bookstore owner and a child psychiatrist. He spent much of his childhood making amateur films with an 8mm camera his parents gave him. Bay eventually searched for his biological mother and learned that he might have a genetic connection to a famous director. He has largely kept the details of his biological family private and focuses on his work in blockbuster cinema.

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert was adopted just one day after she was born by actor Paul Gilbert and his wife Barbara Crane. She grew up in the entertainment industry which led to her landing the role of Laura Ingalls in ‘Little House on the Prairie’. Her adoptive father passed away when she was eleven years old which had a profound impact on her life. She later discovered that her biological parents had been a dancer and a sign painter who had three children before her.

Dean Cain

The actor known for playing Superman was born Dean George Tanaka but was adopted by director Christopher Cain when he was a young child. His biological father left the family and his mother married Christopher Cain who legally adopted Dean and his brother. Dean took his stepfather’s surname and considers him his true father. He has stated in interviews that Christopher Cain is the man who taught him how to be a man.

Sarah McLachlan

Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan was adopted in Nova Scotia by Jack and Dorice McLachlan. She discovered she was adopted at the age of nine but says it never made her feel different or less loved. She met her biological mother later in life and described the meeting as pleasant but not life changing. McLachlan remains very close to her adoptive family and credits them for supporting her musical education.

George Lopez

Comedian George Lopez was raised by his maternal grandmother Benita Gutierrez and her husband Refugio. His biological father left when he was an infant and his biological mother left him in the care of his grandmother when he was ten years old. His grandmother became his legal guardian and raised him in a strict household in California. Lopez often uses the stories from his upbringing with his grandmother as material for his standup comedy routines.

Ice-T

Rapper and actor Ice-T was born Tracy Marrow and lost both his parents to heart attacks when he was a child. After the death of his father he was sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Los Angeles. His aunt and uncle raised him during his teenage years and became his legal guardians. This move from New Jersey to Los Angeles introduced him to the culture that would later influence his rap career.

Jack Nicholson

Jack Nicholson grew up believing his grandmother was his mother and his mother June was his older sister. He did not discover the truth until a journalist researched his family history for a magazine profile in the seventies. By the time he learned the secret both his mother and grandmother had passed away. He was raised in a loving home despite the deception and has said the revelation was dramatic but not traumatizing.

Bill Clinton

The forty second President of the United States was born William Jefferson Blythe III but his father died in a car accident before he was born. His mother married Roger Clinton when Bill was four years old and Roger adopted him. Bill formally changed his last name to Clinton as a teenager to show solidarity with his younger half brother. He has written extensively about his complex relationship with his stepfather in his memoirs.

JC Chasez

NSYNC member JC Chasez was born to a young mother who entrusted him to the care of her former foster parents. Roy and Karen Chasez fostered JC initially and then legally adopted him when he was five years old. He grew up in Maryland and his adoptive mother encouraged him to pursue dance and music. He has always referred to Roy and Karen as his parents and maintains a close relationship with them.

Lana Condor

Actress Lana Condor was born in Vietnam and lived in an orphanage before being adopted by an American couple. Her father Bob Condor is a journalist who brought her to the United States when she was an infant. She grew up in Chicago and Washington before moving to California to pursue acting. Condor has recently traveled back to Vietnam with her family to explore her heritage and support education programs for girls.

Jenna Ushkowitz

The ‘Glee’ actress was born in Seoul South Korea and was adopted at three months old by an American family. She was raised in New York where her parents supported her interest in performing arts from a young age. Ushkowitz has been very open about her adoption story and has worked with organizations that support Korean adoptees. She believes her adoption was destiny and speaks fondly of her upbringing in the United States.

Scott Hamilton

Olympic figure skater Scott Hamilton was adopted at six weeks old by Dorothy and Ernest Hamilton. His adoptive parents were educators who encouraged him to be active to combat a childhood illness that stunted his growth. He has said that being chosen by his parents gave him a strong sense of self worth. Hamilton later learned his biological history but has always emphasized that the Hamiltons are his real family.

Tommy Davidson

Comedian Tommy Davidson was abandoned in a pile of trash as an infant and was rescued by a woman who became his adoptive mother. He was adopted by a white family and grew up with two white siblings during a racially tense era in America. Davidson has spoken about the challenges and unique perspective he gained from being a black child in a white family. His standup comedy often touches on these experiences with humor and honesty.

Keyshia Cole

R&B singer Keyshia Cole was adopted by family friends Yvonne and Leon Cole when she was two years old. Her biological mother struggled with drug addiction and was unable to care for her. Cole reunited with her biological family as an adult and documented the complex relationship on her reality television shows. She has worked hard to maintain relationships with both her adoptive and biological families over the years.

Gary Coleman

The ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ star was adopted as an infant by Edmonia Sue and W.G. Coleman in Illinois. He suffered from a kidney condition that halted his growth which became one of his defining physical characteristics. His relationship with his adoptive parents became strained later in life due to financial disputes involving his earnings. Despite the conflicts he was raised entirely by the Colemans during his rise to fame.

Trace Cyrus

Musician Trace Cyrus was adopted by country singer Billy Ray Cyrus after Billy Ray married Trace’s mother Tish. Trace was a young child when the marriage took place and he took the Cyrus surname. He grew up touring with his father and eventually started his own music career with the band Metro Station. He is the older brother of Miley Cyrus and they share a close sibling bond.

Richard Burton

The legendary Welsh actor was born Richard Jenkins but was effectively adopted by his schoolmaster Philip Burton. Philip Burton became his legal guardian and mentor after realizing the young boy’s immense potential. Richard took Philip’s last name and credited the teacher with refining his voice and acting technique. This mentorship transformed Richard Jenkins into the Richard Burton known to the world.

Priscilla Presley

Priscilla Presley was born Priscilla Wagner but her biological father died in a plane crash when she was an infant. Her mother remarried a United States Air Force officer named Paul Beaulieu who legally adopted Priscilla. She grew up traveling to various air bases due to her stepfather’s career which eventually led her to Germany where she met Elvis. She used the name Beaulieu until she married into the Presley family.

Liz Phair

Singer Liz Phair was born in Connecticut and adopted at birth by Nancy and John Phair. Her adoptive father was an infectious disease specialist and her mother was a museologist. She was raised in a wealthy suburb of Chicago and attended Oberlin College. Phair has mentioned that being adopted gave her a feeling of being an observer which influenced her songwriting style.

Alonzo Mourning

Basketball Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning was placed in foster care when he was ten years old after his parents divorced. He was raised by a foster mother named Fannie Threet who had cared for nearly fifty children over the years. Mourning considers Threet his mother and credits her with providing the stability he needed to succeed. He eventually retired to Florida to be close to her and supports foster care charities.

Daunte Culpepper

Former NFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper was born to a mother who was in prison at the time of his birth. He was adopted when he was one day old by Emma Culpepper who worked at the correctional facility. Emma raised him as a single mother in Florida along with more than a dozen other children she fostered. He has frequently expressed his gratitude for her dedication and love throughout his life.

Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels

Darryl McDaniels of the hip hop group Run-DMC did not know he was adopted until he was thirty five years old. He discovered the truth while writing his autobiography and asking his parents for details about his birth. He learned he had been adopted at three months old and eventually tracked down his biological mother. This discovery inspired him to found an organization that helps foster children.

Dave Thomas

The founder of Wendy’s was adopted at six weeks old by Rex and Auleva Thomas. His adoptive mother died when he was five and he spent much of his childhood traveling with his adoptive father looking for work. He credited his own experience in the system as the motivation for creating the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. His foundation focuses on finding permanent homes for children in foster care.

Jordan Fisher

Actor and singer Jordan Fisher was born to a teenage mother who struggled with substance abuse. He was legally adopted by his maternal grandparents Rodney and Pat Fisher when he was eleven years old. They raised him from birth and he refers to them as mom and dad. Fisher often speaks about how their intervention saved his life and allowed him to pursue his dreams.

Ric Flair

Professional wrestler Ric Flair was born in Memphis and was adopted from the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. He was adopted by Richard and Kathleen Fliehr who took him to live in Minnesota. Later investigations revealed the agency was involved in a black market baby ring scandal. Flair has stated in his biography that he has no interest in finding his biological parents.

Greg Louganis

Olympic diver Greg Louganis was adopted at nine months old by Peter and Frances Louganis. His biological parents were teenage students who felt they could not raise a child at that time. He faced challenges growing up due to his asthma and dyslexia but found solace in gymnastics and diving. Louganis reconnected with his biological father later in life after his adoptive parents had passed away.

Edward Albee

The famous playwright behind ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ was adopted at two weeks old by Reed and Frances Albee. His adoptive family was very wealthy and owned a chain of vaudeville theaters. He had a difficult relationship with his conservative adoptive mother which influenced many of his plays. Albee was estranged from his family for many years but the adoption provided him with a privileged education.

Truman Capote

The author of ‘In Cold Blood’ was born Truman Streckfus Persons but his parents divorced when he was young. His mother remarried a Cuban businessman named Joe Capote who legally adopted Truman. He took his stepfather’s surname and moved to New York City where he attended private schools. Although his relationship with his mother was volatile the adoption gave him the name he would make famous in literature.

Please leave a comment below telling us which celebrity adoption story surprised you the most.