Adopted Celebs You Might Not Know About

Adoption has quietly shaped the lives of many well known people across entertainment, sports, and business. Some were adopted at birth while others were taken in by grandparents or family friends after time in foster care. Their stories span different decades and places, yet they share a common start that is often easy to miss behind the fame.

This list gathers notable figures who were adopted and offers clear background on when and by whom they were raised. You will find facts on early years, family details, and how later chapters unfolded, all presented simply so readers can understand each person’s path without guesswork.

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was born in San Francisco and adopted as an infant by Paul and Clara Jobs. His birth parents were university students at the time, and the adoption was arranged soon after his birth. He grew up in the Bay Area with a strong interest in electronics.

As an adult he met members of his birth family, including his sister Mona Simpson. He became the cofounder of Apple and later helped launch Pixar, shaping personal computing and animation in lasting ways.

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie was born Nicole Camilla Escovedo. Lionel Richie and Brenda Harvey took her in when she was young and later completed a legal adoption when she was nine. Her biological father is musician Peter Michael Escovedo and her biological mother is Karen Moss.

She remained connected to both her adoptive and biological families. Nicole gained wide recognition on the reality series ‘The Simple Life’ and later built work in fashion, television, and writing.

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand was adopted as a baby by Noreen and Vernon McDormand. Her adoptive father served as a pastor, and the family moved for church assignments during her childhood.

She studied acting and built a respected film and stage career. She has spoken publicly about her adoption background and family life over the years without placing focus on personal opinions.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx was adopted and raised in Texas by his maternal grandparents. He grew up in their home, took piano lessons, and performed in church, which gave him early musical training.

He later pursued both music and acting. His early start in performance and steady home life set the foundation for work that spans albums, stand up, and major film roles.

Faith Hill

Faith Hill was adopted shortly after birth by Ted and Edna Perry in Mississippi. She grew up in a close family and began singing at local events as a child.

As an adult she located and met her biological mother. She went on to a successful country music career with chart topping albums and global tours.

Keegan Michael Key

Keegan Michael Key was adopted at birth in Detroit by Michael Key and Patricia Walsh. He is biracial and later learned more about his biological parents and extended family.

He studied theater and became a writer and performer. He reached a wide audience through the sketch series ‘Key and Peele’ and continues to work across film, television, and stage.

Kristin Chenoweth

Kristin Chenoweth was adopted days after birth by Jerry and Junie Chenoweth in Oklahoma. She grew up in a supportive home that encouraged music and performance.

She later learned more about her birth family as an adult. On screen she is known for television work including ‘Pushing Daisies’ and ‘Glee’ along with a long Broadway career.

Sarah McLachlan

Sarah McLachlan was adopted in Halifax by Jack and Dorice McLachlan. She studied music as a child and began writing songs at a young age.

She later connected parts of her early story while focusing on her recording and touring schedule. Her career includes multiple Grammy Awards and the creation of the Lilith Fair concert tour.

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert was adopted the day after she was born by actor Paul Gilbert and Barbara Crane. She grew up around the entertainment industry and began acting as a child.

Her breakthrough came with the television series ‘Little House on the Prairie’. She later served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and has written about her family history.

Ray Liotta

Ray Liotta was adopted at six months by Mary and Alfred Liotta in New Jersey. He later learned that his sister was also adopted.

As an adult he located and met members of his birth family. His film work includes roles in ‘Goodfellas’ and ‘Field of Dreams’ along with many television projects.

Snooki

Nicole Polizzi, widely known as Snooki, was born in Santiago in Chile and adopted at six months by Andy and Helen Polizzi. She was raised in New York and New Jersey.

She became a reality television personality through ‘Jersey Shore’ and later starred in ‘Snooki and Jwoww’. She has shared basic details of her adoption background in interviews.

Darryl McDaniels

Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC was adopted in infancy and raised in Hollis in Queens. He grew up in a musical city neighborhood that shaped his early interests.

He learned about his adoption as an adult and went on to search for his birth mother. He has discussed the journey in the song ‘Just Like Me’ and in the documentary ‘DMC My Adoption Journey’.

Simone Biles

Simone Biles was adopted by her grandparents Ronald and Nellie Biles at age six after time in foster care. She moved to Texas and trained in the gym her family later established.

She has explained how family stability supported her training schedule. Her achievements include multiple world titles and Olympic medals in artistic gymnastics.

Jenna Ushkowitz

Jenna Ushkowitz was born in Seoul and adopted at three months by Judi and Brad Ushkowitz. She grew up on Long Island and began performing early.

She became widely known for her role on ‘Glee’. She has also worked as a producer and won a Tony Award for her work on a Broadway revival.

Keyshia Cole

Keyshia Cole was adopted at age two by family friends Leon and Yvonne Cole in Oakland. Her early years included church singing and local studio sessions.

She reunited with her biological parents as an adult. Parts of that process appeared on the reality series ‘Keyshia Cole The Way It Is’, which followed her life and music.

Debbie Harry

Debbie Harry was adopted at three months by Catherine and Richard Harry and raised in New Jersey. She worked in the city while building experience as a singer.

She later located her birth mother as an adult. Debbie became the lead singer of Blondie and recorded a catalog of hit songs with the band.

Jordan Fisher

Jordan Fisher was adopted and raised by his maternal grandparents Rodney and Pat Fisher in Alabama. He began theater and music training in community programs.

He gained a national profile as the winner of ‘Dancing with the Stars’. He has continued with acting roles on television and film and with lead performances on Broadway.

Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman was adopted by W G Coleman and Edmonia Sue Coleman and grew up near Chicago. A talent scout spotted him for television work while he was still a child.

He became one of the most recognizable young actors of his era. His later years included work in film and television and various public appearances.

Larry Ellison

Larry Ellison was born in New York and adopted by his aunt and uncle Lillian and Louis Ellison in Chicago after a serious illness in infancy. He grew up on the South Side and attended local schools.

He later met his birth mother as an adult. He founded Oracle and built one of the largest enterprise software companies in the world.

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick was adopted at five weeks by Rick and Teresa Kaepernick. The family moved from Wisconsin to California during his childhood, and he played multiple sports before focusing on football.

He became quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and led the team to a Super Bowl appearance. He has written the children’s book ‘I Color Myself Different’ about his adoption story and also appeared in the series ‘Colin in Black and White’.

Share which stories surprised you the most and add any others we should include in the comments.