20 Best Actors Born in Chicago

Chicago has produced a remarkable range of screen talent, from blockbuster leads to character actors who elevate every project they join. The city’s performers have anchored beloved comedies, headlined dramatic epics, and helped shape sketch and improv into television institutions. Many of them carry trophies from the biggest award shows and show up across decades of film and TV history. Here are twenty Chicago born actors whose work left a clear mark on screens big and small.

Harrison Ford

Born in Chicago, Harrison Ford became a global box office mainstay with iconic roles in ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’. He carried long running franchises like ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Blade Runner’ while also leading dramas such as ‘Witness’ and ‘The Fugitive’. His films have crossed the billion dollar mark across multiple decades. He has received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for his dramatic work.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams was born in Chicago before rising through stand up and ‘Mork and Mindy’. He won an Academy Award for ‘Good Will Hunting’ and delivered acclaimed performances in ‘Dead Poets Society’ and ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’. His voice work as the Genie in ‘Aladdin’ set a benchmark for animated features. He balanced comedy with drama across a long filmography that spans family hits and adult oriented stories.

Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson was born in Chicago and became widely known for ‘The X Files’. She expanded her range with period pieces like ‘Bleak House’ and ‘The Crown’ and the contemporary series ‘Sex Education’. Her stage and screen work has earned Emmy, Golden Globe, and Olivier recognition. She continues to split time between television, film, and theatre with a consistent slate of acclaimed roles.

Bernie Mac

Chicago native Bernie Mac turned stand up success into a screen career with ‘The Bernie Mac Show’. He appeared in ensemble hits like ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ and ‘Bad Santa’ and headlined comedy features including ‘Mr. 3000’. His series won a Peabody Award and earned multiple Emmy nominations. He remained a central figure in films and television until his passing in 2008.

John Belushi

John Belushi was born in Chicago and helped define modern sketch comedy through ‘Saturday Night Live’. He led ‘National Lampoon’s Animal House’ and formed a music to film crossover with ‘The Blues Brothers’. His physical comedy and musical performances influenced later SNL casts. His work is closely tied to the rise of Chicago’s Second City pipeline to national TV.

Jim Belushi

Jim Belushi, born in Chicago, built a steady career in film and television after early work with Second City. He starred in the sitcom ‘According to Jim’ and appeared in features like ‘About Last Night’ and ‘Red Heat’. His voice acting includes ‘Hoodwinked’ and other animated projects. He remains a familiar presence across TV guest roles and ensemble films.

Dennis Farina

Dennis Farina was born in Chicago and served as a city police officer before turning to acting. He brought authenticity to crime dramas such as ‘Crime Story’ and ‘Law and Order’. His film work includes ‘Get Shorty’, ‘Saving Private Ryan’, and ‘Manhunter’. He frequently portrayed detectives and tough characters with a distinct Chicago cadence.

Joe Mantegna

Joe Mantegna, born in Chicago, earned a Tony Award for ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ and moved seamlessly into film and TV. He appears in ‘The Godfather Part III’, ‘House of Games’, and provides the voice of Fat Tony in ‘The Simpsons’. He starred in ‘Criminal Minds’ for many seasons as David Rossi. He is also a longtime advocate for theatre through Chicago’s vibrant stage community.

John C. Reilly

John C. Reilly was born in Chicago and is known for versatility across ‘Magnolia’, ‘Gangs of New York’, and ‘Step Brothers’. He received an Academy Award nomination for ‘Chicago’ and later embodied the racing legend in ‘Winning Time’ through a producer role and on screen presence. His credits include music infused performances in ‘Walk Hard’. He continually shifts between comedy and drama with equal ease.

Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard, born in Chicago, earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Hustle and Flow’. He appeared in major releases like ‘Crash’ and ‘Iron Man’ and led the TV hit ‘Empire’. His work spans independent features and studio films with frequent music related roles. He remains active across film and television with lead and ensemble parts.

Jennifer Beals

Jennifer Beals was born in Chicago and broke out with ‘Flashdance’. She has continued with television work in ‘The L Word’ and ‘The L Word: Generation Q’ and appeared in projects like ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’. Her career includes a mix of studio films and independent features. She is also known for recurring roles on network and streaming series.

Raquel Welch

Raquel Welch, born in Chicago, became a major film star with ‘One Million Years B.C.’ and ‘Fantastic Voyage’. She later won a Golden Globe for ‘The Three Musketeers’. Her career included television movies, variety specials, and stage appearances. She remained a pop culture figure associated with adventure films and glamorous roles.

Michael Clarke Duncan

Michael Clarke Duncan was born in Chicago and earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Green Mile’. He appeared in ‘Armageddon’, ‘The Whole Nine Yards’, and ‘Sin City’. His deep voice led to frequent animation and video game roles. He worked across action, drama, and comedy until his passing in 2012.

Harold Ramis

Harold Ramis, born in Chicago, combined writing, directing, and acting through ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Stripes’. He co wrote and directed hits such as ‘Groundhog Day’ and ‘Caddyshack’. His performances often supported ensembles while his behind the camera work shaped modern comedy. He maintained strong ties to Chicago’s improv scene throughout his career.

Bonnie Hunt

Bonnie Hunt was born in Chicago and came up through nursing and improv before moving to screen work. She created and starred in ‘The Bonnie Hunt Show’ and appeared in ‘Jumanji’, ‘Jerry Maguire’, and ‘The Green Mile’. Her voice roles include ‘Cars’ and ‘Monsters, Inc.’ across several Pixar titles. She has also written and directed features such as ‘Return to Me’.

Marilu Henner

Marilu Henner, born in Chicago, became widely known for ‘Taxi’. She has extensive stage credits and continued TV work in series like ‘Evening Shade’ and a slate of TV movies. Her film appearances include ‘L.A. Story’ and ‘Johnny Dangerously’. She remains active with acting, hosting, and author projects.

Tom Bosley

Tom Bosley was born in Chicago and is closely associated with ‘Happy Days’. He won a Tony Award for ‘Fiorello!’ before moving into television stardom. Later work included ‘Murder, She Wrote’ and the ‘Father Dowling Mysteries’. He balanced stage, film, and TV for decades with steady recurring roles.

Bob Balaban

Bob Balaban, born in Chicago, has acted in ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ and ‘Gosford Park’. He frequently collaborates with Christopher Guest in ensemble comedies like ‘Best in Show’. His television appearances include ‘Seinfeld’ and ‘The Chair’. He also directs and produces, adding off screen credits to a long acting résumé.

George Wendt

George Wendt was born in Chicago and became a television fixture as Norm on ‘Cheers’. He appeared in films such as ‘Fletch’ and made guest turns on numerous sitcoms. His stage work includes Broadway and regional theatre productions. He remains a recognizable figure tied to one of TV’s most enduring ensembles.

Aidan Quinn

Aidan Quinn, born in Chicago, built a film career with ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’, ‘Legends of the Fall’, and ‘Michael Collins’. He led television projects such as ‘Elementary’ in a long running role. His credits span independent films and historical dramas. He continues to work across genres with steady leading and supporting parts.

Share your favorite Chicago born performances in the comments and tell us who you would add to the list.