Source: Michael S. Schwartz, Frank Trapper, Jason Miller from Getty / Getty
Ohio may not scream “celebrity hotspot,” but don’t let that fool you. From massive mansions in Bratenahl and Indian Hill to hidden retreats throughout the suburbs, a surprising number of stars and sports legends either live here now or have called the Buckeye State home.
Some have stayed here close to their roots, moved here for peace and privacy, or planted a flag during their time anywhere between Cleveland and Cincinnati. But one thing’s for certain: these celebs prove you don’t need to stay in Hollywood to live large. Some still quietly blend into the local scene, others left behind jaw-dropping real estate.
Scroll on to see which big names are (or were) living right here in Ohio.
The Russo brothers, best known for directing blockbuster Marvel films, were born and raised in Cleveland and even shot scenes from Captain America: The Winter Soldier in their hometown.
15. Fred Willard
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Comedy legend Fred Willard was born and raised in Shaker Heights, where his signature wit first took shape before he hit it big in Hollywood.
16. Paul Newman
Oscar-winning actor and philanthropist Paul Newman was born in Shaker Heights, where his early years laid the foundation for a legendary career on and off the screen.
17. Yvette Nicole Brown
The Community star was raised in Warrensville Heights.
18. Phil Donahue
Trailblazing talk-show host, born and raised near Cleveland, and a 1953 alum of St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio
19. Arsenio Hall
The iconic late-night host and comedian grew up in Cleveland and graduated from Warrensville Heights High School in 1973 before rising to fame with The Arsenio Hall Show
20. Omarosa Manigault Newman
The reality TV star is from Youngstown, OH and graduated from one of OH’s HBCU’s, Central State University, before moving to Washington D.C.
21. Sarah Jessica Parker
Ms. Carrie Bradshaw is a proud Ohioan. Born in Nelsonville, raised in Cincinnati— SJP lived a classic Cincinnati life before moving to NYC at 11. She attended to School for Creative & Performing Arts and also participated in Cincinnati Ballet activities. SJP says she visits “often” and it’s an “exciting” city.
22. Neil Armstrong
The American astronaut was bred right in Washington Township, Ohio in 1930. At age 6, the Moon Landing Man experienced his first flight in Warren. His family’s relocated further north in 1944 to Wapakoneta, where Armstrong attended Blume HS and took flying lessons. Armstrong also settled here in Fairfield, a Cincinnati suburb, and died at Mercy Health.
23. Simone Biles
Olympian Simone Biles was born in Columbus, OH. In 2003, she was adopted by her grandparents and moved to Houston, TX.
24. Ken Griffey Jr.
The baseball legend moved to Cincinnati, OH in 1973 during his famous father’s MLB debut. Jr. remained in Cincy, attended Moeller High School (alongside future teammate Barry Larkin), and joined the Cincinnati Reds himself in 2000.
25. Nick & Drew Lachey
The Lachey Brothers are known for frequenting their Cincy hometown often. The 98 Degrees brothers attended Clovernook Elementary School (Cincinnati suburb of North College Hill), and the School for Creative and Performing Arts. Nick Lachey attended Miami University in Oxford. Nick also got his professional singing start at Kings Island!
26. Bill Cobbs
The coveted actor was born and raised in 1934 Cleveland. Cobbs served in the Air Force as a radar technician for 8 years and sold cars in the city. He left for NYC at age 36 to act. He credits his start in acting to the African American Performing Arts Center and Karamu House Theatre in Cleveland.
27. Jerry Springer
The infamous TV host was once heavy into Ohio politics. Jerry Springer was elected into the Cincinnati City council for about 3 years before resigning due to admitting he solicited a prostitute. He was reelected two more times and ultimately became the 56th Mayor of Cincinnati. Springer remained in Ohio through the 80s, becoming a political anchor on WLWT— which lead him to the iconic position we all know.
28. Bootsy Collins
The King of putting some bass in that Funk lets it known Ohio is his forever home. Collins was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH. He’s formed several funk bands in the city in between his time working with James Brown and George Clinton’s P-Funk. The bassist lives between LA, Atlanta, and Cincinnati
29. Steven Spielberg
The decorated filmmaker was born in Cincinnati to Orthodox Jewish parents who taught English to Holocaust survivors.
30. Joe Burrow
The Bengals QB may have been born in Iowa but he’s a full-bred Buckeye. Joey B attended Athens High School in The Plains, committed to Ohio State, then LSU, and returned BACK to Ohio after being drafted to the Cincinnati Bengals. Burrow currently lives on the East side of Cincinnati.
31. L.A. Reid
A surprise to many: ground-breaking record exec got his start in Cincinnati. Born and raised there, Reid began as a drummer in a local funk band Pure Essence in the 70s. Shortly after, he formed a group with other local guys called The Deele, which included Indiana-born Babyface. They took off… the rest was history.
32. Woody Harrelson
“Cheers” actor Woody Harrelson moved to his mother’s native city of Lebanon young, and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1979. He also spent summers working at Kings Island.
33. Roger Staubach
The Dallas Cowboys legend Staubach was born and in Cincinnati. He attended St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, and graduated from Purcell High School (now called Purcell Marian High School).
34. Cam'ron
While Cam wasn’t born or raised here, he definitely “got it in” in Ohio, if you know what that means. Cam has spoken on having business in Ohio, including a couple clubs in Columbus in the early 2000s. While he never had a “permanent” residence, he was here and often. At the end of his song “Down and Out” you can hear Cam shouting out the main Ohio cities he’s tied in with: Columbus – Akron – Cleveland – Springfield – Dayton – Youngstown – Cincinnati.
