20 Celebs You Probably Didn’t Know Were White

It’s common for people to make assumptions about a celebrity’s background based on their name, how they speak, or where they began their career. However, many well-known figures actually have European or white Latino roots, which often isn’t widely known. This article explores the ancestry of famous stars, revealing their true family history through details about their birthplace, parents, and heritage. It clarifies where they really come from, even if popular guesses suggest otherwise.

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande was born and raised in Boca Raton, Florida, with strong family ties to southern Italy – specifically Sicily and Abruzzo. Her upbringing was filled with Italian culture and traditions. Before becoming a pop star, she started performing in local theater and then gained recognition on the Nickelodeon show ‘Victorious’. She also honed her skills with Broadway training and performances in regional theater.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz was born in San Diego, California, to a father of Cuban and Spanish Galician heritage and a mother with English and German ancestry. She began her career as a model as a teenager and gained fame with her role in ‘The Mask’. Throughout her career, she successfully starred in both funny and serious films, and has largely stepped away from acting in recent years while keeping a private life.

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera was born in Staten Island, New York, to a father from Ecuador with Spanish roots and a mother of Irish and German American heritage. She spent her childhood moving between U.S. military bases and the Pittsburgh area, all while developing her vocal talent. She first became well-known on ‘The Mickey Mouse Club,’ and her first album launched a successful pop music career with several chart-topping hits.

Ana de Armas

Ana de Armas was born and grew up in Cuba, with family roots in Spain. She moved to Spain at age 18, became a Spanish citizen, and eventually settled in Los Angeles. She began her acting career in Spain before landing a role in the English-language film ‘Blade Runner 2049,’ and has since gained critical acclaim for her leading roles in movies.

Antonio Banderas

Antonio Banderas grew up in Málaga, Spain, where his parents worked in police work and teaching. He received formal training in acting at the School of Dramatic Art in Málaga and later performed with Spain’s National Theater. He first gained international recognition in the film ‘Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,’ and then became a Hollywood star with roles in movies like ‘Desperado’ and ‘The Mask of Zorro.’ He’s also enjoyed a thriving career on stage.

Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz grew up in Alcobendas, Madrid, where her mother worked in retail and her father was a car mechanic. She trained as a ballet dancer for nine years before deciding to become an actress. She first gained recognition in Spain, winning several awards for her early films. Later, she achieved international success with movies like ‘Vanilla Sky’ and ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona,’ earning critical praise along the way.

Javier Bardem

Javier Bardem was born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, and comes from a family with a strong history in Spanish acting. Before becoming a full-time actor, he played rugby. He first gained international recognition with the film ‘Before Night Falls,’ and later earned significant awards for his role in ‘No Country for Old Men.’ Since then, he has continued to work on films made in both Europe and the United States.

Enrique Iglesias

Enrique Iglesias was born in Madrid, Spain, but grew up in Miami. As the son of famous singer Julio Iglesias and journalist Isabel Preysler, he initially used a different name when he started recording music to avoid unfair advantages or disadvantages. He’s since released albums in both Spanish and English and has been touring and achieving success on the music charts for many years across the globe.

Charlie Sheen

Born Carlos Irwin Estévez in New York City, Charlie Sheen comes from an artistic family – his father is actor Martin Sheen and his mother, Janet Templeton, is an artist. His family’s roots are in Spain and Ireland. He began using the stage name Sheen, like his father, at the start of his acting career. He’s known for roles in films like ‘Platoon’ and the television show ‘Two and a Half Men’.

Martin Sheen

Born Ramón Estévez in Dayton, Ohio, Martin Sheen’s father came from Spain and his mother had Irish roots. He chose the stage name Martin Sheen when he began acting in New York. He later achieved fame for his roles in films like ‘Apocalypse Now’ and the television series ‘The West Wing’.

Emilio Estevez

Emilio Estevez, born in New York City to actors Martin Sheen and Janet Templeton, decided to use his family’s original last name. Growing up immersed in the world of filmmaking, he became known as part of the ‘Brat Pack’ and starred in popular movies like ‘The Breakfast Club’ and ‘St. Elmo’s Fire.’ He’s also worked as a director, helming films such as ‘Bobby’ and directing episodes of the ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ series.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy was born in Miami to parents with Scottish, Argentine, Spanish, and English heritage. She grew up in Buenos Aires before moving to London. After studying acting in the UK, she started her career in film and gained international fame for her performances in projects like ‘The Witch’ and ‘The Queen’s Gambit’.

Pedro Pascal

Pedro Pascal was born in Santiago, Chile, and his parents fled the country with him when he was a baby. His family’s roots in Chile trace back to Spain and the Basque region. He later grew up in the United States and trained as an actor at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. He’s known for his work in television, including roles in popular shows like ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘The Mandalorian’.

Camila Cabello

Camila Cabello was born in Havana, Cuba, and came to the United States when she was young. With family roots in Spain – a common heritage in Cuba – she developed her singing and performing skills. She first gained fame as a member of the group Fifth Harmony on the show ‘The X Factor’ and later became a successful solo artist with several popular songs.

Sofía Vergara

Sofía Vergara, originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, comes from a family with Spanish and Italian heritage. She started her career in modeling and hosting before finding success as an actress in the United States. She became widely known and received award recognition for her long-running role on the TV show ‘Modern Family.’ More recently, she’s become involved in various business projects and as a judge on ‘America’s Got Talent.’

Louis C.K.

Louis C.K. was born in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Mexico City as a young child. His father is Mexican, with roots in Hungarian Jewish history, and his mother is of Irish heritage. When he moved back to the U.S., he initially spoke Spanish before learning English in school. He became well-known through stand-up comedy, writing, and his television show, ‘Louie’.

Rosalia

Rosalía grew up near Barcelona, Spain, with a Catalan family. She studied music at the Catalonia College of Music, focusing on flamenco. Her albums gained attention by blending classic flamenco with modern sounds. She then worked with artists from around the world, building a large following in Europe and the Americas.

Ana María Polo

Ana María Polo was born in Havana, Cuba, and grew up in both Puerto Rico and Miami. Her family’s roots are Spanish Cuban, a common background for many people from the island. Before becoming a TV personality, she studied law and later gained fame as the host and arbitrator of the show ‘Caso Cerrado’.

Sebastian Stan

Sebastian Stan was born in Constanța, Romania, and later moved to the U.S. as a teen. He comes from a Romanian family with European roots. He studied acting at Rutgers University and also trained with the Shakespeare’s Globe program. He became well-known internationally for his work in the ‘Captain America’ movies and various other serious acting roles.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, and came to the United States with her Jewish family when she was seven years old. Growing up in Los Angeles, she took acting classes while going to public school. She first gained recognition for her role in ‘That ’70s Show’ and then became known for her voice work on ‘Family Guy’. More recently, she’s starred in popular films like ‘Black Swan’ and ‘Bad Moms’.

Let us know who you found most surprising, and feel free to suggest other people who deserve to be mentioned in the comments below.

2025-10-24 08:18