New York is famous for launching the careers of countless film and television stars throughout history. From all corners of the state, these actors achieved success with memorable performances, numerous awards, and blockbuster hits. This list highlights twenty notable New Yorkers, detailing their key work and career beginnings – a handy guide to their accomplishments and where it all started.
Robert De Niro
Okay, let me tell you about Robert De Niro. This guy is a legend. Born and raised in New York City back in ’43, he’s got two Oscars to his name – one for his work in ‘The Godfather Part II’ and another for the brutally intense ‘Raging Bull’. But it’s his partnership with Martin Scorsese that really defines his career. We’re talking iconic films like ‘Taxi Driver,’ ‘Goodfellas,’ and, more recently, ‘The Irishman.’ He’s not just about serious drama, though; he’s hilarious in comedies like ‘Meet the Parents.’ And beyond acting, he’s a real supporter of indie filmmakers, co-founding the Tribeca Film Festival to help them get their work seen. A truly impressive career, and a powerhouse talent.
Al Pacino
Born in East Harlem in 1940 and raised in the Bronx, Al Pacino is a highly acclaimed actor. He won an Oscar for his role in ‘Scent of a Woman’ and received Academy Award nominations for his performances in ‘The Godfather’ films and ‘Serpico’. He’s also known for his television work, including the Emmy-winning ‘Angels in America’, and has consistently appeared in Broadway productions throughout his career.
Denzel Washington
Okay, let me tell you about Denzel Washington. This guy, born in Mount Vernon in ’54, is a true legend. He’s won two Oscars – one for his powerful performance in ‘Glory’ and another for ‘Training Day.’ But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I mean, think about ‘Malcolm X,’ the emotional weight he brought to ‘Philadelphia,’ and even his more recent work in ‘Fences’ – a role he also earned a Tony Award for on stage! And he doesn’t just act, folks. He’s behind the camera too, directing and producing. He’s a complete filmmaker, and consistently delivers incredible work.
Tom Cruise
Born in Syracuse in 1962, Tom Cruise is a hugely successful actor best known for the blockbuster ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise, which has earned billions of dollars globally. He’s also starred in iconic films like ‘Top Gun’, ‘A Few Good Men’, and ‘Jerry Maguire’. Throughout his career, he’s been nominated for several Academy Awards and is famous for doing many of his own stunts.
Anne Hathaway
Born in Brooklyn in 1982, Anne Hathaway is a versatile actress known for her roles in a wide range of films. She won an Academy Award for her performance in ‘Les Misérables’ and is also famous for movies like ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ and ‘Interstellar’. She received another Oscar nomination for ‘Rachel Getting Married’ and has worked in dramas, comedies, and family-friendly movies throughout her career.
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson was born in Manhattan in 1984 and has acted in both small independent films and large blockbuster franchises. In 2020, she was nominated for two Academy Awards for her performances in ‘Marriage Story’ and ‘Jojo Rabbit’. She’s widely known for playing Black Widow in several Marvel movies, including the standalone film ‘Black Widow’, and showcased her versatility as a voice actor in the film ‘Her’.
Jennifer Lopez
As a critic, I’ve been following Jennifer Lopez’s career since her early days, and it’s been quite a journey. Born and raised in the Bronx in ’69, she first caught my attention with her powerful portrayal of Selena, earning her a well-deserved Golden Globe nod. She’s consistently delivered strong performances in films like ‘Out of Sight’ and, more recently, the captivating ‘Hustlers’. Beyond acting, she’s also proven herself on television with shows like ‘Shades of Blue’, and it’s impressive to see her take on producing roles as well – she’s truly a multi-faceted talent.
Robert Downey Jr.
Born in New York City in 1965, Robert Downey Jr. is an acclaimed actor who won an Oscar for his role in ‘Oppenheimer’ and was previously nominated for ‘Chaplin’. He’s best known for bringing Tony Stark to life in ‘Iron Man’, a role that helped launch the hugely popular Marvel Cinematic Universe. Beyond movies, he’s also appeared in television shows and streaming series.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Philip Seymour Hoffman, born in Fairport in 1967, was a highly acclaimed actor. He won an Academy Award for his role in ‘Capote’ and was nominated for the award three other times for his work in ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’, ‘Doubt’, and ‘The Master’. He was also recognized for his stage performances, receiving several Tony Award nominations, and he even directed the film ‘Jack Goes Boating’.
Christopher Walken
Born in Astoria, Queens in 1943, Christopher Walken is a celebrated actor who won an Academy Award for his role in ‘The Deer Hunter’. He’s known for many films, including ‘Catch Me If You Can’, ‘Hairspray’, and ‘King of New York’, and has also made appearances in TV shows like ‘Severance’.
Adam Sandler
Born in Brooklyn in 1966, Adam Sandler first became well-known as a performer on ‘Saturday Night Live’. He then starred in popular comedies like ‘Happy Gilmore’ and ‘The Waterboy’, and later took on more serious roles in films such as ‘Punch Drunk Love’ and ‘Uncut Gems’. In addition to acting, Sandler also runs a production company that creates movies and TV shows.
Steve Buscemi
I’ve been a fan of Steve Buscemi for years! He’s a Brooklyn native, born back in 1957, and I first noticed him in movies like ‘Fargo’, ‘Reservoir Dogs’, and of course, ‘The Big Lebowski’. But he’s also amazing on TV – I was thrilled when he won a Golden Globe for ‘Boardwalk Empire’. It’s cool to know he’s even directed episodes of shows like ‘The Sopranos’ too – he’s seriously talented.
Stanley Tucci
Born in Peekskill in 1960, Stanley Tucci is a celebrated actor known for films like ‘Big Night’, ‘Spotlight’, and ‘The Hunger Games’. He received an Academy Award nomination for his work in ‘The Lovely Bones’, and has also directed films and shared his passion for food through cookbooks.
Adrien Brody
Adrien Brody, born in Manhattan in 1973, is an acclaimed actor. He’s best known for winning an Oscar for his role in ‘The Pianist’, but he’s also appeared in popular films like ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’, ‘King Kong’, and ‘Blonde’. More recently, he’s gained recognition for his work in television series such as ‘Succession’ and ‘Peaky Blinders’.
Harvey Keitel
Born in Brooklyn in 1939, Harvey Keitel is a celebrated actor known for his work with director Martin Scorsese on films like ‘Mean Streets’, ‘Taxi Driver’, and ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’. He’s also appeared in iconic movies such as ‘Reservoir Dogs’, ‘Pulp Fiction’, and ‘The Piano’. In addition to his acting career, Keitel co-founded the Actors Studio’s Los Angeles branch.
James Caan
James Caan, born in the Bronx in 1940, was a hardworking actor in film and television for many years. He’s best known for his role in ‘The Godfather,’ which earned him an Academy Award nomination, and also appeared in popular films like ‘Misery,’ ‘Thief,’ and ‘Elf.’
Alec Baldwin
I’ve been a fan of Alec Baldwin for years! He first came to my attention back in the late 80s with films like ‘The Hunt for Red October’ and then ‘Glengarry Glen Ross,’ which is just fantastic. But he really showed his range with ’30 Rock,’ and I was thrilled to see him win so many Emmys and Golden Globes for it. Plus, he’s been on ‘Saturday Night Live’ a ton of times – he’s always a great host! He was born way back in 1958 in Amityville, and he’s had such a long and impressive career, including a role in ‘The Departed’.
Sigourney Weaver
Sigourney Weaver was born in New York City in 1949. She’s a highly acclaimed actress, receiving Academy Award nominations for her performances in films like ‘Aliens’, ‘Gorillas in the Mist’, and ‘Working Girl’. She’s best known for playing Ellen Ripley in the ‘Alien’ series, and more recently, she’s appeared in the ‘Avatar’ movies and several TV shows.
Claire Danes
Claire Danes, born in New York City in 1979, is an award-winning actress. She first gained recognition for her role in the TV series ‘My So Called Life’ and later won several Emmy Awards for ‘Homeland’. She’s also appeared in notable films like ‘Romeo + Juliet’ and ‘The Hours’.
Timothée Chalamet
Timothée Chalamet, born in Manhattan in 1995, is a well-known actor. He received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in ‘Call Me by Your Name’ and has starred in popular films like ‘Dune’, ‘Little Women’, and ‘Wonka’. He appears in both big-budget and smaller, independent movies.
Share your picks for New York born actors we should add in the comments.
Read More
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Big Sell on Big Data: When Even the Suits Say ‘Enough’s Enough’
- Elden Ring Nightreign Minor Update 1.002.004 Brings Short List of Fixes
- Brent Oil Forecast
- Elden Ring’s Switch 2 port delayed into 2026 by FromSoftware for “performance adjustments,” and people are surprisingly OK about it: “I’d rather it releases in a better state”
- ETF Exit: A Tale of Diversification and Dwindling Dreams
- Wuthering Waves 2.5 banners: Phrolova debuts
- Bitcoin’s Paradox: Billionaire Buys, Price Stagnates
- How Leaderboards and Tournaments Keep Players Coming Back for More
- Superman Tops Black Adam After Full Week On Nielsen, Outperforms Marvel
2025-10-27 18:16