Many famous people are from Seattle, Washington. Award-winning actors, rappers, philanthropists and chefs are just a few examples of the many different types of famous people that refer to Seattle as their home.
Listed below are famous people from Seattle.
Frances Farmer
This Seattle-born, Golden-Age star was the inspiration for Nirvana’s popular song off of their In Utero album, “Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle.” The song is a reference to Farmer’s tumultuous life ridden with mental illness, alcoholism, and violence. In the 1940s, her mother institutionalized Farmer at the Western State Hospital in Steilacoom, Washington, an experience she later wrote about in her memoir, Will There Ever be a Morning?, the book the inspired the song above. The complexities of Farmer’s life are best conveyed in episode 4 of Karina Longworth’s popular podcast, You Must Remember This.
In regards to acting, Farmer found her way to Hollywood during the 1930s and was cast alongside stars like Bing Crosby in Rhythm on the Range as well as Tyrone Power in Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake. Farmer first found acting in her hometown, while attending the University of Washington. There, she studied drama and eventually earned degrees in both journalism and drama. Despite becoming a Hollywood star, Farmer would go on to claim that the stage was where she felt most at home.
Mario Batali
Mario Batali is a stylish and zealous star of the Food Network. He was born and raised in Seattle. Mario was born to Italian and French parents. He has opened several restaurants in New York City called Bistro du Vent, Bar Jamon, Casa Mona, Otto Enoteca Pizzeria, Esca and Lupa. Batali eve has a popular wine shop called Italian Wine Merchants. He hosts and stars in Ciao America, Mario Eats Italy and Molto Mario. He has risen to fame due to his entertaining style and exemplary cooking skills. In the course of his successful career, Mario Batali has received a number of awards, including Man of the Year by GQ in 1999. If you're out for the night in Seattle, be sure to stop by his family restaurant.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Jeffrey Dean Morgan was born in Seattle and is a renowned actor in the popular Grey’s Anatomy show where he played Denny Duquette. He has also made an appearance in The Walking Dead’s Season 6 finale as Negan. Other notable appearances of Dean are in Watchmen directed by Zack Snyder and Supernatural. He has a wife and son. Jeffrey was a graphic artist in his early life and a basketball player in his high school days.
Bill Gates
Erika Christensen
Bill Gates is known for founding the largest software business in the globe called Microsoft. He was born in Seattle and is among the richest people in the entire world. His interest in computer programming began at the tender age of 13 and was able to build the largest software business with Paul Allen due to aggressive business tactics, keen business strategy and technological innovation. His net worth currently stands at $79.4 billion. He is known for his numerous philanthropic efforts globally. If you want to experience how Bill Gates rolls, hire a limo rental in Seattle for a night!
Erika Christensen is a Seattle-born singer and actress. She is mostly famous for her roles in films such as The Banger Sisters, Swimfan and Traffic. Similarly, Christensen stars in Parenthood, a television series that is currently a hit on NBC. In the year 2000, she became the winner of the Screen Actors Guild Awards for her outstanding performance in a motion picture called Winner. She is married with one daughter, has 2 brothers and her parents. Erika was raised a Scientologist and was homeschooled.
Dove Cameron
This Disney Channel star was born in the Emerald City, but she didn’t actually grow up there. A ferry ride away from Seattle, Dove Cameron discovered acting on Bainbridge Island. At the Bainbridge Performing Arts Center, Cameron performed in productions like Les Miserables and The Secret Garden before making her onscreen debut in the Showtime series Shameless. Dove’s fame skyrocketed when she snagged the dual-role of Liv and Maddie Rooney in the Disney Channel’s Liv and Maddie. Since then, Dove has earned roles on shows and movies like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Descendants, and the upcoming film starring Jennifer Aniston, Dumplin’
Josie Bissett
Josie Bissett is renowned author and actress who was born in Seattle, Washington. In the year 2008, she released her very first book for children called Tickle Monster. In the same year, the Mom's Choice Awards named her Celebrity Mom of the Year. Josie made her debut in the big screen in the year 1991 in The Doors by Oliver Stone. She is famous for playing Jane Mancini in Melrose Place (a hit TV series).
Rainn Wilson
That’s right, The Office‘s own Dwight Schrute hails from the Emerald City. Rainn Wilson was actually born at the University of Washington Medical Center, the university he would eventually attend and earn a B.A. in Drama from. It was there that Wilson met his future wife, writer Holiday Reinhorn. The two married on the Kalama River in Wilson’s home state in 1995.
Outside of The Office, the comedian took on roles in popular films like Juno, Super, Cooties, and of course, his feature film debut Galaxy Quest. The Office star has since moved on from Seattle, splitting his time between Los Angeles and Sisters, Oregon.
Alison Sudol
Alison Sudol is not only the actress that plays the undeniably charming Queenie Goldstein in the Harry Potter spinoff prequel, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, but she’s also the lead singer of the popular band, A Fine Frenzy. Sudol was born in Seattle, but didn’t stay for long. After her parents divorced when she was five, they all moved down to Los Angeles where she eventually graduated from high school at 16.
Seattle has produced many famous people who have significantly contributed to the betterment of the world in one way or another. The above are just the notable of a long list.
