In Hollywood, tis’ the season of what it means to be a celebrity. In the spirit of winners, losers, best-dressed, worst-dressed, thank you speeches and controversial skits, here is a link from our home here in Connecticut to those in the west, dressed in lavish gowns and sharp tuxedos for their walk down the red carpet.
Many entertainment industry standouts have ties to Connecticut. Some are born natives and others have chosen it as their sanctuary to get away from the whirlwind that is Hollywood. They have produced well-known works and influenced various productions from behind the camera to starring on the big screen. The following list highlights some of the brightest lights, as well as brushes with famous names and other notable Connecticut connections to the world of entertainment.c
Kevin Bacon, the Hollywood Walk of Fame member, grew up in Philadelphia, but he and his wife, Kyra Sedgwick, live part time in Sharon. Notable Works: Footloose, Mystic River, Murder in the First.
Richard Belzer, the notable actor and comedian, was born in Bridgeport, grew up in Fairfield and worked as a reporter forThe Bridgeport Post. Notable Works: Law & Order: SVU, Homicide: Life on the Street.
Ernest Borgnine, whose career spans more than six decades, was born in Hamden and later moved to North Haven. His hometown of Hamden named a park in his honor. Notable Works: Marty, McHale’s Navy, Airwolf.
Glenn Close, the famous femme fatale, was born in Greenwich. Notable Works: Fatal Attraction, Damages, Dangerous Liaisons, 101 Dalmatians.
Brian Dennehy, the film, stage and screen actor, was born in Bridgeport and currently resides in Woodstock. Notable Works: Best Seller, Death of a Salesman, Long Day’s Journey into Night.
Paul Giamatti, rumored to have been a member of the Skull and Bones secret society while at Yale University, was born and raised in New Haven. Notable Works: Cinderella Man, Sideways, American Splendor.
Katherine Heigl, model-turned-actress, was born in Washington D.C. but spent most of her childhood in New Canaan. Notable Works: Grey’s Anatomy, Knocked Up, 27 Dresses.
Katharine Hepburn, the classic American actress, was born in Hartford and passed away in Fenwick, Old Saybrook. She and her family narrowly escaped the 1938 New England Hurricane. Today, the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and Theatre is in Old Saybrook.Notable Works: Morning Glory, Love Among the Ruins, On Golden Pond.
Ron Howard, the actor, director and producer, was born in Oklahoma, but he lives with his high school sweetheart and their four children on a 35-acre estate in Greenwich. Notable Works: Happy Days, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind.
Christopher Lloyd, was born in Stamford and raised in New Canaan and Westport. His family donated their family's ancestral home, Waveny Park, to the town of New Canaan. Notable Works: Back to the Future Trilogy, Taxi, Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
Dylan McDermott, one of People’s Most Beautiful People in 1998, was born and raised in Waterbury. Notable Works: In the Line of Fire, The Practice, Dark Blue.
Paul Newman, the classic American heartthrob, was born in Ohio, but along with his wife and three daughters, Newman escaped the Hollywood hills to make their home in Westport. In 2008, he died in his home in Westport. Notable Works: The Color of Money, Cool Hand Luke, The Hustler.
Diana Ross, the Motown diva, may have been born in Detroit, but she lives part time in her multi-million dollar mansion in Greenwich.Notable Works: The Supremes, Lady Sings the Blues.
Meg Ryan, America’s sweetheart, was born and raised in Fairfield. Notable Works: When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail.
Meryl Streep, the multiple award winner and nominee, was born in New Jersey, but she and her husband, Don Gummer, were wed on Mason’s Island and make Greenwich their primary residence. Notable Works: The Deer Hunter, Julie & Julia, Mamma Mia!
Christopher Walken, whose career includes over 100 movies and shows, was born in Queens, NY, but he and his wife, Geogianne Walken, reside in Wilton. Notable Works: The Dear Hunter, Pulp Fiction, Catch Me If You Can.
