Robert Altman, Oscar-winning director and KC native whose films included M*A*S*H, Kansas City and many others
Ed Asner, Emmy-winning actor and KC native most known for his roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Roots
Trai Byers, actor born in KC and known for his roles in Empire and Selma
Don Cheadle, Oscar-nominated star of Hotel Rwanda and Crash who was born in KC
David Cook, KC native and winner of season seven of American Idol
Chris Cooper, Oscar-winning actor and KC native whose films include Adaptation, American Beauty and The Bourne Identity
Walt Disney, beloved animator and director who opened Laugh-O-Gram Studios, his first, in Kansas City. Disney fed a friendly rodent in the building, which was said to have inspired the character Mickey Mouse
Gillian Flynn, author/screenwriter and KC native whose works include Gone Girl, Sharp Objects and Dark Places
Heidi Gardner, comedic actress and KC native who is a cast member on Saturday Night Live
Jean Harlow, film actress and KC native famously known as the “Original Blonde Bombshell”
Tom Kane, voiceover artist from Overland Park, KS. Known for his roles in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Wild Thornberrys. The voice of Yoda.
Ellie Kemper, film and TV actress born in KC and best known for her leading role in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and other roles in The Office and Bridesmaids
Michael McMillian, writer and actor born in Olathe, KS. and known for his roles in Dorian Blues and True Blood
Charlie "Bird" Parker, alto saxophone player born in Kansas City, KS and is regarded as one of the most influential saxophone players and jazz musicians to ever play
Rob Riggle, comedian and actor who grew up in Overland Park, KS. and is famous for his roles in The Hangover and 21 Jump Street
Ginger Rogers, Broadway performer and Oscar-winning actress who was born in Independence, MO
Paul Rudd, comedic actor in Role Models and I Love You, Man who was raised in Overland Park, KS.
Eric Stonestreet, Emmy award-winning actor and KC native best known for his portrayal of Cameron Tucker on the ABC show Modern Family
Jason Sudeikis, actor who grew up in Overland Park, KS. and is famous for his roles in We’re the Millers and Horrible Bosses
Dee Wallace, actress and KC native known for her roles in films including E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and The Hills Have Eyes
Tuc Watkins, KC native and actor known for his roles in One Life to Live, The Mummy and Desperate Housewives.
Dianne Wiest, Oscar-winning actress and KC native, known for her roles in Edward Scissorhands and I Am Sam
More Celebrities From the Kansas City Area
Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, writer/producer and KC native whose works include CSI: NY, Assassination Games, and Sleepy Hollow
Allan Melvin, actor born in Kansas City and known for his roles on The Phil Silvers Show, Archie Bunker’s Place and All in the Family.
Angus Scrimm, actor born in Kansas City and known for his roles in Phantasm and Phantasm II
Ashleigh Murray, A KC native who is known for her roles in the CW show Riverdale and Deidra & Laney Rob a Train.
Barbara Lawrence, actress raised in Kansas City and known for her roles in Oklahoma! And A Letter to Three Wives
Bebe Wood, actress born in Kansas City, she is known for her roles on The Real O’Neals, The New Normal and 30 Rock.
Betty Lynn, actress born in Kansas City, she is known for her roles on The Andy Griffith Show and Cheaper by the Dozen.
Bobb'e J. Thompson, actor born in Kansas City and known for his roles in Role Models, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.
Bridget Everett, actress from Manhattan, KS and known for her roles in Trainwreck, Fun Mom Dinner, and Patti Cake$.Burt Bacharach, Oscar-winning composer known for his musical contributions to Arthur and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Charles (Buddy) Rogers, actor born in Olathe, KS. Rogers is known for his roles in classic films such as Wing and My Best Girl.
Columbus Short, actor and Kansas City native he is known for his roles in Accepted, Stomp the Yard and the NBC show Scandal.
Craig Kilborn, writer and actor born in Kansas City, he is known for hosting The Daily Show and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.
Darren Lynn Bousman, director from Overland Park, KS, known for his hits Saw II-IV, Spiral and the cult favorite Repo! The Genetic Opera.
David Dastmalchian, actor from Overland Park, KS and known for his roles in CW’s The Flash, Ant-Man, and All Creatures Here Below.
Denis O'Hare, actor born in Kansas City and known for his roles in Dallas Buyers Club, The Proposal, and Milk.
Diane Brewster, actress born in Kansas City, she is known for her roles in The Young Philadelphians and Torpedo Run.
Eddie Griffin, comedian/actor born in Kansas City and known for his roles in Malcom & Eddie and Deuce Bigalow Male Gigolo.
Edie, McClurg, actress born in Kansas City and known for her roles in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Little Mermaid, and Frozen.
Edward Kerr, actor and Kansas City native, he is known for his roles in What I Like About You and Pretty Little Liars.
Evalyn Knapp, actress born in Kansas City, she is known for her roles in His Private Secretary and Perils of Pauline.
Everett McGill, actor and Kansas City native, he is known for his roles in Quest for Fire, Dune, and Heartbreak Ridge.
Fabianne Therese, actress born in Kansas City and known for her roles in Teenage Cocktail and The Skinny.
Frez Freleng, Oscar-winning animator/writer/director born in Kansas City, he is known for his work with The Looney Toons and The Pink Panther.
Harrison Ford, before there was Indy and Han Solo this KC native was the leading man in many movies in the era of silent films. Films such as Janice Meredith and Zander the Great.
Heck Allen, writer from Kansas City, many of his works were translated to screen such as Mackenna’s Gold, The Tall Men and Young Billy Young.
Hugh Beaumont, actor from Lawrence, KS and known for his roles in The Blue Dahlia, The Mole People and Railroaded!
Holmes Osborne, actor born in KC, he is known for his roles in Donnie Darko, That Thing You Do!, and Affliction.
Janelle Monae, singer/actress from Kansas City she is known for her music as well as her roles in Hidden Figures and Moonlight.
Jason Wiles, actor born in KC and known for his roles in Zodiac and Third Watch.
Joan Crawford, the famous actress spent time growing up in Kansas City before shining amongst the stars, she is known for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Johnny Guitar, and Grand Hotel.
Joe Egender, KC born actor and known for his roles in American Horror Story, Alcatraz, and Texas Rising.
Johnny Yong Bosch, actor and KC native, he is known for his role in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and a prominent voice actor in the anime genre.
Julia Montgomery, actress born in KC and known for her roles in Revenge of the Nerds and One Life to Live.
Katherine McNamara, actress and KC native, she is known for her roles in Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials and the Freeform series Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments.
Keili Lefkovitz, KC born actress and known for her roles in Malibu’s Most Wanted and Pain & Gain.
Kevin Willmott, actor/writer/producer and a native of Lawrence, Kansas, Willmott is known for his work on Chi-Raq and C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America.
Lori Saunders, actress born in KC and known for her roles in Petticoat Junction and The Young and the Restless.
Lyle Waggoner, actor born in KC and known for his roles in Wonder Woman and The Carol Burnett Show.
Lynn Cohen, KC born actress and known for her roles in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Eagle Eye.
Matt Vogel, actor/puppeteer from KC, he is known for his work on The Muppets and Alice Through the Looking Glass.
Michael Brandt, a writer that was raised in Overland Park, KS he is known for his work on Chicago Fire, 3:10 to Yuma, and Wanted.
Nathan Darrow, actor from KC and known for his roles in Gotham and House of Cards.
Noah Beery Sr., KC native and actor of the silent and early sound era, he is known for his roles in The Mask of Zorro and The Trail Beyond.
Nora Denney, actress and KC native, she was known for her roles in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Splash, and Truman.
Paul Henning, Oscar-nominated writer from Independence, MO. Henning is known for his work on The Bob Cummings Show and The Beverly Hillbillies.
Petrea Burchard, actress born in Lawrence, KS and known for her roles in Fracture and Death Becomes Her.
Robert Lowery, actor and KC native, he is known for his roles in 1949’s Batman and Robin, The Mummy’s Ghost, and McLintock!
Sarah Lancaster, actress born in Overland Park, KS and known for her roles in Catch Me If You Can, The Judge, and NBC’s show Chuck.
Scott Foley, actor from KC, he is known for his work in ABC’s show Scandal, Felicity, and Scream 3.
Stephen Henderson, actor and KC native, he is known for his roles in Manchester by the Sea, Fences, and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
Todd Bosely, actor born in Overland Park, KS and known for his roles in Little Giants, Jack, and Scrubs.
Tommy Rall, actor/dancer from KC, he is known for his roles in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Pennies From Heaven, and Kiss Me Kate.
Vanessa Merrell, actress/musican from KC, she is known for her roles in Jane the Virgin and The Standoff.
Wallace Beery, Oscar-winning actor and KC native, Beery is known for his roles in The Champ, Grand Hotel, and The Lost World.
Wendy Moniz, KC born actress known for her roles in The Guardian and Guiding Light.