The 7 Most Famous Celebrities in America

There are many things that contribute to an individual’s fame and popularity. They may have an immense appeal across varied audiences, be well-known for their talents or have a strong influence in the media.

For instance, Oprah Winfrey is a renowned talk show host, actress, producer and staunch philanthropist. She is known by 98 percent of Americans.

1. Jim Carrey

There’s no denying that Jim Carrey is one of the most famous celebrities in America. But before he became a household name, the actor was just another kid from Canada with an insatiable desire to entertain. Carrey started his career as a stand-up comedian in the late ’70s at Yuk Yuk’s in Toronto, and eventually made his way to Los Angeles. His acting career took off after he landed the role as a loveable dolt in Dumb and Dumber (1994) and later starred in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1996).

While most people know Carrey for his hilarious antics, the actor also has a talent for painting and sculpting. His art has been featured in various galleries and museums. In addition, he’s become an avid political commentator.

To determine the most famous celebrity in every state, 24/7 Wall Street used a combination of each actor’s STARmeter ranking on IMDb, their number of box office movie and TV show appearances, and the average number of views their Wikipedia pages have received. The top 20 celebrities from each state are listed below. Arkansas: Billy Bob Thornton

2. Kanye West

Kanye West is a producer and rapper who became famous for his music. He has won multiple awards for his work, and he has a large following on social media. He has also made headlines for his controversial behavior and comments.

In 2009, he caused a huge uproar when he rushed the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards and interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech to declare that Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time. He later apologized, but the damage had been done.

After that incident, he took a break from music to focus on his fashion career. He launched a line of limited-edition sneakers called Yeezy, which were a hit with fans. He also drew criticism for his use of fox fur in his clothing line.

He returned to music with the release of his eighth album, YE, in 2018. In 2019, he was featured in the popular movie Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and starred as Marvel’s Vision in the film Avengers Endgame. He also has a role in the upcoming Disney movie Maleficent. He is also an avid philanthropist, working with organizations such as UNICEF and the March for Our Lives movement.

3. Josh Duhamel

The actor has appeared in a number of films including New Year’s Eve, Rampage and Safe Haven. He also starred in the TV show All My Children and received three Daytime Emmy nominations. He is currently married to actress Audra Mari and they share a son together.

The couple are very private about their relationship but he recently celebrated her birthday by posting a cute Instagram video of them dancing on the beach with a message in a bottle stating “He said yes.” The couple was visiting North Dakota where they both grew up.

While some celebrities like Kanye West have been polarizing, others have managed to find success while maintaining their integrity. Many of them also have major hometown pride and have become incredibly popular around the world.

Actors like Jon Hamm from Mad Men and Julia Louis-Dreyfus from Veep have maintained their popularity over the years. Other actors such as Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford and Jim Gaffigan have continued to have a steady audience base. And comedians like Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and Conan O’Brien have built a loyal fan base. All of these celebrities have a massive following and are considered some of the most famous in America.

4. Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber is a popular Canadian singer and teen idol who ignited a global craze beginning in 2009. The young Bieber’s fresh-faced good looks and appealing pop songs caught the attention of media outlets, and his YouTube clips quickly became a sensation.

Bieber’s mother encouraged his talent and entered him in singing competitions, where he often placed second. She later uploaded his homemade videos on the Web site YouTube, allowing him to reach a wider audience than his local competitors. He was discovered by talent scout Scooter Braun, and signed with Usher’s record label.

The young star has been a huge success, charting 17 singles on Billboard’s Hot 100 and earning numerous awards. His most successful collaborations include “Sorry” with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, “Despacito” and “Love Yourself,” which earned him multiple Grammy nominations.

The sultana of Latin music, Shakira is an accomplished Colombian singer-songwriter. She has won over 27 Guinness World Records and is renowned for her powerful vocals. Emma Watson is a popular English actress and staunch activist, who is known for her roles in blockbuster films and empowering women’s rights advocacy. She has starred in over 90 movies to date. American actor Dwayne Johnson, better known by his ring name The Rock, has over 40 acting credits to his credit and is a household name.

5. Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock is an award-winning actress who’s known for her countless roles on the big screen. From the sports drama The Blind Side to the beauty pageant comedy Miss Congeniality, she’s proven her ability to handle a variety of genres.

In 2002, she took on more serious roles with her appearances as a murder detective in Murder by Numbers and a playwright with a troubled relationship with her mother in Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. However, it was the film Speed that launched her into superstardom. The blockbuster, which starred her opposite Keanu Reeves and Dennis Hopper, received critical acclaim and grossed $350 million worldwide.

After a brief hiatus from films, Bullock returned with the 2013 box-office hit The Heat. Her role as half of a mismatched pair of FBI agents earned her critical acclaim, and it was followed by the equally successful Gravity in which she teamed up with George Clooney.

Whether she’s on the silver screen or making headlines off it, Bullock is a favorite among Americans. Her kindness and philanthropy have garnered her even more admirers. In fact, her family foundation recently donated 6,000 KN95 masks to Los Angeles healthcare workers during the pandemic.

6. Taylor Swift

Singer and songwriter Taylor Swift is one of the most famous celebrities in America. She has sold over 100 million albums worldwide and has been dubbed the Princess of Pop. She has also been known for her versatility and melodious voice. She has a knack for tapping into her audience and creating relatable music. In addition to her singing career, she is also a successful businesswoman. She owns her own cosmetic brand, Fenty Beauty, and lingerie line, Savage X Fenty.

At a showcase at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe in 2005, Swift’s talent grabbed the attention of Scott Borchetta, who signed her to Big Machine Records. Over the years, she rose from playing local venues to commanding stadiums full of Swifties—her adoring fans—on international tours.

Though she has largely refrained from discussing her personal life in public, her music is rife with allusions to romantic relationships. Most recently, she was linked to actor Joe Alwyn, who helped her write songs on her folklore, evermore, and midnights albums. She has also had high-profile friendships with the likes of Selena Gomez and model Karlie Kloss and has been involved in countless headline-making feuds.

7. Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres is a legendary talk show host and an advocate for the LGBT community. She has won many awards and accolades throughout her career, including a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album, an Emmy Award for her hosting duties of the 79th Academy Awards, and two Primetime Emmy nominations for her hosting duties of the People’s Choice Awards.

DeGeneres is also an accomplished actress, producer, and philanthropist. She made her acting debut in 1986 on Fox’s sitcom “Open House,” and later appeared on several television shows before landing the role of Ellen in 1994. Her show was an instant success, and earned her a People’s Choice Award in 1995 and two Golden Globe nominations.

In her personal life, DeGeneres is married to actress Portia de Rossi. The couple has been subject to divorce rumors on multiple occasions, but they aren’t afraid of letting the tabloids know they’re laughing at them. During an interview with Extra in 2017, the pair shared that their secret to keeping their marriage strong is prioritizing each other and reminding themselves of how lucky they are to be together. The pair owns a lavish Montecito estate and has a penchant for flipping Southern California real estate.