22 Celebrities Who Call Chicago Home

By Briana Draguca
Updated Jul 10, 2016 @ 7:00 pm
Steve Granitz/WireImage

Chicago boasts snap-worthy bean sculpture, the second oldest ballpark in the United States and of course the most delicious deep-dish pizza. But this global city is also home to some of the most influential celebrities in the industry. Some stars are true Chi-town natives, born and raised in the streets of the Windy City, while others found their fame while living in Chicago. For two (aka the POTUS and FLOTUS) Chicago was the setting for their love story. Scroll down to see the celebs who have called—or currently call—Chicago home. 

Start Slideshow

1 of 21

Kanye West

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The creative genius may have been born in Atlanta, Georgia but it is the city of Chicago that clearly influenced him—on his song "Homecoming," West refers to the Windy City at least 10 times. After collaborating with local Chicago artists and receiving an honorary doctorate from the Art Institute of Chicago, there's no doubt that the rapper owes much of his artistic inspiration to the city.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 21

Ben Savage

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

How could we forget the actor who won over our hearts as the sweet Corey Matthews on the 90’s sitcom, Boy Meets World? Ben Savage was born and raised in Chicago and fortunately for us he’s currently back on television with Topanga by his side on the Disney Channel spin-off series, Girl Meets World.

3 of 21

Shonda Rhimes

Teresa Kroeger/FilmMagic

Rhimes, creator of the hit TV shows, Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, and Chicago native, told the Chicago Tribune that she spent much of her childhood inventing made-up characters and stories to cope with standing out in a predominantly white elementary school in her suburban hometown in Chicago. Luckily for us, her imaginary Shondaland became the television production company that we cannot get enough of today.

Advertisement

4 of 21

Cindy Crawford

Donato Sardella/WireImage

Cindy Crawford has her suburban Chicago roots to thank for her renowned all-American, girl next-door persona. Crawford told the Chicago Tribune in 2015 that her Midwestern background is the reason she stay grounded throughout her modeling career.

5 of 21

Harrison Ford

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

The actor best known for his iconic roles as Han Solo and Indiana Jones may have been born and raised in Chicago but the city did not spark his interest in performing. Interestingly enough, the Hollywood star focused on social sciences while in Chicago and didn’t jump-start his acting career until he went to college in Wisconsin.

6 of 21

Hillary Clinton

Alexander Tamargo/Getty

The 2016 Democratic nominee for the President of the United States was born and raised in Chicago before moving to the White House to serve as the First Lady in 1992. Clinton must’ve established deep roots in her hometown for she successfully won the state of Illinois in the 2016 primary elections.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 21

John Cusack

Dominique Charriau/WireImage

Chicago is where this ‘80s movie star got his start in show business. The Sixteen Candles actor began perfecting his skills as a performer in Chicago’s very own Piven Theatre Workshop while he was still in elementary school. He’s also a diehard Chicago Cubs fan!

8 of 21

Lupe Fiasco

Scott Legato/Getty

Lupe Fiasco first started making music in the basement of his Westside Chicago home and rose to A-list status after his mix-tapes were noticed by Jay-Z. Since then his roots have largely influenced his music—"Go Go Gadget Flow," a song from his 2007 album The Cool, is practically an ode to the city.

9 of 21

Bill Murray

Dominique Charriau/Getty

Before Bill Murray came to New York to kick off his career on Saturday Night Live, the iconic comedian joined Chicago’s Second City improvisational comedy troupe to keep himself out of trouble as a kid. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 21

Jennifer Hudson 

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Jennifer Hudson grew up in a close-knit family in the neighborhood of Englewood in Chicago. She may have left the city to find fame on American Idol but the Oscar-winning star stays grounded by frequently visiting her hometown.

11 of 21

Karlie Kloss

John Lamparski/Getty

Model Karlie Kloss may currently be traveling the world in luxury to walk in the shows of fashion’s elite designers but her career roots were first set down in Chicago. Kloss told ELLE that her start in modeling was random and her first gigs were scattered all over Chicago for obscure bridal magazines before she ventured to New York.

12 of 21

Jenny McCarthy

Robin Marchant/Getty

TV personality Jenny McCarthy owes her strong will and perseverance to her upbringing in the resilient South Side neighborhood of Chicago. After being turned down by modeling agencies, McCarthy didn’t give up and she started getting media attention after auditioning for a modeling gig at Chicago’s Playboy Headquarters.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 21

Keke Palmer

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The actress and singer may have left her hometown to pursue her acting career in California but Palmer has Chicago to thank for exposing her to show business. She got her start performing in a local Chicago stage show as a child.

14 of 21

Sherri Shepherd

Earl Gibson III/Getty

The comedian and TV talk-show host was born and raised in Chicago before she got her first big break in comedy. Shepherd discovered that her humor could help her deal with bullies at a young age —it would also eventually help her win an Emmy too!

15 of 21

Jennifer Morrison

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Jennifer Morrison prepared for her big time roles in both the fairy-tale inspired TV show, Once Upon a Time, and the medical drama, House, while she was growing up in Chicago. The actress studied theater at Loyola University Chicago and then went onto perform for Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company to perfect her acting skills before she left Chi-town for Hollywood. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 21

Kiernan Shipka

Danny Martindale/GC Images

The Mad Men actress and current it-girl left her hometown in Chicago at a very young age to get her start in show business. And though her home base is now Los Angeles, Shipka told Chicago Splash that every year on the Fourth of July, Chicago is where she will be.

17 of 21

Gina Rodriguez

Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage

The Golden-Globe-winning actress grew up in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood of Chicago and got her start in acting when she landed a role in her school’s production of A Chorus Line.

18 of 21

Jesse Williams

Leon Bennett/WireImage

Better known in our hearts and on the TV screen as Dr. Jackson Avery in Grey’s Anatomy, Jesse Williams is a true Chicago native. The actor told Michigan Ave Magthat his time spent in Chicago has given him the life experiences he needs to succeed in his creative field.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 21

Michelle Obama & Barack Obama

Theo Wargo/WireImage

The love story of the United States’ power couple started in Chicago. Michelle Obama, a Chicago native, and Barack Obama, recent transplant, met and fell in love while working at a Chicago law firm. Their love story continued and the couple married in Chicago, landed jobs at the University of Chicago, and moved to Kenwood to start their family before relocating to the White House.

20 of 21

Chance the Rapper

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Chance the Rapper got his start on Chicago’s South Side. Before anyone knew his name, he performed at Chicago’s YOUmedia youth center. The emerging rapper credits the city for the success of his music (his recent mix tape Coloring Book was the first streaming-only album to land on the Billboard 200 chart), explaining to SPIN that his experiences in Chicago make his music relatable to everyone. 

21 of 21

Oprah Winfrey

Steve Granitz/WireImage

Although Oprah Winfery was born and raised in Mississippi and didn’t find herself in Chicago until she was 30-years-old, Chicago is the place where the talk show host made a name for herself with her televised talk show, the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By Briana Draguca