It's no secret that Kentucky is home to famous people like Jack Harlow and Jennifer Lawrence, but what some of you may know is surprising to others.
Many NBA stars, award-winning actors, and memorable musicians have come out of the Bluegrass State. Here are eight names you may not know about him that have roots in the Bluegrass State.
billy ray cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus, the voice behind such country classics as “Achy Breaky Heart,” is from Flatwoods, Greenup County.
Cyrus, a two-time Grammy Award winner, is the father of Miley Cyrus, who co-starred in the Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana.” According to the Recording Academy's website, his two Grammys were for his collaboration with Lil Nas X on the song “Old Town Road.”
Cyrus was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2018.
Chrishell Stause
If you've been binge-watching Selling Sunset on Netflix, you may already be familiar with Chrishell Stause.
The Draffenville native is currently a reality TV star, but has also appeared on daytime soap operas such as “Days of Our Lives'' and “The Young and the Restless.''
more:'The Golden Bachelor', 'Selling Sunset' and Sadness on TV
D'Angelo Russell
D'Angelo Russell is from Louisville and currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. According to his NBA profile, he was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
Outside of sports, he has a foundation called the D'Angelo Russell Foundation, which recently donated $100,000 to help improve Algonquin Park.
more:Louisville native's D'Angelo Russell Foundation donates $100,000 to Algonquin Park renovations
george clooney
George Clooney may be seen all over the world with his wife Amal, but his beginnings are right here in Kentucky. He was born in Lexington and raised in Mason, Ohio, the Cincinnati Enquirer previously reported.
Clooney won two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for “Syriana'' and Best Picture for “Argo,'' which he co-produced.
According to the Songwriters Hall of Fame website, Clooney is the nephew of Maysville, Kentucky-born singer and actress Rosemary Clooney.
more:How George Clooney finally made an 'exciting' boating movie with 'Boys in the Boat'
johnny depp
Before starring in major films such as the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series, Johnny Depp had roots in Owensboro.
His other notable credits include “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Edward Scissorhands” and “Alice in Wonderland.”
josh hutcherson
Union native Josh Hutcherson has been appearing on screen since he was a child, appearing in films such as “Little Manhattan'' and “Bridge to Terabithia.''
You may also know Hutcherson from the “Hunger Games” series, where he co-starred with Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence, a Louisville native. Most recently, Hutcherson starred in the film version of the video game Five Nights at Freddy's.
more:Josh Hutcherson says 'I'm here for that' during 'Tonight Show' appearance on Whistle Edit Meme
marisha ray
Louisville native Marisha Ray has worked in television and streaming, including “8.13,'' the “Dungeons & Dragons'' play-by-play series “Critical Role,'' and its animated spinoff “Legends of Vox Machina.'' It is mainly known for.
“I'm an actor, host, stunt performer, and all-around geek,” Ray said on his website.
Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo has dual ties to Kentucky. He is a Louisville native who also played basketball for the University of Kentucky Wildcats in the mid-2000s. In 2023 he will also be inducted into the British Athletics Hall of Fame.
Rondo has also made a name for himself outside of the Bluegrass State, playing for teams such as the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect that George Clooney is Rosemary Clooney's nephew.
more:Former Kentucky basketball guard Rajon Rondo inducted into UK Athletics Hall of Fame
