Ten Celebrities Who Hail From The Great State Of Louisiana

As I did a little research I came across some familiar faces on the big screen or music charts and saw that many of them were from right here in the state of Louisiana. While there are more than I can mention at the moment, here are some who barely need an introduction.

Reese Witherspoon

This darling hails from New Orleans and has been acting for well over 3 decades now. The very first time I saw her was in the "Fear" along with Mark Wahlburg who played a deranged stalker boyfriend. Since then she has been married twice, once to fellow actor Ryan Phillippe and has starred in big movies like "Legally Bonde 1 &2", and "Walk The Line", as Johhny Cash's wife June Carter Cash.

Jerry Lee Lewis

This talented singer nicknames "The Killer" hails from Ferriday Louisiana and is the cousin of television evangelist Jimmy Swaggart. Jerry is known for his off-the-cuff Rock and Roll style and stage presence that is unmatched.

Ellen Degeneres

This comedic genius and talk show host is from New Orleans and has mastered the art of perfect comedic timing and great interaction with audiences especially with her talk show "Ellen". She also attended the University of New Orleans and has been on top since her debut in the comedy world.

Peyton Manning

You know here in Louisiana, we love our saints. But while he never played for the New Orleans Saints, he is still a hometown favorite hailing from New Orleans. We can't forget his brother Eli who is a New Orleans Native as well. These guys truly have the gift of the game as they have both played their hearts out in the wonderful sport of Football.

Lodric Collins

The young rising star is from right here in Lake Charles. He has taken the small screen by storm as Donald Winthrop on "Tyler Perry's The Oval" and recently appeared as Smoky Robinson in the Aretha Franklin biopic "Respect". While he is rolling with Hollywood's elite, he is well on his way to being a household favorite soon enough.

Zachary Levi

This Lake Charles Native really took the big screen in the 2019 hit "Shazam!". With news of a follow up in 2023, he's got plenty of other big hits to come in television series "Star Wars: Detours" and movies "Undercover" and "Spy Guys".

Lil Wayne

Unless you have been under a rock for the past 20-plus years, you are familiar with the lyrical assassin Lil Wayne. He hails from New Orleans and I am sure has worked with one of your favorite artists including Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, and more. Although he began his career in his teens, he has still been able to remain relevant with an onslaught of new talent coming into the music game. He has also helped to propel the careers of Nicki Minaj and Drake as well.

Amy Brassette

Amy is currently the host and writer of a travel/dating show that should debut sometime next month. She has also been featured in the sketch comedy series on Fox from Ced The Entertainer. More big things are to come from the Lake Charles native soon enough.

Buddy Guy

This is a man who is the blues. Buddy Guy hails from Lettsworth. He was ranked as 23rd in Rolling Stone Magazine's "100 Greatest Guitarists of all time" He has written several books and has influenced some of the other greats in music including Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, John Mayer, and Eric Clapton just to name a few.

Louis Armstrong

What else can be said about this New Orleans native that hasn't been said before? His Trumpet is second to none and his voice on "What a wonderful world" makes you want to play the song over and over. Louis left a legacy of music for many fans new and old to adore.

Here are a few honorable mentions that are just as important with plenty of great things to come for us to enjoy

Taja V Simpson- The beautiful actress is from Lake Charles and has been featured in several Tyler Perry movies and currently stars with another Lake Charles native Lodric Collins in Tyler Perry's "The Oval".

Anne Rice- This top-selling author is from New Orleans and made becoming a Vampire sexy with her Interview with A Vampire book series based in New Orleans which eventually went to the silver screen with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt bringing it to reality in theaters.