I’ve put together a ranking of the top 10 actors who are from Illinois, not just the most famous, but they are the BEST actors in the Land of Lincoln.
Here is my definitive list of the best actors who are from Illinois. I found two great lists of actors who are from Illinois (Stacker.com and who2.com) and I’ll rank the actors 10 to 1. Now you may be saying “You’re just a radio morning show host, what do you know about acting? ” That’s fair BUT I actually have a BFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University, graduated from the Second City Conservatory in Chicago, performed for years in Chicago before getting into radio, and still perform here at Quincy Community Theatre. Having said all that… this is still just my opinion and I would love to hear your list of the best actors in Illinois.
Honorable Mention: Vince Vaughn (he’s technically from Minnesota, so he can’t be on this list, even though he’s a great guy from Chicago), Gary Sinise, Ronald Reagan, Harold Ramis, Betty White, Richard Pryor, Bob Odenkirk, Bob Newhart, Bonnie Hunt, John Cusak, Richard Jenkins, and Nick Offerman.
10. Bruce Dern – 2 Oscar nominations, and just look at Nebraska, he’s brilliant in that movie.
9. John C. Reilly – 1 Oscar nomination, Step Brothers, Chicago, Talladega Nights.
8. John Belushi – Blues Brothers, SNL, Animal House, and on my personal Mount Rushmore of comedic actors.
7. Jennifer Hudson – Oscar-winning, Dream Girls, Respect could eventually be higher on this list.
6. John Malkovich – 2 Oscar nominations, being John Malkovich puts him on this list, his film career is huge and he is also a prolific stage actor.
5. Harrison Ford – 1 Oscar nomination, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Fugitive, I wanted to put it higher, it’s one of my all-time favorites.
4. Charlton Heston – 1 Oscar, Ben Hur, Planet of the Apes, one of the classic leading men from the golden age of Hollywood.
3. Robin Williams: 1 Oscar, Mrs. Doubtfire, Goodwill Hunting, Jack, truly one of the all-time greats, so sad he’s not with us yet.
2. Bill Murray – 1 Oscar nomination, Lost in Translation, Ghostbusters, Stripes, Bill Murray has skyrocketed this list in recent years with performances in movies like St. Vincent, and everything he does with director Wes Anderson.
1. Frances McDormand – 4 Oscars. She is a force from Fargo to Nomandland, Three Billboards and beyond. She one of the best actors of all time and she deserves to be in the number 1 spot.
Ok, where did I screw up the list and where did I get it right?
LOOK: Food history since the year you were born
.