Famous Stars Who Were Born In Chicago

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.

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is an American attorney and author. She held the position of the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017, during her marriage to former president Barack Obama. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, Obama is a proud alumni of both Princeton University and Harvard Law School.

Jesse Williams, a Chicago native, is known for his roles as an actor, activist, and model. He gained fame for playing "Dr. Avery Jackson" on the popular ABC medical drama series, 'Grey’s Anatomy'. Beyond his acting career, Williams is a passionate advocate for social justice causes. He has been a vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, using his platform to raise awareness and promote change.

Kiernan Shipka, the actress from 'Mad Men', who's currently a popular figure, left her hometown in Chicago early on to start her showbiz journey. While she now lives in Los Angeles, Shipka mentioned in an interview with Chicago Splash that she makes it a point to be in Chicago every Fourth of July.

The Democratic nominee for President in 2016, who originally came from Chicago, later served as the First Lady in the White House from 1992. It's clear she had a deep connection to her hometown, as she won the state of Illinois in the 2016 primary elections.

Born in Evanston, Illinois (near Chicago), Bill Murray is a beloved comedian and actor, famous for his work in classics like 'Ghostbusters' and 'Groundhog Day.'

Chance the Rapper - Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Chance is a Grammy-winning rapper and songwriter known for his innovative rap style.

Walt Disney, born in Chicago in 1901, was a highly creative and talented individual. He excelled in various aspects of the entertainment industry, from making movies and cartoons to running a successful business. Disney co-founded Walt Disney Productions, a company that eventually became one of the most renowned movie-making enterprises globally.

Jenny McCarthy, the TV personality, learned to be tough growing up in Chicago's South Side. Even after getting turned down by modeling agencies, she kept going. Her big break came when she auditioned for a modeling job at 'Playboy' Headquarters in Chicago, which got her noticed in the media and changed her career.

Karlie Kloss, the famous model, began her career in Chicago, not on luxurious global runways. She mentioned to 'ELLE' that her start in modeling was quite random, taking on various gigs in Chicago, including shoots for not-so-famous bridal magazines, before she made her way to New York.