Notable film and television stars who grew up on farms

Hollywood celebrities may attend movie premieres and other red carpet events filled with big city lights. Still, a few grew up on several acres surrounded by animals and rolling fields. Here are eight notable figures in film and television who grew up on a farm.

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Melissa McCarthy

McCarthy is a comedian, producer, and actress. Some of her most notable roles are in Bridesmaids, Mike and Molly, and Gilmore Girls. She was born in rural Illinois and grew up on her family’s corn and soybean farm. In an interview, she stated that it was the best way to grow up.

Jennie Garth

This actress was a star on the hit franchise Beverly Hills 90210. She has also appeared on many other television shows, including Dancing with the Stars. She also had her own show on both HGTV and CMT. Garth grew up on a horse farm in Illinois.

Garrett Hedlund

You may know Hedlund from movies such as Friday Night Lights, Georgia Rule, Tron: Legacy, or perhaps Country Strong. Hedlund may be considered country strong in his own right because he grew up and worked on a 400 acre cattle ranch outside of Roseau, Minnesota.

Krysten Ritter

Ritter is a model, musician and an actor, who became a part of the Marvel Universe when she stared in the Netflix series Jessica Jones. She grew up on a 100 acre cattle farm in rural Pennsylvania. On the farm, she helped raise a calf whom she named Jake. As Jake grew, she would ride him around the farm.

Matthew Fox

This Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor grew up raising longhorns and horses on a ranch in Wyoming. He is best known for his role as Jack Shephard in the hit drama Lost.

Charlize Theron

Theron was born in Benoni, South Africa. Since she has been in Hollywood, she has won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe; she was also named one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World.” Her filmography consists of Mad Max: Fury Road, Monster, The Fate of The Furious, Bombshell, and the American remake of The Italian Job. However, before all of that, Theron grew up on a farm in South Africa, where she loved feeding and taking care of the livestock.

Eva Longoria

Longoria has appeared in shows like Beverly Hills 90210 and General Hospital; she also had a regular role on The Young and The Restless and was a lead in Desperate Housewives. Longoria was born and raised on a ranch near Corpus Christi, Texas, where she was no stranger to the outdoors.

Tom Wopat

Wopat is best known for his starring role as Luke Duke in the series The Dukes of Hazard. This “good ol boy” may not have been from Hazard County, Georgia in real life, but he does know what the farm life is about, as he grew up on a dairy farm in Lodi, Wisconsin.

Also, check out which celebrities wore the iconic blue and gold FFA jacket.

Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Ray’s Roadhouse is a weekly program featuring the music of Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. Ray and his band Asleep at the Wheel has had a more than 50 year career in the music industry and over the years have earned nine Grammy Awards. The program also will feature guest performers such as Pat Green, Stoney LaRue and Kelly Willis.
Back by popular demand! RFD-TV is proudly bringing back classic episodes featuring everyone’s favorite Polka MC, Big Joe. We’ll select some of your favorite episodes of The Big Joe Polka Classics!
Celebrating 16 Consecutive Seasons on RFD-TV! “The Penny Gilley Show,” starring “The Sweetheart of Country Music” herself, Penny Gilley.
Expert gearheads Kevin Byrd and Willie B have a wealth of technical knowledge and a passion to share it each week on Two Guys Garage.
RFD-TV’s newest music series, “On the Record,” presented by John Deere, takes viewers on a journey through the heart of country music. Hosted by renowned broadcaster, Suzanne Alexander, the show features long-form interviews with today’s biggest artists and the veterans who inspired them. “On the Record” also gives viewers a front row seat to intimate performances and exclusive music video releases, highlighting the broad scope of Nashville’s talent.