Some of the world's best athletes, musicians, and actors call New Orleans, Louisiana their home. In honor of Mardi Gras, let's take a moment to celebrate the stars from the Big Easy.
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon was born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon March 22, 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The star and executive producer of The Morning Show (2019-) then moved to Tennessee and was raised in Nashville.
The Oscar award winning actress is most notably known as Elle Woods of Legally Blonde (2001), as well as Cheryl of Wild (2014) a film she also produced.
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres was born on January 26, 1958 in Metairie, Louisiana, a 15 minute drive to New Orleans. The talk show host travelled to NOLA quite often as she began her hand in stand-up comedy.
The Emmy Award winner is notoriously known for her daytime talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003-) as well as being a regular television personality.
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry was born on September 13, 1969 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The owner of Tyler Perry Studios moved to Atlanta, Georgia around 1990, escaping a difficult childhood and looking to begin a career in writing.
The NAACP Image Award winning writer, director, and producer is known for his Madea franchise, as well as the BET series Sistas (2019-) and received the Primetime Emmy Governors Award in 2020.
DJ Khaled
DJ Khaled was born Khaled Mohamed Khaled November 26, 1975 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The record producer moved to Miami, Florida in 1998 and began his music career co-hosting The Luke Show on WEDR "99 Jamz."
The Grammy award winner has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber.
Frank Ocean
Frank Ocean was born Christopher Edwin Breaux October 28, 1987 in Long Beach, California. The singer-songwriter's family then moved to New Orleans when the artist was five and Ocean in NOLA until 2006 when he moved to Los Angeles to pursue music.
The Grammy award winner's album Channel Orange (2012) put Ocean onto the charts and his album Blonde (2016) made him an icon.
Anthony Mackie
Anthony Mackie was born on September 23, 1978 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Avenger moved to New York to attend Julliard School, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
The NAACP Image Award nominee is most notably known as Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and recently starred in the Netflix film Outside the Wire (2021).
The Manning Brothers
Peyton and Eli Manning were both born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Peyton Manning began his college football career at the University of Tennessee, while Eli played for the Ole Miss Rebels.
Both quarterbacks have made tremendous plays within the NFL. Peyton was the former quarterback of the Denver Broncos, recently awarded with a Pro Football Hall of Fame induction. Eli was the former quarterback of the New York Giants, winning the MVP title twice in his career.
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Kelly Oubre Jr. was born on December 9, 1995 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The basketball player's family moved to Richmond, Texas after Hurricane Katrina hit, transferred to Nevada his senior year, and collegiately played for the Kansas Jayhawks.
Oubre Jr. sports #12 on the court, playing for the Golden State Warriors as a shooting guard and small forward.
So many stars have come from NOLA, there's already reason to celebrate! Have a great and safe Mardi Gras celebration this year.
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