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Celebrities You Didn’t Know Were From Nevada

The biggest celebrities don’t come from Hollywood – many are from right here in Nevada! When I was a kid I thought if you were born in Los Angeles –…

Did You Know They Were From Nevada?

Dawn Wells is from Nevada

Frazer Harrison via Getty Images

The biggest celebrities don't come from Hollywood - many are from right here in Nevada!

When I was a kid I thought if you were born in Los Angeles - Hollywood, to be exact - you were just born a celebrity. I thought all actors and actresses were, and had to be, from L.A. Growing up, and maturing (sort of) over time - and my Mom telling me otherwise - they are not.

Living in Nevada we’re all familiar with, and run into quite a few famous people, but you may not realize how many are actually from the Silver State. Many people from a variety of fields: Actors, athletes, musicians are from our own state.

We know the standard Las Vegas, and Nevada performers, who almost seem like they are from here - Wayne Newton, Sinatra, Liberace, etc. But there are a lot of celebrities that were born here in Nevada, or were here from childhood, and actually got their start here -at Las Vegas Academy, Bishop Gorman, or Reno High School!

Some you might know of course, but others may be a surprise. Or at least a "no way!" You watched them in your favorite shows, you watched them compete, you watched them try to help make the country a better place, and you went to their concerts.

Take a look at this list of celebs who got their start right in our backyard!

Dawn Wells

Dawn Wells will be forever remembered as Mary Ann on the iconic sitcom, "Gilligan's Island." A three hour cruise... She was born and raised in Reno. In 1959, she was crowned Miss Nevada and competed in the Miss America pageant the following year. She graduated from Reno High School.

Dawn WellsDawn Wells via Dawn Wells

Thomas Ian Nicholas

Thomas Ian Nicholas gained fame at a pretty young age when he starred in "A Kid In King Arthur's Court." He went on to play in major films like "Rookie of the Year" and the "American Pie" series. He has also released several albums. He was born in Las Vegas.

Thomas Ian NicholasKevin Winter / Staff via Getty Images

Patricia Nixon

Pat Nixon is probably best-known for who she married: President Richard Nixon. While First Lady, she heavily promoted volunteerism. She also worked to acquire many historical pieces of art and furnishings for the White House. Pat Nixon was born in Ely.

Pat NixonRonald Dumont/Express via Getty Images)

Matthew Gray Gubler

Matthew Gray Gubler is best known for his role as Dr. Spencer Reid on the hit show "Criminal Minds." He's from Las Vegas, and studied acting at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts only because his first choice, filmmaking, wasn't offered. He's directed several projects and has also had success as a children's book author, model, and painter. Criminal Minds is BACK, and you can stream it on Paramount+.

Matthew Gray GublerJason Merritt// Staff via Getty Images

Charisma Carpenter

90's TV lovers will recognize Charisma Carpenter from her role as Cordelia Chase on the shows "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and its spin-off "Angel." She also acted in the popular shows "Veronica Mars" and "Charmed." She was raised in Las Vegas and attended Bishop Gorman High School.

Charisma CarpenterFrazer Harrison via Getty Images

Jena Malone

Jena Malone has starred in a lot of popular films. Her acting credits include "Stepmom," "Donnie Darko," and "The Hunger Games" film series. She's also a musician, songwriter, and accomplished photographer as well! She has even performed on Broadway in the hit show "Doubt." She was born in Sparks, Nevada,  and spent much of her early life in the Las Vegas area.

Jena MaloneEthan Miller via Getty Images

Amy Purdy

When Amy Purdy was just 19 years old, she fell ill with bacterial meningitis that resulted in both of her legs being amputated below the knee. She had just a 2% chance of survival. She survived and went on to win a medal at the Paralympics as a successful snowboarder. She has also competed on "Dancing With The Stars" and is a model and motivational speaker.

Amy PurdyEzra Shaw via Getty Iamges

Panic! at the Disco

Panic! at the Disco was the solo project of Musician Brendon Urie (who moved to Las Vegas from Utah when he was two years old). It was originally a pop rock band formed in Las Vegas in 2004 by childhood friends Urie, Ryan RossSpencer Smith, and Brent Wilson. They recorded their first demos while they were in high school (Palo Verde High, and Bishop Gorman). Shortly after, the band released their debut studio album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005). Popularized by the second single, "I Write Sins Not Tragedies," the album was certified triple platinum in the US. In 2006.

Panic! At The DiscoIsaac Brekken via Getty Images
Carla ReaWriter
Carla Rea is the morning show co-host on “The Mike and Carla Morning Show" on 96.3 KKLZ, in Las Vegas. She has been working with her partner and friend Mike O'Brian for the past 25 plus years. At KKLZ for 12 years. Carla Rea is a Gracie Award winner. She started out in talk radio, "when talk radio was still fun" Rea says. Prior to, and along with doing the morning show, Carla is also a comedian. You may have seen her on Conan O'Brien, Evening at The Improv, Showtime, or several comedy clubs across the country. Carla also worked as a light feature reporter at KSNV/NBC Las Vegas, going behind the scenes at various shows, and restaurants on the Las Vegas strip. As a content creator 96.3 KKLZ, Carla writes in a sarcastic, cheeky, unapologetic way on Las Vegas, movies, TV, celebrities, and this thing we call life.