Top Hollywood actors with English roots | List of English American Actors

American Actors of English Ancestry

Embarking on a journey through American movies, we’re taking a look at some famous actors whose families originally come from England, as well as those who were born in England and later became stars in Hollywood. Join us as we navigate the stories of these individuals, each leaving an indelible mark on the international allure of Hollywood.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Considered one of the greatest actors, Daniel Day-Lewis, born in London, has dual citizenship with England and Ireland. He’s known for his intense method of acting and has starred in films like “There Will Be Blood,” “Lincoln,” and “My Left Foot.”

Christian Bale

Christian Bale, born in Wales, has English ancestry. Known for his dedication to roles, he portrayed Batman in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, starred in “American Psycho,” and won an Oscar for “The Fighter.”

Benedict Cumberbatch

Born in London, Benedict Cumberbatch has English and partially Swedish ancestry. He gained international fame as Sherlock Holmes in the TV series “Sherlock” and starred in films like “The Imitation Game” and “Doctor Strange.”

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman, born in London, is known for his chameleon-like acting. He has English ancestry and has starred in acclaimed films such as “The Dark Knight” trilogy, “Darkest Hour,” and “Leon: The Professional.”

Anthony Hopkins

Sir Anthony Hopkins, born in Wales, has Welsh and English ancestry. He’s celebrated for his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs” and has also starred in films like “The Remains of the Day” and “Thor.”

Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie, born in Oxford, England, has English ancestry. He’s famous for his comedic and dramatic roles, especially as Dr. Gregory House in “House, M.D.,” and has starred in films like “Sense and Sensibility.”

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks, born in California, has English and Portuguese ancestry. He’s renowned for his versatility and has delivered memorable performances in films such as “Forrest Gump,” “Saving Private Ryan,” and “Cast Away.”

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp, born in Kentucky, has English, Irish, and some Cherokee ancestry. He’s a versatile actor known for his eccentric roles in films like “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Edward Scissorhands,” and “Sweeney Todd.”

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise, born in New York, has English, German, and Irish ancestry. An iconic action star, he’s famous for his roles in “Top Gun,” “Mission: Impossible” series, and “Jerry Maguire.”

George Clooney

George Clooney, born in Kentucky, has English, Irish, and German ancestry. An accomplished actor and filmmaker, he’s known for films like “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Syriana,” and “Gravity.”

Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart, born in New York, has English ancestry. A classic Hollywood icon, he starred in timeless films such as “Casablanca,” “The Maltese Falcon,” and “The Big Sleep.”

Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase, born in New York, has English and Scottish ancestry. A comedy legend, he’s known for his work on “Saturday Night Live” and films like “Caddyshack” and “National Lampoon’s Vacation.”

Matt Bomer

Matt Bomer, born in Missouri, has English and Welsh ancestry. He gained recognition for his roles in TV series “White Collar” and films like “Magic Mike” and “The Normal Heart.”

James Cromwell

James Cromwell, born in Los Angeles, has English and German ancestry. He’s recognized for versatile roles, including “Babe,” “The Green Mile,” and “L.A. Confidential.”

James Dean

James Dean, born in Indiana, had English, Irish, and German ancestry. Despite a short career, he left an indelible mark with iconic roles in “Rebel Without a Cause” and “East of Eden.”

Jason Biggs

Jason Biggs, born in New Jersey, has English and Italian ancestry. He’s known for his comedic roles in the “American Pie” series and has appeared in films like “Saving Silverman

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin, born in New York, has English, Irish, and French-Canadian ancestry. Known for his versatile career, he starred in “The Hunt for Red October,” “Glengarry Glen Ross,” and is famous for his portrayal of Jack Donaghy in “30 Rock.”

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck, born in California, has English, Scottish, and Irish ancestry. Known for his work as an actor, director, and writer, he’s starred in films like “Good Will Hunting,” “Argo,” and portrayed Batman in the DC Extended Universe.

Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood, hailing from San Francisco, possesses a diverse heritage that includes English, Dutch, and Scottish ancestry. An iconic figure in Hollywood, Eastwood has etched his legacy with memorable performances in classics such as “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” “Dirty Harry,” and “Unforgiven.”

Richard Gere

Richard Gere, born on August 31, 1949, with roots traced to Pennsylvania, boasts English ancestry. Celebrated for his contributions to cinema, Gere has left an enduring impact with roles in timeless romantic films like “Pretty Woman” and “An Officer and a Gentleman.” His versatile career also includes notable performances on stage and a commitment to humanitarian causes.

William Baldwin

William Baldwin, born in New York, has English, Irish, and French-Canadian ancestry. He’s recognized for roles in “Backdraft,” “Flatliners,” and TV series like “Dirty Sexy Money.”

Mark Ballas

Mark Ballas, born in Texas, has English and Mexican ancestry. While known for his career as a professional dancer, he’s also appeared on TV shows like “Dancing with the Stars” and “Strictly Come Dancing.”

Jamie Bamber

Jamie Bamber, born in London, has English and Northern Irish ancestry. He gained prominence for his role in the TV series “Battlestar Galactica” and has appeared in shows like “Law & Order: UK.”

Jake T. Austin

Jake T. Austin, born in New York, has Puerto Rican, Argentine, and Spanish ancestry. He’s known for his early roles in Disney Channel shows like “Wizards of Waverly Place” and animated films like “Rio.”

Stephen Baldwin

Stephen Baldwin, born in New York, has English, Irish, and French-Canadian ancestry. He’s known for roles in films like “The Usual Suspects” and “Bio-Dome.”

John Lithgow

American actor and author John Lithgow, known for his versatility, has English ancestry. His acclaimed performances in “The World According to Garp” and “3rd Rock from the Sun” showcase his diverse talent.

Christopher Lloyd

Recognized for his distinctive career, American actor Christopher Lloyd has English ancestry. Best known for “Back to the Future” and “The Addams Family,” Lloyd’s eccentric characters have left a lasting impact.

Anthony Perkins

Anthony Perkins, the American actor famous for his role as Norman Bates in “Psycho,” had English ancestry. His impactful performances in classics like “Psycho” and “Friendly Persuasion” remain memorable.

Christopher Reeve

Christopher Reeve, born on September 25, 1952, in New York City, had a diverse heritage that included English ancestry. Widely recognized for his iconic portrayal of Superman, Reeve’s cinematic legacy extends beyond superhero roles, encompassing acclaimed performances in films such as “Superman: The Movie” and “The Remains of the Day.”

Dick Van Dyke

American actor, comedian, and singer Dick Van Dyke, with English ancestry, has had a remarkable career in film, television, and theater. Notable works include “Mary Poppins” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”