Philadelphia is more than just the birthplace of American democracy—it’s also the hometown of numerous world-famous celebrities whose influence spans film, music, television, sports, and culture. Stars like Will Smith and Kevin Hart, both born and raised in the city, started their incredible journeys in Philly’s neighborhoods and now headline blockbuster movies and global comedy tours. Their legacies inspire locals and visitors alike, and for anyone exploring the city, it’s easy to feel the energy that shapes creative minds; plan your own adventure with these top recommendations in our guide to 30 Things To Do In Philly.
From the glamour of Hollywood to the beats of hip-hop, Philadelphia boasts legends such as Questlove of The Roots and R&B icons like Jill Scott and Boyz II Men. These artists have deep roots in the city’s music scene, which remains a vibrant part of the local culture. Whether you’re strolling down the Avenue of the Arts or taking in one of the many concerts and shows throughout the city, you are connecting with the same cultural pulse that helped these celebrities shine. Discover our list of celebrities that shaped their talents stemming from roots in Philadelphia.
- Will Smith
Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Smith starred in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and blockbusters such as “Men in Black,” “Independence Day,” “Ali,” and “Bad Boys.” He’s a Grammy winner and one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood. - Kevin Hart
Comedian and actor from North Philadelphia, Hart is celebrated for stand-up success and films like “Ride Along,” “Jumanji,” and “Central Intelligence.” He produces his own content through the Laugh Out Loud Network. - Bradley Cooper
Born in Abington Township and raised in Jenkintown, Cooper is an Oscar-nominated actor for “A Star Is Born,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” and “American Sniper,” and is also the voice of Rocket in “Guardians of the Galaxy”. - Tina Fey
Raised in Upper Darby, Fey is a creator/writer/star of “30 Rock,” “Mean Girls,” and a landmark SNL alum with multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards. - Kevin Bacon
From Fitler Square, Bacon is famous for “Footloose,” “Apollo 13,” “Mystic River,” and the concept of ‘Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.’ He attended Julia R. Masterman High School. - Bob Saget
Born in Philadelphia, Saget played Danny Tanner in “Full House,” hosted “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” and was the narrator for “How I Met Your Mother”. - Rob McElhenney
South Philadelphia native, creator/star/writer of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” and executive producer of “Mythic Quest”. - David Corenswet
Philadelphia-raised, Juilliard graduate, cast as Superman in the DCU and known for Netflix’s “Hollywood” and “Pearl”. - Seth Green
Born in Philadelphia, Green voiced Chris Griffin in “Family Guy,” and stars in “Robot Chicken,” “Austin Powers,” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”. - Colman Domingo
Born in Philly, Domingo won a Tony Award for acting, appears in “Euphoria,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” “The Color Purple,” and won an Emmy for outstanding guest actor. - Jaeden Martell
Young actor from Philadelphia, known for playing Bill in “It” and roles in “Knives Out” and “Defending Jacob”. - Victoria Pedretti
Award-winning actress from Philly, starred in “You,” “The Haunting of Hill House/Bly Manor,” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”. - Cheri Oteri
Philadelphia native and SNL alum, recognized for comedic sketches and roles in movies like “Scary Movie” and other TV shows. - Amber Rose
Model, actress, and television personality born in Philly, Rose is known for her activism, high-profile relationships, and business ventures. - Kat Dennings
Born in Bryn Mawr, worked in and around Philly, Dennings stars in “2 Broke Girls,” “Thor,” and “WandaVision”. - Grace Kelly
Iconic Oscar-winning actress (“Rear Window,” “High Noon”) and Princess of Monaco, born in East Falls, Philadelphia. Became Hollywood and European royalty. - Da’vine Joy Randolph
Oscar-winning actress from Mt. Airy, starred in “The Holdovers,” and is a Temple University graduate. - Quinta Brunson
West Philadelphia native, creator, star, and Emmy-winning writer of “Abbott Elementary,” trailblazing sitcom representation. - Scott Patterson
Actor in “Gilmore Girls” as Luke Danes, born in Philadelphia. - Brett Gray
Actor and singer from Philadelphia, played Jamal Turner in “On My Block”. - Bryshere Gray
Philly-born actor, played Hakeem Lyon on “Empire” and starred in “The New Edition Story”. - Jillian Shea Spaeder
TV actress and singer from Philadelphia, featured in Disney’s “Godmothered” and “Walk the Prank”.
Musicians, Athletes, and Other Celebrities
- Questlove
West Philly drummer, leader of The Roots, producer, and musical director for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”. - Patti LaBelle
Legendary soul singer from Southwest Philly, honored with “Jill Scott Lane” and known for her sweet potato pies. - Lil Uzi Vert
Platinum-selling rapper from North Philadelphia with hits like “XO Tour Llif3” and “Money Longer”. - Eve
Rapper and actress born in West Philly, known for “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” and the sitcom “Eve”. - Pink (P!nk)
Doylestown native, international superstar known for “Just Give Me a Reason” and “So What”. - Jill Scott
Grammy-winning R&B/soul singer, poet, and actress from North Philadelphia, honored with a street named after her. - Meek Mill
Rapper/activist from Philadelphia, famous for “Dreams and Nightmares” and criminal justice reform. - Lee Daniels
Film producer/director from West Philly, behind “Precious” and TV’s “Empire”. - Lisa Lopes (Left Eye)
Philadelphia-born rapper and member of TLC, famous for her innovative music and powerful influence. - PnB Rock
Born in Germantown, Philadelphia, R&B singer/rapper best known for “Selfish”. - Jazmine Sullivan
North Philly-born Grammy-winning R&B singer, known for “Heaux Tales” and powerful vocal performances. - Boyz II Men
Legendary R&B group, all Philly natives, creators of hits like “End of the Road” and “I’ll Make Love to You”; honored with Boyz II Men Boulevard. - M. Night Shyamalan
World-renowned director and screenwriter from Philly, famous for “The Sixth Sense,” “Signs,” and uses Philadelphia as a backdrop for many films. - Guion Bluford
First African American astronaut in space, originally from West Philly and Overbrook High School graduate. - Kobe Bryant
NBA legend born in Philadelphia, attended Lower Merion High School, celebrated globally for his “Mamba Mentality” and championship basketball career. - Wilt Chamberlain
NBA Hall-of-Famer, record-holder, and Philly native, known for revolutionary basketball records. - Richard Gere
Though raised in upstate New York, the “Pretty Woman” star was born in Philadelphia.
Philly’s creative impact isn’t just limited to music and movies. Stars like Oscar-winner Bradley Cooper, comedy icon Tina Fey, and multi-talented Amber Rose grew up in Philadelphia, all of them drawing inspiration from the city’s history, architecture, and thriving neighborhoods. Visitors can trace their stories in local museums and arts venues, many of which offer interactive exhibits and performances highlighting the city’s rich entertainment traditions. For themed experiences, check out our Philadelphia Theme Parks and popular city museums to immerse yourself in the same atmosphere that nurtured household names.
The city’s contribution to entertainment goes hand-in-hand with its reputation for diverse attractions and engaging tours. Personalities like Quinta Brunson and Colman Domingo showcase Philadelphia’s modern edge in television and theater, while sports legends such as Kobe Bryant and Wilt Chamberlain remind fans of the pride Philly takes in athletic achievement. Walking tours, guided excursions, and historic venues connect the city’s vibrant past with its present-day celebrity successes—get inspired by exploring Philadelphia Tour Guides and city Attractions for a behind-the-scenes look at Philly’s star power.
They Helped Shape Philadelphia’s Legacy
Philadelphia’s musical legacy extends far beyond the stars mentioned earlier. The city helped shape R&B, soul, and the birth of “Philly sound,” especially through the 1960s and 1970s. Legendary voices like Teddy Pendergrass, who started with Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and went on to a powerful solo career, gave Philadelphia an enduring influence in soul music. Pendergrass recorded iconic tracks including “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” and “Turn Off the Lights,” and his work set a standard for generations of vocalists.
Philly soul flourished with groups like The Stylistics, whose lush harmonies powered hits such as “You Are Everything” and “Betcha by Golly, Wow.” Similarly, The Delfonics became famous for their smooth, orchestral productions like “La-La (Means I Love You)” and “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time).” Girl groups and vocal acts also found national acclaim: The Three Degrees scored hits in the 1970s with “When Will I See You Again,” while The Intruders and The Tymes brought their own blend of soul and doo-wop to the charts throughout the 60s and 70s.
The city produced even more music legends. Billy Paul won a Grammy for “Me and Mrs. Jones,” capturing the city’s signature sound of sentimental romance blended with social commentary. Iconic songwriting and producing teams, notably Gamble & Huff and Thom Bell, were the architects behind countless hits for artists like MFSB (“TSOP – The Sound of Philadelphia”), The O’Jays, Barbara Mason, Brenda & the Tabulations, and the Spinners.
Rock and pop also got a boost from Philly. Bobby Rydell became a teen idol in the early 1960s, scoring dozens of Top 40 hits and starring in film. Wynnewood native Joan Jett found fame with The Runaways and as the frontwoman of The Blackhearts, rocketing to number one with “I Love Rock & Roll.” Philly’s diverse music scene continues to shape and inspire, with countless groups, session musicians, and songwriters contributing to the city’s rich soundtrack.
These artists and groups helped Philadelphia earn a place as one of America’s essential music capitals, especially for soulful, romantic, and innovative popular music in the 1960s through modern times.