One Of The Biggest Names In Film Grew Up In One Of The Smallest Towns In Illinois
By Linze Rice|Published May 24, 2023
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Linze Rice
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Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
There are tons of fun facts about Illinois, but one of the coolest to pull out is when someone famous is from your small hometown. In fact, you may be surprised to know that lots of big names are actually from small towns in Illinois. This celebrity from Christopher, Illinois event went on to be one of the most well-known names in Hollywood.
John Malkovich is an award-winning actor, director, producer, and theater director who has starred or been featured in more than 70 films (and counting) throughout this storied career.
The film star was born on December 9, 1953, in the small town of Christopher in Southern Illinois. With just under 2,700 residents currently, the town was founded as a railroad stop in 1879 and has remained a charming small town since.
Before making it big, Malkovich grew up in the nearby town of Benton, Illinois. The town currently has about 6,700 residents and is also home to a mural of George Harrison of The Beatles, who once visited the town.
As a teen, Malkovich attended Benton Consolidated High School and acted in local plays, as well as sang and performed music. He later attended Eastern Illinois University and Illinois State University before going on to study acting at William Esper Studio in New York City.
His career began in Chicago at the famed Steppenwolf Theatre Company before advancing to Broadway. He won his first Emmy in 1985 for his performance in a "Death of a Salesman" made-for-TV movie.
Throughout this acting career, he has appeared in "Places of the Heart," (1984), "Dangerous Liaisons" (1988), "In the Line of Fire" (1993), "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (2005), "Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon," (2011), and of course the 1999 classic, "Being John Malkovich." He is also an accomplished stage and television actor.
Did you know that John Malkovich was a celebrity from Christopher, Illinois? Is there anyone famous from your hometown? Tell us in the comments! And if you feel like checking out Malkovich’s Illinois roots in Benton, consider making it a weekend getaway by staying in this cool yurt village!
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