These 6 Celebrities Hail From Some Of Rhode Island’s Most Charming Small Towns

The most charming small towns in Rhode Island often hearken back to yesteryear, offering a slower pace of life and plenty to do, from strolling along sandy beaches to dining at some of the best restaurants in New England. Several of those towns are also well-known for their most famous residents. Here are six famous people from Rhode Island who were born or raised in one of our many lovely little cities. If you've been wondering about celebrities that live in Rhode Island, you're in the right place!

1. Harry Anderson – Newport

Kicking off our list of famous people in Rhode Island is Harry Anderson! NBC was the best place to be on Thursday nights in the 1980s, and Harry Anderson was a familiar face on the weekly lineup. Perhaps best known for his portrayal of Judge Harry Stone on the sitcom Night Court, Anderson was born in Newport. The comedian tallied a long list of film and television credits, also appearing on Cheers, Dave’s World, and Saturday Night Live. The Rhode Island native passed away in 2018.

2. Viola Davis – Central Falls

Although Academy-Award-winning actress Viola Davis wasn’t born in Rhode Island, she grew up in Central Falls. After graduating from high school in Rhode Island, she pursued an acting career. She starred on the popular television show How To Get Away With Murder and won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fences. She's one of the most famous celebrities that lived in Rhode Island.

3. Charlie Day – Middletown

New York-born and Rhode Island-raised, Charlie Day spent his childhood in Middletown. An actor, writer, and producer, Day is perhaps best known for It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. He wrote, starred, and produced in the comedic hit. He's among one of the most talented Rhode Island famous people.

4. Debra Messing – East Greenwich

Arguably known best for her portrayal of Grace Adler in the NBC hit comedy Will and Grace, Debra Messing was born in New York but grew up in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. She also starred in The Starter Wife and The Mysteries of Laura as well as in such well-known films as A Walk In The Clouds.

5. Mena Suvari – Newport

Born in the charming town of Newport, actress Mena Suvari is perhaps best known for starring in American Beauty and the American Pie films, among others. She also appeared in such television shows as Six Feet Under and Chicago Fire.

6. Van Johnson – Newport

Another Newport native, Van Johnson had a long and storied career on radio, film, and Broadway. His film credits include A Guy Named Joe and Brigadoon. Johnson passed away at 92 in 2008.

Do you know of any other Rhode Island famous people? Please let us know in the comments section! Looking for a local spot to find more noteworthy people? Did you know there’s a popular diner that serves hot dogs in Providence and Cranston, Rhode Island that’s a celebrity favorite? It’s well worth a visit, too, so be sure to check it out!

If you plan on spending extended time in one of the above small towns and cities in Rhode Island, take a look at the vacation rentals available on Vrbo.