These 5 Celebrities Hail From Some Of Utah's Most Charming Small Towns
By Courtnie Erickson|Updated on March 25, 2024(Originally published July 03, 2023)
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Utah’s small towns hold much charm and many are home to incredible hidden gems. But, did you know that several small towns in Utah were also home to big stars – some of the most famous people from Utah, in fact? While several celebrities, musicians, influencers, etc., hail from Salt Lake City, Ogden, and many other large cities in the Beehive State, there are a handful that come from towns that are much quieter, slower-paced, and absolutely lovely. Here are five famous individuals who once called a small town in Utah home.
James Woods was born in 1947 in the small town of Vernal. He is one of the most famous actors from Utah, and you may know him from productions like “Citizen Cohn,” “Nixon,” and “Casino.”
Vernal is one destination in Utah that often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. This town has approximately 10,000 residents and as you drive in, you’ll be greeted by a large pink dinosaur. This only makes sense as Vernal is one of the best places in Utah to view dinosaur tracks and fossils.
Laraine Day was a popular actress in the 1930s. Fun fact about this star: she married baseball manager Leo Durocher and became known as “The First Lady of Baseball.”
Not too far from Vernal is the beautiful town of Roosevelt. This small town is home to approximately 7,000 residents. It’s an excellent place for outdoor enthusiasts as there are countless recreational opportunities nearby.
Actor Anthony Geary was raised in the must-visit town of Coalville. He is an actor that has performed in more than 50 stage productions and 40 television shows including “Murder, She Wrote,” “The Young and the Restless” and “All in the Family.”
Coalville sits not far from the Utah and Wyoming line and has approximately 1,400 residents. This town has tons of history including a specialty grocery store that dates back to 1908. During a visit here, make sure to spend some time at Echo State Park.
Chrissy Teigen not only made a name for herself in the modeling world, but she is also an actress, producer, influencer, wife, and mother. She is, arguably, one of the most recognizable Utah celebrities.
Delta is one of those hidden gems in Utah that not many people take the time to explore. There is so much to do here from visiting the Topaz Museum to spending time at Gunnison Bend Reservoir. If possible, make sure to plan a visit during the month of February for the annual Snow Goose Festival — it’s incredible!
We all have Philo Farnsworth to thank as he brought one of the greatest inventions to life — the television. Farnsworth was born in a small cabin in Beaver with very little. In fact, he didn’t even have electricity until the age of 12.
Beaver is one community that many people drive by as they travel on Interstate 15, but it is a town that has much to offer. You can get a glimpse of Farnsworth’s beginnings by visiting the historic Farnsworth Cabin and Monument, stopping by The Creamery, or viewing one of the 100 historical buildings that are on the National Register of Historic Places.
What other celebrities are from small towns in Utah? Let us know in the comments! And, if you want to check out even more celebrities from Utah (including those from the big cities!), check out our list of 20 celebrities who hail from Utah. Knowing that so many prominent folks hail from our state is just one of the many sources of pride that we have here in Utah. We have so much to be proud of, in fact, that we wouldn’t be faulted for showing it off a little.
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