10 More Celebrities You Probably Didn’t Know Were From Philly
Brittany Sims
Posted On January 20, 2021
We have written about 10 celebrities who are from the Philly area in the past and it seemed to be a huge hit. So now, we are telling you 10 MORE celebrities who were born or grew up in Philly and the surrounding cities. There are surprisingly more than you think.
Bob Saget
Saget was born in Philadelphia to a Jewish family. He moved to California but then moved back to Philly and graduated from Abington Senior High School. He also attended Temple University, and is one of the school’s most notable alumni, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree through their film school. Saget has performed at comedy clubs all around the city and always remembers his roots.
Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes
Many people know Lisa as the “L” in the girl band, TLC, but not too many people know that she was born in Philadelphia. She attended the Philadelphia High School for Girls. Lopes loved the city so much that she even went to a prom at Strawberry Mansion because a student/fan invited her to go. Sadly, she died in a car crash in 2002.
The Lawrence Brothers
WHOA! Joey, Andrew, and Matthew Lawrence were all born in Abington Township and grew up in Philadelphia. They all attended Abington Friends School. Although the show, “Brotherly Love,” was a nod to their relationship as brothers, the title does seem fitting since Philly is the City of Brotherly Love.
Boyz II Men
How iconic do you have to be to have a street named after you? Boyz II Men, comprised of Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, and Shawn Stockman, all met in Philly at CAPA High School. They also now have a section of Broad Street, in front of their former high school, named Boyz II Men Blvd. Their debut single, “Motown Philly,” peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the video was shot in Philly.
Kate Flannery
Many people do not know that “The Office” star was actually born in the City of Brotherly Love. Then she was raised in the suburb of Ardmore. After studying for some time in Virginia she transferred to the University of the Arts. Her family used to own a bar in Center City called T. A. Flannery’s, but it was later sold and renamed.
Joan Jett
One of the world’s biggest female rockstars, Joan Jett was born in Wynewood, PA, which is in the Bryn Mawr/Ardmore section of Pennsylvania. However, she didn’t stay for long, moving when she was a few months old, but her grandparents lived in Philly so she would visit from time to time.
Amber Rose
Born and raised in South Philly, Amber Rose came from a very poor neighborhood. She always felt like she was bigger than the city, but still loves her roots. Rose sparked controversy one time because she said people from the city aren’t traditionally attractive.
Patti LaBelle
Another icon from right here in Philadelphia. Patti LaBelle was born in the Eastwick section of Southwest Philly. She attended John Bartram High School where she won a talent competition. LaBelle also has a section of Broad St., between Spruce and Locust named after her.
Richard Gere
Richard Gere was born in Philadelphia, but was raised in Syracuse, NY. Despite not living here for long, Gere has been back filming movies and even raised money for the city’s homeless.
Johnny Weir
The Olympian was born in Coatesville and spent most of his childhood in Chester County. By the age of 12, Weir moved to Delaware to start his ice skating career. His best friend and fellow Olympian, Tara Lipinski, was also born in Philly but shortly after moved to New Jersey.
It is so cool to see all of these celebrities have local ties. Who is your favorite local?
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