The list does not include the obvious - or obvious to me anyway - such as Channing Tatum, Courtney Cox, Mary Badham or Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer. It also does not include actors who have died, including Tallulah Bankhead or George "Goober" Lindsay.
This isn't meant to be an all-inclusive list so feel free to tell me about your favorite who's not mentioned here. Comment below or email
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Amber Benson
Amber Nicole Benson was born Jan. 8, 1977, in Birmingham to Edward and Diane Benson. She is an actress, writer, film director and film producer who is probably best known for her role as Tara on the TV show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
Michael Biehn
Michael Biehn was born July 31, 1956, in Anniston to Don and Marcia Biehn. He is an actor and director. His first role was a bit part in the 1978 film "Grease" but his biggest part would come when he portrayed Kyle Reese in 1984's "The Terminator." He has appeared in numerous films such as "Tombstone," "Deadfall," "The Rock," "The Magnificent Seven," "Clockstoppers," and "The Divide."
Lucas Black
Lucas Black was born Nov. 29, 1982, to Jan and Larry Black. He is from Speake in Lawrence County, where he graduated from Speake High School. He is known for his roles in films such as "Sling Blade," "Jarhead," "Friday Night Lights," "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," "Legion," "Get Low," "All the Pretty Horses," and "Seven Days in Utopia." He is known for refusing to give up his Southern accent for roles.
Julia Campbell
Julia Campbell was born March 12, 1962, in Huntsville. Although she has had numerous roles in movies and TV series, including "Ally McBeal," "Friends," and "Seinfeld," Campbell is likely best known for her role as "mean girl" Christie McMasters in 1997's "Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion."
Clayne Crawford
Clayne Crawford was born April 20, 1978, in Clay, Ala. He has appeared in films such as 2002's "A Walk to Remember" and "Swimfan," and 2004's "A Love Song for Bobby Long." Crawford also had a recurring role during season 8 of "24" and a recurring role on the A&E series "The Glades."
Kim Dickens
Kimberly Jan "Kim" Dickens was born June 18, 1965, in Huntsville, where she graduated from Lee High School. She later earned a bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University and also graduated from the American Academy of Fine Arts in New York before moving to Los Angeles to begingher career. She has appeared in films such as "Mercury Rising" with Bruce Willis, "Sand and Fog" with Ben Kingsley and TV series such as "Deadwood," "Friday Night Lights" and "Sons of Anarchy."
Jordan Fisher
Jordan Fisher was born April 24, 1994, in Birmingham. He appeared on the TV series "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" and got his break-out role in Disney's "Teen Beach Movie" in 2013.
Louise Fletcher
Estelle Louise Fletcher was born July 22, 1934, in Birmingham to Episcopal minister Robert Fletcher and his wife Estelle, both of whom were deaf. Fletcher was taught to speak by an aunt, who also introduced her to the performing arts. After college, Louise moved to Los Angeles and got a job on TV series such as "Maverick" and "The Untouchables" but she was best known for her Oscar-winning portrayal of Nurse Ratched in 1974's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." In her acceptance speech, she thanked her parents, who were originally from Arab, Ala., using sign language.
Walton Goggins
Walton Goggins was born Nov. 10, 1971, in Birmingham and was raised in Lithia Springs, Ga. He is best known for his roles as Shane Vendrell on the TV show "The Shield" and as Boyd Crowder on "Justified." He has appeared in numerous films including "Django Unchained," "Machete Kills," "Lincoln" and more.
Beth Grant
Beth Grant was born Sept. 18, 1949, in Gadsden. She is a character actress who has appeared in dozens of films and TV series. Some of the most recognizable films include "Rain Man," "Speed," "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar," "A Time to Kill," and "Little Miss Sunshine." Some TV shows in which she's appeared include: "The Mindy Project," Everwood," "The Golden Girls," "Malcolm in the Middle," Friends," The X Files," How I Met Your Mother," The Office" and "Criminal Minds."
Sonequa Martin-Green
Sonequa Martin-Green was born March 21, 1985, in Russellville. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 2007 with a degree in theatre. She is best known for her recurring roles as Courtney Wells on "The Good Wife," Tamara on "Once Upon a Time," and Sasha on "The Walking Dead."
Mitch Holleman
Mitch Holleman was born Sept. 13, 1994, in Auburn. He began his career acting in commercials for Burger King and soon got the part of Jake Hart on the sitcom "Reba." He has also appeared in the movies "The Animal," "Bubble Boy," and "Avatar: The Last Airbender."
Orlando Jones
Orlando Jones was born April 10, 1968, in Mobile. He is a stand-up comedian, actor and voice actor. Jones was one of the original nine cast members of "MADtv."
He has appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, including "Drumline" and "Runaway Jury." He is currently starring in the Fox series, "Sleepy Hollow."
Debby Ryan
Deborah Ann "Debby" Ryan was born May 13, 1993, in Huntsville. She is an actress, singer, musician and songwriter who is best known for starring in the Disney Channel series "Jessie." She previously starred in Disney shows "The Suite Life on Deck" and "Wizards of Waverly Place."
Michael Rooker
Michael Rooker was born April 6, 1955, in Jasper, one of nine children. He is best known for his roles as Henry in "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer," Hal Tucker in "Cliffhanger," and Frank Bailey in "Mississippi Burning." He is currently starring as Merle Dixon in "The Walking Dead."
Johnny Simmons
Johnny Simmons was born Nov. 28, 1986, in Montgomery and was raised in Dallas, Texas. Since his debut film "Evan Almighty," he has appeared in 14 films, including "Jennifer's Body," "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World," "21 Jump Street," with fellow Alabamian Channing Tatum and "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."
Fred Thompson
Fred Dalton Thompson was born August 19, 1942, in Sheffield. He is a politician, actor, attorney, lobbyist, columnist and radio host. As an actor, Thompson is best known as the district attorney Arthur Branch on the TV series "Law & Order." In real life, Thompson assisted with the Watergate hearings in the 1970s and was a Republican senator from Tennessee. He also ran for president of the United States in 2008. He has also appeared in more than 30 films, including "The Hunt for Red October," "Die Hard 2," "In the Line of Fire," and 2012's "Sinister."
Richard Tyson
Richard Tyson was born in the 1950s in Mobile. He graduated from Davidson High School in 1974 and earned a master's degree in fine arts from Cornell University. His brother John is the former district attorney of Mobile County.
Richard Tyson has appeared in numerous films such as "Me, Myself and Irene," "There's Something About Mary," and "Kindergarten Cop."
Ned Vaughn
Ned Vaughn was born Nov. 20, 1964, in Huntsville to Helen and Ed Vaughn, a reporter for WHNT Channel 19. Ned graduated from Lee High School. He has starred in such films as "The Hunt for Red October," "The Tuskegee Airmen," "Apollo 13," and in TV series including "24," "Criminal Minds," and "JAG."
Vaughn was elected as vice president of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists but resigned in August to run as a Republican for California's 66th State Assembly district.
Kelly Kazek is following the trends and talking about Real Alabama. Call her at 256-701-0576, find her on Facebook, or use contacts at the top of this story.