MomSkoop
Hollywood has a funny way of making everyone seem like they’re from the same place. You hear their voices on screen, watch them in American movies, and just assume they grew up in the States.
But some of the biggest stars you know and love actually come from places far beyond American borders. Get ready to be surprised by these familiar faces who aren’t actually American at all.
1. Kim Cattrall
Most people remember her as the sassy Samantha Jones from Sex and the City, living the ultimate New York lifestyle.
Her character was so iconic that fans never questioned where she came from in real life.
But Kim Cattrall was actually born in Liverpool, England, back in 1956.
She moved to Canada when she was just a baby, so she grew up in British Columbia.
Even though she nailed that Manhattan vibe on screen, her roots are firmly planted across the Atlantic.
Her British-Canadian background adds an interesting layer to her famous American character.
It just goes to show how talented actors can completely transform themselves for a role.
2. Kiefer Sutherland
Jack Bauer became one of television’s most intense American heroes on the show 24.
Kiefer Sutherland played this tough federal agent so convincingly that everyone assumed he was American too.
Surprise—he’s actually Canadian!
Born in London, England in 1966, Kiefer moved to Canada as a child and grew up in Toronto.
His father is the famous Canadian actor Donald Sutherland, so acting runs in the family.
Kiefer has dual citizenship in Canada and the UK, but not the United States.
His ability to portray such a believable American character shows his incredible range as an actor.
3. Natalie Portman
With her flawless American accent and roles in movies like Star Wars and Black Swan, Natalie seems totally American.
She even went to Harvard University, which made everyone think she was born and raised in the USA.
But Natalie Portman was actually born in Jerusalem, Israel in 1981.
Her birth name is Neta-Lee Hershlag, and she spoke Hebrew as her first language.
When she was three years old, her family moved to the United States.
She still holds Israeli citizenship and visits Israel regularly to stay connected to her roots.
Her international background makes her one of Hollywood’s most interesting and talented actresses.
4. Christian Bale
Batman himself fooled millions of people with his perfect American accent in the Dark Knight trilogy.
Christian Bale has played so many American characters that it’s easy to forget he’s not from the States.
He was born in Haverfordwest, Wales in 1974, making him Welsh by birth.
His family moved around a lot when he was young, living in England and Portugal.
Christian started acting as a child in England before eventually making it big in Hollywood.
When you hear him speak in interviews with his natural British accent, it’s quite a shock!
His ability to switch accents so seamlessly is a true testament to his acting skills.
5. Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron has that classic Hollywood beauty and speaks English without any noticeable accent.
She’s starred in countless American films and seems like she could be from California or New York.
But she’s actually from Benoni, South Africa, born in 1975.
Afrikaans was her first language, not English!
She moved to the United States when she was 19 to pursue a modeling and acting career.
Charlize worked incredibly hard to lose her South African accent and perfect her American English.
Her journey from South Africa to Oscar-winning actress is truly inspiring and shows her dedication to her craft.
6. Henry Cavill
Superman is supposed to be the ultimate American hero, protecting truth, justice, and the American way.
Henry Cavill played this iconic role so well that many fans assumed he must be American.
Actually, he’s from the Channel Islands, specifically Jersey, where he was born in 1983.
Jersey is a British Crown dependency located between England and France.
Henry went to boarding school in England and is completely British through and through.
His natural accent is quite posh and very different from Superman’s Midwestern American voice.
The fact that a Brit plays America’s most famous superhero is pretty ironic when you think about it!
7. Rose Byrne
From comedies like Bridesmaids to dramas like Damages, Rose Byrne has mastered the American accent perfectly.
She blends in so naturally with American casts that you’d never guess she’s from somewhere else.
Rose was born in Sydney, Australia in 1979 and grew up there her entire childhood.
She started acting in Australian films and TV shows before making the jump to Hollywood.
Her Australian accent is quite strong when she speaks naturally, which surprises many fans.
Rose has said she sometimes forgets to switch back to her real accent after long filming days!
Her versatility and accent skills have made her one of Hollywood’s most reliable actresses.
8. Ryan Reynolds
Deadpool’s wise-cracking humor and Ryan Reynolds’ overall vibe scream American comedy star.
He’s been in so many Hollywood blockbusters that his origins rarely get questioned.
But Ryan Reynolds is proudly Canadian, born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1976.
He grew up in Canada and even worked at a grocery store before becoming famous.
Ryan often jokes about being Canadian and hasn’t forgotten his roots despite his massive success.
He’s married to Blake Lively now, but his Canadian upbringing shaped his down-to-earth personality.
His humor might feel universal, but there’s definitely some Canadian politeness mixed in there too!
9. Rachel McAdams
Rachel McAdams became America’s sweetheart in movies like The Notebook and Mean Girls.
Her girl-next-door charm made her seem like she grew up in a typical American suburb.
In reality, Rachel was born in London, Ontario, Canada in 1978.
She studied theater at York University in Toronto before moving to Hollywood.
Rachel still lives part-time in Canada and values her privacy away from the Hollywood spotlight.
She’s spoken about how her Canadian upbringing keeps her grounded in the entertainment industry.
Her sweet personality isn’t just good acting—it’s genuinely part of her Canadian roots and upbringing.
10. Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves is practically a Hollywood legend at this point, known for The Matrix and John Wick.
His laid-back California vibe makes everyone think he’s been American his whole life.
But Keanu was actually born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1964 to an English mother and American father.
His family moved around constantly, and he eventually grew up in Toronto, Canada.
Keanu considers himself Canadian and has said Toronto will always be home to him.
He holds Canadian citizenship and is proud of his multicultural background.
His interesting life story adds even more depth to this already fascinating and beloved actor.
11. Toni Collette
Toni Collette has played American characters so convincingly that her true nationality often goes unnoticed.
From The Sixth Sense to Hereditary, she disappears completely into her American roles.
She was born in Sydney, Australia in 1972 and started her career in Australian theater.
Toni’s natural speaking voice has a strong Australian accent that shocks people when they first hear it.
She’s won multiple awards for both Australian and American film and television projects.
Her chameleon-like ability to adopt accents is considered one of the best in the business.
Toni proves that true talent knows no borders and can adapt to any role or character required.
12. Idris Elba
Idris Elba played Stringer Bell in The Wire with such an authentic Baltimore accent that fans were stunned.
Many viewers genuinely believed he was an American actor from the East Coast.
The truth is that Idris was born in Hackney, London, England in 1972.
He’s thoroughly British and speaks with a distinct London accent in real life.
Idris worked hard to perfect his American accent by watching American TV shows and listening to locals.
He’s since played American characters in multiple films and shows with the same impressive accuracy.
His accent work is so good that it’s become a masterclass for other actors trying to learn.
13. Anna Paquin
Anna Paquin won an Oscar at age 11 for The Piano, and most people assumed she was American.
She later starred as Sookie Stackhouse in True Blood with a perfect Southern accent.
But Anna was actually born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 1982.
When she was four, her family moved to New Zealand, where she spent most of her childhood.
She holds citizenship in three countries: Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.
Anna’s international upbringing gave her exposure to different cultures and accents from an early age.
Her unique background helps explain why she can slip into American roles so naturally and effortlessly.
14. Simon Baker
Simon Baker charmed American audiences as Patrick Jane in the hit show The Mentalist.
His smooth California style made him seem like a natural-born American leading man.
In reality, Simon was born in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia in 1969.
He grew up in Australia and started his acting career on Australian television shows.
Simon moved to the United States in the late 1990s to pursue bigger opportunities in Hollywood.
His Australian accent still comes through in interviews, surprising fans who only know him from American TV.
Despite his success in America, Simon remains connected to Australia and visits regularly with his family.
15. Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie burst onto the scene in The Wolf of Wall Street with a flawless New York accent.
She’s since played Harley Quinn and many other American characters without anyone questioning her background.
Margot was born on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia in 1990.
She worked multiple jobs while studying drama and acting in Australian soap operas before Hollywood called.
Her natural Australian accent is quite strong and very different from her on-screen American voice.
Margot has said she sometimes dreams in an American accent after spending months filming in character!
Her rapid rise to stardom shows that talent can come from anywhere in the world.
16. Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey became one of America’s biggest comedy stars in the 1990s with movies like Ace Ventura and The Mask.
His over-the-top humor and rubber-faced expressions seemed quintessentially American.
But Jim was actually born in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada in 1962.
He grew up in a working-class Canadian family and performed at comedy clubs in Toronto before moving south.
Jim eventually became a U.S. citizen in 2004 but still holds his Canadian citizenship too.
He’s spoken fondly about his Canadian upbringing and how it shaped his unique comedic perspective.
His success story proves that funny knows no borders and can resonate with audiences everywhere.